What is rental vehicle insurance excess?
Rental vehicle insurance excess is the out of pocket expense that your rental vehicle insurance company will charge you when you make a claim on your rental vehicle insurance policy. If the rental car is damaged during your hire period, you’ll generally be responsible for paying the excess listed in your rental agreement.
For example, if your rental car is damaged in an accident while you’re driving during your trip, instead of paying the cost to repair the vehicle, which can be in the hundreds or thousands of dollars, you would pay the rental vehicle excess, and the rental company’s insurance covers the rest.
The excess amount varies between rental companies depending on the type of car, location, the rental provider and can often be several thousand dollars, which can come as a shock especially if you’re only renting the vehicle for a few days. Rental companies usually offer an option to reduce the excess, but this often comes with a high daily fee. A more cost-effective alternative may be adding rental vehicle insurance excess cover to your travel insurance policy.
What is rental vehicle insurance excess?
Rental vehicle insurance excess is the out of pocket expense that your rental vehicle insurance company will charge you when you make a claim on your rental vehicle insurance policy. If the rental car is damaged during your hire period, you’ll generally be responsible for paying the excess listed in your rental agreement.
For example, if your rental car is damaged in an accident while you’re driving during your trip, instead of paying the cost to repair the vehicle, which can be in the hundreds or thousands of dollars, you would pay the rental vehicle excess, and the rental company’s insurance covers the rest.
The excess amount varies between rental companies depending on the type of car, location, the rental provider and can often be several thousand dollars, which can come as a shock especially if you’re only renting the vehicle for a few days. Rental companies usually offer an option to reduce the excess, but this often comes with a high daily fee. A more cost-effective alternative may be adding rental vehicle insurance excess cover to your travel insurance policy.
What does the Rental Vehicle Excess benefit cover?
Fast Cover’s Rental Vehicle Excess benefit is available to provide cover for the excess that you are liable to pay on your rental vehicle insurance, up to the amount you have chosen and as specified on your travel insurance policy and Certificate of Insurance if a rental vehicle you have rented from a licensed rental company during your trip is involved in a motor vehicle accident while you are driving or is damaged or stolen while in your custody.*
This is a summary only. Terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Not all benefits apply to all policies. Read the PDS and TMD before buying.
Fast Cover can reimburse you for the rental vehicle excess component that you would have to pay your rental vehicle company should your rental vehicle be damaged in an accident while you are driving, or damaged or stolen while in your custody.*
You might still need to purchase the appropriate rental vehicle insurance for your rental vehicle or purchase the insurance as required by your rental vehicle provider. Our Rental Vehicle Excess cover only provides cover for the excess component of your rental vehicle insurance.
Fast Cover can reimburse you for the cost to repair the rental vehicle if it is lesser than the cost of the rental vehicle insurance excess. There is no cover relating to any other costs, such as the costs to independently fix the damage to the rental vehicle.*
If you’re in an accident, you can also claim up to $500 for the cost of returning your hire car to the nearest rental car depot if your attending medical practitioner certifies in writing that you are unfit to return the rental car yourself during the trip.*
What does the Rental Vehicle Excess benefit cover?
Fast Cover’s Rental Vehicle Excess benefit is available to provide cover for the excess that you are liable to pay on your rental vehicle insurance, up to the amount you have chosen and as specified on your travel insurance policy and Certificate of Insurance if a rental vehicle you have rented from a licensed rental company during your trip is involved in a motor vehicle accident while you are driving or is damaged or stolen while in your custody.*
This is a summary only. Terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Not all benefits apply to all policies. Read the PDS and TMD before buying.
Fast Cover can reimburse you for the rental vehicle excess component that you would have to pay your rental vehicle company should your rental vehicle be damaged in an accident while you are driving, or damaged or stolen while in your custody.*
You might still need to purchase the appropriate rental vehicle insurance for your rental vehicle or purchase the insurance as required by your rental vehicle provider. Our Rental Vehicle Excess cover only provides cover for the excess component of your rental vehicle insurance.
