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It might get buried underneath the allure of big points bonuses and travel perks, but the rental car insurance you get on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best benefits of all. The coverage you get from charging your rental to a Sapphire card is some of the best rental car insurance you can get from a credit card. It covers any damage to your rental and provides cardholders with primary auto rental insurance. And that generally means you can skip additional policies from your rental car company – and even from using your own policy to file a claim if the worst happens. Still, rental car insurance can be complicated. So we've broken it down to help you know exactly what you're getting from Chase's auto insurance benefit.
Chase Sapphire Rental Car Insurance: Primary vs. Secondary CoverageChase Sapphire cards aren't the only ones that offer some insurance when renting a car. But this coverage is better. Almost every other card on the market offers only secondary rental car coverage. If you get into an accident or your car is damaged with secondary coverage, you'd have to file a claim with your personal insurance policy before turning to your credit card company for help. That means you'll have to pay your deductible – and your auto insurance premiums will likely go up, too. But it's different on the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve. You get primary rental car coverage. And that means you can skip your own policy and head straight to Chase for help. Drilling into Chase's Auto Rental Collision Damage WaiverIt's time to get technical. This primary coverage from Chase Sapphire cards replaces the typical “collision damage waivers” – or loss damage waivers – that car rental companies are required to offer. These policies will provide reimbursement for damage due to collision or theft on a rental car. So if you get into an accident, it will cover the costs of any damage up to the cash value of the vehicle. But from car rental companies, it costs $10 to $30 a day. That can add up fast if you're traveling for more than a day or two. This is why Chase's rental car coverage is so valuable. It means you can decline the car rental's add-on policy and still be covered. And you get it not just in the U.S., but internationally with any car rental. Just note that this is not liability insurance. It will not cover medical bills, damage to another vehicle, or damage to property. Must-Dos When Renting a CarFirst things first: You must charge your rental car to your Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve. And you also must decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver or loss damage waiver. If you do not decline the car rental company's collision damage waiver, your Chase coverage will be voided. Who Is Covered?Just because you've got a Chase Sapphire card and used it to make your car rental doesn't mean you're all set. It's important to know exactly who – and what – is covered. The primary cardholder – whose name is printed on the card – is covered as long as they are listed as the primary renter on the car rental agreement. In addition, any additional driver listed in the rental agreement will also be covered. Anyone in your party not listed in the rental agreement as a driver will not be covered. This benefit does cover any authorized users on your card as long as they use their card to rent a car. What is Covered?Primary rental car insurance covers much more than other rental policies you'll get from credit cards. Still, it's important to know exactly what will be covered on your rental.
What's Not Covered?While Chase Sapphire rental car insurance coverage is broad, it won't include everything.
If you have any concerns about coverage for a specific type of vehicle, or any other questions about what is covered, just contact a Chase benefit administrator. How to File a Claim with ChaseIf you get into an accident or your rental car is stolen, you should immediately contact a Chase benefit administrator to report damage or theft. You must notify the benefit administrator within 60 days – but it is better to do so immediately after any incident. You can contact Chase at 1-888-320-9961. Chase will send you a claim form when you report your loss. You must submit a completed claim form within 100 days of the damage or theft. You then have 365 days from the incident to submit all required supporting documentation. Required documentation may include:
Tips for Filing a ClaimThere are a few things ahead of time that you can do to make sure filing a claim is as easy as possible.
When to Contact a Chase Benefit AdministratorBesides filing a claim with Chase there are a few things you may want to clarify before renting a car. Here is when you should contact a Chase Benefit Administrator.
Chase Sapphire Benefit Phone Number: 1-888-320-9961 FAQsDo I have to pay with my Chase Sapphire card to get coverage? Yes, in order to get the coverage you need to use your Chase Sapphire card to rent the car. Can I use Ultimate Rewards to pay for the rental car and still receive coverage? Yes, when using points to pay for a rental car you still need to put a credit card on file. To receive the coverage you must use your Chase Sapphire card. If I already have car insurance, should I still use the Chase benefit? Yes, you should use the Chase Sapphire rental car insurance. That way, if any damage occurs to the car, you can make a claim with Chase and not your own personal car insurance. If there is a situation where the Chase coverage doesn't cover something, you can then file a claim with your car insurance. Does this coverage work in all countries abroad? Yes, this coverage should be accepted in all countries around the world. If you are concerned or just want to verify that it will, contact Chase before your trip. How much coverage does my card provide? The Chase Sapphire benefit will cover up to the cash value of the rental car. However, it's important to note that certain kinds of vehicles are not covered including recreational, classic cars, expensive makes and models, and motorcycles. Does an authorized user of the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve get the benefit? Yes, this benefit does extend to an authorized card user as long as they use their card to rent a car. Bottom LineChase Sapphire rental car insurance is one of the most underrated benefits on these cards. It's there when you need it, and it goes much farther than the coverage you get from many other credit cards. Just make sure you use your Chase Sapphire card, decline your rental company's coverage, and understand how to use this benefit beforehand – just in case. Stop overpaying for travel!Get our daily email for the latest in travel, flight deals, and how to save on your next trip. Does Chase Sapphire reserve cover rental car insurance in Mexico?The Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides primary auto rental collision damage waiver coverage. Use this card to pay for your rental car, and you'll be reimbursed up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage in the U.S. and abroad.
Does Chase Sapphire cover rental car insurance in Jamaica?All Chase credit cards offer rental car insurance in Jamaica and my top picks for travel are the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve. Jamaica is actually one of the most common exclusions among credit card rental car insurance policies, but Chase offers global coverage.
Does Chase Sapphire cover car rental in Italy?Chase Sapphire Reserve does cover you when you rent a car in most foreign countries. Many credit card companies' auto rental insurance excludes certain countries such as Ireland, Italy, Israel, Jamaica, Australia, and New Zealand (many of which are popular destinations to rent cars).
Does Chase Sapphire Reserve give you travel insurance?The Chase Sapphire Reserve® travel insurance includes trip delay reimbursement, which will cover any reasonable expenses you incur in the meantime as long as you aren't already being reimbursed by your airline or other common carrier. The amount — $500 per ticket — should be more than enough to cover a typical delay.
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