Coverage & liability · Travelers + trade
Zero excess / zero deductible
Also called zero excess, zero deductible, no excess
What it means
Zero excess (zero deductible in the US and Canada) means your share of a covered damage or theft bill is zero. It's usually reached by buying the rental company's top cover tier or an excess reduction product. "Zero" applies only to what the cover includes: damage from prohibited use, unauthorized drivers or breaking the rental terms is normally still excluded, and some covers also leave out items such as tires, glass, the roof, underbody or keys.
Why it matters
It's the most predictable way to rent: no surprise repair bill for covered damage. It often comes with a lower deposit too, though that depends on the rental company.
Wording by region
Same product: "zero deductible" for USD/CAD customers, "zero excess" for everyone else.
Related terms
- Deductible vs excessSame thing, two words: the most you pay toward damage or theft of the rental car before the rental company's waiver covers the rest.
- Super CDW / excess reductionAn optional upgrade that cuts your excess, often to zero, on top of the basic damage waiver.
- Security depositAn amount the rental company holds on your card at pickup and releases after the car comes back without new charges.
Also related Exclusions (rental cover), Negligence (voids cover)