does chase cover car rental insurance

[JordanRose]

Yes, many Chase credit cards do provide car rental insurance, but it's a secondary coverage benefit that only applies under specific conditions. This means it typically kicks in after your personal auto insurance policy has been used. The coverage is not automatic; you must decline the rental company's collision damage waiver (CDW) and pay for the entire rental transaction with your eligible Chase card.

The most comprehensive coverage is usually found on premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Chase Sapphire Reserve®. These cards often provide primary rental car insurance, which means you can file a claim with Chase without involving your personal auto insurer first, potentially avoiding a premium increase. However, standard Chase cards like the Chase Freedom Flex℠ or Chase Slate® typically offer secondary coverage.

It's critical to understand the limitations and exclusions. Coverage generally applies only to damage or theft of the rental vehicle itself, not to liability insurance for injuries or damage you cause to others. Certain vehicle types (like luxury cars, vans, and trucks), rentals longer than 31 consecutive days, and rentals in some foreign countries are often excluded.

Coverage Aspect	Typical Chase Sapphire Reserve®	Typical Chase Freedom Flex®
Coverage Type	Primary	Secondary
Maximum Coverage	Up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage	Up to the actual cash value of the vehicle
Eligible Vehicles	Standard passenger cars, minivans, SUVs	Standard passenger cars, minivans, SUVs
Key Exclusions	Liability, expensive/luxury vehicles, rentals over 31 days	Liability, expensive/luxury vehicles, rentals over 15-31 days
Required Action	Decline rental company's CDW/LDW; pay with card	Decline rental company's CDW/LDW; pay with card

Always review your card's Guide to Benefits for the definitive terms before you rely on it. The specifics can change, and your eligibility depends on your account status. For peace of mind, especially with longer rentals or expensive vehicles, purchasing the rental company's insurance might still be a prudent choice.

[McJason]

From my experience, it's a solid perk, but you have to play by the rules. You must use the card to pay for the rental and say "no" to the extra insurance they try to sell you at the counter. I’ve used my Sapphire card's coverage before, and it saved me from paying out of pocket for a minor scrape. Just know it doesn't cover everything—if you cause an accident, your regular car insurance handles the other person's car. It’s great for avoiding your deductible, but read the fine print on your specific card.