Europe - Care hire excess insurance

I will be hiring cars a few times this year, and was thinking of taking an annual excess insurance policy.

These seem to cost GBP 60 or so per year, covering the initial excess costs of any hire claim (up to GBP2000 or so ?).

I took a quick look online and there seem to be a few companies online offering this - I am a little bit hesitant as these seem to be internet-only companies with little or no reputation, and actually getting a claim paid might be a problem.

Would be glad to know if anyone has had to claim on an independent excess insurance policy, and if it was a positive experience or not....

Thanks

D.

that sounds backwards for insurance. i would think you would look to a £30-40,000 policy with a £500-1000 deductable. don't sweat the small stuff.

Well, when hiring you usually get CDW, Theft Waiver, and Third Party liability.

Sometimes there seems to be a price drop when the excess drops from say 2000 Euros to 800 euros or so. In any case, seems like a reasonable price to pay for not having to worry about scratching the bumper for a year. That is, if these companies are reliable in case of claims.

I will be hiring cars a few times this year, and was thinking of taking an annual excess insurance policy.

These seem to cost GBP 60 or so per year, covering the initial excess costs of any hire claim (up to GBP2000 or so ?).

I took a quick look online and there seem to be a few companies online offering this - I am a little bit hesitant as these seem to be internet-only companies with little or no reputation, and actually getting a claim paid might be a problem.

Would be glad to know if anyone has had to claim on an independent excess insurance policy, and if it was a positive experience or not....

Thanks

D.

As you are talking about paying GBP I take it you are thinking of renting in the UK - if renting in the UK or Europe have a look at http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car-hire

I used MoneyMaxim until I took out a UK AMEX Plat card which included excess cover. Fortunately (or unfortunately in view of your query) I didn't have to make a claim on the moneymaxim cover but I haven't heard any bad reports.

i have not read that amex policy, but the amex i have has exclusion countries.(like itAly). i have a very broad based extended coverage policy, (alstate has one in their regular policy), but i cannot avoid the italian coverage. i probably could, if my italian was better, and i was willing to spend a couple hours arguing.

Some of these look quite good - but the catch is that they seem to apply for either UK/Eire residents only, or at best EEA residents...

As you are talking about paying GBP I take it you are thinking of renting in the UK - if renting in the UK or Europe have a look at http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car-hire

I used MoneyMaxim until I took out a UK AMEX Plat card which included excess cover. Fortunately (or unfortunately in view of your query) I didn't have to make a claim on the moneymaxim cover but I haven't heard any bad reports.