Car Hire Excess - Ireland

Driving in Ireland is an awesome way to explore this small but mighty country, offering efficiency and freedom without being bound to strict schedules often demanded by public transport. Picture yourself cruising freely along Ireland’s scenic roads, no strict schedules or timetables holding you back. But beware: a car hire excess could unexpectedly throw a wrench in your plans and no one wants that. In Ireland, most rental deals come with basic insurance that carries a steep excess, often between €1,000 and €2,500, covering damage or theft. So, if your rental car ends up with a scratch, dent, or worse, stolen, you might find yourself on the hook for thousands of euros. Even small mishaps aren’t cheap: expect around €250 for a scratched door, €300 for a flat tyre, and up to €750 if your windscreen cracks. These little bumps in the road happen to the best drivers, but they can still hit your wallet hard!  

Car Hire Excess Insurance can save you a significant amount by covering costs that would otherwise come out of your pocket. Getting excess cover from an independent provider like Gigasure is usually much more cost-effective than purchasing the rental company’s insurance. In Ireland, car hire desks are known to push their “super CDW” or excess waiver add-ons quite hard, but they often charge two to three times more than independent options. 

Opting for Gigasure means you can skip the upsell at the rental counter and still enjoy strong, reliable protection. It’s also worth noting that many rental company waivers come with limitations, often excluding things like tyre or glass damage or leaving room for surprise terms in the fine print. Gigasure fills in those gaps, so you’re properly covered. 

On top of that, cities like Dublin, while great, are known for busy traffic and tight parking, which naturally increases the chances of minor scrapes or bumps. Having excess insurance in place helps you avoid the stress of unexpected repair bills that can sometimes climb above €1,500. Hopefully you won’t run into any issues during your trip, but it’s always smart to be prepared—just in case. 

Yes, it is! Considering just how high excess on Irish car hires, excess insurance is well worth that extra peace of mind you get. The cost of an independent policy is relatively low, often around £2–£5 per day for a standalone cover (or even less if you buy an annual plan), which is minor compared to a possible €1,500 or higher charge you’d face for an accident. Think of it as a small charge for being able to not worry about what could go wrong. Car hire companies charge a lot for their own excess waiver (sometimes €20+ per day, which adds up to £150+ a week), so independent cover can pay for itself even if you never make a claim. And if you do need to claim for any damage, you can easily save hundreds or thousands of euros. In Ireland’s driving conditions (busy city traffic, unfamiliar roads, tight parking spots, particularly in the larger cities), the likelihood of small incidents is not negligible. Having excess insurance means you can relax and enjoy your road trip, knowing you are protected from certain unpleasant experiences.  

Exploring Turkey by car is an affordable and popular way to get around. From the stunning coastlines to the lively cities, it gives you the freedom to travel on your own schedule. But there’s one thing that often catches travellers off guard: the high excess fees that come with most car hire agreements. These fees can seriously impact your budget if something goes wrong. 

In Turkey, rental cars typically come with basic insurance, but the excess (or deductible) you’re responsible for can range from €1,000 to €2,500 in the case of damage or theft. Unfortunately, even small mishaps can lead to surprisingly large charges. A scratched door might set you back €250, a punctured tyre around €300, and a cracked windscreen could cost up to €750. These aren’t rare accidents either — they can happen to any driver, no matter how careful. 

That’s where Car Hire Excess Insurance comes in. With a policy from an independent provider like Gigasure, you’re protected from those costly fees without having to fork out for the expensive insurance options sold at the rental desk. In Turkey, rental companies often try to upsell “super CDW” or excess waivers, but these can cost two to three times more than a standalone policy. 

Choosing Gigasure means you get better value and more complete protection. While rental company waivers often exclude common problem areas like tyres, glass, and the underside of the vehicle, Gigasure is proud to offer these as standard. 

In Ireland, the excess on rental cars typically falls between €1,500 and €2,000, depending on the type of vehicle and the car hire company. This sum is generally held on your credit card as a security deposit for the duration of your rental and is released once the car is returned undamaged. Remember that even a small scratch can constitute damage. 

However, don’t forget that if the car is damaged (even in minor cases like a scratched panel) or stolen, you could be responsible for paying that excess! To protect against this potential expense, many travellers choose Car Hire Excess Insurance. It can reimburse you for the excess amount charged by the car hire company, helping you avoid unexpected costs and giving you greater peace of mind during your trip.