Dental Insurance
Dental Insurance
Compare Dental Insurance policies online, find policies which will cover both check ups and treatment home and abroad.
Dental Insurance makes sense for anyone but those who have trouble free teeth and who can afford a large bill should they have an accident which causes dental damage. Rising dental bills have been an issue for many years and, with the NHS bearing a reducing share of treatment costs, dental insurance is a sensible way of ensuring that dental costs are affordable. It is becoming more and more difficult to even find an NHS dentist that will take on new patients.
There are dental insurance plans available that can help you with the cost of your treatment - although, due to the way they assess your premium, costs can vary considerably. With come insurers you may be rated for cover based on your dental health. The dentist assesses the condition of your teeth and places you in one of number of bands - with rising dental insurance costs involved the more treatment your teeth are likely to need. This means that often it's cheaper for most patients to opt for a 'non assessed' dental insurance policy.
Simplyhealth is an alternative you may wish to consider. With price plans starting from 11 a month, they have 4 different levels of cover each covering the same risks but with differing maximum claim limits. This enables you to be able to buy a policy which will meet your bills whether your dentist is a rural NHS dentist or a city centre private practice. And the good news is, you can choose your own dentist, there is no need to change.
They will cover Check Ups, Routine Examinations and X-Rays as well as Hygienist fees and treatment (or a scale and polish if your dentist does it themselves). Also covered are: Procedural Work such as Fillings, Simple and Surgical Extractions, Crowns Bridges or Dentures, Root Canal work and cover for dental accidents and emergency work up to the maximum claim limits, A one-off payment of up to £5,000 is made if Oral Cancer is diagnosed and this comes as standard.
A major plus point with the Simplyhealth option is that there are no excesses to pay, which is not the case with some all-encompassing medical plans.
If you have existing private medical insurance, companies such as BUPA and AXA-PPP offer private dental treatment insurance as top ups to their private medical insurance policies. They also offer separate Dental Plans if you do not have full private medical insurance.
Boots also offer policies - ranging from around £12 per month (a policy designed to cover the cost of most NHS treatments carried out in England and Wales and contribute towards the cost of NHS treatments in Scotland and Northern Ireland). They have three levels of cover. More expensive plans starting at just around £17 can help with the cost of private treatments as well as providing worldwide accidental cover and offer assistance towards the cost of treating oral cancer.
Smart Cover Insurance Washing Machine Cover
- Washing machine insurance cover
- No excess fee after the first 45 days
- Provides cover against breakdown and accidental damage for washing machines
- Unlimited claims, call outs and technical support
- UK-wide monitored engineer network
- Quick claim resolution
- Smart Cover Insurance can insure multiple appliances, customers are able to have numerous kitchen appliances covered against breakdown and accidental damage
Kate Jarosz – MoneyMaxim Staff Travel Q&A
Get to know Kate Jarosz Coordinator at MoneyMaxim’s sister site Clarify Car Hire, with our Staff Travel Q&A
Kate - Where is your favourite place in the world to go on holiday and why?
There are plenty of beautiful places in the world worth visiting. Actually, I don’t have any preferences. Having two sweet children and a gorgeous dog I am just dreaming about a quiet, warm, non-crowded place, where I could lie on the beach chair or hammock with a book in my hand and a cool drink by my side. I would probably choose one of the Canary Islands for that.
Favourite holiday past-time?
I had once a very special but spontaneous journey when it all began with my husband, however, we knew each other from our childhoods! We escaped together from our previous lives and we spent time together in the Tatra Mountains of Poland and Slovakia and decided there to get married. We like returning to those places on our journeys from time to time.
I used to travel in my past a lot when I was a child and I used to travel each summer with my grandparents to the Baltic Sea, and each winter in the Tatra Mountains located in south part of Poland. I have a lot of beautiful memories from that time. During my university studies, I travelled a lot across Germany, visiting the middle and south parts of this beautiful country. That was a very busy time of my youth. Since I became a mum, spontaneous travel is not that easy anymore. It is also hard to have a rest on holidays. But I know for sure I will miss someday the moments when they were little kids!
Favourite food & drink?
I adore salads, cheese and early grown vegetables. And freshly made white coffee every morning. From time to time I do not disdain a glass of rose or white semi-sweet wine. But alcoholic drinks are very rare for me!