Fast Cover can reimburse you for the cost to repair the rental vehicle if it is lesser than the cost of the rental vehicle insurance excess. There is no cover relating to any other costs, such as the costs to independently fix the damage to the rental vehicle.*
If you’re in an accident, you can also claim up to $500 for the cost of returning your hire car to the nearest rental car depot if your attending medical practitioner certifies in writing that you are unfit to return the rental car yourself during the trip.*
What types of vehicles are covered by rental vehicle insurance excess?
Covered rental vehicles | Not covered rental vehicles |
The rental vehicle must be rented from a licensed motor vehicle rental company (including vehicles rented from peer-to-peer carsharing platforms) and can be a:
| The following are NOT considered a rental vehicle under our PDS, and you cannot be covered for rental car excess insurance for these vehicles:
|
What types of vehicles are covered by rental vehicle insurance excess?
Covered rental vehicles | Not covered rental vehicles |
The rental vehicle must be rented from a licensed motor vehicle rental company (including vehicles rented from peer-to-peer carsharing platforms) and can be a:
| The following are NOT considered a rental vehicle under our PDS, and you cannot be covered for rental car excess insurance for these vehicles:
|
How does the rental vehicle excess benefit work at Fast Cover?
For overseas travel, Rental Vehicle Excess cover is not a stand-alone insurance product at Fast Cover, it needs to be purchased as an add-on to your overseas travel insurance policy. Rental Vehicle Excess cover is automatically included with our Domestic Plus travel insurance policies for travel within Australia.
International Travel | Domestic Travel |
You can choose to add up to $8,000 cover for the rental vehicle insurance excess component of the rental vehicle insurance that you have with your car hire company when you purchase the following policies: This gives you the flexibility to select a policy and benefit limit that suits the type of vehicle you plan to hire, and the excess listed in your rental agreement. It is important to note that you cannot add Rental Vehicle Insurance to Basics policies. | If you are hiring a car to travel within Australia, car rental excess insurance of $5,000 is automatically included with all our Domestic Plus policies. |
If your rental vehicle is stolen, you should report the theft as per the rental car insurance policy that you have with the hire car company. If you have purchased the Rental Vehicle Excess cover add-on, you can then submit a claim with us for the rental vehicle insurance excess that you have paid to the hire car company.
If your rental vehicle is damaged, you should report the damage as per the rental car insurance policy that you have with the rental car company. If you have purchased the Rental Vehicle Excess cover add-on, you can then submit a claim with us for the rental vehicle insurance excess that you have paid to the hire car company.
How does the rental vehicle excess benefit work at Fast Cover?
For overseas travel, Rental Vehicle Excess cover is not a stand-alone insurance product at Fast Cover, it needs to be purchased as an add-on to your overseas travel insurance policy. Rental Vehicle Excess cover is automatically included with our Domestic Plus travel insurance policies for travel within Australia.
International Travel | Domestic Travel |
You can choose to add up to $8,000 cover for the rental vehicle insurance excess component of the rental vehicle insurance that you have with your car hire company when you purchase the following policies: This gives you the flexibility to select a policy and benefit limit that suits the type of vehicle you plan to hire, and the excess listed in your rental agreement. It is important to note that you cannot add Rental Vehicle Insurance to Basics policies. | If you are hiring a car to travel within Australia, car rental excess insurance of $5,000 is automatically included with all our Domestic Plus policies. |
If your rental vehicle is stolen, you should report the theft as per the rental car insurance policy that you have with the hire car company. If you have purchased the Rental Vehicle Excess cover add-on, you can then submit a claim with us for the rental vehicle insurance excess that you have paid to the hire car company.
If your rental vehicle is damaged, you should report the damage as per the rental car insurance policy that you have with the rental car company. If you have purchased the Rental Vehicle Excess cover add-on, you can then submit a claim with us for the rental vehicle insurance excess that you have paid to the hire car company.
Cover for existing medical conditions
If you have any existing medical conditions, you may be able to apply to include cover for them. Our simple medical screening process can be completed online or over the phone to help you find out if your condition can be covered.
Select who needs cover
Once you've added all travellers, to your policy, you can select those who wish to add cover for any existing medical conditions.
Take a medical screening
Answer a few questions online or over the phone about your health history. This helps us determine if your condition can be covered.
