Which Credit Cards Offer Car Rental Insurance?

Renting a car can be expensive, especially when you factor in the insurance costs. Many credit cards offer car rental insurance to their cardholders. This coverage can save you hundreds of dollars depending on the length of the rental and the type of car you’re renting. Before you rent your next car, make sure you know which credit cards offer car rental insurance.

Visa

Visa is one of the most widely accepted cards, and it’s also one of the most generous when it comes to car rental insurance. Visa offers secondary auto rental collision damage waiver insurance to all of its cardholders. This coverage is available to both Visa Signature and Visa Platinum cardholders. The coverage is secondary, which means that it only kicks in after your own personal insurance has paid out. You must decline the rental agency’s insurance and pay for the rental with your Visa card in order to be eligible for the coverage.

MasterCard

Another popular credit card is MasterCard. MasterCard offers similar coverage to Visa, but the specifics depend on the type of card you have. If you have a World or World Elite MasterCard, you’re eligible for secondary auto rental collision damage waiver insurance. This coverage is similar to the coverage offered by Visa, but there are a few differences. The coverage is limited to 15 consecutive days of rental, and it’s limited to 31 days in total each year. The coverage is also limited to vehicles with a maximum retail value of $50,000.

American Express

American Express cardholders are eligible for primary car rental damage insurance. This is a major benefit, because primary insurance means that you don’t have to file a claim with your personal insurance company first. You simply need to decline the rental agency’s insurance and pay for the rental with your American Express card. The coverage is limited to vehicles with a maximum retail value of $50,000, and it’s limited to 30 consecutive days of rental.

Discover

Discover cardholders are eligible for secondary auto rental collision damage waiver insurance. This coverage is similar to the coverage offered by Visa, but there are a few differences. The coverage is limited to 15 consecutive days of rental, and it’s limited to 31 days in total each year. Like American Express, Discover offers primary coverage, which means that you don’t have to file a claim with your personal insurance company first.

Bottom Line

Renting a car can be expensive, but you can save a lot of money by taking advantage of the car rental insurance offered by your credit card. Before you rent your next car, make sure you know which credit cards offer car rental insurance. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover all offer car rental insurance to their cardholders, but the specifics vary depending on the type of card you have. So, make sure you read the fine print before renting a car to make sure you’re getting the best coverage for your money.