Quick Summary:
- Typical CDW/LDW excess ranges from $0 to several thousand dollars.
- Bigger, premium, or specialty cars usually carry higher excess amounts.
- “Full” waivers can reduce excess, but exclusions still apply.
- Confirm excess, deposit, and exclusions on the rental agreement at pick-up.
When you arrange car hire in Florida, you will often see CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) and LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) mentioned in the quote, at the counter, or on the rental agreement. These waivers are not the same as a simple “insurance on everything”, because they typically limit what you pay if the hire car is damaged or stolen, but they can also leave you with an “excess” (also called a deductible) to cover first.
So how much excess is typical? The honest answer is that there is no single Florida-wide standard. Excess can be $0 on some packages, but it can also be hundreds, or even several thousand dollars, depending on vehicle class, waiver type, and the supplier’s rules for that specific location and date. The most useful approach is to understand what drives the number, then check the agreement details before you accept the keys.
This guide explains what “excess” means for CDW/LDW in Florida, why it varies so much, and what to look for at pick-up so you know what you could be liable for.
What “excess” means for CDW/LDW in Florida
In car hire, an excess is the amount you may need to pay towards an approved damage or theft claim before the waiver coverage applies. If your agreement has an excess of, say, $1,000 and there is covered damage costing $2,500 to repair, you could be charged up to $1,000 (subject to the agreement terms). If the damage is only $300, you could be charged the full $300.
CDW and LDW can be offered as separate products or bundled. In many Florida rentals, LDW is used as an umbrella term that can include collision and theft. Regardless of naming, the key point is that the waiver can still leave you with an excess, plus possible exclusions.
Also, “excess” and “deposit” are different. The deposit is the amount the supplier authorises on your card at pick-up to cover potential charges. The excess is the contractual amount you could be liable for if a covered incident happens. The deposit can be equal to, higher than, or structured differently from the excess, depending on supplier policy.
So what is a typical excess range on Florida car hire?
Florida excess amounts vary by supplier and package, but you will commonly see one of these patterns:
Zero-excess or reduced-excess packages sometimes appear, especially when an enhanced waiver is included. Even then, it is important to read exclusions, because some types of loss may still be chargeable.
Mid-range excesses are common on standard cars, especially when the included waiver is a basic CDW/LDW. In practice, many renters encounter excess figures in the hundreds to low thousands of dollars, depending on the category and supplier rules.
Higher excesses can apply to premium, luxury, performance, convertibles, SUVs, and vans, and can increase further during peak travel periods or in locations with tighter risk rules.
The “typical” amount for your trip is therefore best thought of as “typical for this exact vehicle class, at this exact supplier, under this exact waiver level”. That is why quotes that look similar can still leave you with very different liability at the counter.
Why excess varies, vehicle class is the biggest driver
Vehicle class is often the clearest reason excess differs. Suppliers set excess levels partly based on repair costs and the vehicle’s overall value, but also on how frequently certain categories are involved in incidents.
Economy and compact cars usually have lower excesses than higher classes. Parts and repairs are typically cheaper, and the vehicles are less expensive to replace.
Intermediate and full-size cars often have a moderate step up. The difference may not be dramatic, but it can be noticeable.
SUVs can carry higher excess due to higher vehicle values and more expensive bodywork. If you are comparing an SUV against a standard saloon, expect different waiver terms. If you are researching options around the city, you can see relevant vehicle categories on pages like SUV hire Downtown Miami, then compare the waiver details for the exact offer you choose.
Vans and people carriers can attract higher excesses again, reflecting higher replacement costs and the risk profile of larger vehicles. For travellers who need space, it is worth knowing this before you arrive at the desk. See the vehicle types often associated with this category on van rental Fort Lauderdale.
Premium, luxury, and specialty vehicles can have the highest excess levels. Even when an enhanced waiver is available, the supplier may still set a larger excess than on an economy car.
Why excess varies, waiver type and wording
The waiver you choose, or that is included in your rate, can change your excess significantly. The challenge is that waiver names are not always used consistently across brands and locations.
Basic CDW/LDW may limit your financial exposure but still leave a meaningful excess. Some offers include CDW/LDW automatically, but with an excess that remains your responsibility.
Enhanced or “super” waivers can reduce the excess, sometimes to a very low amount or to zero, but may come with conditions. For example, the waiver may require the damage to be reported properly, and may not cover certain scenarios.
Third-party liability is separate in many cases. Even if your CDW/LDW excess is low, you still need to understand how liability coverage is provided, because it covers damage or injury to other people and property, not damage to the hire vehicle itself.
