{"id":4767,"date":"2026-10-04T12:41:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T12:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/?p=4767"},"modified":"2026-10-04T17:18:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T17:18:52","slug":"rental-car-excess-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/rental-car-excess-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"Rental car excess insurance: avoid unexpected charges with RentalCover"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.va-faq{display:grid;gap:12px;margin:24px 0 36px}\n.va-faq details{overflow:hidden;margin:0;border:1px solid #d4e6eb;border-left:4px solid #0fa4c7;border-radius:12px;background:#fff;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(16,63,75,.07)}\n.va-faq summary{position:relative;cursor:pointer;list-style:none;padding:18px 58px 18px 20px;background:#f3fafc;color:#173f49;font-size:18px;font-weight:700;line-height:1.35}\n.va-faq summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}\n.va-faq summary::after{content:\"+\";position:absolute;top:50%;right:18px;display:flex;width:30px;height:30px;align-items:center;justify-content:center;transform:translateY(-50%);border-radius:50%;background:#0fa4c7;color:#fff;font-size:23px;font-weight:400;line-height:1}\n.va-faq details[open] summary{background:#e8f7fa;color:#0b6479}\n.va-faq details[open] summary::after{content:\"\u2212\"}\n.va-faq details p{margin:0;padding:18px 20px 21px;color:#344b52;line-height:1.7}\n.va-saving-example{margin:26px 0;padding:24px;border:1px solid #bfe1e8;border-radius:16px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#effafd 0%,#fff 100%);box-shadow:0 8px 24px rgba(15,164,199,.10)}\n.va-saving-example>strong{display:block;margin-bottom:16px;color:#0b6479;font-size:22px}\n.va-saving-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,minmax(0,1fr));gap:12px;margin-bottom:16px}\n.va-saving-card{padding:17px;border-radius:12px;background:#fff;text-align:center;box-shadow:0 3px 12px rgba(16,63,75,.08)}\n.va-saving-card span{display:block;color:#557078;font-size:14px;line-height:1.35}\n.va-saving-card b{display:block;margin-top:5px;color:#0fa4c7;font-size:clamp(26px,2.8vw,30px);line-height:1;white-space:nowrap}\n.va-saving-example p{margin:10px 0 0}\n.va-checklist{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(2,minmax(0,1fr));gap:12px;margin:18px 0 32px;padding:0;list-style:none}\n.va-checklist li{position:relative;margin:0;padding:16px 18px 16px 52px;border:1px solid #cfe5eb;border-radius:12px;background:#fff;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(16,63,75,.07);color:#344b52;line-height:1.55}\n.va-checklist li::before{content:\"\u2713\";position:absolute;left:16px;top:16px;display:flex;width:25px;height:25px;align-items:center;justify-content:center;border-radius:50%;background:#0fa4c7;color:#fff;font-size:15px;font-weight:800;line-height:1}\n.va-interest-links{margin:20px 0 32px;padding:20px 24px;border-radius:14px;background:#f3fafc}\n.va-interest-links ul{margin:0;padding-left:22px}\n.va-interest-links li{margin:9px 0}\n.va-interest-links a{font-weight:650}\n.posted-on .date-separator,.posted-on .updated{display:none!important}\n@media(max-width:900px){.va-saving-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,minmax(0,1fr))}}\n@media(max-width:640px){.va-saving-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr}.va-faq summary{padding:16px 52px 16px 16px;font-size:17px}.va-faq details p{padding:16px}.va-saving-example{padding:18px}.va-checklist{grid-template-columns:1fr}.va-checklist li{padding:15px 16px 15px 48px}}\n<\/style>\n<p>You find a rental car at a good price, but the final booking screen reveals an excess of hundreds or even thousands of euros. Then comes the pressure at the desk: pay for an expensive waiver or spend the whole trip worrying that a scratch, cracked windscreen or damaged tyre could become a painful bill.<\/p>\n<p>That is the problem <strong>rental car excess insurance<\/strong> is designed to solve. RentalCover provides independent protection that can reimburse the rental excess and other covered charges after an incident. The rental company may still place a deposit hold on your card and charge for the damage first. You then submit the final invoice and supporting documents to recover the covered amount.<\/p>\n<div class=\"va-answer-box\">\n<p><strong>Affiliate disclosure:<\/strong> this article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, visitarazores.com may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our editorial judgement. Always read the quote, certificate and policy wording issued for your trip.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"va-answer-box\">\n<p><strong>The problem and the solution:<\/strong> the basic cover included with a rental can leave you with a high excess and may exclude glass, tyres, wheels, roof or underbody. RentalCover lets you check the price of protecting those risks before you travel. If the quote works for you, you can arrange the protection online and avoid making a rushed decision at the counter. The rental company can still require an accepted card and a deposit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"va-cta-dc\">\n<div class=\"va-cta-dc-icon\">\ud83d\udee1\ufe0f<\/div>\n<div class=\"va-cta-dc-text\"><strong>Do not wait until the rental desk to discover how much is at risk<\/strong><br \/><span>Check the price, limit and conditions that would apply to your exact rental.