Continental Cover

European car hire coverage

Updated 7 August, 2020:

We are pleased to advise that we will be allowing UK rental cars (but not vans) to leave the UK mainland from 10 July 2020 onwards, though it is your responsibility to ensure you are able to comply with the regulations in the countries you intend to travel through.

The countries in Europe exempt from UK quarantine on return from 10th July 2020 are listed below:

Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Vatican City.

Further information about our Continental Cover can be found below.
Renting in the UK and planning to take your hire car across the channel or to Ireland? You'll need to take out our Continental Cover.

This protection package provides you with a Green Card, proof that your insurance offers at least the minimum cover required in the country you’re driving in. It also includes worry-free 24-hour breakdown assistance.

Please note that Continental Cover is only available at selected UK car hire locations for cars only, and you may only take the car to specified countries (listed below). The car must be returned back to the UK as one-way rentals are not permitted. It is not possible to take vans out of the UK at present.

To arrange cover, please give our reservations hotline a ring at least five days ahead of collection.

To arrange cover for Avis Prestige vehicles please call 020 7591 0444 at least five days ahead of collection.

The countries it covers

You'll need to purchase Continental Cover to take your Avis vehicle to the following countries from the UK:

Austria
Balearics
Bulgaria
Channel Islands*
Corsica
Croatia
Cyprus**
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Hungary
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Republic of Ireland
Romania
San Marino
Sardinia
Sicily
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey in Europe plus Üskudar

*Excluding residents of the Channel Islands
**Geographical areas under the control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.

Cover cost

You pay for Continental Cover when you collect your hire vehicle. Indicative prices (including VAT) are shown below and are dependant on the selected rental location and estimated rental period.

Don't forget: cash is not accepted as a payment method for rentals going abroad.

Different charges apply to Avis Prestige vehicles.

Rental length; Charge (inc. VAT)
1 - 7 days
£104.40


8 - 14 days
£146.16


15 - 21 days
£180.95


22-28 days
£250.56

Pick up locations

You can purchase Continental Cover at the following locations. Please cross-check with this list of Open Rental Locations.

Aberdeen Airport Battersea Birmingham Airport Bournemouth Bracknell Bristol North
East Midlands Airport Edinburgh Airport Enfield Gatwick Airport Glasgow Airport Heathrow Airport
Leeds Downtown London City Airport London Euston London Victoria Luton Airport Maidstone
Manchester Airport Newcastle Airport Portsmouth Staines Stansted Airport

The small print

Having made your reservation online, please call our reservations hotline to arrange cover ahead of collection. When you talk to us, we'll need the following information:

Number of people travelling in the vehicle
Names of all drivers
Countries to be visited

When leaving the UK on a cross-border rental, the maximum rental period is 28 days and we require a minimum of 5 working days' notice. Please note:

Crossing the border from UK Mainland to Northern Ireland - Continental Cover is not required.
Crossing the border from Northern Ireland to Republic of Ireland - Continental Cover is not required.
Crossing the border from UK Mainland to Republic of Ireland - Continental Cover must be purchased (even when travelling through Northern Ireland first)

Avis is unable to provide any compulsory vehicle equipment required for driving abroad (e.g. warning triangles, first aid kits, fluorescent jackets, breathalysers), which vary by country. It is the renter's responsibility to be aware of the legal requirements of the country they are visiting and to purchase these items themselves.

Avis Prestige vehicles may not be taken outside of England, Scotland or Wales without written authorisation. Vehicles taken abroad will be subject to a rate surcharge (typically 35%), mileage limitation (typically 100 miles per day) and additional insurance cover.