Chicken bald back

[Eggasperated]

Has anyone bought an insurance policy to cover the excess if you damage a hire car? OH is hiring a car from Hertz next week and is worried about not taking out the extra cover but it is very expensive, I know there are these stand alone policies but I'm not sure how good they are.

[soapdragon]

No direct experience of this but you could try a broker for a quote. I used A Plan for my renewal this year and saved about £20.00; they seemingly have access to masses of insurers and do the legwork for you so that you don't spend hours on price comparison sites (OK, so I didn't get a Meercat but I already have a hamster!)

[Beantree]

I do a lot of car hire with Enterprise and the excess can be reduced to £100 (from £700 depending on car) by paying an extra £12 or so a day. I bought an excess insurance policy through Icarhireinsurance, part of the Chubb group. It cost £40 for the year, or you can get £3 a day and it covers all the excess.

 

Had to claim after someone backed into the car in a car park and drove off in May. Enterprise automatically took £700 from my account and I had to wait a month for the refund. The repair came to £260. A load of hassle later and Icar now tell me they have credited my account, but I find it still isn't there? They seem to deliberately make it awkward and I have been told of people giving up with it and accepting the loss.

 

To be honest, depending on how long you are hiring for, I would question the worth. If I was hiring just for 3 days I'd pay Enterprise. Any longer I'd take out a policy.

[Cinnamon]

I did actually buy a stand alone policy, as it was on the Martin Lewis site (I think) about how good it was.

It was very reasonable, & Will give us extra peace of mind when in a country we have never driven in before.

It was with icarhireinsurance.

[Eggasperated]

I've looked at several on the Martin Lewis site now and there are mixed reviews when claiming so I am still confused. However, it does seem a good idea in principle, especially as it appears we can nominate dual drivers both allowed to hire a car individually or together.

I shall look into it further.

[Beantree]

Just to update. Getting fed up with Icarinsurance now. I sent the documents they wanted and my bank details on the 11th July. Now 2 weeks later I phoned to discover the stuff hadn't been processed. "Oh, this sometimes happens with our system. I'll do it today." Now told I have to wait another 5 days and then "call me if there are any problems". I won't be renewing my policy.

[Eggasperated]

Definitely crossing that one off my list then, thank you.

[Cinnamon]

How odd - we did it all online, no documents required, & got the policy through in minutes.

[Beantree]

Hi Cinnamon. I think you are missing my point. Yes, getting the policy is easy and can be done on-line in minutes. BUT, if you ever try to make a claim you are in for a load of hassle. Pretty pointless having a policy if claiming from it is deliberately made as difficult as possible.

[Cinnamon]

Well sorry for missing the point....I thought you were talking about opening the policy obviously.

Lets hope we don't have to claim then

[Eggasperated]

Finally bought Annual Family cover from Direct-Carexcess, apparently underwritten by AIG. This covers us both to hire and drive separately as well as together, cost around £67 through Martin Lewis.