Basic Cover Explained
Mandatory cover you receive when hiring a vehicle
When you hire a vehicle from Budget, the price you pay automatically includes a basic level of cover should you be involved in an accident or breakdown.
Please familiarise yourself with the below areas of cover, including cover for any damage or injury you may cause to a third party, and the excess amounts you will be liable for. It is our goal to make all our products and services transparent for our customers.
Mandatory cover is included unless you have pre-arranged contracted rates. If you have contracted rates please contact your company representative to find out your cover arrangements.
Third Party Cover (TPC)
By law, this is compulsory and is included in your rental price, covering you in case of damage to someone or something else, including to passengers and their property in the rented vehicle.
What is covered?
The driver or additional driver's legal liability for bodily injury or property damage to others, including passengers in the same vehicle.
What it does not cover?
- Theft or attempted theft of the vehicle.
- Theft of personal belongings from the vehicle.
- Death or injury to the driver.
- Damage to the rental vehicle.
Also known as Motor Liability Insurance or Legal Liability Insurance.
Vehicle Damage Cover
If your rental vehicle is damaged during the rental period this will cover the cost of repairs. You will, however, have to pay an excess.
What is covered?
You are covered for the cost of repairing the Budget vehicle if it is damaged. Please be aware you will have to pay a fixed amount towards the repair costs. This is known as the excess. This applies regardless of whether you were at fault. If we can recover these costs from a responsible third party we will reimburse you.
What it does not cover?
- Damage caused intentionally or by gross negligence.
- Damage caused by failure to use correct fuel.
- Damage caused as a result of a breach of the rental agreement.
- Damage caused to the windscreen.
- Damage caused to the tyres.
Also known as LDW in Australia, NZ and USA, or Collision Damage Waiver (CDW).
Vehicle Theft Cover
If your rental vehicle is stolen, this will cover the cost of replacing it (or parts of it). You will, however, have to pay an excess.
What is covered?
You are covered for the cost of replacing the Budget vehicle (or parts of it) if it gets stolen. Please be aware you will have to pay a fixed amount towards the replacement cost. This is known as the excess.
What it does not cover?
Negligence regarding loading of a vehicle (e.g. car unsupervised) or keys safekeeping (e.g. left in the ignition).
Also known as Theft Protection (TP).
UK Vehicle Excess Charges
Please find below an example of the vehicle excesses applicable for vehicles rented in the United Kingdom (excl N.Ireland).
| Standard Cover Excess | Vehicle Cover Excess | Vehicle Cover Plus Excess |
|
UK Car Groups, A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,P Excess£1,500 |
UK Car groups A,B,C,D,E,F,H,I,J,P Excess £0 |
UK Car groups A,B,C,D,E,F,H,I,J,P Excess £0 |
|
UK Car Groups, K,L,M,N,O Excess £2,000 |
UK Car Groups K,L,M,N,O Excess £0 |
UK Car Group K, L, M,O Excess £0 |
* Excess amounts vary by country and should be checked at the time of booking. Alternatively, contact the Budget call-centre or local branch for more details.
Supplementary Liability Insurance (SLI) - USA only
Inclusive in the USA, where liability claims can be very high, SLI offers you additional liability cover against a 3rd party, which is not included in the standard insurance.
Roadside Assistance
When you rent a vehicle with Budget you automatically receive a basic level of roadside assistance included in your quote.
Working with the leading motorist assistance companies in each country, we will provide a toll-free number connecting you to our emergency roadside assistance 24 hours a day, 7days a week.
Should you experience any mechanical difficulties with the vehicle, we will get you back on the road as quickly as possible. However, Budget also offer additional services to support renters when common issues such as flat batteries or locked-in keys arise. Click here to find out more about Roadside Assistance Plus.
Please note: the basic level of roadside assistance outlined above is based on rentals collected from corporate Budget locations. Assistance for rentals from licensee locations may vary.
Premium Location Surcharge
A premium location surcharge is included in the stated booking price where you decide to pick up your rental car from a branch where a fee is applied by a third party to provide services to customers ("Premium Locations"). This is a mandatory cost for these locations.
A Premium Location Fee of 16% of the stated booking price will be applied automatically.
Optional Additional Cover
If you're looking for extra peace of mind when renting a vehicle, Budget also offer a range of additional cover options to supplement the standard mandatory cover included in your quote.
Click here for more information about additional cover, or call our reservations team on 0808 284 4444.