Madeira is a fantastic destination for a road trip, with its winding mountain roads, narrow village streets, and steep coastal drives. However, these same features can increase the chances of minor scratches, dents, or parking mishaps. That’s why having the right insurance when renting a car in Madeira isn’t just a recommendation—it’s essential for a worry-free experience.
Various aggregator sites or airline websites – also offer insurance with your car rental. However, these offers can be fraught with pitfalls. One of the biggest disadvantages is that such insurance almost always requires a deposit, which can only be paid by credit card.
Important to know: insurance purchased on a bundle site is not valid directly with the car rental company. If there is damage to the car:
- The rental company will automatically deduct the excess from the deposit.
- You will have to submit the claim to the collection site, which can be a long and complicated process and there is no guarantee that you will get the full amount back.
We’ve heard of cases where the rental company refused to hand over the car unless the customer purchased their insurance on the spot. This can happen even if you’ve already bought coverage in advance through a booking site, meaning you may end up paying twice and spending much more than expected..
By taking out insurance directly with the rental company, you can avoid credit card and deposit issues. This makes renting a car simpler and safer. Although the price of renting a car can be 20-30% higher, in return you get a range of extra services that offer real value.
What is covered by comprehensive insurance?
RentX Car Rental (Rent with insurance )
- Vehicle theft and all damage cover
- Windscreen, tyre and chassis damage
MADlobos Rent a Car (Included in the base price)
- Vehicle theft and all damage cover
- Windscreen, tyre and chassis damage
Rent-A-Car Madeira ( The basic price includes full insurance.)
- Vehicle theft and all damage cover
- Optional coverage for windscreen, tyre, and chassis damage is available for €10 per day.
