How Much Is Enterprise Rental Car Insurance?
Last Updated on January 9, 2026
Enterprise sells optional insurance and protection products you can add to a rental, but the exact cost depends on your location, vehicle type, and rental details. Many renters can rely on their personal auto policy (and sometimes a credit card benefit) instead—while others prefer Enterprise options like a Damage Waiver to avoid paying a deductible or filing a claim on their own policy.
If you want the most accurate pricing, Enterprise recommends starting a reservation and reviewing the protection products shown before you finalize your booking (or calling the branch). Enterprise also publishes average daily cost ranges for some options on its U.S. FAQ: Enterprise rental car insurance and protection products (U.S.).
Below is how Enterprise rental car insurance typically works, what each add-on does, and when it’s worth paying extra.
Key Takeaways
- Pricing Varies by Branch and Vehicle: Enterprise protection products are priced per day and can differ by location and vehicle type, so the booking page (or branch) is the best source for exact costs.
- Damage Waiver Focuses on the Rental Vehicle: Enterprise DW typically addresses damage, loss, or theft of the rental vehicle, but it doesn’t replace liability coverage for injuries or property damage to others.
- Liability Limits Are the Biggest Gap for Many Renters: If your personal policy has low liability limits, Supplemental Liability Protection can be a practical way to increase protection while renting.
- Check Deductibles and “Loss of Use” Before You Decline: When relying on personal insurance or a credit card benefit, verify deductibles and whether rental-company charges (like loss of use) are covered.
How Enterprise Rental Car Insurance Works
When you rent from Enterprise, you may already have coverage through other sources. In many cases, your personal auto insurance policy covers rental cars in the U.S. and Canada, but coverage details vary by insurer and policy.
If your personal policy includes full coverage car insurance, your collision and comprehensive coverage may extend to a comparable rental vehicle. If the rental is damaged, you generally file the claim with your insurer, pay your deductible, and the claim may impact your premiums depending on fault, claim type, and underwriting rules.
If you paid with a credit card, your credit card may provide rental car coverage—often focused on damage to the rental vehicle (not liability). Card benefits vary widely, and requirements (like declining the rental company’s waiver) are common.
Quick tip: Before you rely on your own coverage, confirm three items: (1) whether your policy extends to rentals, (2) your deductible for collision/comprehensive, and (3) whether your insurer pays rental-company charges like loss of use or administrative fees.
Enterprise Rental Car Insurance Options
Enterprise offers several optional products that can supplement (or duplicate) existing coverage. For a broader overview of how rental company add-ons work, see rental car insurance explained.
| Enterprise Option | What It Helps With | Cost Notes | Who Should Consider It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage Waiver (DW) | Contractually waives some or all of your responsibility for damage to, loss, or theft of the rental vehicle (terms apply). | Price varies by location and vehicle type (shown during booking / at the counter). | Drivers who want to avoid filing a claim, paying a deductible, or dealing with damage billing from the rental company. |
| Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP) | Provides additional third-party liability protection beyond basic requirements, up to Enterprise’s stated limits (varies by brand/contract). | Enterprise’s U.S. FAQ says SLP averages between $8.44 and $42.38 per day, depending on location. | Drivers with low liability limits or anyone who wants extra liability protection while renting. |
| Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) | Covers theft or damage to certain personal items while traveling (coverage terms and limits apply). | Enterprise’s U.S. FAQ says PEC averages between $5.99 and $15.67 per day, depending on location. | Renters without renters/homeowners coverage, or those who want separate coverage for belongings while traveling. |
| Roadside Assistance Protection (RAP) | Helps waive financial responsibility for certain roadside incidents (for example, lockouts or running out of fuel), depending on terms. | Cost varies by location and rental details (shown during booking / at the counter). | Drivers who don’t have roadside assistance elsewhere and want predictable costs for chargeable roadside events. |
| Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) | Provides certain accidental death and medical/ambulance benefits (terms apply). | Enterprise states PAI is offered at Enterprise Truck locations only and averages between $2.68 and $8.50 per day where available. | Renters who lack health coverage/auto medical coverages and want a travel-specific accident benefit. |
Damage Waiver Is Not the Same as Auto Insurance
Enterprise’s Damage Waiver is similar to what many companies call a collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW). It’s typically a contractual waiver, not a liability policy. That means it focuses on your financial responsibility for the rental vehicle (damage, theft, loss), subject to the rental agreement terms and prohibited uses.
