When renting a car from Enterprise, you’ll inevitably face that moment at the counter: “Would you like to add our damage waiver?” Your mind races through what coverage you already have, what might happen if something goes wrong, and whether that daily fee is worth the peace of mind. Let’s cut through the confusion and help you make an informed decision.
What Exactly Is Enterprise’s Damage Waiver?
Enterprise’s Damage Waiver (DW) isn’t insurance—it’s a contractual agreement that relieves you of financial responsibility if your rental car gets damaged or stolen. When you pay the daily fee, Enterprise essentially agrees to waive costs related to repairs, theft, towing, and loss of use of the rental vehicle.
What It Covers
The damage waiver typically covers:
- Physical damage to the rental vehicle
- Theft of the vehicle
- Towing expenses
- Loss of use (revenue Enterprise loses while the car is being repaired)
- Administrative fees for processing claims
What It Doesn’t Cover
Don’t confuse the damage waiver with full protection. It doesn’t cover:
- Liability for injuries to others or damage to their property
- Personal belongings inside the car
- Damage from “gross negligence” (like drunk driving)
- Sometimes, tire, windshield, or undercarriage damage without additional coverage
How Much Does Enterprise’s Damage Waiver Cost?
The cost varies based on location, vehicle type, and coverage level, but you can expect to pay between $12 and $30 per day in the United States. For standard Enterprise rentals, the damage waiver typically runs between $15 and $19.99 daily.
Here’s a quick cost breakdown:
- Economy and compact cars: Around $15 per day
- Mid-size and full-size cars: $17-$20 per day
- SUVs and luxury vehicles: Up to $30 per day
For a typical week-long vacation, this means adding $105-$210 to your rental cost.
Your Existing Coverage Options Explained
Before deciding on Enterprise’s damage waiver, understand what protection you might already have.
Personal Auto Insurance
Most personal auto insurance policies extend coverage to rental cars, including:
- Collision coverage: Pays for damage to the rental car in an accident, subject to your deductible
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers non-accident damage like theft, vandalism, or weather damage
- Liability coverage: Protects against third-party injury or property damage claims
The key limitation? You’ll still be responsible for your deductible, and filing a claim could increase your premiums by 20-40% over three years.
Credit Card Benefits
Many credit cards include rental car protection when you use them to pay for your rental. The coverage typically falls into two categories:
- Primary coverage: Pays for damage directly, without involving your auto insurance (Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve offer this)
- Secondary coverage: Kicks in after your personal insurance, often reimbursing deductibles and covering what your primary insurance doesn’t
The catch? Card benefits often exclude certain vehicles (like trucks or luxury cars), have country restrictions, and involve lengthy reimbursement processes that can take up to six months.
Travel Insurance
Some travel insurance policies include rental car coverage, but this often duplicates what you might already have through your credit card or auto insurance.
Why Enterprise’s Damage Waiver Might Be Worth It
1. No Out-of-Pocket Expenses
With the damage waiver, you simply return the car and walk away—even if it’s damaged. No deductibles, no claims forms, no upfront costs. As one frequent renter put it on Reddit: “It’s worth $25/day to hand back the keys and walk away, even with a dent.”
2. Coverage for Items Others Miss
Enterprise’s damage waiver covers costs that your insurance or credit cards often don’t, including:
- Loss of use: Enterprise can charge around $50 per day while the car is being repaired
- Diminished value: The decrease in the car’s market value after repairs
- Administrative fees: Processing charges that can add up quickly
These “hidden costs” can easily reach $500-$1,000 even for minor damage.
3. No Insurance Premium Increases
Filing a claim with your personal auto insurance could raise your rates for three years or more. The damage waiver lets you avoid this risk entirely.
4. Peace of Mind on Vacation
Vacations should be stress-free. Paying a set daily fee transforms an unpredictable risk into a fixed, manageable cost.
When the Damage Waiver Isn’t Worth It
1. Short Rentals with Strong Existing Coverage
If you’re renting for just a day or two and have excellent primary coverage through your credit card (like Chase Sapphire Reserve’s $100,000 in primary coverage), the damage waiver might be unnecessary.
