Quick Summary:
- UK annual excess policies usually reimburse excess, but do not replace US liability.
- Confirm your rental includes CDW and base liability before declining counter cover.
- Expect exclusions for glass, tyres, fees, and admin unless stated.
- At pick-up, decline extras politely and get the final agreement printed.
Planning car hire in United Estates and wondering if your UK annual excess policy can replace the insurance sold at the counter? In most cases, yes, you can rely on a UK excess-waiver policy for the excess element, but it is vital to understand what it does and does not do in the US rental set-up.
US rental desks often offer several add-ons that sound overlapping, such as LDW or CDW, SLI, PAI, PEC, and roadside products. A UK annual excess policy is typically designed to reimburse you for the excess or deductible you pay after an approved claim, it is not the same thing as the rental company’s own damage waiver, and it is rarely a substitute for US third-party liability cover.
If you want the simplest baseline for United Estates car hire, start by checking what is included in your booking confirmation. You can also compare what is typically included on Hola Car Rentals’ United Estates pages, such as car hire in the United States and car rental in the United States, then match that against your UK policy wording before you travel.
What a UK annual excess policy actually does
A UK annual excess policy, sometimes called an excess reimbursement or excess waiver policy, usually works like this: if the rental company charges you an excess (deductible) after damage, theft, or a claim covered by the rental terms, your UK policy may reimburse you for that amount, up to a stated limit.
Key point: it is normally reimbursement. You may still have to pay the rental company first, typically using the card on file, then claim the money back from your insurer. That means you need enough card limit to cover a worst-case deductible plus related charges.
Another key point is that it usually only responds when the rental company has accepted the incident as a valid claim under their loss damage waiver conditions. If the rental company charges you for a breach of contract, negligence, or unauthorised use, the UK policy may refuse or limit reimbursement.
What it does not cover in the US: liability is the big gap
The most common misunderstanding is thinking excess cover replaces everything the counter sells. It does not.
Third-party liability in the US is a separate issue. If you injure someone or damage their property, the costs can be substantial. A UK annual excess policy is generally not a liability policy for US driving. It is designed around your rental vehicle loss, not the harm you might cause to others.
US rentals often include some form of minimum state liability, but the limits may be low. Rental desks therefore offer SLI, sometimes called LIS or additional liability insurance. Whether you should buy SLI depends on what liability limits are included with your booking and what other cover you may already have, for example certain travel policies, although these can be complicated and may exclude car liability.
For United Estates car hire, treat liability as a separate decision from your UK excess policy. Your UK annual excess policy can still be useful even if you decide to purchase SLI, because SLI does not reduce your damage deductible.
Damage waivers, excess, and the common US terms
At US counters you may hear:
CDW/LDW, collision or loss damage waiver. This usually deals with damage to, or theft of, the rental vehicle, subject to exclusions.
Deductible/excess, the amount you pay before the waiver responds, or the amount the rental company charges you when a claim is processed.
SLI/LIS, supplemental liability insurance, for third-party claims.
PAI, personal accident insurance.
PEC, personal effects cover for belongings.
A UK annual excess policy usually targets the deductible you would otherwise pay under the rental company’s CDW/LDW terms. If your booking includes CDW/LDW with a deductible, you can often decline the “zero excess” or “super CDW” upgrade, then rely on your UK policy to reimburse the deductible if something happens.
However, if your booking does not include CDW/LDW at all, a UK annual excess policy is not a magic replacement. Without the rental company waiver, you can be liable for the full value of the vehicle and associated loss-of-use charges. Many UK excess policies assume you have the rental company waiver in place.
Glass, tyres, and underbody: frequently excluded or limited
Another common gap is glass and tyres. Rental companies may charge separately for windscreens, windows, wheels, tyres, and underbody damage, especially where CDW/LDW exclusions apply. UK excess policies vary widely here.
Some UK policies reimburse glass and tyres as part of the excess claim, others exclude them, cap the payout, or require that the rental company first applies CDW/LDW. Check whether your policy explicitly mentions:
Glass and windscreen repairs or replacement.
Tyres, wheels, and hubcaps.
Underbody, roof, and suspension.
Keys and locksmith charges.
If your policy excludes these, you may prefer a rental counter product that specifically covers glass and tyres, but only if you can confirm it is a standalone product and not bundled with something you do not need.
Admin fees, towing, loss of use, and depreciation
US rental companies may add charges that surprise UK travellers, even when damage is minor:
Administrative fees, claim processing or damage admin charges.
Towing and storage, if the vehicle is not drivable.
Loss of use, charges for the days the car is off the road.
Diminished value, reduction in value after repair, claimed by some operators.