Choose to add cover
We'll let you know if we can provide cover for any existing medical conditions. You can then choose to add it to your policy.
Insurance cover options
At Fast Cover, we have a range of coverage options available for your overseas trip. The options below are a summary of some of the benefits available under the various policies, please see the PDS for full details.
Comprehensive travel insurance is considered as Fast Cover's most popular policy option. It provides the highest level of cover amongst our existing products for the widest range of unexpected situations like overseas emergency medical and hospital expenses, overseas emergency medical assistance, accidental death and loss of income.*
The Standard Saver travel insurance policy provides mid-level cover, such as benefits relating to your health as well as many similar benefits with lower limits like trip cancellation, trip disruption and luggage and personal effects when you travel.*
Aussies travelling within Australia for local getaways may be able to purchase the Domestic Plus policy, offering benefits such as Trip Cancellation Expenses, Luggage and Personal Effects, Rental Vehicle Excess cover and more for domestic trips.*
The Snow Sports Plus policy may be suitable for travellers heading to the snow overseas to participate in covered snow sports with benefits for snow sports equipment, snow replacement equipment hire, snow prepaid expenses and snow resort closure.*
If you are travelling frequently, you can get a quote for a Frequent Traveller Saver policy when you take out travel insurance. We can provide cover for an unlimited number of trips in a 12-month period up to a specified number of days each trip. Your accompanying spouse and dependants may also be covered when travelling with you.*
Please note, when travelling within Australia on a Frequent Traveller Saver policy, the domestic portion of your trip will only be covered by policy benefits that apply to domestic travel. However, if you are travelling on a cruise within Australia, benefits including Overseas 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance, Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses, and Overseas Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation may be available.*
Insurance cover options
At Fast Cover, we have a range of coverage options available for your overseas trip. The options below are a summary of some of the benefits available under the various policies, please see the PDS for full details.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive travel insurance is considered as Fast Cover's most popular policy option. It provides the highest level of cover amongst our existing products for the widest range of unexpected situations like overseas emergency medical and hospital expenses, overseas emergency medical assistance, accidental death and loss of income.*
Standard Saver
The Standard Saver travel insurance policy provides mid-level cover, such as benefits relating to your health as well as many similar benefits with lower limits like trip cancellation, trip disruption and luggage and personal effects when you travel.*
Domestic Plus
Aussies travelling within Australia for local getaways may be able to purchase the Domestic Plus policy, offering benefits such as Trip Cancellation Expenses, Luggage and Personal Effects, Rental Vehicle Excess cover and more for domestic trips.*
Snow Sports Plus
The Snow Sports Plus policy may be suitable for travellers heading to the snow overseas to participate in covered snow sports with benefits for snow sports equipment, snow replacement equipment hire, snow prepaid expenses and snow resort closure.*
Frequent Traveller Saver
If you are travelling frequently, you can get a quote for a Frequent Traveller Saver policy when you take out travel insurance. We can provide cover for an unlimited number of trips in a 12-month period up to a specified number of days each trip. Your accompanying spouse and dependants may also be covered when travelling with you.*
Please note, when travelling within Australia on a Frequent Traveller Saver policy, the domestic portion of your trip will only be covered by policy benefits that apply to domestic travel. However, if you are travelling on a cruise within Australia, benefits including Overseas 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance, Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses, and Overseas Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation may be available.*
How to add rental vehicle excess cover to your policy
You can add Rental Vehicle Excess cover while you’re getting a quote online. The steps are simple:
Start a quote
Enter your destination, dates, and traveller details.
Choose your policy type
Choose an eligible international policy. If you’re travelling only in Australia, cover is automatically included in our Domestic Plus policy.
Add Rental Vehicle Excess as an optional extra
Select Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess and choose your cover limit of up to $5,000 or $8,000.
Complete your quote
Complete your medical screening, review your total premium and purchase when you’re ready.
How to add rental vehicle excess cover to your policy
You can add Rental Vehicle Excess cover while you’re getting a quote online. The steps are simple:
Start a quote
Enter your destination, dates, and traveller details.
