Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)

Loss Damage Waiver is the bigger sibling of CDW. Where a pure CDW only deals with accident damage, an LDW rolls in theft and the total loss of the vehicle as well. In practice the two letters you want to see together are damage and loss — that combination is what LDW gives you.

You will often see CDW and LDW used loosely, especially on American-style quotes where "LDW" is the standard term for the whole package. In Europe and Morocco, agencies more commonly split it into CDW (damage) plus Theft Protection, which together add up to roughly the same thing.

Just like CDW, an LDW still carries an excess and the usual exclusions. Losing the keys, leaving the car unlocked, or failing to file a police report after a theft can void the cover entirely, so read the conditions before you assume you are protected.

When comparing offers, do not just tick the box that says "LDW included." Check the excess amount and whether tyres, glass and the underbody are part of the deal or left out.