Quick Summary:
- CDW/LDW often excludes windscreens, tyres and underbody unless stated.
- Check the waiver for “glass”, “tyre”, and “undercarriage” exclusion clauses.
- Inspect and photograph wheels, glass and underbody edges before driving.
- Ask if a separate glass and tyre product is available.
CDW and LDW are among the most misunderstood parts of car hire in Pennsylvania. They sound like comprehensive protection, but the wording can leave gaps, especially for parts of the vehicle that are easily damaged and expensive to repair. Windscreens, tyres and underbody components are frequent flashpoints because they are exposed to road hazards and are sometimes treated as “wear and tear” or “excluded parts” in waiver terms.
In practice, whether CDW/LDW covers these areas depends on the rental provider’s specific waiver wording, your rental location, and the circumstances of the damage. This article explains the common exclusions, the exact phrases to look for before you sign, and how to reduce the risk of being charged for damage that surprises many renters.
What CDW and LDW usually mean in Pennsylvania car hire
CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) and LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) are contractual waivers, not traditional insurance policies. When included, they typically reduce or remove your financial responsibility for damage to the rental vehicle, subject to conditions and exclusions. Some waivers also cover theft or total loss, but again, only within defined terms.
The most important detail is that “damage to the vehicle” does not always mean every part of the vehicle. Many rental terms distinguish between body damage and items such as glass, tyres, wheels, roof and undercarriage. That is why two renters can both “have CDW”, but have very different outcomes after similar incidents.
If you are comparing providers for car hire in Philadelphia, or collecting at the airport via car hire at Philadelphia PHL, focus less on the marketing label and more on the clause-by-clause definition of what is and is not waived.
Do CDW/LDW waivers cover windscreen damage?
Windscreen coverage is commonly limited. Many CDW/LDW products either exclude glass entirely or apply special terms to it. Typical approaches include:
1) Glass excluded unless explicitly included. The waiver may state that “glass” or “windscreen” is excluded, meaning you can still be charged for chips, cracks, replacement and labour.
2) Glass covered only with a separate add-on. Some rental desks sell a separate product for “glass and tyre” or “roadside and glass”, which can change your responsibility for windscreen claims. Even when available, you still need to check if it covers windscreens only, or also side windows, rear window, mirrors and headlights.
3) Glass covered, but only for certain causes. You might see wording that covers accidental breakage but excludes negligence or prohibited use. For instance, if damage follows driving on an unpaved road where prohibited by the agreement, the waiver may be voided.
Practical reality in Pennsylvania is that windscreen chips can happen quickly from road debris. If the waiver excludes glass, even a small chip can become a significant bill if it spreads and requires replacement. Before you accept the vehicle, check the windscreen carefully from inside and outside in good light and photograph any chips, “bullseyes”, star cracks or scratches.
Do CDW/LDW waivers cover tyre and wheel damage?
Tyres and wheels are among the most frequent exclusions in car hire contracts, even when CDW/LDW is purchased. You may see exclusions for “tyres”, “wheels”, “rims”, “hubcaps” or “road damage”. This matters because many common incidents in Pennsylvania involve:
Pothole impacts that cause sidewall bulges, rim bends or alignment issues.
Curb strikes that scrape alloys, crack rims or damage tyres.
Road debris that punctures a tyre or damages a wheel.
Some waivers treat punctures as the renter’s responsibility regardless of fault. Others may cover tyre damage if it is part of a broader collision claim, but exclude “isolated tyre damage”. The difference is subtle but important. “Isolated” can mean a tyre puncture with no other vehicle damage. If the terms exclude that, you could be charged even if you did nothing wrong.
To reduce the risk, inspect all four tyres and wheels at pick-up. Look for existing scuffs, cracks, missing hubcaps, and low tread or low pressure warnings. Photograph each wheel face and the tyre sidewalls. If you are given a vehicle with already-scraped wheels, ensure it is recorded on the check-out report before you leave the lot.
Does CDW/LDW cover underbody or undercarriage damage?
Undercarriage damage is often excluded and is one of the least understood carve-outs. “Underbody”, “undercarriage”, “chassis”, “suspension”, “oil pan” or “structural components” may be listed as non-covered areas, or there may be an exclusion for damage that is not “readily visible” during return inspection.
In Pennsylvania, underbody damage can occur from:
High kerbs and steep driveway entrances, where the bumper lip or undertray scrapes.
Road construction zones with uneven surfaces or temporary ramps.
Unpaved shoulders that hide rocks or debris.
Flooded roads that lead to water ingestion and mechanical damage, which is commonly excluded.
