The self drive hire insurance scheme is designed to cover the hirer and their group. The scheme is not compulsory, but it is recommended.
If you have taken out a policy with a car rental company, then you will usually be covered for theft, accidental damage and fire, provided that you have informed them about any pre-existing conditions on the vehicle.
However, if you do not have a policy in place and something goes wrong with your car during your trip, then you may find yourself liable for all costs relating to repair or replacement of the vehicle.
In order to avoid this situation, make sure that your insurance covers you against these eventualities before setting off on your travels.
If you’re renting a car, you’ll need to buy insurance. This guide explains what to look out for and how much it will cost and things about Insurance for self drive hire vehicles.
If you’re hiring a car in the UK, you’ll need to buy insurance. There are many different types of insurance available but here we explain the main types and things to look for in each one.
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What is self-drive hire car insurance?
Self-drive hire car insurance covers you if your hire vehicle is damaged or stolen while you are driving it. It also provides protection in case of injury or death if someone else is injured or killed as a result of your driving. It does not cover you if the vehicle is stolen from outside your home or workplace, so if you leave your keys inside an unattended vehicle, for example, this is not covered by most policies.
In many cases, self-drive hire car hire insurance can be included by default in the rental price – check before hiring to make sure this is the case with your rental company. In other cases, it may be possible to add additional cover at the time of booking or after picking up the car.
The following are some of the things that you need to know about the self drive hire insurance:
1. In case of damage or loss, you will have to pay the difference between the rental value of your vehicle and its actual value.
2. The insurance will cover damage caused by fire, theft, vandalism and third party liability. However, it will not cover damage caused by collision or mechanical breakdown; this is why you need to ensure that your car has a comprehensive insurance policy before hiring it out.
3. You will be required to produce your driving license as well as other documents such as proof of address and proof of identity when renting a car from an airport location in United Kingdom.