Minibus Excess Insurance 

Last updated April 2023 by Eamonn Turley

A minibus rental in the UK will come with CDW ( collision Damage Waiver ) as they will have taken out self drive hire insurance, which is a legal requirement. The self hire insurance will come with a sizeable excess. Expect an excess of £1,000 plus. This means that should you have an accident or the minibus is damaged, in the car park for example, you are liable for the excess amount.  

Rental Excess Cover From Rental vs Excess Cover by Other Provider

The rental company will also offer you an option to pay an additional daily extra amount to reduce the excess or waive it to zero. Take note this excess offered by the rental company will most likely be more expensive, and it will NOT cover for damage to tyres, windscreen, underbody damage, and glass.

Excess cover for 10 - 15 seater minibuses

If you will be hiring a minibus in the UK and wish to reduce the rental company excess amount to a lower amount, Questor can assist. The policy with Questor is specific to minibus rentals in the UK and covers travel from UK into Europe and Ireland. 

If you are hiring a self-drive minibus with 10-15 seats for a group outing or trip with friends within the UK it may work out cheaper to take out a separate minibus insurance hire excess policy,

Excess cover for 9 seater minibuses and MPV's

If the minibus is a 9 seater including the driver's seat or if it is a large MPV, Car hire excess cover is sufficient. If hiring a van, you will need van hire excess insurance will protect you against claims on the portion that you are liable for. 

What does minibus rental excess insurance Include

What is excess protection insurance?

If you cause damage to a hire van, you will be held responsible for the van hire excess amount. The excess amount can be sizable, especially in the UK. The excess is the amount that you will be held responsible for. So if rental comes with an excess of £3,000 and repaid costs is £4,000 you will be responsible for the £3,000. The rental company is liable for the £1,000.

What does excess insurance NOT Include

How to Make a Claim with Questor UK

Claims are handled by Orchard Administration. Claims can be submitted online quick and easy. Please go to https://claim.orchard-administration.co.uk.  You will need to provide the certificate number and claim scheme code, both of which are shown on the certificate of insurance. If you do not have access to the internet is not available, simply call Orchard Administration on +44 (0)333 3230 095.

Who providers Minibus hire excess insurance in the UK

Most providers of excess cover like Reducemyexcess, Questor, icarhireinsurance, Bigbluecover, Eversure and others DO NOT provide cover for minibus rental.

What should I do if offered local excess insurance by the Minibus rental company?

Simply smile and refuse, in the knowledge that you are already covered. 

Minibus and VAN Hire Excess Providers Comparison Table

The table below compares the available options for min bus hire excess.