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Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess

What Is Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess?

Whether you’re in Italy or travelling within Australia, if your rental vehicle is involved in an accident, is damaged, or stolen, you could be liable to cover the cost of the rental vehicle insurance excess which can cost you thousands of dollars.

With a 1Cover Domestic and Domestic Frequent Traveller policy you are automatically coverd up to $5,000 for rental vehicle insurance excess, with the option to increase it to $10,000 by paying an additional premium.

On the other hand, with a 1Cover Comprehensive, Overseas Frequent Traveller, and Already Overseas policy, rental vehicle insurance excess coverage is not included automatically. Under these policies, you can add cover for rental vehicle insurance excess up to $10,000 by purchasing the Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess Pack and paying an additional premium.

 

hire car  Accidents & damage

We cover up to $10,000 for the excess you could be charged if you have an accident, whether it was your fault or not.  

 

car damage

 all types of Vehicles

 We cover campervans/motorhomes that do not exceed 4.5 tonnes, sedans, hatchbacks, four-wheel-drives or mini bus/people movers.

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stolen vehicle

 

 stolen vehicle

We cover up to $10,000 for the excess you could be charged if your rental vehicle is stolen whilst in your care.

 

formal wear  Car Return

 We cover up to $500 for the cost of returning your rental vehicle to the nearest depot if a doctor advises you are unfit to drive. 



 

 

rental Vehicle Insurance excess Explained

 

Avoid Ben and Susie's fate and make sure you're covered today!

 

What does Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess Cover?

  • You have provision to claim even if the damage or theft to your vehicle was not your fault. Our Domestic and Domestic Frequent Traveller policies automatically cover you up to $5,000 for the rental vehicle insurance excess that could be incurred in the event of an accident, whether it's your fault or not. For our Comprehensive, Overseas Frequent Traveller, and Already Overseas policies, rental vehicle insurance excess cover is not included automatically and must be added to the policy by paying an additional premium.

  • Increase and protect yourself from exorbitant rental company fees. When you’re purchasing your policy, you can increase your excess amount from $5,000 to $10,000. This is particularly useful for larger vehicles, such as campervans.

  • Cover for accidents, damage or stolen vehicles. Cover is provided for the rental excess (or the cost of repairing the rental vehicle if this is cheaper) if you hire a rental vehicle and it is involved in an accident, is damaged or stolen.
  • Cover for return of your rental vehicle. You have provision to claim for $500 to return your rental car, if you are seen by a medical advisor and you are deemed unfit to return the car yourself.

Plus you'll get cover for all the other things that may go wrong on holiday. With our overseas comprehensive policy you'll be covered for lost luggage, cancellation of trip, medical emergencies and much more. 

Please read the full policy wording in our Product Disclosure Statement for more details including full terms and conditions, limits and exclusions that apply. Find out all the things you can do to make sure you hire a car safely.

 

Wheely good Cover
 

  • Don't pay over-the-odds at the rental depot for your car hire excess. Instead of succumbing to the tactics at the counter, get a 1Cover Travel Insurance policy which automatically covers your rental vehicle excess for less. 

 

 

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Table of Benefits - Rental vehicle excess Travel insurance

Domestic policies include $5,000 of Rental Vehicle Excess cover as standard, which can be increased to $10,000 with payment of an additonal premium.

For Overseas policies you can select Rental Vehicle Excess cover of $5,000 or $10,000 with payment of an additional premium.

Policy BenefitOverseas Comprehensive
(Single-trip & Frequent Traveller)
Emergency
24/7 Emergency Assistance Serviceincluded
Medical
Overseas Emergency Medical & Hospital ExpensesSOunlimited
Dental Expenses$1,000
Hospital Cash AllowanceSO$5,000
Repatriation Of Remains$25,000
Permanent Disability$25,000
Loss of IncomeSO$10,400
Luggage & Personal Items
Travel Documents & Transaction Cards$5,000
Theft of CashP$250
Luggage & Personal EffectsASO$15,000
Luggage & Personal Effects Delay ExpensesASO$1,000
Cancellation & Delay
Pre-Departure Cancellation Fees & Lost DepositsPSOchosen limit
Pre-Departure Amendments to JourneyA$2,000
On-trip Disruption
On-trip Cancellation Fees & Lost DepositsPSOchosen limit
Additional Accommodation & Travel Expenses
— Family Emergency
— Emergency Companion Cover
ASO$50,000
Travel Delay ExpensesSO$2,000
Special Event Transport Expenses$2,000
Other
Personal LiabilityP$5 million
Domestic PetsSO$500
Domestic ServicesSO$500
Rental Vehicle Excess
Rental Vehicle Insurance ExcessPSOchosen limit

This table is a summary of cover only. Sub-limits may apply. Please read the Policy Wording for full terms, conditions, limits, excess payable and exclusions to determine whether our travel insurance is right for you. All benefits are per traveller, unless specified.

