Quick Summary:
- Check your voucher for “CDW/LDW included” or “Loss Damage Waiver: Included”.
- Look for exclusions like “not included” or “available at counter”.
- At pick-up, confirm the rental agreement shows CDW/LDW with a $0 line.
- Decline duplicate cover politely if your paperwork already confirms inclusion.
When comparing car hire in the US, the headline price can be misleading because insurance terminology varies by brand, state, and sales channel. The most common source of confusion is whether CDW or LDW is already included in what you prepaid, or whether you will be asked to add it at the counter. In California, where many travellers pick up at busy airport locations, this question matters because the counter is fast-paced and small changes can add a lot to the final bill.
This guide shows you exactly how to spot CDW/LDW wording in your confirmation email and voucher, and which specific lines on the rental agreement usually confirm whether it is included, optional, or declined. It is written for informational purposes, so you can make decisions based on documents, not assumptions.
If you are planning California car hire, the pages for car hire at LAX and Alamo at San Francisco SFO can help you compare pick-up logistics, but your voucher and rental agreement are still the final proof of what is included.
CDW vs LDW, what the words usually mean in US car hire
In many US rental systems, CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) and LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) are used as near equivalents. Both are “waivers”, not traditional insurance policies, and they typically reduce or remove your financial responsibility for damage to the rental vehicle, subject to terms. LDW is often the broader label, sometimes encompassing theft as well as collision damage, but the exact scope depends on the supplier’s conditions.
It is also common to see related terms alongside CDW/LDW, such as “damage waiver”, “loss damage waiver”, “vehicle protection”, “theft protection”, or “TP”. Some suppliers show a combined product name rather than listing CDW and theft separately. That is why the validator for “included or added” is not the product name alone, but the status next to it, such as included, accepted, declined, or optional.
Where to check first, confirmation email vs voucher vs terms
Start with the document that shows itemised inclusions. For most prepaid car hire bookings, that is the voucher you present at the desk, not the marketing-style confirmation email. Your email may mention “insurance included” without naming CDW/LDW, so treat it as a hint rather than proof.
On the voucher, look for an “Included” section, “Rate includes” section, or “Your package” section. This is where CDW/LDW is most likely to be explicitly listed. If the voucher has a separate “Not included” section, check that too, because that is where “CDW/LDW not included” will be stated clearly.
If you are picking up in Southern California, it can help to familiarise yourself with the typical workflow at airport counters like car hire at Santa Ana SNA, where the desk agent may summarise optional items quickly before printing the agreement. Your aim is to verify what the paperwork already says, not to rely on spoken explanations.
Voucher wording that usually means CDW/LDW is included
Look for phrases that indicate inclusion, not just availability. Common “included” signals include:
“CDW included” or “LDW included”. This is the clearest wording. Sometimes it is written as “CDW/LDW included”.
“Loss Damage Waiver: Included”. Often seen in a benefits table.
“Damage Waiver: Included” or “Vehicle Damage Waiver: Included”. This may be the supplier’s label for LDW.
“Collision Damage Waiver with excess” plus an excess amount. This indicates you have a waiver but with a deductible, which may be called “excess” on UK-facing documents.
“Included in the rate” next to CDW/LDW, sometimes with “prepaid”. If it is included, it should not appear as a payable add-on at pick-up.
Also check whether theft protection is included separately. In US car hire, theft cover may be bundled within LDW or shown as “TP” or “Theft Waiver”. Your question is CDW/LDW, but theft is often presented at the counter in a way that makes travellers think they are missing damage cover when they are not.
Voucher wording that often means it will be added at pick-up
These phrases generally indicate you have not prepaid CDW/LDW and may be offered it at the desk:
“Not included” next to CDW, LDW, damage waiver, or loss damage waiver.
“Available at counter”, “Optional”, or “Can be purchased locally”. This means the cost is not in your prepaid total.
“Customer provides own insurance” or “Self-insured”. Sometimes used for corporate rates, or where the renter relies on personal auto insurance.
“Declined” on a voucher is less common, but if you see it, read carefully. It can indicate the supplier’s default status for the waiver unless you accept it at the counter, which can lead to a surprise if you assumed it was included.
If you are unsure after reading the voucher, the best next step is to check the supplier terms attached to your booking, because some products are included only for certain residence countries or payment types. This is especially relevant for travellers used to UK or EU inclusions, where CDW is often bundled differently than in the US.
