DriveAway Excess Refund Cover

What is Insurance Excess?

Rental rates include basic insurance - Collision Damage Waiver Insurance (CDW), Third Party Liability and Theft Protection (TP). In the event that a rental vehicle is accidentally damaged (whether the driver is at fault or not) or stolen, the Insurance Excess is the maximum amount the renter is liable for. The cost varies depending on the supplier, country and vehicle type but in France, for e.g., it can range from EUR500-1300. Additional insurance to reduce the excess is optional and can be purchased from DriveAway Holidays or direct from the supplier when picking up your car. It may also be included in your travel insurance, so check your policy before you leave.

Why worry about a high insurance excess when renting a car?

DriveAway Excess Refund Cover is an optional extra offered by DriveAway Holidays to refund any excess amount charged by the car rental supplier. It provides you with hassle-free extra cover when renting a car.

For a prepaid additional amount of AUD5 per day (capped at 40 days), you will be covered for the damage and theft excess costs incurred locally up to AUD4,000. Should the local supplier charge you the excess amount on the vehicle, you may claim up to AUD4,000 when you return back to Australia through DriveAway Holidays.

It's a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Benefits to you:

• DriveAway Excess Refund Cover (DERC) is capped at 40 days, unlike car rental suppliers where they charge for every rental day. The maximum amount you will pay for DERC is AUD200.
• DERC is prepaid in AUD so you don’t have to worry about currency fluctuations.
• You can travel safe with the knowledge that if your rental car does get damaged, DriveAway Holidays will refund the supplier’s excess charges up to AUD4,000*.
• Upon returning to Australia, to claim your refund, you will be liaising with an Australian company so there will be no language barriers, time differences or lengthy phone calls with someone overseas.
• Best of all, DERC is economical and can save you money! Have a look at the comparison table in the brochure which compares DERC to the average supplier excess reduction options.

*You may claim this charge providing you complete a police report (where applicable) and an accident report with the supplier when returning the vehicle; the copies of which should then be sent to DriveAway Holidays. Upon receipt of these forms, DriveAway Holidays will assess and refund accordingly following proof of charge from the car rental supplier.

Conditions apply. Not available in all other countries.

Please Note:

In common with most car rental suppliers, Driveaway Excess Refund Cover does not cover damage to windows, wheels, tyres, the roof, underside & interior of the vehicle, towing charges or damage/theft caused negligently, wilfully or recklessly.

• Driveaway Excess Refund Cover does not cover any claims where the vehicle (including 4 wheel drives) is taken off road or on un-sealed surfaces.
• Driveaway Excess Refund Cover does not cover driver negligence whereby the driver is under the influence of alcohol or other substances. In addition, the driver of the vehicle must meet the requirements of the car rental supplier.
• Theft covers the vehicle only, not personal contents.
• In the event that keys are lost and/or damaged you will be liable for replacement costs. Further costs may be applicable if the lost keys are directly related to the theft of the vehicle.

For more on DriveAway Excess Refund Cover, have a look at this blog article Confused By Insurance Excess?

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Frequently Asked Questions?

Q. How do I book Driveaway Excess Refund Cover?
A. On the last step of the booking process, DERC has already been selected for you as shown below. A few country exceptions apply.

Q. Is Driveaway Excess Refund Cover a Nil Excess product?
A. Yes, ultimately. Please see next question and explanation for more information.

Q. How much does it cover?
A. DriveAway Excess Refund Cover will reimburse up to AUD4,000 of the excess charged by the rental company in the event of damage to or theft of the vehicle.

Q. Is the DriveAway Excess Refund Cover of AUD5 per day charged for every rental day?
A. If your rental exceeds 40 days, the DriveAway Excess Refund Cover is capped at 40 days (AUD200).

Q. Do I need to take out any additional insurance offered when collecting the vehicle?
A. No.

Q. What if the car rental supplier states that they have never heard of DriveAway Excess Refund Cover and insist I take out their damage and theft excess cover?
A. DriveAway Excess Refund Cover is an agreement between you and DriveAway Holidays only. You should reject the excess reduction offered by the car rental supplier confident in the knowledge that you are covered by DriveAway Holidays for up to AUD4,000. DriveAway Excess Refund Cover will be stated on the voucher.

Q. Is my credit card still frozen at time of collection?
A. Yes, and the full excess amount will be charged in the case of theft or damage, however the amount is recoverable up to AUD4,000 from DriveAway provided all claim conditions are met.

Q. Do I get a refund if I don't make a claim?
A. No, once the rental has commenced, DriveAway Excess Refund Cover is non-refundable, whether or not a claim is made.

Q. Do I need DriveAway Excess Refund Cover if I have travel insurance?
A. We recommend you purchase our cover as:

• Travel insurance claims can take 6-8 weeks for a refund to be processed. For the cost of AUD5 per day (capped at 40 days), you can receive your refund from DriveAway Holidays within 14 working days (providing all relating documentation is supplied at time of claim).
• Some insurance policies require payment of an excess to make a claim. With DriveAway Holidays' Excess Refund Cover, ultimately, you will receive a full excess refund (up to AUD4,000).
• Complete coverage for you is assured in the event of multiple bookings (where multiple incidents may result in excess claims in excess of coverage); or in situations where a policy may allow only ONE claim; or whenever you are elderly, where insurance coverage is not as generous as for younger drivers.

Q. What if I have insurance with my credit card?
A. Again, card insurance is not as generous as travel insurance with regard to car rental coverage. Remember, DriveAway will refund the excess amount up to AUD4,000, whereas most card insurance policies require part payment of the excess. So for peace of mind, from as little as AUD5 per day (capped at 40 days), DriveAway Excess Refund Cover is great value. Again, claiming and receiving refunds is far simpler and faster through DriveAway Holidays.

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Last updated 24 March 2009