Hiring a car for your holiday or business travel opens up a world of flexibility and freedom, allowing you to explore on your terms. But it also comes with certain risks. An often-overlooked part of car rental is the car hire excess insurance, an essential safeguard against unexpected charges that could impact your travel budget. 

While most car hire companies offer basic insurance, the excess — the amount you’d pay out of pocket if the car is damaged or stolen — can be steep. That’s where Gigasure’s Car Hire Excess Insurance steps in, covering these costs and giving you true peace of mind. With our app, you can seamlessly manage, update, or customise your cover in just a few taps, ensuring you stay protected wherever your travels take you. 

Below, we’ll guide you through the essentials of car hire excess insurance, tips for maximising your cover, and how Gigasure makes it easy to stay secure. 

What Does Car Hire Excess Insurance Cover? 

If you're hiring a car, you're always covered by the car hire company’s insurance, but only to a certain extent. They might cover the vehicle for significant accidents or theft, but the excess is the amount you're liable to pay in case of an incident. This excess can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds, depending on the rental car company, your age and the value of the car. 

This is where car hire excess insurance comes into play. It covers the excess amount that the car rental company would charge you in case of damage or theft, ensuring you’re not left with a huge bill to pay. 

Car hire excess insurance typically includes cover for: 

• Accidental damage, such as dents, scratches, or collisions. Even small incidents like scraping the car on a low wall can result in charges that you’d be liable for if you don’t have excess insurance. 
• Theft of the vehicle, covering your liability if the rental car is stolen. 
• Windscreen, tyre, and undercarriage damage, which are often not covered by standard car rental insurance but are common types of damage that can lead to costly repairs. 
• Lost or stolen keys, saving you from paying exorbitant fees to replace the keys, which can be surprisingly high with modern vehicles. 
• Towing costs if the car needs to be towed after an accident.  Costs for tow truck following an accident or mechanical breakdown can leave you out of pocket too! 
• Misfuelling if you happen fill-up your rental vehicle with the wrong fuel. 
• Curtailment if your holiday or business trip is cut short.  
• Drop off charges in case you can’t return your rental vehicle to the car rental company’s return point. 

Gigasure's policies are designed for the renter or hirer, offering protection that ensures you're always covered when it matters most. 

How to Get the Most Out of Your Car Hire Excess Insurance Cover 

To ensure you’re getting the best value from your car hire excess insurance, there are a few steps you should take before and during your rental. 

Compare Excess Insurance Options Before You Buy 

• Gigasure offers competitive prices for both Single Trip and Annual Multi-trip Car Hire Excess insurance policies. Using the Gigasure app, you can quickly compare and customise your options to fit your travel requirements. Stand-alone policies like Gigasure’s often provide more value than those from car hire companies. 
• Review pricing and cover details to find an option that fits your needs and budget. 
• Check customer feedback, particularly for ease of claims, which can vary widely. 
• Compare policy features and benefits to ensure you’re choosing the best fit for your trip. 

Consider an Annual Policy for Frequent Car Hires 

If you hire cars frequently, even if it’s more than twice, it may be worth investing in an annual car hire excess insurance policy. This will cover you for multiple car hires, often across different regions, without needing to buy a separate policy each time you travel abroad. The savings can add up quickly compared to paying for a single trip policy. 

Be Prepared to Make a Claim 

Knowing how to handle things if something goes wrong is essential. If you need to make a claim, you will usually have to follow these steps to have your claims handled effectively and expeditiously. 

• Pay the Excess to the hire car company
  • If the hire car is damaged or stolen, you are responsible for paying the Excess (initial part of the cost) to the Rental Car Company. 
  • The Excess is often withheld from your credit card and or paid upfront. 
• Obtain supporting documentation 
  • Rental Agreement: Proof of the car hire agreement. 
  • Damage Report: Evidence of the damage or incident, often provided by the car hire company. 
  • Receipts/Invoices: Proof of the excess amount paid to the car hire company. 
  • Police Report (if applicable): Required for theft or certain types of damage. 
  • Proof of Payment: Bank or card statements showing the excess charge. 
• Submit a claim to your insurance provider 
  • Contact your Car Hire Excess Insurance provider and follow their claims process. 
  • Provide all the necessary documents along with a completed claim form. Most insurers allow submissions online, by email, or by post. 
• Wait for assessment 
  • The insurance provider will assess your claim. They may contact you for additional information or clarification if needed. 
• Reimbursement 
  • Once the claim is approved, the insurer reimburses you for the excess amount you paid, usually directly into your bank account. 

Confirm You Have the Main Insurance in Place 

Remember, car hire excess insurance is designed to cover the excess amount, not to replace the primary insurance offered by the rental car company. You still need the basic insurance provided by the car hire company, which often includes a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Theft Protection (TP). Your excess insurance kicks in to cover the gap, meaning you don’t have to worry about paying the excess. 

