RentalCover.com: car hire excess cover bought before you reach the desk

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RentalCover.com sells protection for hire cars that you arrange online before your trip, rather than paying for the rental company's extra cover at the desk. It started in Sydney in 2014 and is run by the insurtech Cover Genius. UK customers deal with Cover Genius Ltd, which is registered in England and Wales and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 750711). RentalCover sells the cover as an agent and doesn't underwrite it. Each quote names the insurer behind your policy before you buy.

It suits anyone hiring a car abroad or in the UK who doesn't want a big excess bill if the car is scratched, damaged or stolen. The cover is reimbursable. The rental company still charges your card for the damage up to the excess, and RentalCover pays you back if your claim is approved. That means you still need a card that can take the deposit. You must buy before pick-up, and the main driver needs to be named on the rental agreement. Prices are set when you quote with your dates, destination and country of residence. The site's UK guide puts the average at about £10 a day, and its Europe and Ireland guides say about €9 a day.

What's worth a look

The cover is a single product, so the best places to start are the explainers, the country guides and the discount pages.

How RentalCover worksBuy online before pick-up and skip the desk upsell.View at RentalCover.com Car hire insurance in the United KingdomWhat UK desk cover leaves out; average about £10 a day.View at RentalCover.com Car hire insurance in EuropeCross-border driving, deposits and €0 excess cover.View at RentalCover.com Car hire insurance in IrelandDeposits, border fees and the rules of the road.View at RentalCover.com 30% off for studentsQuote from this page; student ID may be checked.View at RentalCover.com 30% off for seniorsFor pension and seniors cardholders.View at RentalCover.com

The UK guide explains clearly what a standard Collision Damage Waiver usually leaves out. That includes a high excess, windscreens, tyres, keys and lockouts, towing and loss-of-use fees. RentalCover's protection is designed to cover those items. It doesn't cover everything, though. The help centre lists typical exclusions such as misfuelling, interior damage, accessories, motorbikes, supercars and classic cars, and vans that need a special licence, and some vehicle types are only covered in certain countries. Always read the policy wording you're sent. If you're going to the US, the how it works page covers the Collision Damage Waiver and optional Supplemental Liability Insurance sold for American rentals.

Current offers

• Students, seniors and pension cardholders and military personnel get 30% off when they start a quote from those pages. The discount appears as a coupon, so check it's there before you pay. You may be asked for ID if you claim, and the discounts aren't open to US or Canadian residents.
• Price beat: if you find a cheaper quote for the same cover, reply to any RentalCover email with the details and a screenshot at least two business days before pick-up, and they'll try to beat it.

How to save more

• Book the cover once your car hire is confirmed. You can cancel before pick-up day, or change the dates from your account if your plans move.
• At the desk, politely decline the rental company's excess reduction if you already have RentalCover. Before you drive off, film the car all the way round and photograph any existing damage.
• Keep the rental agreement and the final invoice. You'll need both for a claim, and approved claims can be paid in many currencies.

Products, prices and offers checked on the store's own website on 15 Oct 2026. Prices and stock can change.

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