If you’re able to lease a automobile, you might be curious if you may get insurance coverage for it.
Rental companies could ask you if you wish to add automobile rental safety to your invoice, and shopping for it may look like a good suggestion. However if in case you have a journey bank card, you seemingly have already got some stage of rental automobile insurance coverage obtainable — and at no additional value to you.
A few of our favourite rewards bank cards embody a collision injury waiver whenever you use the cardboard to pay to your automobile rental. This waiver can cowl rental automobile accidents, theft or injury.
Let’s dive into this profit and introduce you to a few of the finest playing cards on the market with rental automobile insurance coverage.
How does bank card rental automobile insurance coverage work?
Among the many most necessary components right here is ensuring you pay for your entire automobile rental invoice with a bank card that has an auto collision injury waiver included in its advantages. You will additionally need to decline any insurance coverage supply out of your rental automobile firm.
After all, phrases and situations range, so all the time test your card’s particular insurance policies earlier than you lease. This fashion, you may know what’s coated and what’s not if you happen to run into an issue.
When you do not comply with these necessities, your bank card automobile rental insurance coverage will not take impact.
Associated: All it is advisable learn about utilizing a debit card to lease a automobile
What’s and is not coated
The automobile rental insurance coverage out of your bank card is technically referred to as an “auto rental collision injury waiver.” This profit offers reimbursement for injury as a result of collision or theft — as much as the precise money worth of most autos.
Every day Publication
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day e-newsletter
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
Whereas some playing cards additionally cowl loss-of-use and towing prices assessed by the rental firm, insurance policies from different bank cards solely cowl bodily injury or theft of the rental car. Understanding what your card will cowl is necessary earlier than you employ it.
Moreover, some rental varieties and areas is probably not eligible for protection. Maintain the next provisions in thoughts if you happen to depend on bank card automobile rental insurance coverage advantages:
- Legal responsibility insurance coverage is not included: Your card’s advantages could cowl injury to your rental automobile, however they will not cowl injury you trigger to different autos and private property. This insurance coverage additionally will not cowl accidents to you and/or others concerned in an incident.
- Not all automobile varieties are coated: You will not want to fret about this if you happen to keep on with the usual classes of automobile leases (compact, intermediate and full measurement). Nonetheless, the coverage could not cowl you if you happen to lease a specialty car, corresponding to a big passenger van, pickup truck, vintage car, RV or bike. Leases, microleases and leases by way of person-to-person car-sharing firms, corresponding to Turo, are sometimes additionally excluded.
- Some nations are excluded: This checklist varies from card to card and issuer to issuer. Earlier than touring, name the customer support quantity in your card to make sure your vacation spot is roofed when renting a automobile exterior the US.
- There is a restrict on the variety of days: Bank card insurance coverage typically will not apply to long-term leases. Examine your coverage on this. Most cowl 30 days, however this varies.
When you have doubts about your automobile’s eligibility, it is best observe to name the customer support quantity in your card. You may get extra data and ensure that your coverage covers your rental car kind within the nation you may be visiting.
Associated: My expertise with Turo: Automobile rental comfort at an ideal worth
Main vs. secondary automobile rental insurance coverage
One other necessary distinction is the distinction between main and secondary automobile rental insurance coverage, as your card may supply one kind or the opposite. Each sorts of insurance coverage often have most protection quantities, so ensure these meet or exceed the overall worth of the automobile you are renting.
When you get into an accident along with your rental automobile and have main insurance coverage, you solely must file one declare. Usually, main insurance coverage will reimburse you for the rental automobile’s money worth or the fee to restore it — whichever is much less.
Secondary insurance coverage is completely different as a result of it solely reimburses you for the quantity not coated by different sorts of insurance coverage, corresponding to journey insurance coverage or private automobile insurance coverage. Nonetheless, if you happen to do not personal a automobile or carry a automobile insurance coverage coverage, most secondary insurance coverage from bank cards will grow to be main.
