Ireland Car Rental Insurance Tips and Coverage Options Explained

Renting a car in Ireland can be a bit overwhelming, especially when it comes to insurance. You're not alone if you're feeling unsure about what kind of coverage you need.

Most car rental companies in Ireland offer a basic level of insurance, but it's essential to understand the limitations of this coverage. For example, if you're involved in an accident, the basic insurance might only cover the cost of repairs, but not your own medical expenses.

In Ireland, you can purchase additional insurance coverage, such as collision damage waiver (CDW) or theft protection, to give you more peace of mind. These options can be added to your rental agreement for a fee.

CDW is an optional coverage that can be purchased from the car rental company or a third party, and it typically costs between $15–30 a day. It's a waiver that reduces the deductible, but doesn't eliminate it entirely.

If you choose to purchase CDW, be aware that the deductibles can still be substantial, ranging from $1,000–1,500 or more, depending on the car type. Most rental companies offer a second tier of coverage, called "super CDW" or "zero-deductible coverage", which can be pricey, costing an additional $10–30 per day.

In some cases, CDW coverage is included in the rental rate, but this can be a red flag, as the unwaived deductible is often high, around $2,000-3,000. If you're not careful, you'll end up paying extra for the "super CDW" anyway.

CDW covers most of the car in the event of a collision, but usually excludes the undercarriage, roof, tires, windshield, windows, interior, and side mirrors. It's essential to check the excess fee before purchasing CDW.

Here's a summary of the different insurance options:

Remember to always check the terms and conditions before purchasing any insurance coverage. Some credit cards offer CDW coverage, but you need to ensure that it covers you to drive in Ireland and that the rental company accepts it.

Using credit card insurance can save you money on rental car costs, but it's not always available in Ireland. Many credit cards don't provide car rental insurance in Ireland due to the high number of incidents on the country's narrow roads.

To check if your credit card will cover the rental, call them or read the fine print, as not all cards, like the Business Ink card, offer this coverage. My own experience with the Business Ink card has shown that it does provide insurance, but it's essential to verify this before renting.

Even if your credit card insurance covers the damage, the car rental company will still place a large hold on your card, which can max out your account, as happened to me with a €5,000 hold.

If you're already purchasing a travel-insurance policy for your trip, adding collision coverage is an option.

You can add the insurance company's name to your rental agreement when you pick up the car, which is a good idea if you go with an insurer's comprehensive travel coverage.

In Ireland, many credit cards do not provide car rental insurance, so it's essential to check your credit card policy before relying on credit card insurance.

If you do have an incident while driving in Ireland, the car rental company will charge you as much as they can, and then you'll file with your credit card for reimbursement.

Credit card car rental insurance reimbursement can be quick, with some companies reimbursing you within 2 weeks, but this can be delayed if you've broken the law while driving.

The cost of full coverage for an American can range from $60 to $100 per day, which is a significant expense, but being careful and prepared can help you avoid incidents.

Fuel Type is a crucial aspect to consider when renting a car. Hopefully, the rental company will have a sticker above the tank indicating whether the car takes petrol or diesel, marked with a 'D' or 'P'.

You should be aware that many Ireland car rental insurance policies don't cover you if you put the wrong fuel in the rental.

When renting a car in Ireland, it's essential to understand what's covered by your insurance policy.

Excess reimbursement is covered up to $4,500, which can be a significant relief in case of an accident.

You'll also have protection against damage waiver (LDW) up to $4,500, which can give you peace of mind while driving.

Towing charges are covered up to $500, which can help you get back on the road quickly.

Improper fuel charges and loss or theft of keys are also covered up to $500 each, so you can focus on enjoying your trip without worrying about unexpected expenses.

Here's a summary of what's covered:

When you're on the road, accidents can happen, and it's good to know what's covered in case something goes wrong. Excess reimbursement is covered up to $4,500.

If you're involved in an accident, damage to the vehicle can be a significant concern. Fortunately, Damage Waiver (LDW) is also covered up to $4,500.

Towing charges can be a significant expense if your vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident. You're protected with up to $500 in towing charges.

Driving on the wrong fuel can be a costly mistake. You're insured for up to $500 in improper fuel charges.

Keys can be easily misplaced or stolen, but you're protected with up to $500 in loss or theft of keys.

If you're unable to return your vehicle on time, you'll be charged a fee. Don't worry, you're covered for up to $250 in vehicle return charges.

When traveling, it's not uncommon to have personal belongings get lost or stolen. You're insured for up to $500 in personal belongings.

If you're stranded due to an accident or breakdown, you may need to stay in a hotel overnight. You're covered for up to $150 in hotel expenses.

