Car Rental Insurance in Aruba: What's Actually Required

The bottom line on insurance

Liability coverage is mandatory and usually included. CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) is optional but smart. Skip it only if your credit card covers rentals in Aruba. Everything else (tire protection, personal effects, supplemental liability) is usually unnecessary.

If your credit card includes rental car coverage, you can save $15-25/day by declining CDW at the counter. That's $105-175 on a week-long rental. Check your specific card benefits before you travel.

What each coverage type actually does

Liability insurance: Covers damage you cause to other people or property. Required by Aruban law. Usually included in the base rental rate. If it's not, ask why.

CDW (Collision Damage Waiver): Covers damage to your rental car. Without it, you're liable for the full vehicle value if something happens. Typically $15-25/day. The most important optional coverage.

LDW (Loss Damage Waiver): Sometimes used interchangeably with CDW. In Aruba, they're usually the same thing. Don't pay for both.

Theft protection: Separate from CDW at some agencies. Usually bundled together in Aruba. Ask if CDW includes theft before buying additional coverage.

Personal accident insurance: Covers medical bills for you and passengers. Skip if you have travel insurance or health insurance that covers you abroad.

Personal effects coverage: Protects belongings stolen from the car. Your homeowners or renters insurance likely covers this already. Skip it.

Credit card coverage: does yours work in Aruba?

Most premium credit cards (Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve, Amex Platinum/Gold, Capital One Venture, Citi Premier) include rental car collision coverage as a benefit. It's secondary coverage that kicks in after your personal auto insurance.

To use credit card coverage: you must decline the agency's CDW, and you must pay for the entire rental with that card. Partial payments or deposits on other cards can void the coverage.

Important limitations to check: Some cards exclude SUVs, Jeeps, or "exotic" vehicles. Some have coverage windows (15, 30, or 31 days max). Some require you to report claims within a specific timeframe. Call your card's benefits line or read the guide before you travel.

Aruba is covered by most US credit card rental benefits. It's not on typical exclusion lists. But verify. The excluded countries list varies by card.

Off-road coverage: the Arikok question

Standard CDW typically excludes damage on unpaved roads. If you're planning to drive to the Natural Pool, through Arikok National Park, or to Boca Prins beach, this matters.

Ask specifically: "Does your CDW cover damage on the Natural Pool road?" Get the answer in writing or noted on your contract. Some agencies offer off-road packages for $10-15/day extra.

Agencies that commonly offer Arikok/off-road coverage: Top Drive, More4Less. Others may offer it if you ask. Don't assume it's included with a Jeep rental. The vehicle type and the coverage are separate questions.

If you damage a car on excluded roads, you're liable for the full repair cost. On rough limestone, this can mean bent rims, tire punctures, undercarriage damage, or worse. $500-2,000+ out of pocket is possible.

What to actually buy (and skip)

If your credit card covers you: Decline CDW and save $15-25/day. Make sure Aruba is covered, vehicle type is covered, and you pay the full rental with that card.

If you don't have credit card coverage: Buy CDW. The peace of mind is worth it. Ask about zero-deductible options if available (Tropic Car Rental offers this for $15/day).

If you're going off-road: Confirm off-road coverage is included or buy the upgrade. Don't assume.

Skip these: tire and windshield add-ons (rarely worth the cost), personal accident insurance (your travel or health insurance likely covers this), personal effects coverage (your renters/homeowners policy covers this), and supplemental liability beyond the minimum (the included coverage is usually sufficient).

At the counter: Rental agents are trained to upsell. Know what you need before you arrive, and politely decline the rest. "No thank you, I have coverage through my credit card" ends most pitches.