Car Hire Excess - Greece

If you plan to drive in Greece, which is an easy way to see all the beauty it has to offer, you essentially run the risk of being exposed to an expensive car hire excess. In Greece, car rental agreements typically include basic insurance with a high excess (deductible), in the ballpark of around €1,000 up to €2,500 for damage or theft. This means if your hired car gets scratched, dented, or stolen, you could be charged thousands of euros by the car hire company. Even incidents that probably do not seem major can be costly, with car hire companies typically charging about €250 for a scratched door, €300 for a punctured tyre, and up to €750 for a cracked windscreen. That’s a significant amount of money.

Car Hire Excess Insurance provides a financial lifeline by saving you money by covering these charges. Purchasing excess cover from an independent provider like Gigasure is cheaper than buying the rental company’s own offered insurance. Car hire desks in Greece can also often push their “super CDW” or excess waiver products hard – but at 2–3 times the price of independent policies, which might be challenging for your wallet.

By choosing Gigasure, you avoid the car hire counter upsell and save a lot of money while getting awesome, reliable cover that you can easily access via our app.

When we take into account the potentially high excess fees on car rentals in Greece, purchasing excess insurance is worth the extra peace of mind it provides. Independent policies are generally affordable, usually costing between £2 and £5 per day for standalone coverage—or even less if you opt for an annual plan. This small cost is minimal compared to the possible €1,500 or more you could be charged after an accident, making it worth that small investment.

Car hire companies often charge significantly more for their own excess waivers, sometimes over €20 per day, which can add up to more than £150 a week. Choosing independent cover can easily pay for itself, even if you never need to make a claim.

Driving in a new country with unfamiliar roads naturally carries some risks. Without Car Hire Excess Insurance, a minor accident could leave you in a difficult situation. With this coverage, you can relax and fully enjoy your road trip, confident that you’re protected against those unexpected setbacks.

The excess on hired cars in Greece typically ranges from €1,000 to €2,500, depending on the rental company, vehicle category, and the terms of your rental agreement. Most Greek car hire contracts include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) as standard, which limits your liability in the event of damage or theft—but it doesn’t eliminate it entirely. The excess is the portion you’d still be liable to pay out of pocket if something goes wrong, even if the incident wasn't your fault. This can be very tricky, as that’s usually a substantial amount of money you may have to pay out of pocket if you do not have Car Hire Excess Insurance.

This means that even minor scratches, dents, or windscreen chips could cost you hundreds or even thousands of euros. Rental companies often offer to reduce this excess at the counter through a Super CDW or additional insurance, but these options can be expensive, typically adding €10–€30 per day to your rental cost.

To avoid high fees and keep your road trip stress-free, many travellers opt for Car Hire Excess Insurance through providers like Gigasure. It’s a more affordable way to get reimbursed for excess charges if damage or theft occurs—so you can enjoy the Autobahn or Black Forest roads with confidence.

While travel insurance isn’t actually legal requirement for visiting Germany, it’s highly recommended and very helpful. For instance, medical expenses can quickly add up for visitors without insurance. While Greece has a good healthcare system, it can be on the expensive side for tourists so having travel insurance can be a great buffer if you need it. Gigasure’s Travel Insurance provides coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost or delayed luggage, and other unexpected costs that could otherwise leave you out of pocket. It’s not always comfortable to think about what might go wrong, but being prepared is always a smart choice.

If you’re planning to rent a car, Gigasure’s Car Hire Excess cover is especially valuable, shielding you from potentially high excess fees if your rental vehicle is damaged or stolen. With Gigasure Travel Insurance, you can relax and focus on experiencing Greece’s stunning culture, sights, and adventures without worrying about unexpected setbacks. In short, it’s a small investment that could save you significant hassle and expense if things don’t go according to plan.