When you hire a car, included in the cost is insurance. Alongside this is an excess amount. This is the amount you are liable for (you must pay) if you return the rental car with damage, or if it’s been stolen.
In the UK and Europe car rental agreements typically include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), theft protection and third-party liability. This provides a good foundation of coverage however the excess you remain responsible for can be significant – as much as £1000 or more.
A ReduceMyExcess policy is designed specifically to cover this excess. Upon a successful claim, we will reimburse the excess amount you paid the hire company meaning you’re not left out of pocket if something goes wrong.
How does it work in the US and Canada?
In the US and Canada, things work a little differently. Typically, the rental company only provide third-party liability cover. This means the full value of the vehicle could fall on you if it’s damaged.
The good news is that we can cover this up to a cost of $50,000 if our Worldwide+ option is selected.
Is Car Hire Excess Insurance Worth It?
Some drivers still wonder if excess insurance is worth it. By arranging your own car hire excess insurance in advance, you can enjoy more comprehensive protection at a fraction of the price in comparison to the waivers sold at car hire desks.
Rental desk excess waivers often fall short, despite their price tag, by excluding key areas of the vehicle. In contrast, ReduceMyExcess policies cover vulnerable and delicate components of the car such as the underbody, the autoglass and the tyres as well as things like misfuelling and lost keys.
You could save up to £275^ with a ReduceMyExcess policy. Our annual policies start from £47.30; our single trip policies are as little as £2.15 a day.
Final Thoughts
Our car hire excess insurance policies are competitively priced and designed to save you money, time and stress when it comes to your next car hire. Take a look at what we can offer.
^The average saving is based on a 40 year old UK resident renting a compact group c car from Paris Orly Airport airport for 14 days commencing 17th September 2025. Prices were obtained from six leading rental companies own websites on 30th September 2025 for the cost to reduce the damage excess to zero. The saving is based on the cost of a 14 day “Single Trip – UK & Europe cover” for the same period. This is a representative saving only, actual prices and savings may vary.
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