Apologies if teaching you to suck eggs, but I contracted directly once with Europecar and when arriving at the airport it transpired the cost excluded any insurance, which is included when you use an agent. Worth double checking just in case.
This. We use carhireexcess for about £45 pa. Only had to call in the insurance once for a damaged tire and alloy for £200 and they paid in full with no issues.
Have used Goldcar once and they lied about the need to take out there insurance and insisted on seeing my own policy. Worth paying...