Why Buy Multi-Rental Excess Insurance?

Introduction

Whether you’re cruising along the Amalfi Coast, zipping through the Highlands of Scotland, or road-tripping across the Australian Outback, hiring a car on your travels gives you freedom, flexibility, and the chance to see a destination on your own terms. But with car rental comes a not-so-small catch: the dreaded excess charge.

If you’re an Irish citizen who rents cars more than once a year — whether for work trips, holidays, or both — then a multi-rental car hire excess insurance policy could be one of the smartest travel decisions you make. In this article, we’ll break down exactly what this type of cover is, how it works, and why it makes financial and practical sense.

What Is Car Hire Excess Insurance?

When you rent a car, even though the rental company includes basic insurance (such as Collision Damage Waiver or CDW), you're usually still on the hook for a hefty excess. This is the amount you’d have to pay out of pocket if the car is damaged or stolen — often ranging between €1,000 and €3,000, depending on the country and car category.

Car hire excess insurance is a separate policy that covers this excess, so if something goes wrong, you’ll be reimbursed for what the rental company charges you. Rather than buying expensive excess waiver cover at the rental desk (which can cost upwards of €20 per day), Irish travellers are increasingly turning to standalone cover they buy before their trip — and especially multi-rental policies that cover multiple trips across a year.

What Is a Multi-Rental Car Hire Excess Policy?

Simply put, this is an annual insurance policy that covers the car hire excess for multiple rentals throughout a 12-month period. It’s particularly handy if you: -

• Travel abroad more than once a year
• Frequently hire cars for work or leisure
• Want peace of mind without the high cost of rental desk insurance

Instead of paying per trip or per day, you pay a flat annual premium and you’re covered for any eligible car rental within the policy terms.

Why Irish Citizens Should Consider Multi-Rental Cover

1. Serious Savings Over Time

Let’s say you travel twice a year and hire a car each time for a week. At the rental desk, the car hire excess waiver might cost you €15–€25 per day, adding up to around €210–€350 per year. Compare that to a typical multi-rental excess insurance policy from Questor Insurance starting from €42.00 annually, and the savings speak for themselves. The more often you travel, the more you save. It’s as simple as that.

2. Covers What Rental Companies Don’t

Standard rental agreements and even their expensive waivers often don’t cover:

• Windscreen cracks
• Tyre or wheel damage
• Undercarriage damage
• Roof damage
• Lost keys or admin fees

Questor Insurance standalone multi-rental excess policies do cover these, giving you a much broader safety net.

So, if you hit a pothole in Portugal, get a chip in the windscreen in Croatia, or scratch the bumper in Boston, you’re far more likely to be reimbursed with a proper excess policy.

3. Global Coverage

Questor Insurance's excess policy includes worldwide coverage as standard, so you don’t need to worry whether your trip is in Europe, the US, or Australia. Questor Insurance also has an option to cover car rentals in Ireland — useful if you’re renting a car for a weekend away in Ireland.

Just make sure to check the policy’s specific regional coverage before you travel. Questor allows you to change your policy after you purchase it through their online portal.

4. Peace of Mind from the Get-Go

There’s nothing worse than standing at the rental counter, jet-lagged and bleary-eyed, being pressured into adding overpriced insurance to your booking. With a multi-rental policy in place, you can confidently decline the rental desk upsells, knowing you're already covered.

This not only saves you money but also avoids unnecessary stress at the start of your holiday.

5. Simple Reimbursement Process

Unlike rental desk insurance that waives the fee at source, standalone excess insurance means you pay the rental company first, then claim it back from your insurer. Questor Insurance makes this simple through an online claim submission process which means that you can submit and monitor your claim at a time that suits you. Once your claim is authorised you should receive your funds within 2 hours.

You will need a copy of the car rental agreement, incident report, invoice for the damage and a copy of your drivers licence.

Things to Keep in Mind

Before purchasing a multi-rental excess insurance policy, here are a few important tips for Irish travellers:

• Check the policy limits: Questor Insurance policy limits are generous but please check the limits meet your needs.
• Make sure you purchase the correct policy for the vehicle you are hiring. Questor offers a policy for cars and motorhomes.
• Make sure you’re eligible: Typically, you need to be aged at least 21 when hiring a car and at least 24 when hiring a motorhome, hold a full driving licence and be a permanent resident of Ireland.
• Use a credit card when hiring: Many rental companies still require this as a hold for the excess amount, even if you're insured elsewhere.
• Questor Insurance does not charge you a policy issue fee, fee to use a credit card or a fee to change your policy. Questor Insurance also has a call centre you can contact during office hours.

Real-Life Scenario: What can you save?

Take Stuart from Galway, for example. Stuart travels back to the UK three times a year to visit family and owns a holiday home in France which he visits at least twice a year. In total he rents cars for 15 days in the UK and 60 days in France.

This year Stuart purchased an annual policy from Questor Insurance buying a multi-rental policy with the extended rental option for a total of €63 including tax. We estimate that Stuart will save approximately €1500 compared to buying the excess waiver from the car rental company. This is a huge saving!

Final Thoughts: Travel Smart and Stress-Free

If you're an Irish citizen who hires a car more than once a year, a multi-rental car hire excess insurance policy is a no-brainer. It saves you money, provides broader protection, and gives you peace of mind — all for the price of a family dinner out. It’s the kind of cover you hope you won’t need, but will be very glad to have if things go sideways on the road.

So, before your next adventure — whether it’s a wine tour in France or a hiking trip in the Rockies — get your multi-rental excess insurance sorted. Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.

More Information

Car Rental Excess Insurance
Motorhome Rental Excess Insurance
How to Claim

Contact us

Customer Service +353 5644 49400
Claims +353 5644 49404
Email assistance@questor-insurance.ie