Everything you need to know about car rental insurance in Spain

Last updated: 8th of July

Discovering new places with a car rental is one of the best ways to travel. However, understanding the rental car insurance is essential to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.

In this blog post, we’ll cover everything from excess cover to super excess waiver insurance, helping you choose the best option for your trip. With the right coverage, you can explore freely and avoid unexpected costs.

Do you need insurance cover to rent a car in Spain?

Yes. Spain requires drivers to have insurance to rent a car in order to protect both the driver and third parties.  All rentals automatically  include obligatory third-party insurance, however each rental company has its own conditions.

By this we mean two key points; insurance types vary between rental companies so it’s important to read and understand the conditions of the different insurance conditions.

Types of car rental insurance

At Helle Hollis, we have different insurance options so that you can enjoy comfortable and safe journeys. From insurance for young people to special cover for drivers over 84, here are the different insurance options you can find:

Insurance excess

The term excess may sound familiar from your own car insurance policy. But what does insurance excess for car hire mean?

Insurance excess is simple: when signing the contract, the driver leaves a deposit. If there is any damage or loss to the car during the rental, this deposit will be exchanged to cover the repair of the damage. This deposit also varies according to the model: i.e. it will not be the same for a small Fiat 500 as it is for a 5+2-seater Volkswagen Caddy, for example.In the event that the car is returned in perfect condition, Helle Hollis refunds the excess deposit to the client’s credit card.

The insurance in Helle Hollis also covers some common areas of concern when hiring a car. These include the collision damage waiver (subject to excess), theft (subject to excess), unlimited mileage, Third Party liability, and 24-hour road assistance.

Are all damages covered by the insurance excess in a car rental?

Not all damages are covered by the insurance excess. This is where the relevance of knowing the Terms and Conditions lies if you are renting a car in Malaga.

How long time does it take to get the excess amount refunded on a car hire?

Refunds can vary, sometimes taking hours or, in rare cases, several weeks. But why does this happen?

Helle Hollis, refunds the deposit once we confirm the car has no new damage(and it has been verified that there is no further damage). The client’s bank processes the refund based on its location and policies, which can cause delays (i.e. a Spanish credit card may receive the refund sooner than an English one).

Super excess waiver

The alternative to the excess deposit is the Super excess waiver. This is a daily insurance amount that varies according to the car group. This policy is non-refundable, even if you return the car undamaged.

Helle Hollis’ super excess waiver covers damages to the car (which are specified in the Rental Conditions), a Personal Accident Insurance and a cancellation insurance (if more than 3 days of rental are left). The super excess waiver further enhances protection by covering damage to dents, scratches and damages on undercarriage / engine sump, clutch, windows, tyres and wheel trims.

Please note that the insurance policy does not cover personal property left, stored or transported in the vehicle. The client will also be responsible for any damages occasioned to the vehicle through unauthorized use and for loss of car keys.

If you choose the super excess waiver insurance, then you do not lay the excess deposit (we allow you to choose one of these options).

Insurance for young drivers

Are you young and want to rent a car? At Helle Hollis, we have a specific policy for drivers from the age of 19 (with at least one year’s driving licence). With this cover, you can rent the smallest car model (our group B).

For driving bigger car models, the young driver must be added on as an additional driver. Thus, they can drive a wider range of models as long as the contract holder is over 23 years of age.

In the second case, in addition to the young driver´s insurance, the company links the contract to an excess deposit.

Would you like to drive an automatic and you are 21 years old, then we can offer the group Q together with the Young Driver´s Insurance and super excess waiver

Car hire insurance for Senior Drivers in Málaga

Drivers of 85 years of age or over, in addition to the insurance choice must take out a senior driver´s insurance.

As you can see, Helle Hollis offes vaious insurance options for a worry-free experience car hire experience. Check out our blog for the latest car rental information on the Costa del Sol.