The secondary insurance coverage provided by your bank card advantages would cowl any bills remaining to be paid, corresponding to deductibles on these different insurance policies. You will need to file claims with a number of firms (together with your bank card) to get all the pieces coated.
Associated: 11 widespread rental automobile errors — and how you can keep away from them
One of the best bank cards for rental automobile insurance coverage
Now that you know the way rental automobile insurance coverage works with a bank card, let’s study the most effective playing cards that provide this profit.
The next playing cards supply main automobile rental insurance coverage on most leases:
| Card | Welcome supply | Annual price | Rental automobile insurance coverage particulars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening | $550 | Main automobile rental insurance coverage for leases in most nations, masking leases of as much as 31 consecutive days |
| Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening | $95 | Main automobile rental insurance coverage for leases in most nations, masking leases of as much as 31 consecutive days |
| Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card | Earn 75,000 bonus miles whenever you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening | $395 | Protection that will reimburse you for damages attributable to theft or collision whenever you lease for as much as 15 consecutive days in your nation of residence or as much as 31 consecutive days in different nations |
| Ink Enterprise Most well-liked® Credit score Card | Earn 90,000 bonus factors after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening | $95 | Main protection associated to bodily injury or theft of the rental car, legitimate loss-of-use prices assessed by the rental firm and cheap and customary towing prices |
| Ink Enterprise Money® Credit score Card | Earn as much as $750 bonus money again; earn $350 whenever you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months and a further $400 whenever you spend $6,000 within the first six months after account opening | $0 | Main protection associated to bodily injury or theft of the rental car, legitimate loss-of-use prices assessed by the rental firm and cheap and customary towing prices |
| Ink Enterprise Limitless® Credit score Card | Earn $750 bonus money again after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months after account opening | $0 | Main protection associated to bodily injury or theft of the rental car, legitimate loss-of-use prices assessed by the rental firm and cheap and customary towing prices |
| United℠ Explorer Card | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening | $0 annual price for the primary yr, then $95 | Gives reimbursement as much as $60,000 for theft and collision injury for many rental autos with an MSRP of $125,000 or much less |
| United Quest℠ Card | Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier Qualifying Factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening | $250 | Gives reimbursement as much as $60,000 for theft and collision injury for many rental autos with an MSRP of $125,000 or much less |
| United Membership℠ Infinite Card | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening | $525 | Gives reimbursement as much as $60,000 for theft and collision injury for many rental autos with an MSRP of $125,000 or much less |
| United℠ Enterprise Card | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months your account is open | $99 | Gives reimbursement as much as $60,000 for theft and collision injury for many rental autos with an MSRP of $125,000 or much less |
Whereas most American Specific playing cards supply secondary rental automobile insurance coverage (extra on that under), you’ll be able to truly get main automobile insurance coverage along with your Amex if the automobile is enrolled within the American Specific Premium Automobile Rental Safety program. Word that enrollment is required prematurely for a few of these advantages.
This program permits you to add a coverage that gives main automobile rental insurance coverage to your eligible Amex card for a small price.