Even if CDW/LDW applies to collision damage generally, many agreements exclude undercarriage damage unless it results from a reportable collision and is not linked to prohibited use. Because underbody damage is hard to see, it can also lead to disputes about when the damage happened. That is why documentation at check-out and careful driving matter more here than with visible door dings.
Key waiver wording to check before you sign
When you are handed the rental agreement, focus on the “Exclusions”, “What is not covered”, and “Void of waiver” sections. Look for these specific terms and how they are defined:
Glass, windscreen, mirrors, headlights and whether chips are treated differently from cracks.
Tyres, wheels, rims, hubcaps, punctures, and whether roadside assistance is tied to tyre events.
Undercarriage, underbody, chassis, suspension, oil pan, and “mechanical damage”.
Negligence and misuse, including driving on prohibited roads, failing to secure the vehicle, ignoring warning lights, or continuing to drive after damage occurs.
Administrative fees and loss of use. Even where damage is covered, some contracts can include fees unless fully waived.
If you prefer to compare how terms are presented across different brands, it can help to review the provider-specific pages you are considering, such as Enterprise car hire in Philadelphia or Thrifty car hire in Philadelphia, then confirm the exact waiver wording in the rental agreement you receive at the counter.
Why these parts are often excluded
Rental companies frequently exclude windscreens, tyres and undercarriage because these components are especially exposed to everyday road hazards and can be damaged without a classic “collision”. The logic is that such damage is harder to attribute, easier to incur accidentally, and in some cases associated with driving style or route choice. Whether you agree with that logic or not, it is common in waiver terms, so the practical response is to read and document carefully.
What to do at pick-up and return to avoid disputes
Inspect in daylight if possible. Windscreen chips and wheel scuffs are easiest to spot when the light is good.
Take time-stamped photos. Capture the windscreen from multiple angles, all wheels close-up, and low-angle shots of the front bumper lip and side sills. Also photograph the dashboard for warning lights and fuel level.
Confirm damage is recorded. If you find a chip or wheel rash, ask for it to be noted on the check-out report before leaving.
Drive defensively around potholes. Pennsylvania roads can have rough patches, especially after winter. Avoid sudden swerves that create other risks, but reduce speed on broken surfaces.
Do not continue driving after an impact. If you hit a pothole hard or hear scraping, pull over safely and check the tyre and warning lights. Continuing to drive on a flat can increase damage and complicate coverage.
Return documentation matters. At drop-off, take a final walkaround, photograph the same areas again, and keep the return receipt. If the return is out of hours, photos become even more important.
How add-ons and third-party cover can change the outcome
Some renters rely on separate protection products that may cover items excluded by the rental waiver, such as tyres or glass. The details vary widely, and the rental contract may still require you to pay charges first, then seek reimbursement elsewhere. If you plan to depend on any separate cover, check two things in advance: that tyres, wheels, glass and underbody are included, and whether “single-vehicle incidents” and “pothole damage” are covered. Also confirm the claim process and documentation requirements, because missing a police report or incident report deadline can lead to a denial.
Even with strong cover, you still want clear agreement wording at the counter. For travellers using car rental in Philadelphia, it is worth treating the rental agreement as the controlling document for what the rental company can charge, then treating any other cover as a reimbursement mechanism rather than a replacement for reading the terms.
Bottom line for Pennsylvania renters
CDW/LDW can be valuable, but you should not assume it automatically covers windscreens, tyres and underbody damage. These areas are commonly carved out unless specifically included. The safest approach is to verify the waiver wording, document the vehicle thoroughly at pick-up and return, and understand whether any optional product or separate cover actually fills the gaps you care about.
FAQ
Is LDW the same as CDW for car hire in Pennsylvania? Not always. The labels are used differently by different companies. Both are waivers with conditions, so read what the agreement says is waived, and what is excluded.
If CDW excludes tyres, will I pay for a puncture? Usually yes, if tyres are excluded and the puncture is “isolated” damage. You may also be charged for fitting, towing, or a replacement tyre depending on the terms.
Does windscreen damage count as a collision? Often it does not. A stone chip can be treated as glass damage rather than collision damage, so it can fall outside CDW unless glass is explicitly included.
What counts as undercarriage damage? It generally means damage underneath the vehicle, such as undertrays, exhaust, suspension parts, oil pan, or scraping to the chassis area. Many agreements treat it as excluded unless specifically covered.
What should I check on the rental agreement before signing? Look for exclusions listing glass, tyres, wheels and undercarriage, plus any clause that voids the waiver for prohibited roads, negligence, or failing to report an incident.
