Quick Summary:
- CDW/LDW often excludes glass, tyres, wheels and underbody damage.
- Look for line items labelled SLI, PAI, PEC, and tyre or glass cover.
- Check the damage excess for each cover, not just CDW/LDW.
- Photograph windscreen, rims and tyre sidewalls before leaving the lot.
In New York, windscreen and tyre protection is frequently separate from CDW/LDW on a rental car agreement. That surprises many first time visitors because CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) or LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) sounds like it should cover any damage to the vehicle. In practice, many car hire contracts treat certain areas as common exclusions, especially glass, tyres, wheels (including hubcaps and rims) and the underbody. The result is that you may have accepted CDW/LDW yet still be financially responsible for a cracked windscreen, a punctured tyre, a scraped alloy, or damage underneath the car.
This article explains the typical exclusions you will see around New York, why they exist, and exactly how to spot them on paperwork before you sign. The goal is not to push you into any specific add on, but to help you understand what you are agreeing to, and what to double check while the agent is still at the counter.
If you are comparing options across nearby pickup points, it can help to review location specific pages such as car hire New York JFK and car hire Airport New Jersey EWR, because the supplier, paperwork format and upsell menus can vary by desk and terminal.
What CDW/LDW usually covers, and what it often does not
CDW/LDW is generally designed to limit what you pay if the rental vehicle is damaged or stolen. It typically reduces or removes your financial responsibility for bodywork damage and theft, subject to terms. It is not always “insurance” in the traditional sense, it is commonly a waiver with conditions. Those conditions are where the exclusions live.
Common exclusions you should actively look for on New York rental agreements include:
Windscreen and other glass, sometimes excluding windscreen only, sometimes all glass including side windows, rear window, and mirrors.
Tyres, especially punctures, sidewall damage, blowouts, or “road hazard” events. Some contracts also exclude valve stems.
Wheels and rims, including alloys, hubcaps, wheel covers, and cosmetic scuffs. These are often handled under separate “wheel and tyre” products.
Underbody, including oil pan damage, suspension components, catalytic converter impacts, and damage caused by kerbs, debris, or uneven road surfaces.
Even when glass and tyres are not explicitly excluded, the agreement may exclude damage caused by negligence or unauthorised use. For example, driving on unpaved roads, ignoring warning lights, or failing to stop after impact can all be framed as breaches. The practical takeaway is that CDW/LDW alone may not be a complete shield against common, everyday incidents.
Why glass, tyres, wheels and underbody are treated differently
These categories are high frequency claim areas, and they are hard to attribute. A stone chip in the windscreen can appear at any time, and a kerb scuff can be missed during a quick return inspection. In busy New York area locations, vehicles rotate quickly, and suppliers often use separate coverage products to manage these risks. That is why you may see a specific “Glass”, “Tyre and Wheel”, “Roadside”, or “Road Hazard” option offered in addition to CDW/LDW.
Another reason is that some states and suppliers view tyre replacement, puncture repair and minor rim damage as wear and tear adjacent, even though customers experience them as accidental damage. Underbody is different again, because it is often associated with off road use, flooding, or impacts that could have been avoided. So suppliers carve it out and handle it with a separate waiver, or no waiver at all.
Where to spot these exclusions on the paperwork before signing
New York rental paperwork typically includes a rental agreement plus a coverage summary, sometimes printed, sometimes shown on a tablet. To find out whether windscreen and tyre cover is separate, do a fast scan in five places.
1) The coverage table
Look for a grid listing products and what they cover, often with abbreviations. CDW/LDW may appear alongside optional products. If you see separate rows for “Glass”, “Tire”, “Wheel”, “Road Hazard”, or “RSP” (roadside), it is a clear signal these items are not automatically included in CDW/LDW.
2) The “Exclusions” or “Not covered” section
This section is often written in dense language. Search for words such as “glass”, “windscreen”, “tire/tyre”, “wheel”, “rim”, “underbody”, “undercarriage”, “roof”, “keys”, “towing”, and “interior”. Roof and interior are also commonly excluded, and while they are not the focus here, noticing them helps you interpret the supplier’s approach.
3) The definition of “damage”
Some agreements define damage in a way that automatically excludes particular items. For example, “collision damage” may be defined as external body damage from collision, leaving tyres and glass outside the definition.
4) The excess or deductible wording
There may be one excess for CDW/LDW and a different one for glass or tyre products. If CDW/LDW shows “$0” but the agreement later states that tyres and glass remain your responsibility, you can still be charged for those incidents.
5) The return condition clause
Look for wording that says you are responsible for “all damage not covered by the waiver,” including tyres, glass, wheels, and underbody. This is sometimes where the real scope is clarified.
If you are picking up in New Jersey and driving into New York, the desk experience may feel similar but the paperwork templates can differ by supplier and location. Pages like car rental New Jersey EWR and Hertz car rental Newark EWR can help you compare what is offered at those desks, then you can focus your attention on the exact exclusions when you are presented with the contract.
Typical product names that indicate separate windscreen and tyre cover
Suppliers use different branding, but the meaning is often similar. In New York area car hire, separate coverage for glass and tyres may appear as one of the following:
Glass and Tyre Protection, sometimes bundled with wheels.
