Best credit cards for rental car insurance
Many credit cards offer car rental insurance, but they all come with different coverage options, costs, and benefits. You’ll need to consider what works best for you based on how you plan to use the car insurance benefit and how much you want to spend on the annual fee.
The following best cards all offer primary rental car insurance, have a welcome bonus offer, and won’t charge foreign transaction fees.
| | Primary or Secondary Coverage | |
|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | Primary | Luxury travelers |
|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | Primary | Casual travelers |
|---|
| Ink Business Preferred | $95 | Primary | Small-business owners |
|---|
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | Primary | Mid-level travel perks |
|---|
| United Explorer Card | $0 first year, $95 thereafter | Primary | United Airlines loyalists |
|---|
Best for luxury travelers: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Annual fee: $550
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a travel rewards card that covers car rentals in most countries for up to 31 consecutive days. The card provides primary coverage and reimburses up to $75,000 for theft and collision claims, loss-of-use charges, administrative fees, and towing charges.
Some of the card’s other perks include $300 in annual travel credits, Priority Pass Select membership, and travel interruption insurance. Cardholders also earn bonus rewards points on all dining and travel purchases. But with an annual fee of several hundred dollars, it’s only a good option if you can use all of card’s benefits.
Best for casual travelers: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Annual fee: $95
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card covers car rentals in most countries for up to 31 consecutive days. The collision damage waiver is primary and covers theft, damage, loss-of-use charges, administrative fees, and towing charges up to the actual cash value of most rented cars.
Cardholders also get bonus rewards points on all dining and travel purchases, a 10% points bonus on their cardmember anniversary, and a $50 annual hotel credit for stays booked through Chase Travel.
Best for small-business owners: Ink Business Preferred
Annual fee: $95
The Ink Business Preferred card covers car rentals in most countries for up to 31 consecutive days, reimbursing for collision and theft charges up to the actual cash value of most rental vehicles.
The coverage is primary if you’re renting the car mainly for business purposes, renting outside the United States for personal use, or if you don’t have your own car insurance. But the coverage is secondary if you’re renting a car in your own country or you’re renting for personal reasons.
Cardholders also get free employee cards and bonus rewards points on common business purchases.
Best for mid-level travel perks: Capital One Venture X
Annual fee: $395
The Capital One Venture X covers car rentals of 15 consecutive days within your country of residence and 31 consecutive days outside it. The coverage reimburses you for theft and collision damage up to the actual cash value of rental vehicles that have an MSRP of less than $75,000.
Among the cards on this list, the Venture X rewards you the most for your purchases — both on travel spending and otherwise. Cardholders also get $300 in annual statement credits, Capital One Lounge access, and President’s Circle status with Hertz.
Best for United Airlines loyalists: United Explorer Card
Annual fee: $0 first year, $95 thereafter
The United Explorer covers car rentals in the U.S. and foreign countries. You’ll receive reimbursement for theft and collision damage up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for most rental cars when you charge the rental car cost to the card and decline the agency’s coverage.
Cardholders also receive complimentary perks when flying with United Airlines, plus bonus miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays.
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