Chase Aarp Rewards Card: Understanding Auto Rental Insurance Benefits

Chase offers eligible cardholders rental car insurance as a benefit to supplement their current auto insurance policies. The Chase Sapphire card provides primary coverage for theft, damage, valid loss-of-use charges, administrative fees and reasonable towing charges due to covered theft or damage. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card covers up to $75,000 in rental car damage, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred card covers up to the actual cash value of the vehicle. Both cards require the full amount of the car rental booking to be charged to the card and for the cardholder to be the primary driver on the rental agreement.

The Chase Sapphire card must be the primary driver on the rental car agreement

The Chase Sapphire card offers cardholders rental car insurance as one of its benefits. This insurance is considered primary coverage, meaning that Chase Sapphire will be the first insurance company to cover any damages or losses. This can be especially useful if you don't have personal car insurance or if your insurance has a high deductible.

To be eligible for this benefit, the cardholder must be the primary driver on the rental car agreement and must decline the rental car company's Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) when picking up the vehicle. It's important to note that accepting the rental company's coverage will cancel out the benefit provided by Chase.

The Chase Sapphire card rental car insurance covers theft, damage, valid loss-of-use charges, administrative fees, and reasonable towing charges due to covered theft or damage. The coverage is valid in the United States and most foreign countries, but it's always a good idea to check with Chase before travelling internationally to ensure your destination is included.

In terms of limitations, the rental period must be less than 31 consecutive days, and the coverage only applies to certain types of vehicles, excluding expensive, exotic, and antique cars, as well as vehicles with open cargo beds and motorcycles. Additionally, the coverage only applies to rentals from commercial rental agencies and does not include peer-to-peer rentals or hourly rentals.

It's important to note that the Chase Sapphire card rental car insurance does not cover injuries to the cardholder, their passengers, or anyone outside the car. It also does not provide liability coverage for damage caused to other vehicles or property. As such, it may be a good idea to purchase additional coverage if needed.

Overall, the Chase Sapphire card's rental car insurance benefit can provide peace of mind when renting a car, but it's important to understand the limitations and exclusions to ensure you have the necessary coverage.

The full amount of the car rental booking must be charged to a Sapphire credit card

To be eligible for Chase Sapphire rental car insurance, you must charge the full amount of the car rental booking to a Sapphire credit card. This is the second step to obtaining coverage, the first being applying for and receiving a Chase Sapphire card.

Charging the full amount of the car rental booking to a Sapphire credit card is a requirement for receiving rental car insurance from Chase. This is because the insurance is a benefit offered to cardholders, and it supplements their current auto insurance policies.

In addition to charging the rental to the Sapphire card, cardholders must also be the primary driver on the rental car agreement and decline the rental car company's Collision Damage Waiver when picking up the vehicle. If you accept the Collision Damage Waiver, you will not be covered by Chase's benefit.

The Chase Sapphire card rental car insurance covers theft, damage, valid loss-of-use charges, administrative fees, and reasonable towing charges due to covered theft or damage. Coverage is valid in the United States and abroad, but cardholders should always check their cardmember insurance for details.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card provides rental car coverage up to $75,000 and does not exclude expensive or exotic vehicles. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card provides coverage up to the actual cash value of the vehicle but does exclude certain expensive and exotic vehicles.

It's important to note that only rentals lasting less than 31 consecutive days are covered by Chase Sapphire rental car insurance. Additionally, valuables left inside the rented car that are damaged or stolen are not covered. Driving the rental car off-road can also void the insurance protections.

To file a rental car insurance claim with Chase Sapphire, cardmembers should retain a copy of the rental car agreement and a copy of their Chase Sapphire statement showing that the entire cost of the rental was paid using the card. In the case of vandalism or carjacking, a police report should also be included when filing the claim. Copies of the repair estimate, accident report form, and photographs may also be required.

The rental car company's Collision Damage Waiver must be declined

When renting a car, it is important to consider the various insurance options available to you. One such option is the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) offered by the rental car company. This type of coverage is not a legal requirement but is often pushed by rental car companies as an optional extra.

The CDW is an agreement between you and the rental car company that removes your liability for damage to the rental vehicle in the event of an accident. It is important to note that this waiver only covers damage to the rental car itself and not to any other vehicles involved in an accident. It also does not cover bodily injury to yourself, your passengers, or others.