Take Care of the Vehicle’s Interior 

To protect the interior of a hire car, customers should take certain precautions and avoid behaviours that could lead to damage or additional charges. Here's what to advise hire car customers not to do: 

• Do not smoke inside the car - smoking is prohibited in most rented cars, and any evidence of smoking (odour, ashes, or burns) can result in cleaning fees or penalties. 
• Avoid eating messy foods - spills, crumbs, and stains can lead to additional cleaning charges. Stick to non-messy snacks if eating in the car is unavoidable. 
• Do not transport pets without protection - pets can scratch seats, leave fur, or create odours. If pets are allowed, ensure they are transported in carriers or on protective covers. 
• Refrain from Using the Car for Unintended Purposes - Avoid using the car for activities like transporting large or sharp items that could scratch or damage the upholstery. 
• Do not ignore luggage and sharp objects - placing sharp or heavy objects directly on the seats or in areas without protection can cause tears or dents. Use the boot or trunk space carefully. 
• Avoid using harsh cleaning products - if you spill something, do not use abrasive cleaners that could damage the materials. Use gentle cleaning wipes or products suitable for the car's interior. 
• Do not leave windows or sunroof open- this can allow dust, debris, or rain to damage the interior. 
• Don’t leave the car unlocked or unattended - leaving the car unsecured increases the risk of theft or vandalism, which could result in damage to the interior. 

Gigasure CEO, Ernesto Suarez, provides his general advice on the subject: “Use protective mats and seat covers if you anticipate heavy use, report any pre-existing damage to the interior at the time of pickup to avoid being blamed for it later, and check the terms and conditions of the hire car agreement regarding care and usage of the interior.” 

Stick to the Rental Terms and Conditions 

Always stick to the rental agreement’s terms. Whether it’s limiting the car to specific areas or not allowing unauthorised drivers, going outside the contract can invalidate both the rental agreement and your excess insurance. Make sure you understand the terms before you drive off. 

Avoid Unauthorised Vehicle Repairs 

If there’s damage to the car, don’t attempt to fix it yourself. Unauthorised repairs won’t be reimbursed and could even invalidate your claim. Always report any damage to the car hire company and let them handle the repairs. 

Keep All Relevant Documents for Claims 

In case of an accident, keep all necessary documentation, including police reports and receipts for any damage-related expenses. This paperwork will be required to support your claim, and without it, you could face delays or even a denied claim. 

Things to Consider When Buying Car Hire Excess Insurance 

When choosing a car hire excess insurance policy, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure you’re getting the right cover for your needs. 

Policy cover Limits 

Ensure the policy covers the full excess amount. Some policies have limits that may leave you underinsured, particularly if you’re hiring a high-value vehicle where the excess can vary between car hire providers and normally range between £500 and £2,500. 

Check for Additional Fees 

Some policies may include hidden fees, such as charges for crossing country borders or driving in certain areas. Make sure you understand all the terms and conditions before purchasing your insurance to avoid any unexpected costs. 

Understand Exclusions and Limitations 

Every policy has exclusions, so read the fine print carefully. Understanding what isn’t covered (like certain types of damage or specific circumstances that could void your claim) will help you avoid getting caught out. 

Explore Car Hire Excess Insurance at Gigasure 

Car hire excess insurance is an essential helps protect you against unexpected charges when hiring a car. Whether you're facing damage from a minor accident or hefty costs due to theft, Gigasure’s Car Hire Excess insurance can protect you from paying a large excess. It’s important to ensure you have a policy that fully covers your needs—whether it’s for an individual trip, or multiple trips during the year. 

At Gigasure, we offer a range of car hire excess insurance options designed to provide you with protection. Our policies cover key areas such as tyres, windscreens, roof and undercarriage damage, which are often excluded in hire car agreements.  

We’ve made managing your insurance even easier with the Gigasure app. With our app, you can extend your single trip policy if your trip duration changes, boost your cover, update your policy, or manage multiple insurance needs all in one convenient place. Whether you’re on the go (not while driving of course!) or planning your next adventure, you can get an instant quote, check your policy details, and ensure you’re fully covered with just a few taps. Our app also sends timely reminders and allows you to make quick changes, so you can always stay on top of your insurance needs. 

We don’t just cover rental cars. If you're hiring a van, our Van Hire Excess insurance provides the similar protection. Whether you're moving house or renting a van for business purposes, Gigasure ensures you're covered against excess charges from damage or theft. Our Van Hire Excess policies are designed to offer the same peace of mind as our car hire excess insurance, ensuring you're protected, no matter what vehicle type you hire. 

Ready to protect yourself from unexpected car hire excess charges? Shop with confidence and get a quote with Gigasure. It’s quick and easy. Simply start your quote here, and we’ll make sure to calculate the best price for you.  

With competitive premiums, flexible options, and exceptional cover, Gigasure is your trusted partner for car hire excess insurance.