Do I Need to Buy CDW Insurance for a Rental Car?
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Jeffrey Johnson
Insurance Lawyer
Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...
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UPDATED: Jul 13, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right legal decisions.
We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes and legal advice should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.
UPDATED: Jul 13, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right legal decisions.
We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes and legal advice should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
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When renting a car, Avis, Hertz or other auto rental agencies often urge you to take the “Collision Damage Waiver”, known as CDW. That can add as much as $15–$25 per day to your rental, a significant expense.
While most collision policies on personal autos cover damage to rental cars, the answer is not always “cut-and-dried.” Sometimes, this auto insurance does not provide the coverage you want.
Keep reading as we break down some important factors to consider.
#1 – Where will you be driving?
An important question to consider with is where you’ll be driving with your rental.
Here’s what you need to know: a sojourn to Mexico probably will not be covered under your personal policy.
Or if you plan on doing four-wheel excusions to places prohibited in your rental agreement, you may nto be covered, even with CDW.
Expert tip: according to the Insurance Information Institute (III), a CDW can also be known as a Loss Damage Waiver.
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#2 – What type of vehicle are you driving?
If you’re renting a U-Haul, pickup, motorhome or van, you’re probably not covered either.
#3 – Who is driving?
Even if you would be covered, if the damage occurs while someone who is not a member of your immediate household is driving or someone “underage,” your personal auto policy may not cover an accident. And if the driver is not listed as an authorized driver on the rental agreement, even with CDW you may be out of luck.
#4 – What credit card will you be using?
Each card issuer makes its own rules. Cover differs from bank to bank, by type of card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), by class of card (green, gold, platinum), and sometimes by program.
Before driving off, to be safe, check with your insurance agent and ask about coverage specifics.
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Case Studies: The Relationship Between Insurance and Rental Car Coverage
Case Study 1: Personal Auto Policy Coverage
John is planning a vacation and wants to rent a car to explore the scenic routes. He wonders if his personal auto insurance policy will provide coverage for the rental car.
This examines the extent to which John’s personal auto policy covers rental cars and whether he needs to purchase CDW insurance.
Case Study 2: International Travel and Coverage
Sarah is attending a business conference in Europe and needs a rental car for transportation during her stay. She is unsure if her personal auto insurance policy will extend coverage to a rental car in a foreign country.
This explores the implications of international travel on Sarah’s insurance coverage and whether CDW insurance is necessary.
Case Study 3: Specialty Vehicles and Coverage
Michael plans a camping trip with his friends and wants to rent a motorhome for their adventure. However, he is uncertain if his personal auto insurance policy will cover damages to the motorhome in the event of an accident.
This delves into the limitations of personal auto insurance when it comes to specialty vehicles like motorhomes and discusses the need for CDW insurance.
Case Study 4: Additional Drivers and Coverage
Lisa is renting a car for a weekend getaway with her partner, who is not listed on her personal auto insurance policy. She wonders if her insurance will cover them both in case of an accident.
This explores the impact of additional drivers on insurance coverage and whether CDW insurance is necessary when renting a car with someone not listed on the policy.
Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.
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Jeffrey Johnson
Insurance Lawyer
Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...
Insurance Lawyer
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.