Holidaymakers in Europe Warned of Overpriced Car Hire Insurance Policies

Are you planning a holiday in Europe and thinking of renting a car? Well, before you head to the car hire desk, make sure you read this blog post to avoid getting “ripped off” by car hire companies when it comes to insurance policies.

According to research from Which?, travellers in Europe could be charged up to £199 for excess waivers at the car hire desk, while online policies are available for as little as £16. That’s a huge price difference that could save you a significant amount of money on your holiday expenses.

When you rent a car in Europe, basic insurance is usually included in the rental price. However, this insurance comes with an excess, meaning you may have to pay a contribution towards repair costs if the car is damaged, regardless of fault. Common issues like a puncture or a replacement windscreen can end up costing you hundreds of euros.

To avoid these high costs, you have two options – purchase a super collision damage waiver (SCDW) policy from the rental firm or buy an excess reimbursement insurance (ERI) from a third party. Which? compared the standard of cover provided by SCDWs from major car hire firms in Malaga with ERI policies and found that ERI policies are not only cheaper but also offer more comprehensive coverage.

For example, Budget and Avis offer expensive SCDW policies with inferior cover compared to ERI policies available online. On the other hand, policies like Cover4rentals.com’s Gold policy and Worldwide Insure’s Deluxe policy offer better coverage at a fraction of the cost.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, advises travellers to never take excess insurance from the car hire firm and instead opt for an ERI policy from an insurer or car hire broker. These policies are not only cheaper but also provide peace of mind in case anything goes wrong during your trip.

So, before you hit the road on your European holiday, make sure to check your rental car deal and consider purchasing a cheaper insurance policy online. It could save you money and give you better coverage for a stress-free travel experience.