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Visa offers car rental insurance, but policies vary based on the provider. Furthermore, a provider may offer coverage with only some or none of its Visa cards.
Visa car rental insurance is valid in the United States and most foreign countries. It doesn’t apply in Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
It also doesn’t apply where it conflicts with a country’s laws, when it violates an auto rental agreement or when it’s disallowed by individual merchants.
With a valid Visa credit card, you’re covered for:
You’re covered up to the actual cash value of most rental vehicles. Actual cash value means the replacement cost of a damaged or stolen vehicle, not including depreciation.
Your Visa policy doesn’t cover you for:
Your coverage is also invalid in certain instances — for example, for violations of the rental agreement, if your personal belongings are stolen, etc.
When you’re renting a vehicle inside your country of residence, Visa coverage is secondary. You must claim with your personal insurer or through other forms of coverage before claiming with your Visa benefit administrator.
When you’re renting a vehicle outside your country of residence, Visa coverage is primary. After an incident, you can claim with your Visa benefit administrator first.
Your Visa policy is affected by whether you have personal auto insurance:
Activate your Visa coverage by initiating and completing your entire rental with your Visa card. Then, decline the rental company’s coverage.
If the representative at the counter says you must buy coverage, call the Visa benefit administrator at 800-348-8472. If you’re outside the United States, call collect at 804-673-1164.
Before driving the car off the lot, check the vehicle for existing damage.
After you learn of damage or theft to your vehicle, call the Visa benefit administrator within 45 days. A representative will tell you what to do next, and what information you’ll need for your claim.
After the incident, acquire the following information:
When submitting your claim, include the information above as well as the following:
To submit a valid claim, forward all of the information above within 365 days of the incident.
You and eligible drivers on the rental agreement qualify for Visa car rental insurance.
Many Visa credit cards from various providers offer car rental insurance, but whether your card offers the benefit ultimately depends on your provider. If you’re unsure, check your card’s guide to benefits or contact your issuer.
If a Visa card is not right for you, compare other cards with car rental insurance.
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