What car rental benefits does the Chase Sapphire Preferred offer?
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 11:01 a.m. UTC Nov. 14, 2023
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Chase offers one of the most versatile travel rewards credit cards on the market today with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. This popular card features a sizable welcome bonus, a reasonable $95 annual fee and excellent rewards rates on travel and dining purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is also known for its considerable travel protections and other benefits — including an auto rental collision damage waiver that provides primary coverage. Paying for an eligible rental vehicle with your card and declining the rental company’s optional coverage allows you to take advantage of one of the Sapphire Preferred’s best benefits.
Read on and we’ll explain what this car rental insurance entails and how it works.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred offer car rental benefits?
Yes, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers several travel benefits including rental car insurance when you book and pay for the rental with your card and decline the rental company’s coverage at the counter. Of course, you must follow Chase’s guidelines to access this benefit and file an insurance claim.
It’s worth noting the Chase Sapphire Preferred provides primary coverage for qualifying vehicle rentals, making this card stand out compared to other travel cards in this price range. Many credit cards offer only secondary rental car insurance, which means coverage kicks in after using your personal auto insurance coverage. You’ll file a claim with your insurance provider, and your credit card’s secondary coverage pays just the amount not covered by your primary insurance policy.
Primary car insurance coverage is better because you don’t have to file a claim with your car insurance company. You’ll also avoid paying a deductible to your insurance company and the monthly premium increase that tends to follow an insurance claim. Primary coverage may also come with more comprehensive coverage with fewer restrictions than secondary insurance.
Chase Sapphire Preferred car rental benefits
The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with auto rental collision damage waiver coverage. This insurance coverage can reimburse cardholders for the following types of expenses:
- Damages by theft or collision up to the actual cash value of most rented cars.
- Valid loss-of-use charges from the rental company.
- Towing charges to the nearest qualified repair facility.
- Administrative fees charged by the rental agency.
As mentioned above, the Chase Sapphire Preferred provides primary car rental insurance coverage, so unlike the secondary coverage offered by many cards, it will kick in immediately in covered situations rather than as a backup to your personal auto insurance coverage.
Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card cover all rental vehicles?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred’s insurance coverage doesn’t extend to all rental vehicles. Vehicles not covered under the card’s auto rental collision damage waiver include:
- High-value/luxury cars.
- Exotic cars.
- Antique cars.
- Cargo vans.
- Vehicles with open cargo beds.
- Trucks (except pickups).
- Motorcycles.
- Mopeds.
- Motorbikes.
- Limousines.
- Recreational vehicles.
- Passenger vans with seating for more than nine people.
Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card cover Turo?
Car rentals made through Turo aren’t covered under the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card’s collision damage waiver, at least in most cases. Turo is a peer-to-peer car sharing platform, not a rental car company, and doesn’t fall under its coverage guidelines. Turo offers paid protection plans for insurance coverage when booking trips with peer-to-peer hosts.
Who is covered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card’s car rental insurance?
The car rental insurance coverage available with the Sapphire Preferred Card extends beyond the primary cardholder. It also includes any additional drivers permitted by the rental agreement. But note, the cardholder must be listed as the primary driver on the rental agreement.
What isn’t covered
Chase Sapphire Preferred rental car insurance isn’t comprehensive. It doesn’t cover the following:
- Expenses reimbursed under your personal auto insurance policy, your employer or your employer’s insurance.
- Expenses paid or waived by the rental company or its insurance.
- Personal liability.
- Damages due to off-road operation of the rental vehicle.
- Rental periods longer than 31 days.
- Any obligation you assume under any other agreement.
- Injury of anyone or anything inside or outside of the vehicle.
- Leases and mini leases.
- Hourly vehicle rentals and car share services.
- Any violation of the rental agreement.
- Loss or theft of personal belongings.
The card’s insurance coverage may not apply in other scenarios as well. Refer to the card’s benefits guide or contact the benefit administrator for a complete list of restrictions.
How to activate car rental benefits on the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Using the collision damage waiver benefit is simple. To use this benefit:
- Pay for car rental costs with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
- Decline the rental company’s optional collision damage waiver.
You need to do nothing else to activate the card’s rental car insurance benefit. Coverage begins when the rental vehicle is first in control by an authorized driver and ends when the rental company takes back possession of the vehicle. Collision damage waiver coverage extends to auto rentals in the United States and most foreign countries.
Some restrictions may apply, so contacting the benefit administrator directly to verify coverage is always a good idea. For inquiries in the U.S., call 1-888-320-9961. If you’re outside of the U.S., call collect at 1-804-673-1691.
How to file a claim
Allianz administers Chase Sapphire Preferred rental car insurance claims. You can submit a claim through the benefits administrator by calling 1-888-320-9961 (or by calling collect to 1-804-673-1691 if you are traveling abroad). You can also file a claim online at eclaimsline.com.
You must contact the benefits administrator within 100 days of the date of the incident to qualify for coverage, and must submit a claim form postmarked within 120 days from the incident. Follow these steps to file a rental car insurance claim:
Document the damage
If possible, take photos of the damage incurred to provide during the claims process.
Contact the rental company
Call the rental company promptly after the theft or damage to inform them of the incident. Request copies of the initial and final rental agreements and ask any questions you have about the process.
Obtain documentation
Gather the documents needed for your insurance claim, including:
- The accident or police report if obtainable.
- A repair estimate and itemized repair bill.
- The demand letter listing the costs you’re responsible for, including amounts paid toward the claim.
Contact the benefits administrator
Call the benefits administrator or open a new claim online on the card benefits services website. Follow the instructions onscreen or provided by the claims representative to submit a claim. You’ll be asked to provide personal information to confirm your identity, credit card information and details of the incident.
Submit proper documentation
Submit any requested documents and a signed auto rental collision damage waiver claim form, and a credit card statement that shows the rental car purchase. Note, it’s crucial that you submit the auto rental collision damage waiver claim form postmarked within 120 days from the date when the theft or damage happened, even if you don’t have all the other documentation yet.
Thinking about applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Here’s what you should know about the card’s credit score requirements.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card’s collision damage waiver covers up to the actual cash value of most rental vehicles. It also covers loss-of-use and administrative fees from the rental company and towing expenses to the nearest qualified repair facility.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card provides primary rental car insurance coverage. You can file an insurance claim directly through Chase’s benefit administrator without involving your personal auto insurance provider.
The collision damage waiver included with Chase Sapphire Preferred doesn’t include liability coverage. This means it doesn’t cover any costs associated with injuries and damage to others when you’re at fault.
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