(or 0118 321 8197)
| Monday to Thursday | 9am - 6:30pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5:30pm |
| Saturday | 9am - 5pm |
| Sunday & Bank Hols | Closed |
Looking for something specific?
Use our search tool to browse our database of frequently asked questions!
Is independent car hire insurance suitable for fly-drive holidays?
We explain the ins and outs of fly drive companies and car hire insurance.
The Fly Drive holidays and free car packages when you book flights and accommodation in the US you see in many major tour operators brochures are often difficult to instantly compare as the car hire insurance packaged in to the deal can vary considerably
At the time of writing reference to the following sights shows the issue!
British Airways Fly Drive Deals to Florida
Included within your rental
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Third Party Liability, Unlimited mileage, Customer facility fee, State Surcharge, Tyre and Battery Fee, Vehicle Licence fees.
Additional Optional Non Mandatory charges
PAI (Personal Accident Insurance), PEP (Personal Effects Protection), ESP (Emergency Sickness Protection), Extended Roadside Assistance.
Virgin Holidays Fly Drive to Orlando
Included within your rental
Third Party liability (state minimum), Unlimited mileage, Standard Roadside Assistance
Additional fees (can be paid locally or through an additional package)
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Extended Third Party Protection, Pre payable state/local surcharges, Pre payable state/local taxes, Airport user fee, Uninsured Motorist Protection
Broadly speaking BA include the insurance you would not want to be without, and local taxes and fees, whilst Virgin don't..
Thomson and Jetsave offer very little within their standard package if you are booking a car inclusive trip to Florida. They include only the state minimum third party insurance, which in Florida is a very inadequate $10,000 for damage to other vehicles or if another person is injured.
You are then left with the option of buying a top up package through your holiday company, paying for the additional cover at the desk (normally the most expensive way), or finding a third party policy to cover your insurance needed.
Independent Car hire insurance packages are available through the MoneyMaxim car hire insurance comparison service and these can provide either CDW cover (suitable for the Virgin package above) or CDW and SLI (for the Thomson and Jetsave packages).
Do check the deal you have signed up to though, as the above statements, whilst correct on the day of writing, can always change.
If you are thinking about using independent insurance our suggestion is to email the rental company you are taking the car from and ask for their confirmation that they are happy to accept your own Collision Damage Waiver and Supplementary Liability insurance policy. Most will do so.
Also note that whilst these should cover your car hire insurance requirements you will still be liable for fees such as state taxes, airport fees and the like.
This content was last reviewed on 31/10/2018
Similar Questions
Combined Worldwide CDW, SLI & Excess Policy Questions
- What are the requirements for car rental insurance in the USA and Canada?
- What are the features of the CDW/LDW & SLI Policy?
- What are the restrictions on the CDW/LDW & SLI Policy for the USA and Canada?
- Is independent car hire insurance suitable for fly-drive holidays?
- How are SLI/CDW Claims handled?
- What cover is provided by the Combined Worldwide CDW, SLI & Excess Policy?
- If I purchase a Collision Damage Waiver and Supplementary Liability Insurance Policy, am I fully covered for car rental insurance in the USA and Canada?
- Is Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) the same as Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)?
- What Cover is Provided with an SLI Policy?
- What does the term Collision Damage Waiver mean?
- Collision Damage Waiver Insurance - What is it?
- Theft Protection - Car Hire definitions
- Can I buy independant car-hire insurance for my fly drive holiday?
General Car Hire Insurance Questions
- Do I need Car Hire Excess Insurance when I rent a car?
- How does your car hire excess insurance work?
- Can I just buy an insurance policy, or do I need specific dates to be able to buy my insurance?
- What Does All Inclusive Car Hire Insurance Cover?
- Does my car rental agreement already include insurance?
- Why are there restrictions on UK usage?
- Can a hire company refuse to accept a car hire excess policy?
- Are other people travelling with me covered?
- Is damage to windows and tyres covered?
- Can I purchase your Excess Policies if I am not a resident of the UK?
- Will car hire insurance cover me if I pick the car up at one location and return it to another?
- Will car rental firms preauthorise on my credit card when I have car hire excess insurance?
- Are there credit cards which offer Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Excess Insurance?
