When you hire a car, do you ever fully read the documents that come with it? It is sometimes tempting to nod while the hire company representative thrusts a clipboard and a pen under your nose, ignore the small print, sign up and put your hand out to receive the keys.
If you have ever done this, you may wish to consider car hire excess insurance.
What you may be liable for Under a typical car hire agreement, your main insurance may cover a number of issues.
However, you may still be liable for: - a potentially large excess (which you would have to pay if a claim was made on the original insurance policy); - damage to the tyres; - damage to the windscreen; and - damage to the under body.
Unfortunately, these things are all items that may be damaged easily, without even any carelessness on your part.
Who hasn't driven over something sharp that was invisible from the driver's seat and caused a puncture, or had their windscreen hit by something that caused a chip? The trouble is that without car hire excess insurance, there is a "gap" in the cover you have that may include the expensive items that are detailed above.
If you are called to pay up for any of those expenses, then suddenly a good car hire deal may become a nightmare of a financial obligation.
Important issues to consider The exact nature of your car hire excess insurance may depend on what the insurer has on offer.
As with any insurance product, terms and conditions, exclusions and limitations will apply and you may wish to check the details carefully to make sure that you understand what you are signing up to.
You may wish to bear in mind that car hire excess policies may typically only apply to driving in the United Kingdom.
If you are planning to hire a car in the United States or in Europe, you may wish to investigate getting a specific policy for that area, as your insurance needs may be slightly different.
For UK driving, you may also wish to check what extra benefits you may be entitled to under your car hire excess insurance policy.
For example, can you add the names of other drivers to the policy? Are there any free periods of insurance included in the price? Will any charity benefit if you choose a particular provider?
If you have ever done this, you may wish to consider car hire excess insurance.
What you may be liable for Under a typical car hire agreement, your main insurance may cover a number of issues.
However, you may still be liable for: - a potentially large excess (which you would have to pay if a claim was made on the original insurance policy); - damage to the tyres; - damage to the windscreen; and - damage to the under body.
Unfortunately, these things are all items that may be damaged easily, without even any carelessness on your part.
Who hasn't driven over something sharp that was invisible from the driver's seat and caused a puncture, or had their windscreen hit by something that caused a chip? The trouble is that without car hire excess insurance, there is a "gap" in the cover you have that may include the expensive items that are detailed above.
If you are called to pay up for any of those expenses, then suddenly a good car hire deal may become a nightmare of a financial obligation.
Important issues to consider The exact nature of your car hire excess insurance may depend on what the insurer has on offer.
As with any insurance product, terms and conditions, exclusions and limitations will apply and you may wish to check the details carefully to make sure that you understand what you are signing up to.
You may wish to bear in mind that car hire excess policies may typically only apply to driving in the United Kingdom.
If you are planning to hire a car in the United States or in Europe, you may wish to investigate getting a specific policy for that area, as your insurance needs may be slightly different.
For UK driving, you may also wish to check what extra benefits you may be entitled to under your car hire excess insurance policy.
For example, can you add the names of other drivers to the policy? Are there any free periods of insurance included in the price? Will any charity benefit if you choose a particular provider?