Which Credit Cards Provide International Coverage For Rental Cars?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® and its lower annual fee cousin, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, are top picks for the best cards for car rentals in most countries. Both cards provide primary car rental coverage for up to 31 consecutive days at a time. Many credit cards offer rental car insurance in the form of a primary or secondary auto rental collision damage waiver when you use your card to rent a car.

Most major credit card networks, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, all offer some form of rental car coverage for cards on their networks. To find out what benefits you have, call your credit card company and ask about insurance coverage for European car rentals. Major credit card companies typically offer insurance for damage to the rental car.

When driving a rental car abroad, understanding international car rental insurance is crucial. Some credit cards, especially travel rewards credit cards, offer a form of car rental insurance known as collision damage waivers (CDW) as a benefit to cardholders. CDW covers damage and theft of any rental car you charge to the card, up to the value of the vehicle.

Wells Fargo credit cards offer rental car insurance, including popular cards like the Wells Fargo Active Cash®, Wells Fargo Autograph®, and the BILT. The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card* provides primary auto rental collision damage waiver among its long list of benefits and benefits. Most travel rewards cards come equipped with special car rental insurance that allows you to skip the rental company’s insurance. Chase and Capital One offer some of the best rental car insurance benefits available, with primary coverage included.

What is the difference between CDW and LDW?

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) are optional coverage options offered by rental car companies and third parties. CDWs only cover damage caused to a rental car in a crash, while LDWs provide theft protection in case of theft. These waivers can be purchased at the rental car counter for $10-30 per day. However, they do not provide liability insurance, which pays for damage caused to others and their property. Rental cars in most states automatically come with liability coverage, and drivers with standard car insurance policies usually have liability insurance from their personal insurer.

Is CDW the same as comprehensive insurance?

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) is an additional protection for vehicles damaged in accidents. It covers the cost of repairs or the actual cash value of the vehicle if damaged in a crash or rollover. If you have comprehensive and collision coverage on your own car, you may not need CDW. However, in a rental accident, you may be obligated to pay administrative fees and loss of use. Check your rental agreement for any provisions regarding these fees.

Credit card companies may offer benefits for this aspect of the rental agreement. Your auto policy may also have provisions to address this. Liability insurance covers medical expenses and damages to another person’s property due to a car accident caused by the insured’s negligence. If you are adequately insured on your own car, you may consider forgoing this additional liability protection, which can cost $7-$14 a day.

Does Chase Sapphire cover rental insurance?

Cardmembers of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cards are eligible to receive insurance coverage for vehicle rentals, extending to both domestic and international rental car companies. To guarantee coverage, cardholders traveling abroad are advised to contact Chase before departure to discuss their international itinerary and ascertain whether the country in question is included in their coverage.

Does MasterCard cover car rental insurance in Europe?

MasterCard provides rental car insurance, including liability coverage, as a standard component of all Auto Europe rates. MasterRental insurance provides coverage for damage or loss resulting from collision or theft of the rental vehicle, provided that the policyholder meets the eligibility criteria.

Does Visa cover CDW in Italy?

Visa offers Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage for rental cars in Italy, with exceptions for countries like Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Island. However, coverage is limited based on vehicle and is not available in all regions. Major credit card companies like American Express, Mastercard, and Visa offer CDW coverage, but it has been limited based on geographic regions. Italy was previously listed as an exception for this benefit by almost all credit cards.

However, since 2015, select cards now offer the benefit in Italy. American Express and MasterCard do not offer CDW coverage in Italy, except for Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and New Zealand. If you only have an American Express or MasterCard credit card, consider signing up for a different one that provides proper coverage.

Does Citibank Executive Card cover rental car insurance?

The Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® offers free rental car insurance, covering theft, damage from accidents, natural disasters, vandalism, and towing expenses to the nearest collision center. However, the Citi®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® does not offer rental car insurance. Other Citi credit cards do, covering damages incurred from covered accidents or theft up to a pre-set amount, as per their guide to benefits.

Does Amex cover CDW in Italy?

The $100, 000 coverage level, with a premium of $24. 95 ($15. 25 for Florida Residents and $17. 95 for California Residents), covers up to $100, 000 of primary damage and theft coverage for the rental car, up to $100, 000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage ($250, 000 for California Residents), up to $10, 000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage per passenger ($40, 000 for Florida Residents and $250, 000 for California Residents), up to $15, 000 per person of excess coverage for medical expenses, and up to a maximum of $300, 000 combined medical and AD and D coverage per car ($500, 000 for California Residents).

Do I need insurance if I have CDW?

Car rental companies offer collision damage waivers (CDWs) as an additional layer of coverage, covering auto damage during the rental period and theft. CDWs are typically offered when you reserve or pick up the car at the counter. If you choose not to get CDW, you must explicitly decline the optional coverage. If you choose to purchase a CDW, you will pay an additional daily fee on top of the rental car fee, which can vary depending on the car’s cost. The fee amount may be higher per day for a very expensive vehicle.

Does Mastercard have automatic travel insurance?

MasterCard cardholders who meet the eligibility criteria are entitled to receive travel insurance coverage at no additional cost. The premium is covered by the cardholder’s financial institution, and there is no requirement for the cardholder to inform their financial institution, administrator, or the company when purchasing tickets.

Does Citi card cover car rental insurance?

Cardholders of the Citi® Card are eligible to receive up to $50, 000 in rental insurance coverage for incidents involving accidents or thefts, provided that they utilize their Citi® Card to finance the rental of the vehicle in question and decline the rental company’s collision loss/damage insurance.

What credit cards offer car rental insurance in Italy?

Chase and Wells Fargo offer the best car rental insurance coverage, with Chase cards offering the highest coverage up to $75, 000 per vehicle and up to 31 days. They also cover damage to tires and rims, dirt or gravel roads, and damage to tires and rims. Chase’s top-scoring personal credit card is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card, which covers damage to tires and rims. Other issuers may not offer the same coverage.