Keeping you protected on your global adventure

One of the most freeing ways to explore the world at your own pace and in your own way is to get behind the wheel and hire a car. The freedom that hiring your own car brings offers up opportunities you just couldn't get when confined to public transport.

If you're looking to get behind the wheel and become captain of your own trip, then it's important to make sure you're protected. Although rare, accidents can happen, and you don't want to be left with extortionate costs that leave you out of pocket and ruins your holiday. That's where Holiday Extras car hire excess insurance comes in.

In simple terms, a car hire excess is the voluntary amount you would be expected to pay towards damage to a rented vehicle, should any damage the vehicle occur. There's no standardisation of costs when it comes to these charges, and they vary from company to company, but these costs can often go into the thousands. They tend to be hidden in the small print too, so you can be left having to foot extortionate bills for something as minor as a scratch on the vehicle. For a more comprehensive breakdown of Car Hire Excess Insurance, see here.

Holiday Extras is here to make sure that doesn't happen.

We'll make sure your excess is covered, meaning in the unfortunate case of an accident, your excess is protected. Holiday Extras car hire excess insurance works by a reimbursement basis, meaning that anything you have to pay in excesses in the event on an accident, we'll refund to you.

Holiday Extras also provides travel insurance for your entire trip, or car hire excess cover as an add-on to your comprehensive travel insurance cover, should you need it. Holiday Extras trusted car hire excess insurance protects you against any unexpected charges from the rental company, should the hire car become damaged, or involved in an accident.

Car Hire Excess summary of cover*

*This is a summary of the main cover limits. It is advised to read the rest of the policy for the full terms and conditions

European and Worldwide cover

Our excess insurance for car hire abroad covers both Europe and the rest of the world**, so regardless of where it is you're travelling to, you'll be able to rent a car, safe in the knowledge that, no matter where you are, should an accident happen, you're covered. With global events such as the Tokyo Olympics, where hiring a car is the best way to get around, you'll want to be protected.

Daily car hire excess insurance

If you're only travelling once or twice per year, then daily car hire excess insurance is the option for you. With daily car hire excess insurance, you'll only be paying for the days of your car hire cover period. This policy is valid for single trips that do not exceed 94 consecutive days.

Annual car hire excess insurance

If you're a regular traveller who often takes out car hire wherever you're visiting, then it's worth considering an annual insurance policy. Not only does this eliminate the time and hassle of booking cover every time you travel, but you can also make savings buying in bulk, as it were. As long as each individual trip doesn't exceed 62 consecutive days, you'll make huge savings on you car hire excess insurance.

Making a claim

If you need to make a claim on your car hire insurance policy, there are a few things you'll need. The process is both simple and straightforward. Here's some important information on what you need to make a general claim:

• Your original policy schedule, vehicle rental agreement and travel documents showing the dates and times of travel.
• Original bills or invoices you are asked to pay.
• Original receipts and accounts for any out-of-pocket expenses you have to pay.
• A copy of the driving license of the person driving the insured vehicle at the time of the accident.

**The only countries excluded from our cover are Afghanistan, Belarus, Congo, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Liberia, North Korea, Burma, Sudan and Zimbabwe (as well as any destinations to which the government advises against travel).