Car hire insurance: a guide to cover and excess with TopCar

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Hiring a car in the Canary Islands is one of the most convenient ways to enjoy the islands at your own pace. However, we know that concepts like car hire insurance, excess, deposits and cover can raise questions before confirming a booking.

At TopCar, we are committed to clear and transparent information. We want you to know what is included in your car hire, what responsibilities you assume, and what options you have for travelling with greater peace of mind.

In this guide, we explain in simple terms how insurance, cover and excess work when hiring a car.

Differences between insurance and cover

Although many people talk about "fully comprehensive insurance" when hiring a car, in the car hire sector it is important to distinguish between compulsory insurance and additional cover.

On the one hand, there is the compulsory third-party liability insurance (TPL). This insurance covers damage you may cause to other people or vehicles. On the other hand, there is the additional cover that you optionally purchase from the car hire company to protect the vehicle itself (bodywork, theft, wheels, glass or mirrors, depending on the cover chosen). This cover helps to limit or reduce your financial liability if the hired vehicle is damaged, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the selected cover.

What TopCar's Basic Protection includes

For your peace of mind, all TopCar vehicles include protection in the base rate. It covers the main situations:

• Compulsory third-party liability insurance (TPL): mandatory by law and covers damage to third parties.
• Partial collision damage waiver (CDW): limits your financial liability for damage to the bodywork, up to the excess amount.
• Theft protection (TP): limits your liability if the vehicle is stolen through forced entry, also up to the excess amount.

This means that, for the situations covered by the Basic Protection, your liability is limited to the excess amount depending on the vehicle category.

What is the excess in a hire car?

The excess is the maximum amount you could be liable for damage covered under the Basic Protection. To guarantee this liability, at the pick-up desk, TopCar may charge or hold a deposit on your card when you collect the car.

At TopCar, this amount can vary between €900 and €3,000, depending on the vehicle category. During the online booking process, you will see the corresponding amount before confirming. You can resolve any additional questions about deposits or payment methods on our frequently asked questions page, where we detail the full conditions of our cover.

At the end of your hire, if you return the car in the same condition, with the same fuel level and by the return time, TopCar will refund the excess deposit. Depending on your bank, it can take up to 15 working days to reappear in your account.

Super Cover for car hire with no excess

If you prefer to reduce the amount blocked as a deposit during your trip, you can extend your protection with Super Cover (SCDW).

This optional extended cover extends the protection of the Basic Protection and includes parts that are particularly vulnerable during daily driving, such as wheels, rims and tyres (including punctures), mirrors, rear-view mirrors, windows and windscreens, lights, cosmetic damage to the bodywork, roadside assistance and towing.

With Super Cover and payment by credit card, the excess is eliminated for all vehicle categories. If you pay by debit card, the deposit is reduced to €200.

What is never covered by the hire company

Taking out extended cover does not mean that all damage is covered. As with any hire company, there are situations related to negligence or misuse of the vehicle that are excluded.

The following are not covered:

• damage to parts not covered by any protection policy, such as the roof, chassis, underbody, vehicle interior, keys or V16 beacon;
• damage to internal components of the vehicle, such as the engine, transmission, clutch, gearbox or steering system;
• damage caused by driving in areas not suitable for vehicles, restricted areas, unpaved roads or paved roads with severe defects;
• damage or breakdowns caused by refuelling with the wrong fuel;
• damage resulting from non-compliance with traffic and road safety regulations;
• accidents occurring while the driver is under the influence of alcohol, medicines or drugs, or in a state of fatigue or illness;
• damage resulting from reckless or negligent driving, or misuse of the vehicle;
• damage caused by using the vehicle in a risky situation, especially if dashboard warning lights are ignored;
• accidents outside the island where the car was hired, unless the transfer has been authorised by TopCar;
• damage or accidents when the vehicle is driven by a person not authorised by TopCar or who does not hold a valid driving licence;
• damage caused in bad faith or knowing that the action could cause harm to the hired vehicle or to TopCar.

Frequently asked questions about insurance and excess

If you are looking for quick information or have specific questions, here is a summary of the key concepts.

• What does car hire insurance cover as standard?

By law, all hires include compulsory third-party liability insurance (TPL). In addition, at TopCar we include Basic Protection, which limits your liability for collisions (CDW) and theft (TP) to the maximum amount of your excess.

• What is the excess in a hire car?

The excess is the maximum amount you could be liable for if the car is damaged. At TopCar, it is usually between €900 and €3,000 depending on the vehicle category. To guarantee this liability, you must leave a deposit on your card when collecting the car. It is held against your liability for the duration of the hire. If you return the car in the same condition, it is fully released or refunded.

• Can I hire a car with no excess?

Yes. By taking out extended cover, such as our Super Cover (SCDW), and paying by credit card, the excess is eliminated. If you pay by debit card, the deposit is reduced to just €200.

• Is fully comprehensive car hire insurance worth it?

Technically, car hire companies offer "cover", not fully comprehensive insurance policies. Even so, extended cover such as Super Cover is worth considering if you want to protect vulnerable parts — wheels, glass or mirrors — and reduce or even eliminate the amount held as a deposit.

• What damage is excluded by all cover options?

All cover options exclude damage caused by negligence, such as driving off-road (dirt tracks or beaches), refuelling with the wrong fuel, losing keys, or damaging the underbody, roof and interior of the vehicle.

• What does TopCar's Super Cover (SCDW) include?

It extends the Basic Protection and includes wheels, rims and tyres (including punctures); mirrors, rear-view mirrors, windows and windscreens; lights; roadside assistance and towing; and cosmetic damage to the bodywork. Situations of negligence or non-compliance with the general terms and conditions are always excluded.

Enjoy your trip with peace of mind

Understanding how insurance, excess and cover work helps you book with confidence. At TopCar, we want you to have all the information before collecting your car, so you can choose the option that best suits your trip.

If you are planning a trip to the Canary Islands, check your booking conditions, choose the hire vehicle you need, and add the cover that allows you to travel with greater peace of mind.