Credit Cards Car Rental Insurance

Most car rental agencies prefer you to use your credit card when you pay for the use of their twenty thousand dollar plus car.  They will also try to sell you additional coverage for said car knowing full well that your personal insurance as well as the credit cards rental car insurance is sufficient to cover their car.  Knowing exactly what is and isn’t covered by car rental insurance credit cards provide will help you make an informed decision at the car rental check out counter.

The number one thing it is necessary for you to understand about your credit cards car rental insurance is that it will be the secondary insurance unless you don’t have a personal auto insurance policy.  In this case, the car rental insurance credit cards will be the primary policy.  Coverage varies between credit cards car rental insurance.  It all hinges on the bank or company which backs the card.  Car rental insurance credit cards will generally have exclusions such as expensive care, sport cars, SUVs, trucks, vans, motor homes and motorcycles.  You credit cards car rental insurance may also be valid only in the United States.

Generally speaking, the car rental insurance credit cards will provide protection against theft and damage to the rental car.  They do not handle liability insurance, or loss of personal property, personal injury, or death benefits.  You credit cards car rental insurance only covers damage to the rental car.  Some car rental insurance credit cards such as Master Card and Visa automatically offer collision coverage when you use the card to rent the car.  You must use the same card to reserve and pay for the rental.  Check the coverage with the credit card company.  Most credit cards car rental insurance will have stipulations you will have to meet.  You will have to pay for the whole rental with that card and you cannot accept the rental agency’s collision waiver.  You also have to be the main person renting the car.  Failure to comply with any of these rules will void the car rental insurance credit cards coverage.

The credit cards car rental insurance usually covers damages to the vehicle as stated before but it also covers theft of the automobile.  Towing may also be covered by car rental insurance credit cards as well as long term coverage for up to one month with a fifty thousand dollar ceiling on damages, but they might not cover the loss of usage charges.  These are charges the rental agency will assess to you while the car is being repaired.  For everyday the vehicle is in the shop being fixed, the car company will charge you a daily rental fee just as though you were driving the car.

The process for renting you car with credit cards car rental insurance is fairly simple.  First you will reserve the car using the car rental insurance credit cards.  You will pick up the vehicle showing the rental company the same credit card and a proper ID and you will use the same card when it is time to pay for the rental.  Be sure to ask the credit card company for the details of their credit cards car rental insurance.  These policies can change from time to time.  Have them send you a hard copy of the policies.  Be sure the only people who operate the car are listed on the car rental contract.  Otherwise, the car rental insurance credit cards coverage will become void.  You should be sure the check how long the coverage will be in force.  Report any collision or theft to the credit card company promptly.  You will need to use their claim form or risk loosing your credit cards car rental insurance coverage. 

To file a claim with your credit cards rental insurance you will need to gather several documents and forward them to the credit card company as soon as possible.  You must inform the car rental insurance credit cards of the accident or theft immediately by contacting the Benefit Administrator via the telephone number provided by the credit card company.  If you do not inform them immediately, they may deny some of the claims and by all means, make the contact before forty five days have elapsed from the time of the incident. 

They will ask you for several documents at this time.  They will require a postmarked copy of the completed rental agreement with signatures, a copy of the receipt or your bill which includes the car rental charge, and a statement from your insurance carrier which shows any reimbursements or costs already paid for the damages.  The credit cards rental insurance will also need a notarized statement to the fact that you do not have other insurance which will cover the damages to the car should this be the case.  Other documentation the car rental insurance credit cards will request are a copy of the Accident Report Form from the rental agency, a copy of the repair estimate or an itemized repair bill, two photographs of the vehicle if possible and a copy of the police report as well as any other documentation they deem necessary.

Below is a chart explaining the credit cards rental insurance coverage by company and card type.  Remember that this information is subject to change and you should check with your credit card company to be certain what coverage they provide.

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