When you're at the counter ready to rent a car, it's likely you'll be asked to add car rental protection to your bill. At first, it may seem like a good idea to say yes. What if something goes wrong?
Well, if you have a travel credit card in your wallet, you may already have the level of rental car coverage you need at no extra cost.
Many of our favorite rewards credit cards include a collision damage waiver when you decline the insurance offer from the rental company and use the card to pay. This waiver can cover rental car accidents, theft or damage at various thresholds.
Let's find out what this benefit includes and which cards offer it. This way, you'll be aware of your options the next time you rent a car.
How does credit card rental car insurance work?
Among the most important factors here is making sure you pay for your entire car rental bill with a credit card that has an auto collision damage waiver included in its benefits. You'll also want to decline any insurance offer from your rental car company.
Of course, terms and conditions vary, so always check your card's specific policies before you rent. This way, if you run into a problem, you'll know what's covered and what's not.
If you don't follow these requirements, your credit card car rental insurance won't take effect.
Related: All you need to know about using a debit card to rent a car
What is and isn't covered
The car rental insurance from your credit card is technically called an "auto rental collision damage waiver." This benefit provides reimbursement for damage due to collision or theft. The cash amount your card's insurance policy will cover can vary, so check your card's guide to benefits for specific details.
While some cards also cover loss-of-use and towing charges assessed by the rental company, policies from other credit cards only cover physical damage or theft of the rental vehicle. Knowing what your card will cover is important before you use it.
Additionally, some rental types and locations may not be eligible for coverage. Keep the following provisions in mind if you rely on credit card car rental insurance benefits:
- Liability insurance isn't included: Your card's benefits may cover damage to your rental car, but they won't cover damage you cause to other vehicles and personal property. This insurance also won't cover injuries to you and/or others involved in an incident.
- Not all car types are covered: You won't need to worry about this if you stick to the standard categories of car rentals (compact, intermediate and full size). However, the policy may not cover you if you rent a specialty vehicle, such as a large passenger van, pickup truck, antique vehicle, RV or motorcycle. Leases, microleases and rentals through person-to-person car-sharing companies, such as Turo, are often also excluded.
- Some countries are excluded: This list varies from card to card and issuer to issuer. Before traveling, call the customer service number on your card to ensure your destination is covered when renting a car outside the United States.
- There's a limit on the number of days: Credit card insurance often won't apply to long-term rentals. Check your policy on this. Most cover 30 days, but this varies.
If you have doubts about your car's eligibility, it's best practice to call the customer service number on your card. You can get more information and confirm that your policy covers your rental vehicle type in the country you'll be visiting.
Related: My experience with Turo: Car rental convenience at a great price
Primary vs. secondary car rental insurance
Another important distinction is the difference between primary and secondary car rental insurance, as your card could offer one type or the other. Both types of insurance usually have maximum coverage amounts, so make sure these meet or exceed the total value of the car you're renting.
If you get into an accident with your rental car and have primary insurance, you only need to file one claim. Generally, primary insurance will reimburse you for the rental car's cash value or the cost to repair it, whichever is less.
Secondary insurance is different because it only reimburses you for the amount not covered by other types of insurance, such as travel insurance or personal car insurance. However, if you don't own a car or carry a car insurance policy, most secondary insurance from credit cards will become primary.
The secondary insurance offered by your credit card benefits would cover any expenses remaining to be paid, such as deductibles on those other policies. You'll have to file claims with multiple companies (including your credit card) to get everything covered.
Related: Common rental car mistakes — and how to avoid them
The best credit cards for rental car insurance
Now that you know how rental car insurance works with a credit card, let's examine the best cards that offer this benefit.
The following cards offer primary car rental insurance on most rentals:
| Card | Annual fee | Rental car insurance details |
|---|---|---|
| <strong><a href="https://ift.tt/fyNzPBF" target="_blank">Chase Sapphire Reserve®</a> (see <a href="/tc/221211836?pid=221211836&name=Chase%20Sapphire%20Reserve%20PID&data-testid=ratesFees" target="_blank">rates and fees</a>)</strong> | $795 | Primary car rental insurance for rentals in most countries, covering rentals of up to 31 consecutive days |
| <strong><a href="https://ift.tt/Ovxk5bl" target="_blank">Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card</a> (see <a href="/tc/22125056?pid=22125056&name=Chase%20Sapphire%20Preferred%C2%AE%20Card%20PID&data-testid=ratesFees" target="_blank">rates and fees</a>)</strong> | $95 | Primary car rental insurance for rentals in most countries, covering rentals of up to 31 consecutive days |
| <strong> <a href="https://ift.tt/k8zHQZx" target="_blank">Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠</a> (see <a href="/tc/10965?pid=10965&name=Chase%20Sapphire%20Reserve%20for%20Business%E2%84%A0%20PID&data-testid=ratesFees" target="_blank">rates and fees</a>)</strong> | $795 | Provides reimbursement up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles in the U.S. and abroad, when renting for business purposes |
| <strong><a href="https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/capital-one-venture-x-rewards-credit-card/">Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card</a></strong> | $395 | Coverage that may reimburse you for damages caused by theft or collision when you rent for up to 15 consecutive days in your country of residence or up to 31 consecutive days in other countries |