Choose your policy type
Choose an eligible international policy. If you’re travelling only in Australia, cover is automatically included in our Domestic Plus policy.
Add Rental Vehicle Excess as an optional extra
Select Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess and choose your cover limit of up to $5,000 or $8,000.
Complete your quote
Complete your medical screening, review your total premium and purchase when you’re ready.
Choosing between $5,000 and $8,000 rental vehicle excess cover
If your policy allows you to add-on Rental Vehicle Excess cover, you’ll be able to choose either a $5,000- or $8,000-dollar limit. Here are some things to consider when choosing the Rental Vehicle Excess benefit limit:
Check the excess amount in your rental agreement to see whether $5,000 or $8,000 better matches your needs
Consider the type of vehicle you’re hiring as larger, premium, or specialty vehicles may have higher excesses
Think about where you’ll be driving as challenging terrain, driving conditions or remote areas could increase the risk of incidents and may justify a higher limit
Reflect on your driving experience and comfort with local road rules or unfamiliar vehicles
Consider the length of your rental, as longer trips may increase your exposure to potential incidents
An excess applies for each event claimed. Your excess amount is shown on your Certificate of insurance. Take this excess into account while calculating the amounts of benefit.
The amount you select will appear on your Certificate of Insurance once you’ve purchased your policy.
Choosing between $5,000 and $8,000 rental vehicle excess cover
If your policy allows you to add-on Rental Vehicle Excess cover, you’ll be able to choose either a $5,000- or $8,000-dollar limit. Here are some things to consider when choosing the Rental Vehicle Excess benefit limit:
Check the excess amount in your rental agreement to see whether $5,000 or $8,000 better matches your needs
Consider the type of vehicle you’re hiring as larger, premium, or specialty vehicles may have higher excesses
Think about where you’ll be driving as challenging terrain, driving conditions or remote areas could increase the risk of incidents and may justify a higher limit
Reflect on your driving experience and comfort with local road rules or unfamiliar vehicles
Consider the length of your rental, as longer trips may increase your exposure to potential incidents
An excess applies for each event claimed. Your excess amount is shown on your Certificate of insurance. Take this excess into account while calculating the amounts of benefit.
The amount you select will appear on your Certificate of Insurance once you’ve purchased your policy.
Do I need rental vehicle excess insurance?
Whether you plan to explore the Aussie coastline in a rental campervan or road trip across Europe in a hire car, rental vehicle excess cover may be able to save you money if your rental vehicle is damaged in an unexpected accident or is stolen while in your custody during your trip.
Below are some reasons why you may consider if rental vehicle excess cover is right for you.
Driving through unfamiliar or challenging terrain such as gravel roads, steep mountain passes, or narrow coastal tracks can increase the risk of accidental damage to your rental vehicle. Rental vehicle excess cover can help protect you from unexpected costs if your motor vehicle is involved in an accident on challenging terrain.
Whether you're hiring a hatch back, a 4WD for adventure, a campervan or motorhome (under 4.5 tonnes) for the family, new or unfamiliar vehicles can be harder to drive and manoeuvre, especially if it’s your first time driving this type of vehicle. Rental vehicle excess cover can help provide cover for the excess component of your rental vehicle insurance if you damage an unfamiliar vehicle.
From heavy rain to strong winds or icy conditions, unpredictable weather can make driving more challenging and increase the chance of accidents, especially if you’re driving an unfamiliar vehicle. Rental vehicle excess cover can help pay the excess on your hire car insurance if the vehicle is damaged during bad weather.
If you’re driving overseas, navigating new road rules, or simply travelling somewhere you’ve never been, mistakes and accidents can happen. Rental vehicle excess cover can help provide cover for the cost of the rental vehicle insurance excess component if you damage your hire car in an unfamiliar location.
You may be charged the excess in a range of everyday situations, even those that seem minor. While each car hire company may have different conditions for rental vehicle insurance excess, some examples may include:
A small collision at a roundabout or in slow traffic
Damage while parked, such as another vehicle scraping your hire car in a shopping centre car park
Broken windscreen or windows
Tyre damage, punctures or wheel damage
Weather related damage, such as flying debris in a storm
Damage during reversing or low speed manoeuvres, which are some of the most common incidents for travellers unfamiliar with local roads
These situations aren’t rare and can happen to careful drivers too, especially when driving in a new place or navigating unfamiliar vehicles.