Tyre and Wheel Protection, often covering rims, hubcaps and sometimes minor cosmetic scrapes.
Road Hazard Protection, which may include tyres, wheels and sometimes towing after a tyre incident.
Roadside Assistance, which is usually a service product, not a damage waiver. It may pay for a callout, jump start or lockout, but not the replacement tyre itself.
Super CDW or “Zero Excess” upgrades, which reduce the excess for collision damage but still may not include glass and tyres. The label can be misleading, so always read the exclusions line.
The key is that names are less reliable than the exclusions list. Two desks can sell something with similar wording but different coverage details, especially around rims and cosmetic damage.
How to decide whether you need separate glass and tyre cover
Whether you need separate cover depends on your risk tolerance, your route and your vehicle choice. Around New York, there are a few practical factors that increase the chance of glass and tyre incidents:
Urban driving and kerbs, tight parking and narrow streets can lead to rim scuffs.
Road surface changes, potholes and debris can cause tyre damage and underbody impacts.
Highway driving, stone chips can become windscreen cracks, especially in winter.
SUVs and larger vehicles, bigger wheels can be more expensive to repair or replace. If you are choosing a larger class, it is worth noting what the desk includes and excludes. For comparison browsing, SUV rental Newark EWR is useful for understanding typical vehicle types and what to ask about when reviewing the waiver terms.
Also think about administrative charges. Even when a waiver covers the repair, some suppliers still apply an admin fee per claim. Your agreement should state whether such fees apply, and whether they differ by damage category.
Pre signing checklist for spotting hidden exposure
Use this quick checklist at the counter before you sign:
Confirm what CDW/LDW excludes, specifically ask about windscreen, tyres, wheels and underbody.
Check the excess for each product, not just the headline excess for CDW/LDW.
Look for “all glass” wording, because side windows and mirrors can be included or excluded differently.
Verify wheel coverage includes rims, some products cover tyres only, not the alloy.
Ask how damage is assessed, is there a tyre tread rule, rim scuff threshold, or a minimum crack size.
Read the prohibited uses, unpaved roads, floodwater and reckless driving usually void waivers.
If anything is unclear, ask the agent to point to the exact clause in the agreement. You want the written terms to match what you were told verbally.
Inspection habits that reduce disputes later
Because glass, tyres and wheels are common dispute areas, a thorough inspection is worth the few extra minutes.
Before driving off, take clear photos of the windscreen from inside and outside, each wheel and rim close up, tyre sidewalls, and the lower bumper area. If lighting is poor in a garage, use flash and take multiple angles. Make sure the time stamp is saved in your photo metadata.
Check tyre condition, look for existing bulges, cuts, low tread, or a tyre pressure warning. If a warning light is on, report it immediately and ensure it is noted.
Listen for scraping, if you hear contact with a kerb or speed bump, stop and check, underbody damage is easier to evidence immediately than later.
At return, ask for a walkaround inspection and keep the final receipt. If the return is after hours, photograph the vehicle in the bay, including wheels and windscreen, and the fuel level.
These steps help even if you have comprehensive waivers, because claims can still involve processing time, admin fees, or documentation requests.
Common wording to look for in New York agreements
Because contracts vary, it helps to recognise common phrases that signal separate cover:
“Does not cover tyres, glass, wheels, undercarriage” means exactly what it says, those items remain your responsibility unless another product is selected.
“Collision” may be defined narrowly, which can exclude windscreen chips or tyre punctures.
“Road hazard” is often the supplier’s bucket for tyre and wheel incidents, but may exclude rims or cosmetic damage.
“Negligence” clauses can be used to deny cover if you continue driving on a flat tyre, which can turn a simple puncture into wheel and suspension damage.
“Unauthorised area” wording can matter if you take the car on unpaved roads or certain restricted routes.
When you are arranging car hire for New York and surrounding airports, the most important thing is to match what you think is covered with what the agreement states. CDW/LDW can be valuable, but it does not automatically mean windscreen and tyre cover is included. Checking the exclusions list and the coverage table before signing is the fastest way to avoid surprise charges.
FAQ
Is windscreen and tyre cover usually separate from CDW/LDW in New York?
Yes, it often is. Many New York area agreements treat glass, tyres, wheels and underbody as exclusions unless you add a specific protection product.
Where do I find glass or tyre exclusions on the rental agreement?
Check the coverage summary table first, then the “Exclusions” section. Also review any definitions of “collision damage” and the clause describing your responsibility at return.
If I have CDW/LDW with zero excess, am I covered for wheels and tyres?
Not necessarily. “Zero excess” frequently applies only to collision body damage and theft. Wheels, tyres and glass can still be excluded, so confirm in writing.
Does roadside assistance cover punctures and blown tyres?
Roadside assistance usually covers the service callout, such as a tow or tyre change, not the cost of a replacement tyre or rim. The agreement should state what is included.
What evidence helps if a wheel or windscreen charge appears after return?
Time stamped photos taken at pickup and drop off are most useful, especially close ups of rims, tyre sidewalls and the windscreen. Keep the return receipt as well.
