There’s nothing like setting off on a road trip, an adventure stretching out on the highway ahead. It’s a special kind of freedom, and with all the excitement, the boring (but very important) bits can fall by the wayside.
Does car hire include insurance?
All car hire companies should provide basic insurance. With Holiday Cars, standard insurance includes Collision Damage Waiver, Third Party Liability, and Theft Protection.
Collision Damage Waiver
The Collision Damage Waiver offers varying levels of protection in the event of a collision. Usually, it only covers the car’s bodywork, meaning you could be liable to pay for damage to the windows, wheels, or interior. The Collision Damage Waiver also means you would have the excess, and this amount depends on the vehicle.
Third Party Liability
Third Party Liability covers you if you damage anything with the hire car or hurt someone. This particular insurance policy doesn’t cover the car itself. There is a maximum amount that Third Party Liability will pay out – this amount will depend on the supplier. Bear in mind that this insurance is void if you are under the influence, or if you are driving recklessly.
Theft Protection
Theft Protection means you won’t have to pay the full amount for a new car if it gets stolen. It will also cover any damage done to the car if someone tries to steal it, such as scratches or damage to the key insert. The most that you will have to pay is the excess, which will depend on the vehicle and the supplier. The Theft Protection cover will not be valid if you break the rules of the rental agreement. For example, if you leave the car unlocked and it gets stolen, or if it’s stolen in a country that you were not cleared to drive in. If you don’t stick to the rules of the rental agreement, you will be liable to pay the whole amount.
What is excess coverage?
Excess coverage is additional protection against damage and theft. While the Collision Damage Waiver, Third Party Liability, and Theft Protection will cover you to a degree, you are still liable to pay a hefty excess and for parts of the car that are not covered. If you have an accident and damage is caused to the vehicle, excess coverage waives the fee that you would have to pay otherwise. Even the slightest scratch can result in a pricey paint job, so excess coverage makes sure that you aren’t left out of pocket. Essentially, it’s a small fee to avoid a potentially huge fee.
Is excess coverage worth it?
Even the most confident drivers have slip-ups sometimes. Some accidents are unavoidable, so while you might think that you don’t need the excess coverage, you never know what might happen. If an accident does happen, excess coverage will potentially save you thousands. Not taking out excess coverage is a huge risk, and knowing that you are fully covered and protected helps to encourage a smooth, carefree, and safe journey.
The types of excess coverage we offer:
When you hire a vehicle with us at Holiday Cars, our priority is ensuring you have a safe, enjoyable, and protected journey. We also want to make sure that you’re not spending more than you need to, striving for the best car hire and excess coverage prices on the market. You can pre-book your excess coverage with us to provide the peace of mind that you are completely protected before you hit the road.
NoRisk Warranty Plus: No excess riskThis is our safest option.It covers you from: Damage to the hire car
This type of coverage might be more expensive, but it offers complete protection. The wheels and windows are the car parts that are most likely to suffer damage or scratches, and having that coverage is an extra comfort. Most importantly, in the case of damage or theft, you will get a full refund. | NoRisk Warranty: Refund up to €750This is our basic coverage and most affordable option.It covers you from: Damage to the hire car
It does not include coverage for the wheels and windows, so if these are damaged, you will be liable and potentially out of pocket. The NoRisk Warranty coverage also does not completely cover the full excess amount. The excess is €1100, and refunds on the NoRisk Warranty will go up to €750, but you are liable to pay the rest. For example, if a car is scratched, and it costs €1100 or more to fix it, the rental company will charge you up to €350. |
Both types of coverage include a free Vehicle Damage Assessment. This is an online tool that helps record pre-existing vehicle damage, such as scratches and dents. Simply upload a two-minute vehicle to the online tool and it will automatically scan the damages and email you a damage report. This saves you from taking multiple pictures on your phone of the vehicle and running the risk of missing a scratch, so you can get on the road faster. The Vehicle Damage Assessment can be used in accident reports and rental company claims.
With Holiday Cars, you can select excess coverage upon booking your hire car. Then, you can embark on a carefree journey knowing you are covered. You will need a credit card for the deposit when you pick up your hire car, but this will be fully returned to you. In the unfortunate event that something happens to the car and you have NoRisk Warranty, then a portion of your deposit might be held back to cover the excess. If you have NoRisk Warranty Plus, you will get the full deposit back regardless – providing you adhered to the rental agreement and were not under the influence. You will have to submit a reclaim request with us as soon as possible with all the necessary information, and we will issue your refund promptly.
How much is excess coverage?
The price of excess coverage varies depending on the time of year, the type of coverage you choose, and the location. However, with Holiday Cars, the NoRisk Warranty covers is usually €6.24 per day and the NoRisk Warranty Plus is €11.54 per day. While it might be tempting to take the risk and avoid paying the additional cost, this payment could protect you from paying a much bigger fee in the unfortunate event of damage or theft.
What is roadside assistance and is it included in standard insurance?
Breaking down is scary, especially in a foreign country in a car that isn’t your own. All our vehicles are regularly checked and well-maintained, but sometimes these things happen. Our priority is ensuring your safety, and ensuring the process runs smoothly. Breakdown cover is not always included and it might be an additional fee – this will depend on the supplier. However, most of our suppliers (including Keddy, Eurocar, and more) will include 24/7 roadside assistance for the duration of the rental period. When you select the car you would like to hire, you will know if it includes roadside assistance if ‘24 Hour Assistance’ is in the ‘Included in the Price’ section.
In the unlikely case of your hire car breaking down, be sure to contact us as soon as possible and let us know.
Is it cheaper to add excess coverage with Holiday Cars or pay locally?
While you can decide to add on excess coverage when you pick up your car, it is cheaper to secure this with Holiday Cars when booking your hire car. It is between 40% to 60% cheaper to book this in advance with us than to pay at the desk. Not only is it cheaper, but it’s also more clear-cut – our NoRisk Warranty Plus coverage will protect you completely, so you can just pick up your hire car and set off on your journey.
Affordable car hire with Holiday Cars
We strive to provide a hassle-free, straightforward service for our customers. Planning a trip can be a lot of work but with our extensive catalogue of car hire suppliers, our range of vehicles to choose from, our optimised comparison site engine, and our experienced customer service team, you can relax knowing your car hire is taken care of. Whether you’re searching for a family car to take you on a California road trip, or a compact car to zip around Italy’s mountain roads, we’ve got you covered. Book with Holiday Cars today for a seamless experience, and enjoy peace of mind and full coverage with NoRisk Warranty Plus.