Car hire insurance explained
Insurance is one of the first questions people ask about car hire, and rightly so. At R3ntal Central, insurance is included in the hire for drivers over 25. You don't need to arrange separate cover, and you'll see the full price before you book.
What "included" means
When you book, the price you see is the price of the hire with insurance included, for drivers over 25. There's no separate insurance product to choose at checkout and nothing to arrange with your own insurer before you collect.
Where to find the details of your cover
Your hire agreement sets out the cover that applies to your hire and any excess. You sign the agreement online before you pay, so you can read every term at your own pace rather than at a counter.
If anything in the agreement isn't clear, call us before you sign. Your customer experience manager will talk you through it.
Who is covered
- Drivers over 25 with a clean licence are covered by the insurance included in the hire.
- Younger drivers: some cars can be hired by drivers under 25, depending on the vehicle. Call us to discuss before you book.
- Additional drivers need to meet the same licence and age requirements, and must be added to the booking before they drive. Ask us and we'll add them.
See licence and age for the details.
Insurance and your security deposit
Insurance and the security deposit do different jobs. Insurance covers the car under the terms of your hire agreement. The security deposit is held while you have the car and returned after the return inspection: half after a clean check-in and the rest 14 days later. If there's damage, it's recorded with photo evidence. See deposits.
If something happens during your hire
- Make sure everyone is safe. Call the emergency services if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked.
- Don't admit fault or agree anything at the roadside beyond exchanging details.
- Take photos of the scene, the cars and any damage, and note the other driver's details.
- Call us. Contact your customer experience manager or our support line, open from 8am to 8pm. We'll tell you what happens next.
Why inspections matter
At collection and return, the car is inspected with you and photographed. A hire can't be closed without both inspections. That record protects you: any damage that was there before your hire is on file, and you're never asked to account for something you didn't do. See collection and return.
Questions about cover
If you have a specific question about insurance, call us before you book. We'd rather answer it up front than have you wondering during your hire.