Renters must protect themselves against two major perils: damage–the vehicle might be totaled or stolen; liability–a renter could be sued for injury, death and property damage.

Insuring the Vehicle and Paying for Lawsuits: CDW / LDW and Liability Coverage

There are five ways to cover the vehicle:

1. Buy full CDW/LDW from the rental agent (discussed below) for $25 - $30 per day. As a practical matter, this is the only way an ordinary renter can walk away from any wreck without having to pay the rental company out-of-pocket.
2. Buy rental hazard insurance from an outside vendor for about $10 a day. Read the policy carefully, as it may exclude theft, hitting an animal, and damage sustained by certain hazards like a fallen tree crushing the vehicle.
3. Decline CDW/LDW and rely on coverage via a credit card, which often has limits and loopholes.
4. Decline CDW/LDW and rely on one's own possibly-deficient personal auto policy (PAP) coverage.
5. Self insure: use personal funds to pay for damage or loss.

There are three ways renters can insure against serious or frivolous lawsuits when people claim to be, or actually are injured, or killed, in an accident, or they damage "property of others" (cars, buildings, etc.):

• Tautonymous

• Auto Car Refinance Suv

• Camar Automotive Hoists

• Automates Alouette

• Carriage Auto Mart