FAQs - Insurance, cover and protection
What does ‘excess’ mean - and what’s my excess?
If damage occurs, the excess is the amount you would need to pay. For example, if the car's bodywork is damaged, you would pay the damage excess. If the car is stolen, you would pay the theft excess. The remaining costs are usually covered by the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW *) or Theft Protection (TP *) – provided to you in the rental terms and the rental agreement on site.
You can find the exact amount of your excess in the rental terms and on your rental voucher. Click the 'view voucher' button in your confirmation email, or log in to your customer account under 'My bookings'.
* This cover is only valid if you comply with the terms of the rental agreement.
Tip: Reduce your liability by upgrading your offer with ‘Premium‘ or ‘Full Cover‘.
What insurance/cover does my rental car have?
All rentals must have Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection. Depending on where you're renting, these could be:
- Included with the car when you book it, or
- Provided by the main driver's credit card company, or
- Bought from the rental company when you get to the rental counter.
You can also buy additional cover while you're booking your car, or when you get to the rental counter.
You'll find details in your car's rental terms and on the voucher. Click on 'important info' once you have chosen an offer and here 'Insurance protection' or after clicking on the offer under "Insurance". Alternatively click the 'view voucher' button in your confirmation email, or log in to your customer account under 'My bookings'.
Tip: Check what’s included in your voucher – many rentals include basic CDW and Theft Protection.
What is Theft Protection?
Theft Protection is a kind of cover that's usually provided with the rental car.
If someone stole the car during your rental, you wouldn't have to pay the full cost, not just the excess.
Theft Protection is only valid if you stick to the terms of the rental agreement that you sign when you pick up the car. For example: if you left the car unlocked and it was stolen, you'd be liable for the full cost, not just the excess.
Tip: Lock your car and keep the keys secure to stay protected.
What is Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)?
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is a kind of cover that's usually provided with the rental car.
If the bodywork got damaged during your rental, you wouldn't have to pay the full cost, not just the excess - you'd just pay the CDW excess.
CDW is only valid if you stick to the terms of the rental agreement that you sign when you pick up the car. For example: it wouldn't cover any damage caused while the car was being driven by someone who was drunk, or who wasn't named as a driver on the rental agreement. If that happened, you'd be liable for the full cost, not just the excess.
Tip: CDW doesn’t cover all parts – consider extra cover for tyres, glass, and roof.