Zero Excess Iceland Car Hire

Why You Should Choose Zero Excess Car Hire in Iceland

There are tons of reasons you might choose zero excess car hire in Iceland. Let’s take a look at a few.

For starters, there’s peace of mind. Zero excess car hire helps ease your financial concerns about potentially damaging your rental car. Accidents happen, and even minor scratches or chips can translate to eyewatering excess fees. But with zero excess, you're not liable for any charges, no matter the damage (within policy limits, of course).

This is a real attraction for first-time visitors to Iceland who are unfamiliar with the terrain and driving conditions and want to feel more comfortable knowing they're fully covered.

If you’re on a tight budget, zero excess protects you from those surprise excess fees that seriously eat into your travel spending money. And if you’re a bit of a nervous driver, zero excess provides perfect peace of mind.

Furthermore, the characteristics that make Iceland such a mind-blowing place to visit also make it more hazardous for drivers. And this is where zero excess comes into its element, because you’re covered against billowing winds, volcanic ash and rough gravel roads (amongst other challenges).

Top Zero Excess Car Hire Providers in Iceland

Strictly speaking, rather than pure zero excess car hire, Nordic offers standard insurance options with an excess amount you’re responsible for if damage occurs. As well as alternative options that provide broad coverage which is close to zero excess.

For instance, Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW) reduces the standard excess on most vehicles but doesn't completely eliminate it. And the Gravel Protection add-on covers gravel chip damage to specific areas like the tires, windshield and undercarriage. It doesn't eliminate excess for other damage but offers you peace of mind on this amazing country’s rough roads.

Several other car hire firms do offer zero excess car hire, though. For instance, Zero Car’s Complete Zero package covers collision damage, theft, and even ash and gravel protection.

Meanwhile, Geysir offer zero excess on certain car models through their Premium protection package, and Saga Car Rental’s Gold insurance deal includes zero excess covering most types of damage.

Thrifty Car Rental also provides zero excess through its Premium Protection package, and Reykjavik Rent a Car has zero excess available in its Platinum Discount Package for certain car categories.

Zero Excess Car Hire in Iceland: Save Time and Money

There are lots of ways Iceland zero excess car hire can save you time and money.

For instance, there’s less financial anxiety because you’re confident you’re covered for any excess amount, no matter how minor the damage.

And when you’re completely covered, you’ll also be more confident embracing your wanderlust and driving off to some of Iceland’s most idyllic and isolated spots.

Furthermore, excess disputes can be avoided completely, with your rental company doing all the hard work in terms of investigating who’s responsible for damage.

What is Zero Excess Car Hire and How Does It Work?

Most of us have heard of zero excess car hire, but what exactly is it?

It’s also known as zero deductible car hire and means you won't pay any excess amount if the hire car is damaged or stolen during your rental period. It’s different from standard car hire, where you usually pay an excess amount (a percentage of the repair cost or set fee) if your hire car gets damaged, even if you’re not to blame.

Let’s take a look at how the process works. First off, when you book your car rental, choose the "zero excess" option (which will usually be more expensive than standard). Then, read the Ts and Cs of the zero excess policy carefully, because some might exclude certain types of damage, like off-road driving or undercarriage damage.

During your rental, drive responsibly, follow traffic rules and report any accidental damage to the car hire firm. Then, expect a smooth and fast returns process, where you’ll pay only for the pre-agreed car hire charges and any applicable rental fees, such as mileage charges and fuel.

How To Find Zero Excess Car Hire in Iceland

One of the best ways to find zero excess car hire is by searching online, via comparison/aggregator sites (like the one you’re on right now). There’s nothing wrong with contacting individual car hire firms directly, but aggregator sites let you compare and contrast deals from various providers with ease, and often offer deals you won’t find elsewhere.

You can also check recommendations from travel bloggers and reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor. And remember to compare prices and packages from different companies to find the best fit for your needs and budget.

When you’re choosing zero excess car hire in Iceland, look out for policy exclusions (for example, for ash storms, certain vehicle parts or off-road driving), additional fees (for admin charges or deposits, for instance) and customer service (if possible, choose an established company with a good reputation).

The Most Important Factors to Consider: Reputation, Customer Service, and Vehicle Quality

Price and coverage might be the most important yardsticks when it comes to choosing Iceland zero excess car hire. But they’re not the only factors to consider.

For instance, reputation is important which is why (as mentioned earlier), it’s important to check out those reviews on TripAdvisor, Trustpilot and Google so carefully.

It’s great if your provider has the official seal of approval from its industry peers and gatekeepers such as the Icelandic Tourist Board. And don’t be afraid of going local, because in a unique nation like Iceland, it’s often better picking a smaller firm with excellent local knowledge.

Furthermore, customer service is important too. If your car hire firm’s available, responsive, and transparent, it’s several steps ahead. And naturally, car quality is crucial too. So double-check fleet maintenance and age, picking firms with the newest, best-maintained vehicles.

Enjoy Your Trip With Zero Excess Car Hire in Iceland

Zero excess car hire can save you time and money (down the line). But what are the benefits of those benefits?

You’ll probably be less stressed and anxious, for starters. Because when you’re completely covered for any eventuality, you can chill out and enjoy the scenery.

The whole experience is also much more pleasant and smooth, from easy pickups and drop-offs to less paperwork. And in the event of an accident, things will be much less expensive than they would be with regular insurance.

These are all excellent advantages, but you’ll have to weight them up against a higher initial cost than regular insurance and the possibility of policy exclusions.

How to Drive Safely and Responsibly in Iceland

The most basic tip about driving safely in Iceland is the most important: always drive on the right and overtake on the left.

Speed limits are also lower than many other countries, with a maximum of 90 km/h (56 mph) on paved roads, 80 km/h (50 mph) on gravel roads, and 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban areas.

You must use your headlights at all times of the day and night. It’s the law.

And it should go without saying, but never drink and drive. The 0.5% legal blood alcohol limit in Iceland is also lower than in some other nations.

As you’ve gathered, many roads in Iceland are gravel. Slow down, avoid sudden steering or braking, and watch out for loose gravel chipping your vehicle.

What to do in a road accident or emergency in Iceland

If you’re in a road accident in Iceland, stay calm, stop your car and turn your hazard lights on. Make sure you and your passengers are safe, and if possible, move your car off the road, to a safe spot.

Then check for injuries and call emergency services on 112 if anyone needs medical help. If possible, take pictures of the scene, and call your insurance company.

How to avoid extra charges with your zero excess car hire in Iceland

Zero excess means you’re not liable for most regular damage, but it doesn’t necessarily mean absolutely all eventualities are covered. So read the contractual small print very carefully.

During your rental, drive safely, return your car with a full tank if this is required, and before driving off in your car, inspect it carefully and notify your insurer/car hire firm of any preexisting damage.