The CDW typically covers losses from any damage to the rental car while it is in your possession, including weather-related damage and theft. It also covers any damage to the car while parked, accident-related towing, and the rental company's administrative fees and lost revenue due to the vehicle being out of rotation, also known as loss of use.

However, there are some exclusions to what is covered by a CDW. For example, it may not cover interior damage, lost or damaged keys, or damage to the windshield, tires, and mirrors. It is important to carefully read the terms and conditions of the CDW to understand what is and is not covered.

When picking up your rental car, you will have the option to accept or decline the CDW. If you already have personal auto insurance or a credit card that provides rental car insurance, such as the Chase Sapphire card, you may choose to decline the rental car company's CDW.

The Chase Sapphire card offers primary rental car coverage, which means that it will pay out before your personal insurance. To be eligible for this coverage, you must use your Chase Sapphire card to pay for the full amount of the car rental booking and ensure that you are the primary driver on the rental agreement. Additionally, you must decline the rental car company's Collision Damage Waiver when picking up the vehicle. Accepting this waiver will cancel out the benefit provided by your Chase Sapphire card.

By declining the rental car company's CDW and relying on your Chase Sapphire card's coverage, you can avoid the extra daily fee typically associated with the CDW. This can save you money while still providing you with peace of mind and financial protection in the event of an accident or damage to your rental car.

In summary, when renting a car, it is important to understand the different insurance options available to you. The rental car company's Collision Damage Waiver is one option, but it is not always necessary, especially if you have alternative coverage in place. By understanding the terms and conditions of your Chase Sapphire card, you can make an informed decision about whether to decline the rental car company's CDW and rely on your card's benefits instead.

Chase Sapphire rental car insurance is valid in the US and abroad

If you're a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder, you can benefit from rental car insurance. This is valid in the US and abroad and can be a great money-saver when it comes to renting a car.

How to activate your Chase Sapphire rental car insurance

First, you need to apply for and be approved for a Chase Sapphire card. Then, when you rent a car, make sure the full amount of the car rental booking is charged to your Sapphire card. You can also use Chase Ultimate Rewards points to pay for the rental car.

When you pick up the vehicle, you must be the primary driver on the rental car agreement and decline the rental company's Collision Damage Waiver. This is important because accepting the rental company's coverage will cancel out your Chase benefit.

Chase Sapphire cardmembers receive primary coverage for theft, damage, valid loss-of-use charges, administrative fees, and reasonable towing charges due to covered theft or damage. This coverage is valid for up to 31 consecutive days and in the United States and abroad. However, it's always good to check your cardmember insurance for details.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve provides rental car coverage of up to $75,000 and does not exclude expensive or exotic vehicles. On the other hand, the Chase Sapphire Preferred provides coverage up to the actual cash value of the vehicle but excludes certain expensive and exotic vehicles.

It's important to note that not all rental vehicles are covered. The following are not covered by the policy:

• Trucks other than pickups
• Motorcycles and mopeds
• Recreational vehicles
• Passenger vans seating ten or more people, including the driver

Additionally, Chase's car rental insurance does not cover damage to other drivers' vehicles, medical bills for injuries sustained by you or other passengers, damage to goods inside the rental car, incidents or damage caused by off-road driving, or rental periods longer than 31 days.

How to file a claim

If you need to file a claim, make sure to report the incident to your card's benefit administrator as soon as possible. You will also need to gather copies of several documents, including the accident report, the rental agreement, the repair estimate, and itemized bill, photographs of the damage, a police report, and a demand letter listing the costs you're responsible for.

The rental car company must be contacted in the event of an accident

If you are in an accident with a rental car, your first priority should be to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Call 911 if anyone is injured and clear the area if there is a risk of explosion. Once you've determined that the scene is safe, exchange contact and insurance information with any other parties involved. It's important to remain polite and avoid admitting fault or apologising, as this could affect your insurance claim. If the other parties are hostile, wait for the police to arrive before engaging.

After ensuring everyone's safety and exchanging information, contact your rental car company to inform them of the accident. They will likely ask you to fill out an incident report, so take detailed notes and photographs of the scene, including:

• The year, make, model, and colour of every car involved.
• Any other standout details about the cars.
• The exact location of the collision, including street names and lane.
• How the accident happened.

The rental car company will advise you on the next steps and may ask you to bring the car to a specific location or have it towed if it's not drivable. Be sure to take the name and phone number of the customer service representative, as well as the date and time of the call.

Frequently asked questions