Won’t my car rental agreement already include insurance?

Probably, if you are hiring a vehicle in the United Kingdom, Europe, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Your vehicle rental agreement is likely to include cover for Damage to the rental vehicle - known as Loss (or Collision) Damage Waiver (sometimes referred to as LDW or CDW), Third Party Liability and Theft.

However, there is almost always an excluded first amount to the Damage cover under the rental agreement known as the Excess (or Super CDW, or Deductible, or Non-Waiver). This Excess is often over £500 and may be up to £1,500. The Odyssey range of policies offers you insurance against the cost of the Excess.

If you are hiring a vehicle in the United States of America, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, you may be offered the rental on an inclusive or exclusive of insurance basis. If you opt for the exclusive of insurance hiring agreement, the vehicle rental outlet will offer you its own motor insurance which may contain an Excess. An excess is usually applicable to vehicle rental agreements in South America and the Caribbean and is becoming increasingly common in the United States of America and Canada. 

F.A.Q.

• Why should I buy an Odyssey policy? What is an excess?
• Won’t my car rental agreement already include insurance?
• Is there a difference between an Excess, Super CDW, Non-Waiver or the Deductible?
• Why should I buy an Odyssey policy instead of an Excess / Super CDW sold by the rental vehicle outlet?
• If I take out an Odyssey policy will the vehicle rental outlet block any money on my credit card?
• I think my credit card package automatically affords me Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) cover so do I need an Odyssey policy?
• Is Excess cover compulsory?
• Are all Excess cover policies the same?
• Is there a limit of the amount I can claim in respect of my Excess?
• If anyone travels with me are they covered? Can I have a policy that covers other members of my family as well as me?
• Are there any age restrictions? I am over 75 – can I still be covered?
• Are all hirings covered?
• Are all types of vehicle covered?
• Is just damage to the body of the vehicle covered? Does the cover apply just to accidental damage?
• I hire a car for business use and not just for holidays. Is business use covered?
• Which countries in Europe are covered under the Euro Odyssey policy?
• ... all F.A.Q.s in one