Do rental cars have insurance cover on ferries too? Many readers have asked me this question. So I wrote to the press offices of a few well-known car rental companies. Here are their answers.
Europcar turned out to be very helpful and friendly. A reply came back quickly, with this text:
Europcar customers are also covered against damage that occurs on the ferry during the crossing to the Scottish islands. However, in the event of a claim, they are still responsible for the excess agreed in the rental contract. If a customer violates the general rental terms of the country of hire, they are liable for the full cost of any damage that occurs.Tip: Always read the rental terms of the country of hire carefully, and it’s best to discuss your planned route with staff at the rental station – they can offer helpful advice.
Avis also replied quite promptly, stating:
The coverage/insurance will still be valid if renting from Scotland to the Scottish Islands, however the customer should be made aware that the suppliers for breakdown cover are more limited within the Islands than on mainland. We never anticipate cars to break down but the waiting time if for any reason this happens maybe slightly longer than on mainland.
In short: the insurance remains valid, but response times for assistance on the islands can be noticeably longer.
Things only got confusing with Hertz. Part of the reply read (spelling errors are from the original German):
3. Should any damage occur on the ferry, the customer has no insurance cover. They must cover all repair costs themselves.
I then asked again:
Does that also apply to ferry crossings WITHIN Scotland, using cars I rent from Hertz in Scotland? For example, on ferry crossings between the Scottish mainland and the Scottish islands?
Hertz again:
That is correct.
All ferry crossings. Whether outside or within Scotland.
I couldn’t quite believe it, so I wrote:
[…] and there’s no additional cover I can book on top of that either?
Hertz:
[…] we do not offer an add-on insurance option for such cases.
I then replied:
Is it just me, or does the information on the UK website contradict what you’re telling me?
https://www.hertz.co.uk/rentacar/reservation/reviewmodifycancel/templates/rentalTerms.jsp?KEYWORD=BOAT&EOAG=MUC
Also in German:
https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/reservation/reviewmodifycancel/templates/rentalTerms.jsp?KEYWORD=BOAT&EOAG=MUC
Quote:
“2. You may travel by ferry, provided this is permitted for the vehicle and/or country despite any driving restrictions.
3. Any damage to the vehicle, whether during the crossing or in the destination country, is covered by CDW/TP/SuperCover (if purchased).”To me, this seems to say that – as long as I stay within the UK, i.e. a permitted country – I’m allowed to use ferries, and the crossing itself can at least be covered through add-on cover.
No further reply came from the staff member after that. I had, of course, already rented and paid for the car, so I let the matter rest for the moment, planning to ask again directly at the counter once I got to Glasgow.
The answer from the staff member there: no problem, as long as you don’t drive across to Ireland.