Important: a Damage Waiver generally does not replace liability coverage. If you injure someone or damage someone else’s property, that’s a third-party liability issue—handled by your personal auto policy, an added liability product like SLP, or other applicable coverage.
Supplemental Liability Protection Can Help If Your Limits Are Low
Liability claims can get expensive quickly, and the lowest legal limits are often not enough for a serious crash. If you carry minimum liability insurance, it can be worth comparing your current limits to the SLP limit offered at the counter—especially if you’re renting in a busy city, driving unfamiliar roads, or transporting passengers.
If you already carry higher limits (or have an umbrella policy), SLP may be redundant. The value comes from filling a gap—not paying twice for coverage you already have.
Personal Effects Coverage May Duplicate Renters or Homeowners Insurance
PEC can be helpful if you travel with expensive items or you don’t have renters/homeowners insurance. But many renters already have some personal property protection elsewhere, so it’s smart to compare before you buy. Here’s what personal property protection usually looks like: personal effects coverage.
Roadside Assistance Protection Is About Convenience and Predictable Costs
RAP can be useful if you want fewer surprise charges for certain roadside incidents. But many drivers already have similar help through a membership program or an auto policy endorsement, such as AAA or emergency roadside assistance coverage.
When comparing RAP to what you already have, focus on what’s covered (lockouts, flat tires, towing, fuel delivery) and what’s excluded—plus whether you’re paying per day (rental add-on) versus per year (membership/insurance add-on).
Enterprise Rental Car Insurance Versus Your Own Car Insurance
If you already have a personal auto policy, you may not need to buy Enterprise coverage—especially for shorter rentals. The best choice depends on your deductible, liability limits, comfort level with filing claims, and whether your policy (or credit card) covers rental-company charges.
| Coverage Need | Often Covered By Your Personal Auto Policy | Often Covered By a Credit Card | Enterprise Option That Addresses It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage to the rental vehicle | Yes, if you carry collision/comprehensive (deductible applies) | Sometimes (often requires declining DW; terms apply) | Damage Waiver (DW) |
| Theft of the rental vehicle | Often yes, with comprehensive (deductible applies) | Sometimes, depending on the card | Damage Waiver (DW) |
| Injuries or property damage you cause to others | Yes (up to your policy limits) | Usually no | Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP) |
| Theft of personal items from the vehicle | Not usually under auto; often under renters/homeowners | Sometimes limited | Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) |
| Lockouts / fuel delivery / certain roadside events | Sometimes (if you carry roadside assistance) | Rarely | Roadside Assistance Protection (RAP) |
Quick Checklist Before You Decline Enterprise Coverage
- Confirm your deductibles for collision and comprehensive and decide if you’re comfortable paying them for a rental claim.
- Review your liability limits and decide whether you want additional protection beyond your current policy.
- Check for rental-company charges (like loss of use and administrative fees) and whether your insurer or card benefit pays them.
- Confirm credit card requirements (many require you to decline the rental company’s waiver and pay for the rental on the card).
- Decide how much hassle you want to avoid. Some renters buy DW mainly to reduce paperwork and keep a claim off their personal policy.
Want Insurer-Specific Details?
Rental car coverage rules can vary by carrier, policy type, and state. These guides explain how rental car coverage often works with major insurers:
| Insurer | Rental Car Coverage Guide |
|---|---|
| GEICO | GEICO rental car insurance |
| Allstate | Allstate rental car insurance |
| Progressive | Progressive rental car insurance |
| Farmers | Farmers rental car insurance |
| Nationwide | Nationwide rental car insurance |
| Liberty Mutual | Liberty Mutual rental car insurance |
| USAA | USAA rental car insurance |
| State Farm | State Farm rental car insurance |
Final Word – Enterprise Rental Car Insurance
Enterprise rental car insurance costs vary by branch and vehicle, but the company offers several optional products—most commonly a Damage Waiver for rental vehicle damage and theft, plus Supplemental Liability Protection for added liability limits. Depending on your personal policy, credit card benefits, deductible, and risk tolerance, buying Enterprise coverage may be unnecessary—or a worthwhile way to simplify a rental and avoid out-of-pocket exposure.
Before you decide at the counter, compare what you already have (auto policy, credit card, renters/homeowners, roadside assistance) to what Enterprise is offering, and focus on gaps: liability limits, deductibles, and rental-company charges.
