We know that insurance can be full of quirks and queries so we aim to be as clear and concise as possible. The below are some of our most often asked questions- if you still can't find what you're looking feel free to give us a call or drop us an email at [email protected].
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Is car hire excess insurance the same as car hire insurance?
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No, they are different things. We cover you for the rental excess costs you’ll need to pay should you incur damages or theft to your hire car. In essence we cover the gap between what is covered by your actual car hire insurance and the cost of any damages to the vehicle. Simply put, if you damage the car while it is in your possession, the car rental company will assess the cost to repair the damage incurred and will charge your credit card an excess – that is the amount we reimburse you with.
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What if I write-off my hire car?
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If you damage a rental car during your hire period you will be required to pay the excess amount specified in your rental agreement. Relax as we've got this covered. Whether it's a tiny dent or totally destroyed we still cover your rental car excess.
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What types of rental vehicles do you cover?
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We cover campervans and motorhomes that does not exceed 4.5 tonnes. This also includes sedans, hatchbacks or station-wagons, four-wheel drives, and minibuses/people movers, which you have hired from a registered motor vehicle rental company.
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Does my policy cover all car rental companies?
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Our policy covers you when hiring a car from commercial rental companies such as Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Budget or Thrifty with their own fleet of vehicles whose primary business is loaning rental vehicles.
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Can I buy car hire excess for loan cars when my vehicle is in repairs?
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It depends. If you hire a car from a not-at-fault rental agency whose primary business is to loan cars and they have their own fleet of vehicles then yes. If the primary purpose of business is for smash repairs and your smash reparier is loaning you a car, then no.
We provide car hire excess insurance for licensed rental companies such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty and Sixt.
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I'm hiring two separate vehicles, can I buy one policy to cover both?
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No, as you will be liable for two sets of collision damage fees from your hire car company, we require you to purchase two separate car hire excess policies too.
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Should I tell my rental vehicle company that I already have car hire excess insurance?
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No, it’s not necessary to tell them. Just make sure you say no when you are offered cover at the counter – you certainly don’t want to end up doubling up on your cover!
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What is a nominated driver?
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A nominated driver is the persons named on your Rental Vehicle Agreement.
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Am I covered if a person other than nominated driver drives the car?
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No, only those named on your Rental Vehicle Agreement are insured.
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How do I add additional drivers to my policy?
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We can only insure those named on your rental agreement. If you want to add additional drivers you must do this at the rental depot when you pick up the car.
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Do age limits apply?
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Cover is available to those aged between 21 – 75 years of age (inclusive).
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I’m not an Australian resident. Can I buy a policy?
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Yes, if you're planning to hire a car for travel within Australia you can purchase a policy regardless of your country of residency. If you're planning on hiring a car overseas, Australia must be the place where you reside as your permanent home and you must be returning to Australia.
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Can I drive from one state to another within Australia?
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Yes, you can drive as far as you like. We do not impose any distance restrictions. If you decide to drive from Sydney to Perth – more power to you!
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Am I covered if hit an animal?
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We will match the same terms as your car rental company. If they do not cover you for hitting animals, then we are unable to cover you either.
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Am I covered for driving on unsealed roads?
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We will match the same terms as your car rental company. If they do not cover you for driving on certain roads then we won't cover you for that either. If for example, you paid an additional premium to be covered to drive on unsealed roads, we would provide cover for your excess component in the event of a claim.
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Am I covered for single vehicle accidents?
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Yes, we cover single vehicle accidents assuming your rental company does too. In some cases, you may need to pay an additional fee to your hire car company in order to be covered for single-vehicle accidents.
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Am I covered for accidents regardless of fault?
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We will match the same terms as your car rental company. If they do not cover you for accidents where you were at fault, we won't either.
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Am I covered if I hire a car overseas?
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Yes, as long as you're an Aussie resident we don’t mind if you renting a vehicle at home or away. You get the same great cover no matter where you are.
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What if i’m too ill to drive?
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If a medical advisor certifies that you’re not fit to drive, we will pay up to $500 for the cost of returning your rental vehicle to the nearest depot.
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How long am I insured for?
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Your period of cover starts when you collect your rental vehicle from the hire car company and ends when you return it, or on the end date on your Certificate of Insurance - whichever comes first. You cannot be covered if you do not already have a policy when you pick up the vehicle.
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Can I cancel my policy?
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Yes you have 14 days to cancel and receive a full refund provided your policy hasn't started.
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Can I extend my policy?
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Sure! Just request an extension via our contact email at least 72 hours before your original policy expires.
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How much am I covered for?
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The excess amount insured with us starts at $4,000 and can be increased by increments of $1,000. The maximum you would be covered for is $8,000.
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What is not covered?
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We will not cover you if you were to violate your rental agreement in any way.
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If my rental vehicle is stolen am I covered for belongings I had in the car?
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No, we do not cover you for any items, luggage or belongings that you may have left in the hire car.
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Does an excess apply to any claims I make?
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No, we do not charge you an excess when you need to make a claim with us. You won't have to pay a thing, zero, zip, zilch, nada!
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How do I make a claim?
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Making a claim with us is oh-so-simple. Just download and complete the claim form and send us a copy of your rental agreement, plus a receipt of the amount you’ve been charged. For more information check out our user-friendly guide to claiming.
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Does my CHE policy cover for the rental car admin fee should I have an accident?
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No, we only cover the damage waiver fee you are liable for. We do not cover any administration fees you may be charged by your hire car company if you have had an accident.
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How do I contact you?
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Email our friendly flock at [email protected].
