Car Hire Excess Insurance Review

Car Hire Excess can be good if you want to avoid paying a hefty fee after an accident.

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Jessica Prasida

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Key takeaways

  • Car hire excess insurance pays your rental car excess potentially reducing it to $0.
  • Prices for this policy start from an average of $9.29 per day for $4,000 cover.
  • This policy offers cover for common issues like window, tyre or hail damage to your rental.

Our verdict

Pros

  • It stops you from having to potentially fork out a huge excess.
  • It can cover domestic and international trips.

Cons

  • It's not the same as rental car insurance – you will still need that.
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Updated regularly
International or domestic cover Eligible driver age Starting price (Per day) Cover Excess Underwriter
Car hire excess logo
Car hire excess
Both
21-75 years
$9.29 (for $4,000 cover)
From $4,000 to $8,000
No excess
HDI Global Specialty SE - Australia
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*Prices are based on a 15-day hire in Australia, as of April 2026. Benefits vary from brand to brand. Always read through the product disclosure statement (PDS) to make sure the product is suitable for you.

What are the key features?

Why should you consider Car Hire Excess? Key features of Car Hire Excess include:

  • Additional coverage for damaged or stolen cars
  • Simple policy that reduces excess rental fees from an accident down to $0
  • All hire companies are covered
  • $4,000-$8,000 excess coverage available
  • Up to 60% cheaper prices for added hire car coverage with a range of $22.75-$33 per day
  • Complete reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses
  • Easy to file a claim; all that’s needed is a copy of the rental agreement and receipt showing how much was charged for repair
  • Coverage for all types of vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes
  • Worldwide coverage
  • Coverage for insured drivers from ages 21 to 75

Additional scenarios covered by car

Apart from these features Car Hire Excess offers coverage for common scenarios that may not be covered in normal insurance agreements including:

  • Vehicle theft
  • Cracked, broken or damaged windows
  • Water or hail damage
  • Damage to tyres or wheels
  • Damage to the body of the car including bumpers, undercarriage, roof, lights and trim

What exactly are you covered for?

Coverage applies to the nominated driver and includes coverage for the scenarios listed above. Additional terms and conditions include:

  • The policy covers excess costs for repair above any other insurance claims. This means that the policy does not take the place of rental vehicle insurance, but instead provides cover for excess repair or theft costs that may not be covered. This can be for scenarios as simple as bumper damage up to major accident damage.
  • You must be able to provide the repair quote or bill of service.
  • The policy must be purchased before the rental is agreed.
  • Coverage begins when the vehicle is collected and ends when the vehicle is returned.
  • The policy will also allow for a $500 payment to be made if you cannot return the vehicle because of an injury sustained while driving or other health conditions.

What are some general exclusions I should know about?

While the policy has a wide range of coverage, there are some exclusions to be aware of.

Car Hire Excess will not pay out a claim if the rental vehicle was used in violation of the rental agreement, if you are without a licence while driving, if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident or if another driver was driving the car.

The claim may not be paid out if:

  • You do not act in what is deemed to be a responsible way and avoid making a claim or act in a way that puts the hire car at risk
  • The claim is made because of illegal activity and breaks government laws or is used in violation of visa requirements
  • The claim is a result of a governmental authority confiscating or destroying the vehicle
  • The claim is made during a time of war or as a result of an act of terrorism
  • The claim is made after an act of attempted suicide
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Travel Insurance Expert
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Jessica Prasida brings a decade of experience in the travel industry, including over four years as a travel agent and branch manager at STA Travel. She holds a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Marketing from the University of Technology, Sydney, as well as a Tier 1 General Insurance qualification that complies with ASIC guidelines. An avid traveller herself, Jessica combines her professional expertise with a passion for ensuring safe and enjoyable journeys for all travellers. Jessica was a Travel Insurance Publisher at Finder from 2019 to 2024. See full bio

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8 Responses

    John's avatar
    JohnSeptember 23, 2019

    I have booked a car rental this morning. Is this car covered by the policy if it was booked prior to taking out the policy?
    Also can the policy cover 2 drivers?
    The vehicle will be used only in Australia.

      Jessica Prasida's headshotFinder
      JessicaSeptember 23, 2019Finder

      Hi John,

      Thanks for getting in contact with us at Finder!

      You can take out this policy at any time until you have picked up the rental car. After the car has been collected, you won’t be eligible for the policy anymore.

      As for other drivers, Car Hire Excess will only cover additional drivers if they are listed on your rental agreement with the car hire company.

      I hope this helps.

      Kind regards,
      Jessica

    doug's avatar
    dougJune 8, 2018

    Does the insurance cover breakdown towing and salvage?

    Does the insurance cover the vehicle if it is unattended and if damage happens to it?

      Arnold's avatar
      ArnoldJune 8, 2018

      Hi Doug,

      Thanks for your inquiry

      Generally, the rental company will be responsible for transporting the car to the repair shop after the accident. For vehicles that are damaged while unattended, the terms and conditions of the policy shall apply. The policy usually covers damages due to objects falling onto the hire car or the hire car being blown over as a result of a storm, and malicious damage by third parties (may also include vandalism).

      It would be best to check the terms and conditions of the policy to determine what it covers.

      Hope this information helps

      Cheers,
      Arnold

    Jeff's avatar
    JeffFebruary 12, 2018

    Four Aussies about to hire vehicle to travel in UK. There will only be two drivers – both over 60. Can we just take out one policy for the vehicle excess to cover the two drivers

      Jonathan Choi's headshotFinder
      JonathanMarch 6, 2018Finder

      Hi Jeff, thanks for your inquiry!

      Did you have the insurance policy provider who will be covering you for the vehicle hire in the UK? If you are inquiring about Car Hire Excess Insurance unfortunately they did not specify whether two drivers can be covered under the one policy.

      It would be best to contact them directly on 1300 101 511.

      Best regards,

      Jonathan

    Terry's avatar
    TerryFebruary 3, 2017

    Do Car Hire Excess cover hail damage?

      Richard Laycock's headshotFinder
      RichardFebruary 3, 2017Finder

      HI Terry,

      Thanks for getting in touch. While cover will vary from brand to brand, some policies do cover damage from hail.

      Cheers,
      Richard

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