Compare Credit Cards' Rental Car Insurance Policies
November 2020The following is a compendium of insurance coverage plans offered by the major credit cards.
Coverage varies
Visa and American Express provide rental auto insurance to all cardholders as a free benefit, though America Express offers a paid upgrade to a premium insurance program. MasterCard offer rental auto insurance only to cardholders at more elite levels, such as gold or platinum (in other words, those with better credit).
Most plans cover vehicles rented up to one month, and cover up to $50,000 of damage or loss (though American Express has plans that go higher). Be aware, however, that not all rental vehicles are covered. Commonly excluded vehicles are exotic cars, motorcycles, campers, mini buses, pickup trucks and cargo vans. Cars rented in certain countries are also excluded.
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Credit Card Rental Insurance |
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American Express |
Mastercard |
Visa |
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Cards That Offer It |
All AmEx credit cards |
Gold, Platinum, World and World Elite |
Standard Credit, Rewards Credit, Signature®, Signature Preferred®, Premium Rewards (May also be available on other cards; call issuer to confirm) |
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Rental Period |
30 consecutive days |
15 consecutive days for Gold or Platinum; 31 consecutive days for World or World Elite |
15 consecutive days domestic; 31 consecutive days abroad
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Insurance Type |
Secondary |
Secondary |
Secondary for domestic; primary for international
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Vehicles Covered |
Most passenger cars valued under $50,000 |
Most passenger cars and minivans valued under $50,000 |
Most passenger cars, minivans and sports utility vehicles valued under $50,000
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Vehicles Not Covered |
Trucks, pick-ups, full-sized or cargo vans, commercial minivans, off-road vehicles, full-sized sport utility vehicles, antique cars, limousines |
Trucks, pickups, certain vans, campers, off-road vehicles, antique cars, limousines, motorcycles, trailers |
Trucks, some luxury cars, certain vans, antique cars, limousines, motorcycles, mopeds
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Time Frame for Filing Report |
Within 30 days |
Must report claim within 30 days; Must submit claim within 180 days |
Must report incident within 45 days; Must file claim within 90 days
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Maximum Coverage |
$50,000 for basic Amex; $75,000 for Amex Platinum
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$50,000 |
$50,000 |
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What It Covers |
Damage, theft, loss-of-use charges, towing charges
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Damage, theft, loss-of-use charges, related towing charges |
Damage, vandalism, theft, loss-of-use charges, related towing charges |
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What It Doesn’t Cover |
Liability, injury, personal property, damage to other vehicles |
Liability, injury, personal property, damage to other vehicles |
Liability, injury, medical expenses, loss or theft of personal belongings, off-road damage |
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Countries Not Covered |
Australia, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and New Zealand |
Israel, Jamaica, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Possibly Australia, Italy and New Zealand. |
Israel, Jamaica, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland |
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Contact/ More Information |
1-800-528-4800/ website |
1-800-MASTERCARD/ website |
1-800-348-8472/ website |
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