Car hire insurance featured on BBC Radio 4 You and Yours

The Friday 9th July 2011 edition of BBC Radio 4 consumer affairs programme "You and Yours" featured Car hire excess insurance.

Following a recent survey by YouGov claiming that a large number of travellers were confused by additional charges on car hire, the programme looked into this issue. According to the programme a lot of travellers are confused by what is covered and not covered in car hire insurance.

We have been informed that the YouGov research was commisioned by iCarhireinsurance. The survey of 1103 British people who have hired a car, revealed that a sixth (15%) of respondents believed they had driven a hire car without fully understanding exactly what insurance they had and what they were covered for, but in reality the number is significantly higher than this.

93% of people did not realise that if their hire car was damaged or stolen in Europe, even if it wasn't their fault, then they would be liable for the first part of a claim i.e., the excess amount of up to £1500. 94% did not check the small print to find out how much they would be charged if their keys were lost or stolen, and 89%did not check it for costs incurred in the event of a short notice cancellation.

John Lewis the Chief Executive of the BVRLA - British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association was interviewed at length and the programme can be heard HERE

The BVRLA have produced an excellent five page guide to Hiring a Car and this can be viewed HERE

Remember if you are hiring a car it is usually much cheaper to buy your excess insurance from an independent insurance company. Icarhireinsurance.com is one of several car hire insurance advertising on the insurance4carrental.com site and you can find out more about their car hire excess insurance and van hire excess insurance Here.