A go to to the automotive rental counter includes making some selections. Will you decline the corporate’s insurance coverage provide? Do you want further protection on your journey?
For those who maintain sure journey rewards playing cards, you’ll have rental automotive insurance coverage constructed into your advantages. However not all protection is similar. It is essential to know in case your card affords main or secondary insurance coverage.
As its title suggests, secondary protection kicks in second after different forms of insurance coverage, and it sometimes reimburses you for the quantity that is not lined by your preliminary declare.
For those who’re focused on making use of for a card with secondary automotive insurance coverage (or questioning whether or not you already maintain a card with this perk), this is what it is best to know.
What’s secondary rental automotive insurance coverage?
Secondary rental automotive insurance coverage is obtainable by many widespread rewards bank cards (together with most American Categorical playing cards).
These insurance policies kick in after different forms of insurance coverage, equivalent to journey insurance coverage or private automotive insurance coverage. This implies secondary rental automotive insurance coverage can cowl leftover bills, equivalent to deductibles. You’ll have to file a number of claims if you happen to go this route.
It is essential to notice that secondary protection sometimes solely covers injury to the rental automotive itself, and barely covers private harm or legal responsibility.
Associated: Frequent rental automotive errors — and tips on how to keep away from them
How does secondary insurance coverage differ from main insurance coverage?
In case your card has main rental automotive insurance coverage (or an auto collision injury waiver), you may often make a single declare and obtain protection for both the rental’s full worth or the price to restore it.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day e-newsletter
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
Secondary protection sometimes reimburses you for the quantity not lined by your main insurance coverage. Nevertheless, there are conditions the place secondary insurance coverage can change into main, together with:
With the American Categorical Premium Automobile Rental Safety program, you may add a coverage that gives main automotive rental insurance coverage to an eligible Amex card for a small charge. Enrollment is required upfront for a few of these advantages, and phrases apply.
Associated: Your automotive rental firm has a ‘don’t lease’ record. This is tips on how to avoid it
The perfect bank cards with secondary automotive insurance coverage
You possibly can count on to obtain a secondary automotive rental insurance coverage profit with the playing cards under.
The desk mentions three widespread American Categorical playing cards, however most American Categorical playing cards provide secondary automotive rental insurance coverage. These three playing cards will not be the one ones that supply this perk.
*Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Not all automobile sorts or leases are lined, and geographic restrictions apply. Phrases, circumstances and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm. Protection is obtainable via American Categorical Journey Associated Providers Firm, Inc.
If you do not have a bank card that gives main automotive rental insurance coverage, your subsequent greatest guess is a card that gives secondary insurance coverage. Many bank cards provide secondary automotive rental insurance coverage, so we have solely highlighted just a few of our favourite choices.
American Categorical playing cards
Most American Categorical playing cards provide secondary automotive rental insurance coverage* that takes impact after injury to or theft of a rental automobile in a lined territory.
This record contains widespread playing cards just like the Amex Platinum, the Amex Gold and the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible. For those who do not want main insurance coverage, you should use one in all these playing cards and decline the rental firm’s insurance coverage.
To study extra about every card, take a look at our critiques of the Amex Platinum, the Amex Gold and the Bonvoy Sensible.
*Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Not all automobile sorts or leases are lined, and geographic restrictions apply. Phrases, circumstances and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm. Protection is obtainable via American Categorical Journey Associated Providers Firm, Inc.
Associated: Your full information to journey protections on American Categorical playing cards
Apply right here: The Platinum Card from American Categorical
Apply right here: American Categorical Gold Card
Apply right here: Marriott Bonvoy Sensible American Categorical Card
Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card
The Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card provide automotive rental collision injury waivers.
Insurance coverage is secondary while you lease inside your nation of residence and first while you lease outdoors of it. Nevertheless, advantages can be found solely on accounts permitted for the Visa Signature card, and phrases apply.
To study extra about every card, take a look at our full critiques of the Capital One Enterprise Rewards and the Capital One VentureOne.
Study extra: Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card
Study extra: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card
Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Limitless
For those who’re searching for a no-annual-fee bank card that gives secondary automotive rental insurance coverage, the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Limitless advantage consideration.
These playing cards present insurance coverage for theft and collision injury for many automobiles within the U.S. and overseas.
Though neither card has an annual charge, each playing cards cost a 3% international transaction charge. So, utilizing these playing cards to pay for a automotive rental outdoors the U.S. would add injury safety however improve your rental price.
To study extra, take a look at our full critiques of the Freedom Flex and Freedom Limitless.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Flex
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Limitless
Backside line
Secondary rental automotive protection is effective for these with private auto insurance coverage, because it helps cowl prices that main protection does not, equivalent to a deductible.
It is good to think about your plan within the occasion of theft or injury to a rental automotive. Simply keep in mind that you will have to put a couple of declare if you happen to resolve to lean on a mixture of main and secondary insurance coverage.
Associated: Easy methods to skip lengthy rental automotive pick-up traces totally free
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Bonvoy Sensible, click on right here.
For Capital One merchandise listed on this web page, a number of the advantages could also be supplied by Visa® or Mastercard® and will differ by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.
Supply hyperlink
