CDW, LDW, Kasko, excess, liability... The terminology surrounding car rental insurance can be confusing, but understanding what you're covered for is essential for a worry-free trip. This simple guide breaks down the different types of insurance available when you rent a car in Turkey, so you can choose the right coverage and drive with confidence.
The Basics: What's Always Included?
Mandatory Third-Party Liability (Zorunlu Trafik Sigortası)
This is the most basic insurance, and it is required by Turkish law. Every rental car has it. It's important to know what it covers:
- It covers damage or injury to other people, their cars, or their property.
- It does NOT cover any damage to your rental car.
Protecting Your Rental Car: Damage Waivers
This is the part that covers the car you are driving. The most common term you will see is CDW.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW - known as Kasko in Turkey)
This is a standard waiver that limits your financial responsibility if the rental car is damaged. However, it is not "full insurance." It always comes with an **excess** (also called a deductible or "muafiyet" in Turkish).
What is an "Excess"? The excess is the maximum amount of money you are responsible for paying if the car is damaged. The rental company's insurance covers the rest.
Example: If your rental car's excess is 8,000 TRY and you have an accident that causes 30,000 TRY in damage, you would pay the first 8,000 TRY, and the insurance would cover the remaining 22,000 TRY. If the damage was only 5,000 TRY, you would pay the full 5,000 TRY.
A security deposit is held on your credit card to cover this potential excess.
Super CDW / Full Insurance (Sıfır Muafiyetli Kasko)
This is an optional, additional coverage you can purchase to make your journey completely stress-free. As the name implies, it offers superior protection:
- It reduces your excess to zero (or a very small amount).
- With this coverage, if there is damage to the car, you are not financially responsible (as long as you follow the rental agreement terms).
- It often provides coverage for things not included in basic CDW, like tires, windows, and headlights (check the policy for specifics).
What Is Typically NOT Covered, Even with Full Insurance?
No insurance policy covers everything. You will almost always be responsible for the full cost of damage if it is caused by negligence or a violation of the rental agreement, such as:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Putting the wrong type of fuel in the car.
- Driving on unpaved roads (off-roading).
- Losing the car keys or locking them inside the vehicle.
- Damage to the car's interior.
Our Recommendation: Choose Peace of Mind
For a truly relaxing holiday, we always recommend purchasing the Super CDW / Full Insurance option. While it adds a small amount to the daily rental cost, the peace of mind it provides is invaluable. It eliminates the financial risk and allows you to simply enjoy your adventure without worrying about potential accidents.
If you have any questions about our insurance options, please don't hesitate to ask! The Batman ERC Rent A Car team is here to help you make the best choice for your trip.