How Much Is Thrifty Rental Car Insurance?
Last Updated on February 5, 2026
Thrifty sells optional rental “protection” products you can add at checkout or at the counter to reduce your financial risk during a rental. Coverage names and availability can vary by location, and the final terms are governed by your rental agreement.
If you want a quick primer before you compare options, start with our guide to rental car insurance.
- Most Renters Already Have Some Coverage: Your personal auto policy may extend to rentals, but deductibles, liability limits, and exclusions still matter.
- LDW Is Usually About the Rental Car Itself: A loss damage waiver can reduce what you owe for rental-car damage/theft, but it typically doesn’t address liability claims you cause.
- LIS Can Fill a Liability-Limit Gap: If your liability limits are low, adding a liability supplement is often the most meaningful upgrade for lawsuit risk.
- Pricing Is Trip-Specific: Thrifty protection is usually priced per day and varies by location, car class, and bundles—confirm costs before you sign.
- How Thrifty Rental Car Insurance Works
- Thrifty Protection Options at a Glance
- A Closer Look at Thrifty’s Major Add-Ons
- How Much Does Thrifty Rental Car Insurance Cost?
- When Buying Thrifty Coverage Usually Makes Sense
- What To Do After an Accident in a Thrifty Rental
- Final Word on Thrifty Rental Car Insurance
- FAQs on Thrifty Rental Car Insurance
How Thrifty Rental Car Insurance Works
Thrifty’s add-ons usually fall into four categories:
- Vehicle damage protection: A waiver that can reduce what you may owe if the rental car is damaged or stolen (often called a Loss Damage Waiver).
- Liability protection: Extra liability limits for injuries or damage you cause to others.
- Medical/accident benefits: Optional coverage that may pay certain medical or accidental-death benefits for occupants.
- Personal property and roadside help: Coverage for certain personal items in the car and/or roadside services (depending on what’s offered at your location).
If you already have auto insurance, your policy may extend to cover a rental car. But that doesn’t automatically mean you have the best protection for this specific trip—deductibles, liability limits, and exclusions still matter.
Thrifty Protection Options at a Glance
| Thrifty Option | What It Typically Helps With | What Might Already Cover You | Good Fit If… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) | Damage/theft of the rental car (subject to the rental agreement) | Your collision/comp coverage or eligible credit card benefits | You want to avoid a claim on your policy or your deductible is high |
| Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS) | Extra third-party liability protection (bodily injury/property damage you cause) | Your personal auto liability limits | Your limits are low or you want more liability cushion |
| Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) | Certain medical/accident benefits for the renter and passengers | Health insurance, PIP/MedPay | You have limited medical coverage and want supplemental benefits |
| Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) | Certain theft/damage to personal property in the car | Homeowners/renters insurance, some travel coverage | You’re traveling with valuables and want a separate claim pathway |
Quick tip: Before pickup, pull up your auto policy declarations page so you can compare liability limits and collision/comprehensive deductibles against what Thrifty is offering.
A Closer Look at Thrifty’s Major Add-Ons
Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)
Thrifty’s Loss Damage Waiver is similar to the collision damage waiver (CDW) at other rental companies. LDW is typically a contractual waiver—not an insurance policy—that reduces what Thrifty may charge you for damage to (or theft of) the rental car as long as you follow the rental agreement (for example, authorized drivers only).
Even if you’re covered through your own policy, LDW can be appealing if you want to avoid filing a claim, paying your deductible, or dealing with the rental company’s damage billing process.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) and Personal Effects Coverage (PEC)
Some Thrifty locations sell PAI and PEC as a bundle. PAI can help with certain medical and accidental-death benefits after a covered event, such as ambulance expenses and an accidental death benefit (details vary by agreement).
PEC is designed to help if personal items in the vehicle are stolen or damaged during the rental. Learn more about personal effects coverage and how it compares to renters/homeowners insurance.
Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS)
Liability coverage pays for injuries or property damage you cause to others. Thrifty’s LIS is designed to increase third-party liability limits above what’s included in the base rental and/or what your personal auto policy provides.
If you already carry strong liability limits, LIS may be redundant. But if you carry a minimum coverage auto policy (or otherwise low limits), adding LIS can reduce your exposure to a large out-of-pocket liability claim on a short trip.
How Much Does Thrifty Rental Car Insurance Cost?
Thrifty’s optional protections are generally priced per day, but there isn’t one universal price list. Rates vary based on:
- Pickup location and state rules
- Car class/value (economy vs. SUV vs. luxury)
- Rental length and whether you’re buying a bundle
- Season and local repair costs
To get the most accurate price for your trip, check the add-ons during online checkout and confirm the final numbers on your rental agreement before you sign.
Quick tip: If you plan to rely on a credit card benefit for rental damage, confirm the card’s requirements (many require you to pay with that card and decline the rental company’s damage waiver). Start here: credit card rental car coverage.
When Buying Thrifty Coverage Usually Makes Sense
- You don’t have personal auto insurance: You may need coverage to drive legally and to protect yourself financially.
- You don’t have collision/comprehensive: LDW can reduce the risk of a large out-of-pocket bill for damage to the rental car.
- Your deductibles are high: Even a minor claim can cost you hundreds (or more) before insurance pays.
- Your liability limits are low: LIS can add meaningful protection for serious injury/property damage claims.
- You want to avoid a claim on your policy: Some renters prefer to keep rental incidents off their personal insurance history when possible.
What To Do After an Accident in a Thrifty Rental
- Get to safety and call 911 if anyone is injured or vehicles are blocking traffic.
- Document everything: photos/video, driver details, witness info, and the police report number (if filed).
- Report the incident to Thrifty and follow the rental agreement’s reporting instructions.
- Notify your insurer (and your card benefits administrator, if applicable) promptly—benefits often have deadlines.
- Keep all paperwork from the rental company and any repair/demand documents you receive.
Final Word on Thrifty Rental Car Insurance
Thrifty’s optional protections can be useful, but many renters already have overlapping coverage through a personal auto policy, a credit card benefit, health insurance, and/or renters/homeowners insurance. The best choice comes down to your liability limits, your deductibles, and how much risk you’re comfortable keeping.
Rules and availability vary by state and location. Always review the protections listed in your checkout flow and the rental agreement terms for your specific pickup location.
