Quick Summary:
- Excess reimbursement rarely replaces LDW/CDW, it refunds your out-of-pocket excess.
- You can usually decline waivers, but must accept higher liability holds.
- Bring policy schedule, certificate, and insurer contact details for counter checks.
- Expect exclusions, like glass, tyres, keys, and admin fees.
When you pick up a car hire in Florida, the counter may offer Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). If you already bought an excess reimbursement policy, it is natural to ask whether you can decline those waivers and avoid paying twice.
The key point is that excess reimbursement and LDW/CDW solve different problems. LDW/CDW is a waiver offered by the rental company, it changes what the rental company can charge you after damage or theft. Excess reimbursement is usually a separate insurance policy, it pays you back after you have already paid the rental company, up to the policy limits and within its terms.
This article explains how the two products interact in Florida, when declining LDW/CDW is realistic, and what proof the counter may accept.
What LDW/CDW usually does at the rental counter
LDW/CDW is not normally an insurance policy you carry away. It is a contractual waiver from the rental company that can reduce, or sometimes remove, your financial responsibility for damage to the rental vehicle (and often theft), as long as you comply with the rental agreement.
If you accept LDW/CDW, two things typically become easier:
First, the rental company may not charge you for covered damage or theft, or they may cap it to a smaller deductible depending on the product level.
Second, your deposit and credit card hold may be lower, because the rental company’s potential recovery from you is reduced.
If you decline LDW/CDW, the rental company generally keeps its full contractual right to charge you for damage, loss, theft, and related costs, up to the vehicle value and additional fees, subject to the agreement and local law.
What excess reimbursement actually covers, and what it does not
Excess reimbursement (sometimes called excess insurance) is commonly sold by third parties and some travel insurers. It typically reimburses the excess or deductible you owe under another policy or waiver, plus some related costs if listed in the policy.
That means excess reimbursement usually sits behind one of these:
1) A rental company waiver that has an excess you must pay first, or
2) A separate insurance arrangement, such as a credit card benefit or personal motor cover that applies to rental cars, where an excess applies.
In many cases, excess reimbursement does not directly cover the entire value of the rental vehicle if you decline LDW/CDW and become liable for full repair or replacement costs. Some policies do cover “damage to rental vehicle” more broadly, but you must read the wording carefully, because limits, exclusions, and claim conditions are strict.
Common gaps include:
Excluded parts, glass, tyres, wheels, underbody, roof, or interior.
Excluded events, negligence, off-road use, driving on restricted roads or beaches, or leaving keys unattended.
Extra charges, loss of use, diminished value, towing, storage, and administrative fees. Some policies reimburse some of these, but many do not.
So, excess reimbursement can reduce your final cost, but it does not always reduce the risk that you will be charged large amounts first.
So, can you decline LDW/CDW in Florida if you have excess reimbursement?
In most cases, yes, you can decline LDW/CDW, because it is optional. However, the more practical question is whether declining is sensible for your situation, and whether you can tolerate the financial exposure and process.
To decide, separate these questions:
1) Will the rental company allow me to decline? Usually yes, but the rental company may require a credit card, may apply a larger deposit, and may insist on the driver meeting age and licence requirements without exceptions.
2) If something happens, who pays first? If you decline LDW/CDW, the rental company usually charges you first. Your excess reimbursement policy then reimburses you later, if the claim is covered and you provide the required documents.
3) What is the worst-case bill at the counter? Without a waiver, the bill can be far more than an “excess”. It can include the cost of the vehicle, plus extra fees listed in the agreement.
This is why excess reimbursement is often used as a way to avoid paying for “super” cover that reduces an excess, rather than a direct substitute for basic LDW/CDW.
Florida-specific realities to keep in mind
Florida is a high-volume rental market, with many airport and city locations and a fast-moving counter process. The counter staff are mainly concerned with what the rental agreement allows and what their system can accept.
Important practical points for car hire in Florida:
Deposits can be higher if you decline waivers. Even if you have excess reimbursement, it does not reduce the rental company’s risk, because it pays you, not them. Expect a larger hold on your card and ensure your credit limit can handle it.
Proof rarely changes the contract. Showing an excess policy at the counter usually does not waive your liability to the rental company. At best, it reassures you, not them.
One-way and cross-border rules still apply. Waivers and third-party policies may differ if you travel outside Florida or outside the US, so check before planning a multi-state itinerary.
If you are comparing locations or vehicle types, Hola Car Rentals provides useful local landing pages to review options and typical pick-up setups, such as car hire at Orlando MCO and van hire in Miami.
What proof may be accepted at the counter
Rental counters generally do not “accept” excess reimbursement in the same way they accept a waiver, because it does not change the rental company’s ability to charge you. Still, you may be asked for details if you are relying on another form of cover, and it is always helpful to be prepared.
