What do you need to know?
South African car rental companies offer three main types of liability coverage for rentals.
When booking online or with an agent the cheapest option is standard cover, this in travel is not always the best option. Many renters are then faced with high excess in the event of damage or theft to the rented vehicle. If you shopping for the cheapest rate always make sure you are also taking into account the insurance that is being offered at the time. On collection of the vehicle, your credit card will be used and a hold placed on it, to the amount of the excess.
If this type of rate is booked, its important to note the following:
1. You have a credit card and the card available was used at the time of reservation.
2. A car hire company will not accept a different card than the one used at time of reservation.
3. You have sufficient credit available for the excess value.
4. You will not be needing this value during your travel, as the hold is placed and therefore limiting the funds available.
The second available option is Super Cover, this offers a reduced excess amount for damage or theft. The daily rate will be higher however the value placed on hold on your credit card will be substantially less.
For Example:
Group A: (smallest available car type)
Standard cover – the excess can be from R16000 up-to R27000, which will be placed on your card for the full duration of the rental. The reversal of this charge can take up to two days upon return of the vehicle, depending on the car rental company.
Super cover – the same vehicle excess is reduced to R3500 up-to R4500, being more reasonable to the average renter, and credit facility available on their credit card.
Zero Excess – this option is not as common as pre-covid, however available to select car rental agents and travel agents. This option comes with the highest daily rate but does not require a credit card for the excess.
Windscreen and Tyre Damage
As we all know, South Africa does not have the best roads and for this reason, car rental companies now also offer windscreen and tyre damage cover. Trust me, this is one box you are going to want to ticket. We all know Murphy and hitting a pothole or a stone chip on a windscreen, you are going to wish you had ticked this one.
In the Fine Print
A fact not known by many renters is that any accident not involving a third party (ie. just you and the car) no matter which waver you have chosen, will result in the renter being liable for the cost. This cost is either not covered or charged at Double the Standard liability Excess. This applies to any accident, even if you are approaching another vehicle accident and try avoid it and land up smacking the barrier, you are not covered.
Knowing this is why an agent would rather offer a higher daily rate with Super Cover or ZERO Liability cover when it comes to quoting their clients. We not trying to over charge but rather limit the liability on the renter during his rental period.
If you are shopping around, please make sure you are taking all factors into account when it comes to car rental. At face value, it might seem like a great saving but lands up costing a lifetime of savings in the long term.
Get in touch
If you have any questions or just want to say hello, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll get back to you soon.