Full Insurance in Morocco: What “CDW” Actually Covers in Agadir

If you’ve rented a car in Agadir (or you’re about to), you’ve probably seen the same confusing menu at booking time: CDW, LDW, “full insurance,” “zero excess,” theft protection, glass coverage, tires coverage… and sometimes a sales pitch that makes it sound like CDW is a magic shield that covers everything.

It isn’t. CDW is a liability-reducer for the rental vehicle, not a blanket policy for every situation, and what it covers in Morocco can vary by company, car category, and package. In Agadir specifically, where trips often include beach towns (Taghazout/Tamraght), valley roads (Paradise Valley), and busy parking zones, understanding CDW upfront can save you money and stress.

A clear definition helps: a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is an add-on sold by rental agencies that covers damage to or loss of a rental car, under the agreement’s terms. (Investopedia explains CDW as a waiver/benefit tied to the rental agreement.) Investopedia’s CDW definition.

Table of Contents

1. What “full insurance” usually means in Agadir
2. What CDW covers (the simple version)
3. What CDW often does not cover
4. The “excess” problem: why you can still pay even with CDW
5. How CDW interacts with credit card coverage
6. Agadir-specific scenarios where tourists get surprised
7. What to ask before you pay for “full insurance”
8. FAQs

1) What “full insurance” usually means in Agadir

In everyday rental talk, “full insurance” often means one of these (they are not the same):

• CDW included (with an excess you still pay if there’s damage)
• CDW + reduced excess (sometimes marketed as “super CDW”)
• CDW + extra items (glass, tires, undercarriage, roof, mirrors)
• “Zero excess” package (you still must follow rules, otherwise coverage can be void)

So when someone says “full,” your job is to translate it into:
What’s my maximum out-of-pocket amount if the car is damaged? And what situations are excluded?

2) What CDW covers (the simple version)

In most rental setups, CDW is designed to reduce what you owe for damage to the rental car caused by collision-related events, as long as you follow the rental agreement.

Think of CDW as:
“The rental company agrees not to charge you the full repair cost, but you may still pay an excess/deductible.”

That’s why CDW is often described as a “waiver” rather than traditional insurance: it’s an agreement that changes the rental company’s right to recover costs from you.

3) What CDW often does not cover

This is where people get caught. Many CDW packages (especially “basic CDW”) commonly exclude or limit:

• Tires and wheels (punctures, sidewall damage, rims)
• Windscreen / glass (chips, cracks)
• Undercarriage (scrapes from rough roads, hidden rocks)
• Roof damage (low obstacles, loading issues)
• Interior damage (spills, burns, tears)
• Negligence / rule-breaking (off-road use, unauthorized driver, intoxication)

The exact list is contract-specific, but the pattern is consistent: basic CDW is not a “covers everything” product. If a package truly includes glass/tires/undercarriage, it’s usually spelled out separately.

4) The “excess” problem: why you can still pay even with CDW

Even with CDW, you may still be responsible for an excess (also called deductible). That excess can be:

• a fixed amount (example: 3,000–10,000 MAD depending on category), or
• a category-based amount (economy lower, SUV/automatic higher)

So CDW often changes “unlimited risk” into “capped risk.”

A good way to judge value is to ask:
“If something happens, what’s the maximum I can be charged?”

If the excess is high and you’re planning lots of driving (night drives, tight parking, coastal trips), upgrading coverage may make sense, not because you expect an accident, but because it stabilizes your worst-case cost.

5) How CDW interacts with credit card coverage

Some travelers rely on credit card rental coverage instead of buying the rental company’s CDW. This can work, but it has strict conditions.

For example, Visa’s Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver benefit typically reimburses for theft or collision damage to the rental vehicle (up to the vehicle’s cash value), and it explicitly does not cover liability to other cars/people or injuries, those are separate. It also has eligibility and rental-period conditions. Visa Auto Rental CDW benefit terms (PDF).

Two important practical notes:

• Card benefits may require you to decline the rental company’s CDW and pay with the card.
• Claims can require documents (rental agreement, damage report, police report where applicable), and processing isn’t instant.

So for Agadir trips, credit card coverage can be a strategy, but it’s not always the smoothest one for short vacations where you want “no paperwork drama.”

6) Agadir-specific scenarios where tourists get surprised

1) Beach sand + interior cleaning
After Taghazout days, sand ends up everywhere. “Full insurance” usually doesn’t mean “free deep cleaning.”

2) Tight parking scrapes
Small bumper scuffs happen when parking near busy areas. CDW may reduce costs, but excess and exclusions still apply.

3) Valley/rough-road undercarriage hits
Some scenic routes involve uneven surfaces. Undercarriage damage is often excluded unless specifically covered.

4) Windscreen chips on faster roads
A small chip can become a bigger crack. Glass is commonly an add-on, not always included in “basic CDW.”

7) What to ask before you pay for “full insurance”

Copy-paste checklist (this is the fastest way to get clarity):

1. Is CDW included? If yes, what’s the excess amount?
2. Does “full insurance” mean zero excess, or just reduced excess?
3. Are tires/wheels covered? Are glass/windscreen covered?
4. Is undercarriage covered? Is roof covered?
5. What actions void coverage? (off-road, beach driving, unauthorized driver, alcohol, etc.)
6. If there’s damage, is a police report required? In what cases?
7. Are there admin fees (towing, “loss of use,” processing) even with coverage?

If the answers are clear and written, you’re protected from most surprises.

FAQs

Is CDW the same as full insurance?
No. CDW usually reduces your liability for damage to the rental car, often with an excess, and often with exclusions.

If I buy “full insurance,” can they still charge me?
They can if exclusions apply (tires, glass, undercarriage, negligence) or if rules were broken. Always confirm what “full” includes.

Should I rely on my credit card instead of CDW?
Sometimes, but read the benefit terms carefully and confirm eligibility requirements.

What’s the safest option for a first-time driver in Morocco?
The safest option is the one with clear written terms, a manageable excess, and coverage that matches your itinerary (especially if you’ll do lots of parking and day trips).