What Credit Cards Offer Rental Insurance?

When it comes to renting a car, one of the most important aspects to consider is the insurance coverage. Whether you are planning a cross-country road trip or simply need a car for a short period of time, knowing which credit cards offer rental insurance is crucial. Let’s dive in and find out more.

What Credit Cards Offer Rental Insurance?

Here are the credit cards that offer rental car insurance coverage:

Best Personal Cards for Car Rental Insurance

#1 Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• Primary rental car insurance: The card provides primary coverage for damage or theft of the rental vehicle, towing charges, and loss of use charges. Coverage is valid for rental periods up to 31 days.
• Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months: This welcome offer allows you to earn a substantial number of points that can be redeemed for travel or transferred to Chase’s travel partners.
• Annual fee of $95: The card has an annual fee, but the benefits, including rental car insurance, can outweigh the cost.
• 5x points on car rentals booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal: You can earn bonus points for car rentals made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

#2 Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Primary rental car insurance: The card offers primary coverage for rental car damage or theft, towing charges, and loss of use charges. It provides comprehensive coverage during your rental period.
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months: This generous welcome bonus can be redeemed for travel or transferred to Chase’s travel partners.
• Annual fee of $550: The card has a higher annual fee but provides premium benefits, including extensive travel and car rental perks.
• 10x points on car rentals booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal: You can earn bonus points for car rentals made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
• Rental car privileges with Avis, National, and Audi on demand: Cardholders can enjoy additional benefits and discounts when renting cars from these partners.

#3 Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card:

• Primary rental car insurance: The card provides primary coverage for rental car damage or theft up to a maximum limit, offering comprehensive protection during your rental period.
• Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months: This welcome offer allows you to earn a substantial number of miles that can be redeemed for travel expenses.
• Annual fee of $395: The card has an annual fee, but it offers premium travel benefits, including rental car insurance and rewards.
• 10x miles on car rentals booked through Capital One Travel: You can earn bonus miles for car rentals made through Capital One Travel.
• Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status: Cardholders receive elite status with Hertz, which includes perks like vehicle upgrades and faster rentals.
• Rental car privileges with Avis, National, and Audi on demand (through Visa Infinite): Cardholders can access additional benefits and discounts when renting cars from these partners through the Visa Infinite program.

#4 The Platinum Card® from American Express

• Secondary rental car insurance with the ability to purchase primary rental car insurance: The card offers secondary coverage, but you have the option to purchase premium car rental protection for primary coverage.
• Earn 80,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months: This welcome bonus allows you to earn a significant number of points that can be redeemed for travel or transferred to Amex’s travel partners.
• Annual fee of $695: The card has a high annual fee but provides a wide range of premium travel benefits, including access to airport lounges and hotel elite status.
• Fantastic rental car privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National (upon enrollment): Cardholders can enjoy special benefits and discounts when renting cars from these partner agencies.
• Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status (upon enrollment): Cardholders receive elite status with Hertz, which includes privileges such as vehicle upgrades and faster rentals.

#5 American Express® Gold Card

• Secondary rental car insurance with the ability to purchase primary rental car insurance: The card offers secondary coverage, but you can choose to purchase premium car rental protection for primary coverage.
• Earn 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 6 months: This welcome offer allows you to earn a substantial number of points that can be redeemed for travel or transferred to Amex’s travel partners.
• Annual fee of $250: The card has an annual fee, but it provides valuable rewards and benefits, including rental car insurance.

Best Business Cards for Car Rental Insurance:

#6 Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

• Primary rental car insurance when renting for business or outside the U.S.; secondary coverage for personal rentals in the U.S.: The card offers primary coverage for business-related rentals or rentals outside the U.S. For personal rentals in the U.S., it provides secondary coverage.
• Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months: This welcome offer allows you to earn a substantial number of points that can be redeemed for travel or transferred to Chase’s travel partners.
• Annual fee of $95: The card has an annual fee, but it provides excellent rewards and benefits for business owners, including rental car insurance.
• 3x points on select business categories, including travel (up to $150,000 per cardmember year): You can earn bonus points on various business expenses, including travel purchases such as car rentals.

#7 Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

• Primary rental car insurance when renting for business or outside the U.S.; secondary coverage for personal rentals in the U.S.: The card offers primary coverage for business-related rentals or rentals outside the U.S. For personal rentals in the U.S., it provides secondary coverage.
• Earn $750 cash-back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months: This welcome offer allows you to earn a substantial cash-back reward for your business expenses.
• Annual fee of $0: The card has no annual fee, making it an attractive option for small business owners.