<\/span><\/div>\n<p><a class=\"va-cta-dc-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/rentalcover.com\/en?utm_source=rakuten&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=4710415&amp;utm_content=15&amp;ranMID=44017&amp;ranEAID=4710415&amp;ranSiteID=hy8szKO6dwk-QG7cSxjEvxp6QAwzSkYz_A\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Discover the cost of cover for your rental<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>What is the excess on a rental car?<\/h2>\n<p>The excess, also called the deductible in some countries, is the part of a covered loss that may remain the driver&#8217;s responsibility. If your agreement shows a \u20ac1,200 excess, that does not mean every incident automatically costs \u20ac1,200. The rental company calculates the final charge under its contract and procedures, normally up to the applicable excess.<\/p>\n<p>In Europe, rental prices commonly include a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and theft protection with an excess. That basic package may leave out tyres, wheels, windscreens, mirrors, roof, underbody, keys or roadside charges. Names and exclusions differ between companies, so the words \u201cinsurance included\u201d are not enough. You need to know the exact excess, deposit, covered parts and exclusions.<\/p>\n<h3>Excess and security deposit are not the same thing<\/h3>\n<p>The <strong>excess<\/strong> describes a potential financial liability. The <strong>security deposit<\/strong> is the amount the rental company blocks or charges as a guarantee when it hands over the car. The figures may be similar, but they serve different purposes. Buying reimbursement protection does not normally remove the deposit or the requirement for an accepted card in the main driver&#8217;s name.<\/p>\n<p>This is why \u201czero excess\u201d can be misunderstood. RentalCover sells protection with no deductible for the insured customer, but the rental company&#8217;s agreement remains in force. The company can still hold the deposit and charge you for damage. Zero deductible describes what remains payable by you after a covered and approved claim, not necessarily what happens at the counter.<\/p>\n<h2>What is RentalCover and how does it work?<\/h2>\n<p>RentalCover is a Cover Genius brand specialising in protection for rental vehicles. You arrange it online before collecting the vehicle, independently of the rental booking. The distributor, insurer, policy limits and exclusions may vary according to your country of residence, destination, vehicle and rental dates.<\/p>\n<h3>The process in three steps<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Get a quote before collection.<\/strong> Enter your country of residence, rental country, dates and vehicle type accurately. Check the maximum limit, exclusions and any basic cover the rental agreement must include.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Collect the vehicle and record its condition.<\/strong> The rental company may block a deposit. Keep the signed agreement and photograph or film the bodywork, glass, wheels, tyres, roof, visible underbody, interior, fuel level and mileage.<\/li>\n<li><strong>If something happens, follow the rental agreement and claim.<\/strong> Notify the rental company, use authorised assistance and obtain a police report when required. The rental company may deduct the final damage charge from the deposit or charge your card, up to the contractual excess. Submit the invoice and supporting evidence to RentalCover to recover the covered amount.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>RentalCover manages protection and claims online. When the incident is covered, you have complied with the rental agreement and the documents are complete, its zero-deductible protection reimburses 100% of the covered charge without subtracting another excess. RentalCover states that complete claims are typically reimbursed within three business days, while an international bank transfer can take a further one to four business days.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/como-funciona-reembolso-franquicia.webp\" alt=\"How rental car excess reimbursement works: deposit, damage, claim and repayment\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-4753\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/como-funciona-reembolso-franquicia.webp 1600w, https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/como-funciona-reembolso-franquicia-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/como-funciona-reembolso-franquicia-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/como-funciona-reembolso-franquicia-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/como-funciona-reembolso-franquicia-1536x864.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The usual external-cover process: the rental company can charge for damage and the traveller then supplies the documents needed to claim reimbursement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>What does RentalCover cover?