The 10 Best Credit Cards for Car Rental Insurance Coverage [2024]

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The 10 Best Credit Cards for Car Rental Insurance Coverage [2024]

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The ratings for these cards have been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get ready to hit the road confidently using the best credit cards with rental car coverage. With these cards, you don’t have to pay extra at the rental counter for insurance. Pay with your card, decline the rental car company’s coverage, and you can roll off the lot with peace of mind.

Whether you’re seeking primary coverage or just want to save a few bucks on car rentals, these cards have you covered. Buckle up and read about the best credit cards for car rental insurance coverage.

What Is Credit Card Car Rental Insurance?

Here’s a quick look at how credit card car rental insurance works:

Step 1: Read the coverage your credit card provides carefully, and note any exclusions the plan might have. For example, luxury vehicles.

Step 2: Book your rental car and pay with your credit card that offers car rental insurance. You’ll only receive the car rental insurance if the payment for the rental car is charged to your card.

Step 3: When you arrive to pick up the car, complete the payment with the same card that you used to book the rental car.

Step 4: Decline the insurance coverage from the rental car company. Purchasing coverage from the rental car company will cost you more money and nullify your credit card car rental insurance. The car rental company might try to pressure you, but this is just a sales tactic.

Step 5: If you have an accident or another mishap with your rental car, contact your credit card company to file a claim. Remember that if your credit card car rental insurance is secondary, the coverage will only kick in after your primary auto coverage.

Differences Between Primary and Secondary Car Rental Insurance

There are 2 levels of car rental coverage that your credit card can offer — secondary and primary. A single credit card could apply both types of coverage. For example, a card could offer primary coverage when renting a vehicle outside your country of residence and secondary coverage within your country of residence.

Car rental companies and some credit card companies also call car rental insurance Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW).

This is because CDW/LDW coverage is not insurance but functions similarly. It waives your responsibility to pay for damages, theft, or other related charges you could incur during a rental car incident.

Before we discuss the best credit cards for primary car rental insurance, let’s first define the difference between secondary and primary coverage and how these coverages may apply.

Secondary Collision Damage Waiver Coverage

Secondary CDW coverage — also referred to as “excess” coverage — requires you to first file a claim with any insurance that might apply to the situation before the secondary coverage kicks in. This is important because your insurance company could potentially penalize you for an accident if you file a claim.

Depending on your coverage, you may have to pay a deductible when filing a claim with your insurance company.

Primary Collision Damage Waiver Coverage

Primary CDW coverage does not require filing a claim with your insurance company before coverage kicks in. It functions as the primary coverage for the car rental incident.

Requirements To Ensure Coverage

For the CDW coverage that is offered on credit cards to be valid, most credit card coverage requires the following:

Make sure you know the requirements before renting a vehicle, and call the benefits administrator if you have questions.

You can request a letter detailing your CDW coverage when renting a vehicle.

Bottom Line:

Credit cards can offer CDW/LDW coverage that is secondary or primary. Some credit cards offer a combination of both. For example, applying primary coverage outside your residence country and secondary within your country of residence. Another scenario is that primary coverage may apply if you do not have your own car insurance or if your coverage does not cover you outside of your resident country.

What To Look for in Credit Cards With Car Rental Insurance

Here are some top factors to consider when selecting a credit card with car rental insurance.

Does It Offer Primary or Secondary Coverage?

Remember that cards with primary car rental coverage offer a significantly better benefit than secondary coverage as those policies kick in before your personal auto insurance.

Are Certain Countries Excluded?

For the most part, your coverage will apply no matter where you are traveling. However, some notable exceptions exist for popular policies, such as Australia, Italy, and Ireland. You always want to read your coverage’s details closely to ensure you are covered.

Are Certain Vehicles Excluded?

Most often, any standard rental car a major company offers will be included in your coverage. That said, specialty rentals like exotic cars, motorcycles, RVs, passenger vans, and more are not likely to be covered.

How Long Is the Car Rental Covered?

Usually, most credit card car rental insurance policies cover 14 to 30 days of coverage. So if you rent a car longer than your card coverage provides, you’ll want to look into other options.

The 5 Best Personal Cards for Car Rental Insurance

Card Summary

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Card

Welcome Bonus Offer and Annual Fee

Benefits for Car Rental Insurance

Secondary rental car insurance with the ability to purchase primary rental car insurance

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (Top Pick, Best Sub-$100 Card for Primary Coverage & Earning Points)

GREAT STARTER CARD

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More (at Chase's secure site)

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

60,000 points UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee 21.49%-28.49% Variable Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO ® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850) Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons Card Highlights Financial Snapshot Rewards Center

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is our top credit card for car rental insurance because it’s one of the few personal credit cards offering primary rental car insurance. It solidifies itself at the top thanks to its mild $95 annual fee and tremendous rewards categories.

This credit card offers an exceedingly attractive welcome offer, and up to 5x Ultimate Rewards points on purchases:

After every account anniversary year, cardholders receive a 10% anniversary rewards bonus on their total amount spent on the card.

Enjoy a discounted hotel stay when you book through the Chase Travel portal with an up to $50 annual credit towards hotel stays and stellar travel insurance.

This credit card also offers state-of-the-art purchase protection, extended warranty, zero liability fraud protection, no foreign transaction fees, and no additional annual fees for authorized users.

Hot Tip:

There is no charge for adding an authorized user to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, and they receive the same primary CDW coverage when renting a vehicle with their card. Remember that authorized users driving a vehicle rented by the primary cardholder must be listed as a driver to be covered. Read more about maximizing car rental insurance benefits with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card (Best Premium Card for Primary Coverage, Earning Points & Rental Privileges)

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More (at Chase's secure site)

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠

60,000 points UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee 22.49%-29.49% Variable Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO ® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850) Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons Card Highlights Financial Snapshot Rewards Center

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is Chase’s flagship ultra-premium credit card. It earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, just like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. The difference is you’ll get up to 10x Ultimate Rewards points:

Earning 10x points on car rentals is exceptional, worth a return on spending of 20%!

