Car rental, decoded
Deductible or excess? Same thing.
Car rental speaks American in the US and Canada, and British almost everywhere else. Here are the words that change, so a traveler, an agent or a rental company reads the same contract the same way.
| US + Canada | UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Deductible | Excess | The amount you pay toward damage or theft before cover applies · definition |
| Zero deductible | Zero excess | Cover that takes that amount to nothing · definition |
| Rent a car | Hire a car | Same thing |
| Rental car | Hire car | Same thing |
| Gas, gas station | Petrol, petrol station (Australia: servo) | Fuel and where you buy it · definition |
| Stick shift | Manual | The gearbox you shift yourself; automatics are the US default · definition |
| Driver's license | Driving licence (UK), driver's licence (Australia) | The license you show at the counter · definition |
| Trunk | Boot | Where the bags go |
| Hood | Bonnet | Over the engine |
| Windshield | Windscreen | The front glass |
| Parking lot | Car park | Where you leave the car |
| Freeway, highway | Motorway (UK), freeway or highway (Australia) | The fast roads |
| Minivan | MPV (UK), people mover (Australia) | Seven or eight seats, sliding doors |
| Drop-off fee, one-way fee | One-way fee | Returning the car somewhere else · definition |
Is excess the same as a deductible in car rental?
Yes. Both mean the amount the renter pays toward damage to, or theft of, the rental car before a waiver or cover takes over. Rental companies in the US and Canada say deductible; the UK, Ireland, Europe, Australia and New Zealand say excess.
What does zero excess mean?
Zero excess (zero deductible in the US) is cover that reduces the amount you'd owe for damage or theft to nothing. It's sold at booking or at the counter, usually for a daily price, so read the terms to see exactly what it covers.
Why do Americans get confused renting a car in the UK or Australia?
The product is the same but the words change: excess instead of deductible, petrol instead of gas, hire instead of rent. Manual cars are also more common outside North America, so it pays to book an automatic on purpose if that's what you drive.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
Some countries require one alongside your home license, others don't. It's a translation of your license that you get before you travel, so check the rules for your destination and your rental company's terms before you go.
Every term above has a full definition in the car rental glossary. For how a booking travels and who carries the risk, see how car rental works.