Jeju Car Rental: Insurance, Navigation and Gas Stations After You Pick Up

Insurance options at pickup

Jeju rental companies typically offer tiered insurance add-ons beyond the basic mandatory coverage, often called something like standard, super or full coverage, each reducing your liability excess by a different amount in the event of damage. For a short trip, many travelers opt for the higher coverage tier specifically to reduce stress around minor scrapes on unfamiliar narrow roads, even though it adds to the daily rate.

Setting up navigation before you drive

• Google Maps' driving directions are unreliable in Korea due to mapping data restrictions -- use a Korea-specific app like Naver Map or Kakao Map instead, both of which offer English-language options.
• Some rental companies provide a built-in navigation unit already set to a Korean or English interface -- ask at pickup rather than assuming you'll need your phone.
• Download offline map areas in advance if you're relying on your phone, since Jeju's more rural roads can have patchy signal.

Refueling on Jeju

Gas stations are common around Jeju City and Seogwipo but thin out in the more rural interior and coastal stretches.

1. Don't let your tank run low before a long rural stretch -- refuel in a town before heading into a less populated area.
2. Confirm with the rental company whether you need to return the car with a full tank, which is the most common policy.
3. Card payment is standard at most gas stations, but confirm your card works at self-service pumps if the station is unattended.

Rental staff at pickup will typically walk you through the vehicle's specific features and any local road quirks before handing over the keys -- use this time to ask questions about anything unclear, since language support varies by rental company. Speed cameras are common on Jeju's main roads and rural routes are stricter about enforcement than they may first appear, so keep to posted limits even on quiet-looking stretches.