Car hire excess insurance compared
The rental desk sells its waiver at €15–30 per day, with exclusions. Standalone excess insurance covers the same liability — usually including tyres, glass and undercarriage — for a fraction of that. You pay the desk charge if something happens, then the insurer refunds you.
Discover Cars
Top pickCar rental comparison + full coverage
- Best for
- Booking your next rental with deposit-safe coverage
- Compares local and international rental companies in one search
- Full Coverage add-on refunds excess charges including damage and towing
- Free cancellation on most bookings
insurefor.com
Standalone car hire excess insurance
- Best for
- Single trips — daily policies
- Covers the excess the rental desk holds you liable for
- Includes commonly excluded parts: tyres, windscreen, roof, undercarriage
- Cheaper than the rental desk's own waiver in most cases
Reduce My Excess
Standalone excess insurance (daily & annual)
- Best for
- Frequent renters — annual multi-trip policies
- Annual policies typically cost less than two days of desk waivers
- European and worldwide cover options
- Claims paid to you after you reclaim from the rental company
Cover4Rentals
Excess reimbursement insurance
- Best for
- EU residents (dedicated EU policies)
- EU and UK policy versions
- Covers excess charges, key loss and misfuelling
- Daily and annual options
Big Blue Cover
Standalone excess insurance
- Best for
- Budget single-trip cover
- Low-cost daily policies
- Covers damage, theft and loss-of-use charges up to the policy limit
- Buy any time before you pick up the car
Or rely on your credit card?
- Some premium credit cards include rental collision cover — check whether yours covers CDW excess in the rental country before buying anything
- Card cover usually excludes tyres, glass, keys and misfuelling — the charges rental desks bill most often
- Whatever you choose: decline the desk waiver only when you can show proof of your own cover at pickup
Prices and cover vary by provider and country — always check the current policy wording before buying. Links on this page are affiliate links; using them never increases what you pay.
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