17 October 2023

Iceland Car Hire - What Insurance do I need?

We can help you find car hire excess insurance to cover sand and ash damage

Are you planning a road trip around Iceland? Hiring a car in Iceland is straightforward and most car hires will come with the main insurances included. However Iceland’s harsh volcanic climate could leave your car worse off and you with an expensive bill. We can help with car hire excess insurance in Iceland to cover sand and ash damage.

What will a car hire excess insurance policy cover?

Standard excess insurance will cover the excess you are liable for with your car hire. It covers both the excess on the CDW (collision damage waiver) and the theft excess. As well as this, all the policies will reimburse you if you are charged for damage to glass, wheel, tyres, roof or underbody of the car up to the policy limits. Other features may include cover for lost keys, misfuelling or towing charges.

Not all excess policies, though, will reimburse you if the damage is as a result of volcanic ash.

Why would I need cover for sand and ash?

Iceland has a spectacular landscape which includes volcanoes, glaciers and geysers. Many visitors choose to hire a car and take a road trip around the Ring Road (officially Route 1). This is Iceland’s main motorway which gives great access to the majority of the country's popular sights.

Most of the Ring Road is paved but a small stretch and many roads which lead off the main road have a gravel surface. These small stones can play havoc with the paintwork as can any clouds of ash.

How can I find car hire excess insurance that will cover sand, ash and gravel damage in Iceland?

The best way to get a quote for Iceland is to select ‘Iceland’ as an option from the destination drop down list. Any policies then shown will cover an Iceland car hire. If you opt for a European policy, please note that Worldwide Insure will not cover Iceland. The countries covered by a policy can be seen under the Details section.

Get a car hire excess insurance quote for your dates and once you have the results, there are filters available – if you are using a mobile phone, you will need to click on the filters button above the first quote – select ‘Iceland Volcanic Ash Damage’ and this will remove all insurers who exclude cover for ash damage in Iceland.

Sand and Ash cover is available through a number of different excess insurers. It will cover you up to the policy limit for damage caused by sand, ash or gravel.

You can choose between daily or annual policies, and between European and worldwide cover. If you are hiring a car for a second time during the year then you may want to consider an annual policy and, if your second hire is outside Europe, then a policy offering worldwide cover may be a better option for you.

Iceland is a spectacular holiday destination. Snowy landscapes, deep fjords, dense forests and some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Europe are just a few reasons why so many of us choose to explore this stunning country.

Compare car hire excess insurance for Iceland so you can explore this fascinating country by car worry-free!