As well as potentially saving you thousands of dollars, car rental excess insurance in Australia can provide you with cover for vehicle repairs that rental companies typically exclude. This includes body, windscreen, tyres, roof and underbody damage.
Compare domestic car rental excess insurance
Name | Domestic cover? | Eligible driver age | Features | Starting price (per day) | Apply |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 19–99 years |
| 7.92 ($0 excess) | Get quote | |
![]() | 21–75 years |
| $9.29 ($0 excess) | Get quote |
What does domestic rental vehicle excess cover?
When you rent a car in Australia, the rental company will charge you an excess if the car is damaged or stolen, which can be as much as $8,000. If anything goes wrong, you're liable to pay that excess. Domestic car rental excess insurance is designed to help you reduce the amount you have to pay to the rental company. You pay for a premium and in exchange, get peace of mind knowing that your domestic car rental excess insurance policy will protect you from extra fees if an accident occurs and the car is damaged.
Finder survey: What percentage of Australians say excess cover is the most important feature for domestic insurance?
Response | |
---|---|
Rental car excess cover | 39% |
5 ways car rental excess insurance can help you in Australia
Whether you're travelling for work, on a holiday or doing a road trip across Australia, domestic car rental excess insurance can be a trusty companion. Here's 5 ways it can help.
![Image: Finder one](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2022/02/1-1.png)
If you hit an animal.
As anyone who has travelled outside the main cities of Australia will tell you, it's really common to hit a kangaroo and it can cause some serious damage to your car. While most rental agreements don't provide cover if you're hit by an animal, some rental car excess companies will cover you, so if you're planning a road trip, be sure it's not excluded from your policy.
![Image: Finder two](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2022/02/2-1.png)
If you car share.
Do you use Go-Get or Car Next Door? Car-sharing services are becoming increasingly popular. These companies will usually offer some form of excess insurance or reduction but it pays to compare. Generally, you can save some money by buying car rental excess insurance separately instead of adding it onto your rate.
![Image: Supplied three](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2022/02/3-2.png)
Extra inclusions.
Unlike the cover provided by rental companies, car rental excess insurance in Australia can include cover for damage to the windscreen, tyres, roof and underbody.
![Image: Supplied four](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2022/02/4-2.png)
Reduces your excess to $0.
Rather than pay thousands of dollars as an excess if you have an accident or the car is stolen, a domestic car excess insurance policy can reduce your excess to zero so you won't have to worry about huge out of pocket costs.
![Image: Supplied five](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2022/02/5-2.png)
Cover for all types of vehicles.
You can get cover for sedans, hatchbacks, coupes, station wagons, SUVs, 4x4 vehicles campervans and motorhomes (usually up to 4.5 tonnes) and up to 12-seater minibuses.
How do the costs compare?
For a clear indication of the costs, check out how a car rental excess insurer compares to car-sharing and rental company insurance. This quote is based on
Brand | Rentalcover.com | Car-share brand | Rental company |
---|---|---|---|
$0 excess | No, $300 | Varies | |
Cover for windscreens, tyres, roof and underbody? | Unknown | ||
Cover for key loss/ replacement? | |||
Price | $9.48 | $19.90 | $37.98 |
- Rentalcover.com. You can get cover from $9.48 and reduce your excess to zero. You'll also get cover for all single and multiple vehicle accidents and vehicle repairs including body damage, windscreen, tyres, roof and underbody damage. It also comes with key loss cover and coverage for theft, fire and vandalism.
- Go-Get. Insurance is included in your rental price, but for a standard car you are liable to pay $2,000 in excess. You can reduce your damage excess cover to $300 by paying $19.90 extra per day. Keep in mind that this will not cover you for all loss or damage.
- Avis. Avis's standard liability excess is $5,445. To reduce your excess to $634 dollars, you will likely pay in the region of $30 a day. For instance, it will cost you $19 per day for a compact car in Sydney. This does not include cover for certain loss or damage, including overhead, underbody and water damage.
* Prices are based on a 14-day compact car hire in Australia for a 25+ year old driver. Quotes were retrieved in August 2024.
Do I need extra insurance when renting a car in Australia?
No, it is not mandatory. If you don't have car excess insurance, you run the risk of paying thousands of dollars towards repairs if you have an accident or the car is stolen. Some travel insurance policies actually cover rental car excess insurance as well, but it's good to understand what that cover includes. Domestic car rental excess insurance is its' own specific type of insurance so generally, you'll find it has more inclusions.
Feature | Domestic car rental excess insurance - Rentalcover.com | Domestic travel insurance policy |
---|---|---|
No further excess payable | ||
No distance limit | ||
Cover for overbody/underbody of the vehicle | ||
Maximum excess cover | No maximum | $8,000 |
What's not covered by car hire excess insurance in Australia?
In most cases, you won't be covered for the following:
- Motorhomes, specifically vehicles that have a toilet or shower
- Some campervans with sleeping berths or any vehicle exceeding 4.5 tonnes
- Vehicles, including 4x4s, that are used on unsealed roads
- Minibuses that require a specialised drivers licence
- Damages resulting from a breach in your rental agreement or where you have broken the law.
Frequently asked questions
More guides on Finder
-
The best travel insurance – 3,000 policies analysed (seriously…!)
The best travel insurance policies are different for each individual traveller.
-
Bali travel insurance
Ready to get moving? See quotes and compare travel insurance policies for Bali from 15
brands -
Travel Insurance Direct
Compare Travel Insurance Direct policies online to save time and money. Travel Insurance Direct offers various policies including Annual multi-trip, The Works, The Basics and Domestic travel.
-
Qantas Travel Insurance
Qantas Travel Insurance offers various cover choices with the added benefit of travel points rewards for spending money on insurance when booking flights through Qantas.
-
Shark Attack Statistics: Australia’s most dangerous beaches for shark attacks
Beware when swimming at Byron, Ballina, Bondi and Bells.
-
Tick Travel Insurance
Tick Travel Insurance offers competitive single trip insurance to suit a range of travellers with three levels of cover to choose from.
-
USA travel insurance
Ready to get moving? See quotes and compare travel insurance policies for USA from 15
brands -
Westpac Travel Insurance
Compare Westpac Travel Insurance, see features, and more.
-
Cruise travel insurance
A guide to understanding cruise insurance - why you need it, what's covered, and what's not.
-
Domestic travel insurance: Australia
Domestic travel insurance can provide cover for trip cancellation (domestic flights), loss or damage to luggage and expensive items, car rental excess charges and much more. Find out why domestic travel insurance is worth getting and compare policies from Australian insurers.
Ask a question