Car Rental Insurance Europe
Complete rental guide for Europe.
Europe is the world's most visited continent, and it's easy to see why. Iceland's landscapes, Greece's beaches, and plenty in between. Driving conditions vary just as much: Germany's Autobahn offers limitless speed, while rural Italy means narrow cobblestone streets. A bit of planning goes a long way.
This guide covers what you need for a smooth car rental in Europe: road rules, driving conditions, and how to handle the rental desk.
Understanding rental car insurance in Europe
Every car rental in Europe comes with basic third-party liability cover and a basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) built into the price, so you're covered for some accident damage from day one. If your CDW extends to cover theft as well, it’s usually called a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). But CDW/LDW usually comes with high excess and real gaps in coverage.
With the rental company
What isn't included and what you may pay out-of-pocket.
High excess.
You're on the hook if anything goes wrong.
Tires, windscreen, keys & lockouts.
Commonly excluded from basic CDW.
Weather & single-vehicle damage.
Often excluded: ice, hail, floods, sand and more.
With RentalCover
Fill in the gaps with protection from RentalCover.
€0 excess.
Nothing to pay if something goes wrong.
Tires, windscreen, keys & lockouts.
All covered.
Weather & single-vehicle damage.
Covered, including ice, hail, floods, sand and animal collisions.
Beat the rental desk price by 50%† — for just a few dollars a day!
Get an instant quoteKey driving information in Europe
A quick guide of rules and conditions that catch out most visiting drivers. For more detail, check local resources depending on the country.
Which side to drive on
Right-hand side except the UK, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus.
Speed limits
No limit on German Autobahns; most cap at 130-140km/h, city zones as low as 7-30km/h.
Toll roads
Common across Europe. Ask your rental company how to pay.
International driving permit (IDP)
Needed for many travelers. Check before you go.
Crossing borders
Ask your rental company if it’s allowed. You don’t need to tell RentalCover.
0.00% to 0.08% Blood Alcohol Limit
Depends on the country. Check before driving.
Road signs
Broadly similar continent-wide. Check local resources per country.
Pre-departure preparation checklist
Prepare these essentials before you travel!
Valid driver's license
Bring your full driver's license and an IDP if required.
Book RentalCover protection
Buy before you travel. This is typically 50% cheaper than at the rental desk.†
Review rental agreement
Read carefully and note the fuel policy, mileage limits and any additional fees.
Security deposit
Ensure your card can cover the deposit (often €100 - €2,000).
Download important documents
Save copies of your license, protection documents, rental confirmation and passport.
What to do at the car rental desk
Decline extra insurance
Have RentalCover Full Protection? Decline the rental desk's cover. You're already covered, even if they push back.
Conduct thorough inspection
Photograph existing damage and take a 360° video before driving.
Check fuel level
Note the level at pickup and confirm your rental company’s refueling policy.
Understand the vehicle
Get familiar with the controls and ask about anything unfamiliar.
Emergency numbers
Save the rental company's roadside assistance number.
Ready to hit the road with confidence?
Get an instant quoteWhat to do in the event of an accident
Stay calm and handle the urgent things first, then work through the rest once everyone is safe.
Emergency number in Europe - 112 (or, the local equivalent). 112 is the EU-wide emergency number but it may not apply to a handful of European countries/territories. Check depending on your country.
Right now - at the scene
Make sure everyone is safe
Check for injuries and call 112 (or the local equivalent) if anyone's hurt. Move to safety and switch on hazard lights.
Call the police if needed
Required for injury or major damage. Call 112, or the local police for non-emergencies.
Once everyone is safe
Take Photographs
Photograph all vehicles, the damage, road conditions and the location. Get any witness details.
Exchange information
Swap names, vehicle registration and insurance details with the other party. Don't admit fault at the scene.
Notify the rental company
Contact them as soon as possible. They'll guide you through the next steps.
File your claim with RentalCover
Submit a claim online with your photos, the police report and repair invoices. Claims are typically processed within 5–7 business days.
Frequently asked questions
Car hire excess insurance offers financial protection if things go wrong while driving a rental vehicle. Outside the United States and Canada, your rental price usually includes a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW).
Your CDW/LDW reduces your liability if the rental car is damaged or stolen, similar to basic insurance. However, it usually comes with a high excess, meaning you could still face significant out-of-pocket costs.
Car hire excess insurance covers that excess. You can buy it from the rental desk, or choose an alternative provider that may offer better value.
Credit card coverage varies significantly from one provider to another. Many credit card insurance policies do offer coverage for at least some European countries, though it's rarer to have coverage across the whole continent.
Credit card insurance is generally secondary coverage: it relies on a primary form of insurance, like your personal auto insurance, before it activates. Once it kicks in, it can cover your deductible and provide insurance for things your primary insurance might exclude.
Since personal auto insurance often doesn't apply when you travel overseas, some credit card policies will default to primary coverage in these cases.
Rental desk insurance in Europe typically covers you for the basics. But it leaves some real gaps.
When you rent a vehicle in Europe, you'll get the legally required minimum insurance included, and a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is also almost always included.
That's a reasonable baseline, but CDWs commonly exclude:
- Windscreen and headlight damage
- Underbody damage
- Lost keys
- Additional driver costs
Rental companies often sell a step up, a Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW), to close these gaps. It's usually pricier than third-party options like RentalCover that cover the same exclusions.
Some travel insurance policies include a level of rental vehicle cover. For example, some policies offer rental vehicle excess/deductible insurance, covering your out-of-pocket costs if you make a claim with another insurer, like your rental car company.
Your travel insurer typically won't offer primary cover for damage or theft to the rental vehicle itself.
The insurance that's legally required to drive in Europe is automatically included in your rental's daily price.
Additional cover from providers like RentalCover can bolster your peace of mind, filling gaps often excluded by rental company cover, with nothing to pay out of pocket if you need to claim.
The average cost of RentalCover protection comes to approximately €9 a day. Hire car insurance purchased from car rental companies costs around €15 to €21 a day.
Many car rental companies in Europe allow you to take your vehicle across national borders. The terms of your insurance should be broadly similar across any country you travel to; check with your rental car company to see if any changes apply.
You don't need to inform RentalCover if you take your vehicle to multiple countries. As long as you comply with the terms of your rental agreement, our cover will still apply.