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CHEAP CAR RENTAL INSURANCE IN EUROPE

Cheap European Car Rental Insurance Options with Kemwel

Save on Car Rental Insurance in EuropeUnderstanding your options and choosing the best value for car rental insurance in Europe can be tricky. At Kemwel we make it easy to choose the coverage you need without overpaying. This short guide introduces you to the two forms of insurance coverage available when renting a car in Europe so you can choose the option that's best for you. 

Basic Insurance Rates

All of Kemwel's basic rates include third party liability, fire insurance, value added taxes (VAT), and unlimited miles for cheap car rental insurance in Europe.
 

Inclusive Insurance Rates: Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Insurance in Europe

Collision damage waiver is included in all of Kemwel's inclusive car rental insurance rates. Inclusive rates will also include theft insurance in most cases for cheap European car rental insurance.

What is CDW Insurance? 

Collision damage waiver and theft insurance releases you from full financial responsibility for the vehicle in case of an accident or theft. In most cases, you will still be responsible for a deductible of some sort when collision and theft are purchased. Most European car rental suppliers will offer insurance locally which can reduce the collision and theft deductible if you wish to do so.

Is CDW Insurance Mandatory in Europe? 

With the exception of Italy, CDW is optional and you always have the right to refuse it. If you do not wish to purchase CDW at the time of pick up, you will need to sign your initials on the 'Decline CDW' box on the European Rental Agreement. If you refuse the CDW in order to use the coverage that a credit card or personal insurance policy offers, please consider the facts below.
 

Credit Card Insurance Coverage

Some credit cards only offer coverage for certain car types. Exempted with most cards:

  • Vehicles valued at over $50,000 (Mercedes-Benz 320, BMW 730, etc.)
  • Exotic cars or antique cars (over 20 years old or have not been manufactured in 10 years).
  • Off road or 4x4 vehicles, motorcycles, trucks, cargo vans, full sized vans and camper vans

Other credit card coverage concerns:

  • Coverage is limited to rentals under 30 days.
  • Some credit cards do not offer coverage for car rentals in Ireland, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Australia and travel into Eastern Europe.
  • To extend coverage, additional drivers must be listed on the European rental agreement.
  • Most credit cards will file a claim with your personal insurance company before they reimburse the deductible. This could affect your personal driving record and premium.
  • Most credit card companies require the repair bill paid directly by you and have a specific time period for you to submit documentation.
  • Most credit cards will not cover rentals if the card was issued outside the United States.

Personal Automobile Coverage

Coverage may be limited to the value of the car you own, not the rental. Some policies will not cover a rental car unless it's use is due to your own personal car needing repairs. The insurance premium on your policy could also be raised because of the claim. You could be put in a 'high risk' bracket and your insurance policy could be canceled. Most policies does not cover damage or theft of personal possessions, third party liability or medical costs. It is your responsibility to check with the credit card company or insurance carrier to determine your coverage.


Peace of Mind 

Our take as European car rental specialists is that while you may have coverage from your credit card or a personal automobile policy, when renting a car abroad it's often simpler to pay a few extra dollars a day for the CDW and theft protection offered by Kemwel. Not only will this added protection provide peace of mind while driving in a foreign country, we've found that paying a few extra dollars is a popular choice for those who don't want to risk a costly increase in their private automobile insurance premium or who want to avoid a frustrating delay while their claim is handled by a credit card company that may not be familiar with insurance regulations in your destination.


Travel Insurance Providers

Kemwel also recommends insuring your own safety in addition to that of your rental car. Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and other losses that come up while traveling, both internationally or domestically.  
 

International Student
International Student Exchange and Study Abroad Resource Center provides scholarships, insurance, loans, university admission, ESl and test prep services.
www.internationalstudent.com
 

International Insurance Group
International Insurance Group, Inc. specializes in offering Worldwide Health, Medical Life, and Travel Insurance coverage on a short term and long term basis for U.S. and Non U.S. Citizens traveling abroad.
www.nfp.com
 

Student Travel Guard
Student Travel Guard travel insurance is designed for young adult travelers and includes travel cancellation and delay, lost baggage, medical expenses and travel assistance.
www.travelguard.com