The Key Difference: How They Handle Insurance
This is the most important thing to understand when comparing VIP Cars and DiscoverCars:
VIP Cars shows the base car hire price. You then separately purchase excess insurance (recommended: ~£3–£8/day via a standalone provider).
DiscoverCars often includes excess insurance in the displayed price — making their headline price appear higher but their total cost of hire more comparable once you add insurance to the VIP Cars price.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | VIP Cars | DiscoverCars |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier network | 900+ | 500+ |
| Excess insurance included? | No — buy separately | Yes — often included |
| Base price competitiveness | 🥇 Usually cheapest | Higher but insured |
| Total price (inc. insurance) | Comparable | Comparable |
| Free cancellation | ✅ Most bookings | ✅ Most bookings |
| Best for | Experienced renters who buy own insurance | Those who want all-in pricing |
Total Cost Comparison: Faro Airport, Week in August
| Platform | Base Price | Excess Insurance | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIP Cars | £52 | £21 (standalone) | £73 |
| DiscoverCars | £68 | Included | £68 |
| Rentalcars.com | £55 | £21 (standalone) | £76 |
In this example, DiscoverCars is actually cheapest on a fully-insured basis. This will vary by destination and dates — always check all three before booking.
Sento earns a commission if you book through our links — this never affects our recommendations. VIP Cars prices and availability are set by rental suppliers and change regularly. Always compare prices before booking. Updated April 2026.