Do you go on package holidays or plan them yourselves?
We always plan our holidays ourselves for one simple reason – we usually take our dog with us! That’s why package holidays are out of the question at present.
Who does the researching and booking of holidays in your family?
Of course not me! It is my husband’s Kris's job 🙂 All packing is on my head instead!
But Kris and I, we must be a tight team, as lately we managed our biggest journey – the move from Poland to England, where we took literally all our belongings along. We are very happy we made this decision because we have met a lot of very friendly people in England and currently we have the opportunity to work with a great team at MoneyMaxim and to be a part of it.
Thank you for your determination, Kris! 🙂
Kate Jarosz is a Coordinator at MoneyMaxim's sister site Clarify Car Hire,
David Neal – MoneyMaxim Staff Travel Q&A
Get to know David Neal, Head of Customer Service at MoneyMaxim with our Staff Travel Q&A
David - Where is your favourite place in the world to go on holiday and why?
I’ve been very fortunate in travelling to different parts of the world and many places are unique in their own very special way. Being on Safari in Kenya, seeing the delights of Asia, Santa in Lapland, the Pyramids of Egypt, the beautiful white beaches of the Caribbean, big bustling America, the tranquillity of the Maldives, seeing the sites of Venice by Gondola and visiting the Holy lands. All wonderful memories for sure.
Difficult to choose as such, but one of my biggest wow’s was probably in Cairo, when one minute you are driving through the city and then it feels like you just turn a corner and you then enter a desert !!! Yes, we did do the camel ride to the pyramids, which was even more fun when my wife’s camel sadly got stung, which resulted in the Camel running away (it bolted, without the handler) with my wife racing past us all and with the handlers doing their very best to catch my wife and the camel of course!!!
Favourite holiday past-time?
Quite simply, I’ll just love getting away. It provides a wonderful break from the normal day to day life, spending some quality time with the family, with the sun beating down, good food, a drink or two, relaxing and enjoying what that Country has to offer. Roll on the next one!!!
Favourite food & drink?
I enjoy most foods, hence my waist line!!! I love spicy food as well, but I do enjoy Kleftiko with roast potatoes, rice and a Greek Salad with Olive oil .On holiday, if my lovely wife is also drinking wine over dinner and also my daughters (who are now of drinking age, yes more expense !!!) we tend to enjoy a bottle or two of Rosa. Although, Mr Neal does very much enjoy a cold pint of lager on holiday as well, sitting outside bar with the sun shining, topping up the tan, very nice indeed.
Do you go on package holidays or plan them yourselves?
We actually own a Timeshare which has its own hotels and apartments in certain countries and also linked to a Worldwide Exchange, which can provide variety. It's great that my kids can also use the Timeshare with their friends should they wish to. We booked an All Inclusive packaged deal to Mexico, to celebrate my daughters 18th & 16th Birthdays, although it was actually my birthday when we were there !!!
Who does the researching and booking of holidays in your family?
I do as such. Although, this is very much based on 4 other family members telling me where in the World they would like to go first!!! Our main holiday is normally booked through liaising with our Timeshare Club, but all our Flights, Currency, Travel insurance, Car Hire, etc, but my very first port of call is of course to our very own Moneymaxim. Great way of comparing what’s out there and if you would like to give me call at any time when you are next booking your next holiday, then I be delighted to assist you as well.
I do very much hope to hear from you sometime our readers, but in the meantime, Happy Holidays to all, enjoy……
David Neal is Head of Customer Service at MoneyMaxim
Interested in Multi Car Insurance policies?
With more multi car insurance policies around its worthwhile understanding the positives and pitfalls of these policies and where you can get them from.
Multi car insurance policies have been around a while, but whilst a few years ago the number of insurers offering such policies were few and far between there are now an ever growing array of companies featuring multi car policies.
They are particularly popular with families with provisional or young drivers. This is because the insurer can better balance the risks of an accident across a mix of low risk experienced parents, and the younger family members whose risk profile is less favourable.
One such insurer is Aviva Multi Car Insurance policies which comes from one of the UK's largest and most respected insurers.
The company expect 20% of customers to achieve the maximum saving of 1/3* when a second vehicle is insured on their Defaqto 5 Star rated MultiCar policy.
