How Much Is Hertz Rental Car Insurance?

Last Updated on January 9, 2026

Hertz offers optional rental car insurance and waivers you can add at checkout or at the counter. If you already have a personal auto policy with collision and comprehensive, you may be able to decline some Hertz add-ons—but renters with only liability coverage (or no auto insurance) often need additional protection.

The key is matching what you already have (personal auto insurance and/or credit card benefits) to what Hertz is selling: protection for damage to the rental car, protection for injuries/property damage you cause, and optional coverage for medical expenses or stolen belongings.

Situation	What to Consider Adding at Hertz	Why
You have full coverage auto insurance (collision + comprehensive)	Often decline LDW/CDW, but consider liability upgrades if your limits are low	Your policy may already cover rental vehicle damage, but liability limits may still be too low for a serious accident.
You only have liability insurance	Strongly consider LDW/CDW	Liability-only policies usually don’t pay to repair the car you’re driving—including a rental.
You don’t have personal auto insurance	Consider both damage waiver (LDW/CDW) and supplemental liability	Without a personal policy, you may have major gaps for both vehicle damage and third-party claims.
You want to avoid using your own insurance	Consider LDW/CDW	Using your own policy typically means paying your deductible and filing a claim.
You’re relying on a credit card for rental coverage	Confirm whether the card is primary or secondary and what it excludes	Credit card coverage rules vary widely and may exclude certain vehicles, countries, or types of damage.

Table Of Contents

How Hertz Rental Car Insurance Works
Hertz Rental Car Insurance Versus Your Own Car Insurance
Hertz Rental Car Insurance Versus Credit Card Coverage
How Much Does Hertz Car Insurance Cost and What Does It Cover?
How to Choose the Right Coverage at the Counter
Final Word on Hertz’s Rental Car Insurance
FAQs on Hertz Rental Car Insurance

How Hertz Rental Car Insurance Works

Hertz (like other rental companies) typically provides the legally required minimum coverage built into the rental agreement, but that baseline protection can be limited. Optional Hertz add-ons are designed to reduce what you might owe after an accident, theft, or injury claim.

Most Hertz protection products fall into three buckets:

Damage to the rental car: A loss damage waiver/collision damage waiver (often shortened to LDW or CDW) can reduce or eliminate what you owe Hertz for damage to (or theft of) the rental vehicle.
Injuries and property damage you cause: Supplemental liability coverage increases protection if you injure someone or damage their property while driving.
Medical and belongings: Some options cover medical costs for you/passengers or theft of items from the vehicle.

Because names and availability can vary by location and state, always review the rental agreement and the specific coverages shown during booking or at the counter.

Hertz Rental Car Insurance Versus Your Own Car Insurance

Many drivers can rely on their personal auto policy when renting a car. In general, if your personal policy covers rental cars, the same coverages and limits that apply to your own vehicle may apply to a rental as well. Start here: does my auto insurance policy cover rental cars?

However, personal insurance isn’t “one-size-fits-all.” These details usually matter most:

Deductible: If your collision/comprehensive covers a rental, you’ll typically pay your own deductible for vehicle damage. See how deductibles work: car insurance deductibles explained.
Coverage type: If you only carry minimum coverage auto insurance, that usually means liability only—no collision or comprehensive for the rental vehicle. (Here’s the difference: liability vs. full coverage.)
Where you’re renting: Many U.S. policies extend into Canada, but not all do. If you plan to cross the border, confirm first: if I drive to Canada, will my insurance cover me?
Claim impact: Filing a collision claim on a rental can still affect your insurance history—especially if you’re at fault.

If you want insurer-specific guidance, these rental coverage breakdowns can help you confirm what your policy typically includes:

One common gap is liability limits. Even if your policy extends to rentals, state minimums are often far lower than what many drivers choose to carry. If you’re unsure whether your limits are enough, review: how much auto insurance is enough?

Hertz Rental Car Insurance Versus Credit Card Coverage

Some renters rely on credit card benefits instead of buying coverage at the counter. Credit card rental coverage often focuses on damage to the rental car (not injuries to others), and it usually comes with strict rules—like paying for the rental with the card and declining the rental company’s damage waiver.

In many cases, standard credit card coverage is secondary in the U.S., meaning it may pay after your personal auto policy. Some premium travel cards offer primary coverage, meaning they may pay first for covered vehicle damage. Because benefits vary by card and issuer, confirm coverage before you travel: what does your credit card cover when renting a car?

These guides can help you check the rules for your card network:

Even when a card offers strong protection, read the exclusions carefully. Many cards exclude certain vehicle types, off-road use, international rentals in specific countries, or loss types that rental companies can bill back to renters.

How Much Does Hertz Car Insurance Cost and What Does It Cover?

Hertz protection products are typically priced per day, and the price can vary significantly by location, vehicle class, rental length, and the specific protection package offered at that counter. The most accurate way to confirm cost is to review the itemized add-ons during online booking (before checkout) and again on your rental agreement before you sign.

