Which credit cards offer primary rental car insurance for your next trip?

If you’ve rented a car in the past, you probably know that rental companies offer insurance coverage to protect you on the road. The most common coverage type is a loss damage waiver, which protects your rental from damage due to theft, vandalism, a collision, and more. While this coverage gives you valuable protection, you might not actually need it. That’s because your credit card might offer the coverage you need as a complimentary benefit.

Here’s how credit card rental car insurance works and which cards offer primary insurance as a safeguard for your travels.

Credit card rental car insurance can serve as alternative protection to a rental company’s coverage. But there are a few caveats to consider. First, you’ll need a credit card offering complimentary rental car insurance as a perk. You’d also need to rent a car with your card in order to access its insurance benefit. And finally, you must decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver if you want to rely on your credit card’s rental car insurance for protection.

Rental car insurance options and limits vary by card. Secondary coverage, which supplements your own car insurance, is the most common option. For example, if you back into another vehicle while driving your rental, you’d need to first file a claim with your primary car insurance company. Your personal insurer could cover the cost of repairs to the rental, and your credit card’s secondary coverage could pay for things like your insurance deductible.

Primary coverage is a rarer option, but it’s still available with certain credit cards — often higher-tier rewards credit cards. With primary coverage, you don’t need to file a claim with your personal insurer first. Instead, you can simply call your credit card company for assistance after an accident or incident, and your personal insurance serves as backup to your primary coverage. Relying on this coverage could help you avoid potential premium increases that might happen after filing a claim with your personal insurer.

A card with primary rental car coverage could be beneficial no matter how often you travel. In addition to primary coverage, many of the following cards offer added benefits like cash back or travel rewards, credits, and more.

With the Capital One Venture X Rewards Card, you’ll get primary rental car coverage and a host of other perks. Unfortunately, Capital One isn’t very transparent about how much rental car coverage the Venture X Rewards provides.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is another premium travel rewards card offering big benefits and primary rental car insurance. Cardholders who rent cars using their card get up to $75,000 in coverage for most rentals of up to 31 consecutive days.

If you want primary rental car coverage but you’d prefer a lower annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred may be worth considering. You’ll get up to $65,000 in primary coverage for most rental cars valued at $125,000 or less, and this card’s annual fee is just $95. Remember that you’ll need to use your card to rent your car and decline the rental agency’s coverage to be eligible for this primary insurance.

Plus, this card offers a massive 100,000-point welcome bonus if you make $5,000 worth of purchases within three months of account opening. It offers a smaller travel credit of $50 for trips booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

The Ink Business Cash, a small business credit card, offers rental car coverage similar to that of the Chase Sapphire Preferred. When you use your card to book your car rental and decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver, you’ll get up to $65,000 in primary insurance on most rental cars valued at $125,000 or less. And the best part? The Ink Business Cash has a $0 annual fee.

The Ink Business Preferred is a small business travel rewards credit card offering up to $65,000 in primary rental car coverage for most rentals. Like the Ink Business Cash, this card offers a range of perks, including a hefty 90,000-point welcome offer if you spend $8,000 within three months of account opening.

Cardmembers also benefit from business-focused rewards categories, free employee cards, and other perks. This card has a $95 annual fee.

Another great option for small businesses is the Ink Business Unlimited. This card gives you primary auto rental coverage of up to $65,000 for cars valued at $125,000 or less. Unlike other cards on our list, the Ink Business Unlimited offers a generous introductory APR on purchases for 12 months, which could be ideal if you plan on a large purchase in the near future.

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