I hear you on the frustration with those add-ons, but I’m actually a bit torn about skipping things like “hire car after accident.” Even if you don’t think you’ll use it, what happens if your car’s out of commission for weeks and you suddenly need to get to medical appointments or something unexpected? I get that living on the islands means there’s less need for a replacement car—public transport’s not exactly bustling, and most stuff is close by—but sometimes the peace of mind is worth a few extra quid.
On the other hand, I totally get not wanting to pay for stuff you’ll never use. I’ve had similar issues where they sneak in windscreen cover or legal protection, and I’m left wondering if it’s just padding. But then again, I had a mate who thought he’d never need breakdown cover until his battery died in the middle of nowhere. He was stuck for hours because he’d opted out to save money.
Do you ever worry about being underinsured, though? Sometimes I wonder if cutting too much just to lower premiums could backfire. Like, is it really saving money if you end up out of pocket after an accident? Maybe there’s a balance—ditch the obvious extras but keep the ones that could actually save your bacon in a pinch.
I guess it comes down to how much risk you’re comfortable with. I’m probably more cautious than most, but I’d rather pay a bit more upfront than get caught out later. Curious if anyone’s actually regretted dropping one of those “useless” extras when something went sideways...
That’s exactly what I’ve been wrestling with, honestly. I nearly skipped the “hire car after accident” bit because it felt like a waste, but then my neighbour told me about her car being in the garage for three weeks after a fender bender—she ended up borrowing rides from everyone. I’m not sure I’d want to be that person, especially if something urgent came up. On the other hand, some of those extras just seem like fluff. I guess I’m leaning towards keeping the ones that’d actually make life easier if things go wrong, even if it means paying a bit more. It’s a weird balance, isn’t it?
Honestly, I get the temptation to skip the hire car add-on, but I’d challenge the idea that it’s always worth it. Here’s my take:
- If your car’s older or not your daily driver, you might not need a hire car at all.
- Some policies let you add it only when you actually need it (not upfront), though it can cost more in a pinch.
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—agreed. Breakdown cover and legal protection are often better value bought separately.“some of those extras just seem like fluff”
I’d weigh up how often you really couldn’t manage without wheels. For me, I’d rather save the cash and just plan ahead.
I get where you're coming from, but I’ve seen so many folks end up in a bind when their car’s out of action and the only thing standing between them and a week of awkward bus rides is that hire car add-on. Sure, if your car’s a relic or you barely drive, it’s probably just extra padding for the insurer’s Christmas party fund. But for anyone who actually needs to get to work, school runs, or, heck, just escape the in-laws for an afternoon, it can be a lifesaver.
Funny story—one guy I dealt with thought he could “just manage” without wheels. Two days into waiting for his repair, he was hitching rides with his neighbour’s teenage son. Let’s just say he suddenly became a big fan of the add-on.
Curious though—has anyone actually had to use their hire car cover? Did it save your bacon or was it more hassle than it was worth?
“Two days into waiting for his repair, he was hitching rides with his neighbour’s teenage son. Let’s just say he suddenly became a big fan of the add-on.”
Yeah, I’ve been there—except my “ride” was my mother-in-law and her ancient hatchback that smells like wet dog. Not an experience I’d recommend. Honestly, the hire car cover felt like a waste until my car got rear-ended last winter. Garage said three days, ended up being nearly two weeks. If I hadn’t had the cover, I’d have been juggling work, school drop-offs, and grocery runs with public transport that barely shows up on time (if at all).
I get that it’s not for everyone, but if you’ve got kids or a job that doesn’t let you work from home, it’s a no-brainer. The hassle of sorting the hire car was nothing compared to the stress of being stuck. Some folks like to gamble, but I’d rather pay a bit extra than risk being stranded.
