Quick Summary:
- LDW/CDW often excludes roof, soft-top and overhead damage, check wording.
- Convertibles frequently have separate rules, and fabric tops may be excluded.
- Look for exclusions like ‘overhead’, ‘underbody’, ‘glass’, and ‘negligence’.
- Ask whether a waiver add-on can include roof damage and lower excess.
When you arrange car hire in the United Estates, it is easy to assume that LDW or CDW will take care of any accidental damage. LDW typically means Loss Damage Waiver and CDW means Collision Damage Waiver, and both are designed to limit what you pay if the vehicle is damaged or stolen. The catch is that these products are not always “bumper to bumper”, and roofs, convertible tops, and overhead impacts are some of the most commonly excluded areas.
This matters because roof and overhead damage is surprisingly easy to cause without any high-speed collision. Think low parking garages, hotel porte-cocheres, drive-through height bars, tree branches, or loading areas. With a convertible, the risks include fabric tears, damaged mechanisms, or water ingress if the top is not properly latched. If LDW/CDW excludes these scenarios, the rental company may charge you the full repair cost, plus loss of use and administrative fees, depending on the rental agreement.
If you are comparing options for car hire in the United States, it helps to understand the patterns in US rental contracts so you know what to look for before you sign at the counter.
What LDW/CDW usually does, and what it does not
LDW/CDW is generally intended to waive the rental company’s right to charge you for damage to the rental vehicle, subject to an excess (also called a deductible) and subject to exclusions. In many US contracts, the waiver is not technically insurance, it is a contractual waiver offered by the rental company.
Most travellers focus on the headline, “LDW included” or “CDW available”, but the detail is where roof and convertible top disputes happen. In practice, there are three layers to check:
1) Covered parts of the vehicle. Some waivers exclude specific areas such as the roof, underbody, glass, wheels, tyres, mirrors, or interior.
2) Covered causes of damage. Even where the part is not excluded, certain causes are excluded, such as “overhead damage”, “striking an object”, “off-road use”, “water damage”, “wind”, or “vandalism”.
3) Driver conduct exclusions. Many agreements carve out negligence, reckless driving, misuse, unauthorised drivers, prohibited roads, ignoring warning lights, or failing to secure the vehicle.
Roof damage and convertible top damage can fall into any of these, which is why relying on a quick verbal assurance can leave you exposed.
Does LDW/CDW cover roof damage?
Often, not fully. Roof panels and roof rails are commonly excluded under language such as “damage to the roof”, “overhead damage”, or “damage caused by striking an overhanging object”. Even if the waiver does not explicitly say “roof excluded”, the overhead clause can have the same effect.
Here are typical situations that are frequently excluded even when LDW/CDW is purchased:
Low-clearance impacts. Entering a car park with insufficient height, hitting a height bar, or clipping a canopy.
Drive-through and loading zones. Striking signage, awnings, pipes, or building projections.
Tree branches. Especially in resort areas or rural driveways where branches hang low.
Roof-mounted accessories. If you add a roof box or rack, damage related to installation or height misjudgement can be treated as misuse.
If you are choosing a larger vehicle such as an SUV or minivan for family car hire, roof clearance becomes even more relevant because ride height is higher and many drivers underestimate total vehicle height in multi-storey garages. For vehicle-type comparisons, see SUV hire in the United States and minivan rental in the United States.
Does LDW/CDW cover convertible tops and soft tops?
Convertibles are where the wording matters most. Many rental agreements distinguish between the bodywork and the top itself. A hardtop roof panel might be treated like “roof damage”, while a fabric or vinyl soft top can be carved out as “convertible top excluded” or “soft top excluded”.
Common exclusions and limitations include:
Fabric tears, cuts, and punctures. These are frequently treated as vandalism or wear, and may not be covered unless a specific product includes it.
Improper operation or failure to secure. If the top is not latched correctly, or is operated while moving, any resulting damage may be classed as misuse.
Weather-related loss. Rain damage to the interior after leaving the roof open, or wind damage if the top is raised in high winds, can be excluded as negligence.
Mechanical failure versus damage. A motor or hinge failing might be handled as maintenance, but if the company believes the mechanism was forced, it may be treated as chargeable damage.
Even when LDW/CDW covers “damage to the vehicle”, the convertible top can be singled out as not included, so you should look specifically for the words “soft top”, “convertible top”, “roof”, and “overhead”.
Overhead damage: the clause that catches people out
In US car hire contracts, “overhead damage” is a frequent exclusion that can apply whether you are driving a standard saloon or a convertible. It usually means any damage from contact with something above the height of the vehicle, including car park barriers, bridges, tree limbs, or building structures.
Why it is so strict: rental companies see overhead incidents as avoidable with proper clearance checks, so they treat them similarly to driving into a restricted area. This is also why some counter staff may say, “LDW doesn’t cover overhead”, even if the waiver otherwise reduces your financial exposure for side and front impacts.