Advantages of the multicar policy include:
- One policy, one renewal, one set of paperwork.
- You can add a second vehicle when it suits you. You get a guaranteed quote now even if you'd like to add your second vehicle at a later date. The guaranteed price for your second vehicle will be valid provided no changes are made to your current quote.
- You can choose different levels of cover and excess, for each vehicle.
- You can cover cars and vans on the same policy.
- Each vehicle's no claim discount is kept separately. So if one vehicle has an accident, the other vehicle's NCD isn't affected.
- You only need to review your premiums once a year.
- The Defaqto 5 Star Rating achieved by the policy provides you with independent expert reassurance about the quality of cover provided as standard, as well as options to tailor your cover.
- Up to 1/3 off applied to the cheaper of the two vehicle insurance premiums. Both vehicles must be registered at the same address. Discount does not apply to optional extras.
Apart from the cost the main advantage of multicar policies is that you only have one renewal to deal with – but do aware that that can also be a drawback. If you rely on having your car insurance policies spread across the year, making the payment of them in affordable bites remember that a multicar policy means they will all fall together – for ever in the future. and it if that means you plan to use the instalment plans offered by insurers do check out the cost – as some are horrid!
An alternative is to use balance transfer credit cards or interest free options on credit cards – not always cheaper but often – so do consider them.
Another drawback is the inability to compare multicar policies on a comparison service, as it's a service not offered. An alternative is to use a broker – Adrian Flux for instance offer multi car policies over the phone. They don't quote online given the wide range of options and the fact that they find in most cases they can offer cheaper quotes once they have a discussion and fully understand your circumstances. This is particularly the case when insuring more than one car.
Call 0800 181 4542 for a multicar insurance quote and the team at Adrian Flux will be delighted to help. They are open from 9.00am to 7.00pm during the week and 9.00am to 5.30pm on Saturdays.
How your Age affects Car Hire Excess Insurance
Insurers for Car Hire Excess Insurance use age bands for risk assessment. Too young or old and you can’t buy the policy. But how do they handle the boundaries?
Car Hire Excess Insurance is a relatively simple insurance product. You don't have to answer a million questions about your driving history, how long you have lived at your address and when you last fed your cat to buy a policy. They know after all that a car rental company normally has far more to lose letting you drive their car than they do.
The risk factors are largely determined by where in the world you want to hire the vehicle, how long for, what cover you want and what is already covered by the hire company. Driving history, if it's ok by the hire company is ignored. Age however is taken into consideration, mostly by exclusion by stating lower and upper age limits for the policy.
We are seeing an increasing number of policies written for specific age bands targeting younger and older drivers, which is why we ask you for your date of birth on our comparisons. Key ages are:
- 21 – we don't know any insurers who will offer car hire excess insurance to the under 21′s. however there is a travel insurance policy that offers a limited form of cover for those 18 or over
- 25 – by 25 you are out of "young” drivers policies
- 74 – the upper limit on some policies
- 75 – the lower limit on "mature driver” policies
- 84 – the upper limit of the vast majority of policies
- 85 – the upper limit
There are also differences between insurers about how they measure when your birthday falls. Most insurers take your age on the day you buy the policy. So if the upper limit was 84 and you bought the policy when you were 84 that would be fine. Other policies cover you until you reach the upper age limit and then stop. You wouldn't want to buy an annual policy a month before your birthday takes you over that limit.
Odyssey say you can't be over the upper age limit at the commencement of period of insurance. They also cover up to the age of 85 so you could buy an annual 75-85 policy which started a day before your 86th birthday and be covered until you are nearly 87.
Below is a summary of the current terms for our insurers:
(terms correct as of 21/01/2013 and subject to change)
So especially if you are 74, 75, 84 or 85 years old, do check the policy wording to ensure you will be covered when you really need it – when you are hiring the car.
*1 CDW policies are for when the rental car doesn't include any Collision Damage Waiver cover, so rather than covering a £2,000 excess your policy needs to cover the full value of the rental car. CDW policies typically offer between $50,000 and $110,000 of cover.
Electronic Toll Roads in Portugal
Confused by the electronic toll roads in Portugal? What are your options and how do you pay? Read our guide for driving your own car or hire cars in Portugal.
