Car Hire Insurance and Van Hire Insurance Services

An overview of self drive hire insurance facilities for car hire and van hire operators in the UK.

What Is Self Drive Hire Insurance?

When we refer to self drive hire insurance, car hire insurance and van hire insurance, we are discussing the motor insurance risks attaching to a vehicle or fleet of vehicles owned by a self drive hire operator.  These risks, but a very basic level, include the legally required motor insurance in respect of the vehicle when it is being driven by a hirer. It will also include the additional risks of accidental damage to that vehicle, fire and theft, and in certain cases, what is referred to as the "off hire" risks.

There are a number of ways that a hire operator may arrange appropriate insurance, and the type of policy is very much dependent upon the requirements of the self drive operator.

The non-motor insurance requirements of the operator may include combined motor trade insurance cover, and public liability insurance and employers liability insurance.

Annual Self Drive Hire Insurance

Annual policies, a self drive hire operators work in a similar way to a standard motor fleet insurance.  The policyholder declares the number and type of vehicles operated by the business and an annual insurance policies issued based on the vehicle/vehicles with the cover operating in full during the period insurance.  In common with the other methods of arranging self drive hire insurance, the persons that are allowed to drive on the policy, the hirers, will be restricted to an agreed age profile and eligibility criteria.

This type of policy is the easiest to administer, as the mid-term changes tend to relate only to vehicle additions and deletions from the policy.  As the cover applies during the full policy term, it may be expensive for car and van hire operators with larger numbers of vehicles or greater "off hire" days compared to other options

Daily Rate Self Drive Hire Insurance

The daily rate policy is designed to meet the needs of operators who only wish to insure vehicles when on hire. The policyholder is provided access to a facility that allows for declarations to be made of which vehicles have been on hire and is charged an agreed premium in respect of those hires.

 It is more suitable for the professional operator, with a larger vehicle stock that will necessarily mean that there is always a certain number of vehicles "off hire".

Additional insurance is required in respect of vehicles off hire and this is provided by an annual insurance policy.

Monthly Rate Self Drive Hire Insurance

Monthly policies operated much the same way as the daily rate policies other than declarations of hires are made only on a monthly basis.

Off Hire Cover

When an operator chooses a self drive hire insurance policy that only covers vehicles whilst on higher, they may be well advised to also purchase an additional policy in respect of " off hire vehicles". This straightforward contract protect stock vehicles from fire that the accidental damage whilst at the insured's premises.  There is no cover provided by this class of insurance for vehicles being driven on the roads or elsewhere.

Motor Trade Insurance

Many car hire and van hire businesses are attached to all form part of a larger motor trade concern. The most efficient way of catering for the needs of both the self drive hire business and the motor trade business is to dovetail the two covers with an appropriate daily/monthly rate policy and a combined motor trade insurance cover.  If you require more assistance in this regard, you may complete the self drive hire insurance quotation form or alternatively call us directly on 0845 458 3790.

Liability Insurance from Self Drive Hire Operators

We specialise in the provision of a broad range of highly competitive.  Liability insurance products for both public liability insurance and employer's liability insurance. As part of service to self drive hire operators in the United Kingdom, we are pleased to offer a fast and competitive quotations for vehicle hirers and you may access these facilities here.