FAQs

• What is Collision Damage Waiver/Car Hire Excess?

  When a car is hired in the UK, Ireland, Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and most of the Middle and Far East, CDW (Collision Damage Waiver), Theft and Third Party Liability are included in the car rental price. There is always an Excess (also referred to as Super CDW, Non Waiver or Deductible) on the CDW and Theft portion of the rental. The Excess will range, depending on the country and the car rental company, from about £200 to £2,000.
  This means that in the event of theft or damage to the rental vehicle, you must pay the first portion of the cost, i.e. the Excess, to the car rental company.
  It is this excess that is covered by our insurance Policy.

• How does it work?

  The policy operates on a pay and reclaim basis, the hire car company would have already held an amount on your credit card to cover their excess. This amount would be deducted from you in the event of an accident in the vehicle you are hiring from them.
  It is this amount that will be reimbursed by carhireexcess.com insurers.

• Who can purchase a Collision Damage Waiver/Car Hire Excess Policy?

  Any Resident of the United Kingdom and Channel Islands aged between 21 years and 84 years

• What do I do in the event of a claim?

  Should you wish to claim under your policy, you should call the claims Helpline on 0871 230 5149 as soon as possible, no later than 31 days of the date of the occurrence or upon your return from holiday whichever is the sooner. You may be asked for specific information with regards to your claim, all of which is detailed under the ‘Claims Notification’ section on your policy wording.

• What is the difference between a single policy and an annual policy?

  A Single policy will cover you for a ‘one off’ car rental agreement, and is only valid for the rental dates specified on the certificate of insurance. The maximum period is 180 Days on a Single Policy.
  An Annual policy is valid for 12 months from the issue date and will cover you for unlimited car rental agreements so long as the individual car rental does not last longer than 62 days at any one time.

• What is the maximum duration of continual cover allowed on this policy?

  Single Policy - 180 days any one continuous rental.
  Annual Policy - 62 days any one continuous rental, unlimited rentals.

• What countries am I covered in?

  Worldwide (excluding Afghanistan, Belarus, Cuba, Congo, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Liberia, North Korea, Burma, Sudan and Zimbabwe).

• Who underwrites this policy?

  This policy is Underwritten by Mondial Assistance Europe N.V

• Does my car rental agreement already include insurance?

  If you are hiring a car in the UK, Europe, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, the answer is generally Yes. This is always worth checking prior to hiring the car though. If it does, your car rental agreement will include cover for: CDW (Collision Damage Waiver), also known as LDW (Loss Damage Waiver), Third Party Liability and Theft.
  There is almost always an Excess (also known as Super CDW, the Deductible, or Non-Waiver) on the CDW and Theft part of the rental agreement. This Excess is likely to range from about £200 to £2,000. It is this Excess which is covered by our insurance Policies.
  If you are hiring the car in the USA Canada, the Caribbean and South America, it is generally the case that your car rental will not include insurance. The renter must purchase CDW (Collision Damage Waiver)/LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) and Supplemental Liability Insurance. This is sold at the car rental counter and will cost between US$20 and US$30 a day.

• What is the difference between Excess, Super CDW, Non–Waiver and the Deductible?

  Each car rental company uses different terminology, but they all refer to the same thing. When a car is hired, Collision Damage Waiver and Theft cover are included in the car rental price. There is always an Excess (also referred to as Super CDW, Non Waiver or Deductible) on the CDW and Theft portion of the rental agreement. This amount varies according to the car rental company, the location and the size of the vehicle, and can range from £200 - £2,000.

• Will the car rental company pre-authorise my credit card when I have your Excess Insurance?

  Each car rental company will have their own policy and procedures on deposits. A number of companies will either pre-authorise or debit a sum equal to the Excess from your credit card, while others may merely take an imprint.

• I have a credit card which covers my Collision Damage (CDW) – Do I need your coverage?

  You should carefully read the policy that is provided by the credit card company to determine the coverage, ensuring that it covers the country in which you are renting the vehicle, and whether or not there is an Excess (non waiver, deductible) on the policy.

• What is the Minimum and Maximum age limit on the policy?

  You must be a minimum of 21 years of age and a maximum of 84 years of age at the date of hiring the vehicle.

• What is the maximum coverage limit on the policy?

  The policy covers up to a maximum of £3500 for any one individual claim with the total limited to a maximum of £5000 in any one year in respect of an Annual Policy.

• Is there an Excess on this policy?

  No excess applies to this policy, the amount deducted from your card will be the amount returned to you up to the limit specified in the policy.

• What types of Vehicles are not covered by the policy?

  The policy does not cover rental of any of the following vehicles: motor homes, trailers or caravans, trucks, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, minibus, off-road vehicles (other than licensed Sport Utility Vehicles), recreational vehicles, vans and vehicles with more than 9 seats.

• Am I covered to rent a vehicle in my country of residence?

  You are covered to rent a vehicle in your country of residence if you select the In-Country Coverage option with your booking. Rentals within your home country must be for at least 2 days and be more than 25 miles from your home (unless it involves a sea crossing).

• What is Family Cover?

  The Family Cover option extends cover for all named family members listed on the certificate of insurance to rent vehicles independently, without the lead names accompanying them. Family Members defined as Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Daughter, Son, Foster Child, Husband, Wife, Step parent, Step child, Step-sister, Step-brother.