<\/h2>\n<p>RentalCover&#8217;s current protection covers the excess for damage or theft and charges that many basic rental policies leave out. Its published inclusions include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>tyres, wheels, windscreens, mirrors and exterior lights;<\/li>\n<li>roof and underbody damage;<\/li>\n<li>lost or damaged keys, replacement keys and lockout costs;<\/li>\n<li>towing, roadside assistance and eligible administration fees;<\/li>\n<li>theft, vandalism and collision damage within the conditions;<\/li>\n<li>authorised drivers named on the rental agreement;<\/li>\n<li>eligible long rentals and specified vehicle categories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Glass, wheels, tyres, roof and underbody are therefore not hypothetical extras: they appear expressly in current RentalCover wording. The limit is shown in each customer&#8217;s quote and documents. Some current wordings provide protection up to the full value of the rental vehicle, so publishing one universal limit of \u20ac6,000 or \u20ac10,000 would be misleading. A claim must still comply with the contract. Prohibited use, an unauthorised driver, drink-driving or a banned road can take an incident outside cover.<\/p>\n<h2>What can be excluded?<\/h2>\n<p>Exclusions vary with the policy. Common examples can include misfuelling, personal hotel or telephone expenses, unauthorised repairs, personal belongings, certain interior damage, personal accident cover and third-party liability. Restricted vehicles, rental companies, destinations and uses may also apply.<\/p>\n<p>A claim can be declined if the driver is not on the rental agreement, the vehicle is used under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the rental conditions are breached, a prohibited road is used or essential evidence is missing. Excess protection also does not automatically replace legally required insurance or third-party liability cover in the country where you drive.<\/p>\n<div class=\"va-answer-box\">\n<p><strong>Practical rule:<\/strong> do not decide from a logo or a phrase such as \u201cfull cover\u201d. Compare eight items: excess, deposit, maximum limit, covered parts, theft, roadside charges, exclusions and the documents required for a claim.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>RentalCover versus cover sold at the rental desk<\/h2>\n<p>Both options can reduce your financial risk, but they work differently. A waiver sold by the rental company is integrated into its own agreement. It may reduce the contractual excess and, in some cases, the security deposit. That can make a damage case simpler, but desk cover is often considerably more expensive and may still exclude specific parts.<\/p>\n<p>RentalCover is independent protection. The rental company&#8217;s card and deposit rules remain in place. If there is damage, the company may take the charge from your deposit or card; you then submit the final invoice to RentalCover. When the incident is covered and the conditions have been met, you recover 100% of the covered charge up to the protection limit, with no second deductible. In exchange for this straightforward reimbursement process, the quote can be much cheaper and can include windscreens, tyres, wheels, roof and underbody.<\/p>\n<div class=\"va-saving-example\">\n<strong>Clear example: a one-month economy-car rental in S\u00e3o Miguel during low season<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Take an economy car rented for one month on S\u00e3o Miguel. The cheaper rate keeps a contractual excess of \u20ac1,200\u2013\u20ac1,800, while the supplier&#8217;s zero-excess option substantially increases the rental price.<\/p>\n<div class=\"va-saving-grid\">\n<div class=\"va-saving-card\"><span>Rental with excess<\/span><b>\u20ac90\u2013\u20ac120<\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"va-saving-card\"><span>Contractual excess<\/span><b>\u20ac1,200\u2013\u20ac1,800<\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"va-saving-card\"><span>RentalCover for one month<\/span><b>\u20ac115.21<\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"va-saving-card\"><span>Total rental + protection<\/span><b>\u20ac205.21\u2013\u20ac235.21<\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"va-saving-card\"><span>Supplier&#8217;s zero-excess rental<\/span><b>\u20ac700\u2013\u20ac850<\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"va-saving-card\"><span>Saving after protection<\/span><b>\u20ac464.79\u2013\u20ac644.79<\/b><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Keeping the excess reduces the base rental price by <strong>\u20ac580\u2013\u20ac760<\/strong>, roughly <strong>83%\u201389%<\/strong> compared with the supplier&#8217;s zero-excess rate. The \u20ac1,200\u2013\u20ac1,800 excess is not part of the \u20ac90\u2013\u20ac120 rental price and is not paid automatically: it is the maximum potential liability under the rental agreement. The rental company may still place a deposit hold on the card.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The verified one-month RentalCover quote was \u20ac115.21 including taxes.<\/strong> It was calculated on 4 October 2026 for a Portugal resident, a rental in Portugal, a car and cover from 5 October to 5 November 2026. The quote showed a 15% promotional discount, a reference price of \u20ac135.54 and a \u20ac60,000 protection limit.<\/p>\n<p>Adding that policy brings the protected rental total to <strong>\u20ac205.21\u2013\u20ac235.21<\/strong>. Compared with the supplier&#8217;s \u20ac700\u2013\u20ac850 zero-excess option, the estimated saving after paying for RentalCover is <strong>\u20ac464.79\u2013\u20ac644.79<\/strong>, approximately <strong>66%\u201376%<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>If a covered incident occurs, the rental company may charge for the damage up to the contractual excess. You then submit the claim and, when the charge is covered and the policy conditions are met, RentalCover reimburses 100% of the covered amount up to the stated limit.