Spent some time over the past two days confirming what car rental insurance we have with our various credit cards. I called American Express, Capitol One Spark Business and also Chase Sapphire Preferred. I had thought the two first cards had the best protection and would provide primary coverage. I was wrong. Both of them are secondary! Chase Sapphire Preferred on the other hand provides PRIMARY coverage at no additional charge! I also confirmed that it does cover damage from weather (like hail), which is a HUGE relief to me, since we are renting a car in Denver in the near future, which is known for hail at many times of the year and I don’t want to have an expensive surprise.
We opted not to bother registering with AmEx for the premium car rental for an extra $19.95 or $24.95 per car rented on the AmEx card as well. Did read some complaints about that service on reviews.
Since coverages do change on credit cards, it’s good to confirm before renting anyway, so I am relieved and happy to know this and thought it may save someone here an expensive surprise. It sure beats paying the rental car company the collision damage waivers which are daily rates which vary depending on the car company, but can GREATLY increase the total price of the car rental.
This may be an added incentive to keep the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, in addition to it giving D a ton of free trips over the time we’ve had Ultimate Reward points from the card and previously Chase Ink.
I hear great things about Chase Sapphire. However in recent years my United Card has served the purpose of giving primary insurance for rentals, including abroad. Previous to that, used the Delta Amex for an extra $25 for the entire rental time. Interesting about the reviews.
Question for you both - do these cards cover “loss of use”? This is what the rental car companies try to scare you with, that your car may be damaged and even if you’re not at fault you will be responsible for the lost rental $$$ it would bring it while it is being fixed (and waiting to be fixed).
Yes, there could be charges your card might not cover. Loss of use is a real thing and for a minor scratch typically represents a lion’s share of the bill (3-5 days). Plus, be prepared that a claim administrative charge of $100-$150 will be tucked onto the bill (in case you are wondering, the hotel paid for the damage their valets caused to our rental… it involved some persuasive writing on my part B-) ).
And if the damage is caused by a third party - make sure you get all documentation as to what and how happened.
Hmmm, don’t know about loss of use or admin costs. I figure over the decades we’ve turned down CDW, we will have saved the cost of loss of use. Sounds like the loss of use is inflated if it’s small cosmetic damage.
DD had to use her Chase coverage. Damaged happened when she was visiting her brother, in their driveway and police would not do a report. She is still a covered driver on our car insurance and the deductible is so high that the damage was less than the deductible. So they covered everything. She has did have to provide copy of our insurance and a lot of paperwork but she paid nothing.
Looks like Visa will also provide loss of use coverage per this link. No idea about administrative fees and I’d probably fight those charges if they’re not covered.
H wanted to cave due to the loss of use but the rental lady mentioned that the only primary insurance that she knew of that covered that was USAA and we have USAA so he relaxed.
The clerks make a commission when they get you to upgrade your rental or add any insurance so they do their best to scare you. Not all states allow them to charge for loss of use.
I would have fought the charges had they been my responsibility. However, I refused to involve any of our insurances as a matter of principle. If your asinine employees damaged it - it is not my problem, and my monkeys should be off the hook. B-)