CarRental.com.au does not sell insurance (aka excess reduction) as we are only online agents comparing prices from car rental companies. With the exception of Redspot, you are unable to select excess reduction prior to pickup. For detailed information about each suppliers insurance policies: Avis Insurance, Hertz Insurance, Budget Insurance, Thrifty Insurance, Europcar Insurance, Redspot Insurance.

What is Excess Reduction?

Excess reduction reduces the amount of excess that you have to pay. What's excess? Excess is effectively the bill you are left with by the car owner/supplier when you have an accident. In the non-rental world, if you have an accident and it's your fault, you pay an excess. You'd be aware of the advertising which is often about no claims bonus? The "bonus" is reduced excess, so that if you're a good driver the excess you are left to pay in the event of an accident is reduced.

What If The Accident Wasn't My Fault?

Unfortunately your excess will need to be paid regardless of whose fault the accident was, but if you are eventually proven to be not-at-fault you will be reimbursed the excess amount upon completuion of the legal process. So not having excess reduction will mean a cost of between $2000 and $5500 but it it wasn't your fault, you'll get that back.

Should I Take Excess Reduction?

Excess reduction wil be offered upon pickup. For compliance reasons it is not offered by CarRental.com.au. You have a few options:

1.  Don't take up insurance/excess reduction: Vehicles come with basic cover but in the event of an accident, regardless of whose fault it is, suppliers will charge you between $2000 and $5500 depending on the supplier (see the insurance policy terms below). If you are eventually proven to not be at fault you will get the excess refunded.

Cost: $0

2.  Take up insurance/excess reduction: Your excess can be reduced to between $0 and $440 depending on the supplier. Your exposure is therefore minimised. For a trip of under 3 days it is likely more convenient and cost-effective to take the excess reduction offered.

Cost: $25-40 per day depending on the supplier and your preferred level of excess.

3. Get your own insurance: Premium credit cards often include free travel insurance which incorporates car hire insurance for domestic and international trips. Please check the terms of your policy with your credit card issuer. Travel Insurers such as 1Direct, TravelInsuranceDirect and World Nomads offer short term travel insurance. Auto Insurers sometimes offer temporary hire insurance on the basis that you will not be using your usual vehicle and it can therefore be effectively transferred. Health Insurers also offer cheap travel insurance policies.

Cost: Cheaper than Hertz, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, Europcar and other suppliers who mark up their insurance heavily.

Avis Insurance & Excess Reduction

Avis offers the following insurance:

• Standard Liability $2915 (excluding local fees and surcharges)
• Accident Excess Reduction - $26.40 (per day excluding local fees and surcharges). This package reduces your liability to $330 (excluding local fees and surcharges)
• 4WD Nissan Patrol - Standard Liability $5500 (excluding taxes and local fee) reducing to $1100 (excluding taxes and local fee)

These options will be offered to you when you collect your rental car.

Budget Insurance & Excess Reduction

For cars with a driver +21 years, Budget Rent A Car charges:

• Standard excess reduction value: $2,750.00

• Excess reduction cost:

In Metro/Country areas: $25/d or $6.60/d if >28 days

In Remote areas: $27/d or $8.80/d is >28 days

Your maximum liability with excess reduction is $330.00. The above charges are GST inclusive, but may incur additional rental fees depending on rental conditions at individual pick up locations, not limited to administration fees and concession recovery fees. This option will be offered to you when you collect your rental vehicle.

Hertz Insurance & Excess Reduction

Optional Excess Reduction Guide (guide only, subject to change)

Hertz has a standard maximum car hire Insurance Excess of $3,300. This can be reduced by paying an additional $21 to $31 per day. This option will be offered to you when you collect your rental vehicle.

• Standard Liability $3300 (excluding taxes and local fee)
• Single Vehicle Accident Damage Excess $2200 (excludes taxes and local fee)
• Accident Excess Reduction: $25.60 (per day excludes local fees and surcharges). This package reduces your liability to $440 (excluding local fees and surcharges)
• Reduce Your Liability to $0 (Maximum Cover): $34.90 (per day excluding local fees and surcharges)

Thrifty Insurance & Excess Guide

Optional Excess Reduction Guide (guide only, subject to change)

Thrifty has a standard Liability Fee of $3,300. This can be reduced to $385 by paying an additional $27 per day. Paying an additional $33 per day will reduce the Liability to $0.