What are they?
We're all familiar with the concept of toll roads, where you pay to use a section of highway. The difference with the Portuguese toll roads is, rather than use toll booths at the start or end of the section of road, they are converting to an electronic system recording your use of and payment for the use of the toll road. Gradually the 'pay at booth' toll roads are being phased out.
The electronic system has several advantages, no wide areas of tarmac necessary for toll booths or staff to collect monies and no interruption of your journey when passing through a toll. Gantries over the road have devices which record your entry on to and exit off the toll road.
Which roads have the electronic tolls?
The most infamous is the A22 Via do Infante, paid for with EU money leading to complaints from EU visitors that they effectively have to pay twice to use the road but it's probably best to regard it as a local tax from a country that needs to raise funds.
| Electronic Toll Roads |
|---|
| A4 | Sections north of Porto from Matosinhos to Águas Santas and south of Bragança |
| A8/IC36 | Section south of Leiria |
| A13/IC3 | All |
| A17/IC1 | Northern section from Mira to Aveiro |
| A19/IC2 | From A8 to just south of Batalha |
| A22 | All – Via do Infante |
| A23/IP6 | All |
| A24/IP3 | All |
| A25/IP5 | All |
| A27/IP9 | All |
| A28/IC1 | All |
| A29/IC1 | All |
| A33 | West of Coina |
| A41/IC24 | Northern section Perafita/Freixieiro – Sêroa (West) |
| A42/IC25 | All |
A recent map version can be reviewed here.
This is an updated list of roads which have the electronic system but more are added every year. There are many other roads which have a manual payment system where you take a ticket when entering and pay on exit.
How do I pay the tolls?
The methods available vary according to whether you are driving a car registered in Portugal or one with a foreign (to them) licence plate.
Cars Registered in Portugal including Portuguese Hire Cars
Cars registered in Portugal can either use a transponder or pay after using the toll road.
Payment after using the toll roads sounds the simplest but there are a few things making it more awkward than it should be. Firstly, you cannot pay for using a toll road any sooner than 2 days after your journey. You must also pay within 5 days. And you must pay at a post office or a Payshop. There is no online option. So how you are supposed to pay for using the toll road on your return to the airport is anyone's guess. There have also been reports of people being faced with the bills from previous renter's unpaid usage.
By far the simplest option is to use a transponder. These little devices are fitted on the windscreen of the car and register your use of the toll roads. Many car hire companies have these already fitted in their cars and you can pay to have them activated for your hire.
Use our sister site Clarify Car Hire to compare the cost of car hire with a transponder included. After running a quote for your car hire needs, you can use the filter on the left hand side to tailor your quotes to just those for car hire with a transponder fitted.
Once you have had your transponder activated, you then pay for any toll roads you have used at the car hire desk at the end of your hire. As it takes 48 hours for tolls to register, any charges you incur in the last couple of days of your trip will be charged to your credit card after your return.
The advantage of using these is that there will be no worry when you get to the electronic toll road - you can drive right through - and the transponder (also known as a Via Verde device) means that you can also use the Via Verde lanes on the toll roads (as well as the normal lanes). These are marked with a green 'V' sign. You cannot use these lanes without a transponder.
You can choose to rent your own temporary transponder from highway service areas, the post office or Via Verde Portugal shops if you wish. Costs are €6 rental for the first week, €1.50 for further weeks, there is a €27.50 refundable deposit and you must pre-load it with a minimum of €10 credit. Unused credit is not refunded.
Foreign Licence Plate Vehicles
If you're driving your own car in Portugal you have 4 options.
1. Toll Card
These are pre-paid cards with €5, €10, €20 or €40 credit. They can be purchased from many places including CTT post-offices, Easy Toll Welcome points, service areas and tourist offices and online (though we can't tell if they'll deliver to non-Portuguese addresses). Once purchased, you activate it by sending a text message including a code on the card and your registration number. The cards last for one year or until the balance is exhausted, you can check the balance online and you can activate more than one card at a time.
2. Toll Service
Similar to the toll card, but costs €20 for unlimited use for 3 days or you can purchase pre-defined journeys like Spain to Faro Airport via A22 and back. These can be purchased online or at Easy Toll Welcome Points at certain border posts and airports.
