Car rental insurance can be confusing. This guide explains exactly what coverage you get with your rental in North Macedonia, what optional extras are available, and when you need additional insurance for border crossings.
What Is Included in Every Rental
Every vehicle from Relax Rent a Car includes these coverages at no extra cost:
Third Party Liability (TPL)
- Covers damage or injury you cause to other people and their property
- Mandatory by Macedonian law
- Coverage: up to €200,000
Theft Protection (TP)
- Covers loss of the vehicle through theft
- Flat fee of €300 applies if the vehicle is stolen
- Requires police report within 24 hours
24/7 Roadside Assistance
- Breakdown, flat tyre, lockout support anywhere in North Macedonia
- Call +389 71 392 488
Optional Insurance Extras
CDW — Collision Damage Waiver (€200 excess) — €7/day
Covers damage to the rental vehicle with a €200 excess (you pay up to €200 for any claim):
- Standard protection for most drivers
- Does not cover: tyre damage, driving under influence, damage without a police report
Recommended for: All rentals — driving without CDW means unlimited liability for vehicle damage.
Full Insurance (Zero Excess) — €15/day
The most popular option. Eliminates all out-of-pocket costs:
- Zero excess for collision damage
- Covers windscreen, tyres, and underbody
- Covers single-vehicle accidents
- No deductible — you pay nothing
Our recommendation: Full Insurance gives complete peace of mind for €15/day. Most customers choose this option, especially for mountain driving and longer trips.
Green Card Insurance — From €50
Required for cross-border driving. Two zones:
- Zone 1 (€50): Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria
- Zone 2 (€70): Zone 1 + Bosnia, Montenegro, Croatia
Must be arranged at least 24 hours before your trip.
What Is NOT Covered
Even with full insurance, these situations are excluded:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving without a valid licence
- Unauthorised border crossing (without Green Card)
- Damage caused by off-road driving (unless the vehicle is approved for it)
- Personal belongings left in the vehicle
- Key loss or lock-out (service fee applies)
How Claims Work
If you have an accident or the car is damaged:
- Stop and secure the scene — turn on hazard lights
- Call police if there is injury, significant damage, or another vehicle involved. Dial 192.
- Take photos — damage to all vehicles, road conditions, licence plates
- Call us at +389 71 392 488 — we guide you through next steps
- Get a police report — required for any insurance claim
- Do not admit fault — let the police and insurance companies determine responsibility
With Standard CDW (€200 excess)
- You pay up to €200 for repairs
- We handle the insurance claim
- Deposit of €100 may be held until damage is assessed
With Full Insurance (Zero excess)
- You pay nothing
- We handle everything
- No deposit held for damage
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my own travel insurance? Travel insurance is separate from car rental insurance. We recommend having personal travel insurance for medical emergencies, but it does not replace CDW or Green Card.
Can I use my credit card's rental car insurance? Some premium credit cards offer CDW coverage. Check with your card issuer before relying on this. Note that CDW (€7/day) must still be added to activate your card's CDW benefit — card benefits typically only apply on top of a base CDW, not as a standalone.
What about roadside assistance? 24/7 roadside assistance is included free with every rental. Call +389 71 392 488 for breakdowns, flat tyres, lockouts, or accidents.
Is there a deposit?
- Online bookings: No deposit required
- Walk-in rentals: €100 refundable deposit (returned when car is returned undamaged)
What happens if I have an accident? Stop safely, switch on hazard lights, call police (dial 192 if injuries or significant damage), photograph everything, then call us at +389 71 392 488. Do not admit fault at the scene. Without a police report, CDW cannot be activated for a claim.
What is not covered by any insurance option? All options exclude damage while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, damage on roads the vehicle was not authorised to use, and deliberate damage. These exclusions are standard across all European rental companies.
Can I add CDW after collecting the car? No. Insurance options must be selected at pickup and signed on the rental agreement. They cannot be added retroactively after an incident.
What if the other driver is at fault? Their TPL insurance covers your vehicle and personal damages. We assist with the claims process. If the other driver is uninsured (uncommon but possible), your own CDW or Full Insurance covers the vehicle damage.
Does insurance cover my personal belongings stolen from the car? No. Rental car insurance covers the vehicle itself, not your luggage or electronics. Your personal travel insurance or home contents insurance should cover personal belongings.
Real-World Scenarios: Which Insurance Would Apply?
Understanding insurance in the abstract is harder than seeing it applied to specific situations. Here are common incidents and which coverage applies:
Scenario 1: Minor parking scrape in Ohrid Old Town A narrow street in Ohrid results in a scrape along the driver's door — €800 repair estimate.
- No CDW or Full Insurance: You pay €800
- CDW (€200 excess): You pay €200
- Full Insurance: You pay €0
Scenario 2: Another driver hits your car in a car park The other driver leaves without details. Camera footage unavailable.
- No CDW or Full Insurance: You pay for repairs (up to the vehicle value)
- CDW: You pay €200 excess, we claim from our insurer
- Full Insurance: You pay €0, we handle everything
Scenario 3: Windscreen stone chip on the highway Stone chips from trucks on the E75 are common. Small crack, €350 replacement.
- CDW and Full Insurance: Windscreen is covered — confirm at booking as some policies have a windscreen sub-limit
Scenario 4: Breakdown on the A2 motorway Engine failure, not caused by driver error.
- All policies: 24/7 roadside assistance is included at no extra cost. We dispatch assistance.
Scenario 5: Vehicle theft from a city centre car park
- All policies: Theft protection is included. You pay the flat fee of €300, we claim with police report.
- Requirements: Police report must be filed immediately. Keys and rental documents must be returned (or reported stolen). If keys are left in the vehicle, coverage may be void.
Summary Table
| Coverage | Included | Extra Cost | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPL | Yes | Free | Damage to others (up to €200,000) |
| Theft Protection | Yes | Free | Vehicle theft (€300 flat fee) |
| Roadside Assistance | Yes | Free | 24/7 breakdown support |
| CDW (€200 excess) | Optional | €7/day | Rental car damage (max €200 liability) |
| Full Insurance | Optional | €15/day | Zero excess, everything covered |
| Green Card Zone 1 | Optional | €50 | Border crossing to 5 countries |
| Green Card Zone 2 | Optional | €70 | Border crossing to 8 countries |
Add insurance to your booking → | Green Card border crossing details →
Related: Car rental insurance in North Macedonia | Cross-border driving & Green Card guide | North Macedonia border crossing by car | 10 money-saving tips | Budget car rental guide