Exclusions still matter. Even a product marketed as “full cover” may exclude certain items or situations, such as tyre or windscreen damage, underbody, roof, interior damage, lost keys, incorrect fuel, or towing charges. If an exclusion applies, the supplier may charge you up to the full cost, not just the excess, because the claim is outside the waiver.
The practical point is simple: the excess figure only tells part of the story. The list of exclusions and the reporting process at pick-up matter just as much.
Why excess varies, supplier rules and local risk policies
Two suppliers can set different excess amounts for the same vehicle class in the same city. This is usually down to internal risk policies and how each supplier structures its waiver products.
Location-specific policies can affect excess. An airport branch may apply different terms than a downtown branch, even for the same brand, because of volume, operating hours, and typical driving patterns. If you are comparing pickup points, you can review location options such as car hire airport Miami versus central locations such as car rental downtown Miami.
Driver profile rules can also affect what is offered and what excess applies, even when the base rate looks identical. Age bands, licence requirements, and additional driver rules may influence the available waiver options.
Seasonality and demand can indirectly affect waiver pricing and the packages presented at the counter, which can lead to different excess outcomes if you switch between basic and enhanced waivers.
Deposit and card requirements are set by supplier rules and are often tied to excess. Some suppliers require a credit card in the main driver’s name for the deposit authorisation, and some may increase the deposit for certain vehicle groups.
Excess at pick-up, what you are actually agreeing to
The most important number is the one on the rental agreement you sign at pick-up. Your voucher or quote may summarise key terms, but the final contract sets the liability.
Before you sign, ask the desk agent to point out:
The excess for damage, sometimes listed separately for collision and theft.
The deposit amount and how it is taken, authorisation versus charge.
What counts as “covered damage” under the CDW/LDW on your agreement.
Excluded damage types such as tyres, glass, roof, underbody, interior, and towing.
Admin fees that may be added to a claim, plus any loss-of-use charges allowed by the agreement.
This takes a few minutes and can prevent surprises later, especially if you are collecting the car after a long flight.
Common scenarios where renters still get charged
People often think excess only applies after a crash. In reality, the most common charge situations can be smaller incidents that trigger exclusions or admin processes.
Tyre and windscreen damage can be excluded from basic waivers. A puncture or a cracked screen can therefore lead to a charge even if you thought you were covered.
Underbody and curb damage can be excluded. Low kerbs, parking blocks, or uneven surfaces can cause scrapes that are easy to miss at pick-up.
Single-vehicle incidents, such as reversing into a pole, may be treated differently if you fail to follow reporting rules.
Lost keys or lockouts are typically not covered by CDW/LDW and can be costly on modern vehicles with electronic keys.
Unreported damage can cause issues. Many suppliers require you to report incidents promptly and sometimes to obtain a police report for theft or significant damage.
How to reduce your likely excess exposure
You cannot control every variable, but you can reduce uncertainty.
Choose the right vehicle class. If you do not need a larger vehicle, selecting an economy or compact category can reduce both excess and deposit in many cases.
Compare waiver levels carefully. A cheaper headline rate may come with a higher excess, while a slightly higher rate can reduce excess and narrow your risk. Focus on the excess number, the exclusions list, and the claim process.
Document the car at pick-up and return. Take clear photos and a short walkaround video, including wheels, glass, bumpers, and the dashboard fuel level. This helps if there is a dispute about when damage occurred.
Understand where you are collecting the car. Different branches can apply different policies. If you plan to pick up near business districts or residential areas, check the terms tied to that location, for example car rental Doral.
Drive and park defensively. Many small damage claims come from tight parking spaces, kerb strikes, and low-speed bumps, which are easy to avoid with a little extra care.
FAQ
Is CDW/LDW the same thing everywhere in Florida?
Not always. Suppliers use CDW and LDW labels differently, and coverage can vary by package. Always rely on the wording and excess shown on your rental agreement, not the abbreviation alone.
Can my excess be different for theft versus collision?
Yes. Some agreements list separate excess amounts for damage and theft, or apply different conditions. Check both figures at the counter so you know your potential liability.
If I have a zero-excess waiver, can I still be charged?
Potentially, yes. Zero-excess usually applies to covered damage types, but exclusions can still apply, such as tyres, glass, underbody, interior, key replacement, towing, or admin fees.
Why is the deposit sometimes higher than the excess?
Suppliers may authorise a deposit that covers the excess plus additional risk items, such as fuel, tolls, or extra days. Deposit policy is separate from the excess figure, even though they are related.
What should I check at pick-up to understand my real excess exposure?
Confirm the damage and theft excess, the exclusions list, the deposit amount, and the reporting rules for incidents. Ask for clarification before signing if anything is unclear.
