Because we believe so strongly in customer service, we wanted to devote an entire page to discuss with you the often complicated topic of insurance and car hire. It is our most commonly asked question, and so we wanted to de-mystify what insurance coverage is and is not. a
Is insurance included in the all-inclusive rate?
Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection Insurance
Am I personally insured?
Is there an excess (deductible) liability?
What is an ‘excess waiver’?
Do I have any other options?
What about negligent driving?
Yes, most definitely. All of Value Car Rentals’ local suppliers have negotiated rates with us that will include comprehensive insurance, and third party liability. This means that if you damage the car, you are covered for any potential liability toward the vehicle or the third party liabilities as well. What is never covered by standard comprehensive insurance is damage to tyres, windows, undercarriage of the car, interior, or lost keys.
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These are phrases that are used regularly in car hire. Basically what it means is that in the unlikely event that you may be involved in an accident, or have the car stolen, your liability is limited to a specified amount. This amount can range anywhere from 0 to well over £1000. In some locations, suppliers may offer an optional supplementary excess waiver that will reduce any possible financial liability. We always try to provide suppliers with no excess liability, however, sometimes this is unavoidable.
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Not usually. Local suppliers generally insure the vehicle and the third party insurance. However, we have some suppliers that will include personal injury accident insurance as well, but the majority do not. Most people that travel outside the UK purchase travel insurance, and these policies will normally cover you and the occupants of your vehicle if injured in an accident. Check with your insurance agent if you have questions about the specifics of your travel insurance policy. Here’s a really good tip - EU citizens are entitled to free or reduced emergency medical treatment within the European Economic Area. Check at your local post office for further information about the governmental form you will need to take with you on holiday.
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Wherever possible, Value Cars tries to provide car hire through local suppliers that have a policy of no excess (deductible) liability. This is not always possible however. Depending on the location and the supplier, you may have a liability (deductible) if you damage the car. In general terms, the smaller a car, the smaller the excess and the larger a car, the larger the excess. Please remember that if you are upgraded for free to a larger car when you arrive, remember that your excess liability may also be higher. We will inform you if this applies to your booking, but for the vast majority of bookings, there is no excess.
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If your car is liable for an excess, some suppliers will offer you an optional ‘excess waiver’. This is additional insurance that you can buy at the counter, which will cover all or some of the excess liability. Clearly, the odds are in your favour that nothing is going to happen to your car. However, you can purchase the local supplier’s optional insurance for added peace of mind. On short rentals, it is usually good value. But on longer rentals, it is important to add up the total cost of the waiver and compare that to the actual liability, and sometimes it is not such good deal.
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Yes. We work with a company called Insurance 4 Car Hire. They are a UK based company that offers either daily or yearly coverage. They will cover any potential excess, and they also cover tyres, windows, undercarriage of the car, etc. We think they are good value. If you would prefer to ring, their number is 0207 372 4538. Please identify yourself as a Value Car Rentals customer. Click here for details or click here to book
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If you have an accident and are sited for ‘negligent driving’, you may be responsible to pay for the entire damage amount to repair the vehicle. Negligent driving cancels any insurance that the car supplier provides. Examples of ‘negligent driving’ would include (but not be limited to):
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Not obeying the traffic laws of the land
- Driving the car off-road
- Involved in an accident where there is no other car (driving into a bollard, tree, stationary object, etc.)
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