Before you go
This site offers information based on guidance from public bodies, rental car companies and others, as a starting point for planning your trip (as of September 2026; it isn’t an explanation of insurance or the law). The rules on when coverage can’t be used differ from company to company, and they can change. Always check the latest details with the company you book with and in the official information listed at the end of this article.
You got the fullest coverage on your rental car, so whatever happens, you pay 0 yen.
Think that, and you may end up paying where you didn’t expect to.
A full-coverage plan removes the cost to you. It doesn’t remove the promises you make when you rent.
There are three main times you pay.
1 You didn’t report it
2 You used the car outside the contract
3 Things that were never covered
All of them are easier to avoid if you know about them in advance.
1 You didn’t report it
Rental car companies tell you to report even small things to the police. In an accident, you report it to the police and contact the rental company too.
If you don’t report it, you may not be able to use your coverage. Nissan Rent a Car says that none of its coverage applies.
It’s the same when you don’t know who the other party is. Report hit-and-runs and break-ins to the police too (ORIX Rent a Car says a police report is required to use the coverage).
What to do in an accident is covered in “Rental Car Accident or Breakdown in Japan.”
2 You used the car outside the contract
When you use the car outside the contract — including the obvious ones, like driving after drinking — you may not be able to use your coverage. There are two that travelers often don’t notice.
One is who’s driving.
If someone who wasn’t registered as a driver at the counter drives, you may not be able to use your coverage. Register them, on the other hand, and you can take turns.
At Toyota Rent a Car, the people traveling with you can drive too, at no extra charge. At the counter, you show the licenses and passports of everyone who’ll drive. Registered drivers are covered the same way as the person who rented the car (ORIX Rent a Car, Times Car Rental).
You can take turns on a long drive, too.
The second is talking money with the other party after an accident.
Even if the other party brings up money, don’t agree to anything on the spot — contact the rental company first. That’s because some companies say coverage can’t be used for a settlement (示談) made without their consent (ORIX Rent a Car, Nippon Rent-A-Car, Budget Rent a Car, Times Car Rental).
If you want to keep the car longer, contact the company before you extend. If you have an accident while you’ve extended without telling them, you may not be able to use your coverage (Budget Rent a Car).
3 Things that were never covered
Even full-coverage plans leave some things outside their coverage. All of them are things you can prevent yourself.
Smoking and dirt
If you smoke in a non-smoking car, get the car dirty or leave a smell in it, you may pay NOC and other charges even with full coverage (Toyota Rent a Car’s 安心Wプラン, Nissan Rent a Car’s フルサポートプラン, Budget Rent a Car’s Safety Pack).
Putting in the wrong fuel
At some companies, the coverage can’t be used if you put in the wrong type of fuel (ORIX Rent a Car, Times Car Rental).
Before you fill up, check the characters on the nozzle. How to fill up is in “How to Get Gas in Japan.”
Keys
If the car is stolen after you left the key in it or left it unlocked, the coverage can’t be used (Toyota Rent a Car, Times Car Rental).
How things you can’t prevent yourself are handled differs by company. For example, some companies leave a property-damage accident involving only your car, with no other vehicle, outside their coverage (according to the national rental car association). If it’s on your mind, ask the company before you book.
Deciding how much coverage to get
The four things to weigh when deciding which tier to get are at the end of “Rental Car Insurance in Japan (CDW and NOC).”
Whether your card is enough is covered in “Does My Credit Card or Travel Insurance Cover a Rental Car in Japan?”
Before you set off, with the people riding with you
Report it. Use the car as the contract says. Know what isn’t covered.
Talk these three through with the people riding with you before you set off.
※ The conditions under which coverage can’t be used, the limit on your own share, and the services included in a plan differ by company and can change. When you book, check that company’s coverage information and its rental terms (貸渡約款).
