When you book a car online, you’ll often see an option to add insurance that covers excess damage for around €5 a day. Booking online is always much cheaper than buying it at the rental desk.
At the counter, the same insurance is rarely less than €15 per day — and in busy season or for larger cars, it can easily climb to €30–€50 per day. That’s why so many travellers end up paying more for insurance than for the rental itself.
Online, you’ll pay around €4–€6 a day. Or, with the right provider, even less. Here’s where to look.
Where to get your car insurance?
Pre-booking your insurance saves serious money — and you’ve got several options.
- Buy it at the desk (not recommended; €15–€50 a day)
- Book online with your car rental (€4–€6 a day)
- Use a specialist site like IcarHireInsurance (from €3.30 a day or ~€50 a year)
Note: Revolut Metal used to include free car hire excess insurance, but this perk was removed from their plan. If you’ve seen older guides mentioning it, that information is now outdated. Always check your current card’s benefits before relying on it for car rental insurance.
Important: No matter which insurance you pick, it usually works on reimbursement. The rental company will still block a deposit (often €500–€1,500). Most desks do not accept debit cards for this hold. Always bring a credit card in the main driver’s name — without it, you may not get the car at all.
Tip #1: Book through a specialist provider
The best savings usually come from specialist car hire insurance companies. For example, a friend used iCarhireInsurance.com and got a full year’s cover for around €50.
They also offer daily cover from just £3 (€3.30) a day. Even if you only rent for a week, you’ll save tens of euros compared to taking the rental desk insurance.
Prices vary depending on your country of residence, where you’re travelling, and any extras, but it’s almost always cheaper than buying insurance at the counter.
