Questions & answers · Car insurance
I rented a car in New York and it was damaged or stolen — will the rental company make me pay, and does my own car insurance or credit card cover it?
Car insuranceWho paysNew YorkChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: New York State Department of Financial Services · Auto Insurance Information for Consumers · Rental Vehicle Coverage View original ↗
In short
- A New York rental company may bill you for a damaged or stolen car.
- Call your car insurer and your card issuer before you rent.
- The sources give no deadline.
What this means
The New York Department of Financial Services says a rental company may sell a collision damage waiver (CDW). On rentals of 30 consecutive days or less, if you do not buy it, the company can charge you for the total value of a stolen or damaged car [1]. The daily cost of the CDW may be as high as $15 for a car worth up to $50,000 [2].
You may not need to buy it. If you have a New York auto policy and rent for 30 days or less, the state says you do not need the CDW, whether or not you have collision or comprehensive cover on your own car [3]. The rental company must tell you that your auto policy or your credit card may cover you [4]. Card cover is separate and usually pays only above other cover you have [5]. The sources do not say how much your policy or card will pay.
Your next step
Call your auto insurer and your credit card issuer before you rent. Ask whether they cover a rental car in New York, and ask for the answer in writing. Read the waiver offer in your rental contract before you sign. The sources give no deadline.
Check it yourself
Read your own auto policy and your card's benefits guide for rental car cover, and read your rental contract. The DFS page above is the state's guide for New York residents. The sources do not say how much your own policy or card will pay — "Don't know yet".
Where this comes from (5)
[1] New York State Department of Financial Services · Auto Insurance Information for Consumers · Rental Vehicle Coverage · checked 2026-11-06
For rentals of 30 consecutive days or less, rental vehicle companies can sell a CDW, or if not purchased, charge a renter for the total value of a stolen or damaged rental vehicle.
[2] New York State Department of Financial Services · Auto Insurance Information for Consumers · Rental Vehicle Coverage · checked 2026-11-06
The daily cost of the CDW may be as high as $15, depending on the value of the vehicle up to $50,000.
[3] New York State Department of Financial Services · Auto Insurance Information for Consumers · Rental Vehicle Coverage · checked 2026-11-06
If you are currently insured under a New York auto insurance policy and you rent a vehicle for 30 days or less anywhere in the United States, its territories and possessions, or Canada, you do not need to buy a CDW/OVP from the rental vehicle company regardless of whether you have collision or comprehensive coverage on your own vehicle.
[4] New York State Department of Financial Services · Auto Insurance Information for Consumers · Rental Vehicle Coverage · checked 2026-11-06
The rental vehicle company must inform you that you may have coverage under either your auto insurance policy or through your credit card
[5] New York State Department of Financial Services · Auto Insurance Information for Consumers · Credit Card Collision Coverage · checked 2026-11-06
This is separate from any other coverage and usually covers losses only above amounts collectible under other existing coverages.
How we found this
We matched your question to 5 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.
Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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