No rental company will let a van hit the road without basic damage protection, whether it’s the company’s own policy or cover from the driver’s credit card.

However, that basic damage protection that comes as standard – called Collision Damage Waiver or CDW – doesn’t cover everything. That’s why rental companies tend to offer Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW) as a top-up. When rental company counter staff offer you ‘insurance’, when you arrive to pick up the van, it’s usually their unique version of SCDW that they’re sell ing.

Is Collision Damage Waiver enough?

There are two ways that CDW can let you down:

1) It only covers the van’s bodywork

Any kind of insurance or protection will have ‘exclusions’, which are things it doesn’t cover. CDW covers only the van’s bodywork (the painted parts of the van), so it won’t help at all if there’s any damage to the tyres, windows, wheels, lights, engine, interior, undercarriage, mirrors, etc.

2) There’s an excess to pay

Even if it’s the bodywork that gets damaged, you’ll still have to pay an excess before the CDW pays the rest of the repair cost. This excess is often somewhere between £350 and £3,000, depending on what kind of van you’re driving, and which company you rent it from.

What’s the benefit of Super Collision Damage Waiver?

As the name suggests, Super Collision Damage Waiver is a top-up. It fills in the gaps that a standard Collision Damage Waiver leaves. It does this in two ways:

1) It covers much more of the van than CDW

Rental companies will offer their own SCDW policy, but they all cover a lot more than just the van’s bodywork. However, there might still be exclusions, so do check out the policy terms before you agree to anything.

2) It reduces the excess

Some SCDW policies reduce the excess, so you don’t have to pay as much towards any repairs the policy covers. Other SCDW policies get rid of the excess completely, so you don’t have to pay anything. These are sometimes called ‘zero excess’ policies.

Is SCDW the best type of cover?

SCDW is one way to protect yourself when you rent a van. There are other options for insuring your rental, for example buying insurance when you book a van, or buying annual insurance online. Or you might decide to rely on the van’s basic cover. It’s your choice.

Only you can decide what kind of insurance you’re most comfortable with when you rent a van. To find out more, see What's the best way to insure your rental van?

You’ll know what level of protection you’re comfortable with. What’s important is that you’re clear on what you’re covered for and what you’re paying for it, whichever option you choose.