3. Easy Toll
Only available at 4 border posts - A28 Viana do Castelo service area, A24 3.5km from Chaves/Veribn border, A25 Vilar Formoso (Alto de Leomil service area) and A22 Vila Real de Santo Antonio (next to Castro Marim/Ayamonte border). Enter your credit card into the payment machine and the system links your car registration to the credit card.
None of options 1-3 allow you to use the Via Verde lanes on the electronic toll roads.
4. Via Verde Visitors
Aimed at frequent visitors, you can rent a visitor's transponder device. They cost €6 for the first week then €1.50 per week plus a refundable deposit of €27.50. You have to register a credit card with the system and tolls are automatically debited from the card. The Via Verde transponder can also be used on motorways with traditional toll areas allowing you use the quicker green Via Verde lanes.
How can I check if I have any tolls to pay?
If you think you may have used a toll road and haven't paid or installed a transponder, you can check using your licence plate via the Portugal Toll Payments page.
Comparing Insurance Solutions: From Car Rentals to Homeowners – A MoneyMaxim Guide
Explore your insurance solutions, from car rentals to homeowners. Learn to choose the best coverage for your needs and gain peace of mind with MoneyMaxim.
Comparing insurance solutions: from car rentals to homeowners
Whether it's for your rented car or your cosy home, insurance is like a safety net that catches you when life gets unpredictable. But let's be honest, navigating through the maze of insurance options can feel daunting.
So, how do you know what insurance you need for your circumstances? Let’s shine a light on your insurance solution options.
Your road trip companion with car rental insurance
Think of car rental insurance as your trusty road trip buddy. It's there to cover damages to the rental vehicles and sometimes liability issues and personal accidents.
Wondering how to get the best deal on insurance for your car rental? Firstly, you need to know exactly what you want — are you going on a short trip or do you need insurance for a long road trip? Next, remember that comparison is king. With MoneyMaxim, you can search and compare car rental insurance (including car hire excess insurance options from an array of top providers — all in a few easy clicks.
Protect your castle with homeowner insurance
Homeowners insurance stands as the stalwart guardian of your home. This all-encompassing shield protects against damages to your house, personal belongings, liability issues, and living expenses during home repairs. Remember, knowing the value of your home and possessions is key to avoiding underinsurance.
To get the most out of your homeowner search, assess your home's value and specific needs first. On comparison sites, focus on contrasting policy coverage, deductibles, and premiums while considering each insurer's customer feedback and claim service efficiency.
Your global safety net with travel insurance
Travel insurance offers peace of mind as you explore new destinations. It covers trip cancellations, medical emergencies abroad, lost luggage, and travel delays. Each trip might need a tailored policy, depending on the destination, duration, and activities planned.
When comparing travel insurance on comparison sites, prioritise your trip's specific needs, such as destination and activities. Evaluate policies based on coverage extent for medical emergencies, cancellations, and baggage loss.
Securing your legacy with life insurance
Life insurance is the silent, strong force securing your legacy for loved ones. It’s a promise of financial support for your family in the event of your untimely passing. There are various types, like term life or whole life insurance, each catering to different needs and life stages.
Your personalised shield with lifestyle insurance
Lifestyle insurance covers those personal elements of your life, like your pets, hobbies, or specific high-value items like jewellery or art. It’s about tailoring coverage to protect the aspects of life that bring you joy but might not fit into standard insurance categories.
Smart choices for every situation
Making smart insurance choices depends on your personal circumstances. The key is to understand your personal needs and risks in each area. For instance, frequent travellers might prioritise comprehensive travel insurance, while families might focus more on life and homeowners insurance. It’s about creating a tapestry of coverage that best suits your life’s pattern.
Each type of insurance plays a unique role. While car rental and homeowners insurance protect tangible assets, travel and life insurance safeguard your experiences and legacy. Lifestyle insurance adds a personalised touch, and money and utilities insurance secures your financial and essential services.
Protect what matters with MoneyMaxim
At MoneyMaxim, we know that everybody’s circumstances are different. If you’re looking to simplify your insurance decisions while ensuring you’re fully covered, we’ve got your back.
Whether you're planning a global adventure, safeguarding your home, securing your family's future with life insurance, or protecting your unique lifestyle passions, we're here to help you navigate the options with ease and expertise.