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with excellent primary rental car insurance and rental car privileges at National, Audi on demand, and Avis. It also comes with the same worldwide primary CDW coverage as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card but with a maximum of $75,000 coverage for the rental vehicle. And the most compelling reason to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve card for your rental car is that you can pay for the rental with Ultimate Rewards Points and receive 50% more value for your points!

The card also has some incredible benefits, like an easy-to-use up to $300 travel credit every cardmember year, complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, the best travel insurance from a single credit card, and a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit of up to $100.

Lastly, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers access to the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, a 50% redemption bonus in select rotating categories when using Pay Yourself Back, no foreign transaction fees, purchase protection, roadside assistance, and extended warranty coverage.

Capital One Venture X Card (Best for Primary Coverage, Earning Miles & Rental Privileges)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO ® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-840) Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

Pros & Cons Card Highlights Financial Snapshot Rewards Center

CapOne’s ultra-premium credit card product is the Capital One Venture X card. This credit card, similar to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, earns up to 10x Capital One miles:

The Capital One Venture X card boasts primary rental car insurance, complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status (one of the only cards that offer this top-tier elite status), and up to 10x miles on car rental bookings (assuming they’re made through Capital One Travel).

With this Visa Infinite card, you’ll also get several rental car perks, such as Avis Preferred Plus status, National Emerald Club Executive status, and Audi on demand benefits.

There’s also a $300 annual travel credit for Capital One Travel bookings (which you could use for rental cars, too), an annual account anniversary bonus of 10,000 miles, access to Capital One Lounges, select Plaza Premium Lounges, and Priority Pass lounges, as well as a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $100.

It’s also one of the few credit cards with exceptional cell phone protection, travel insurance, up to 4 authorized user cards for no additional annual fee (rates & fees), no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), purchase protection, and an extended warranty.

Amex Platinum Card (Best Premium Card for Secondary Coverage & Rental Privileges)

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More (at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 points UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee See Pay Over Time APR Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO ® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850) Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons Card Highlights Financial Snapshot Rewards Center

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Platinum card is one of our favorite cards, thanks to its abundance of luxury travel perks. Although it offers secondary rental car coverage by default, you can easily purchase primary rental car coverage for around $12.25 to $24.95 per rental.

While getting primary rental car insurance technically isn’t free, if you look past that, you’ll probably be happy to pay for the primary rental car insurance if you utilize all of the card’s other perks.

The Amex Platinum card offers complimentary rental car privileges and benefits with Avis, Hertz, and National, which could help you get upgrades, discounts, and elevated service. Plus, you’ll receive complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status.

But looking past the car rental benefits, you’ll find that the Amex Platinum card’s rewards and benefits make sense if you’re into luxury travel:

Furthermore, the Amex Platinum card offers access to Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection (to make you feel like a VIP when booking hotel stays around the world) and the American Express Global Lounge Collection to access some of the most exclusive lounges, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying on a same-day Delta flight), and Priority Pass lounges upon enrollment.

Cardholders can also take advantage of a series of annual statement credits (some require enrollment):

You also get no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), purchase protection, cell phone insurance, extended warranty, and exceptional travel insurance.

American Express Gold Card (Best Mid-tier Card for Secondary Coverage)

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More (at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.

60,000 points + up to $100 back UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee See Pay Over Time APR Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO ® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850) Why We Like This Card

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons Card Highlights Financial Snapshot Rewards Center

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90,000 points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points + up to $100 back. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The last personal card product we’ll include in this article is the Amex Gold card. It happens to be one of the most exceptional cards for everyday spending. It offers secondary rental car coverage, but you’d want to get this card for many other reasons!

Even with secondary rental car insurance, you can purchase Premium Car Rental Protection from $12.25 to $24.95 per rental, so you still have the option to enjoy primary coverage with the Amex Gold card.

The welcome bonus offer on this card is consistently excellent — and you’ll earn up to 4x Membership Rewards points:

By earning 4x points, you can get a whopping return on spending of 8.8%! The Amex Gold card also comes with over $400 in statement credits every year:

In addition, you can access room upgrades and property credits when booking eligible stays at The Hotel Collection, which will undoubtedly enhance your travel experience.

The Amex Gold card has travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees, no-additional fee authorized user cards for up to 5 additional cards (after that, each card is $35), purchase protection, and an extended warranty (rates & fees).

The 5 Best Business Cards for Car Rental Insurance

Business cards handle car rental insurance coverage a bit differently than personal cards. You’ll receive primary car rental coverage if you rent primarily for business purposes and use your associated card to pay for the rental.

You are also covered for personal use when renting a vehicle outside of your resident country. You will not have primary coverage if you rent for personal use within your country of residence.

Card Summary

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Card

Welcome Bonus Offer and Annual Fee

Benefits for Primary Car Rental Insurance

Primary rental car insurance when renting for business or outside the U.S.; secondary coverage for personal rentals in the U.S.

Primary rental car insurance when renting for business or outside the U.S.; secondary coverage for personal rentals in the U.S.

Primary rental car insurance when renting for business or outside the U.S.; secondary coverage for personal rentals in the U.S.

Ink Business Preferred Card (Best for Primary Coverage for Business & Earning Points)

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

Learn More (at Chase's secure site)

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

Welcome Offer

Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

90,000 Points UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee 21.24%-26.24% Variable Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO ® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850) Why We Like This Card

The Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

Pros & Cons