You possibly can anticipate to obtain a secondary automobile rental insurance coverage profit with these playing cards:
| Card | Welcome supply | Annual price | Rental automobile insurance coverage particulars |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Platinum Card® from American Specific* | Earn 80,000 bonus factors after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases inside the first six months of card membership | $695 (see charges and costs) | Secondary protection within the occasion of theft or injury to a rental automobile in a coated territory |
| American Specific® Gold Card | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases inside the first six months of card membership | $325 (see charges and costs) | Secondary protection within the occasion of theft or injury to a rental automobile in a coated territory |
| Marriott Bonvoy Sensible® American Specific® Card* | Earn 95,000 bonus factors after utilizing your card to make $6,000 in purchases inside the first six months of card membership | $650 (see charges and costs) | Secondary protection within the occasion of theft or injury to a rental automobile in a coated territory |
| Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card | Earn 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months of card membership. Plus, a one-time $250 Capital One Journey credit score to make use of in your first cardholder yr. | $95 | Protection is offered to these authorized for a Visa Signature card whenever you lease inside your nation of residence |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card | Earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on purchases inside the first three months from account opening | $0 | Protection is offered to these authorized for a Visa Signature card whenever you lease inside your nation of residence |
| Chase Freedom Flex® | Earn $200 money again after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening | $0 | Protection offers reimbursement for theft and collision injury for many rental autos, secondary to your private insurance coverage |
| Chase Freedom Limitless® | Earn a further 1.5% on all purchases as much as $20,000 spent within the first yr — a worth of as much as $300 money again | $0 | Protection offers reimbursement for theft and collision injury for many rental autos, secondary to your private insurance coverage |
Three standard American Specific playing cards are highlighted within the chart above, however most American Specific playing cards supply secondary automobile rental insurance coverage — these three playing cards aren’t the one Amex playing cards that include this perk.
*Eligibility and Profit stage varies by Card. Phrases, Situations and Limitations Apply. Please go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for extra particulars. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm. Automobile Rental Loss or Harm Protection is obtainable by way of American Specific Journey Associated Companies Firm, Inc.
Associated: The whole lot it is advisable learn about Amex’s Premium International Help and journey insurance coverage advantages
Prime playing cards with main automobile rental insurance coverage
These playing cards supply main automobile rental insurance coverage, so long as you employ your card to pay for your entire rental. Word that this is not an exhaustive checklist. You might discover different playing cards providing main insurance coverage.
Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card
The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Most well-liked present main automobile rental insurance coverage for leases in most nations, masking leases of as much as 31 consecutive days. This coverage covers theft, injury, legitimate loss-of-use prices, administrative charges and cheap towing prices as a result of coated theft or injury.
Coverage particulars range barely between the 2 playing cards, although. For particulars, learn the total advantages guides on the following hyperlinks:
Along with rental automobile advantages, the Sapphire Reserve offers perks like as much as $300 in annual journey credit, Precedence Move Choose membership, best-in-class journey protections and an up-to-$120 utility price credit score for International Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus each 4 years.
In the meantime, the Sapphire Most well-liked Card is definitely among the many finest journey rewards playing cards with a sub-$100 annual price. This card consists of advantages like a ten% factors bonus in your cardmember anniversary and a $50 annual resort credit score for stays booked by way of Chase Journey℠.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most well-liked
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
The Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card presents an auto rental collision injury waiver that will reimburse you for damages attributable to theft or collision as much as the precise money worth of your rental car — as much as $75,000.
You’re solely eligible for insurance coverage whenever you lease for as much as 15 consecutive days in your nation of residence or as much as 31 consecutive days in different nations.
As well as, you’ll be able to even stack rental automobile perks with Hertz when renting by way of the Capital One Journey portal.*
The cardboard has a $395 annual price however presents varied perks, together with a $300 annual credit score when reserving by way of Capital One Journey, entry to Precedence Move and Capital One lounges, anniversary bonus miles and at the least 2 miles per greenback spent on all purchases.
*Upon enrollment, accessible by way of the Capital One web site or cellular app, eligible cardholders will stay at that standing stage by way of the period of the supply. Please observe that enrolling by way of the conventional Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment course of (e.g., at hertz.com) is not going to robotically detect a cardholder as being eligible for this system and cardholders is not going to be robotically upgraded to the relevant standing tier. Further phrases apply
Study extra: Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Ink Enterprise playing cards from Chase
Three of the Ink Enterprise playing cards from Chase supply main insurance coverage for many autos.
This bank card rental automobile insurance coverage offers reimbursement for prices associated to bodily injury or theft of the rental car, legitimate loss-of-use prices assessed by the rental firm and cheap and customary towing prices.
