When booking a rental car in Korea, distinguish the insurance included in the rental price from a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) for damage to the rented vehicle. A product advertised as “full waiver” does not necessarily remove every charge. Your liability and the applicable conditions depend on the company, vehicle, branch and contract.
Four things to check before booking
- Basic coverage: Check whether bodily injury and property damage liability coverage is included and ask about the limits. Separately confirm whether damage to the rented vehicle itself is covered.
- CDW and excess: A CDW reduces your liability for rental vehicle damage under the contract’s terms. Get the additional fee, coverage limit and excess—the amount you pay following a covered incident—in writing.
- Loss-of-use charges: You may be charged separately for the rental income lost while the vehicle is being repaired. Ask whether your selected plan covers or waives this charge.
- Exclusions: Check wheels, tires, glass, the underbody and interior damage. Similarly named “full waiver” products can have different terms.
Checks for international drivers
Before reserving, confirm that your licence and driving experience meet the company’s rental requirements. Request terms or guidance in a language you understand. If someone else will drive, check additional-driver registration and whether coverage applies to them. Save the rental company’s accident reporting contact before setting off.
LOTTE Rent-a-Car’s official English FAQ also distinguishes basic coverage from CDW and lists exclusions such as tires and interior damage. That is guidance for its own products, not a rule for every company or plan. Do not treat example amounts in the blog as current quotes; compare your booking details with the actual rental agreement.
Summary of a WeBring blog guide; translated from Korean