<\/p>\n<p><small>Quote checked on 4 October 2026 and illustrative example only, not a guaranteed price. RentalCover pricing changes with residence, destination, dates, vehicle, promotions and policy conditions.<\/small><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Point to compare<\/th>\n<th>RentalCover<\/th>\n<th>Rental desk cover<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Relationship with the rental<\/td>\n<td>Independent protection<\/td>\n<td>Part of the supplier&#8217;s agreement or waiver<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Security deposit<\/td>\n<td>Normally remains in place<\/td>\n<td>May remain or be reduced, depending on the company<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>If damage occurs<\/td>\n<td>The agency can deduct the charge; you submit the invoice and recover the covered amount<\/td>\n<td>The supplier applies its own process directly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Price<\/td>\n<td>Calculated for each trip<\/td>\n<td>Varies by supplier, vehicle, destination and duration<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Parts excluded by basic CDW<\/td>\n<td>Glass, tyres, wheels, roof and underbody are included in current protection<\/td>\n<td>Depends on the package purchased<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Best suited to<\/td>\n<td>Drivers comfortable with reimbursement and a temporary charge<\/td>\n<td>Drivers prioritising simplicity and a lower card hold<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rentalcover-vs-seguro-mostrador.webp\" alt=\"Rental desk insurance compared with independent RentalCover protection\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-4754\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rentalcover-vs-seguro-mostrador.webp 1600w, https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rentalcover-vs-seguro-mostrador-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rentalcover-vs-seguro-mostrador-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rentalcover-vs-seguro-mostrador-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rentalcover-vs-seguro-mostrador-1536x864.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rental desk cover is integrated into the agreement; independent protection requires a policy comparison and may involve reimbursement after the charge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"va-cta-dc\">\n<div class=\"va-cta-dc-icon\">\ud83d\udd0e<\/div>\n<div class=\"va-cta-dc-text\"><strong>Avoid paying more simply because you are under pressure<\/strong><br \/><span>Compare RentalCover&#8217;s limit, inclusions and claim process with the exact package offered by your rental company.<\/span><\/div>\n<p><a class=\"va-cta-dc-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/rentalcover.com\/en?utm_source=rakuten&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=4710415&amp;utm_content=15&amp;ranMID=44017&amp;ranEAID=4710415&amp;ranSiteID=hy8szKO6dwk-QG7cSxjEvxp6QAwzSkYz_A\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Calculate your policy price now<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>RentalCover, DiscoverCars, Booking.com and credit cards: avoid duplicate cover<\/h2>\n<p>If you book through an intermediary, check whether protection has already been added. DiscoverCars Full Coverage, for example, also operates as a reimbursement product: the rental company keeps its deposit rules, charges eligible costs first and the customer applies for compensation. Buying RentalCover as well could duplicate much of the same risk without allowing you to recover twice.<\/p>\n<p>The same principle applies to Booking.com and other comparison sites. A commercial label is not enough. Open the terms to identify who provides the cover, the maximum reimbursement, included parts and where a claim must be submitted. Keep the broker&#8217;s confirmation separate from the agreement you sign with the local rental company.<\/p>\n<p>Some credit cards include rental vehicle protection, but they may require the entire booking to be paid with that card, require you to decline desk products or make you claim from another insurer first. Travel insurance varies widely too. Before buying a second policy, check whether your existing protection is primary or secondary, whether it applies in the destination and whether the vehicle category is eligible.<\/p>\n<h2>RentalCover reviews: is it legitimate?<\/h2>\n<p>RentalCover is an established Cover Genius brand. It publishes legal information, product documents, a help centre and an online claims process. For residents of the European Economic Area, relevant documents identify Cover Genius Europe B.V. as the authorised intermediary and Collinson Insurance Europe Limited as an insurer. The entity applicable to your purchase must be checked in your quote because it changes by customer and product.<\/p>\n<p>The most useful question is not \u201cIs RentalCover legitimate?\u201d in the abstract. Ask instead: \u201cDoes this wording cover my vehicle, destination and the costs I care about, and can I follow its claims procedure?\u201d The answer is in the certificate and policy wording, not only in an online review score.<\/p>\n<h2>How to prepare a RentalCover claim<\/h2>\n<p>If damage occurs, stop safely and follow the rental agreement. Notify the rental company, contact the police when required by law or the supplier, and do not arrange your own repairs without authorisation. Photograph the scene and damage without placing yourself at risk.