We’ve curated a wide range of policies from trusted providers, tailored to suit every aspect of your life. Browse our database today to get started.
Compare mobile insurance for business
Need to insure your organisations business mobile phones? Cover for breakdown, theft, loss, accidental damage (including water damage) available.
Many businesses find themselves "self-insuring” their business mobile phones having rejected the offerings of their mobile phone suppliers. Others are paying a premium to cover their phones against breakdown, theft, loss, unauthorised usage and accidental damage and wonder if there's a more competitive option.
We are finding a growing number of organisations who would like an alternative. Happily, there are an increasing band of insurers now able to offer insurance for the phones (and indeed other gadgets such as laptops, tablets and iPads) used by your employees.
Different organisations have different circumstances and requirements, what's right for a small business, school or academy will be rather different from the needs of a large enterprise or university.
The good news is that now gadget insurers are starting to offer policies which will protect businesses – and we are starting to compare them. For more information visit our Business Gadget Insurance comparison service.
Car Rental Insurance: Our Guide to Car Hire Excess and Beyond
Learn about car hire excess and more in our guide to stress-free rentals
Renting a car can be an exciting and convenient way to explore new destinations, whether you're on holiday or travelling for business.
Before you go, however, it's essential to understand the world of rental insurance to ensure a worry-free journey, and to make sure everything’s running as smoothly as possible whilst you’re away.
Understanding the basics of rental insurance
Rental car companies typically offer various insurance options to protect you and the vehicle. Here are the primary types of rental insurance you may find while you’re searching for car hire insurance.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
CDW covers the cost of repairs to the rental car if it's damaged in an accident. It often comes with an excess (also known as a deductible), which means you'll be responsible for a certain amount of the repair costs.
Liability insurance
This type of insurance provides coverage if you injure someone or damage someone else's property while driving the rental car. It's essential, as it protects you from potentially significant financial liabilities.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)
PAI covers medical expenses for you and your passengers if you're injured in an accident while driving the rental car.
Personal effects coverage
This insurance option protects your belongings if they're stolen from the rental car. Personal effects coverage is especially useful if you’ve lost important items, such as your passport, during a theft event.
What is car hire excess insurance?
Car hire excess insurance is designed to cover the excess amount you'd have to pay in the event of damage or theft of the rental car.
When you rent a car, the rental company typically requires you to pay an excess amount if the car is damaged or stolen during your rental period. This excess can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds, depending on the rental company and the type of car you rent.
You can purchase car hire excess insurance as a separate policy, either from the rental company or a third-party provider. It effectively reduces or eliminates your financial responsibility for the excess, providing peace of mind and saving you from unexpected expenses.
Benefits of car hire excess insurance
Let's explore why car hire excess insurance is a valuable (if not essential) addition to your rental car experience.
Cost savings
By opting for car hire excess insurance, you can avoid the high excess fees that rental companies charge. This can save you a significant amount of money in case of an accident or theft.
No claims on personal insurance
Using car hire excess insurance means you won't need to file a claim with your personal car insurance, protecting your premium and claims history.
Convenience
Car hire excess insurance is easy to purchase and usually provides coverage for the entire rental period. You don't need to worry about coordinating coverage with your existing insurance policies.
Additional rental insurance considerations
In addition to car hire excess insurance, there are other insurance considerations to keep in mind too.
Travel insurance
If you already have travel insurance, check if it includes rental car coverage. Some comprehensive travel insurance policies offer protection for rental cars.
Domestic vs. international rentals
Insurance requirements and options may vary depending on whether you're renting a car domestically or internationally. Be sure to understand the specific regulations of the country you're visiting.
Compare car hire insurance with MoneyMaxim
If you’re looking to maximise your savings and enjoy peace of mind on your next vehicle hire experience — look no further than MoneyMaxim.
Our trusted database offers competitive rates and comprehensive coverage options for your next car hire. We’ll compare thousands of the best deals on car hire insurance providers, whatever your priorities are.
Don't leave your rental experience to chance, browse our deals to get a quote, or get in touch with us today to secure the protection you need for worry-free travels.
