Best credit card rental car coverage

The last few times I've rented in France I took full coverage through Auto Europe. For decades before that I always relied on my credit car, but it seemed that relying on credit cards was no as wise anymore. From looking at various CC terms, it seems that they're mostly pretty similar. The big difference might be how good they are at covering damage and what hoops they'll make you jump through to get paid, and it's tough to get advice about that. And BTW, I just got notified by one of my credit card companies that they will no longer be offering rental car damage coverage. Maybe that's a trend.

Also my thought would be that if they are all sharing the cost of a van rental, sharing the cost of the rental company insurance coverage would not be much additional. And much easier than using your personal card coverage in case of a claim.

hey hey susan and monte
i agree with robert and get the full coverage thru auto europe. friends had an issue with their credit card and the insurance, don't know the whole problem, but they swore never again. just take the whole shabang from auto europe, less stress. i see more credit cards are not offering coverage.
don't forget about getting IDP (international driving permits) from AAA. cost about $30 and passport size photos, you receive it the same day and has one year expiration. all guys that are planning to drive will need one.
some car rentals are asking now and if you don't have will not allow rental car, or if stopped by police, hope not, will ask for it. big fines if don't have one.
as travelmom states, the guys can share the whole cost of van and insurance. enjoy
aloha

Yes, it is true they can share the cost and maybe its better that way. Looks to be almost $500 more, and better safe than sorry, of course. But, with AmEx you actually purchase a "policy" that I recall had very good coverage. We couldn't use it for Ireland, and also when we once rented a 9 person van in England, but I was thinking it would still be the way to go for $27 or so. Certainly, piece of mind is best. But, cheap is good too :-)

Thanks for the input!! It is appreciated!

In Germany I’ve never gotten full coverage. Liability is included in the rental price since it is compulsory in Europe. We generally get CDW through Allianz for $9 a day. What isn’t covered is road hazard and winshield, and possibly theft. Most CC coverage is secondary to other coverage so read your CC terms and conditions carefully. Like Robert, I was notified that Bank of America will stop its rental coverage in 2021. Fortunately, I’ve never had to file a claim.

I just talked with AmEx and their insurance policy is $17.95 and has $100K for collision and theft and accidental death and injury for passengers in the rental vehicle, but doesn't cover liability, which I believe is always covered, right?

Ugh..its all so confusing but, I guess I thrive on details :-)

Excellent info in the link Ron, thank you! Sounds like AmEx is the way to go!

I actually called my credit card companies to just get a straight answer because it is confusing and American Express was the best back in 2017. If I rent a car again I will do the same thing and call around because things change from year to year. So in the end we used our Amex to rent it for their coverage and then also purchased the minimal Europcar had which was fairly cheap and covered a few items my credit card didn't.

Susan- please stop assuming anything. Read the fine print for what it says, not what you want/wish it to say. Most credit card rental insurance is very limited- providing coverage for the vehicle you rent. Coverage to reimburse the rental company in case you dent a fender of the rental car etc.

Personal liability for other vehicles and drivers/passengers that you might smash into is usually NOT covered. Different countries have different laws (no fault etc). Just because your US insurance covers both do not assume that overseas your CC insurance does-your not in Kansas anymore Toto. Check your US based carrier- while they may not cover your rental car they may cover personal liability.

Thanks everyone for all the feedback!

Hard to compare apples to apples! I'll look into my United card too, but the AmEx seems pretty good still these days.

I have nothing to add on the insurance, but how many are they in total? If they rent a 7 seater they will probably get a MPV like a VW Sharan, Ford S-Max, Renault Espace or similar. Those cars will seat 7 adults without any problems, but there will not be much space left for luggage.

There will be 5 men each with a carryon size luggage.

make sure with 5 suitcases (even carry on) that you get honest dimensions of the shortest distance between the 5th door and the back seat when it is all the way back and the seats tipped up.

Careful about whose credit card is paying and who is contributing to the driving. Be sure your credit card will cover other drivers who are not family members or second holders of the card. Be sure everyone has paid the rental company to be a second driver. I hope it’s not your credit card because this could be a can of worms. I’d forget about it and get the AutoEurope coverage and be sure everyone has paid to be a second driver. No hairsplitting that way.

Chase Sapphire Reserve ?? I haven't had any claims, but we have used it on several trips. Used to do the Amex special insurance but the Reserve is totally free.

Good point made about having additional drivers on the contract and making sure the cardholder the primary driver -- Reserve card is in my name so I am "driver" although I seldom get my hands on the wheel.

Yes, we are aware about using the drivers card to make the purchase and according to the fine print additional drivers are included as long as they are listed as and paid for on the rental agreement.

Thanks!

Fortunately the only time I had any rental car damage (in the hotel parking area in Arromanches France someone backed into the passenger side door and crushed it pretty good but it still worked) I didn't have to file any claim, the hotel's insurance covered it (a charge never appeared on my credit card statement and I never heard anything more ... so here's a travel tip ... if you are a guest at a hotel and have car damage while parked in their parking area, speak to a manager ... or better yet the owner like I did ... and see if their insurance would cover it) ... so while I can't speak to which is best since I haven't had to use any, I previously paid for car rentals with my Capital One Venture (includes primary insurance coverage if outside the US) ... but I just recently got the Chase Sapphire Preferred that also includes primary coverage, so I'll read the fine print and use whichever one seems to provide the best coverage ... but I would expect a battle no matter which I use because it's insurance after all and those companies just love to say no and hope you go away so they don't have to pay out ...

There will be 5 men each with a carryon size luggage.

That shouldn't be a problem.

Full coverage will add quite a bit to each rental.

Not particularly. After decades of relying on credit card insurance, I decided to get full coverage, through AutoEurope, a few years ago. It was not overly pricey. And it just so happened that for only the 2d time in my rental history I had a minor accident. On the prior occasion I was relying on credit card coverage, and despite a lot of time and effort, the claim was not paid (Europcar never provided me with the info the cc company asked for). However, the more recent time, the rental agent just noted the damage on the check-in form, and I never saw a bill, receipt, or any other piece of paper. So I'll probably just stick with AutoEurope and their coverage.

Most credit card rental insurance is very limited- providing coverage for the vehicle you rent. Coverage to reimburse the rental company in case you dent a fender of the rental car etc.
Personal liability for other vehicles and drivers/passengers that you might smash into is usually NOT covered.

Of course not, because such coverage is almost certainly required by the relevant country's laws, and therefore provide by the rental company as a matter of course.