<\/p>\n<p>When the rental has ended and the final charges are known, collect at least:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"va-checklist va-claim-checklist\">\n<li>the signed rental agreement and booking confirmation;<\/li>\n<li>the relevant driver&#8217;s licence;<\/li>\n<li>the damage or incident report;<\/li>\n<li>a police report when required;<\/li>\n<li>the itemised final invoice or repair invoice;<\/li>\n<li>a bank or card statement proving the final charge;<\/li>\n<li>photographs from collection, the incident and return;<\/li>\n<li>written communication with the rental company.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Submit the claim within the time allowed by your wording and answer requests for additional evidence. RentalCover says the normal reimbursement time for complete claims is three business days. Supplying the final invoice, damage report and proof of payment from the beginning is the best way to prevent avoidable delays.<\/p>\n<h2>Practical example: renting a car in the Azores<\/h2>\n<p>The Azores illustrate why the details matter. Main roads are generally good, but a driving day can include sudden fog, rain, steep gradients, tight parking, stone walls or cattle on the road. On smaller islands, assistance may take longer and replacement vehicle availability can be limited.<\/p>\n<p>That does not mean every incident in the archipelago is covered. If the rental agreement bans an unpaved road, driving on it can invalidate a claim. Do not take a rental car between islands without written permission either. Returning it and signing a new rental on the next island is normally simpler; our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/how-to-travel-between-azores-islands\/\">travelling between the Azores islands<\/a> explains how to coordinate flights, ferries and separate vehicle bookings.<\/p>\n<p>Read the protection wording alongside the supplier&#8217;s conditions before you drive. Our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/car-rental-terceira-azores\/\">car rental in Terceira<\/a> covers typical prices, collection at Lajes Airport and the island&#8217;s driving conditions. Travellers who would rather avoid driving can compare bases, taxis and organised tours in our <a href=\"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/the-azores-without-a-car-where-to-stay-and-how-to-plan-5-7-days\/\">five-to-seven-day Azores itinerary without a car<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>How to decide whether RentalCover is right for you<\/h2>\n<p><strong>RentalCover can make sense<\/strong> when your rental includes the required basic cover, you can leave the deposit, you have enough card limit for a temporary charge and you are willing to keep the documents. It is especially attractive when the quote includes glass, tyres, wheels, roof and underbody while the basic rental rate does not.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It may not be the best option<\/strong> when your priority is reducing the card hold, you cannot absorb a temporary charge or you want every incident handled solely by the rental counter. Nor should you add it automatically if DiscoverCars, Booking.com, a credit card or travel insurance already provides equivalent protection.<\/p>\n<h3>What to check before buying rental car excess insurance<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"va-checklist\">\n<li>What is the exact excess for damage and theft?<\/li>\n<li>How much will the rental company hold, and which card will it accept?<\/li>\n<li>What basic CDW or insurance must the rental include?<\/li>\n<li>Are windscreens, tyres, wheels, underbody, roof and keys covered?<\/li>\n<li>What is the total limit, and are there sublimits?<\/li>\n<li>Which roads, vehicles, countries or uses are excluded?<\/li>\n<li>Which documents and deadlines apply to a claim?<\/li>\n<li>Do you already have similar protection through a broker or card?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions about RentalCover<\/h2>\n<div class=\"va-faq\">\n<details>\n<summary>Does RentalCover remove the rental car excess?<\/summary>\n<p>The rental company keeps the excess in its agreement and can still block a deposit, but RentalCover protection has a zero deductible. If you are charged for covered damage and meet the conditions, you recover 100% of the covered amount up to the limit in your documents, without RentalCover subtracting another excess.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Will the rental company still block a security deposit?<\/summary>\n<p>Normally, yes. The deposit, accepted card and required available limit are determined by the rental company. Independent reimbursement protection does not usually remove that hold.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can I decline the cover sold at the rental desk?<\/summary>\n<p>RentalCover is intended to help you avoid expensive equivalent desk add-ons. First confirm that your rental already contains the legally and contractually required basic cover, because excess protection does not automatically replace every form of liability insurance.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Does RentalCover cover windscreens, tyres and underbody?<\/summary>\n<p>Yes. Current RentalCover wording expressly includes exterior glass, windscreens, mirrors, lights, wheels, tyres, roof and underbody damage, alongside other covered charges. Check your documents for the limit and exclusions applicable to your residence, vehicle and rental.