A collision damage waiver (CDW) is an optional contract sold by rental car companies to cover you in case of an accident or other damage to your rental car. The collision damage waiver covers only the rented car and removes your liability for damage caused to it in an accident. Your rental car company may call it a collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW), and it may also be referred to as collision damage waiver insurance or loss damage waiver insurance.
Key Things to Know About Collision Damage Waivers
- A CDW covers damage to the rental car, but not to other people’s property.
- Collision damage waivers for economy vehicles typically cost $10 - $30 per day.
- Damage waivers may cover theft, depending on the rental company.
- Personal auto insurance and credit card benefits serve as alternatives to collision damage waivers.
What Does a Collision Damage Waiver Cover?
A collision damage waiver covers most physical damage to a rental car, as well as other costs that may not fall under other insurance policies. For example, a damage waiver usually provides “loss of use” coverage when the car is under repair and thus cannot be rented out. Additionally, collision damage waivers typically cover towing and administrative fees for the rental company.
What a Collision Damage Waiver Covers
- Damage caused by an accident
- Damage caused by something other than an accident, like vandalism or a natural disaster
- Administrative and towing fees
- Lost revenue for the rental company while the car is under repair and cannot be rented out
- Theft (in some cases)
What a Collision Damage Waiver Does Not Cover
- Other people’s property damage
- Anyone’s injuries or medical bills
- Damage resulting from risky behaviors, such as speeding or drunk driving
- Loss or theft caused by negligence, like leaving the car running outside of a hotel
- Damage or loss occurring in certain countries, like Mexico
If you are renting a car in the United States, the damage waiver offered to you will typically cover vehicle repairs without the need for you to pay a deductible. If you are traveling internationally and decide to rent a car, however, it is possible that the waiver will include a deductible that you would have to pay in the event of an accident, which may be up to several thousand dollars. The higher the deductible, the less value the waiver may potentially have for you.
How Much Does a Collision Damage Waiver Cost?
The cost of a collision damage waiver can range from a modest fee to nearly doubling the total rental price. Normal costs are $10 – $30 per day for economy vehicles, or 25% – 40% of the base rental price.
The table below provides the daily cost of a damage waiver from different rental car companies at different locations. The price you are quoted may differ, so it’s best to shop around and read your rental agreement.
Collision Damage Waiver Cost by Rental Company
| Company | Daily Rental Cost | Daily Damage Waiver Cost | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $42 | $17 | $59 |
| Enterprise | $44 | $15 | $59 |
| Hertz | $47 | $16 | $63 |
Note: Quotes were obtained for an economy-sized vehicle.
Collision Damage Waiver Alternatives
You may have two alternatives to purchasing a damage waiver. Your credit card or existing auto insurance policy will likely cover rental car mishaps at no additional cost.
Credit Card Benefits
Perhaps the best option is to leverage the benefits that are provided to you through your credit card. All four major credit card networks—Mastercard, VISA, Discover, and American Express—provide some form of coverage. Check WalletHub’s analysis to identify the best credit cards offering rental car insurance coverage.
There are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind when using your credit card for damage coverage. First, make sure that you use the credit card to reserve the car and pay for the reservation. Keep in mind that these benefits are only offered on credit cards—a debit or prepaid card with a Visa or Mastercard logo will not offer coverage. Second, you must decline any damage waiver that comes with your rental to utilize your credit card benefits. Read through the rental car agreement to make sure an inferior waiver is not included in the contract.
Credit card benefits will not cover you in all situations, however. If you rent a car for a long period of time (over 15 days in the U.S. and 31 days internationally), rent certain vehicles (trucks or vans), or engage in reckless behavior behind the wheel, damages may not be covered by your credit card. One last important consideration is for your credit card’s limit. The rental company may charge the cost of the damage to your card while they seek reimbursement from your credit card company.
Personal Auto Insurance
Another alternative to a damage waiver is using your existing auto insurance, since coverage is likely to be included in your policy. Insurance will typically cover car rentals in the U.S. and Canada, but not rentals in other countries.
There are circumstances, however, when purchasing a damage waiver may make more sense than relying on your existing car insurance policy. For example, if you purchase a damage waiver rather than filing an insurance claim, you don’t have to worry about the possibility of your insurance company raising your rates.
In addition, your car insurance policy may have a high deductible that you have to pay before other expenses are covered. However, if you also have rental car benefits associated with your credit card, then that may cover cost of the deductible and make this a moot point.
If you decide to use one or both of these alternatives instead of purchasing a damage waiver, keep in mind that your insurance provider or credit card company must come to an agreement on the cost of repairs with the rental car company. Failure to do so may mean that you are responsible for the difference.
We know there are a lot of things to consider, and deciding whether a damage waiver is the right choice for you can be confusing. In the section below, WalletHub will help you decide whether a collision damage waiver is worth it for you.
Is A Collision Damage Waiver Worth It?
For most people, buying a damage waiver is not worth the money. While it may seem prudent to buy just to be safe, the purchase of loss or collision damage insurance may cancel or be redundant with other forms of insurance you already have.
On the other hand, there may be certain situations where paying a comparably small fee to buy a damage waiver may avoid enough of a headache to make it worthwhile. Do a little research and know how your existing car insurance policy covers when it comes to rental cars, and whether your credit card offers this type of coverage as a benefit.
Regardless of your decision, consider taking ‘before’ pictures of your rental vehicle when you pick it up, especially if you see any existing damage. When you drop the car off, have the attendant do a walk around the vehicle. If that isn’t possible, take ‘after’ pictures as well. Doing this can document any damage that was already present and give you peace of mind that you can prove no damage occurred to the car while you were renting it.
Riding through the series of questions below may help:
