Imagine if hiring a £20,000 vanmeant risking a £20,000 bill if something went wrong. If it worked like that, there wouldn’t be many people hiring vans.

In the real world, the price of a hire vanwill usually include a fair bit of protection. Even if you don’t buy any more cover, the protection you get with the vanwill come to your aid you if:

• The vangets damaged
• The vangets stolen
• You damage someone else’s property.

Included damage cover (Collision Damage Waiver)

Accidents happen. Even a great driver can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Plus, the vancould get damaged while it’s parked.

When you rent a van, you’ll be protected by the rental company’s Collision Damage Waiver. If there’s any damage to the van’s bodywork, the most you’ll pay towards repairs is the ‘excess’. This is normally between £350 and £3,000. Collision Damage Waiver will cover the rest of the cost.

However, Collision Damage Waiver only covers the van’s bodywork, so you’ll pay the full cost of any repairs to its windows, tyres, chassis, engine, interior, etc.

Included theft cover ((Theft Protection))

Like any van, a rental vanis a lot less likely to be stolen than bumped or scraped. But replacing a whole vanwould cost a lot more than fixing a dent or replacing a side panel.

The good news is: you’re protected. If the vanis stolen while you have it, or damaged when someone tries to steal it, the most you’ll have to pay is an excess. This excess can range between £350 and £3,000. The rental company’s Theft Protection policy will cover the rest of the cost.

Included cover for other things ((Third Party Liability))

Third-Party Liability covers the cost of repairs to any ‘third party’ (anything that’s not in the van). If you damage someone else’s property, this policy will pay out. This cover is usually included in the rental price.

Most of the time, you won’t pay any excess, but there are some rental companies that will charge one.

Will the cover that’s included always protect me?

Depending on which rental company supplies the van, damage and theft coverage can work in different ways. But there are always rules laid down in the rental agreement that people sign when they pick the vanup. Any driver who doesn’t stick to the rules could find they’ve invalidated their cover, leaving them to pay the full cost of repairing or replacing the van. Depending on what’s happened, they might be in trouble with the authorities too.

For example, leaving the keys in the ignition can invalidate the theft cover. Damage cover can be invalidated if the driver goes off-road, or drives dangerously, or too fast, or while drunk – or if the vanis driven by someone who’s not cleared to take the wheel.

Do I always get cover included when I hire a van?

In most countries, with most rental companies, most people will get a basic level of cover included in the cost of their rental. But there are exceptions:

If you’re a US or Canadian resident, your credit card might provide damage and theft cover for hire vans. If you decide to rely on that cover, you can book a ‘basic package’ (sometimes called a ‘standard package’) that doesn’t include damage and theft cover. Alternatively, you can book an ‘inclusive package’ that does include damage and theft cover.

Tip: If you rely on your card’s cover, the counter staff will need to see proof that the cover is valid for your rental.

If you’re hiring in Mexico or Chile, or in Europe with certain rental companies, you can hire a van with Third-Party Liability only. However, do think vanefully about whether you’re comfortable driving without theft or damage cover. Make sure you’re clear on the risks you’re taking, and think about whether you would like to buy any additional protection before you hit the road.

There are different ways to buy additional protection: while booking online, at the rental counter, or through a third-party insurer. To find out more, see What's the best way to insure your rental van? or What’s the cheapest way to insure your rental van?