Understanding car rental insurance before you collect your keys saves money and avoids surprises. In North Macedonia, the rules are straightforward — but the options matter significantly if you plan to cross a border or drive mountain roads. This guide explains what is included by default, what each optional upgrade covers, and how to decide what you actually need.
What Is Included in Every Rental
Every vehicle from our fleet includes the following as standard — no exceptions, no hidden extras:
Third-Party Liability (TPL): Legally mandatory in North Macedonia. Covers damage or injury you cause to third parties — other vehicles, property, pedestrians. The minimum legal coverage is included in all rentals at no additional cost.
Unlimited mileage: No per-kilometre charges regardless of how far you drive.
24/7 roadside assistance: Breakdown and emergency support included in every rental. Call the number in your rental agreement.
What is NOT included by default:
- Damage to the rental vehicle itself (covered by CDW or Full Insurance — optional extras)
- Cross-border coverage beyond North Macedonia (requires Green Card — optional extra)
- Personal accident insurance (your travel insurance typically covers this)
Optional Insurance Upgrades
CDW — Collision Damage Waiver (€7/day)
What it covers: Damage to the rental vehicle from accidents, collisions, and single-vehicle incidents (hitting a barrier, pothole damage, scrapes). With CDW, your liability in the event of a claimable incident is capped at €200 excess — you pay a maximum of €200 regardless of the damage cost.
What CDW does NOT cover:
- Damage to tyres, glass/windscreen, undercarriage (unless specifically included — check your agreement)
- Deliberate damage or gross negligence
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Damage occurring outside permitted countries without Green Card
Who should add it: Most drivers. The excess reduction from unlimited liability to €200 is significant peace of mind, particularly on narrow rural roads and mountain routes where scratches are more likely.
Full Insurance — Zero Excess (€15/day)
What it covers: Everything CDW covers, but your excess is reduced to zero. If you have an accident, you pay nothing toward the cost of vehicle repair. This is the highest level of protection available.
When it makes sense:
- First-time visitors unfamiliar with Macedonian road conditions
- Driving mountain roads (Mavrovo, Galičica, Pelister) where single-vehicle incidents are more likely
- Drivers who prefer total peace of mind over cost optimisation
- Rental periods of 5+ days where the marginal cost per day is modest
Cost comparison: On a 7-day weekly rental, CDW adds €49 and Full Insurance adds €105. The difference between the two (€56) buys you the waiver of the €200 excess — if any claimable damage occurs, Full Insurance pays for itself immediately.
Green Card — Cross-Border Insurance
Zone 1: €50 per rental (single fee, not per day) Covers cross-border travel to: Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria
Zone 2: €70 per rental Covers cross-border travel to: All Zone 1 countries + Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia
Why you need it: Third-party liability insurance from North Macedonia does not automatically extend to neighbouring countries. Without a Green Card, you are driving uninsured the moment you cross the border — which is illegal and means you bear full personal liability for any incident.
Advance notice required: Arrange Green Card at least 24 hours before your travel date. Documentation is prepared at our office. Last-minute requests are accommodated when possible.
Common cross-border trips:
- Day trip to Thessaloniki or Greek beaches → Zone 1 (€50)
- Kosovo day trip from Skopje → Zone 1 (€50)
- Multi-country Balkan road trip through Montenegro → Zone 2 (€70)
See the cross-border driving guide for border crossing details and required documents for each country.
