How are SLI/CDW Claims handled?

We explain what happens if you need to make a claim on your SLI or CDW Policy.

Unless it is a fairly modest sum, agreement of a claim for a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Supplementary Liability Insurance (SLI) policy tends to be handled directly between the insurer and the car hire company. You are not usually expected to put the full value of a car on your credit card!

It is really important, especially with SLI claims, that you follow the insurer's process carefully.

In an SLI claim the first part of any claim is on any locally provided insurance your car rental firm has provided. If you only claim on your Supplementary Liability policy you can end up causing real confusion and, in the worst case scenario, risk having your claim rejected.

If your car hire did not come with any liability insurance and you therefore purchased your own primary liability cover then you would claim through that policy.

If you are in any way unsure, simply contact the car hire insurer you bought from and they will make sure you stay on the straight and narrow.

It is likely that on contacting your insurer, that they will ask for details of the incident and documentation to support your claim. This evidence may include some or all of the following so please do retain any such paperwork:

• The original Vehicle Rental Agreement.
• A copy of the Car Hire Certificate of Insurance.
• The receipt for the rental (if separate from the Vehicle Rental Agreement).
• Copies of any invoices, receipts, or other documents confirming any amount you have paid in respect of the incident for which you are claiming.
• Front and back copy of the driving licence of the person driving the rental vehicle involved in the accident (the driver). You may also be asked for other forms of identification.
• If the incident by law requires the attendance of the police you may be asked to send the original copy of any police report (and a police report will be required if you are claiming for any theft, either of the vehicle or personal belongings)
• A copy of the rental company's accident damage report.
• A copy of your credit card statement showing payment of the damages claimed.

If you have paid for any costs (such as your credit card being debited for a modest claim) you will, upon successful completion of any claim, be reimbursed directly, whilst, if the incident is handled directly between the insurance company and the hire firm, reimbursement will be direct. Larger claims and particularly those for SLI/CDW policies may well be undertaken directly between the car hire company and the insurer.

This content was last reviewed on 11/10/2023

Similar Questions

Claims related Questions Answered

• How good are these companies at settling claims?
• How do I make a Claim on my Excess Insurance?
• Will a car hire accident claim affect my car no claims bonus?
• Does Excess Insurance cover Bodywork Claims?
• How are Excess Insurance Claims handled?
• How are worldwide policy claims handled?
• How are SLI/CDW Claims handled?
• Make Sure Your Car Hire Insurance Claim is Valid

General Car Hire Insurance Questions Answered

• Does it matter what time of day I collect or return my hire car?
• What Does All Inclusive Car Hire Insurance Cover?
• What is Personal Effects Cover (PEC) and do I need it?
• Can a hire company refuse to accept a car hire excess policy?
• Do I need car hire cancellation insurance?
• What if I need a policy to cover two groups?
• Can I get car hire excess insurance to cover business use?
• Comprehensive Insurance on Rental Car - How to Make Sure You are Fully Covered
• Is damage to windows and tyres covered?
• Are there credit cards which offer Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Excess Insurance?
• Will car rental firms preauthorise on my credit card when I have car hire excess insurance?
• Does deductibles mean the same as excess?
• Do I need Car Hire Excess Insurance when I rent a car?
• How does your car hire excess insurance work?
• What if I have a problem printing or downloading the car hire insurance document?
• Does my car rental agreement already include insurance?
• Do I have to pay an excess if I buy a car hire excess insurance?
• Can I use motorhome hire excess insurance to cover peer-to-peer hires?
• Are other people travelling with me covered?
• No Excess Car Hire - What does this include?
• Will car hire insurance cover me if I pick the car up at one location and return it to another?
• Can I use car hire excess insurance to cover peer-to-peer hires?
• What is Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) and do I need it?
• What is covered by the Theft insurance included in the car rental price?
• What if I am unable to open my MoneyMaxim email with my car hire or car hire excess insurance quotes on?
• What does towing cover on car hire excess insurance include and how does it work
• Which insurance do I need for my car hire?
• What do zero excess car hire insurance policies offer?

Your Driver related Questions Answered

• What are the age limits on Car Hire Insurance policies? Are policies available for those over 85?
• Can I buy car hire excess insurance if I am under 21 years old?
• Do I need to buy a second excess insurance policy for an additional driver?
• Are other people travelling with me in my hire car covered?

Car Hire Companies - Your Insurance Questions Answered

• What insurance policies do Alamo offer?
• What insurance policies are offered by Auto Europe?
• What is Avis Insurance Cover like? Do they have CDW, Liability and Excess Waiver Cover?
• What insurance policies are offered by Budget?
• What insurance policies are offered by Car Hire Brokers? And are they a good deal?
• Does Sixt include CDW in its car hire packages?
• What insurance policies are offered by Dollar?
• What insurance policies are offered by Economy Car Rentals?
• What insurance policies are offered by Enterprise?
• What insurance policies are offered by Hertz?
• National Car Hire - are their Super Cover collision damage waiver excess policies a good deal?
• What insurance policies are offered by No Excess Zest Car Rental?
• What insurance policies are offered by Sixt?
• Super CDW, Deductibles and Non Waiver - What do they mean?
• What insurance policies are offered by Thrifty?
• My hire company offers Super CDW or Excess cover? What is this?
• Super CDW, Deductible or Non Waiver - Terms Explained

Vehicle related Questions Answered

• Do you cover vehicles such as Camper Vans, Caravans and Motor Bikes?
• Can I get excess insurance for a pickup truck?
• What cars are covered by car hire insurance?
• What kinds of vehicles can you be covered for by an excess insurance policy?

Combined Worldwide CDW, SLI & Excess Policy Questions Answered

• Is Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) the same as Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)?
• What are the features of the CDW/LDW & SLI Policy?
• What does the term Collision Damage Waiver mean?
• Collision Damage Waiver Insurance - We explain what it is
• What cover is provided by the Combined Worldwide CDW, SLI & Excess Policy?
• What are the features of a Combined CDW, SLI and Excess policy?
• Is independent car hire insurance suitable for fly-drive holidays?
• Can I buy independant car-hire insurance for my fly drive holiday?
• Theft Protection - Car Hire definitions
• What Insurance Cover is Provided with an SLI Policy?

Questions on CDW & SLI Policies for the USA and Canada Answered

• What are the restrictions on the CDW/LDW & SLI Policy for the USA and Canada?
• If I purchase a Collision Damage Waiver and Supplementary Liability Insurance Policy, am I fully covered for car rental insurance in the USA and Canada?
• What are the requirements for car rental insurance in the USA and Canada?

Geographical related Questions Answered

• Why are there restrictions on UK usage?
• In which countries is Excess/Super CDW not charged?
• In which countries is Excess/Super CDW charged?

Excess Insurance Questions Specific to Countries

• Which car hire excess insurance policy is best for UK car rental?