Coverage options
What our Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) covers, what it doesn't, and where to get insurance for the rest.
CDW is NOT insurance.
Virginia Code § 46.2-1573.3 requires us to be clear about this. A Collision Damage Waiver is a contractual waiver — Connect2Autos agrees to limit your financial responsibility for damage to our vehicle. It does not cover third-party claims, your own injuries, your personal belongings, or anything else insurance handles.
What CDW DOES cover
- Damage to the Connect2Autos vehicle you rent, up to the deductible stated in your tier.
- Caps your out-of-pocket for a collision — without CDW you're responsible for the full repair cost.
Your exact deductible depends on which CDW tier you select at the counter. Full terms are in your rental agreement.
What CDW does NOT cover
- Third-party liability — if you injure another person or damage their property, CDW does nothing.
- Your own medical bills if you're hurt in an accident.
- Personal belongings stolen from the vehicle.
- Loss of use, towing, administrative fees, diminished value.
- Traffic tickets, tolls, red-light/speed-camera violations, parking citations.
- Damage caused while CDW is voided — unlisted drivers, impairment, prohibited use, misrepresentation, flight from an accident.
For the parts CDW doesn't cover — insurance options
1. Your personal auto policy
Many personal auto policies extend to rental vehicles. Call your agent before you rent — ask whether your liability, comprehensive, and collision coverages apply to a rental, and what the deductible would be.
2. Credit card benefits
Most major credit cards offer some rental car coverage when the card is used to pay for the full rental. Benefits vary — Visa/MC/Amex platinum tiers often include vehicle damage coverage but rarely third-party liability. Check your cardholder benefits guide.
3. Standalone rental protection
If you don't have either of the above — or want coverage that fills the gaps — a third-party rental protection product is the fastest path. We don't sell this; it's a separate purchase from an insurer we don't have a financial relationship with.
Rental CoverRental Cover is a third-party product. Review their Product Disclosure Statement before purchasing.
About Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI)
You may have seen other rental companies offer SLI as an add-on. SLI is actual insurance (unlike CDW) that increases third-party liability protection above the Virginia state minimum.
Connect2Autos does not currently offer SLI at the counter. For third-party liability protection, use one of the three options above (your personal policy, your credit card's rental benefit, or a third-party product like Rental Cover).
We're evaluating whether to add SLI as a counter option in the future.
Quick comparison
| What's covered | CDW (ours) | Personal auto | Rental Cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage to our vehicle | ✓ | maybe | ✓ |
| Third-party liability | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Your medical | ✗ | if PIP/MedPay | ✓ |
| Personal belongings | ✗ | maybe (renters) | ✓ |
| Loss of use / admin fees | ✗ | maybe | ✓ |
| Trip cancellation | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
"maybe" = depends on your specific policy. Confirm with your insurer or card issuer before relying on it.