Visa Rental Car Insurance: Everything You Need to Know

When you rent a car, the rental company will typically offer you additional insurance coverage. While this extra coverage can give you peace of mind while you’re driving, it can also be expensive. Fortunately, if you have a Visa credit card, you may be able to decline this additional coverage and rely on your card’s rental car insurance benefits instead. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Visa rental car insurance and answer some common questions about how it works.

What is Visa Rental Car Insurance?

Visa rental car insurance is a benefit that is included with many Visa credit cards. This benefit can provide coverage for damage to or theft of a rental car, as well as certain other expenses related to the rental. The coverage is secondary, which means that it only applies after any other applicable insurance has been used. However, it can still be a valuable benefit that saves you money on your car rental.

There are several different types of Visa rental car insurance, depending on which type of Visa card you have. The most common types of coverage include:

Note that these amounts and deductibles may vary depending on the specific terms of your Visa card’s rental car insurance coverage.

How Does it Work?

In order to take advantage of your Visa rental car insurance, you must decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW) options. If you do accept these options, your Visa rental car insurance will not apply. However, if you decline the CDW or LDW, your Visa rental car insurance will become the primary coverage for damage to or theft of the rental car.

If you do need to file a claim under your Visa rental car insurance, you will need to provide certain documentation, such as a copy of the rental agreement and a police report (if applicable). You may also be required to fill out a claim form and submit it to your Visa card issuer along with the required documentation.

FAQ

What if I have multiple credit cards with rental car insurance benefits?

If you have multiple Visa credit cards with rental car insurance benefits, you will need to choose which card to use for your rental in order to take advantage of the coverage. You cannot use multiple cards to stack or combine the coverage.

What if I’m renting a car in a foreign country?

If you’re renting a car in a foreign country, your Visa rental car insurance may still apply, but you should check with your card issuer to confirm. Some Visa cards may have restrictions or limitations on coverage in certain countries.

What if I’m renting a luxury or high-end car?

Visa rental car insurance may not cover all types of rental cars. If you’re renting a luxury or high-end car, you should check with your Visa card issuer to confirm whether the coverage applies.

Can I use my Visa rental car insurance for a long-term rental?

Visa rental car insurance typically only applies to rentals that are less than 31 days long. If you’re planning to rent a car for a longer period of time, you should check with your Visa card issuer to confirm whether the coverage will apply.

Do I have to pay for my rental with my Visa card in order to use the rental car insurance benefit?

Yes, in most cases you will need to pay for your rental with your Visa credit card in order to take advantage of the rental car insurance benefit.

Conclusion

Visa rental car insurance can be a valuable benefit that can save you money on your next car rental. However, it’s important to understand the specific terms and conditions of your Visa card’s rental car insurance coverage in order to make the most of the benefit. By declining the rental company’s additional insurance options and relying on your Visa rental car insurance instead, you can enjoy peace of mind while you’re on the road.