Is ‘Full Insurance, No Excess’ Real? What Rental Companies Don’t Tell You
If you plan to rent a car online, you have probably seen terms, such as “full insurance”, “no excess” or “complete protection”.
It sounds perfect, but you may wonder: Is no-deductible coverage real or is there a catch?
The honest answer is simple. Yes, full insurance with zero excess exists, but not every full coverage options mean zero excess. Understanding the difference can save you from unpleasant surprises and extra charges, so let’s look at it further in detail.
Why the term “full insurance” causes confusion
The car rental industry uses many insurance terms, such as “collision damage waiver”, “super-collision damage waiver” and other super confusing words.
Another misleading term is “full insurance”. The confusion is based on the term’s content, which doesn’t automatically mean “zero excess.”
In many cases, the standard package included in the insurance price comes with a deductible. Meaning that a car may be fully covered, but in case of an accident you still have to pay first an amount of about 500-1000€ according to the package you have bought.
So full coverage doesn’t necessarily lead to no financial liability.
What zero excess really means
True zero excess protection means exactly what it says: You pay nothing for covered damage or theft.
There are no deductible and no bills after the rental period.
In many cases, you don’t even need a credit card, as there is no deposit.
What rental companies don’t explain clearly
If you want real peace of mind, you should not only look for a term like “full insurance”. You should be sure that the rental package includes:
- Zero excess (other terms: no deductible, no deposit)
- Full protection
- Coverage for glass, tires, mirrors and underbody
- Clear terms with no hidden exclusions.
If these are included, then full insurance with no excess is 100% real.
Read: Renting a Car with Zero Excess: How to Get Full Protection on Your Road Trip.
How to be fully covered
In most cases, absolutely.
Zero excess coverage usually costs only a small additional daily fee. Especially if you buy an all-inclusive package, such as those offered in great deals by Abbycar, then you know you have everything you need during your rental period:
- Full insurance
- No excess
- All necessary extras, such as GPS, extra driver or child seat.
Thus, you save hundreds or thousands of euros in potential charges, without worrying about surprise charges.
See our value-for-money packages to rent a car with a world-reliable rental agency and enjoy your trip with Abbycar on a budget and hassle-free!
Is it worth paying more for “no excess”?
In most cases, absolutely.
Zero excess coverage usually costs only a small additional daily fee. Especially if you buy an all-inclusive package, such as those offered in great deals by Abbycar, then you know you have everything you need during your rental period:
- Full insurance
- No excess
- All necessary extras, such as GPS, extra driver or child seat.
Thus, you save hundreds or thousands of euros in potential charges, without worrying about surprise charges.
See our value-for-money packages to rent a car with a world-reliable rental agency and enjoy your trip with Abbycar on a budget and hassle-free!
Before You Book: 10 Questions to Ask About Zero-Excess Car Rental Policies
AbbyCar Car Rental Experts
Car Rental & Travel Mobility Experts
Abbycar’s articles are created by experienced car rental professionals specializing in international travel. With deep knowledge of rental processes, insurance, and local regulations, our goal is to provide accurate, transparent, and reliable guidance to travelers worldwide.
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