- Which insurance do I need for my car hire?
- What cars are covered by car hire insurance?
- What do you mean by annual policy? Can I use it throughout the year?
- What is covered by the Theft insurance included in the car rental price?
- What is Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) and do I need it?
- What is Personal Effects Cover (PEC) and do I need it?
- Do I need car hire cancellation insurance?
- How good are these companies at settling claims?
- Does it cost more for additional drivers?
- Does it matter what time of day I collect or return my hire car?
- What if I have a problem printing or downloading the car hire insurance document?
- Do you cover vehicles such as Camper Vans, Caravans and Motor Bikes?
- What does breakdown cover on car hire excess insurance include and how does it work
- No Excess Car Hire - What does this include?
- What do zero excess car hire insurance policies offer?
- What if I am unable to open my MoneyMaxim email with my car hire or car hire excess insurance quotes on?
- My car hire is for 31 days. Should I take a daily 31 day car hire excess insurance policy or an annual policy?
- Should I buy an annual Car Hire Excess Insurance policy or single trip policy for my upcoming hire car?
- What if I need a policy to cover two groups?
- Does deductibles mean the same as excess?
- Can I use excess insurance to cover peer-to-peer hire?
- Can I get excess insurance for a pickup truck?
- Can I cover two or more lead drivers on one policy?
- Is there an excess to pay on car hire excess insurance?
Excess Insurance Questions
- Do I have to have Excess Cover?
- What Cover is Provided by Car Hire Excess Cancellation Insurance?
- What are the restrictions on the Annual Excess Policies?
- In which countries is Excess/Super CDW charged?
- In which countries is Excess/Super CDW not charged?
- What is Excess Waiver Insurance?
- How do I make a Claim on my Excess Insurance?
- How are Claims handled?
- What is the Excess on a Car Hire?
- What is Covered by Baggage and Personal Accident Cover?
- What Cover does Car Hire Insurance provide for Carjacking and Road Rage?
- What Cover does Car Hire Insurance provide for Curtailment or Restitution?
- Is the price displayed a daily or total cost?
- What Countries are designated European for Car Hire Excess Insurance?
- Does Car Hire Insurance cost more for additional drivers?
- Does Car Hire Excess Insurance cover Bodywork Claims
- Car Hire Excess Insurance covers the underbody, roof and tyres but does it cover me if I have an accident?
- How do I know what the excess limit is for my hire car?
- Does Car Hire Excess mean I wouldn't have to pay for anything?
- Do I still have to provide my credit card for the excess on my hire car when purchasing a policy from you?
- Can a car hire accident claim affect my car no claims bonus?
- How to make a valid Car Hire Insurance Claim
- How large does my excess insurance limit need to be?
- When is the best time to get Car Hire Excess Insurance?
Questions on CDW & SLI Policies for the USA and Canada
- What are the features of a Combined CDW, SLI and Excess policy?
- How are Worldwide Policy Claims handled?
Car Hire Companies - Insurance Questions
- What insurance policies are offered by Auto Europe?
- What insurance policies are offered by No Excess Zest Car Rental?
- What is Avis Insurance Cover like? Do they have CDW, Liability and Excess Waiver Cover?
- What insurance policies are offered by Budget?
- What insurance policies are offered by Car Hire Brokers? And are they a good deal?
- My hire company offers Super CDW or Excess cover? What is this?
- What insurance policies are offered by Dollar?
- What insurance policies are offered by Economy Car Rentals?
- What insurance policies are offered by Enterprise?
- What insurance policies are offered by Hertz?
- National Car Hire - are their Super Cover collision damage waiver excess policies a good deal?
- What insurance policies are offered by Sixt?
- Super CDW, Deductibles and Non Waiver - What do they mean?
- What insurance policies are offered by Thrifty?
- What insurance policies are offered by Alamo?
- Want does Super CDW, Deductible or Non Waiver mean?
- Does Sixt include CDW in its car hire packages?
Driver related Questions
- Young Drivers (under 25 years old)?
- Am I too old to hire a car?
- Are other people travelling with me covered?
- What are the age limits on Car Hire Insurance policies?
- If I want an additional driver on my hire car, will I have to pay more?