A go to to the automobile rental counter entails making some choices. Will you decline the corporate’s insurance coverage supply? Do you want further protection on your journey?
In case you maintain sure journey rewards playing cards, you could have rental automobile insurance coverage constructed into your advantages. However not all protection is identical. It is essential to know in case your card presents main or secondary insurance coverage.
As its identify suggests, secondary protection kicks in second after different sorts of insurance coverage, and it sometimes reimburses you for the quantity that is not coated by your preliminary declare.
In case you’re all for making use of for a card with secondary automobile insurance coverage (or questioning whether or not you already maintain a card with this perk), here is what it’s best to know.
What’s secondary rental automobile insurance coverage?
Secondary rental automobile insurance coverage is obtainable by many fashionable rewards bank cards (together with most American Specific playing cards).

These insurance policies kick in after different sorts of insurance coverage, resembling journey insurance coverage or private automobile insurance coverage. This implies secondary rental automobile insurance coverage can cowl leftover bills, resembling deductibles. You’ll have to file a number of claims for those who go this route.
It is essential to notice that secondary protection sometimes solely covers harm to the rental automobile itself, and infrequently covers private damage or legal responsibility.
Associated: Widespread rental automobile errors — and the way to keep away from them
How does secondary insurance coverage differ from main insurance coverage?
In case your card has main rental automobile insurance coverage (or an auto collision harm waiver), you will normally make a single declare and obtain protection for both the rental’s full worth or the associated fee to restore it.
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Secondary protection sometimes reimburses you for the quantity not coated by your main insurance coverage. Nonetheless, there are conditions the place secondary insurance coverage can turn into main, together with:
With the American Specific Premium Automobile Rental Safety program, you may add a coverage that gives main automobile rental insurance coverage to an eligible Amex card for a small charge. Enrollment is required prematurely for a few of these advantages, and phrases apply.
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The perfect bank cards with secondary automobile insurance coverage
You may anticipate to obtain a secondary automobile rental insurance coverage profit with the playing cards beneath.
The desk mentions three fashionable American Specific playing cards, however most American Specific playing cards supply secondary automobile rental insurance coverage. These three playing cards aren’t the one ones that provide this perk.
*Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Not all automobile varieties or leases are coated, 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 by means of American Specific Journey Associated Providers Firm, Inc.
If you do not have a bank card that gives main automobile rental insurance coverage, your subsequent greatest guess is a card that gives secondary insurance coverage. Many bank cards supply secondary automobile rental insurance coverage, so we have solely highlighted a couple of of our favourite choices.
American Specific playing cards
Most American Specific playing cards supply secondary automobile rental insurance coverage* that takes impact after harm to or theft of a rental automobile in a coated territory.

This checklist consists of fashionable playing cards just like the Amex Platinum, the Amex Gold and the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible. In case you do not want main insurance coverage, you need to use one in all these playing cards and decline the rental firm’s insurance coverage.
To be taught extra about every card, try our opinions of the Amex Platinum, the Amex Gold and the Bonvoy Sensible.
*Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Not all automobile varieties or leases are coated, 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 by means of American Specific Journey Associated Providers Firm, Inc.
Associated: Your full information to journey protections on American Specific playing cards
Apply right here: The Platinum Card from American Specific
Apply right here: American Specific Gold Card
Apply right here: Marriott Bonvoy Sensible American Specific 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 supply automobile rental collision harm waivers.

Insurance coverage is secondary if you hire inside your nation of residence and first if you hire exterior of it. Nonetheless, advantages can be found solely on accounts authorized for the Visa Signature card, and phrases apply.
To be taught extra about every card, try our full opinions of the Capital One Enterprise Rewards and the Capital One VentureOne.
Be taught extra: Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card
Be taught extra: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card
Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Limitless
In case you’re searching for a no-annual-fee bank card that gives secondary automobile rental insurance coverage, the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Limitless advantage consideration.
These playing cards present insurance coverage for theft and collision harm 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 automobile rental exterior the U.S. would add harm safety however enhance your rental value.
To be taught extra, try our full opinions of the Freedom Flex and Freedom Limitless.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Flex
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Limitless
Backside line
Secondary rental automobile protection is effective for these with private auto insurance coverage, because it helps cowl prices that main protection does not, resembling a deductible.
It is good to contemplate your plan within the occasion of theft or harm to a rental automobile. Simply keep in mind that you will have to position multiple declare for those who resolve to lean on a mixture of main and secondary insurance coverage.
Associated: Tips on how to skip lengthy rental automobile pick-up traces free of charge
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, click on right here.For charges and costs of the Amex Gold, click on right here.For charges and costs 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 offered by Visa® or Mastercard® and will differ by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.


