Does car hire excess insurance cover scratches?

Scratches are a very common issue – and worry – that drivers face when returning a hire car. You might be surprised at how much you may be charged to put these right if you don’t have car hire excess insurance cover.  

The good news is that car hire excess insurance policies generally do cover scratches, including those caused by minor accidents, car park mishaps, or even unnoticed scrapes. If you have purchased car hire excess insurance, it is important to check the documents issued to you to confirm the cover provided by your policy.  

Car hire excess insurance typically reimburses you for the cost of the excess charged by the rental company in the event that you damage a hired car. If you return your hire car and the company spots a new scratch upon their final inspection, they may charge an excess that you will have to pay upfront. If you are charged the excess, you can then claim it back through your excess insurance policy, if it provides cover for scratches. 

While scratches might seem minor in the grand scheme of things, rental companies may charge hefty fees for damage to the car. Without excess insurance, you could be left to foot the bill, even if the damage wasn’t your fault. 

Taking out car hire excess insurance that includes cover for scratches gives you peace of mind. You can enjoy your trip without worrying about every tight parking space or gravel road. It’s a small cost that may save you a lot of stress (and money) later on. 

It’s essential to check the specific terms of your policy, as the cover included can vary. Some policies may exclude damage to certain parts of the car, like the roof or undercarriage, while others offer wider protection. 

Whether you're hiring a car for a weekend getaway or a long road trip abroad, car hire excess insurance is certainly worth considering. For a relatively low premium, you can protect yourself from potentially high excess charges and unexpected costs. 

Our partner, insurance4carhire offer a range of car hire excess insurance policies for UK residents that include: 

• Cover for up to seven additional drivers per rental - and there’s no need to add them to your insurance4carhire policy 

• Flexible cover length - determine the length of cover that suits you, from a single trip to annual car rental excess cover options. 

• Up to £6,500 per year for excess costs if your hire car is damaged or stolen. 

• Up to £500 per each claim for misfuelling and car key cover 

• Cover for scratches, including those caused by minor accidents, car park mishaps, or even unnoticed scrapes. 

Exclusions to cover include: 

• Policies purchased after the collection of your rental vehicle. 

• Car rentals where the policyholder doesn’t match the name of the lead driver on the rental agreement. 

The car hire excess insurance policy is provided and administered by our partner insurance4carhire. Everywhen act as an introducer for Insurance4carhire. 

You can find out more about the insurance4carhire car excess insurance policy, or get a quote for car hire excess insurance on the insurance4carhire website. 

Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems we recommend that professional advice be sought. 

Sources:

Car insurance excess: What it means & how it works | Cuvva 

Car Hire Excess Insurance | Rental Protection Cover | RAC