What is included in the base price?
Every rental car includes third-party liability by law. This covers damage you cause to other vehicles or property. However, protection for the rental car itself — such as collision damage, glass, tyres or theft — is usually not included in the base rate.
At the rental counter, agents are trained to upsell additional coverage. Knowing what you actually need beforehand can save you 15–25 € per day.
CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) · TP (Theft Protection) · PAI (Personal Accident Insurance) · SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance)
What do the abbreviations mean?
What is often added at the counter
- Super CDW / Premium Protection: 15–25 € extra per day — reduces or eliminates the excess
- Glass and tyre protection: often not included in standard CDW
- Roof and undercarriage damage: almost never covered by standard policies
- Personal effects protection: covers belongings stolen from the car
Without CDW you are personally liable for the full replacement value of the car — up to 20,000–50,000 €.
Can my credit card cover the excess?
Many premium credit cards (Visa Infinite, Mastercard Gold/Platinum, Amex) include rental car excess protection as a benefit. Before you rent, check whether your card covers the full excess and whether the destination is included.
Important: you usually need to pay the entire rental with that card, and the coverage typically applies only if you declined the rental company's CDW. Always read the fine print.
Some travel insurance policies also include rental car excess coverage. Check your policy before paying for coverage at the counter.
What should you check in the contract?
The insurance conditions in the on-site contract can differ from what was agreed in your booking voucher. Common discrepancies include a higher excess than booked, additional damage categories not covered, or different coverage limits.
- Does the excess match your voucher?
- Are glass, tyres and roof explicitly covered?
- Is the coverage valid for all drivers listed?
- Does the contract match what you booked online?
Spot discrepancies before you sign
Upload your booking voucher and photograph the rental contract. Our AI compares both documents and flags any differences — in 1–3 minutes, while you're still at the counter.
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