CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) caps what you pay if the rental car is damaged or stolen — instead of the full repair cost, you're liable only up to the excess stated in your rental terms (commonly AED 1,500–5,000). It does not usually cover tyres, glass, undercarriage, the interior, lost keys, wrong fuel, or any incident that breaches the rental terms.
How CDW works
Without CDW you'd be exposed to the car's full value after a serious incident. With it, your liability stops at the excess: if repairs cost more than your excess, you pay the excess and the cover absorbs the rest. If they cost less, you pay the actual amount. Your exact excess is stated in the rate's rental conditions and on your voucher — read it before pickup so the number never surprises you.
What CDW usually excludes
- Tyres, windscreen and glass
- Undercarriage damage
- Interior damage, stains and burns
- Lost keys and misfuelling
These come out of your pocket at cost, separate from the excess.
What voids the cover entirely
Certain behaviour cancels CDW altogether, leaving you liable for everything: letting an unauthorised driver take the wheel, off-road driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, or otherwise breaking the law or the rental terms. Keep the agreement clean and the cover holds.
Want the excess gone?
If an AED 1,500–5,000 surprise would sting, full-excess cover reduces that liability to zero or near zero — see our guide in car rental help. When you're ready, compare rental cars and check each rate's excess in its rental conditions before you book.