How Much Is Sixt Rental Car Insurance?

Last Updated on October 7, 2026

By James Shaffer · Reviewed by Thomas Rockford, insurance industry executive and financial analyst, on September 30, 2026 · How we fact-check

SIXT sells optional “protection” products you can add to a rental to reduce your financial risk if something goes wrong—damage to the car, a liability claim, an injury, or a roadside emergency.

If you’re not sure whether your current auto policy covers rental cars (or you want extra peace of mind), it’s smart to compare what you already have with what SIXT offers before you get to the counter.

1. Start With What You Already Have: Your personal auto policy and credit card benefits may already cover part of a rental—compare limits, deductibles, and exclusions before buying add-ons.
2. LDW/PDW Protect the Rental Car, Not Your Liability: Damage waivers help with damage/theft exposure on the rental vehicle, but they don’t replace bodily injury/property damage liability coverage.
3. SLI Can Be the Biggest Upgrade: If your liability limits are low, adding supplemental liability protection may provide the most meaningful protection in a serious claim.
4. Price Varies by Trip: SIXT protection is usually priced per day and depends on location and vehicle type—check the checkout screen and your rental agreement for the exact amounts.

SIXT Rental Car Protection Options

SIXT’s add-ons generally fall into a few buckets: damage waivers for the vehicle, liability protection for claims you cause, medical/accident benefits, and roadside help. Availability and exact terms can vary by pickup location and are governed by your rental agreement.

If you want a broader overview of how rental-car coverage works (and what terms like “waiver” actually mean), see our guide to rental car insurance basics.

Do You Need SIXT Rental Car Insurance?

Many U.S. drivers can skip some add-ons because their personal auto policy already extends to a rental car (typically up to the same limits and subject to the same deductibles). However, “already covered” doesn’t always mean “fully protected.”

Common Gaps To Watch For

• High deductibles: If your collision deductible is $1,000–$2,000, paying out of pocket after a rental claim can sting.
• Fees the rental company may charge: Depending on the situation and your policy, items like “loss of use,” towing, or administrative fees may not be fully reimbursed.
• Low liability limits: State minimums are often far below the cost of a serious injury claim.
• No personal auto policy: If you don’t own a car, you may need a non-owner policy or rental coverage to drive legally and protect yourself financially.

Because coverage details vary by insurer and state, it’s worth confirming with your carrier (and reviewing your declarations page) before you rent.

How Credit Card Coverage Fits In

Some credit cards include rental-car coverage, but it usually focuses on damage to the rental vehicle (collision/theft) and often acts as secondary coverage. That means your personal auto insurance pays first, and the card benefit may reimburse what’s left (like your deductible), depending on the card’s rules.

Credit-card benefits can be valuable, but they also commonly have exclusions (vehicle type, rental length, countries where coverage applies) and typically do not replace liability insurance. For a practical breakdown, see what credit cards cover for rental cars.

A Closer Look at Key SIXT Coverages

Below are the protection options renters ask about most often and how they typically work in real-world claims situations.

Liability Coverage and Supplemental Liability Insurance

Liability coverage pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others. If you already carry auto liability insurance, it often extends to a rental car in the U.S., but your limits may be lower than you think.

Unless state law requires it, SIXT doesn’t extend its own liability coverage to drivers, passengers or third parties. SIXT sells two liability add-ons in the U.S.: Rental Liability Insurance (RLI), which you can buy on its own, and Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI300), which comes only with the Peace of Mind protection package. SIXT says availability and coverage amounts vary by state. If you buy neither, your own auto policy may need to cover claims you cause. Always verify which option is being offered in your quote and what limit it carries.

Loss Damage Waiver and Partial Damage Waiver

Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduces your financial responsibility if the rental car is damaged or stolen, as long as you follow the rental agreement terms. SIXT says its LDW removes your deductible for covered damage, and it also sells an LDW with a $1,000 deductible. This is similar in spirit to a collision damage waiver (CDW) and is one of the most common add-ons renters buy. Learn the deeper mechanics in our guide to collision damage waivers.

SIXT also describes a Partial Damage Waiver (PDW). With PDW, SIXT covers the first $500 of damage and you pay anything above that. PDW isn’t offered at pickups in California, Colorado, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon or Virginia, so don’t assume it’s offered everywhere.

Personal Accident Coverage

Personal accident coverage can help pay for medical expenses for occupants after a crash. If you already have robust health insurance (and/or auto MedPay or PIP), you may not need it. If you’re unsure what typically pays first after an accident, see how car insurance handles medical bills.

Roadside Assistance Protection

Every SIXT rental includes basic 24/7 breakdown support. The optional Roadside Assistance Protection pays for services like lost key replacement, flat tire service, jump-starts and lockouts. If you already have roadside through your insurer, an auto club, or a vehicle warranty, you may be duplicating coverage. Here’s a refresher on roadside assistance coverage and what it typically includes.

How Much Does SIXT Rental Car Insurance Cost?

SIXT does not publish one universal price list for protection options. Its help center lists each one as “available for an additional daily charge” without a price. Pricing varies based on the pickup location, car class, rental length, and which options you select. Some states cap the damage waiver price. In New York, the cap is $9 to $15 a day depending on the car’s sticker price, with no cap above $50,000.

To see the exact cost for your trip, review the add-ons during online checkout and confirm what appears on your rental agreement at pickup. If you’re comparing options, focus on the deductible/financial responsibility, coverage limits, and exclusions—not just the daily price.

When Buying SIXT Coverage Usually Makes Sense

• You don’t have personal auto insurance: You may need liability protection and damage protection to avoid major out-of-pocket exposure.
• Your policy has no collision/comp: LDW can be a practical substitute for protecting the rental car.
• Your deductibles are high: LDW/PDW can reduce the “surprise bill” risk after a claim.
• Your liability limits are low: SLI can add meaningful protection in a severe injury claim.
• You’re renting a higher-value car: You may be more comfortable avoiding a claim on your own policy (which could affect renewal pricing).

What To Do After an Accident in a Rental Car

1. Get everyone to safety and call emergency services if there are injuries or major damage.
2. Document the scene: photos/video of vehicles, license plates, damage, and the surrounding area.
3. Notify the rental company and follow the rental agreement’s reporting requirements.
4. Notify your insurer (and your credit card benefits administrator if applicable) quickly—benefits often have strict timelines and documentation requirements.
5. Keep all paperwork (police report number, incident report, repair invoices, demand letters, photos).

Final Word

SIXT’s protection options can be useful—especially if you don’t have a personal auto policy, have high deductibles, or want higher liability limits than your current policy provides. The right decision depends on what you already have (auto insurance, health insurance, and credit card benefits) and what financial risk you’re comfortable taking. My advice is to look at your own liability limits before you book. If they’re at your state’s minimum, RLI is the SIXT add-on I would price first.

Insurance and waiver terms vary by state and by rental agreement. Always review your checkout screen and the rental jacket/terms for your pickup location.

FAQs on Sixt Rental Car Insurance

Sources

Checked September 30, 2026

• SIXT — What Does My SIXT Protection Package Actually Cover
• SIXT — U.S. Rental Terms and Conditions (Version HQ_USA_T&C_2-26)
• New York State Senate — General Business Law Section 396-Z