Your credit card or personal policy might already cover you. Let's find out.
Last updated April 2026
Confirm your credit card's rental coverage details, exclusions, and claim process before your trip.
Check with your insurer — your existing policy may already include liability and collision for rentals.
CDW/LDW at the counter costs $15-35/day. That's $105-$245/week you might not need to spend.
Rental insurance is one of the biggest upsells in the industry, and the counter agent is trained to make you feel like you need all of it. But between your personal auto policy, credit card coverage, and travel insurance, you might already be covered. InsureItRight helps you figure out what you actually need so you're not paying twice.
Many premium credit cards include collision damage waiver (CDW) coverage when you pay for the rental with that card and decline the rental company's CDW. But coverage varies a lot -- some cards exclude trucks, SUVs, or rentals over 15-31 days. Check your card's specific terms before relying on it.
CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) covers damage to the rental car itself. LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) adds theft protection on top of CDW. Liability coverage pays for damage you cause to other people or their property. They protect different things, and you may need some combination of all three.
Usually yes -- most personal auto policies extend to rental cars with the same coverage levels. But if you only carry liability on your own car, that's all you'll have on the rental too. Call your insurer before your trip to confirm exactly what transfers over.
Help us improve RentRight