The Ultimate Car Rental Glossary

CarInsuRent have put together an A-Z guide to assist with car rental terminology. If you have any questions that are not answered in the glossary, feel free to contact us for assistance.

ACRISS (SIPP) Car Code

The ACRISS (SIPP) code is a car coding system. This identifies the features of a car so that you can be sure to get the same standard of car wherever you rent worldwide. Use the key below to assist you when deciding on which car is right for your trip.

Example 1 – CDMN = Compact 4-5 Door Manual Unspecified Drive with No Air-Conditioning.

Example 2 – IWAR = Intermediate Wagon Automatic with Air-Conditioning.

Additional Driver

Additional to the main driver, registered and listed on the Rental Agreement.

Additional Liability Insurance (ALI)

Provides additional protection for bodily injury or death plus property damage.

Additional Equipment

Based on availability at your pick-up location, you may be able to request items including infant and child booster seats or ski racks for a nominal additional fee.

Airport Fee

Charge applied by airport authorities for terminal and off terminal locations. In most cases, this charge is also applied to additional charges, such as one way fees, fuel option, child seat rental etc which are not included in the daily rate and are paid at the counter.

Child Seat Surcharge

You can request a child seat with your booking. Keep in mind there is limited availability, so make sure you supply all relevant information as soon as possible.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

Covers the rental vehicle in the event of accidental damage to the rental vehicle other than by theft or attempted theft. An excess usually applies and the amount will vary depending on the pick up country and/or vehicle type.

Concession Recovery Fee (CRF)

Airports charge rental car companies for the privilege of doing business on site, and the rental companies pass this percentage-based fee on to the renter.

Contract Modification Fee

If the rental car company had to change your contract after you’ve picked up the car, you may see this fee. For example, if you return your rental car at a time that is earlier or later than what is on your contract, the company may lose revenue as a result.

Excess

The amount the client is responsible for in the event the rental vehicle is damaged (whether the driver is at fault or not) or stolen.

Excess Reduction (ER) / Excess Waiver

Optional charge offered by the car rental company to reduce or waive the insurance excess in the event of an insurance claim against damage or theft. CarInsuRent strongly recommends travellers purchase Excess Waiver Insurance to cover themselves.

Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)

Covers the rental vehicle in the event of accidental damage and theft. An excess usually applies and the amount will vary depending on the pick up country and/or vehicle type.

Loss of Use

This fee replaces the daily income the rental company loses while a damaged car is being repaired.

One Way Fee

This fee is imposed to cover the costs of returning the vehicle back to the originating location. Some countries charge for one way fees between airport and downtown locations within the same city.

Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)

Covers the driver and additional passengers of the rental vehicle for personal and physical injuries incurred in an accident.

Premium Location Surcharge/Location Service Charge

Charge applied by car rental companies at selected downtown and railway locations. This additional item also includes the Airport Fee. In most cases, this charge is also applied to additional charges, such as one way fees, fuel option, child seat rental etc which are not included in the daily rate and are paid at the counter.

Rental Period

Your car rental period commencing at the time of collection through to the drop off time. Rental periods are based on 24 hours periods from the time of pick up, excluding European Leasing where it is based on calendar days.

Roadside Assistance

This optional coverage provides roadside assistance in case you lock yourself out of the car, lose your key, have a flat tire or a dead battery, or need a tow.

Sealed Road

A road sealed with a hard material such as tar, bitumen or concrete.

Security Deposit

Amount frozen on the client’s credit card at time of collection. The amount frozen is usually the full insurance excess amount. However, if an insurance excess is not applicable or the full excess is not frozen then an amount may still be frozen for incidentals such as fuel bond, optional charges, loss of keys etc.

Senior Driver Surcharge

Surcharge payable by senior drivers over &/or between a specific age.

Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI)

“SLI” is short for Supplemental Liability Insurance, and this is a type of car hire insurance that gives you third party liability cover. That means, if you are involved in an accident with your hire car, you (the driver) are insured against bodily injury and property damage to a third party up to a certain monetary value.

Theft Protection (TP)

Covers the rental vehicle in the event of theft, attempted theft or vandalism. An excess usually applies and the amount will vary depending on the pick up country and/or vehicle type.

Third Party

Provides cover for public liability and is subject to the car rental company’s terms and conditions on the rental agreement.

Vehicle Licensing Fee/Vehicle Road Registration Fee

Government imposed levy for each rental car in the car provider’s fleet. Charge to partially recover the vehicle registration costs.

Young Driver Surcharge

For drivers under 25, suppliers will charge an additional daily surcharge. The amount charged differs depending on the car rental company.