Hiring a car gives you freedom but it also means your belongings end up in the vehicle which could mean they’re vulnerable.
If the hire car is broken into, replacing those items can be expensive and stressful. That’s where personal possessions cover comes in.
In this guide, we explain what personal possessions cover is, what it includes, what it excludes and how it works alongside car hire excess insurance. If you’re comparing policies or want to understand what protection you actually have, this will help you decide whether it’s right for your trip.
Ready to be covered by ReduceMyExcess? Get a quote today.
What is personal possessions cover?
Personal possessions cover is designed to protect items belonging to you, or that you are legally responsible for, if they are stolen from your hire car. It typically applies when:
This type of cover sits alongside car hire excess insurance, which focuses on damage to the vehicle itself rather than what’s inside it. Together, they help reduce the financial impact if something goes wrong during your rental.
What items are covered?
Under ReduceMyExcess personal possessions cover, the following types of items may be covered if stolen from your hire car:
These items must belong to you or be items that you’re legally responsible for. The aim is for personal possessions to cover travel belongings rather than high value electronics or specialist equipment.
What items are not covered?
It’s important to be aware of what isn’t covered by personal possessions cover so you’re aware of what will and won’t be covered. The following items aren’t covered:
How much can you claim?
Personal possessions cover at ReduceMyExcess has clear limits which help sets expectations before you travel. You can be reimbursed:
These limits apply even if multiple items are stolen at the same time.
Are there are any conditions that must be met?
For a claim to be considered, specific conditions must be met. These are important and missing one might mean your claim is denied.
Personal possessions cover only applies if:
You’ll usually need to provide a crime reference number as part of the claims process. This is standard practice and allows us to confirm the circumstances of the theft.
What to do if your hire car is broken into?
If you discover your hire car has been broken into and your belongings are missing, there are some steps you need to take.
1. Contact the police immediately and obtain a report
2. Inform the car hire company
3. Keep all records, reference numbers and any supporting documents
These steps are essential for making a claim under personal possessions cover.
Anna’s top tip
I suggest thinking about what you’d be happy to leave in the car. Personal possessions cover only applies if the vehicle is locked, there’s forced entry and you get a police report, and it doesn’t include phones or laptops. Anything you wouldn’t want to lose is best kept with you.
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