Chase Sapphire Preferred covers theft and collision damage on a rental car up to $60,000, and Sapphire Reserve covers it up to $75,000. Both are primary coverage in Chase's Guide to Benefits, as long as you charge the whole rental to the card and decline the rental company's collision waiver.
What the Coverage Pays For
The benefit reimburses damage or theft of the rental vehicle, valid loss-of-use charges the agency substantiates, administrative fees, and reasonable towing to the nearest qualified repair facility. Primary means Chase pays first, so you don't have to file with your own auto insurer before you claim.
It doesn't cover injuries, damage to another driver's car, personal belongings or liability. If you need protection for those, that's a separate policy.
The Rules That Decide Whether You're Covered
- Pay for the entire rental with the card (redeemable rewards can be part of the payment).
- Decline the agency's collision damage waiver or loss damage waiver. Accepting it cancels the Chase benefit.
- Keep the rental to 31 consecutive days or fewer. Rentals that exceed or are meant to exceed 31 days aren't covered.
- Coverage is available worldwide, but some countries and rental agencies require a letter of coverage, so ask the agency before you go.
- If an agency outside the United States won't let you decline its waiver, Chase's coverage becomes secondary to the agency's.
New York residents renting inside the United States get primary coverage unless they have personal auto insurance, in which case Chase's benefit is excess.
Vehicles Chase Excludes
Both guides exclude antique cars, cargo vans, trucks other than pickups, motorcycles, mopeds, limousines and vehicles rented with a driver, recreational vehicles, and passenger vans seating more than 12 people including the driver.
The Preferred guide also excludes exotic vehicles and any vehicle with a suggested retail price above $125,000, and names brands such as Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Rolls Royce. The Reserve guide doesn't carry that exotic and $125,000 line. If you're booking a luxury or specialty vehicle, call the benefit administrator before you decline the agency's coverage.
What Isn't Covered
A few exclusions catch renters by surprise. The cost of any insurance or waiver bought through the agency isn't reimbursed, and neither is depreciation or "diminished value" after an incident. Wear and tear, off-road damage and damage from intentional acts or driving under the influence are out. So are leases, vehicles not rented from a rental agency, and cars rented through a car sharing company that lets individuals rent out their own vehicle.
Before Your Next Rental
Pull up the current Guide to Benefits for the exact card you'll use and read the Auto Rental Coverage section. The Preferred guide we read on Chase's site is dated October 1, 2024 and the Reserve guide June 11, 2026, so confirm the terms on your card before you rely on any summary, including this one.
If a rental will run past 31 days, ask the benefit administrator before you split it into two contracts. For a wider look at how card coverage fits with other protection, see our credit card travel insurance guide and our car rental guide.
Your Next Step
For a standard car rented from an agency for under 31 days, paying with a Sapphire card and declining the waiver works the way the guide describes. For a long rental, an exotic or a van, check first and buy the agency's or a third party's coverage if the card won't apply. The Chase Sapphire Preferred (apply here) and Chase Sapphire Reserve differ in dollar limit and in the exotic and $125,000 exclusion, and our roundup of credit card travel perks covers the rest of what each card includes.
Updated October 17, 2026: rental coverage.
