Hertz Ireland Car Rental Insurance Coverage and Costs Explained

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Hertz Ireland offers a range of car rental insurance options to suit different budgets and needs.

Excess fees can be a significant cost, with Hertz Ireland charging up to €900 for damage to the vehicle.

If you choose to purchase Hertz Ireland's own insurance, you'll be protected against damage to the vehicle, as well as third-party liability.

However, if you opt for a third-party only policy, you'll be required to pay an excess fee of up to €900 in the event of an accident.

It's worth noting that Hertz Ireland's insurance policies may not cover certain types of damage, such as wear and tear or pre-existing damage to the vehicle.

Introduction

Hertz Ireland car rental insurance is a type of protection offered by Hertz to cover renters against loss or damage to the rental car.

There are different types of Hertz rental car insurance policies available, including Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) protection.

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LDW offers 24/7 coverage of the vehicle, even when you’re not in it.

If you purchase LDW or Vehicle Protection from Hertz, you will have no financial responsibility for loss or damage to the rental vehicle.

It’s essential to compare Hertz’s insurance versus other alternatives to determine the cost of Hertz rental car insurance.

Rental car insurance coverage can come from different sources, including personal auto policies, rental car counter, or a third-party insurer such as CarInsuRent.

Rental Car Insurance

Rental car insurance is a crucial aspect to consider when renting a car from Hertz in Ireland. Hertz offers different types of coverage to renters, including Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) protection, which waives the renters' responsibility for loss or damage to the rental vehicle.

LDW is not an insurance product, and you don't have to report any incidents to your insurance company if you purchase LDW from Hertz. This protection covers all damage to the Hertz rental vehicle and coverage for vehicle theft up to the car's full value.

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The excess amount for LDW can range between € 950 – € 1500, depending on the location and type of rental car. However, you can lower the excess to € 0 with SuperCover, a package offered by Hertz, for an additional cost of € 28 per day.

Hertz also offers Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI), which provides additional liability coverage above the minimum limits required by the state. SLI protects renters from claims made by third parties for bodily injury or property damage resulting from an accident in the rental car.

If you're unsure about the insurance requirements, it's best to check with your local Hertz office to understand which plans are available to you.

Rental Car Insurance Cost

Rental car insurance costs can vary depending on the coverage options selected.

The Hertz collision damage waiver is part of your rental fee, but it comes with an excess that ranges between € 950 – € 1500.

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This excess is the amount you're financially responsible for if something happens to your rental vehicle.

You can lower the excess to € 0 with Hertz's SuperCover package, which costs € 28 per day.

Alternatively, you can purchase CarInsuRent car rental insurance, which can eliminate the excess amount for as low as $6.49 per day* to $94.90 for an annual policy.

*Prices based on 10 days coverage

You should also consider purchasing Personal Insurance (PI), which covers authorized drivers, passengers, and their personal effects.

PI can be purchased at the time of pick-up for an additional amount of € 16.18 (including tax) per day, € 80.92 (including tax) per week, or € 161.95 (including tax) per rental.

It's a good idea to check with your insurance provider to see if your personal car insurance policy provides coverage for rental cars.

Rental Car Insurance Exclusions

Rental car insurance exclusions can be a real headache, especially if you're not aware of what's covered and what's not.

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If you're grossly negligent while driving a rental car, your liability for damage won't be reduced. This means if you're reckless or irresponsible behind the wheel, you'll still be on the hook for any damages.

Driving into overhead or overhanging objects is a big no-no, and you'll be liable for any damage caused. The same goes for driving into barriers that are too low for the vehicle to pass beneath.

Driving on bad roads without due care can also result in damage to the undercarriage, and you'll be responsible for the costs. And if you drive on a beach and get your car stuck in the sand, you'll be liable for any damage caused by the salt water and sand.

You'll also be responsible for any damage caused by putting the wrong fuel in the vehicle, ignoring warning lights, or burning out your clutch. And if you fit unauthorized objects to the interior or exterior of the vehicle, you'll be liable for any damage caused.