Here are the most common Hertz options you’ll see in the U.S., and what they’re designed to do.

Hertz Option	What It Helps Cover	Who Usually Needs It Most	Important Notes
Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) / Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)	Damage to (or theft of) the rental car, subject to the rental agreement.	Renters without collision/comprehensive, or anyone who wants to avoid paying a deductible and filing a claim.	This is usually a waiver, not a traditional insurance policy. Exclusions apply for prohibited uses or unauthorized drivers. Learn more about CDWs: collision damage waiver (CDW).
Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS)	Additional protection if you injure someone or damage their property while driving.	Drivers with low liability limits or anyone who wants higher limits for a short rental period.	Hertz advertises LIS as providing up to $1,000,000 in liability protection in many locations, but limits and availability can vary. Always confirm the limit shown on your rental agreement.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)	Medical/accidental injury benefits for you and passengers (terms vary).	Renters who don’t have robust health coverage or travel medical coverage.	This is often redundant if you already have strong health insurance, medical payments coverage, or travel insurance.
Personal Effects Coverage (PEC)	Limited coverage for theft of belongings from the vehicle (terms and limits vary).	Renters carrying valuable items who don’t have renters/homeowners coverage (or whose deductible is high).	Some renters may already have coverage through renters or homeowners insurance. Learn how it generally works: personal effects coverage.

Quick tip: Before leaving the lot, take clear photos and a short walkaround video (including wheels, windshield, and bumpers). Keep them until the final receipt is issued. Good documentation helps if you need to dispute a damage charge.

How to Choose the Right Coverage at the Counter

If you want a fast, practical way to decide what to accept or decline, use this checklist:

Confirm what your auto policy covers on rentals. Specifically: liability limits, collision/comprehensive, and deductible amount.
Check credit card coverage if you plan to rely on it. Verify whether it’s primary or secondary and whether it excludes the type of rental you’re booking.
Decide how you want rental car damage handled. If you prefer not to file a claim (or you don’t have collision/comprehensive), an LDW/CDW is often the most relevant add-on.
Look at liability limits realistically. If your personal limits are low, supplemental liability can provide meaningful protection during the rental.
Skip add-ons you already have elsewhere. PAI/PEC can overlap with health insurance, travel insurance, or renters/homeowners coverage.

Final Word on Hertz’s Rental Car Insurance

Hertz rental car insurance and waivers can be valuable if you have gaps in your personal coverage, want higher liability limits, or prefer not to file a claim through your own insurer. But many renters can safely decline some add-ons if they already have full coverage auto insurance and understand their credit card benefits.

The best move is to confirm your current coverages and deductibles before your trip, then compare those protections to the specific Hertz options shown during booking or on the rental agreement.

FAQs on Hertz Rental Car Insurance

Does Hertz include insurance in the rental price?

Your rental agreement may include the legally required minimum coverages, but limits can be low and details vary by state and location. Optional Hertz add-ons (like LDW/CDW and supplemental liability) are what typically provide stronger protection.

What is the difference between Hertz LDW and insurance?

A loss damage waiver (LDW) or collision damage waiver (CDW) usually isn’t a traditional insurance policy. It’s a waiver that can reduce or eliminate what you owe Hertz for damage to or theft of the rental vehicle, as long as you follow the rental agreement and no exclusions apply.

Do I need Hertz LDW/CDW if I already have full coverage auto insurance?

Often, no—if your personal policy includes collision and comprehensive and it extends to rental cars. However, you may still choose LDW/CDW if you want to avoid paying your deductible, filing a claim, or dealing with potential uncovered charges tied to the rental agreement.

Does Hertz supplemental liability insurance cover damage to the rental car?

No. Supplemental liability is designed to protect you if you injure someone or damage their property while driving. It doesn’t pay to repair the rental car itself—damage to the rental car is typically handled by your collision/comprehensive, a credit card benefit (if applicable), or an LDW/CDW.

Does my credit card cover a Hertz rental car?

Some credit cards offer rental car coverage, but benefits vary. Many cards provide secondary coverage in the U.S. and may require you to decline the rental company’s damage waiver. Always confirm whether coverage is primary or secondary and review exclusions before relying on it.

Can a Hertz rental car claim raise my personal insurance rates?

It can. If you use your personal auto policy for rental car damage, it’s generally treated like any other claim, which may affect premiums depending on fault, claim history, and insurer rules. Choosing an LDW/CDW may help you avoid filing through your personal policy for rental vehicle damage.

What should I review before declining coverage at the Hertz counter?

Confirm your liability limits, whether you have collision and comprehensive, your deductible amount, and whether your policy extends to rentals. If you’re relying on a credit card, confirm primary vs. secondary status, required steps (like declining the waiver), and any vehicle or location exclusions.

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