Campervan rental insurance in Ireland is one of the topics operators explain least clearly. The standard Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) sounds comprehensive, but it has exclusions that catch first-time renters off-guard — and the excess amount, not the cover, is usually what matters most in practice. This guide explains all of it.
Typically €1,500–€3,500 in Ireland, depending on operator and vehicle size. You're liable for this amount even in a non-fault incident until the claim settles.
Operators typically charge €15–€30/day to reduce your excess to zero. Over a 7-night trip that's €105–€210 — factor this into your total budget.
All operators must provide at minimum third-party cover as required by Irish road traffic law. This is not optional — it's the legal floor.
Republic to Northern Ireland is generally covered. Republic to Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) is often excluded or subject to an extra premium. Always confirm in writing.
What CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) covers
CDW is not insurance — it's a waiver that limits your financial liability to the operator in the event of damage to their vehicle. Without CDW, you could be liable for the full repair cost of a €60,000 motorhome. With standard CDW, your liability is reduced to the stated excess amount (typically €1,500–€3,500).
Standard CDW typically covers:
- Damage to the body of the vehicle caused by a collision
- Damage to the windscreen in some policies (check — some exclude windscreen separately)
- Single-vehicle incidents (e.g. reversing into a bollard)
What it doesn't cover
This is the section that matters. Standard CDW in most Irish campervan rental agreements explicitly excludes:
- Theft of contents: Your personal belongings (laptop, camera, passports) are not covered. Your travel insurance or home contents policy may cover these — check before travelling.
- Theft of the vehicle: Some CDW packages don't include theft. Check explicitly. If theft is not covered and the van is stolen, you're liable for the full market value of the vehicle.
- Tyres: Almost universally excluded. A blowout on the N71 is entirely your cost. Budget for a potential tyre replacement.
- Windscreen: Some policies include windscreen damage; others require a separate windscreen add-on. Confirm before signing.
- Underbody damage: Damage to the underside of the vehicle caused by rough terrain or unmarked road hazards. This is a real risk on Irish rural roads. Some operators have separate underbody waivers.
- Roof damage: Damage caused by driving into height-restricted barriers or tree branches. Always know your vehicle's height; most campervans are 2.8–3.5 metres.
- Negligent use: Running out of fuel and damaging the fuel system, wrong fuel (putting petrol in a diesel vehicle), damage while driving under the influence. None of this is covered by any policy.
- Late-declared incidents: Most operators require you to notify them of any incident within 24 hours. Failing to do so can void your CDW entirely.
If another driver hits your parked campervan and drives off — a non-fault incident from your perspective — you still pay the excess initially. The operator charges your credit card the full excess amount, then recovers it from the other party's insurer if they can. If they can't (uninsured driver, no witnesses), you may not get it back. The excess is always charged first. This is the standard practice across the industry, not an oddity of any single operator.
The excess — how it works
The excess is the amount you're personally liable for on any insurance claim. In Irish campervan hire, the standard excess typically ranges from €1,500 to €3,500 depending on the operator, vehicle size, and your age. Larger vehicles (motorhomes) carry higher excesses. Younger drivers (under 25, sometimes under 30) may face a higher excess automatically.
The excess applies per incident, not per trip. If you have two incidents in one rental period, you could be charged the excess twice. There is usually a maximum per trip — check your agreement for this cap.
How the excess is charged: operators typically pre-authorise the excess amount on your credit card at pickup. This is not a charge — it's a hold that blocks that amount on your available credit limit. If no damage occurs, the hold is released after inspection. If damage is claimed, the actual charge follows.
Add-on policies — excess waivers and standalone cover
There are two main ways to reduce or eliminate the excess exposure:
1. The operator's own excess waiver: Sold at pickup (and sometimes online during booking). Typically €15–€30/day. Reduces your excess to zero for the events covered by the waiver. Read the exclusions carefully — most excess waivers still exclude tyres, underbody, and personal belongings. Some operators bundle their excess waiver with a full theft waiver; others charge separately.
2. Standalone campervan excess insurance: Policies from third-party insurers that cover your excess exposure independently of the operator. Examples include Questor Insurance and Protectivity (UK-based but covering Irish rentals). These are typically €8–€15/day — often cheaper than the operator's own waiver. Read the policy wording carefully to ensure it matches the type of vehicle you're renting and the territory you're driving in.
| Option | Typical cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| No excess cover (accept the risk) | €0 | Lower daily cost | Up to €3,500 personal exposure on any incident |
| Operator's own excess waiver | €15–€30/day | Simple; operator handles claims; no separate policy to manage | More expensive; still excludes tyres, underbody, contents |
| Third-party excess policy (Questor, Protectivity etc.) | €8–€15/day | Often cheaper; covers excess on the operator's waiver; portable across rentals | Separate claim process; must match vehicle type exactly; must read policy wording |
Cross-border cover
Republic of Ireland → Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom but shares the island of Ireland with the Republic. Most Irish campervan rental operators cover ROI–NI crossings as standard — the Causeway Coastal Route and Derry trips are common customer itineraries. That said, "most" is not "all". Confirm with your operator in writing before crossing. Ask specifically: "Is my rental agreement and insurance valid in Northern Ireland?"
Republic of Ireland → Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales): This is frequently excluded, or subject to an additional premium and advance notification requirement. If you're planning to take the ferry from Dublin or Rosslare to Wales or England with a rental campervan, this requires explicit written permission from the operator. Some will allow it with an additional fee; some will refuse it entirely.
Ferry crossings: While the van is on the ferry (Stenaline, Irish Ferries etc.), it is treated as cargo and the vehicle insurance is technically the ferry operator's domain for the duration at sea. In practice, if the van is damaged during a crossing, the process involves both the ferry company and your rental operator. Photograph the van thoroughly before driving onto any ferry.
If you have an accident
The procedure to follow — in this order:
- Ensure safety first: All passengers out of the vehicle if safe to do so. Turn on hazard lights.
- Photograph everything: Both vehicles (all four sides), the road conditions, the collision point, any tyre marks, any road signs in the vicinity, the other driver's licence and insurance certificate, and the other vehicle's registration plate. Do this before any vehicles are moved if possible.
- Gardaí: If anyone is injured — or if the other driver is uninsured or flees the scene — call An Garda Síochána (999 or 112). In Northern Ireland, call the PSNI (101 non-emergency, 999 emergency). Get a reference number if the Gardaí attend or you report it at a station.
- Do not admit liability: Even if you think you were at fault. Admitting liability can affect the insurance settlement and create personal legal exposure.
- Notify the operator: Most operators require notification within 24 hours of any incident. Call the operator's emergency line (written in your hire agreement). Failing to notify within the required window can void your CDW.
- Complete the damage report: The operator will provide a form. Fill it in accurately — the photographs you've taken are your evidence if the operator's assessment of the damage differs from yours.
This guide covers rental insurance. If you're thinking about buying a campervan rather than renting, insurance for a vehicle you own is a different subject — agreed-value policies, specialist Irish insurers, and annual touring cover. Our sister site retrocamper.ie has a guide on classic campervan insurance in Ireland that covers the ownership angle in detail.