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Primary rental car insurance on a credit card can protect your personal auto insurance if a car you rent using your card is damaged or stolen. If possible, you should always use a card with primary rental car insurance when renting a car.
Here are the cards that offer primary car rental car insurance within your country of residence.
Cards that offer primary rental car insurance
All of these cards offer primary rental car insurance within your country of residence. If you’re renting a car within your country of residence up to 15 days, you’ll be covered by these cards.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- United℠ Explorer Card
- United Quest℠ Card
- United Club℠ Infinite Card
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
- Venture X
More on the cards that offer primary rental car insurance
Here’s a bit more on each of the cards that offer primary rental car insurance within your country of residence.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Primary car rental insurance on every rental, plus great travel benefits
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card will give you primary rental car insurance on every rental under 31 days with no country exclusions. Although, if you like to rent electric cars, know that Tesla is on the list of excluded brands. It’s a great card for its other travel insurance benefits and the opportunity to earn transferable points on your purchases. Learn more about the card from our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card essential rental car insurance terms:
- Benefit: Visa car rental insurance serviced by Cardmember Services.
- Maximum rental period: Up to 31 consecutive days.
- Country exclusions: None.
- Brand/value exclusions: Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Bentley, Corvette, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, Maybach, McLaren, Porsche, Rolls Royce, and Tesla. Selected models of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Infiniti, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, and Range Rover are covered.
- How to contact Card Benefit Services: 1-888-320-9961 within the U.S., 1-804-673-1691 collect outside the U.S., or www.eclaimsline.com.
Learn how to apply.
Annual fee: annual_fees
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card sign-up bonus
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Business-as-usual welcome bonus. A larger bonus offer ended online on 6/13. You may be able to get a larger offer in-branch.
More about this card
Benefit highlights:
Premium travel insurance benefits.
Transfers to Ultimate Rewards® travel partners.
Extended warranty.
Purchase protection.
Rewards:
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
3x on dining, including eligible takeout and delivery services.
3x on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs).
3x on select streaming services.
1x on other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.
Learn more:
Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Learn more about Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
See the best Ultimate Rewards welcome bonuses.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: The only Chase card that covers luxury cars
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has primary rental car coverage, but unlike all of the other Chase cards, the benefits guide does not have a list of excluded brands. Instead, the card limits coverage to actual cash value or $75,000. This makes it the only Chase card we know of that offers primary rental car insurance when renting luxury cars. Those renting Teslas, take note: If you’re renting a Tesla as a Chase cardmember, be sure that you use your Sapphire Reserve card—other Chase cards exclude all Teslas as a luxury brand.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® essential rental car insurance terms:
- Benefit: Visa car rental insurance serviced by Cardmember Services.
- Maximum rental period: Up to 31 consecutive days.
- Country exclusions: None.
- Brand/value exclusions: Actual cash value, up to $75,000.
- How to contact Card Benefit Services: 1-800-675-1461 within the U.S., 1-804-281-5772 collect outside the U.S., or www.eclaimsline.com.
Learn how to apply.
Annual fee: annual_fees
Chase Sapphire Reserve® sign-up bonus
bonus_miles_full
Business as usual welcome bonus.
More about this card
Benefit highlights:
$300 annual travel credit.
Complimentary airport lounge access.
Best-in-class travel insurance protections.
No foreign transaction fees.
Purchase protection.
Return protection.
Extended warranty.
Rewards:
10x on hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠
5x on flights purchased through Chase Travel℠
3x at restaurants, including eligible takeout and delivery services.
3x on other travel, worldwide.
1x on other purchases
Rewards are earned as Ultimate Rewards® points.
Learn more:
Learn more about Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
See the best Ultimate Rewards welcome bonuses.
United℠ Explorer Card: Two United Club℠ passes each year and primary rental car insurance
The United℠ Explorer Card covers most car rentals up to 31 days with primary car rental insurance with no country exclusions. Many luxury brands, including Teslas, are excluded from the card’s coverage, so be sure to double check the card’s benefit guide if you’re renting an expensive car. If your travels have you occasionally flying United and renting cars, the Explorer Card can be a great choice. Learn more and compare the card against the other United credit cards in our United credit card overview.
United℠ Explorer Card essential rental car insurance terms:
- Benefit: Visa car rental insurance serviced by Cardmember Services.
- Maximum rental period: Up to 31 consecutive days.
- Country exclusions: None.
- Brand/value exclusions: Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Bentley, Corvette, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, Maybach, McLaren, Porsche, Rolls Royce, and Tesla. Selected models of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Infiniti, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, and Range Rover are covered.
