Car Rental Insurance Explained: What Are CDW, SCDW, TP and PAI?
The price of a rental car usually includes compulsory traffic insurance (ZMSS) and, with most companies, a collision damage waiver (CDW). CDW reduces what you pay for damage to the car in an accident down to a limit called the excess. Minor damage cover (SCDW), tyre, glass and headlight cover (LCF), personal accident insurance (PAI) and IMM (excess third-party liability) cost extra with most companies. Which cover is included varies by company and is listed in the offer details. In the offers we measured on our platform on 13 October 2026, the typical security deposit was 6.500 TL.
Definitions: published rental conditions of major rental companies · Deposit data: 13 October 2026, 1,876 offers, RentaCarSAW search results · Regulation: Official Gazette (Resmî Gazete), 15 August 2026
Abbreviations: what does each cover protect?
| Abbreviation | Name | What does it cover? | Usually |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZMSS (traffic) | Compulsory traffic insurance | Damage caused to third parties | Included, compulsory |
| CDW | Collision damage waiver | Damage to the car in an accident; the part up to the excess is yours to pay | Included with most companies |
| SCDW | Minor damage cover | Minor single-party damage where no accident report can be filed, up to a limit | Extra charge |
| TP | Theft protection | Theft of the car | Included or extra, depending on the company |
| LCF | Tyre, glass and headlight cover | Damage to tyres, glass and headlights, bodywork excluded | Extra charge |
| PAI | Personal accident insurance | Accident-related harm to the driver and passengers | Extra charge |
| IMM | Excess third-party liability | Third-party damage above the traffic insurance limit | Extra charge |
The definitions and the "Usually" column follow the usage in the published rental conditions of major rental companies. Cover and limits vary from company to company.
What is the excess and how does it work?
The excess is the maximum amount you pay if there is damage. If a car with CDW is in an accident, you pay the part of the damage up to the excess, and the cover or the comprehensive insurance (kasko) pays the rest. Minor damage cover (SCDW), on the other hand, reduces this payment to zero, up to a set limit, for minor single-party damage where no accident report can be filed. Companies usually state the excess amount in the rental agreement or during the booking steps; there is no single industry figure.
How much is the security deposit?
A security deposit is not insurance: it is an amount the company holds during the rental and gives back when the car is returned without problems. The amounts we measured in the offers on our platform on 13 October 2026:
| Class | Median security deposit | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 5.000 TL | 750–12.000 TL |
| Midsize | 7.000 TL | 1.000–30.000 TL |
| SUV | 7.000 TL | 2.000–30.000 TL |
| Minivan | 7.000 TL | 3.000–49.700 TL |
| Premium | 7.500 TL | 4.000–15.000 TL |
13 October 2026 · 20–23 October, 3-day rental · 24 locations · 45 companies · 1,786 offers listing a deposit amount. Amounts rounded to the nearest 50 TL.
How the security deposit is taken and when it is returned varies by company and is listed in the details of the offer you choose. For the same car, choosing the company with the lower deposit reduces the amount tied up during your rental.
Should I buy extra cover?
- Short trips around the city: if CDW is included and the excess is reasonable for you, extra cover is not essential.
- Long drives, narrow streets, lots of parking: the risk of minor damage goes up; minor damage cover (SCDW) and LCF cover can make things easier.
- Lots of passengers: personal accident insurance (PAI) also covers passengers.
- High-value car: IMM gives extra protection against damage above the traffic insurance limit.
If you are relying on the car rental cover your credit card provides abroad, confirm in writing with your bank beforehand whether it is valid for rentals in Türkiye.
What changes from 1 January 2027?
5 checks before you pick up the car
- Read which cover is included: the offer details list which covers are included in the price.
- Ask about the excess: know the most you will pay if there is an accident.
- Photograph the car: at pickup, have any existing scratches and dents written on the handover report, and take photos.
- If there is an accident, get a report: an accident report form (kaza tespit tutanağı) if another party is involved, or otherwise a police or gendarmerie report, is a condition of many covers.
- Find out when the deposit is returned: ask when the amount will come back after you return the car.
Frequently asked questions
Is insurance included in the rental car price?
Compulsory traffic insurance is always included. A collision damage waiver (CDW) is included in the price with most companies; minor damage, tyre-glass-headlight, personal accident and IMM cover usually cost extra. The offer details list which cover is included.
What is the difference between CDW and SCDW?
CDW limits what you pay for damage to the car in an accident to the excess. SCDW (minor damage cover) reduces this payment to zero, up to a set limit, for minor single-party damage where no accident report can be filed.
What does excess mean?
It is the maximum amount you pay if there is damage. You pay the part of the damage up to the excess, and the cover pays the rest. The amount varies by company and is stated in the rental agreement.
How much is the security deposit for a rental car?
On 13 October 2026, across 1,786 offers on our platform, the median security deposit was 6.500 TL; 5.000 TL in the economy class and 7.000 TL for midsize cars and SUVs. 80% of offers were between 4.000 and 9.900 TL.
Is tyre and glass damage covered by the insurance?
With most companies, CDW does not cover damage to tyres, glass, headlights and mirrors. Tyre, glass and headlight cover (LCF) is offered separately for these.
Will insurance be compulsorily included in rental cars from 2027?
Under the regulation coming into force on 1 January 2027, the renter will benefit from the car's comprehensive insurance (kasko), operator cover and compulsory traffic insurance simply by paying the rental fee; a rental cannot be made conditional on buying additional insurance.