If you're planning to rent a car, it's essential to know what's not covered by the insurance policy. Damage to the vehicle or property of a third party is not included.

You'll also want to be aware that damage caused by someone not authorized to drive the rented vehicle is not covered. I've seen cases where friends or family members have borrowed a car and gotten into an accident, only to find out they're not covered.

Mechanical failure of the rented vehicle is not included in the insurance policy. This means if the car breaks down due to a mechanical issue, you'll need to rely on the rental company's warranty or your own roadside assistance.

Loss or damage to the vehicle's interior that's not related to a collision is also not covered. This includes things like wear and tear, or damage from extreme weather conditions.

Some other things that aren't covered include parking tickets or fines, traffic violations, and any loss that occurs outside the validity of the insurance. Finally, rental contracts of more than 45 days are also not covered.

Here's a quick rundown of what's not covered:

Car hire excess is a fixed amount you'll need to pay if you damage the car. It's not covered by the basic insurance included in the rental price.

For example, if you damage the car, you'll be liable for a fixed amount towards the damage. This amount can be a significant cost, so it's essential to understand what you're liable for.

Make sure you understand the excess amount before renting a car, and consider purchasing additional insurance to cover this cost.

You'll often find a hire excess included in your car rental agreement, which is a fixed amount you'll need to pay if you damage the car.

This excess amount is not covered by the rental company, so you'll need to factor it into your budget.

For example, in Ireland, the rental company won't cover the hire excess if you make a claim after hiring a car.

The hire excess is often included in the price of your rental, so it's essential to check your agreement carefully.

If you do need to make a claim, you'll be liable to pay the excess amount towards the damage.

In Ireland, companies will charge an admin fee of about €30 EURO if you opt to use your own credit card insurance.

This fee is an additional cost on top of other expenses, so it's essential to factor it into your overall budget for renting a car in Ireland.

To rent a car in Ireland, you need to understand the age restrictions, which tend to cause the most confusion.

Many people assume their credit card covers them for car rental insurance, but it's essential to read the fine print.

Typically, rental cars in Ireland come with a basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) that only covers up to €1000-3000 EUROS worth of damage.

CDW typically doesn't cover the undercarriage, roof, tires, windshield, windows, interior, and side mirrors, so be aware of what's excluded.

CDW costs $15–30 a day, and sometimes it's cheaper to pay for this coverage when you book rather than at the counter.

Most rental companies offer a second tier of coverage, called "super CDW" or "zero-deductible coverage", which can bring down the deductible to zero or near zero, but it's pricey, costing an additional $10–30 per day.

If a CDW-inclusive rate seems too good to be true, it probably is, as the unwaived deductible is often high, around $2,000-3,000, so you'll have to spend extra to buy the "super CDW" anyway.

Some European rental agencies quote "basic" rates that include CDW/theft coverage, so you can't decline it and take advantage of other coverage you may have.

Typically, rental cars in Ireland come with a basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) that only covers the car for up to €1000-3000 worth of damage.

CDW usually doesn't include tire, cracked windshield, or undercarriage damage, so be aware of what's excluded.

If you book your car with a good travel credit card that includes car rental insurance, read the fine print carefully, as many people wrongly assume their card covers them in Ireland.

It's essential to read the Ts&Cs of your rental agreement before you sign to understand what's being said and avoid negative experiences with rental companies.

To rent a car in Ireland, you'll need to understand the age restrictions, which can be a bit confusing.

You must be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Ireland.

Some car rental companies may have a maximum age limit of 75 years old, so be sure to check with the rental company beforehand.

I was watching the workers who were taking returns in the garage next to terminal 2, and none of them looked too closely at the minor scratches.

Returning a car to the garage next to terminal 2 is a safer option to avoid miscellaneous charges for minor damage.

You'll need to request a letter of coverage from your credit card company to rent a car in Ireland. Some people call as many as eight or ten credit cards to find one that will cover the rental.

The letter should clearly state that the credit card provides car rental insurance in the country of Ireland. Your credit card will email you the letter, and it usually takes 24 hours to get it.

Driving in Ireland can be a challenge for tourists, especially if you're not used to driving on the left side of the road. The driver's seat is on the right side of the car, so it's essential to get comfortable with this before hitting the roads.

The town of Swords, just north of Dublin Airport, is a great place to practice driving on the left side of the road. Spend an hour or two navigating the local roads to get a feel for it.

The speed limit on local roads is generally around 80 km/h. This is a good speed to get used to, especially if you're new to driving in Ireland.

On national highways, the speed limit is up to 100 km/h. Be sure to adjust your speed accordingly, especially if you're driving on highways like the ones leading into Dublin.