Chase Sapphire Rental Car Insurance: What the Card Covers and What It Doesn't
The Short Answer
Yes, with important limits. Chase Sapphire cards, including the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve, have included an auto rental collision damage waiver as a cardholder benefit. A collision damage waiver, often shortened to CDW, covers theft of the rental car or physical damage to it. It is not full rental car insurance. It does not cover your liability for injuring other people or damaging their property, and it does not cover your own medical costs.
Chase has generally described this benefit as primary coverage for eligible rentals. Primary means you can file a claim with the card's benefit administrator first, without going through your personal auto insurance policy. Because card benefits can change and can differ between card versions, confirm the current terms in your card's Guide to Benefits before you rely on it.
What the Benefit Typically Covers
Collision damage to the rental vehicle; Theft of the rental vehicle; Certain related charges the rental company may bill, such as loss-of-use fees, where the benefit terms allow them
What It Typically Does Not Cover
Liability for injury to other people or damage to their vehicles or property; Your own injuries or those of your passengers; Personal belongings stolen from or damaged in the car; Excluded vehicle types, which commonly include exotic or high-value cars, antique vehicles, certain trucks and large passenger vans; Rentals longer than the maximum period set in the benefit terms; Rentals in countries the benefit excludes
Conditions You Usually Need to Meet
Pay for the entire rental with your eligible Chase Sapphire card or with points earned on it; Decline the rental company's collision damage waiver or loss damage waiver at the counter; Be the primary renter named on the rental agreement, with any additional drivers listed as permitted by the rental company; Report damage or theft promptly and follow the claim filing deadlines in the benefit terms
Accepting the rental company's own damage waiver generally makes the card benefit unavailable for that rental, so the choice at the counter matters.
How It Differs From Other Rental Coverage
The rental counter's damage waiver is sold per day and releases you from paying for damage to the car. The Sapphire benefit serves a similar purpose at no extra charge, but it works as reimbursement through a claim, so you may have to handle paperwork after an incident.
Your personal auto policy, if you have one, may extend some coverage to rental cars, often including liability. Using the card's primary benefit for damage can help you avoid a claim on your own policy. You still need liability protection from somewhere, whether from your personal policy, coverage required in the rental location, or supplemental liability bought from the rental company.
Information Not Confirmed Here
No specific coverage limits, maximum rental lengths, lists of excluded countries or vehicles, claim deadlines or contact details were confirmed for this article. These figures vary by card and can change over time. Check your card's current Guide to Benefits, or call the number on the back of your card, before you rent.
What to Do Before Your Next Rental
Confirm which Sapphire card you hold and read its current rental car benefit terms; Check that the vehicle type and rental location are eligible; Decide how you will cover liability; Pay for the full rental with the card and decline the counter's damage waiver; Photograph the car at pickup and return, and keep the rental agreement and receipts in case you need to file a claim