Bring evidence that is clear, current, and easy to read on a phone, plus a printed copy if possible:
Policy certificate or schedule showing your name, policy number, dates, and territory including the USA.
Cover summary wording stating it covers rental vehicles and the relevant benefit, such as excess reimbursement, damage/theft reimbursement, or rental car cover.
Insurer or administrator contact details including international phone number and email, in case the counter wants to note it.
Proof of payment if your policy wording requires it for validity.
Claim documentation list so you know what you must collect if an incident happens.
Also bring a credit card in the main driver’s name. If your deposit is higher, a debit card may be rejected or may trigger stricter conditions depending on the rental provider.
What to check in your excess reimbursement policy before you travel
Before relying on excess reimbursement for a Florida car hire, confirm these items in writing:
Territorial limits, it must explicitly include the USA.
Maximum benefit, ensure the limit is high enough for realistic charges, not just a small excess.
Vehicle type restrictions, many policies exclude vans, SUVs, luxury vehicles, or vehicles above a value threshold. If you are considering a larger vehicle, compare policies carefully. For example, if you are planning a family trip, browsing typical options like SUV rental in Tampa helps you align cover with the category you might actually drive.
Driver eligibility, age limits and licence requirements must match the rental agreement.
Exclusions and compliance, alcohol, reckless driving, unsealed roads, beaches, leaving keys in the car, and unauthorised drivers often invalidate claims.
Admin fees and loss of use, check whether these are reimbursed. They can be a significant part of a Florida damage bill.
Excess reimbursement versus primary damage cover, confirm whether your policy only reimburses an excess, or also reimburses damage charges when you have no waiver in place.
How the claim process works if you decline LDW/CDW
If you decline LDW/CDW and the vehicle is damaged or stolen, the sequence is usually:
1) Report and document. Follow the rental agreement requirements, contact the rental company, and file a police report if required.
2) The rental company charges you. This may happen quickly, sometimes before you leave Florida, sometimes after return, depending on assessments and repairs.
3) Collect paperwork. You will typically need the rental agreement, incident report, damage report, itemised invoice, proof of payment, and sometimes photos and repair estimates.
4) Submit to your insurer. Your insurer reviews coverage, exclusions, and whether the charges are considered reasonable and covered.
This delay is the main trade-off. LDW/CDW can reduce immediate stress and out-of-pocket cost, while excess reimbursement can mean you pay first and claim later.
When declining LDW/CDW can make sense
Declining can be reasonable if all of the following are true:
Your policy covers what you think it covers, including the USA and your vehicle class.
You can afford the deposit and a worst-case temporary charge on your credit card if an incident occurs.
You are comfortable managing paperwork and waiting for reimbursement.
Your itinerary is straightforward, with low-risk driving and no plans to push into excluded activities.
Travellers who want predictable costs and minimal admin often prefer taking a waiver that meaningfully reduces liability. Travellers who are cost-sensitive and well-organised sometimes choose excess reimbursement and accept the admin burden.
Practical tips for a smoother Florida pick-up
Use these steps to avoid surprises at the counter:
Ask what is included in your rate before arrival, especially if the wording says “damage waiver included” or “excess applies”.
Confirm your deposit amount when declining LDW/CDW, so you can plan your credit limit.
Take photos and a video at pick-up and drop-off, including wheels, windscreen, roofline, and interior.
Keep all receipts and documents together, including fuel receipts if you refuel.
Know your pick-up environment, busy airport locations can be quick and strict. If you are flying into the Gulf Coast, it helps to review location details like car rental at Tampa Airport or car hire in Tampa to set expectations about counters and deposits.
Bottom line
You can usually decline LDW/CDW for car hire in Florida even if you only have excess reimbursement, but excess reimbursement is not a like-for-like replacement for the rental company’s waiver. The rental company can still charge you first, and your policy may only refund some of the costs later.
The safest approach is to read your policy wording, understand your possible maximum liability, and arrive with clear documentation. If you do decline, plan for a higher deposit and keep excellent records in case you need to claim.
FAQ
Is LDW the same as CDW in Florida? They are often used interchangeably, but the exact protection depends on the rental company’s terms. Both are waivers that can limit what the rental company charges you for vehicle damage or theft.
If I have excess reimbursement, will the counter remove the deposit? Usually not. Excess reimbursement pays you after an approved claim, so it does not reduce the rental company’s need for a deposit or credit card hold.
What documents should I keep if I decline LDW/CDW? Keep the rental agreement, check-in and check-out reports, photos, police report if relevant, itemised invoices, and proof of any card charges. These are commonly required for reimbursement claims.
Can the rental company still charge for loss of use and admin fees? Yes, many rental agreements allow these charges when you are liable for damage. Your reimbursement policy may or may not cover them, so check the wording carefully.
Will excess reimbursement cover damage if an unauthorised driver was driving? Often no. If the rental agreement is breached, the rental company can charge you, and insurers commonly decline claims where an unauthorised driver was involved.