| <strong><a href="https://ift.tt/HuA7sw9" target="_blank">Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card</a> (see <a href="/tc/221211974?pid=221211974&name=Ink%20Business%20Preferred%C2%AE%20Credit%20Card%20PID&data-testid=ratesFees" target="_blank">rates and fees</a>)</strong> | $95 | Provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less |
| <strong> <a href="https://ift.tt/p5BUfnW" target="_blank">Ink Business Premier® Credit Card</a> (see <a href="/tc/8489?pid=8489&name=Ink%20Business%20Premier%C2%AE%20Credit%20Card%20PID&data-testid=ratesFees" target="_blank">rates and fees</a>)</strong> | $195 | Provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less |
| <strong><a href="https://ift.tt/qGerP2H" target="_blank">Ink Business Cash® Credit Card</a> (see <a href="/tc/22125825?pid=22125825&name=Ink%20Business%20Cash%C2%AE%20Credit%20Card%20PID&data-testid=ratesFees" target="_blank">rates and fees</a>)</strong> | $0 | Provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less |
| <strong><a href="https://ift.tt/Z3LhYdG" target="_blank">Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card</a> (see <a href="/tc/6218?pid=6218&name=Ink%20Business%20Unlimited%C2%AE%20Credit%20Card%20PID&data-testid=ratesFees" target="_blank">rates and fees</a>)</strong> | $0 | Provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less |
| <strong><a href="https://ift.tt/YMEox5z" target="_blank">United℠ Explorer Card</a> (see <a href="/tc/22035884?pid=22035884&name=United%E2%84%A0%20Explorer%20Card%20PID&data-testid=ratesFees" target="_blank">rates and fees</a>)</strong> | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 | Provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less |
| <strong><a href="https://ift.tt/7JypcQK" target="_blank">United Quest℠ Card</a> (see <a href="/tc/7752?pid=7752&name=United%20Quest%E2%84%A0%20Card%20PID&data-testid=ratesFees" target="_blank">rates and fees</a>)</strong> | $350 | Provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less |
| <strong><a href="https://ift.tt/aRJ19h3" target="_blank">United Club℠ Card</a> (see <a href="/tc/6976?pid=6976&name=United%20Club%E2%84%A0%20Card%20PID&data-testid=ratesFees" target="_blank">rates and fees</a>)</strong> | $695 | Provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less |
| <strong><a href="https://ift.tt/VGAF01m" target="_blank">United℠ Business Card</a> (see <a href="/tc/6874?pid=6874&name=United%E2%84%A0%20Business%20Card%20PID&data-testid=ratesFees" target="_blank">rates and fees</a>)</strong> | $150 | Provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less |
| <strong><a href="https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/reviews/united-club-business-card-review/">United Club℠ Business Card</a></strong> | $695 | Provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less |
The information for the United Club Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Top cards with primary car rental insurance
These cards offer primary car rental insurance, as long as you use your card to pay for the entire rental. Note that this isn't an exhaustive list. You may find other cards offering primary insurance.
Chase Sapphire cards
The Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business each provide primary car rental insurance for rentals in most countries, covering rentals of up to 31 consecutive days.
This policy covers theft, damage, valid loss-of-use charges, administrative fees and reasonable towing charges due to covered theft or damage.
Policy details vary slightly between the two cards, though. A key difference is the total amount that can be reimbursed for damages caused by theft or collision:
- Sapphire Preferred: Up to $60,000
- Sapphire Reserve: Up to $75,000
- Sapphire Reserve for Business: Up to $75,000
To learn more about each card, read our full reviews for the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Reserve for Business.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers an auto rental collision damage waiver that may reimburse you for damages caused by theft or collision up to the actual cash value of your rental vehicle, up to $75,000.
You are only eligible for insurance when you rent for up to 15 consecutive days in your country of residence or up to 31 consecutive days in other countries.
To learn more, read our full review of the Venture X.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Ink Business cards from Chase
Four of the Ink Business cards from Chase offer primary insurance for most vehicles.
This credit card rental car insurance provides reimbursement when renting for business purposes, providing reimbursement for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less.
Each card provides reimbursement of up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage.
To learn more, read our guide to the Chase Ink Business cards.
Apply here: Ink Business Preferred
Apply here: Ink Business Premier
Apply here: Ink Business Cash
Apply here: Ink Business Unlimited
United Airlines cards
The United credit cards offer primary car rental insurance, assuming you decline the rental company's collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card.
This insurance provides reimbursement of up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less.
To learn more, read our guide to the United cards.
Apply here: United Explorer Card
Apply here: United Quest Card
Apply here: United Club Card
Apply here: United Business Card
Bottom line
Many consumers focus on the number of points or miles they can earn and redeem when choosing a travel rewards card, but travel protections such as rental car insurance can also provide significant value.
However, reviewing your card's policy details is essential to understand what is (and isn't) covered. Don't assume you're covered for every possible mishap when you pay for a car rental with a credit card that offers insurance, as many exceptions and exclusions apply.
Ensure you know the details and how they relate to your rental location, vehicle type, length of rental period and other important issues so you won't be surprised by a bill if your rental car has a problem.
Related: Readers say this credit card insurance provider isn't reliable: Here's what you need to know
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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