Questor Insurance — Car Hire Guide
Car Hire Excess Insurance Explained: What UK Drivers Need to Know in 2026
You've booked the car — but do you really know what you're covered for?
Here's everything UK drivers need to understand before they pick up the keys.
You've found the perfect hire car, agreed the rate and you're ready to go. Then the rental desk presents you with a lengthy list of insurance options and a daily charge that threatens to double your bill. Sound familiar?
Car hire excess insurance is one of the most misunderstood parts of any trip abroad — or indeed any hire in the UK. This guide cuts through the jargon to explain exactly what it is, why it matters, and how to make sure you have the right cover in place before you travel in 2026.
What Is Car Hire Excess Insurance?
When you hire a car, the rental company will typically include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) in the agreement. CDW means the rental company won't hold you fully responsible if the car is damaged — but it comes with an important catch: the excess.
The excess is the amount you remain liable for even with CDW in place. Depending on the rental company and the car, this can range from a few hundred pounds to well over £2,000. If you scratch a bumper or crack a windscreen, that money comes straight off your credit card.
Car hire excess insurance reimburses you for that excess charge — so if the worst happens, you're not left out of pocket.
It's important to note that car hire excess insurance is a separate product from what the rental desk sells. Buying it independently — before you travel — is almost always significantly cheaper than purchasing the rental company's own top-up cover at the counter.
Who Needs It?
If you are hiring a car and your rental agreement includes CDW, you are exposed to the excess. That applies whether you're hiring in the UK, Europe or further afield.
To be eligible for a Questor car hire excess policy, you need to:
- Be a UK resident aged at least 21
- Hold a full driving licence valid in the country where you are renting
- Not be driving against the advice of a medical practitioner
- Be the lead driver named on the rental agreement
- Ensure your rental agreement includes CDW
The policy covers cars with up to 9 seats (including the driver), powered by petrol, diesel or electric, and valued at no more than £100,000.
What Does Questor's Car Hire Excess Insurance Cover?
A good car hire excess policy goes well beyond simply reimbursing the damage excess. Here's what's included with Questor's cover:
| What's Covered | Cover Limit | Your Excess |
|---|---|---|
| Excess Reimbursement | £10,000 | £0 |
| Tyres, Windscreen, Roof & Underbody | £10,000 | £0 |
| Administration Charges | £500 | £0 |
| Towing | £1,000 | £0 |
| Misfuelling | £1,000 | £0 |
| Lost, Stolen or Damaged Keys | £750 | £0 |
| Curtailment | £300 | £0 |
| Drop-Off Charges | £300 | £0 |
| Locked Out Cover | £250 | £0 |
| Cancellation Charges | £500 | £0 |
| Personal Effects | £300 | £0 |
The breadth of this cover matters. Rental companies frequently charge separately for tyre damage, windscreen chips and underbody scrapes — areas that CDW often excludes entirely. A comprehensive excess policy ensures these costs are covered too.
Good to Know
Misfuelling cover is particularly valuable. Putting the wrong fuel in a hire car is an easy mistake — especially when driving an unfamiliar vehicle abroad — Questor covers you up to £1,000 for mechanical damage and additional travel costs.
Single Trip or Annual Policy — Which Is Right for You?
Questor offers two policy types, and the right choice depends on how often you hire:
Single Trip
Covers one rental agreement for up to 120 days. Ideal if you're making a one-off trip — a summer holiday, a business visit, or a longer-term hire.
Annual Policy
Covers multiple leisure rental agreements throughout the policy year, with each rental up to 31 days in length. If you hire cars more than once a year an annual policy typically represents much better value. An optional Extended Rental Agreement add-on extends this to 62 days per rental for longer trips. If you are renting a car for business please purchase a single trip policy.
Tip
If you hire even twice a year, an annual policy is almost always more cost-effective than buying two single trip policies. Do the maths before you book.
What You Need to Know Before You Drive Away
A few practical points to keep in mind when hiring a car with this cover in place:
- Make sure your rental agreement includes CDW — this is a condition of the policy
- Do not hire in countries where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against travel
- Drive in accordance with your rental agreement and local laws at all times
- Do not use the car for hire, reward or deliveries
If Something Goes Wrong: How to Protect Your Claim
In the event of damage, a few simple steps will make the claims process much smoother:
- Before driving away, inspect the car carefully and make sure any existing damage is recorded on the rental agreement. A short video is excellent evidence.
- Do the same when you return the vehicle.
- Check that the tyres are legal before you set off.
- If damage occurs, obtain a full accident damage report and keep all receipts for repairs.
- Lodge your claim promptly by logging into your account at customer.questor-insurance.co.uk
Why Choose Questor?
Questor Insurance has been providing vehicle hire excess insurance since 2007. With over 900,000 policies sold in 2025 and a Trustpilot score of 4.8 out of 5.0, the business has built its reputation on straightforward products and genuinely responsive customer service.
Policies are underwritten by Fortegra Europe Insurance Company SE UK Branch, rated A-, and authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Our customer-service and claims teams are based in Maidstone, Kent and are on-hand to help you every step of the way - no call routing, no long hold times, real people you can reach directly.