Eggasperated Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 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!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 Definitely crossing that one off my list then, thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 How odd - we did it all online, no documents required, & got the policy through in minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