A Limits are per adult traveller. For accompanying dependants, the policy benefits are shared with the adult traveller.
S Sub-limits apply.
P Limits are per policy regardless of the number of persons the claim relates to.
O There is no cover while travelling in Australia.

 
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Rental vehicle excess FAQs

  • What is rental vehicle Insurance excess ?
  • When you hire a vehicle, you’ll be asked if you want to take out excess insurance, which eliminates the excess charged by your rental company should you have an accident, or the vehicle is damaged. You will be charged a daily fee on top of the cost of the rental for this which is usually overpriced. Our travel insurance covers for this excess insurance whether you’re renting a car in Australia or Overseas, so you don’t need to pay for it at the depot.

  • What does Rental Car Excess Cover?
  • We will reimburse you up to the rental vehicle excess insurance amount listed on your policy, covering any excess or deductible you become legally liable to pay under your rental vehicle hiring agreement.

    It is payable if your rental vehicle is involved in an accident while you are driving, or if the rental vehicle is damaged or stolen while in your custody.

    Please be aware this benefit does not take the place of rental vehicle insurance. Also, the following conditions must be met for cover to be available under this benefit:
     
    1. The rental vehicle must be rented from a recognised rental agency;
     
    2. The hiring arrangement must incorporate motor vehicle insurance or damage waiver against loss or damage to the rental vehicle; and
     
    3. You must comply with all requirements of the rental agency under the hiring agreement and, if applicable, the insurer under such insurance.

  • Are scooters and motorcycles covered under rental car excess?
  • Rental vehicle excess cover is not applicable to scooters and motorcycles, and is also not available with our Medical Only policy.  

  • Do I Need To Purchase The Additional Cover Offered By The Rental Company?
  • If the car company is offering you additional cover they are usually referring to an excess reduction fee which is paid to the car company to reduce the excess on the motor vehicle insurance to $0.

    1Cover offers you cover for this rental vehicle insurance excess. But note that this doesn’t take place of the rental vehicle insurance.

    We don't cover you for personal liability while driving/riding - this cover should be sought through your car rental company.

  • When Making A Claim For Rental Vehicle Excess What Documents Will I Need?
  • You must provide a copy of:
    • your Rental Vehicle agreement;
    • an incident report that was completed;
    • repair account;
    • an itemised list of the value of the damage; and
    • written notice from the rental company or agency advising that you are liable to pay the excess or liability fee.

  • What Vehicles Are Covered with rental vehicle excess insurance?
  • When we refer to “Rental Vehicle” we mean a campervan, car (4WD, coupe, convertible, hatchback, sedan, SUV, utility, van), minibus, motorhome or people mover that is equal to or less than 4.5 tonnes that can be hired with a standard car drivers’ licence from a commercial rental motor vehicle company. This does not include services such as peer to peer car sharing, dirt bikes, mopeds, motorcycles, or scooters.

  • Are wheels or tyres covered?
  • Yes, only if the rental vehicle insurance also covers it. Our insurance does not cover your liability in respect of tyres, windscreens, roof and underbody damage, if you are not already covered by the protection from the rental company under the Rental Vehicle agreement.  

  • What Is Not Covered With Rental Car Excess?
  • Rental car excess doesn't take place of normal car insurance, and we won't pay any claims if you violate your rental car agreement.
    Additionally, if you're affected by alcohol or illegal drugs we won't be able to pay your claim.

    If you don't hold the correct licence for the vehicle you're operating then you won't be covered. A correct license means an Australian driving license, and wherever an Australian driver's license is not valid, you'll need to have an additional international driver's license as well. Terms and conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Please see PDS for full details.

 READ ALL CAR EXCESS FAQS

 

other helpful travel guides

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Find out what rental vehicle excess covers with our handy FAQS.

What to pack?

The ultimate packing checklist from our travel expert Ben Groundwater.

Domestic Travel Insurance

Campervanning around Oz? Learn about domestic travel insurance when holidaying around Australia. 

Tips For Safe Car Hire

Renting a car on holiday can be fun, but you need to be a little savvy so you don't get caught out. Check out our tips for making the most hiring a rental car.

 

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