What “full coverage” really means (and what excess you’re left with)
In one line: “full coverage” only means something if the excess is zero or refunded and the usual exclusions - glass, tyres, undercarriage and roof - are covered. Basic CDW alone still leaves you liable for €800-€2,500 and excludes the parts most likely to get damaged. All-inclusive rates close those gaps as standard.
Rental car insurance is deliberately confusing, because confusion sells counter add-ons. Here is the whole vocabulary in plain English, and how to judge whether a rate is genuinely “fully covered.”
The terms, decoded
- CDW (Collision Damage Waiver). Limits your liability for accidental damage to the car - but usually only down to the excess, not to zero.
- TP (Theft Protection). Limits your liability if the car is stolen, again typically down to an excess.
- Excess / deductible. The amount you still pay even with CDW/TP. This is where the real risk lives.
- Excess waiver / “super cover” / zero-excess. Reduces the excess to zero - or refunds it if it’s charged. This is the part that makes coverage “full.”
- Third-party liability. Covers damage you cause to others. All-inclusive adds extra liability of at least €10 million.
- Glass, tyres, undercarriage & roof. Commonly excluded from basic CDW - and exactly what gets damaged on rough or island roads.
Why the excess is the part that matters
Two cars can both be sold as “covered” while leaving you in completely different positions. With basic CDW and a €1,500 excess, a kerbed alloy or a cracked windscreen comes straight out of your pocket. With an excess waiver plus glass/tyre/undercarriage cover, the same incident costs you nothing. When you compare rates, compare the excess and the exclusions - not the word “covered.”
What all-inclusive coverage includes
| Protection | Basic counter CDW | All-inclusive (DisDou) |
|---|---|---|
| Excess | €800-€2,500 | Zero / refunded |
| Glass, tyres, undercarriage, roof | Often excluded | Covered |
| Theft protection | Excess applies | Excess refunded |
| Extra liability | Varies | ≥ €10 million |
| Towing & roadside | Often extra | Included |
Because the waiver and the usual exclusions are built into the rate, you don’t need to buy anything at the desk and you don’t need a separate standalone excess policy. If any excess is advanced locally, it’s refunded to you.
Coverage you don’t have to decode
Every car is quoted with the excess refunded and the common exclusions covered.
Search all-inclusive carsFrequently asked questions
What does “full coverage” mean for a rental car?
True full coverage means collision damage waiver (CDW) and theft protection with a zero or refunded excess, plus cover for the parts often excluded - glass, tyres, undercarriage and roof - and adequate third-party liability. Many “full” counter products still leave an excess or exclude those parts.
What is the excess (deductible)?
The excess is the amount you remain liable for if the car is damaged or stolen, even with CDW. It is typically €800-€2,500. An excess waiver (or all-inclusive cover) reduces it to zero or refunds it.
Is CDW the same as full coverage?
No. Basic CDW usually still carries a high excess and excludes glass, tyres and the underbody. Full coverage means those gaps are closed and the excess is removed or refunded.
Do I need my own excess insurance too?
If your rate already refunds the excess and covers glass/tyres/undercarriage/roof, you do not need a separate standalone excess policy. All-inclusive rates include this as standard.