For 4WD vehicles the excess is $3,300 which can be reduced to $385 by paying an additional $29 per day. This option will be offered to you when you collect your rental vehicle.

Europcar Insurance & Excess Guide

Optional Excess Reduction Guide (guide only, subject to change)

The standard car hire insurance excess of $3,850 applies for all passenger vehicles from Europcar. This can be reduced to $385 by paying an additional $31 per day. For 4WDs, 12-Seaters & Prestige vehicles  the excess is $5,500 which can be reduced to $990 by paying an additional $39.00 per day. This option will be offered to you when you collect your rental vehicle.

These options will be offered to you when you collect your rental car.

Redspot Insurance Excess Guide

With Excess Reduction

The rate shown by default is a fully inclusive "Drive Away" rate. It is heavily discounted and includes:

• Collision Damage waiver with damage liability reduction to a ZERO liability (A $330 damage liability that cannot be lowered applies to 21 - 24 year olds and 75+)
• Unlimited kilometres (excluding SUV and 8 Seater vehicles in WA)
• Windscreen, Headlight, Tyre & Overhead damage protection
• Third Party Insurance
• Unlimited Toll Road Use
• Premium Roadside Assistance
• Additional Driver Surcharge
• Premium Location Fee
• Registration Recovery Fee
• Street Directory Hire
• Government Stamp Duty (GST)
• Credit Card Surcharge (excluding AMEX / Diners)
• Contract / Administration fee
• Early refund for days un-used

Your "Drive Away" Rate Excludes:

• Fuel
• Satellite Navigation
• Baby Seats
• AMEX / Diners Fee (4.95%)
• Young Drivers Surcharge (21 - 24 year olds may not drive FCAR, SUV, 8 Seater or 12 Seater vehicles)
• P-Plate  Fee
• One  Way  Fees
• Up-Grades
• Missing Items

ETAG's:

Please note that all Redspot vehicles in NSW/VIC/QLD are fitted with electronic toll passes. Your Driveaway Rate includes unlimited toll road use.

 

Redspot will not facilitate the use of your own ETAG or Toll Passes in our vehicles.

Security Bond:

Please be advised that upon commencement of your rental, the total charges plus a pre-authorisation of $100.00 (or $330 for 21 to 24 year old and 75+) will be taken on your credit / charge card as a security bond against further charges whilst you're renting with us.

Without Excess Reduction

Your "Basic" Redspot Rate Includes:

• Insurance with a $3300 damage liability
• Unlimited kilometers (excluding SUV, 8 Seater and 12 seater vehicles in WA)
• Third Party Insurance
• Premium Location Fee
• Standard Road Side Assistance for mechanical faults
• Registration Recovery Fee
• GST
• Contract / Administration fee.

 

Your "Basic" Redspot Rate Excludes:

• Fuel
• Windscreen
• Headlight
• Tyre and Overhead damage
• Additional Driver Surcharge
• Premium Road Side Assistance
• Satellite Navigation
• Street Directory Hire
• Toll Road Passes / ETAG coverage
• Baby Seats
• Credit Card Fee (1.65% for MasterCard and Visa)
• AMEX / Diners Fee (4.95%)
• Young Drivers Surcharge (21 - 24 year olds may not drive FCAR, SUV, 8 Seater or 12 Seater vehicles)
• P-Plate  Fee
• One Way Fees
• Up-Grades
• Missing Items

ETAG's:

Please note that all of our vehicles in NSW / VIC / QLD are fitted with ETAG's to provide a convenient,  hassle-free toll road service. Upon collection of your vehicle you can opt for unlimited coverage on all toll-ways for a small additional daily fee. If you choose to decline the ETAG option and our ETAG is used, you will be charged $15.00 per toll point in NSW, VIC and QLD

Redspot will not facilitate the use of your own ETAG or Toll Passes in our vehicles.

Security Bond:

Please be advised that upon commencement of your rental, the total charges plus a pre-authorisation of $495 will be taken on your credit / charge card as a security bond against further charges whilst you're renting with us (unless you have booked our specialty vehicles IFARS, PVARS AND IVARS then $1000 will be taken as a security bond.