U.S. Auto Insurance Abroad: Does Usaa Cover International Rentals?

USAA, or the United Services Automobile Association, is an insurance provider that caters to military families and veterans. Their auto insurance policies typically extend to rental cars, but does this coverage include international rentals?

The answer is: it depends. If your USAA policy is based in the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, or US Territories, your coverage will only apply to rental cars in those locations. If your policy is based internationally, you may be covered, but you should review your policy or contact USAA directly to clarify.

When renting a car abroad, it's also important to consider the laws and requirements of the country you're visiting, as well as the policies of the rental car company. Some countries may require additional insurance coverage beyond what a standard US policy provides, in which case you may need to purchase supplemental insurance.

USAA Touring Auto Policy for US members living overseas

The USAA US Touring Auto Policy is a special auto insurance policy available to USAA members living overseas. The policy costs $2 per month or $24 per year, and it covers you when borrowing or renting vehicles in the United States while on leave or temporary military assignment. This is particularly useful if you have no vehicles in the US and spend most of your time driving outside of the country.

The USAA Touring Auto Policy provides excellent coverage for a low price. For $24 per year, you receive the following:

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Property Damage: Up to $100,000 per accident
• Bodily Injury Liability: $300,000/$500,000 per person/per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $100,000 per accident
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Bodily Injury: $300,000/$500,000 per person/per accident
• Personal Injury Protection

The USAA US Touring Auto Policy also allows you to keep your USAA umbrella insurance while living abroad. Umbrella insurance is a cost-effective way to insure your assets once you reach a high net worth of $1 million or more.

It's important to note that the USAA US Touring Auto Policy does not include comprehensive coverage. For example, if your rental car is stolen or vandalised, USAA will deny the claim because theft is not covered. Therefore, it's important to carefully review the policy details and determine if this coverage is sufficient for your needs.

USAA International Discounts

USAA offers a range of international discounts for its members who are travelling. These include discounts on car rentals, hotels, and other travel services. Here is a detailed breakdown of the USAA international discounts:

Car Rental Discounts

USAA members can avail special rates and discounts on car rentals when travelling internationally. These discounts are applicable to participating international locations and may include:

• Canada: 10% off published standard rates and 5% off published leisure rates.
• Europe: 5% off published rates in Eastern Europe and Iceland, 25% off in other participating European countries, and 5% off special low non-prepaid affordable rates when booked at least 8 hours before departure from the US.
• Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and other participating locations: 10% off published rates.
• Mexico: 15% off affordable rates.

To avail these discounts, members must include the USAA discount CDP# when making a reservation. It is important to note that coverage requirements may vary by country, so purchasing additional coverage may be necessary.

Hotel Discounts

In addition to car rental discounts, USAA also offers hotel discounts for its members through its partnership with various hotel chains. These discounts can range from 10% to 20% off regular rates and may include properties in popular travel destinations worldwide.

Other Travel Services

USAA also provides discounts on other travel services such as airfare, vacation packages, and travel insurance. These discounts can help members save on their overall travel expenses and make their trips more affordable.

It is always recommended to review the specific terms and conditions of each discount, as well as the coverage requirements for car rentals and other travel services. By taking advantage of these international discounts, USAA members can make their travels more enjoyable and cost-effective.

USAA credit cards offering rental car insurance

USAA offers rental car insurance for all of its credit cards. This benefit covers theft, damage, administrative fees, and more. Cardholders are covered up to the actual cash value of most rented cars. To be eligible, cardholders must decline the rental agency's insurance and pay for the rental entirely with a USAA credit card or rewards.

USAA's Visa and American Express card benefits include rental car insurance. If you pay for your rental car with a USAA credit card, you have secondary coverage for damage and theft of the vehicle up to $50,000. Secondary coverage means that your credit card will only pick up any charges your personal auto insurance policy doesn't cover. So, you'll still have to file a claim with your primary insurer, which means you'll have to pay the deductible and your car insurance premiums may increase.

To make a claim through your USAA credit card, you must file your claim within 60 days of the incident. Be aware that certain conditions, such as reckless driving or driving while impaired, would void your coverage.

You must rent the car in your own name for no more than 31 consecutive days using your USAA credit card. The full rental must be paid in full with your card, USAA reward points, or a combination of the two. You cannot split the cost with another credit card. Also, you must decline the CDW/LDW offered at the rental car counter.

Along with damage, vandalism, or theft of the vehicle, USAA also covers you for loss-of-use fees for the period of time the vehicle is out of service. You are covered for towing costs, though there is likely a cap.

Your insurance extends only to regular passenger cars. Vehicles not covered include trucks, SUVs, vans, pickups, motorcycles, RVs, and luxury vehicles.

Your insurance also covers personal injury or damage to personal property, damages to other vehicles, property, or injury to another person.

Notable USAA Credit Cards That Offer Rental Car Insurance:

• USAA® Rewards™ American Express® Card
• USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card
• USAA Rate Advantage Visa® Platinum Credit Card
• USAA® Secured Visa Platinum® Card

USAA rental car reimbursement

Here's how it works:

Eligibility and Cost

Rental reimbursement coverage is available as an add-on to your USAA car insurance policy, but it is not included in the standard package. To be eligible, you typically need to have collision and comprehensive coverage in your primary policy. The rental reimbursement coverage usually costs less than $10 per month.

Coverage Limits and Duration

Rental Companies and Billing

If you rent a car from Avis, Budget, Enterprise, or Hertz, USAA will be billed directly. However, if you use other rental companies, you will need to pay for the rental yourself and then seek reimbursement from USAA later.

International Rentals

If your USAA policy is based in the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, or US Territories, your policy will cover rental cars in those locations. For rentals outside of these areas, review your policy or contact USAA to determine if international coverage is included. Additionally, USAA offers special discounts for its members travelling internationally through its partnership with Hertz.

Country-specific exclusions

When it comes to country-specific exclusions, it's important to note that USAA auto insurance coverage for international rental cars can vary depending on several factors. Firstly, it depends on the specifics of your individual policy and the country where you plan to rent a car. Secondly, certain countries may be excluded from coverage due to their risk profile or specific insurance regulations. Therefore, it is crucial to verify the coverage details for your destination country before travelling.

USAA auto insurance policies based in the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, or US Territories generally provide coverage only within those locations. If your policy is based outside the US, it's important to review your policy or contact USAA directly to understand your coverage for international rentals. The Policy Territory section in the General Provisions of your insurance policy typically contains these details.

Additionally, some countries may require additional insurance coverage beyond what a standard US insurance policy provides. In such cases, you may need to purchase supplemental insurance from the rental car company or another insurer. This is because coverage requirements can vary by country, and purchasing additional coverage can ensure you're protected while renting a car internationally.

It's worth noting that USAA's international rental car coverage may differ from its domestic coverage. Therefore, contacting USAA directly or visiting their official website is always recommended to get the most accurate and up-to-date information about country-specific exclusions and coverage details.

Frequently asked questions