Many UK annual excess policies will reimburse some of these, but not all, and often only where the charges are properly evidenced and are part of a covered claim. Some policies exclude loss of use unless the rental company provides a fleet utilisation log. Some exclude diminished value entirely. Read the wording and, if it matters to you, keep your decision simple: ensure CDW/LDW is included in your booking, use your UK excess policy for the deductible, and be prepared for some non-reimbursable admin items.
How to decline add-ons correctly at pick-up
The best way to use a UK annual excess policy with United Estates car hire is to arrive prepared and stay consistent at the counter.
1) Before you travel, confirm what is included
Look at your confirmation and identify whether CDW/LDW is included, whether there is a deductible, and what liability is included. If you are comparing vehicle types, the inclusions can differ, especially for larger vehicles. Hola Car Rentals pages such as minivan hire in the United States and van hire in the United States can help you check typical inclusions and supplier terms for different categories.
Also check your UK annual excess policy for: territory, maximum vehicle value, hire duration limits, and any requirements to decline or accept certain products.
2) Use clear language at the desk
At pick-up, you may be offered an “upgrade” or “recommended protection”. Keep your wording simple and factual. For example, you can say you are happy with the cover included in your booking and you do not want additional products.
Ask them to confirm what is already included on the agreement, particularly:
That CDW/LDW is included and the deductible amount.
That liability is included at the stated level, or whether SLI is being added.
That you are not being charged for extra protection products you do not want.
Be especially careful with terms like “Roadside”, “Protection Package”, or “Coverage Bundle”, as these can add multiple items at once.
3) Watch for pre-ticked options and initials
US agreements often require initials next to optional items. Do not initial boxes you do not understand. If the agent says something is required, ask them to show you where it is mandatory in the contract. Mandatory items are typically taxes, airport fees, and sometimes local surcharges, not optional protection.
If you are collecting from a major supplier, the layout and terminology can vary. It can help to review supplier-specific guidance beforehand, for example Avis car hire in the United States, so you recognise how options might appear on the paperwork.
4) Get a printed or emailed final agreement before you leave
Ask for the final rental agreement that shows the daily rate, included cover, add-ons, and total estimated charges. This is crucial if you later need to challenge an add-on you did not intend to buy. It is also useful evidence for your UK excess insurer if you need to prove the deductible and the rental terms.
5) Inspect the vehicle and document condition
Your excess policy only helps after a valid claim. Reduce the chance of disputes by documenting existing damage at pick-up and drop-off. Take time-stamped photos or video of all sides, wheels, windscreen, roof line, and interior. Note fuel level and mileage. If you spot anything, get it marked on the check-out report.
When keeping the counter cover makes sense
There are situations where buying something at the counter can be reasonable, even if you have a UK annual excess policy:
If your booking does not include CDW/LDW and you cannot add it elsewhere.
If you cannot afford a large hold on your card and want a true zero-deductible waiver.
If your UK policy excludes the specific vehicle type, value, or region.
If you want a specific add-on like glass and tyres and you have confirmed it is not bundled.
The most important thing is not whether you buy or decline, it is that your decision matches your paperwork and your risk tolerance.
Common mistakes UK travellers make with US car hire
Assuming excess cover includes liability.
Declining everything without checking inclusions.
Relying on a card benefit without checking US eligibility.
Not keeping receipts and damage paperwork.
Not reporting incidents promptly.
Practical checklist for United Estates car hire with a UK annual excess policy
Confirm CDW/LDW is included and note the deductible amount.
Confirm what liability is included and decide separately on SLI.
Read your UK excess policy exclusions for glass, tyres, underbody, and admin fees.
Decline add-ons clearly, review the agreement line-by-line, and keep a copy.
Photo the car at pick-up and drop-off, and keep all incident paperwork.
FAQ
Q: Can I use a UK annual excess policy for United Estates car hire?
A: Usually yes, but it typically reimburses the deductible after you pay the rental company. It does not replace the rental company’s own waiver or US liability cover.
Q: Does a UK excess policy cover third-party liability in the US?
A: Generally no. Liability is a separate type of cover in the US, often sold as SLI or LIS. Check what liability is included with your rental and treat SLI as a separate decision.
Q: Will my UK annual excess policy cover glass and tyres?
A: Sometimes, but not always. Many policies exclude windscreens, tyres, wheels, roof, or underbody damage, or they cap payouts. Check your policy wording before relying on it.
Q: If I decline counter cover, can the agent still add it?
A: Optional products should not be added without your consent, but mistakes happen. Review the agreement before signing, ensure unwanted items show as declined, and keep a printed or emailed copy.
Q: What documents do I need if I claim on my UK excess policy?
A: Typically the rental agreement, the damage report, itemised invoices, proof of payment, and any police report if required. Also keep photos and all correspondence.