How to confirm CDW/LDW at the counter, the contract lines to read
The final confirmation happens on the rental agreement, sometimes called the “Rental Contract” or “Rental Jacket”. Before you sign, scan for the insurance and waivers panel. You are looking for two things, the status (accepted or declined) and the price per day (or total).
Contract formats vary, but the confirming lines often look like one of the following patterns:
1) A line item with a price of $0.00. For example, “LDW 0.00/day” or “DW included 0.00”. This is strong evidence it is included in your rate package.
2) A checkbox or initials field showing “Accepted” next to LDW/CDW, with no charge, or with “Included”. If it is accepted but charged, it was added at pick-up.
3) A separate “Optional Coverages” section where LDW is listed with a daily rate. If the daily rate is not zero and the line is selected, you are paying for it.
4) A totals box that changes. If the agent adds a waiver, the estimated total, daily rate, and taxes typically increase immediately. Ask to see the printed agreement before you initial anything.
In California, taxes and facility fees can make it hard to estimate changes mentally. The simplest approach is to compare the “Rate” and “Estimated total” on the agreement with your voucher total, allowing for deposits and any pre-authorisation.
If you are renting in the Bay Area, pages like Dollar at San Francisco SFO can clarify supplier location details, but the decision on LDW still comes down to those agreement line items.
What to say if you believe CDW/LDW is already included
You do not need a confrontation, just a document-led question. Ask to review the agreement and say you want the cover to match your voucher inclusions. If the agent is offering LDW, ask them to point to the line on the agreement that shows whether it is already included or being added, and what the cost is.
If you see LDW selected with a non-zero price and your voucher says it is included, ask for a corrected contract reflecting the prepaid inclusions. If the voucher says it is not included, then the choice is simply whether you want to add it, knowing it will increase the total.
Common reasons the desk offer looks different from your voucher
Different product names. The desk may call it “Damage Waiver”, “LDW”, or a branded protection package. Match by description and cost, not by the exact label.
Multiple layers of protection. Some suppliers split theft and collision into separate lines. Others bundle them. You might already have one element included and be offered an upgrade that expands coverage or reduces excess.
Residence-based inclusions. Some prepaid rates include CDW/LDW for certain markets. If your documents were reissued or your booking channel changed, inclusions can appear differently.
Hold deposits vs charges. A pre-authorisation can look like a charge on your bank app. The agreement should distinguish “deposit” from “estimated charges”. Do not treat a deposit as proof you purchased LDW.
Extra checks that help you avoid surprise charges
Check the “Additional products” section. Even when CDW/LDW is included, other items like personal accident insurance, roadside assistance, or fuel products may be offered. Keep your focus on the specific waiver line and its price.
Ask for the “customer copy”. Make sure you leave the counter with the printed or emailed agreement that shows the selected coverages and charges.
Review the final receipt. If LDW was added by mistake, it will usually appear as a daily line item. Resolving discrepancies is easier when you can reference the agreement number and date.
If your trip involves larger vehicles, cost differences can be more noticeable because some waivers are priced by vehicle category. For airport collections, it can help to review vehicle options and typical desk steps on the minivan rental California LAX page, then apply the same document checks at signing.
CDW/LDW inclusion, a quick California-focused checklist
Before travel, search your voucher for “LDW”, “CDW”, “damage waiver”, and “loss damage waiver”, then note whether each is marked included or optional.
At the counter, look for the waivers section on the rental agreement and verify the status and price. If it is included, it should show as included or $0.00. If it costs extra, it will show a daily and total amount.
Before signing, compare the agreement’s estimated total with your voucher, allowing for deposits. If the total jumped, find out which line item changed.
After pick-up, keep a copy of the agreement and the final receipt, so you can reconcile charges line by line.
FAQ
Is CDW the same as LDW in US car hire? Often they are used interchangeably, but LDW can be broader depending on the supplier. Always rely on your voucher and the rental agreement wording, not the acronym alone.
What is the clearest sign that CDW/LDW is included? Your voucher explicitly stating “CDW/LDW included”, plus the rental agreement showing LDW or damage waiver at $0.00 or marked included.
If the agent says it is included, do I still need to check the contract? Yes. The signed rental agreement is what you are billed from, so confirm the waiver line shows included or $0.00 before you initial.
Why does my voucher say included, but the contract shows a price? This can happen if the wrong rate code is applied, an optional upgrade is selected, or the cover is presented under a different product. Ask for a revised agreement that matches the voucher inclusions.
Does declining CDW/LDW always mean I am fully liable? Not always, but it often increases your responsibility for damage to the rental vehicle. Some renters rely on other coverage, but you should only decline when you understand what protection applies in California for your situation.
