✅ or you feel nervous:

• Add Full CDW (also called Super Cover).
• Extra cost: about ₩20,000–₩50,000 per day.
• If the car is damaged in a normal accident, you usually pay ₩0 for car repair.

✅ If you are confident driver in Korea

✅ and you accept risk:

• Use only basic insurance (already in most prices).
• Extra cost per day: ₩0.
• But if there is damage, you may pay up to ₩500,000–₩1,000,000 yourself.

✅ If you have strong credit card or travel insurance:

• It must clearly say it covers rental cars in South Korea.
• If you really understand this, you may skip Full CDW.
• If you are not 100% sure, treat it as not covered and buy Full CDW from the rental company.

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2. What Is Usually Included in the Price

Most online prices already include:

2.1 Basic liability insurance

• “Liability insurance” means insurance that pays for damage or injury to other people or property when you cause an accident.

2.2 Basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

• “Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)” means
• protection for damage to the rental car itself.
• Basic CDW usually has a high deductible.
  • “Deductible” =
  • the maximum amount you must pay yourself if the car is damaged.
  • In Korea this is often ₩500,000–₩1,000,000.

2.3 Taxes and standard rental fees

• Local taxes and basic service fees are usually included in the online price.

Important:

• Basic CDW does not mean “everything is covered”.
• If there is an accident, you still pay up to the deductible amount yourself.

3. What Is Not Included (Common Extras)

Many things are not included

in the first price you see.

Common extras:

3.1 Full CDW / Super Cover

• Reduces your deductible to ₩0.(So in a normal accident, you usually pay ₩0 for car damage.)
• Covers most damage to the car, except intentional damage or illegal driving.
• Adds about ₩20,000–₩50,000 per day, depending on car and company.

3.2 Tire and glass protection

• Covers damage to tires and windshield.
• Often ₩10,000–₩20,000 per day.

3.3 Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)

• Covers injury or death of the driver and passengers.
• Often ₩10,000–₩20,000 per day.
• Sometimes already included in your travel insurance.

3.4 Extra driver fees

• Some companies charge extra if 2 or more people will drive the car.

3.5 GPS or navigation units

• Less important now, because many people use phone maps.
• Some companies still charge a small fee.

When you book, always check:

• Which items are marked as “included”
• Which are marked as “optional” or “add‑on”
• Which have daily prices next to them

4. Full CDW: When Is It Worth It?

4.1 When Full CDW is a good idea

Full CDW is usually a good idea if:

• It is your first time driving in Korea
• You are not comfortable with Korean roads or traffic
• You do not want to worry about a ₩500,000–₩1,000,000 repair bill
• You are renting an expensive car(SUV, van, luxury car)

In these cases,

paying ₩20,000–₩50,000 per day

can remove most of your risk and stress.

4.2 When Full CDW may not be needed

Full CDW may be less necessary if:

• You already have strong rental car insurance from your credit card or your travel insurance, and
• You **clearly understand (in writing)**that it covers rental cars in South Korea.

If you are not 100% sure:

• Treat it as not covered.
• Buy Full CDW from the rental company.

Never guess with insurance.

5. Extra Costs You Still Pay

Even with Full CDW,

you still pay for these yourself:

• Fuel (gasoline, diesel, LPG, electricity)
• Tolls (Hi‑Pass)
• Parking fees
• Traffic fines (speeding, illegal parking, etc.)
• Damage from drunk driving or illegal driving
• Damage from serious rule‑breaking(for example: racing, off‑road driving, banned areas)

You may also pay extra if:

• You return the car with less fuel than required(full‑to‑full policy).
• You return the car late.
• You smoke in a non‑smoking car.
• You lose the key or Hi‑Pass device.

Remember:

Insurance protects mainly the car and other people,

not your fuel, tolls, parking, or fines.

6. Jeju Island: Cheaper Prices, Same Rules

Jeju Island is the most popular place in Korea to rent a car.

6.1 Prices in Jeju

In general, Jeju is cheaper than mainland Korea.

Local companies:

• About ₩30,000–₩50,000 per day
• Economy cars with basic insurance

National companies (Lotte, SK, etc.):

• About ₩70,000–₩100,000 per day
• Newer cars, stronger customer service

Prices change a lot by:

• Season (summer and holidays are much higher)
• How early you book
• Car type and insurance level

6.2 Same legal rules as the rest of Korea

Even if the price is cheaper,

the legal rules are the same as on the mainland.

You still need:

• Your home‑country license
• Your IDP (from a Geneva or Vienna convention country)
• Your passport with Korea entry stamp

You still must:

• Follow Korean traffic laws
• Use insurance correctly
• Pay for fuel, parking, and fines

(Jeju has no toll roads,

so you do not pay highway tolls there.)

If any company in Jeju says:

“You can drive with an English license only.

No IDP is needed.”

be very careful.

That advice may not follow Korean law.

Always trust:

• Korean government or public websites,
• Not just one very cheap rental shop.

6.3 Language and company choice in Jeju

Many local Jeju companies are cheap,

but their websites and staff may be Korean only.

If you are not confident with Korean, it is safer to use:

• Major brands (Lotte, SK, Hertz, Avis), or
• A trusted travel platform that supports your language.

Good strategy:

• If budget is your top priority
• and you speak some Korean →
• local Jeju companies may be OK.
• If safety and clear communication
• are more important →
• use a national or global brand,
• even if it costs a bit more per day.

7. Price and Coverage Checklist

Before you confirm your booking, check:

7.1 Total price

• Is the price shown per day or for the whole trip?
• Are taxes and standard fees included?

7.2 Basic insurance

• Does the price include liability insurance(covers other people)?
• Does it include basic CDW(covers the rental car, with a high deductible)?

7.3 Deductible amount

• How much is the deductible for damage?(For example: ₩500,000 or ₩1,000,000.)
• “Deductible” = maximum you pay yourself if the car is damaged.
• Can you accept this risk?

7.4 Full CDW / Super Cover

• How much per day?
• Does it reduce the deductible to ₩0?
• Do you already have other insurance that clearly covers rental cars in Korea?

7.5 Extra cover

• Do you need tire and glass protection?
• Do you need personal accident insurance, or is it already in your travel insurance?

7.6 Jeju vs mainland

• Are you renting in Jeju or on the mainland?
• Are you comfortable with local companies, or do you want a major brand with better support?

If any point above is not clear,

ask the company in simple English:

• “What insurance is included in this price?”
• “What is my deductible if there is damage?”
• “Are there any other mandatory fees?”

If the answers are not clear,

it is safer to choose a different offer.

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Important Note About Updates

Prices, insurance options, and coverage rules

can change at any time.

This article was written in February 2026.

Before you book:

• Check the latest prices and insurance details on the rental company’s own website.
• If something is not clear, ask them in English or use a trusted travel website.

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