#8 Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

• Primary rental car insurance when renting for business or outside the U.S.; secondary coverage for personal rentals in the U.S.: The card offers primary coverage for business-related rentals or rentals outside the U.S. For personal rentals in the U.S., it provides secondary coverage.
• Earn $750 cash-back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months: This welcome offer allows you to earn a substantial cash-back reward for your business expenses.
• Annual fee of $0: The card has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for business owners.

#9 United℠ Business Card

• Primary rental car insurance when renting for business or outside the U.S.; secondary coverage for personal rentals in the U.S.: The card offers primary coverage for business-related rentals or rentals outside the U.S. For personal rentals in the U.S., it provides secondary coverage.
• Earn 50,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months: This welcome offer allows you to earn a substantial number of miles that can be redeemed for flights or other travel expenses.
• Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $99: The card has a reasonable annual fee and provides travel and rental car benefits for United Airlines loyalists.

#10 The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

• Secondary rental car insurance with the ability to purchase primary rental car insurance: The card offers secondary coverage, but you have the option to purchase premium car rental protection for primary coverage.
• Earn 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months: This welcome bonus allows you to earn a significant number of points that can be redeemed for travel or transferred to Amex’s travel partners.
• Annual fee of $695: The card has a high annual fee but provides premium travel benefits, including rental car privileges with partner agencies like Avis, Hertz, and National.

Please note that the terms and benefits of these credit cards may change over time, so it’s essential to review the latest information from the card issuer to confirm the specific rental car insurance coverage and any associated terms.

Tip: Always check with your credit card provider about the specific terms and conditions of their rental insurance.

How Does Insurance Work with Rental Cars?

When you rent a car, insurance comes in different forms. You could opt for the insurance provided by the car rental company, use insurance from your credit card, or even tap into your own auto insurance if it covers rental cars.

Companies like Esurance and Costco are known for their auto insurance policies that also cover rental cars. With Esurance, your policy can extend to rental cars, while Costco members can enjoy discounted rates for auto and rental insurance.

Progressive is another insurance company worth mentioning. Like Esurance and Costco, Progressive also extends its car insurance policies to cover rental cars.

Are All Rental Cars Covered by Credit Card Insurance?

Although many credit card companies offer rental car insurance, the coverage depends on the type of car you rent. Some high-end and luxury cars may not be covered, and the same goes for certain types of vehicles like trucks or vans.

Let’s look at Allstate for instance. Allstate provides comprehensive coverage, but it is always advisable to check which types of vehicles are included.

And while we’re on the subject of different types of rental cars, remember that a standard car can be either manual or automatic. So make sure to choose a car that suits your comfort and skill level.

Nationwide also offers rental car insurance as a part of their auto insurance policies. If you are a Nationwide customer, it’s wise to check what your current policy covers and how you can utilize it for rental cars. To know more about their offerings, head over to this Nationwide article on our site.

Insurance for AAA Members

Are you an AAA member? If so, you’re in luck. AAA offers rental car insurance as part of their package to members. This means that you could be driving with peace of mind knowing you’re covered. Check out the details about AAA’s car insurance policy for rental cars.

State Farm’s Rental Car Insurance

State Farm, one of the largest and most reputable insurance companies in the U.S., provides rental car insurance coverage as part of their auto insurance policies. If you’re a State Farm policyholder, it’s worth reviewing the specifics of your policy to see how it may benefit you when you rent a car. Find more about State Farm’s insurance policies for rental cars.

Pro Tip: Remember that while many credit card companies offer rental car insurance, it’s usually considered secondary insurance. This means it comes into play after your primary insurance. Always double-check the terms and conditions to know exactly what is covered.

Best Practices When Using Credit Card Insurance for Car Rentals

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when using your credit card insurance for car rentals:

1. Understand Your Coverage: As mentioned earlier, not all credit cards offer the same level of coverage. Make sure to read and understand your card’s terms and conditions before you rely on it for rental car insurance.
2. Decline the Rental Company’s Insurance: In most cases, you’ll need to decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW) for your credit card’s coverage to apply.
3. Use the Same Card to Book and Pay: Ensure that you use the same credit card to book the rental and pay for it at the end. Changing cards could complicate the insurance process.

Final Thoughts

When you’re planning to rent a car, it’s crucial to understand your insurance options. Many credit card companies offer rental car insurance, which can save you a considerable amount of money and give you peace of mind. But remember, it’s always essential to understand your coverage limits and how the insurance works.

If you want more tips on car rentals, continue browsing our blog. Here at Simple Rent Car, we strive to provide you with the best advice and information to make your car rental experience smooth and enjoyable.