- How to contact Card Benefit Services: 1-888-880-5844 within the U.S., 1-804-281-5768 collect outside the U.S., or www.eclaimsline.com.
Learn how to apply.
annual_fees
United℠ Explorer Card sign-up bonus
bonus_miles_full
This is the card to get if you fly United occasionally and would otherwise pay for checked bags.
More about this card
Benefit highlights:
2 one-time United Club passes per year.
First checked bag free.
Priority Boarding.
Premier upgrades on award tickets.
25% back on United inflight and club premium drink purchases.
Earn up to 1,000 Premier Qualifying Points per year.
Rewards:
2x on United purchases.
2x on dining.
2x on hotel stays.
1x on other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned as United MileagePlus miles.
Learn more:
Find the best United credit card sign-up bonuses.
Compare all United credit cards side-by-side and find the best one for you.
United Quest℠ Card: Great for MileagePlus® enthusiasts who want primary rental coverage
The United Quest℠ Card is the card you want if you like redeeming MileagePlus® miles and rent cars during your travels. The card offers primary rental coverage on rentals up to 31 days with no country exclusions. Compare the United Quest card against the other United Cards in our United card overview.
United Quest℠ Card essential rental car insurance terms:
- Benefit: Visa car rental insurance serviced by Cardmember Services.
- Maximum rental period: Up to 31 consecutive days.
- Country exclusions: None.
- Brand/value exclusions: Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Bentley, Corvette, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, Maybach, McLaren, Porsche, Rolls Royce, and Tesla. Selected models of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Infiniti, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, and Range Rover are covered.
- How to contact Card Benefit Services: 1-888-880-5844 within the U.S., 1-804-281-5768 collect outside the U.S., or www.eclaimsline.com.
Learn how to apply.
Annual fee: annual_fees
United Quest℠ Card sign-up bonus
bonus_miles_full
The best card for those who fly United somewhat frequently, engage with MileagePlus, and redeem miles.
More about this card
Benefit highlights:
Up to $125 in annual United purchase credits.
5,000 mile award flight credits, 2 times per year.
First and second checked bags free.
Priority boarding.
Premier upgrades on award tickets.
25% back on United inflight and club premium drink purchases.
Earn up to 6,000 Premier Qualifying Points per year.
Rewards:
3x on United purchases.
2x on dining.
2x on all other travel.
2x on select streaming services.
1x on other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned as United MileagePlus miles.
Learn more:
Find the best United credit card sign-up bonuses.
Compare all United credit cards side-by-side and find the best one for you.
United Club℠ Infinite Card: United Club℠ access and primary auto rental insurance
You probably have the United Club℠ Infinite Card if you travel frequently on United and want airport lounge access to the United Club℠ lounges. If you have the card in your wallet, it’s a great choice to use the card for renting cars, thanks to its primary rental car coverage on rentals up to 31 days with no country exclusions. Similar to the other Chase cards, a handful of luxury brands are excluded from coverage, so be sure to check your card’s benefit guide if you’re renting an expensive card. Compare the United Club Infinite card against the other cards in United’s credit card lineup in our United credit card overview.
United Club℠ Infinite Card essential rental car insurance terms:
- Benefit: Visa car rental insurance serviced by Cardmember Services.
- Maximum rental period: Up to 31 consecutive days.
- Country exclusions: None.
- Brand/value exclusions: Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Bentley, Corvette, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, Maybach, McLaren, Porsche, Rolls Royce, and Tesla. Selected models of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Infiniti, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, and Range Rover are covered.
- How to contact Card Benefit Services: www.eclaimsline.com.
Learn how to apply.
Annual fee: annual_fees
United Club℠ Infinite Card sign-up bonus
bonus_miles_full
Get this card if you spend a lot on United flights and want to effectively buy a United Club membership.
More about this card
Benefit highlights:
United Club membership.
10% United saver award discount.
First and second checked bags free.
Premier Access.
Premier upgrades on award tickets.
25% back on United inflight and club premium drink purchases.
Earn up to 10,000 Premier Qualifying Points per year.
Rewards:
4x on United purchases.
2x on dining.
2x on all other travel.
1x on other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned as United MileagePlus miles.
Learn more:
Find the best United credit card sign-up bonuses.
Compare all United credit cards side-by-side and find the best one for you.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: 3x on mobile wallet with primary car rental insurance
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card offers primary car rental insurance coverage on every rental. And if you can pay with a mobile wallet, you can get 3 points per dollar—worth 3% cash back or 4.5% toward travel redemptions—on your rental. The card covers cars with an actual cash value up to $75,000 in all but a handful of countries. (Israel, Jamaica, The Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland are excluded from coverage.) Learn more about the Altitude Reserve, in our opinion one of the most under-rated travel rewards cards, in our card review.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card essential rental car insurance terms:
- Benefit: Visa car rental insurance serviced by Cardmember Services.
