Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage can be purchased at the rental agency counter – and there may be a strong sales pitch to buy. What is this CDW, and is it necessary? Are there alternatives to giving in to the sales pressure from car rental agencies?

What is the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)?

Even though it's sometimes loosely referred to as "rental car insurance," CDW is not insurance. Rest assured, the rental company has their vehicles insured. But by making whoever drives the rental responsible for loss or damage, the agency can pass the cost of insurance premiums on to the renter, and reasonably so, since the renter is temporarily in charge of the vehicle.

In issuing CDW, the rental company agrees to waive (excuse) the renter's responsibility. The renter pays the CDW fee, and they'll let the renter off the hook for any damage.

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