Here are some examples of rental car insurance exclusions:

  • Striking overhead or overhanging objects;
  • Driving into a barrier that is too low for the vehicle to pass beneath;
  • Driving into a barrier in a car park before it fully opens;
  • Driving on a road in bad condition without due care resulting in damage to the undercarriage;
  • Driving on a beach causing damage by salt water and/or sand;
  • Driving through flooded roads causing damage to the engine;
  • Putting wrong fuel in the vehicle or otherwise contaminating the fuel;
  • Damage occurring as a result of ignoring a warning light;
  • Burning a clutch (which requires persistent ill use) or using the handbrake incorrectly;
  • Damage to the wheel rim caused by driving with a flat tyre;
  • Fitting unauthorized objects to the interior or exterior of the vehicle;
  • Carrying especially dirty or smelly materials that require extra cleaning costs or that damage or burn the interior;
  • Damage resulting from locking the keys in the vehicle or losing the keys;
  • Damage resulting from leaving the windows open;

Insurance Requirements

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Hertz Ireland Car Rental Insurance requires renters to have some form of insurance coverage, although the specific requirements may vary depending on the location and type of rental.

You may be able to use your personal car insurance policy to cover rental cars, so it's worth checking with your insurance provider to see what type of coverage you have and whether it applies to rental cars.

If you don't have personal insurance that covers rental cars, you may be able to purchase insurance directly from Hertz when you rent the car.

Some renters choose to purchase Hertz's Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) protection, which waives their responsibility for loss or damage to the rental vehicle, regardless of fault.

The excess for LDW can range between €950 and €1500, depending on the location and type of rental car.

To lower the excess, you can consider purchasing SuperCover, which costs €28 per day, but be aware that excess reduction fees can change according to the location and type of rental car being used.

Here are some key insurance requirements to keep in mind:

Claims and Documentation

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Filing a claim with Hertz Ireland car rental insurance can be a straightforward process if you have the right documents. A copy of the Certificate of Insurance is required, along with a copy of the rental agreement.

You'll also need a copy of the police report, if applicable, and a copy of the damage report given by the rental company. This report should detail each cost incurred and include photographs of the damage, if possible.

To speed up the claims process, it's a good idea to document everything, including taking photos and notes. This can help reduce the possibility of disputes and ensure that all necessary information is gathered.

A copy of your credit card statement that reflects your payment for the claimed damages is also required. Additionally, you'll need a copy of the driver's license of the person driving the car during the accident.

Here's a list of the required documents:

  • A copy of the Certificate of Insurance
  • A copy of the rental agreement
  • A copy of the police report (if applicable)
  • A copy of the damage report given by the rental company
  • Detailed repair receipts, invoices, or other documents showing the breakdown of the amount the rental company charged
  • A copy of your credit card statement that reflects your payment for the claimed damages
  • A copy of the driver's license of the person driving the car during the accident

Communication is key in the claims process, so be sure to keep thorough records of all communication with the insurer.

Ireland Specifics

Close-up of modern building balconies with a visible rental sign.
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Ireland has a high rate of car theft, with over 17,000 vehicles stolen in 2020 alone.

If you're planning to rent a car in Ireland, it's essential to understand the local driving laws, which can be quite different from what you're used to.

The minimum driving age in Ireland is 17 years old for cars with an automatic transmission, and 17.5 years old for cars with a manual transmission.

You'll need to familiarize yourself with Ireland's unique road signs, which often feature Irish language text.

In Ireland, you're required to drive on the left-hand side of the road.

If you're involved in an accident, you'll need to report it to the Garda Síochána (Ireland's national police force) within 24 hours.

Ireland has a strict drink-driving law, with a blood-alcohol limit of 50 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood.

If you're caught driving under the influence, you could face a fine of up to €5,000 and a mandatory court appearance.

Abraham Lebsack

Lead Writer

Abraham Lebsack is a seasoned writer with a keen interest in finance and insurance. With a focus on educating readers, he has crafted informative articles on critical illness insurance, providing valuable insights and guidance for those navigating complex financial decisions. Abraham's expertise in the field of critical illness insurance has allowed him to develop comprehensive guides, breaking down intricate topics into accessible and actionable advice.

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