When planning to travel or go on an exciting road trip, renting a car can seem like a simple and easy process. You pick the vehicle, sign the necessary paperwork, and you’re set, right? Not quite. There’s one very important aspect of car hire that people often forget or overlook: the rental vehicle excess. The high excesses on rental vehicles can leave you with out-of-pocket expenses that are both inconvenient and annoying.
In simple terms, excess is the amount you’re required to pay if you need to make a claim on any insurance. In the case of car hire, if the cost of damage to the car is £1,200 (oh, dear), and your excess is £500, you’ll pay the £500, and your insurer will cover the rest. If your claim is less than the excess, however, you’ll cover the full amount yourself. With Zero Excess (or Nil Excess), you do not have this problem: you will not have to pay any amount towards excess, as your insurer covers the entire excess. Yep, the entire excess.
Excess Explained in Detail
Excess is a common term in the world of Car Hire Excess Insurance, and it’s basically a way for the insurer to share the risk with you. It’s essentially the amount you agree to pay towards any damage or loss before your insurance covers the remaining cost. Let’s say you’re involved in an incident and the damage is estimated at £1,200. If the excess on your policy is £500, you’ll be responsible for that amount, and the insurer will cover the remaining £700.
While excess is standard in car rental policies, there’s a catch: if the claim value is less than your excess (say, £400) you’ll need to cover the entire cost. That’s why making sure you really understand your policy is so important, as well as assessing your options and finding a policy that best fits your needs.
If you are hiring a car, Car Hire Excess Insurance is for you. It serves as a huge safeguard against unexpected expenses that may arise from damages, theft, or accidents involving the rental vehicle. Whether you're a frequent traveller or embarking on a one-time journey, this insurance provides peace of mind by covering the excess charges imposed by car hire companies in case of any issues. Even though thinking about things that could go wrong isn’t exactly thrilling, it’s always better to be prepared in advance.
What Does Zero Excess Mean, Exactly?
When you hear ‘Zero Excess’ or ‘Nil Excess’, think of it as the golden ticket to peace of mind when renting a car. In simple terms, zero excess means you pay nothing towards a claim if something goes wrong.
It’s also known as:
- No Excess
- Excess Waiver
Let’s break it down with an example:
- Standard policy: If you’re unlucky enough to make a claim, you’ll be out of, say, £500 (yikes).
- Nil Excess policy: You pay nothing. Nada, zilch, nilch, not a penny!
It’s that easy. Zero Excess means you’re free from the financial sting if something happens to your rental car.
How Can You Get Zero Excess Cover?
There are two main ways to get Nil Excess cover for your rental car.
Option 1: The Rental Company at the Desk
While it may sound tempting to add insurance when you pick up the keys, be warned: it's usually expensive and the coverage can be pretty limited. Not exactly the dream situation, right?
Option 2: Gigasure
Here’s the move: Gigasure offers Zero Excess and a digital-first experience. With Gigasure, you can pre-book online, keeping things simple and super convenient. Plus, we offer unique customisation in the form of add-ons so you can make sure your policy works for you.
Gigasure’s policies offer:
- Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip cover, so you can choose what works best for you.
- Cover for up to 9 named drivers (the more the merrier)
- Global protection, so you can travel anywhere with peace of mind.
- Customisation so that your policy is always working for you
Now, here’s where things get tricky: Standard rental insurance often leaves out some key areas. Here’s what you might find excluded in the fine print:
What’s Typically Not Covered by Rental Company Insurance?
- Tyres (oops, flat!)
- Windscreen and windows
- Roof
- Undercarriage
- Misfuelling
- Lost keys (who has the spare key?)
The good news? Gigasure covers all the above as standard. That means no unexpected costs, no surprise exclusions, just solid protection all around.
Is Zero Excess Worth It?
If you're a first-time renter, traveling with family, or just looking for a bit of extra peace of mind on your trip, Nil Excess Insurance might be the game-changer you never knew you needed. Imagine cruising through the rental process without worrying about surprise fees or unexpected charges. That’s the vibe with Nil Excess; you get covered for the damages, and you're out nothing extra. It's like a smooth ride with no bumps along the way.
But it might not be for everyone. If you’re an experienced driver and already comfortable handling the mishaps that might happen, you might not need this extra cushion. But for those who want a no-stress, no-surprise experience, Nil Excess is definitely worth considering.
Real Example: Why It Pays to Be Covered
Let’s paint a picture: You’re cruising around, maybe enjoying the open road a bit too much, and boom: you reverse into a post. Oops. £500 damage. What now?
If you’ve opted for rental desk insurance, you’re looking at paying that £600 excess fee. That’s a lot of money. Now, if you’ve got Gigasure’s zero excess, the only thing you’re paying is a sigh of relief...because you pay absolutely nothing. Zero. Nada. Zilch.
Basically, with Gigasure’s Zero Excess Insurance Cover, you can take that hit to your ego instead of your wallet. And that’s just one reason why it’s so worth it.
Gigasure vs Rental Desk – Feature Comparison
We’ve broken down the key features to help you see how Gigasure stacks up against traditional rental desk insurance.
Zero excess available
- Rental Desk Cover: Sometimes
- Gigasure Cover: Yes
Covers tyres, glass, roof, etc.
- Rental Desk Cover: Rarely
- Gigasure Cover: Yes
Covers misfuelling and key loss
- Rental Desk Cover: Rarely
- Gigasure Cover: Yes (up to £2,000)
Add multiple drivers
- Rental Desk Cover: Often not included
- Gigasure Cover: Yes (up to 9 drivers)
Use across multiple countries
- Rental Desk Cover: Limited
- Gigasure Cover: Yes
Book online before travel
- Rental Desk Cover: No
- Gigasure Cover: Yes
So whether you’re looking for peace of mind with no excess, coverage for the odd mishap like misfuelling, or even flexibility for multiple drivers, Gigasure’s got you covered. With rental desk insurance, you’re not always going to get the same level of coverage or convenience.
Ready to hit the road with total peace of mind? Choose Gigasure Car Hire Excess Insurance and enjoy:
- Nil Excess options with no hidden fees
- Protection for parts other insurers might leave out
- Cover for up to 9 drivers
- Instant policy documents via the app (because who has time to wait?)
Book your cover today and start your trip stress-free. We’ll do the tough work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Nil Excess mean?
Nil Excess means you won’t need to pay for repairs or damage if an accident occurs. Gigasure’s Zero Excess cover ensures that you’re fully protected, offering peace of mind while driving by covering all costs of damage or repairs, regardless of fault.
What is Excess Reimbursement Insurance?
Excess Reimbursement Insurance is another option (like Zero Excess) to consider. If you don’t opt for Nil Excess cover, you can pay the excess upfront to the rental company and get reimbursed by your insurer afterward. It’s a great choice if you want flexibility but still want to protect yourself from unexpected costs.
What happens if I don’t pay my excess?
If you don’t pay your excess, the rental company may withhold your deposit, charge your card, or take legal action depending on the situation. It's important to settle the excess to avoid complications, as the company may refuse to release the vehicle or other services until the payment is made.
Do I pay excess if I’m not at fault?
Typically, yes, you still need to pay the excess, even if you’re not at fault. However, with Gigasure's Zero Excess Cover, you won’t need to pay anything, as it eliminates the excess payment entirely, offering you full protection in case of an accident.
Can I claim excess back?
Yes, you may be able to claim your excess back, depending on your insurance policy or if the other driver is at fault. If the other party is responsible, their insurance might cover your excess, allowing you to recover the costs.
What happens if my claim is under the excess value?
If your claim is less than the excess, you won’t be able to claim, and you’ll pay the full amount.
