Visits to rental The counter involves making several decisions. Will you reject the company’s insurance offer? Do you need additional coverage for your trip?
If you hold a definite Travel Rewards CardYou may have rental car insurance built into your benefits. But not all coverage is the same. It is important to know if your card offers major or secondary insurance.
As the name implies, secondary coverage kicks the second after other types of insurance, and it usually refunds you for an amount not covered by your initial claim.
If you are interested in applying for a card with secondary car insurance (or wondering if you are already holding the card with this camp), this is what you need to know.
What is a secondary car rental insurance?
Secondary car rental insurance is offered by many popular Credit Card Rewards (including most American express card).
This policy kicks after other types of insurance, such as travel insurance or personal car insurance. This means that secondary car rental insurance can cover waste expenses, such as deductibles. You need to file some claims if you go on this route.
It is important to note that secondary coverage usually only covers damage to the rental car itself, and rarely includes personal injuries or liabilities.
Related: Ordinary rental car error – and how to avoid it
How is secondary insurance different from major insurance?
If your card has the main rental car insurance (or automatic collision damage exception), you will usually make a single claim and receive coverage for either the full value of the rent or the cost to repair it.
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Secondary protection usually repayes you for an amount not covered by your primary insurance. However, there are situations where secondary insurance can be key, including:
With the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection Program, you can add policies that provide major car rental insurance to eligible AMEX cards for a small payment. Registration is required in advance for some of these benefits, and the terms apply.
Related: Your car rental company has a ‘not rent’ list. This is a way to avoid it
The best credit card with the secondary car insurance
You can expect to receive the benefits of secondary car rental insurance with the card below.
This table mentions three popular American Express cards, but most American express cards Offers middle car rental insurance. These three cards are not the only ones that offer this development.
*Eligibility levels and benefits vary by card. Not all types of vehicles or rentals are protected, and geographical restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more information. The policy is borne by the Amex Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through the American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
If you do not have a credit card offering a major car rental insurance, the next best bet is a card that provides secondary insurance. Many credit cards offer secondary car rental insurance, so we only highlight some of our favorite options.
American express card
Most American express card Offer Secondary Car Rental Insurance* Effective after damage or theft of rental vehicles in protected territories.
These lists include popular cards such as Amex Platinum, Amex Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant. If you do not need primary insurance, you can use one of these cards and reject rental company insurance.
To learn more about each card, see our reviews about Amex platinumThe Amex Gold and the Bonvoy Brilliant.
*Eligibility levels and benefits vary by card. Not all types of vehicles or rentals are protected, and geographical restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more information. The policy is borne by the Amex Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through the American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Related: Your Complete Guide for Travel Protection at American Express Cards
Apply here: Platinum Card from American Express
Apply here: American Express Gold Card
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Capital One Venture Credit Card Rewards and Capital One VentureOne Credit Card Rewards
Capital One Venture Rewards Card Credit and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card Car Rental Car Rental Exemption.
Insurance is secondary when you rent in your country of residence and primary when you rent outside it. However, interest is only available on approved accounts for Visa signature cardand terms apply.
To learn more about each card, see our full reviews about Rewards of one capital effort and the Capital One Ventureone.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Credit Card Rewards
Learn more: Capital One VentureOne Credit Card Rewards
Chase Freedom Flex and Unlimited Chase Chase
If you are looking for No-Commental Credit Card that offers secondary car rental insurance, Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited Merit Attention.
This card provides insurance for theft and damage to most cars in the United States and abroad.
Although the card does not have an annual fee, both cards charge a foreign transaction payment of 3%. Therefore, using this card to pay for car rental outside the US will increase damage protection but increase your rental cost.
To learn more, see our full reviews about FEELDEL FLEX and Freedom is not limited.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Bottom Line
Secondary car protection is valuable for those with personal auto insurance, as it helps cover the cost of the main coverage, such as Deductible.
It is good to consider your plan in the event of theft or damage to the rental car. Keep in mind that you need to place more than one claim if you decide to lean on a primary and secondary insurance combination.
Related: How to skip a free car rental line for free
For Amex Platinum rates and fees, click here.
For Amex Gold rates and fees, click here.
For Excellent Bonvoy Rates and Payments, click here.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some benefits can be provided by Visa® or MasterCard® and may vary by product. See each guide for benefits for details, as terms and exceptions apply.