When it comes to renting a vehicle, rental companies offer a range of protections to ensure your peace of mind in all situations.
These protections cover everything from the vehicle to your safety and that of third parties in case of incidents.
What protections are available to include in the reservation?
The insurances for the rented vehicle are generally referred to by English acronyms, which can be confusing when adding these options to the reservation. Below is a summary of what each acronym means and its literal translation:
Loss Damage Waiver: this protection covers the vehicle against theft, burglary, damage, and breakdowns resulting from collisions and accidents;
Collision Damage Waiver: offers protection to the vehicle in situations of damage and breakdowns caused by collisions or accidents;
Additional protections that may vary depending on the rental company:
Some extra coverages may or may not be available depending on the rental company and the booking conditions.
Additional Liability Insurance: protects against material and personal damages caused to third parties due to accidents with the rented vehicle;
Personal Accident Insurance: this protection is directed to the occupants of the rented vehicle, covering medical expenses and possible rescues in case of collisions.
These names and acronyms represent the protections offered by rental companies on our website and may vary from one company to another. Some examples include Extended Protection, Liability Protection, Supplemental Liability Insurance, and Third Party Liability.
What are protection plans?
Protection plans are packages that combine different types of coverage, rental company fees and, in some cases, additional options such as an extra driver or a fuel tank.
During the booking process, you can choose from different plan options based on the level of coverage you want:
Light or Basic Plan: Includes the vehicle value and essential coverage against damage, breakdowns and theft.
Flex Plan: Includes the vehicle value, basic coverage and additional third-party protection.
Extended Plan: Includes the same coverage as Flex, plus extra protection for the vehicle’s occupants in the event of an accident.
Super Plan: The most comprehensive, offering broad protection against damage, theft and third parties, and may include zero excess in some cases.
Important: the availability and details of each plan vary depending on the rental company, destination and booking conditions. In some cases, certain plans may include zero excess for specific coverage, but this is not a fixed rule.
Before confirming your booking, we recommend carefully reviewing the information provided in the offer to ensure that the selected plan meets your needs and provides the desired level of protection.
How can I include additional protections?
You can purchase additional protections on the Rentcars website or directly at the rental company's counter, according to your preference. Be aware that different destinations may require specific protections, and some rental companies may request inclusion at the time of vehicle pickup.
Want more peace of mind and ensure a safe trip? Check out our article about RentalCover!
What is the difference between basic coverage and superior coverage?
Basic coverage includes the essential protections against theft, damage and breakdowns resulting from collisions and accidents.
Superior coverage, offered in partnership with RentalCover, is an enhanced option available in some plans. It works through excess reimbursement and provides more comprehensive protection, which may include items and situations that are normally not covered by standard protections such as tyres, windows, mirrors and roadside assistance.
While basic coverage provides the essentials for vehicle pickup, superior coverage expands this protection and helps reduce unexpected costs in the event of incidents during the rental.
The availability and details of this coverage may vary depending on the plan, the rental company and the travel destination. At the time of booking, you can check whether this option is available and what benefits it offers. If you have already completed your booking, the details will be included in your confirmation voucher.
What are deductible and coparticipation limits?
The deductible and coparticipation represent the amounts the renter may need to pay in case of damages to the rented vehicle, as described and agreed upon in the rental contract. The deductible and coparticipation limits vary depending on the selected rental company, the protections included in the reservation, and the vehicle category. Estimate information may be displayed during the reservation or on the confirmation voucher, but it is essential to check the exact amounts directly with the rental company at the time of vehicle pickup. Learn more by accessing the complete article about Deductible and Coparticipation.
How do vehicle protections work? Do protections cover 100% of damages or is there a deductible?
Depending on the terms and conditions of the rental and the coverages contracted, the driver does not need to bear all costs, and protections can cover up to 100% of the repair value. Information about the stipulated amounts can be consulted on the confirmation voucher of the reservation or in the rental contract.
If the rented car suffers damages and there is no insurance coverage, the driver will be responsible for the repair costs, just as with private vehicles, and will be responsible for paying a fixed amount of coparticipation or deductible defined at the opening of the rental contract.
If I include extra protections, do I risk having to pay more to the rental company? Do protections cover tires, windows, and mirrors?
Our offers ensure that all mandatory items for vehicle pickup are already included in the reservation, with no additional costs at the time of pickup. If it is necessary to activate the contracted protections in case of occurrences, it is important to check the rules and coverage limits of each one.
Some superior protections may exempt the payment of the deductible in case of vehicle damages, but there may still be items not covered, such as windows and tires. We always recommend carefully reviewing the rental contract at the time of vehicle pickup to better understand the details and avoid surprises.
If you want more security and peace of mind and extra coverage for tires, windows, and mirrors, you can also opt for our superior coverage at the time of reservation issuance, which guarantees even more complete coverage and offers greater security and fewer worries during the rental.
Do the protections cover loss or theft of personal belongings inside the vehicle?
Some rental companies offer additional protections that may include partial coverage for personal belongings, but this varies depending on the country and the selected company.
In certain destinations, international rental brands such as Hertz, Avis/Budget, Enterprise/National/Alamo, and Europcar offer complementary plans like Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) or Personal Accident and Effects Insurance (PAI/PEI) — which may cover stolen items from the vehicle up to a certain limit.
These coverages are optional and, in most cases, must be purchased directly at the rental counter.
Even so, we recommend always taking care of your belongings: avoid leaving valuables, documents, or electronics visible when the car is parked. This way, you can enjoy a safer and more worry-free trip.
What should I do in case of an incident or damage to the vehicle? For example, if the tire goes flat, or I need a tow, how does it work?
Follow these steps:
File a police report in case of accidents. This document is essential for the rental company to assess the incident, even in cases of minor damage. The requirement for the report may vary depending on the type of damage or situation. In addition, to determine whether third-party coverage applies, it is necessary to review the type of insurance purchased and the terms of the rental agreement. These details will define which damages are covered and which costs may be charged to the renter;
Contact the rental company and follow their instructions. The rental company's contacts can be found on the confirmation voucher;
The rental company is responsible for arranging the tow or necessary assistance;
Rely on the rental company's assistance to obtain the necessary support during the process.
Remember: contact with the rental company should be immediate, as in some cases, protections may not cover the accident if it is reported after 24 hours. Additionally, reckless driving and speeding are not covered by any protection.
How to request a full coverage refund?
If you purchased the highest coverage available on our website and need to request a refund, simply access the RentalCover article and follow the provided instructions.
In the reservation confirmation voucher, you will find the necessary details to submit your refund request with RentalCover.