According to an online survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of, some travelers in the UK are dissatisfied with excess car insurance saying it is an expensive, hidden cost.

While excess insurance covers costs if the rental car is damaged or stolen, it could add 40% to the entire car rental cost, leading 17% of consumers to say it was a hidden cost "sprung" on them when they were picking up their car.

The survey also found that 11% did not budget for the cost and 14% thought it was too expensive.

In addition, 19% did not know they could buy the excess insurance from a third-party provider instead of the rental company. If travelers would have known, 22% reported that they would have purchased insurance from another provider had they known there were potential savings.

The survey’s total sample size was 2,058 adults 18+ and was carried out online.