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What happens to the excess if the car is damaged?<\/summary>\n<p>The rental company can deduct the final damage amount from the deposit or charge your card, up to the contractual excess. You then submit the agreement, final invoice, damage report and proof of payment to RentalCover. If the incident is covered and the conditions were followed, RentalCover reimburses 100% of the covered charge up to your protection limit.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>How long does RentalCover take to pay?<\/summary>\n<p>RentalCover states that complete claims are normally reimbursed within three business days. Once issued, an international bank transfer usually takes between one and four additional business days. Providing the final invoice, damage report and proof of charge at the outset helps prevent delays.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>When should I buy RentalCover?<\/summary>\n<p>Buy it before collecting the car and select the exact dates during which you will use the vehicle. You then arrive at the desk with protection already active, can decline expensive equivalent add-ons and avoid any uncertainty over when the cover began.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Does it work with every rental company and in every country?<\/summary>\n<p>It is compatible with many rental companies and destinations, but restrictions can apply according to residence, country, supplier, vehicle and use. Check them before purchasing.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Does RentalCover include third-party liability?<\/summary>\n<p>Excess protection focuses on the rented vehicle and the charges defined in the wording. Third-party liability is a different cover. Some markets offer additional products, but the protection shown in your own quote is what matters.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can I combine it with DiscoverCars Full Coverage?<\/summary>\n<p>You can hold both contracts, but there may be substantial duplication. Compare their limits and exclusions and avoid paying twice for the same risk without a specific reason.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can I cancel RentalCover?<\/summary>\n<p>RentalCover states that protection can be cancelled before collection. The exact refund and process can depend on the product and the channel through which it was purchased, so check the rules shown in your account.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"va-cta-dc\">\n<div class=\"va-cta-dc-icon\">\u2713<\/div>\n<div class=\"va-cta-dc-text\"><strong>Know what you are protecting before you collect the keys<\/strong><br \/><span>Get a quote and compare it with the excess, deposit and protection already included in your rental.<\/span><\/div>\n<p><a class=\"va-cta-dc-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/rentalcover.com\/en?utm_source=rakuten&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=4710415&amp;utm_content=15&amp;ranMID=44017&amp;ranEAID=4710415&amp;ranSiteID=hy8szKO6dwk-QG7cSxjEvxp6QAwzSkYz_A\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" target=\"_blank\">See the price of cover for your rental<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Information reviewed on 4 October 2026. This is a general guide and does not replace the rental agreement, certificate or policy wording issued with your quote.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Useful articles and resources<\/h2>\n<p>Use these resources to check the conditions before purchasing:<\/p>\n<div class=\"va-interest-links\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/rentalcover.com\/en\/how-it-works\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">How RentalCover works step by step<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/rentalcover.com\/en\/help\/about-your-cover\/what-are-the-inclusions-and-exclusions-of-my-protection\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">RentalCover inclusions and exclusions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/rentalcover.com\/en\/claim\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">How to submit a claim and which documents you need<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/rentalcover.com\/en\/terms\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">RentalCover terms, insurers and legal information<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discovercars.com\/en\/help\/articles\/protection-coverage\/discovercars-full-coverage\/what-is-covered-by-full-coverage\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">What DiscoverCars Full Coverage includes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Avoid turning rental car damage into an unexpected bill. Learn how RentalCover protects the excess, what it covers and how reimbursement works.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4766,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[96],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-plan-your-trip"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4767","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4767"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4767\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4784,"href":"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4767\/revisions\/4784"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitarazores.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}