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What do you need to know about rental insurance?

All car hire companies in Ireland include standard insurance with the rental, understanding the company policy on insurance and excess cover can be confusing. Here we'll explain the different rental insurance options to guide you through car hire experience.

Collision Damage Waiver

All of Irish Car Rentals quoted prices on the website include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) rental car insurance as standard.

Collision Damage Waiver covers in the event of damage to the car with excess and the excess amount varies depending on the types of vehicles rented, this amount varies from €1,500-2,000. If you do not have sufficient credit on your card to cover the excess, you can purchase Super Damage waiver (Super CDW) cover where the excess will be reduced to €0 / Zero.

A pre-authorisation is a temporary hold of a specific amount on your credit card for the duration of the rental, and then released when the vehicle is returned without damage. Alternatively, at the time of collecting the car you can remove the excess by purchasing additional protection - SDW.

If there is any damage such as a broken mirror or a scratched door, an amount will be retained by the rental company and the remaining balance refunded.

Super CDW

Super Damage Waiver (SDW) is an optional extra cover which reduces your excess in case of any damage to the car to zero.

SDW can be purchased at the rental desk upon arrival.

Car Hire Excess Insurance Ireland

The vehicles have an excess from €1,500 - €2,000 which is held in the form of a security deposit on your credit card for the duration of the rental, and then released when the vehicle is returned without damage. Alternatively, at the time of collecting the car you can remove the excess by purchasing additional protection - SDW.

A pre-authorisation is a temporary hold of a specific amount on a credit card. We have found that most credit card companies release the pre-authorisation within 10 working days. A pre-authorisation excess release depends on your credit card company. We are unable to remove pre-authorisations directly, we can only place them on the presented credit card.

Depending on your bank it can be held against the credit card for up to 30 days. Please contact your bank if the preauthorisation has not been released after this time.

Theft protection Cover (TP)

In the event of a theft or attempted theft protection cover provides cover up the the full value of the rental car. The renter is liable for the same excess amount as damage.

Waive CDW and Theft protection

The main driver must be the holder of an eligible US issued World MasterCard or Canadian issued Gold/Platinum Visa/MasterCard which allows you to waive CDW and Theft Protection in Ireland. It is advisable to bring a letter from your credit card company confirming you have the relevant coverage. Please note, you will be required to leave an excess of €5,000.

If you are resident in the Republic of Ireland and have a fully comprehensive policy in your own name, you may transfer the cover from your own car to our rental car providing your insurance company allows this. If your personal policy has an excess, you will still be liable for that amount. Irish renters who wish to use their own fully comprehensive insurance must call us directly by phoning 1800 515 800.

Coverage

More information on liability insurance and renting in general can be found under our Help Desk.

Cancellation policy

Once availability has been confirmed, 60% of the rental is charged.

A Cancellation Cover can be purchased for €5.00 per booked week. If Cancellation Cover has been purchased, and you cancel at least 24 hours before your pickup time, all charges less the Cancellation Cover will be refunded. Where Cancellation Cover has not been purchased, reservations cancelled at least 24 hours before your pickup time will incur a 15% cancellation fee.

Cancellations less than 24 hours from the pickup time or a no-show will result in a loss of your deposit.

You can amend your booking at any time up to 48 hours before your pick up time for free of charge.

To book a car or a van, please search for a car rental quote form or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

You will need your licence and a payment card for booking your rental online and for signing the rental agreement at the pick up desk.

We cannot accept any temporary licences, certificates or letters stating the driver has a licence if it is not present on collection. All drivers must have their physical licence present on arrival for a vehicle to be released.

At the commencement of rental, drivers must meet the requirement for licence eligibility. If the number of years is 8, this does not mean that the driver must have held their licence for 8 years - it means they must have been eligible to hold their licence for 8 years.

At the time of pick up, the person renting the car must be present to sign the rental agreement and provide their debit or credit card.

Additional drivers must be present at time of pick up and must fulfil the same age/licence criteria as the principal driver.

Bookings made through Irishcarrentals.com can be amended on Manage Bookings.

Yes. At Irish Car Rentals, we have one of the biggest and most modern fleets in Ireland for business.

You can choose from passenger vehicles, commercial or speciality vehicles – all of which can be customised internally or externally if required and delivered to you anywhere in Ireland.

Visit the Help Centre