Car rental in the UAE: what does insurance actually cover?

Rental car insurance in the UAE: excess, deposit, exclusions, second driver and damages.

A car for a week seems like a simple purchase: choose a class, compare daily prices and get the keys. The difficulty is discovered after a minor scratch, when it turns out that “insurance included” does not mean no costs. Three different amounts are important to the client: the final cost of the rental, money that will be temporarily blocked, and liability for a specific incident.

Start with the contract, not the package name

A CDW typically describes a limitation of liability for damage to the vehicle, rather than universal protection against any payment. An extended package may reduce the deductible, but only applies if conditions are met. Passenger insurance solves a different problem and does not replace coverage for car damage.

On the verified Hertz UAE page, extended coverage must be documented in the contract or confirmed terms and conditions. Therefore, the verbal “all inclusive” should be translated into a written answer: what package is chosen, what is the franchise, what events are excluded and what documents are required. Hertz's terms and conditions here serve as an example for a specific supplier and are not a rule for all UAE companies.

If the booking is made through an intermediary, find out who provides additional protection. The rental company may collect the amount from the customer first, and the third-party company may consider subsequent reimbursement. This proposal differs from the reduction of liability directly in the lease agreement: available money, documents and time for the application are required.

Franchise and deposit are different money

Deductible is the amount of liability within the covered event according to the contract. Deposit is security from which stipulated payments can be withheld. The amount of the collateral does not in itself prove that liability is limited by this collateral.

The deposit does not replace the liability limit specified in the contract. For a covered event, the agreed upon deductible applies; excluded damages and additional payments may be taken into account separately. The published general terms and conditions of Hertz UAE refer to the franchise of a specific contract, rather than setting one amount for the entire fleet. Therefore, before payment, you need to get both values ​​​​in writing and do not consider the deposit as the maximum possible expense.

Ask for the method of making the deposit and the procedure for releasing it. Confirming that the rental company has initiated the refund does not always mean that the available bank limit will be immediately restored. If the family is facing hotel deposits, you cannot count on the same card balance for several blocks at the same time.

Which exceptions should you check especially carefully?

Start with the tires, glass, wheels and lower body. Then check for water, off-road driving, lost key, erroneous fuel, towing and administrative fees. This is a list of questions to the contract, and not a statement that each item is excluded from any supplier.

Hertz UAE's current published terms and conditions specifically address damage to tires and windows, as well as liability for certain water damage and off-road travel. The conclusion for the client is practical: even an extended package cannot be selected only by the word Super. You need to read the exceptions specifically for your version of the contract.

Don't confuse having an SUV with permission to drive off the road. The car class describes the car; permitted use is determined by the contract. A family trip to the desert should be discussed with the rental company before booking, not after the damage.

What is established in Hertz UAE terms and conditions

Retrieved September 27, 2026: Posted terms require a valid license issued at least six months prior to receiving the vehicle and a credit card in the renter's name for security. For visitors, an international ID is required where applicable. A specific permit is checked based on the driver’s documents and status.

At Hertz, rentals are calculated in periods of 24 hours. The published grace period for return is 29 minutes; if it is exceeded, the company reserves the right to charge an additional day, including the selected options. This is important for an evening return flight: the rental period is checked by the hours of collection and return, and not just by the number of calendar dates.

Deductible, deposit, additional driver fee and extended coverage must be received in the offer for a specific car. The general page does not confirm the single price of these items. The table below shows what evidence is needed for a full comparison.

The comparison of offers ends only after all these positions have been filled. A low daily price without the cost of mandatory family coverage is not a complete offer. A zero deductible also does not mean no exceptions: check the contractual terms and documents at the time of the incident.

Additional driver and documents

If two adults plan to take turns driving, both must be registered in accordance with the rules of the supplier. The right to drive a car in the country and the right to drive a specific rental car are different tests. Don't hand over the steering wheel to a relative just because he has a driver's license.

Admission conditions depend on documents, traveler status and vehicle category. Before purchasing, provide the rental company with the necessary information through their official channel and receive confirmation. This article deliberately does not promise that any Russian document is suitable for any tourist.

Receiving the car: remove the original state

Inspect the machine in sufficient light. Record the body, glass, wheels, interior, fuel level and mileage readings. Visible damage must be included in the report, and not just saved on the phone. Photos are more useful when the date, vehicle and location of the defect are clear from them.

If the interior is wet, a warning light is on, or the tire appears damaged, have an employee check the problem before leaving. Don't settle for "it's already recorded" until you see the recording. Save your copy of the act and the helpline number.

Incident and return of the car

If an incident occurs, ensure safety and follow the instructions of the police and supplier. Hertz UAE names a police report as a condition for applying coverage; unauthorized repairs are prohibited without written approval. For another rental company, the list of documents must be checked separately. An agreement with another driver to “disperse without registration” may leave the client without evidence for an insured event.

When returning, ensure that the condition and time of transfer are recorded. If the car is left outside of opening hours, find out in advance when the customer's responsibility ends and who accepts the keys. The final document should allow you to compare the received and returned states.

A good rental offer is clear even before receiving the keys: drivers, full fare, deductible, exceptions and procedure for filing an incident are confirmed. Then price comparison becomes a manageable decision, rather than a hope that there will be no trouble.