Related exclusions that can affect roof and top claims
Even if the roof itself is not excluded, other common exclusions can still block cover:
Unauthorised use. If the contract restricts who may drive, where the car may go, or what roads are permitted, a breach can void the waiver for all damage, including the roof.
Off-road or unpaved roads. Some agreements define “off-road” broadly. A rough track to a viewpoint can be enough for a dispute after an incident.
Keys and security. Losing keys, leaving the car unlocked, or failing to report an incident promptly can create additional charges.
Alcohol, drugs, or reckless driving. These are standard exclusions and are typically absolute.
Wear and tear versus damage. With convertible tops, a company may argue that a seam split or window clouding is “damage”, while the renter might see it as wear. Your pre-rental photos help here.
What to check before you sign, practical steps
You do not need to read every line of legal text at the counter, but you do need to locate the sections that decide roof and soft-top liability. Use this checklist approach:
Check the “Exclusions” list for roof and overhead terms. Scan for “roof”, “overhead”, “convertible”, “soft top”, “fabric”, “vinyl”, and “upper”. If any appear, ask what is covered and what is not.
Confirm the excess amount and what it applies to. Some products reduce the excess for most damage but still exclude specific items entirely, meaning the excess is irrelevant for that category.
Ask whether there is an add-on that includes roof or soft-top damage. Some suppliers offer higher-tier protection packages that broaden covered parts. Make sure you understand the price and what changes in the exclusions, not just the name of the product.
Check whether your vehicle class has special rules. Premium vehicles and convertibles sometimes carry stricter terms. Policies that work for standard car hire may not match a convertible hire contract.
Understand what evidence you need after an incident. Contracts often require prompt reporting, police reports for certain events, and documentation. Not following procedure can be used to deny waiver benefits.
If you are comparing suppliers, browsing rental-company specific information can help you recognise differences in how waivers are described. For example, you can review options through Hertz car rental in the United States and National car rental in the United States.
Inspecting the roof and convertible top at pick-up and drop-off
Roof disputes often come down to what was pre-existing. At pick-up, do a quick walkaround, then add two extra checks people skip:
Look up. Check the roof panel, roof rails, and the top edge of the windscreen frame for dents, scratches, or paint transfer. Use your phone camera angled upward.
Check the convertible top condition. Look for scuffs, fraying seams, cloudy plastic windows, and any signs of water staining inside. If it is a power top, ask how to operate it correctly and only operate it when stationary.
Document everything in the condition report. If you cannot get it added, take time-stamped photos and keep them until your final charges are settled.
At drop-off, take a final set of photos including the roof. If you used a garage during your trip, note it in your own travel notes, because it helps you recall whether an overhead incident could have happened.
How to reduce the chance of roof and overhead damage
Some prevention steps are simple and make a real difference on US car hire trips:
Avoid unknown-height garages. If you cannot see a posted clearance height, choose open-air parking. If you can see it, compare it to your vehicle type, and remember that roof racks and antennas can add height.
Be cautious at hotel entrances. Porte-cocheres can be lower than they look, especially for SUVs and vans.
Skip drive-throughs in tall vehicles. Height bars and menu boards can be unforgiving, and turning radius can swing the roofline into obstacles.
With convertibles, prioritise secure parking. Soft tops are more vulnerable to opportunistic damage. A secure car park can be worth it for peace of mind.
Does credit card cover help with roof or soft-top exclusions?
Some travellers rely on credit card rental cover or separate excess reimbursement policies. These can sometimes reimburse what the rental company charges you, even where the rental company’s LDW/CDW would not waive it, but the details vary widely. Many policies have their own exclusions for vehicles like convertibles, specific damage types, or negligence-related events.
The key point for this article is that you should not assume one product automatically fills the gaps left by another. If roof and convertible top risk is a concern for your itinerary, validate the exclusions in writing before you collect the keys, and keep copies of the rental agreement and damage report.
If you are planning costs, it can also help to understand how pricing and protection bundles differ across providers and vehicle classes. A starting point is budget car hire in the United States, then compare what is included versus optional at the counter.
FAQ
Q: So, does LDW/CDW cover roof damage on car hire in the United Estates?
A: Sometimes, but roof and overhead damage are commonly excluded. Check for “roof” or “overhead” exclusions in the waiver terms before signing.
Q: Are convertible soft tops usually covered by LDW/CDW?
A: Often they are excluded, especially fabric or vinyl tops. Even when body damage is covered, the contract may exclude the convertible top specifically.
Q: What counts as “overhead damage” in US rental agreements?
A: Damage from hitting something above the vehicle, such as car park barriers, low garages, awnings, tree branches, or signage.
Q: If I buy the rental company’s protection, can they still charge me?
A: Yes, if an exclusion applies or if the incident is classed as misuse or negligence. The waiver reduces liability only within its stated terms.
Q: What is the best way to avoid disputes about roof or top damage?
A: Photograph the roof and convertible top at pick-up and drop-off, follow operating guidance for the top, and avoid low-clearance areas where possible.
