Tip 6: Check the Insurance Before You Rent a Car
Insurance is one of the most misunderstood parts of renting a car. Many travelers assume they are fully covered, until they arrive at the rental counter and are pressured into expensive extra coverage.
Understanding what is included before you book helps you avoid stress, unnecessary costs, and last-minute decisions, especially when you rent a car without a credit card.
🎥 Video: Do You Really Need Extra Rental Car Insurance?
In this short video, we explain why rental car insurance is often misunderstood, and how to know if you’re actually covered.
Why car rental insurance is so confusing
Rental companies often advertise a low daily price, but this usually includes only basic insurance. At the counter, additional coverage is then offered.
Common add-ons include:
- Collision damage waiver (CDW) upgrades
- Theft protection
- Tire, glass, and undercarriage coverage
After a long flight, it is easy to accept these options without fully understanding the cost.
What is usually included in standard rentals
Most standard rental cars include:
- Basic liability insurance
- A high excess (you remain financially responsible for part of the damage)
What is often not included:
- Full damage coverage
- Theft protection without excess
- Damage to tires, windows, or undercarriage
Important: personal travel insurance or credit card insurance often does not fully cover rental car damage abroad.
Full insurance vs. counter insurance
There is a major difference between buying insurance at the counter and booking a fully insured rental in advance.
Insurance at the counter
- High-pressure sales environment
- Unclear explanations
- Higher total cost
Pre-included full insurance
- Clear coverage before booking
- No upselling at pickup
- Fixed total price
With MarSoleil, rentals are structured so that:
- Full insurance is included
- No excess applies
- No additional coverage is needed at pickup
Insurance and deposit: how they are connected
Insurance levels and deposit requirements are closely linked.
- Basic insurance → high deposit
- Full insurance → lower or no deposit
- No credit card rentals → usually stricter conditions elsewhere
👉 Learn more about how security deposits work.
At MarSoleil, you can select options with:
- No credit card required
- No security deposit
- Full insurance included by default
Real-world example: why insurance matters
Imagine renting a car at Malaga Airport:
- Option A: cheap daily rate, but €1,200 deposit and high excess
- Option B: slightly higher daily rate, but full insurance and no excess
Option A looks cheaper at first, but can become significantly more expensive if anything happens.
The same situation applies at other major destinations such as Rome Airport, Barcelona Airport and Lisbon Airport.
Insurance rules vary by country
Insurance conditions differ per destination and rental partner. Always check local terms before booking.
You can explore destination-specific conditions here:
Related tips
- Tip 5: Decide if you need a second driver
- Tip 7: Be aware of the deposit
- Tip 8: Avoid extras at pickup
Final takeaway
Never assume you are fully insured just because a rental looks cheap. The real difference lies in what is included, what is excluded, and what you are still liable for.
👉 Read the full guide to renting a car without a credit card and learn how fully insured, no-deposit rentals work in practice.