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When is the best time to get Excess Insurance?
We look at when the best time is to purchase your car hire excess insurance
Before you pick up your hire car! - this is certainly the most important factor when it comes to independent car hire excess insurance. Unfortunately, your insurance will not be valid if you purchase it after you have picked up, or are in legal possession of, your hire car.
Buying early also allows you time to amend the policy if it is not correct
Buy at least the day before you travel to get the widest choice - you can purchase a policy right up until you pick up the car, but to get the widest range of policies available, we recommend running a quote at least 24 hrs before you leave home. Some companies will not allow you to purchase on the day of hire, and some will not allow their policies to be purchased when you are abroad. Unlike travel insurance, there is no real benefit to booking far in advance, apart from the peace of mind in knowing it is one item ticked off your to-do list!
Annual Car Hire Excess Policies - these policies are a great idea if you have a long holiday or multiple trips planned. Generally speaking, if your number of car hire days is for more than 16/17 days then they are normally better value than a single trip policy, and there are policies which can cover trips up to a maximum of 62 days. To make the most of this cover, make sure to start the policy on the first day of your first trip, as then you will get a full year's cover from that day forward..
US/Canada trips - book the car hire first - because the type of insurance you need for car hire in US/Canada can vary, it is generally better to look for your car hire first to simplify things and so you know what you'll need.
If you book through a UK or European car hire website, generally the main insurances of CDW (collision damage waiver), SLI (supplementary liability insurance) and theft protection will be included. So, in this instance, you may wish to just purchase a straightforward excess insurance policy which may also provide cover for the glass, mirrors and undercarriage of the car for example.
If you book through a site in the Americas, either when you are there or if you have a car included in your fly-drive package, the situation is slightly different. You will frequently find that the main insurances are not included in your car hire, or include levels which you may think are insufficient (with regards to SLI cover). So then you could tailor your car hire excess quote to include CDW and SLI insurance too. For more information about car hire excess insurance and US/Canada please click here
US/Canada trips - book at least 24hrs in advance - if you are already Stateside you will be on a different timezone so, to allow for time difference issues, we would recommend allowing 24hrs before your car hire is due to begin to purchase your car hire excess insurance.
Run a quote for your car hire excess insurance by clicking here
If you have any queries do call a member of the MoneyMaxim car hire insurance team.
This content was last reviewed on 25/03/2024
Similar Questions
Purchase related Questions Answered
- Can I buy car hire excess insurance when I am not in the UK?
- How far in advance can I buy car hire excess insurance?
- Can I purchase your Excess Policies if I am not a resident of the UK?
- Can I just buy an insurance policy, or do I need specific dates to be able to buy my insurance?
- Is the price displayed a daily or total cost?
- When is the best time to get Excess Insurance?
Daily and Annual Policy Related Questions Answered
- What is an Annual Car Hire Excess Insurance Policy?
- What are the advantages of buying annual car hire excess insurance?
- What do you mean by annual policy? Can I use it throughout the year?
- What are the restrictions on the Annual Excess Policies?
- What does Daily Car Hire Excess Insurance mean?
- My car hire is for 31 days. Should I take a daily 31 day car hire excess insurance policy or an annual policy?
- Should I buy an annual Car Hire Excess Insurance policy or single trip policy for my upcoming hire car?
Car Hire Excess Insurance Questions Answered
- What is Covered by Baggage and Personal Accident Cover?
- Excess Insurance covers the under-body, roof and tyres but does it cover me if I have an accident?
- What Cover does Car Hire Insurance provide for Carjacking and Road Rage?
- What Cover does Car Hire Insurance provide for Curtailment or Restitution?
- Do I still have to provide my credit card for the excess on my hire car when purchasing a policy from you?
- What is Excess Waiver Insurance?
- What Countries are designated European for Excess Insurance?
- How do I know what the excess limit is for my hire car?
- What Cover is Provided by Car Hire Excess Cancellation Insurance?
- Do I have to have Excess Cover?
- Does Car Hire Excess mean I wouldn't have to pay for anything?
- What is an Excess on a Car Hire and what are my responsibilities for it?
- How large does my excess insurance limit need to be?
Questions Relating to The Country You are Hiring in
- Which car hire excess insurance policy is best for car rental in Canada?
- Which car hire excess insurance policy is best for car rental in France?
- Which car hire excess insurance policy is best for car rental in Iceland?
- Which car hire excess insurance policy is best for car rental in Ireland?
- Which car hire excess insurance policy is best for car rental in Italy?
- Which car hire excess insurance policy is best for car rental in Portugal?
- Which car hire excess insurance policy will cover you best in Spain?
Geographical related Questions Answered
- What is European Car Hire Excess Insurance?
- Do Worldwide Excess Insurance Policies cover you everywhere in the world?