Wondering if your credit card covers liability insurance and damage protection for your rental? Let's set the facts straight:
Credit Card Coverage Explained:
No Liability Insurance: It’s a common misconception, but credit cards generally do not offer liability insurance, which is a requirement in every US state.
Damage Protection: What they do often provide is damage protection. This can be either primary or secondary coverage*, but it comes with specific conditions**.
Here is a list of the most popular credit cards and their car rental insurance benefits:
Bank | Credit Card | Liability Insurance | Primary Damage Coverage | Secondary Damage Coverage |
American Express | Green / Gold / Platinum | ❌ | ✅ |
|
Chase | Sapphire Reserve / Preferred | ❌ | ✅ |
|
Chase | United Explorer / Club Infinite / Quest | ❌ | ✅ |
|
Chase | Freedom Flex / Unlimited | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Citi | Prestige / Premier | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Discover | Any Card | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
U.S. Bank | Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite | ❌ | ✅ |
|
UBS | Visa Infinite | ❌ | ✅ |
|
Capital One | Venture X Rewards | ❌ | ✅ |
|
Capital One | Venture One / Venture | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Why Choose Kyte’s Damage Protection If My Credit Card Has It?
Protect Your Credit Score and Insurance Rating: Opting for Kyte’s insurance means that if there's an accident, it won’t affect your credit score or insurance rating.
Simplified Claims Process: Avoid the hassle of filing a claim with your primary insurance, which can be a lengthy and complex process.
Interested in adding Kyte's coverage for your trip? It's easy! Just reach out to our support team using the button below and we'll get you set up.
*Primary vs Secondary Coverage:
Primary Coverage: In an accident, primary coverage kicks in immediately, meaning you can bypass your personal auto insurance. This helps you avoid paying a deductible and may prevent your insurance premiums from rising.
Secondary Coverage: This is what most credit cards offer. Here, your auto insurance covers the claim initially, but your credit card can reimburse the deductible and possibly other costs not covered by your policy. Claiming on your car insurance usually involves a deductible and might increase your monthly premiums. Also, secondary policies often have lower coverage limits, shorter rental periods, and limited geographic coverage.
**Conditions for Credit Card Coverage:
Cardholder as Primary Driver: You must be listed as the primary driver.
Payment with the Card: The rental must be paid for using the credit card that provides the coverage.
You can learn more about our coverage options here. If you have any questions or need assistance in choosing the right option for you, we're just a message away!