Renting a car is awesome the freedom, the comfort, and that feeling when you’re cruising in a fresh ride (or almost fresh), not even yours, but you still feel like the owner…
But before you go vroom vroom, it’s worth understanding the insurance part, because that’s exactly where all the surprises tend to show up. And let’s be honest surprises are great only when they’re birthday-related.
1. Basic insurance — what are you actually getting?
Just because the car is insured doesn’t mean you can go full Tokyo Drift on a roundabout.
Basic policies usually don’t cover 100% of the damage that’s where the excess (also called a deductible) comes in.
Meaning: if something happens, you pay part of the cost.
Rental companies are required to have basic liability insurance.
But liability only works when you cause damage to someone else — their costs are covered by the insurer, not by you.
But what about your car, the one you’re renting?
That’s where the excess comes in. It’s the amount you’ll have to pay if you damage the vehicle.
Example: the damage is 5,000 PLN, your excess is 1,500 PLN — and that’s exactly what you pay.
Simple, yet a lot of people assume that “if the car is insured, everything is free.”
Yeah… no. If that were true, rental companies wouldn’t survive a single season.
2. Extra insurance isn’t a “scam” — it often saves your wallet
You can choose from different protection packages that reduce or completely remove your excess.
Sounds like a sales pitch? Maybe a little but honestly, if you’re worried someone might bump into your car in a supermarket parking lot, or you’re the master of “oops, the curb,” this kind of coverage is a lifesaver.
You’ll usually see two options:
✔️ Reduced excess
You pay a bit extra, but if you get a parking dent or someone scratches your door at the mall, you don’t cover thousands — maybe just a small symbolic amount.
✔️ Full excess waiver
The most expensive option, but… also the most stress-free.
Perfect for holidays, when you don’t want to inspect every tiny scratch or take photos of the car every five minutes.
It’s not a “money grab” — it’s literally buying peace of mind.
And peace of mind on vacation is priceless (and no, that’s not a slogan — that’s just the truth).
3. Windows, tires, mirrors… the things that break most often
A lot of people assume insurance obviously covers windows and tires.
Spoiler: it often doesn’t.
- a rock flying from a truck → cracked windshield
- a curb that’s way too high → tire + rim destroyed
- a tight supermarket parking spot → mirror in emotional damage
And since these are the parts that get hit the most, it’s smart to check whether you can add coverage that includes them.
Cost: small.
Stress saved: massive.
4. Insurance costs… and it’s not the company being mean
Companies calculate insurance per rental day — usually around 50% of the car’s daily rate.
It’s totally normal, not black magic. Your peace of mind has a price, but sometimes it costs less than a single call to a body shop.
Sounds like a lot? Depends on how you look at it.
Imagine renting a car for 150 PLN per day.
Insurance costs about 90 PLN.
For that, you get:
- zero stress,
- no (or reduced) excess,
- protection for windows/mirrors/tires (if your package includes it),
- a calm, hassle-free car return.
In practice: you pay a little now so you don’t have to pay a lot later.
5. Insurance only works if you follow the rules
Important: even the best insurance will act like it doesn’t know you if you break the rental agreement. Examples:
- driving under the influence → insurance disappears faster than a Snapchat story
- taking the car abroad without permission → not good
- letting someone else drive who isn’t registered → nope
- drifting in a parking lot and wrecking the suspension → nope
- using the car “outside its intended purpose” → also not covered
Basically: if you don’t play by the rules, the insurance won’t save you.
6. What to check in the contract before you click “Book”
It only takes 5 minutes. Seriously. Check for
✔️ Coverage scope
What does the package include? What is excluded?
✔️ Excess
How much will you have to pay if there’s damage?
✔️ Insurance rules
Do you need extra permission to take the car abroad?
Does an additional driver need to be registered?
✔️ Damage procedure
It’s good to know in advance who to call, what to document, and what the company requires.
7. Is it worth taking insurance?
Short answer: if you value peace of mind — yes.
Longer answer: it depends on you, your driving style, your route, and your stress level.
If you’re going on vacation and don’t want to inspect every tiny scratch on the car — take it.
If you’re the type of person who thinks “nothing ever happens to me in a car” — well… statistics catch up with everyone sooner or later.
