An Easy-to-Understand Guide to Campervan Rental Insurance and Compensation

When renting a campervan for the first time, many people worry about one thing in particular: "What happens if I get into an accident?"
That's completely understandable, since you're driving a large, unfamiliar vehicle.

However, rental campervans almost always come with solid insurance and compensation systems in place.
Once you understand how it works, you can enjoy your drive with peace of mind.

The Difference Between Compulsory Insurance and Optional Insurance

Rental vehicles, including campervans, come with both Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance and Optional (Voluntary) Insurance (auto insurance).
Let's first understand the difference between these two.

• Compulsory Insurance
  　→ The minimum insurance required by law.
  　→ Covers part of personal injury liability. There is a cap on the coverage amount.
• Optional Insurance
  　→ Covers most accidents.
  　→ Provides broad coverage for personal injury, property damage, and vehicle damage.

In other words, if you're worried about "what happens if I get into an accident," the real peace of mind comes from Optional Insurance.
The insurance included when you rent is mainly this optional insurance plus various additional coverage options.

Basic Coverage Included with Rental Vehicles

One rental campervan service included the following basic coverage:

• Personal Injury Liability Coverage: Unlimited
• Property Damage Liability Coverage: Unlimited (with deductible)
• Personal Accident Coverage: Covers the driver and passengers (with a cap)
• Vehicle Damage Coverage: Covers repair costs for the vehicle (with deductible)

The key point here is the phrase "with deductible."
A deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket if you cause an accident.
For example, if the property damage deductible is 50,000 yen and you cause an accident, that 50,000 yen becomes the driver's responsibility.

What Is Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)? Should You Get It?

When renting, you may be offered an option called "Deductible Waiver" or "CDW (Collision Damage Waiver)."
Simply put, this is an option that reduces or eliminates your out-of-pocket expense (deductible) in the event of an accident.

• Without CDW → You may end up paying tens of thousands of yen out of pocket in an accident
• With CDW → In most cases, you pay nothing or only a small amount out of pocket

Since campervan repair costs can be especially high, we strongly recommend that beginners sign up for CDW coverage.
For just a few thousand yen per day, you can gain significant peace of mind.

Watch Out for Non-Operation Charges (NOC) Too!

If the vehicle cannot be returned as scheduled due to an accident or breakdown, a separate fee called a Non-Operation Charge (NOC) may apply.
This fee compensates for the vehicle being unable to operate for rental business, and it's applied by most rental car companies.

One campervan rental shop had the following fee structure:

• If the vehicle can be driven (able to reach a repair shop under its own power) → 100,000 yen
• If the vehicle cannot be driven (requires towing) → 150,000 yen

NOC is often treated separately from CDW coverage, so it's a good idea to check in advance.
Some shops offer plans, such as an "Anshin (Peace of Mind) Pack," that also cover NOC.

What to Do in Case of an Accident or Trouble

If you do happen to get into an accident, stay calm and follow these steps.

1. If anyone is injured, call 119 (ambulance) immediately
2. Call the police at 110 (you will need an accident certificate)
3. Contact the insurance company
4. Contact the rental car company
5. Follow instructions and arrange for the vehicle to be moved

The important thing here is to always report to the police and obtain an accident certificate.
Without this, insurance coverage may not apply.

Summary｜Understanding Insurance Greatly Reduces Anxiety

• Rental vehicles basically come with optional insurance included
• Since a deductible (out-of-pocket cost) applies, we recommend adding CDW coverage
• A Non-Operation Charge (NOC) may also apply separately
• In the event of an accident, you must contact the police, the insurance company, and the rental car company

Since campervans are larger than regular cars, even a minor collision can result in expensive repair costs.
That's exactly why it's so important to understand in advance what your insurance actually covers.

With the right preparation, you can greatly reduce your worries while traveling.
Get ready with peace of mind, and fully enjoy your campervan journey.