ONE IN FIVE BUSINESS TRAVELLERS HIT WITH UNEXPECTED CAR HIRE CHARGES
- More than half1 have found unrecorded damage on hire cars at pick-up
- “When almost one in five business travellers have had a hire car damaged or stolen through no fault of their own, the need for excess protection is more important than ever,” says Ben Wooltorton at iCarhireinsurance.com
A fifth1 of UK business travellers have been hit with unexpected car hire charges, according to research from iCarhireinsurance.com, a leading provider of car hire excess reimbursement insurance.
The Opinium survey1 of UK business travellers who have hired a car found that 22%1 have faced surprise charges, with 41%1 believing rental firms often bill for pre-existing damage. Only 22%1 trust rental companies to provide an accurate assessment of the car’s condition at checkout.
The research also found that almost one in five business travellers (18%) have had a hire car damaged or stolen through no fault of their own during their rental period.
Unrecorded car damage remains a major concern
The research reveals potential issues at the point of picking up and dropping off a hire car.
- 51%1 found damage on their vehicle at pick-up that was not documented on the check-out sheet.
- 15%1 say they’ve been unfairly charged for damage.
- 48%1 returned their vehicle without any inspection from rental staff – leaving them potentially exposed to later claims.
Hidden car hire costs
Many business travellers are also being upsold costly add-ons at the rental desk:
- 63%1 say they have felt pressured to buy extras such as excess protection waivers, additional drivers or sat navs.
- 70%1 think extras sold at the desk are overpriced.
- 57%1 describe rental desk excess protection waivers as a “rip-off”2, yet 58%1 still believe they must be purchased from the rental company.
Only 24%1 purchased excess protection from an independent car hire excess reimbursement provider, even though this can reduce costs significantly.
Business travellers who decline the rental company’s excess protection waivers could face excess costs of up to £1,8003 if the vehicle is damaged or stolen (even if it is not their fault), according to a European hire car costs’ comparison study3 conducted by iCarhireinsurance.com.
Rental desk excess protection waivers are usually the biggest cost outlay at the rental desk, averaging £232 per week3, compared to car hire excess reimbursement insurance from a specialist provider, like iCarhireinsurance.com, that costs from £33.154. An iCarhireinsurance.com policy covers damage, theft, and tyres and windscreens. Annual European policies start from £41.994.
Ben Wooltorton from iCarhireinsurance.com, said: “For companies trying to control travel spend, car hire can be a minefield of hidden costs. Even seasoned business travellers face pressure sales tactics at rental desks. When almost one in five1 have had a hire car damaged or stolen through no fault of their own, the need for excess protection cover is more important than ever.
“Buying car hire excess reimbursement insurance from a specialist provider like iCarhireinsurance.com can help business travellers avoid unexpected charges and ensure businesses keep tighter control of their travel budgets.”
Sources
1 Opinium online survey with 305 adults who have hired a car for business in the UK or abroad took place between 21 – 28 March 2025.
2 This information was collated in the Opinium survey. One question in the survey asked the business traveller whether excess waiver cover sold at the rental desk is a “rip off”.
3 iCarhireinsurance.com surveyed the cost of renting a medium compact hire car, e.g., a Ford Focus or VW Golf, in six popular winter destinations – Larnaca (Cyprus), Barcelona, Faro, Tenerife, Nice and Milan – from 15 – 22 November 2025. Six rental companies were surveyed – Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt. iCarhireinsurance also surveyed the cost of excess waivers, excess fees, extra drivers, sat navs and car seats.
The average excess protection waiver cost was £174 for super damage excess waiver and £58 for tyre and windscreen excess waiver, totalling £232.
4 £33.15 based on a 30-year-old UK resident buying an 8-day single trip car hire excess policy from iCarhireinsurance.com for use in Europe. £41.99 annual price is based on a UK resident aged between 30-80 purchasing an excess Europe annual policy excluding in-country (UK) cover.
About iCarhireinsurance.com
Cover-More Insurance Services Limited trading as iCarhireinsurance.com is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number 312172 and is a company registered in the United Kingdom with company number 03088762, its registered address is Parkview, 82 Oxford Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1UX.
iCarhireinsurance.com is a leading provider of stand-alone excess insurance in the UK for people hiring cars worldwide.