Do I need rental vehicle excess insurance?
Whether you plan to explore the Aussie coastline in a rental campervan or road trip across Europe in a hire car, rental vehicle excess cover may be able to save you money if your rental vehicle is damaged in an unexpected accident or is stolen while in your custody during your trip.
Below are some reasons why you may consider if rental vehicle excess cover is right for you.
Driving through unfamiliar or challenging terrain such as gravel roads, steep mountain passes, or narrow coastal tracks can increase the risk of accidental damage to your rental vehicle. Rental vehicle excess cover can help protect you from unexpected costs if your motor vehicle is involved in an accident on challenging terrain.
Whether you're hiring a hatch back, a 4WD for adventure, a campervan or motorhome (under 4.5 tonnes) for the family, new or unfamiliar vehicles can be harder to drive and manoeuvre, especially if it’s your first time driving this type of vehicle. Rental vehicle excess cover can help provide cover for the excess component of your rental vehicle insurance if you damage an unfamiliar vehicle.
From heavy rain to strong winds or icy conditions, unpredictable weather can make driving more challenging and increase the chance of accidents, especially if you’re driving an unfamiliar vehicle. Rental vehicle excess cover can help pay the excess on your hire car insurance if the vehicle is damaged during bad weather.
If you’re driving overseas, navigating new road rules, or simply travelling somewhere you’ve never been, mistakes and accidents can happen. Rental vehicle excess cover can help provide cover for the cost of the rental vehicle insurance excess component if you damage your hire car in an unfamiliar location.
You may be charged the excess in a range of everyday situations, even those that seem minor. While each car hire company may have different conditions for rental vehicle insurance excess, some examples may include:
A small collision at a roundabout or in slow traffic
Damage while parked, such as another vehicle scraping your hire car in a shopping centre car park
Broken windscreen or windows
Tyre damage, punctures or wheel damage
Weather related damage, such as flying debris in a storm
Damage during reversing or low speed manoeuvres, which are some of the most common incidents for travellers unfamiliar with local roads
These situations aren’t rare and can happen to careful drivers too, especially when driving in a new place or navigating unfamiliar vehicles.
How do I make a claim for rental vehicle excess?
In the event of an accident or damage to your rental car, you might need to make a claim on your rental vehicle insurance, and you might also be liable for the rental vehicle excess on that insurance. If your rental car is damaged, you should advise your rental car company as soon as you can. You should then:
Submit a claim with us, and our Claims team will assess your claim and advise you on what you need to do
Put a claim in with your car rental insurance company, pay the rental vehicle excess and then submit a claim for that rental vehicle excess to us at Fast Cover under the Rental Vehicle Excess benefit of your policy.
As each individual’s circumstances are different, we will assess each claim on a case by case basis and in accordance with your specific circumstances, policy terms and Certificate of Insurance.
How do I make a claim for rental vehicle excess?
In the event of an accident or damage to your rental car, you might need to make a claim on your rental vehicle insurance, and you might also be liable for the rental vehicle excess on that insurance. If your rental car is damaged, you should advise your rental car company as soon as you can. You should then:
Submit a claim with us, and our Claims team will assess your claim and advise you on what you need to do
Put a claim in with your car rental insurance company, pay the rental vehicle excess and then submit a claim for that rental vehicle excess to us at Fast Cover under the Rental Vehicle Excess benefit of your policy.
As each individual’s circumstances are different, we will assess each claim on a case by case basis and in accordance with your specific circumstances, policy terms and Certificate of Insurance.
What documents do I need to make a rental vehicle excess claim?
If you need to make a claim for the rental vehicle excess that you have incurred, it’s important to save as much documentation related to the incident as possible. When making your claim, you must provide a copy of:
your rental agreement
the authorised driver’s driving licence
the original inspection report and/or the incident/damage report
the repair invoice and/or quote
a written statement from the licensed rental company confirming you are liable to pay the excess
If we require more information to help us assess your car rental excess claim, we will let you know. As each individual’s circumstances are different, we will assess each claim on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with your specific circumstances, policy terms and Certificate of Insurance.