2. Long-Term Rentals
For rentals longer than a week, the cumulative cost of the damage waiver becomes substantial. At $20/day, a two-week rental adds $280—perhaps more than your insurance deductible.
3. Multiple Coverage Sources
If you have both robust auto insurance and credit card coverage, you might be effectively double-covered already.
Regional Differences to Consider
Enterprise’s damage waiver offerings vary significantly by country:
United States and Canada
Standard damage waivers typically cost $15-$30 daily with optional add-ons for roadside assistance and additional liability coverage.
Mexico
Enterprise México offers Total Protection packages that include Material Damage Waiver with a 10% deductible, plus separate tire and glass protection with a 20% deductible.
Australia and New Zealand
Renters face steep liability limits without protection—up to $3,450 NZD. The Super Collision Damage Waiver (SUCDW) reduces this to zero liability for about $29 per day.
Europe
Many European rentals include basic damage waiver in the base rate, but often with a significant excess (similar to a deductible) that can reach €1,500 in countries like Italy.
Making the Right Decision: A Decision Framework
To decide whether Enterprise’s damage waiver makes sense for you, answer these questions:
- What coverage do I already have? Check both your auto insurance policy and credit card benefits.
- How long is my rental period? The longer the rental, the higher the cumulative cost of the waiver.
- What’s my risk tolerance? Some people sleep better knowing they have zero financial responsibility.
- Where am I renting? International rentals, unfamiliar road conditions, or high-risk areas might justify additional protection.
Who Should Definitely Get the Damage Waiver
Enterprise’s damage waiver is particularly valuable for:
- Travelers without personal auto insurance (or those with liability-only coverage)
- International travelers whose policies don’t extend abroad
- Business travelers whose expenses are reimbursable
- Drivers with high insurance deductibles (e.g., $1,000 or more)
- Those renting in high-risk areas (busy urban centers, areas with poor road conditions)
- Short-term renters (the convenience often justifies the cost for trips under five days)
Smart Strategies to Save on Coverage
1. Leverage Credit Card Primary Coverage
Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve provide primary coverage, meaning they pay first—before your personal insurance. For a $95-$550 annual fee, you get protection on all your rentals throughout the year.
2. Check for Discount Codes
Many employers, alumni associations, and membership organizations (like AAA or Costco) offer discounted or even waived damage waiver fees.
3. Book Through Travel Portals
Some online travel agencies include damage waivers at discounted rates when booking packages.
4. Combine Partial Coverage
For maximum flexibility at a lower cost, consider combining a credit card’s coverage with Enterprise’s partial damage waiver, which reduces your liability instead of eliminating it entirely.
Real Costs of Rental Car Damage Without Protection
To understand what’s at stake, consider these potential costs without a damage waiver:
| Damage Type | Average Repair Cost | Additional Fees | Potential Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor fender bender | $800-$1,500 | $300-$500 loss of use | $1,100-$2,000 |
| Side panel damage | $1,200-$2,500 | $400-$700 loss of use + admin | $1,600-$3,200 |
| Total loss/theft | $20,000+ vehicle value | $1,000+ loss of use + admin | $21,000+ |
These figures don’t include the potential increase in your personal insurance premiums if you file a claim.
Bottom Line: Is Enterprise Damage Waiver Worth It?
Enterprise’s damage waiver is worth it in specific scenarios: short-term rentals, high-risk destinations, or when you lack robust insurance coverage. The peace of mind and administrative simplicity can justify the cost, especially for vacation travelers who want to avoid stress.
However, if you have primary credit card coverage or low-deductible auto insurance, and you’re comfortable with potentially navigating a claims process, you might reasonably decline it.
There’s no universal answer—the value depends on your individual circumstances, existing coverage, and personal risk tolerance. By weighing daily costs against potential out-of-pocket expenses and administrative hassles, you can make an informed decision that best suits your situation.
Remember: the damage waiver is always worth it if the alternative would be spending your vacation worrying about every parking lot ding or roadside pebble.
