When you rent a car, the excess you’re liable for can be surprisingly high – sometimes €1,000 or more. At Cover4Rentals, we offer comprehensive and affordable car hire excess insurance for European residents, giving you confidence and protection whether you’re hiring in Europe, the USA & Canada, or Worldwide.
At Cover4Rentals, we offer both Silver and Gold cover levels both of which are designed to protect the most vulnerable and frequently damaged parts of hire vehicles.
This guide explains everything that comes as standard with Cover4Rentals polices as well as what these protections mean in real-world scenarios.
What are the main benefits of Cover4Rentals policies?
All Cover4Rentals policies include:
- Personal Possessions Cover
- Misfuelling Cover
- Towing Charges Cover
- Key & Lock-Out
Both Silver and Gold policies include these as standard with the difference between cover levels lying in claim limits and additional enhancements depending on your chosen region. Gold policies also include:
- Personal Accident
- Damage to Interior of Vehicle
- Car Club Cover
- Business Use
- Drop-off Charges
- Curtailment of Rental
- Road Rage & Car Jacking
Personal Possession Cover
If your hire vehicle is broken into and eligible belongings are stolen, we’ll reimburse you for items like:
- Luggage
- Clothing
- Personal Effects
- Articles worn, used, or carried during your trip
Reimbursement is provided up to the policy limit as long as:
- The vehicle was locked
- Entry was forced
- You obtain an official police report
Please note that theft of mobile phones, tablets and computers are not covered.
What to do if your belongings are stolen
If your belongings have been stolen you should report the incident to the police immediately. You will need to obtain a case or crime reference number as you will need this for both the rental company and for your claim with us.
Misfuelling Cover
Hiring abroad often means unfamiliar fuel types and pump labelling; putting the wrong fuel in your rental car can cause serious mechanical issues.
Cover4Rentals will reimburse the cost of;
- Draining contaminated fuel
- Flushing the engine
- Related transport, such as public transport
We do not cover the cost of replacement fuel, engine repair costs, or costs related to missed departures.
What to do if you misfuel your car
Stop the vehicle as soon as you realise your mistake. Contact your hire company immediately so they can arrange appropriate assistance.
Key & Lock Out Cover
If you’re locked out, lose your keys, or believe they’ve been stolen, we cover:
- Emergency key replacement
- Locksmith charges
If you have Gold level policy the reimbursement limit for both key and lock out cover is €1,500; for Silver cover it is €500. Please make sure to keep all your receipts and invoices.
What to do if you’re locked out of your hire car
Contact the hire company first as they must authorise locksmith assistance. Once access is regained, you may need to collect a spare key from the rental depot. The cost for this is reimbursable under your car rental excess insurance policy.
Towing & Recovery Cover
If your hire vehicle needs towing due to:
- An accident
- Damage
- Misfuelling
- Breakdown
We’ll reimburse the towing costs up to your policy limit.
What to do if you break down in a rental vehicle
You should firstly move to safety. Then contact the rental company’s roadside assistance. Some countries require recovery fees to be paid upfront (sometimes in cash), so always request an itemised receipt to support your claim to us.
Final Thoughts
Understanding exactly what your Cover4Rentals policy includes is really important. Both our Silver and Gold policies provide robust protection so you can have peace of mind that the rental vehicle’s most vulnerable areas are protected, as well as things like misfuelling, personal possessions, towing, and key cover.
Make sure to keep all your invoices, receipts, proof of purchase and police reports where applicable, to support your claim with us.
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