What documents do I need to make a rental vehicle excess claim?
If you need to make a claim for the rental vehicle excess that you have incurred, it’s important to save as much documentation related to the incident as possible. When making your claim, you must provide a copy of:
your rental agreement
the authorised driver’s driving licence
the original inspection report and/or the incident/damage report
the repair invoice and/or quote
a written statement from the licensed rental company confirming you are liable to pay the excess
If we require more information to help us assess your car rental excess claim, we will let you know. As each individual’s circumstances are different, we will assess each claim on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with your specific circumstances, policy terms and Certificate of Insurance.
What is not covered under our rental vehicle excess benefit?
It’s important to know not just what our Rental Vehicle Excess benefit covers, but also what it doesn’t, so you can choose the right policy for your needs. As with all policies, many situations and activities will have terms, conditions, excess, exclusions, limits and sub limits that you need to be aware of and consider before buying travel insurance.
Here are some examples of when cover may not be available. Always check the PDS and TMD to understand the policy terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub limits before making your decision to buy.
The rental car excess benefit does not replace the rental car insurance that you may be required to take out with your rental vehicle company. The benefit only covers the excess component of that insurance up to the amount specified on your travel insurance policy.
If the rental vehicle was being driven by someone who is not listed as an authorised driver in the rental car contract and on your Certificate of Insurance.
Cover may not be available if you were operating the rental vehicle without the appropriate licence. This may include driving on a learner's licence or driving while affected by alcohol or any other drug in a way that is against the law. You must hold a current Driver’s Licence (Provisional or higher) valid for driving in Australia, for the same class of motor vehicle, regardless of the local laws and if required, a licence valid for the country that you are driving in.
Cover is not available under the Rental Vehicle Excess benefit if the vehicle you rent does not meet our definition of a rental vehicle under the PDS. Vehicles that do not meet our definition of rental vehicle include (but are not limited to) motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, trailers, trucks and golf buggies.
These vehicle types are not covered under Rental Vehicle Excess cover as they do not meet the rental vehicle definition under our PDS.
Claims under this benefit that arise from COVID 19 are excluded.
As each individual’s circumstances are different, we will assess each claim on a case by case basis and in accordance with your specific circumstances, policy terms and Certificate of Insurance.
What is not covered under our rental vehicle excess benefit?
It’s important to know not just what our Rental Vehicle Excess benefit covers, but also what it doesn’t, so you can choose the right policy for your needs. As with all policies, many situations and activities will have terms, conditions, excess, exclusions, limits and sub limits that you need to be aware of and consider before buying travel insurance.
Here are some examples of when cover may not be available. Always check the PDS and TMD to understand the policy terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub limits before making your decision to buy.
The rental car excess benefit does not replace the rental car insurance that you may be required to take out with your rental vehicle company. The benefit only covers the excess component of that insurance up to the amount specified on your travel insurance policy.
If the rental vehicle was being driven by someone who is not listed as an authorised driver in the rental car contract and on your Certificate of Insurance.
Cover may not be available if you were operating the rental vehicle without the appropriate licence. This may include driving on a learner's licence or driving while affected by alcohol or any other drug in a way that is against the law. You must hold a current Driver’s Licence (Provisional or higher) valid for driving in Australia, for the same class of motor vehicle, regardless of the local laws and if required, a licence valid for the country that you are driving in.
Cover is not available under the Rental Vehicle Excess benefit if the vehicle you rent does not meet our definition of a rental vehicle under the PDS. Vehicles that do not meet our definition of rental vehicle include (but are not limited to) motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, trailers, trucks and golf buggies.
These vehicle types are not covered under Rental Vehicle Excess cover as they do not meet the rental vehicle definition under our PDS.
Claims under this benefit that arise from COVID 19 are excluded.
As each individual’s circumstances are different, we will assess each claim on a case by case basis and in accordance with your specific circumstances, policy terms and Certificate of Insurance.