Insurance Decision Guide
| Trip Type | Recommended Insurance |
|---|---|
| City driving in Skopje only | CDW (€7/day) |
| Full North Macedonia road trip | CDW or Full Insurance |
| Mountain roads (Mavrovo, Galičica) | Full Insurance recommended |
| Day trip to Greece or Kosovo | CDW or Full + Zone 1 Green Card (€50) |
| Multi-country Balkan trip | Full Insurance + Zone 2 Green Card (€70) |
| Long-term rental (2+ weeks) | Full Insurance (low daily cost across many days) |
What Your Travel Insurance May Already Cover
Many travel insurance policies include rental car excess cover — meaning if you have a CDW claim and pay the €200 excess, your travel insurance reimburses you. Before purchasing Full Insurance, check your travel policy for:
- Rental car excess cover (sometimes called "car hire excess insurance")
- Maximum excess — some travel policies cap at €500; our CDW excess is €200
- Country coverage — confirm North Macedonia is included
If your travel insurance already covers rental car excess, CDW (€7/day) plus your travel insurance may be equivalent to Full Insurance at lower total cost. Check your policy documentation before you book.
Premium credit cards: Some Visa Signature, Mastercard Gold, and Amex cards include rental car insurance benefits when the car is paid with that card. Coverage terms vary; confirm with your card issuer before relying on it.
Common Questions
Does insurance cover parking damage? CDW and Full Insurance cover damage from parking incidents — a hit-and-run in a car park, a door ding from an adjacent vehicle. You must report the incident regardless; damage discovered at return without a prior report may not be covered.
What happens if I have an accident?
- Ensure everyone is safe; call emergency services if needed (police: 192, ambulance: 194)
- Do not admit fault or make payments at the scene
- Call us immediately (+389 71 392 488)
- Document the scene with photographs
- Get the other driver's details, licence plate, insurance information
- File a police report — required for all insurance claims in North Macedonia
Is theft covered? Theft of the vehicle is covered under CDW and Full Insurance subject to: the vehicle was locked, keys were not left inside, and you file a police report immediately. Personal belongings left in the vehicle are not covered — this falls under personal travel insurance.
Does insurance cover tyre or windscreen damage? Standard CDW typically excludes tyre and glass damage. Full Insurance coverage for glass and tyres depends on the specific terms — ask at pickup. If you are concerned about these, confirm at vehicle collection.
Booking Insurance Online
All insurance upgrades are selectable during the online booking process. Choose your vehicle, dates, and pickup location, then select your preferred insurance level in the extras section. The 10% online booking discount applies to the base rental rate; insurance extras are at fixed published rates.
Browse our fleet and add insurance online — you can also adjust your insurance selection when you contact us directly before pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance is legally required to drive in North Macedonia? Third-party liability (TPL) insurance is legally mandatory. This is included in every rental at no extra cost. You cannot legally drive any vehicle in North Macedonia without it. CDW and Full Insurance are optional upgrades that protect against damage to the rental car itself — they are not legally required but strongly recommended.
Is it cheaper to buy rental car insurance from a third-party provider? Third-party rental car excess insurance (purchased separately before your trip) can sometimes be cheaper for frequent travellers. However, it typically only covers the excess on your CDW claim rather than providing primary coverage. You still need CDW on the rental. For most one-time visitors, our CDW (€7/day) and Full Insurance (€15/day) offer straightforward, uncomplicated coverage without claims complexity.
What is the CDW excess in North Macedonia rental cars? Our CDW coverage sets your excess (maximum liability) at €200. This means in any single insured incident, the most you will pay toward vehicle repair is €200. Full Insurance reduces this excess to zero.
Do I need Green Card insurance for a day trip to Greece from North Macedonia? Yes. Green Card Zone 1 (€50 per rental, one-time fee) is required to drive legally in Greece, Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Albania. Without it, you are uninsured the moment you cross the North Macedonian border. Arrange at least 24 hours before your departure date.
Can I add insurance after I pick up the car? Insurance levels are set at pickup. Adding CDW or upgrading to Full Insurance after collection is possible if you contact us before any incident — call us and we will update your rental agreement. Green Card must be arranged before crossing any border; it cannot be added retroactively after a cross-border incident.
Related: Car rental insurance explained (CDW, Green Card, zero excess) | Cross-border driving in North Macedonia | North Macedonia border crossing guide | Long-term car rental North Macedonia | 10 tips to save money on car rental