- Maximum rental period: Up to 15 days within country of residence, 31 consecutive days outside country of residence.
- Country exclusions: Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland.
- Brand/value exclusions: Any car having an MSRP of more than $75,000 when new.
- How to contact Card Benefit Services: 1-800-546-9806 within the U.S., 1-804-673-7481 collect outside the U.S. www.eclaimsline.com.
Venture X: Coverage on every rental, up to 15 days in country of residence and 31 days abroad.
The Capital One Venture X card may be a card you have in your wallet for its lounge access benefit and its $300 travel credit, but the card is a great choice to use for your car rentals as well. You’ll get primary coverage on car rentals up to 15 days in your country of residence. Abroad, you’ll get 31 days of primary coverage and you won’t pay any foreign transaction fees (like most other Capital One cards.) Israel, Jamaica, The Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland are excluded from coverage, so choose another card in these countries. Learn more about the rewards and benefits of the Venture X in our card review.
Venture X essential rental car insurance terms:
- Benefit: Visa car rental insurance serviced by Cardmember Services.
- Maximum rental period: Up to 15 days within country of residence, 31 consecutive days outside country of residence.
- Country exclusions: Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland.
- Brand/value exclusions: Any car having an MSRP of more than $75,000 when new.
- How to contact Card Benefit Services: 1-800-546-9806 within the U.S., 1-804-673-7481 collect outside the U.S. www.eclaimsline.com.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offer: 75k miles after spending $4k in 3 months. (Annual fee: $395)
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Get this welcome bonus.
Not nearly as good as the card’s 100k point launch offer, but an above-average bonus when compared to competing cards.
$300 Capital One Travel annual credit. Transferable points. Travel insurance. (More in our card review.)
This is a referral link. All information about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by cardsandpoints.com.
Why use a card with primary rental car insurance?
If you’re involved in an accident or your rental car is stolen, a credit card with primary rental car insurance can cover damages to your rental car without requiring you to make a claim to your personal auto insurance. This coverage can protect your personal car insurance against the type of rate hikes that you’ll often see after making a claim. Credit card car rental insurance often includes no deductible, which can immediately save you cash if you need to make a claim.
Where to get more information on your coverage
Your credit card’s guide to benefits should be your first stop to find authoritative information on your card’s rental car insurance coverage. If you do not have a copy of your guide to benefits, you can often find it online, but you can always get a copy by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. Check out our article on finding your card’s guide to benefits for more.
We also publish articles that take a deeper dive into benefits offered by card processing networks. Learn more about the Visa car rental insurance provided on the cards above.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need travel insurance if I have a credit card with car rental insurance?
You may need additional insurance, even if your credit card offer primary car rental insurance. The insurance provided by your credit card won’t cover liability or medical expenses. Additional travel insurance can help protect you and your travels outside your rental car.
Does my credit card have car rental insurance?
The best way to figure out if your credit card offers car rental insurance is to check your card’s guide to benefits. In your card’s benefit guide, you’ll find details on your coverages if your card offers this coverage. Call the customer service number on the back of your card to request your guide to benefits if you do not have it handy.
Does credit card travel insurance cover things stolen from my car?
Credit card travel insurance typically won’t cover items stolen from your rental car. However, some MasterRental insurance coverages on premium cards offer a limited amount of protection for personal items in a rental car.
Is it worth it to use a card with secondary car rental insurance?
Absolutely. While you’ll be required to make a claim with your auto insurance for rental car damages if you’re in an accident, secondary car rental insurance can cover your comprehensive deductible or some expenses that your regular car insurance doesn’t cover.
What does CDW cover?
Your car rental agency may offer a collision damage waiver or loss damage waiver (CDW/LDW) insurance option. This coverage typically waives any costs you may incur if you damage a vehicle you rent, but accepting this coverage will negate coverage you may get for free from your credit card. Renting a car with a card that offers primary car rental insurance can save you the expense of paying for extra CDW/LDW coverage.
Do I need extra insurance when renting cars?
Whether you need extra insurance will depend on what insurance you already have. Your personal automobile insurance may cover rental cars. Primary credit card rental insurance can cover damages to or theft of a rental car. Make sure that you consider liability and medical coverage—credit card coverage typically does not cover expenses for damage someone else’s property or if you are physically injured.
Advertiser disclosure: Cards and Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Cards and Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on this site are from advertisers. Compensation may affect how and where card products appear on the site. The site does not include all card companies or all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. Terms apply to all credit card benefits.
