01183 218197
(+44 118 321 8197 from abroad)

Monday to Friday	10am - 4:00pm
Saturday, Sunday & Bank Hols	Closed

Looking for something specific?

Use our search tool to browse our database of frequently asked questions!

Car Hire Excess Insurance Quotes > FAQ Section > Car Hire Insurance Frequently Asked Questions >

Theft Protection - Car Hire definitions

Theft Protection - why it is important you have adequate cover when you hire a car.

Theft Protection is a product offered by car rental companies which protects car hirers from the risk of their hire car being stolen. It is separate and different to Collision Damage Waiver which waives damage to the hire car whilst you are hiring it. Often however they do exclude the first part of the replacement costs of a vehicle and this 'excess' or, as it's called in the US, 'non-deductable' can be insured.

Theft protection excesses can be higher than collision damage waiver excesses so, if taking an excess protection product, ensure it covers you up to the higher of the two.

The options on excess insurance are either directly at the car hire desk - all car hire firms offer policies to reduce or remove the excess, but this is almost always very expensive, and can cost more than the car rental costs itself (a budget figure would be between £15 and £20 a day for Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection excess cover) - or via a third party 'stand alone' insurer such as those offered through the MoneyMaxim car hire insurance comparison service when more comprehensive cover costs from around £2.00 a day or under £35 for an annual policy (covering both the theft and collision elements).

The third party policies are more comprehensive as they also cover parts of the car that the car rental firm policies exclude, such as the wheels, roof, underbody, tyres and glass (normally both windscreen and mirrors). A burst tyre or chipped windscreen can result in a sizeable bill otherwise.

In the US and Canada residents are able to cover their rental car on their normal car policy. On cars either booked directly with an American car rental website or directly with an American car hire desk, visitors from Europe would need to buy insurance separately to cover the risk of the hire car being stolen. Again these policies offering full Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Protection and Supplementary Liability Insurance are much cheaper through the MoneyMaxim car hire insurance comparison service than they would be bought directly from a car rental firm.

This content was last reviewed on 07/10/2024

Similar Questions

Combined Worldwide CDW, SLI & Excess Policy Questions Answered

General Car Hire Insurance Questions Answered

Your Driver related Questions Answered

Car Hire Companies - Your Insurance Questions Answered

Vehicle related Questions Answered

Claims related Questions Answered

Questions on CDW & SLI Policies for the USA and Canada Answered

Geographical related Questions Answered

Excess Insurance Questions Specific to Countries

Which car hire excess insurance policy is best for UK car rental?

Moneymaxim aims to inform its visitors through its journalistic sourced information, but things change rapidly in our market and we cannot guarantee everything will be perfectly up to date. Please do be aware you use the information at your own risk, that the information provided is not financial advice and that your own independent research is essential to make sure that any product or service used is right for your circumstances. We cannot accept liability for any decision you take as a result of information provided on moneymaxim. This service is free to you but to operate this service moneymaxim may receive commissions from the partners you are referred to.

Moneymaximiser Limited trading as moneymaxim is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA FRN 496690). Moneymaximiser Limited, registered in England No. 6706021. Registered Office: 4c Market House, 19-21 Market Place, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1AP. Telephone 01183 218197.