ReduceMyExcess excess insurance policies for hire cars offer a broader scope of coverage, and are more affordable, than expensive excess waivers sold by rental companies at the desk. Our policies are designed to protect the most vulnerable and easily damaged components of the hire vehicle, so your money can stay where it belongs – in your wallet.
But what exactly makes ReduceMyExcess policies more comprehensive? And what does this coverage actually mean in practice?
This handy guide will run through everything included as standard, as well as all the optional extras available with our excess insurance policies. We believe everyone deserves clear, transparent information, especially when it comes to making informed financial decisions.
What are the main ReduceMyExcess policy benefits?
Our core policy benefits include:
- Tyres, Windscreen and Undercarriage Cover
- Family Cover (optional)
- Personal Possessions Cover
- Misfuelling Cover
- Key Cover
- Towing Costs Cover
So now let’s explore what exactly each of these benefits covers.
Tyres, Windscreen and Undercarriage Cover
Tyres
This coverage will reimburse you for the cost of damage to your tyres as the result of punctures, bursts, cracks, bulges, cuts, and damage as the result of an accident you are responsible for.
Windscreen
Windscreen damage is mostly unavoidable with road debris being its biggest catalyst. Our policies cover windscreen damage provided you comply with policy conditions and exclusions.
Undercarriage
Potholes and road debris can seriously damage the vehicle’s undercarriage, which is why our cover includes undercarriage protection as standard.
Family Cover – Optional
Our annual policies allow you to add up to four family members as named lead drivers. Family members are defined as:
Your mother, father, brother, sister, daughter, son, foster child, husband, wife, partner (including common law and civil partnerships and cohabiting couples), step-parent, step-child, step-sister or stepbrother or fiancé/fiancée permanently living with you at your address.
Each named family member can hire a separate vehicle in their own name and benefit from the same excess insurance policy as long as it’s within the period of cover. Please be aware that this cover will cause your premium to increase.
Personal Possessions Cover
Sometimes vehicles get broken into and our belongings are stolen. Our personal possessions coverage means that items such as luggage, clothing, personal effects and articles worn, used or carried during trips belonging to you or your legal responsibility will be covered.
Provided the rental vehicle was locked, your items were stolen following forced entry, and obtaining an official police report, we will reimburse you up to £300, with a maximum of £75 per item. Please note this coverage excludes theft of mobile phones, tablets and computers.
What do I do if my hire car is broken into and my things are stolen?
Upon discovering your rental vehicle has been broken into, you should immediately call the police to file a report. They should then give you a case number or a crime reference number, which you will then need to pass onto the hire company.
Misfuelling Cover
Hiring a car abroad can mean you are unfamiliar with certain situations, such as fuel types at petrol stations. The act of putting the wrong fuel in your car is known as misfuelling and can cause engine damage from clogged systems, misfiring, and total engine failure if you attempt to start it.
ReduceMyExcess misfuelling cover will reimburse you up to £1,000 as long as you have kept a record of all the costs incurred such as invoices and receipts. Draining contaminated fuel and flushing the engine as well as additional travel expenses such as taxis up to £50 will be covered.
We will not cover the cost of replacement fuel, repairs to the engine or any associated parts, or costs associated with a missed departure.
What do I do if I’ve put the wrong fuel in my car?
As soon as you realise your mistake you must pull over and stop. Contact your car hire company who will arrange an engineer to drain the fuel tank.
Key Cover
Our included-as-standard key cover means that if you get locked out of your car, misplace the keys or believe they have been stolen, we will cover the cost of regaining access. This includes emergency car key replacement up to £500, and locksmith charges up to £100 – just make sure you keep all invoices and receipts.
The cost of repairing damage caused by you or the locksmith is not covered.
What do I do if I am locked out of my car?
If you discover you are locked out of the rental vehicle, your first port of call should be to contact the car hire company – you need their permission to have the car broken into by a locksmith. They may even arrange a locksmith to go to you. After you’ve gained access, you’ll need to drive to where you collected your hire care from and acquire a spare key – you will be charged for this, but this will be reimbursed to you under our policy.
Towing Cost Cover
If your hire vehicle needs to be towed following an accident, damages, misfuelling, or a breakdown, we will reimburse the cost of this back to you up to £1,000.
What do I do if I break down in a hire car?
If your car won’t start as a result of a break down, accident, damages or misfuelling, your priority should be getting to safety. You then need to get in contact with the hire company’s roadside assistance for instructions. You will need their permission before arranging to be towed.
You need to ensure you are towed to the hire company or your pick-up location, whichever is nearest. Often times you’ll need to pay the recovery people up front, sometimes even before the recovery vehicle has assisted you. Some countries may even require you to pay in cash. Always make sure to get a receipt as proof – you will require these documents to supplement your claim to us.
To Summarise
Understanding every element of your cover before hiring your vehicle will ensure there are no surprises. The main thing to remember is that you should keep every invoice, receipt, proof of purchase etc as you will need this documentation to supplement your claim to us.
For full details on what is and isn’t covered, please refer to our general policy conditions and exclusions.
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