What is a loss damage waiver (LDW)?

A loss damage waiver (LDW) is an optional extra you can add to your agreement when renting a car – it's a slightly more comprehensive product than a collision damage waiver (CDW). Picking the loss damage waiver means you won't have to pay the insurance excess in the event the rental car is damaged or stolen while you're using it. If you decide not to take the loss damage waiver and have a crash in a rental car, you could find yourself on the hook for hundreds or thousands of pounds worth of excess costs. Whether you choose to pay for it or not comes down to the level of risk you're willing to accept – you might appreciate the extra peace of mind from knowing you won't have any big bills to pay if you get unlucky behind the wheel.