How to insure your rental vehicle

How to insure your rental vehicle
With the explosion of car rental comparators, it has become difficult to navigate among the price differences displayed between brands. And the experience can quickly turn into an ordeal in the event of an accident or theft ... In such situations, good insurance allows you to limit the damage. Discover here the many clauses that appear in rental or insurance contracts, as well as the various guarantees that you can take out to enjoy your vehicle with complete peace of mind.

What insurances are included in the rental contract?
Liability insurance
Liability insurance, also called "third party insurance" or Liability Insurance Automobile (LIA) in English, covers you against material damage or bodily injury that you may inflict on a third party (passengers or outsiders). It does not cover damage caused to the vehicle, nor damage you may suffer yourself.

It is mandatory for driving a car, whether it is rented or not, and is materialized by the "green card" or sticker at the bottom right of the windshield. It is thus taken out by the rental company itself and systematically included in your offer - except sometimes abroad (outside Europe), remember to check! If it is not included, it is essential to take out the option offered by your rental company or independent liability insurance.

In some countries (United States, Canada), there may also be an indemnity limit for civil liability. If the third party is severely injured and / or files a complaint and initiates legal proceedings, the amount provided for by the insurance may not cover the costs incurred. You can then take out a Supplementary Liability Insurance (SLI) guarantee which extends this limit, sometimes up to 1 or 2 million euros.
Liability insurance also applies if you drive in a foreign country, unless the country is specifically excluded by the insurance contract.
Other guarantees generally included
Your rental company may have taken out other insurance policies that will be included in your offer, with or without additional costs.

Among the most common are:
Theft and damage
This warranty protects you against theft or attempted theft of the vehicle, as well as against its damage or fire, for example in the event of an accident. It does not cover personal effects and items that would be inside the passenger compartment. In addition, it is often accompanied by potentially large deductibles, but which can be reduced by additional insurance (see below).
Theft and damage insurance is almost always included in rental contracts in Europe. However, this is less common in countries like the United States, Canada or Australia - again, be sure to check!
Assistance
Most rental offers provide a 24/7 assistance service. In the event of a breakdown for which you are not responsible, and if you are driving under normal conditions, the rental company is required to change the vehicle or to reimburse you for the rental, and to reimburse any breakdown costs. It also often intervenes in the event of an accident.

However, basic support often does not cover a number of situations in which the costs of troubleshooting and repairs will be at your expense. An additional guarantee is therefore generally offered to broaden the scope of situations covered (see below).
Other guarantees generally included
Rental contracts contain certain clauses that you should be aware of before renting a car.

Franchises
A deductible is an amount that remains the responsibility of the renter in the event of an incident, in this case if the car is stolen or damaged.

The amount of the different deductibles can vary quite considerably depending on the rental company, but also depending on the category of the vehicle rented. They are sometimes quite significant: look carefully at the document to know the amounts!

The deductible also depends on the nature of the loss and your liability:

If another third-party driver is the cause of the accident, you will normally not have to pay a deductible on the damage caused. Third party insurance will take care of all coverage;
If you are partially or totally responsible, the excess provided for in your contract will be deducted by your lessor.
Surcharges for young drivers
To rent a car, you must have the B license and be at least 21 years old. For some models, the age limit is even 25 years.

In addition, many rental companies (often the best-known brands) provide for increases in premiums or deductibles.