Car hire deposit and insurance in Turkey
When you hire a car at Dalaman, the local rental company may take a deposit or a card pre-authorisation at pickup, which is released after you return the car in the agreed condition. Standard cover (CDW, collision damage waiver) is provided by the rental company, and full cover options depend on the company. You pay the rental itself at pickup in cash or by card; nothing is charged when you book.
How does the car hire deposit work in Turkey?
A deposit or pre-authorisation is a security amount the rental company holds while you have the car. With a pre-authorisation, the money is reserved on your card rather than taken, and the hold is released after the car is returned without new damage, missing fuel or unpaid fines.
The amount depends on the company and the car class, and larger cars usually carry a higher deposit. How quickly a released hold disappears from your statement depends on your bank.
- Bring a card in the main driver's name
- Ask the amount and how it is taken at handover
- Keep your contract and return check-in form
- Check your statement after the trip
What insurance is included with a rental car in Turkey?
Standard cover, usually called CDW (collision damage waiver), is provided by the rental company and limits what you pay if the car is damaged. Standard cover normally leaves an excess, the part of any damage cost you remain responsible for, and it can exclude items such as tyres, glass, the underside or damage caused by driving under the influence.
Full cover options that reduce or remove the excess depend on the rental company. Ask at pickup what is included, what the excess is and what is excluded, and read the contract before signing.
What is not usually covered by rental insurance?
Exclusions vary by company, but typical ones are damage from driving off paved roads, driving after drinking alcohol, letting an unregistered driver use the car, lost keys and damage you did not report with a police or accident report. Traffic and parking fines are always the driver's responsibility.
- Unregistered drivers
- Alcohol or drugs
- Unreported accidents without a report
- Fines, tolls and fuel
How can I protect my deposit?
Record the car's condition at pickup with photos and a video, make sure existing damage is marked on the form, return the car with the agreed fuel level, and get a return check signed off. If something happens during the rental, call the rental company straight away and obtain a police report or accident report form so the insurance applies.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the car hire deposit at Dalaman?
It depends on the rental company and the car class; the company tells you at pickup and may take it as a card pre-authorisation.
Can I pay the deposit in cash?
Some companies accept a cash deposit and others require a card; ask the company or check your booking details.
What does CDW mean?
Collision damage waiver: standard cover from the rental company that limits your liability for damage to the car, usually down to an excess.
Can I get full insurance with no excess?
Full cover options depend on the rental company; ask at pickup what is offered and what it excludes.
When is the deposit released?
After the car is returned in the agreed condition; how fast the hold clears from your account depends on your bank.
Who pays for speeding fines in a rental car?
The driver. Fines that reach the rental company after your trip are usually passed on to you.