Insurance can ease your mind when renting a car in Iceland, but there are so many different kinds. So which one do you need? Here is the list of our types of Insurance Coverage and what adventurers they are best for. Each plan has different insurance perks and you can discuss them all with our Rental Car Specialists.
First, you should know that there are three tiers of insurance that you can purchase. Plus+, Premium, and Premium Plus+. Premium Plus+ is the best option for those hitting the open road and traveling down F-Roads into Iceland’s unknown lands. Premium is another excellent option for those arriving later in the day and still seeking good coverage. Plus+ has a variety of perks too, and is wonderful for those staying around Reykjavik!
Excess insurance covers claims that exceed the limits of a primary insurance policy. Excess Liability is included in each plan but with different circumstances. For Plus+ it would be 875€, Premium is 0€ and Premium Plus+ is 0€.
The Collision Damage Waiver will cover collision damages that occur to the body of the vehicle and injuries of the driver and passengers. It covers a majority of emergencies as well as hospital stays and even medical checkups. While many of us like to think of a situation like this cannot happen, it can. This is why SCDW is included in all of our Insurance plans with Go Car Rental, just another perk of renting with us!
Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world but that doesn’t mean you should skip out on theft protection. Theft protection, also known as TP, covers theft of the rented vehicle. Fortunately, this is included in all of our insurance plans when renting with Go Car Rental, and there is a 0 ISK deductible too!
Gravel Protection is an insurance that covers damages from gravel to your rental car. This can include the body of the car, the headlights, and even the front windshield. Gravel Protection can be an important add-on when driving in Iceland. The roads here have a layer of asphalt that is rougher than normal roads. The country does this to provide a steadier grip on the roads when winter hits. The gravel rock can help prevent the roads from turning into a sheet of ice. This is why paved roads tend to be more slippery and prone to car accidents when covered in snow and ice.
Luckily we include Gravel Protection in all of our insurance plans so you can stress less and drive more.
SAAP is Sand and Ash Protection, and it covers just that. Sand or ash can cause a major mess to a vehicle, sometimes requiring a whole new paint job. At this rate, getting a new car can sometimes be cheaper than paying to fix it. Iceland is known for its crazy weather which is why adding on SAAP is so important.
It is recommended any time of the year but especially when the snow begins to melt, which causes the sand underneath to go from muddy to dry and loose. SAAP is included in our Premium Plus+ plan!
Your insurance is valid when driving F-Roads, except for crossing rivers. There is no insurance that covers this. You also must have the proper vehicle to drive on F-Roads, which is a 4X4 or 4WD vehicle.
A 2wd rental car is not allowed to go on F-roads and therefore, you are not insured while driving on F-roads and you will be liable for fines and costs of repairing any damage to the chassis of the rental car.
Tire Protection will only cover the damage to the tire or the cost of a tire repair. It will not cover the service to change the tire or a tow cost. If a flat tire does occur, the renter is responsible for getting the vehicle to the tire shop to have the tire fixed. Tire Insurance is included in our Premium Plus+ Insurance Plan.
Go Car Rental does provide complimentary studded winter tires during winter, which runs from November to April.
Towing costs can be expensive, but we get it, things happen! Your deductible for towing will depend on which Insurance plan you are on. For Plus+ your towing cost deductible would be 3.000 €, Premium is 2.000 € and Premium Plus is 250€.
If you are looking for WIFI and great coverage you should consider the Premium Plus + insurance! Free Car WIFI is included in your insurance cost, which means you can google food or accommodations nearby. Enjoy less stress with the convenience of this perk. If you are purchasing a different plan, you can add on Car Wifi for an additional cost too!
Being the only one driving on a road trip on Ring Road can be a bit bothersome. The best way to enjoy the views, while keeping your energy high, is to switch out drivers throughout your trip. You can do this by adding an extra driver to your rental car reservation. This does come at an additional cost unless you have the Premium Plus + insurance plan, which includes one free extra driver.
Some flights arrive late or really early in the morning. The last thing you want to do is hang out at the airport when you could be getting your road trip underway. That is why we offer After Hours Pickup for two of our insurance plans, Premium and Premium Plus+. If you plan on picking up outside of our business hours, these insurance plans would be ideal for you!
Here are some examples of circumstances that are not covered by insurance.