Image courtesy of Unsplash
The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Excess Insurance Coverage | MoneyMaxim
Learn how you can save on car hire with our guide on excess insurance coverages. Understand the benefits, types, and how to compare policies with MoneyMaxim
Are you wondering where to start with arranging excess insurance cover for your car hire? Don’t worry, the team at MoneyMaxim is here to help you navigate this landscape and find the great deal for your needs.
Read on to learn more about car hire excess insurance and how to make sure you’re adequately protected during your travels, whether that’s in the UK or further afield.
What is insurance excess?
Insurance excess, often simply called an "excess," is the amount you're responsible for paying towards a claim before your insurance provider covers the rest. Think of it as your share in the risk. For example, if you have an excess of £250 and make a claim for £1000, you'll pay the first £250, and your insurer will cover the remaining £750.
Excess is a fundamental concept in insurance policies because it deters small, unnecessary claims and ensures that policyholders have a stake in the risk being covered.
How does car hire excess insurance work?
When you hire a car, the rental company usually includes a basic insurance policy in your agreement. However, this policy often comes with a high excess — which can be a nasty surprise if you need to make a claim.
Car hire excess insurance steps in to cover this risk. It's a separate policy that specifically covers the excess amount you would have to pay in the event of damage to or theft of the rental car. These policies work on a reimbursement basis which means, if something happens to your hire car, you can claim back the excess fee from your car hire excess insurer, should you be charged by the car hire company.
Types of car excess insurance policies
There are several types of car hire excess insurance policies to suit different needs. Understanding the types of policies available will help you choose the right coverage for your situation, ensuring you're not paying for unnecessary extras.
Daily excess insurance: Ideal for short-term rentals, you purchase this policy for the duration of your car hire period.
Annual excess insurance: A cost-effective option if you rent cars frequently, or if you are renting for more than 16-18 days in one policy year. These policy cover multiple rentals throughout one year.
European and worldwide coverage: Depending on where you're travelling, you can choose coverage that suits your geographical needs.
At MoneyMaxim, you can compare a range of European and Worldwide car hire excess insurance policies — from a One Week European Excess Policy to an Annual Multi-Trip Worldwide Excess Policy. You can also explore policies specific to Canada and the USA.
CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) policies: This is often already included in rentals in Europe and worldwide when you book through a UK website but you should always check.. If you have booked through a smaller rental company, or through a US website for example, you may need to take out your own cover. CDW policies through MoneyMaxim also cover theft and waive you of having full responsibility for the cost of repairs should there be an accident or theft (provided you are driving within the terms and conditions of your rental).
Supplemental liability insurance: This offers additional liability coverage beyond the rental company's policy, providing extra protection if you're held responsible for causing injury to another person or damage to their property.
Benefits of buying car hire excess protection
So, is it worth purchasing car hire excess protection? While it might initially seem like an additional expense, it’s worth noting the key benefits it can bring. These include:
1. Cost savings
By choosing a separate policy, you often find much lower premiums, providing an effective way to reduce your overall rental costs. This approach not only saves you money upfront but also ensures you're not overpaying for cover you might not need, making it a smart financial decision for savvy travellers looking to maximise their savings.
2. Peace of mind
Knowing you're covered for the excess amount allows you to enjoy your rental experience without the worry of potential costs from damages.
3. Flexibility
You can choose a policy that matches your travel plans, whether it's for a single trip or multiple rentals throughout the year. With MoneyMaxim, you can compare your options to find insurance that suits your destination, vehicle type, and trip duration.
4. Comprehensive coverage
Many car hire excess insurance policies offer coverage that's more extensive than what's provided by rental companies, including protection for parts of the vehicle often excluded, like tyres and windscreens.
Compare car hire excess insurance with MoneyMaxim
Remember, the right car hire excess insurance policy not only saves you money but also provides peace of mind throughout your travels.
At MoneyMaxim, we understand that every penny counts — and that's why we're committed to helping you save on your car hire excess insurance. With our leading comparison tool, you can easily compare car hire excess insurance policies from various providers to find one that offers the best value for your needs. We've assisted hundreds of thousands of users in saving millions of pounds on their hire car protection.
If you need support in other areas, we can also help you compare insurance options for your vehicle hire, travel plans, leisure activities, and more.
Start comparing with MoneyMaxim, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.