You will solely be coated by main insurance coverage whereas renting primarily for enterprise functions, renting exterior your nation of residence for private causes or if you happen to wouldn’t have vehicle insurance coverage. Conversely, if you happen to lease for private causes in your nation of residence and have vehicle insurance coverage already, you may solely get secondary insurance coverage.
Sadly, each the Ink Enterprise Money and the Ink Enterprise Limitless cost a 3% international transaction price. There are not any international transaction charges on the Ink Enterprise Most well-liked.
Apply right here: Ink Enterprise Most well-liked
Apply right here: Ink Enterprise Money
Apply right here: Ink Enterprise Limitless
United Airways playing cards
The United bank cards supply main automobile rental insurance coverage, assuming you decline the rental firm’s collision insurance coverage and cost your entire rental value to your card.
This insurance coverage offers reimbursement of as much as $60,000 for theft and collision injury for many rental autos with an MSRP of $125,000 or much less.
These United bank cards have varied annual charges and supply a number of perks for these loyal to the service. You possibly can earn miles to make use of for United flights, spend towards elite standing and even obtain lounge entry for the higher-annual-fee United Membership Infinite Card.
Apply right here: United Explorer Card
Apply right here: United Quest Card
Apply right here: United Membership Infinite Card
Apply right here: United Enterprise Card
Prime playing cards with secondary automobile rental insurance coverage
If you do not have a bank card that gives main automobile rental insurance coverage, your subsequent finest wager is a card that gives secondary insurance coverage. Many bank cards supply secondary automobile rental insurance coverage, so we have solely highlighted a couple of of our favourite choices.
American Specific playing cards
Most American Specific playing cards supply secondary automobile rental insurance coverage.*
This checklist consists of standard playing cards like The Platinum Card from American Specific, American Specific Gold Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible American Specific Card. When you do not want main insurance coverage, you need to use one in every of these playing cards and decline the rental firm’s insurance coverage.
*Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Not all car varieties or leases are coated, and geographic restrictions apply. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm. Protection is obtainable by way of American Specific Journey Associated Companies Firm, Inc.
Associated: Your full information to journey protections on American Specific playing cards
Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card
The Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card supply automobile rental collision injury waiver insurance coverage.
Insurance coverage is secondary whenever you lease inside your nation of residence and first whenever you lease exterior of it. Nonetheless, advantages can be found solely on accounts authorized for the Visa Signature card, and phrases apply.
Study extra: Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card
Study extra: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card
Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Limitless
When you’re searching for a no-annual-fee bank card that gives secondary automobile rental insurance coverage, the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Limitless benefit consideration.
These playing cards present insurance coverage for theft and collision injury for many automobiles within the U.S. and overseas. Insurance coverage inside your nation of residence is secondary; insurance coverage exterior your nation of residence is main.
Though neither card has an annual price, each playing cards cost a 3% international transaction price. Thus, utilizing these playing cards to pay for a automobile rental exterior the U.S. would add injury protections however enhance your rental value.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Flex
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Limitless
Backside line
Many shoppers give attention to the variety of factors they will earn and redeem when selecting a journey rewards card, however journey protections corresponding to rental automobile insurance coverage may also present vital worth.
Nonetheless, reviewing your card’s coverage particulars is important to know what’s (and is not) coated. Do not assume you are coated for each potential mishap whenever you pay for a automobile rental with a bank card that gives insurance coverage, as many exceptions and exclusions apply.
Guarantee you already know the small print and the way they relate to your rental location, car kind, size of rental interval and different necessary points so you will not be stunned by a invoice in case your rental automobile has an issue.
Associated: Readers say this bank card insurance coverage supplier is not dependable: This is what it is advisable know
For Capital One merchandise listed on this web page, a few of the advantages could also be supplied by Visa® or Mastercard® and should range by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Gold, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Marriott Sensible Amex, click on right here.
