Updated in 2026. Looking for no-excess car hire in Tenerife is not only about finding the lowest price. It is about understanding what the booking includes, what deposit you may be asked for, what happens if you are a young driver, and which exclusions you should understand before collecting the vehicle.
This guide complements our explanation of no-excess insurance and focuses on the practical decision: which car to choose, what to check before confirming, and how to avoid surprises on an island where you can go from easy motorways to mountain roads in the same morning.
Quick summary for choosing a car
- For a couple or short trip: a compact or small car that is easy to park.
- For Teide and long routes: choose a car with sufficient engine power and a good-sized boot.
- For families: check child seats, space, and actual luggage, not just the number of seats.
- Insurance: the Canarias.com FAQ states that fully comprehensive no-excess insurance applies to drivers aged 23 or over.
- Young driver: specific surcharges, excesses, and deposits may apply depending on the vehicle group.
What you should check before booking
The classic mistake is comparing only the daily price. The final cost of car hire has several parts: insurance, deposit, fuel, cancellation policy, driver age, collection time, office, and possible extras.
- Insurance: check whether it is genuinely no-excess cover and which driver it applies to.
- Deposit: check whether an amount is blocked on a card and when it is released.
- Age: being 22 is not the same as being 35 for some conditions.
- Office: airport, hotel, port, or tourist-area locations can change the logistics.
- Extras: child seats, an additional driver, out-of-hours collection, or GPS if you need it.
See the current Canarias.com FAQ
No-excess insurance: the general rule and exceptions
The current Canarias.com FAQ states that fully comprehensive no-excess insurance applies to drivers aged 23 or over. It also says that drivers aged 21 to 22 can hire certain groups with a surcharge of €10.35 per day, a €300 excess, and a €300 deposit.
The important point is this: always check the specific condition of your booking. If a special condition applies because of age, car group, or product, it should appear before you confirm. If it is unclear, ask. The small print should not be an adventure sport.
A deposit is not the same as an excess
Canarias.com explains that the security deposit is not an insurance excess. It is a guarantee for fuel, keys, return times, and compliance with the conditions. In other words, you may be asked for a deposit even when your insurance has no excess.
To avoid surprises, take a valid card in the main driver’s name and check whether the booking accepts debit card, credit card, or cash for the rental payment. According to the FAQ, payment can be made using different methods depending on the conditions, but a credit card may be required for the deposit.
Which car to choose for your route around Tenerife
| Type of trip | Recommended car | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Couple’s getaway | Compact | Easy to park and sufficient for driving along the coast and through towns. |
| Family with luggage | SUV or estate car | More actual space for luggage and long journeys. |
| Large group | 7 or 9 seats | Avoids splitting into several cars and simplifies the route. |
| Southern tourist areas | Compact automatic | Convenient for hotels, beaches, and the motorway. |
| Teide and Anaga routes | Comfortable, agile car | Helps on bends, climbs, and long driving days. |
What the insurance does not usually cover
Even when the rental has no excess, the current FAQ lists exclusions such as lost keys, broken glass, punctures or damage to tyres, the underside of the vehicle, accessories, interiors, or damage caused by improper use.
This matters considerably in Tenerife: do not take the car onto questionable tracks, force your way into impossible parking spaces at coves, drive over kerbs as though they were viewpoints, or leave objects visible. The best insurance is still sensible driving.
Offices and car collection
Canarias.com has offices and collection points at airports, Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, El Médano, Golf del Sur, Playa Paraíso, Los Gigantes, Puerto de la Cruz, and Santa Cruz harbour, among other locations.
See car hire offices in Tenerife
Advice: if you are choosing between two cars, select the one that makes your route easier, not the one that makes you feel braver. Tenerife has bends, climbs, and small parking spaces; comfort beats showing off almost every time.
Frequently asked questions about no-excess cars
Do all cars have no excess?
The general Canarias.com FAQ states that no-excess insurance applies to drivers aged 23 or over, but you must check the specific conditions of your booking, especially those relating to age, group, or product.
Which car is suitable for driving up to Teide?
A comfortable car in good condition with sufficient engine power to climb safely. You do not need a huge car, but you should choose one that will not be overworked if you are travelling with luggage or several passengers.
Can I be asked for a deposit if the car has no excess?
Yes. A security deposit is not necessarily the same as an excess; it can provide a guarantee for fuel, keys, return times, and compliance with the conditions.
What happens if I am a young driver?
According to the current FAQ, drivers aged 21 to 22 may be subject to specific surcharges, excesses, and deposits for certain vehicle groups.
