The alphabet soup
Five acronyms. Decoded.
Every rental company throws these letters at you hoping you will just say yes to all of them. Here is what each one actually means.
CDW
Collision Damage Waiver
Covers damage to the rental car from a collision. Usually has a deductible of $500-$1,000 unless you pay extra to waive it.
LDW
Loss Damage Waiver
Same as CDW but also covers theft and vandalism. Many companies bundle CDW and LDW together. This is the most important coverage.
SLI
Supplemental Liability Insurance
Covers injury or property damage you cause to others beyond state minimums. Florida only requires $10,000/$20,000 which is dangerously low.
PAI
Personal Accident Insurance
Covers medical costs for you and your passengers after an accident. Often redundant if you have travel or health insurance.
PEC
Personal Effects Coverage
Covers theft of personal belongings from the car. Typically capped at $1,000-$2,000. Your travel insurance or homeowners policy usually covers this already.
What CDW/LDW actually covers
Collision, theft, deductible.
CDW and LDW are not technically insurance. They are waivers where the rental company agrees not to hold you responsible for damage to or loss of the vehicle. The critical detail is the deductible.
Most large rental chains charge $9-$35 per day for basic CDW with a $500-$1,000 deductible. That means you still pay up to $1,000 out of pocket if something happens. To get zero deductible you often pay an additional $10-$15 per day.
Over a 10-day rental, CDW alone can add $250-$500 to your bill. That money could cover an extra day of theme park tickets.
CDW cost comparison (10-day rental)
Do you need SLI?
Supplemental liability: when it matters
Florida's minimum liability limits are among the lowest in America: $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident for bodily injury. If you cause an accident that injures someone seriously, medical bills can easily reach $100,000 or more. Without SLI, you are personally on the hook for everything above the state minimum.
SLI typically adds $1 million in liability coverage for $12-$18 per day. If you do not have a US auto policy that extends to rentals, SLI is one of the few add-ons we genuinely recommend.
Who should get SLI: International visitors without US auto insurance, US residents whose personal auto policy does not extend to rentals, anyone who wants peace of mind against a worst-case liability scenario.
Florida liability minimums
A single ER visit can cost $5,000+
Multi-car pileups exceed this instantly
A fender bender with an SUV can cost $8,000
Real protection for real scenarios
Credit card coverage
Which cards cover what, and which don't
Many premium credit cards include rental car coverage as a perk, but the details vary wildly. Here is what to check before you rely on your card:
Important: You must decline the rental company's CDW at the counter for your credit card coverage to activate. You must also pay for the rental with that specific card. And no credit card covers liability (SLI) -- ever.
Travel insurance overlap
Your travel policy might already cover you.
Comprehensive travel insurance policies from providers like Allianz, World Nomads and SafetyWing often include rental car collision coverage. Before buying anything at the counter, check your travel policy for:
- Rental vehicle damage coverage (similar to CDW)
- Coverage territory -- does it include the USA?
- Maximum claim amount and deductible
- Vehicle type restrictions (SUVs, luxury, exotic)
- Rental duration limits (often 30-60 days max)
Travel insurance typically does not cover liability to third parties. If you are an international visitor with no US auto policy, you still need SLI or the rental company's liability coverage.
Common travel insurance gaps
- No liability coverage (only vehicle damage)
- Secondary only -- your home auto insurer pays first
- Excludes exotic, luxury or specialty vehicles
- Requires you to file a police report within 24 hours
- Does not cover admin fees the rental company charges
The GS approach
CDW included. Zero deductible. No upsells.
We believe insurance should not be a profit center. It should be peace of mind.
CDW Included Free
Every GS rental comes with Collision Damage Waiver at no extra cost. It is baked into the daily rate.
Zero Deductible
If something happens, you pay $0 out of pocket. No $500 surprise, no $1,000 hold on your card.
No Counter Upsells
We explain everything over WhatsApp before you arrive. No pressure, no last-minute add-ons, no fine print.
SLI Available
For guests who want supplemental liability protection, we offer it as an optional add-on at a fair price.
24/7 WhatsApp Support
If you have an incident, message us immediately. We handle the paperwork and guide you through every step.
Airport Delivery
Pick up your fully-insured rental at MCO, MIA, FLL or SFB. No waiting in line, no counter negotiations.
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