What you get with Chase Sapphire Reserve car rental benefits

The Chase Sapphire Reserve includes primary rental car damage coverage when you rent a car and pay with the card. This means if you damage the rental car, Chase's insurance pays the repair bill before the rental company's insurance kicks in — so you won't have to file a claim with your own auto insurer or pay out of pocket.

The coverage applies to most car rental companies worldwide, including major chains like Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, and Budget. It covers collision damage, theft, and vandalism. The coverage limit is up to the actual cash value of the vehicle, with no deductible on your end.

You also get roadside information through the card's travel benefits. If you lock yourself out, run out of gas, get a flat tire, or need a tow, you can call for help. Chase covers the cost of the service call itself, though you may pay for the actual repair (like a new tire) depending on what you need.

Key Takeaways

  • Primary rental car damage coverage pays for collision, theft, and vandalism up to the car's actual cash value when you rent with the card.
  • You must decline the rental company's damage waiver to use Chase's coverage, or the card's insurance becomes secondary instead of primary.
  • Roadside information covers lockouts, flat tires, fuel delivery, and towing, though you pay for parts or repairs beyond the service call itself.
  • The coverage does not include liability (damage you cause to other people or property), personal belongings left in the car, or traffic violations.

How to use the rental car damage coverage

When you arrive at the rental counter, tell the agent you are declining their damage waiver or loss damage waiver (often called the CDW or LDW). The agent may push back or warn you that you are responsible for damage, but you are protected by the card's coverage. Declining the rental company's waiver saves you money — those waivers often cost $15 to $30 per day.

Keep your rental agreement and the card receipt together. If damage occurs, report it to the rental company right away and get a written damage report. Then contact Chase's travel services line (the number is on the back of your card) to report the claim. Chase will ask for the damage report, your receipt, and photos if available. The process typically takes a few weeks.

One important exception: if you are renting in New York, Illinois, or a few other states, local law may require you to accept the rental company's coverage. Check with the rental company before declining their waiver, or call Chase beforehand to confirm the coverage applies in your location.

What the coverage does not include

The card's rental car insurance covers damage to the vehicle itself, but it does not cover liability — that is, damage you cause to other people, their cars, or property. If you hit another car or a building, your own auto insurance or the rental company's liability coverage pays for that. The Sapphire Reserve's coverage is only for the rental car you are driving.

Personal belongings left in the car are not covered. If you leave a laptop or luggage in the car and it is stolen, the card's coverage does not pay for it. Your homeowners or renters insurance may cover theft from a rental car, so check your policy.

Traffic violations, parking tickets, and towing due to illegal parking are your responsibility. The card also does not cover wear and tear, fuel charges, or late fees — only sudden damage from collision, theft, or vandalism.

How roadside information works

If you get stranded during a rental, call the roadside information number on the back of your Sapphire Reserve card. Chase covers the cost of dispatching a service provider to help you. This includes lockout service, fuel delivery, flat tire service, jump starts, and towing to the nearest repair facility.

You typically do not pay anything for the service call itself. However, if the service provider needs to replace a tire, fill your tank, or perform repairs, you may be charged for parts and labor. Ask the provider what will be charged before they start work, or call Chase's line first to ask what is covered in your situation.

Roadside information is available 24 hours a day, and there is no limit on the number of calls you can make during a rental. The service is not limited to the United States — it works on most rentals worldwide.

When to use this card for a rental versus your own insurance

If you already have rental car coverage through your personal auto insurance, you have a choice: use your insurance or use the Sapphire Reserve. Your own insurance may have a deductible (often $500 to $1,000), while the card has no deductible. The card also does not affect your insurance rates or claims history.

If you do not have rental car coverage through your auto policy, the Sapphire Reserve is a significant benefit — it saves you the cost of the rental company's damage waiver and protects you from unexpected repair bills. For frequent travelers, this alone can pay for part of the card's annual fee.

If you are renting a luxury or exotic car, check the card's coverage limits before you rent. The coverage is up to actual cash value, so a $100,000 car would be fully covered, but it is worth confirming with Chase that there are no exclusions for high-end vehicles.

Comparing this benefit to other travel cards

Most premium travel cards include primary rental car damage coverage, but the details vary. The American Express Platinum Card offers similar coverage with no deductible. The Capital One Venture X also includes primary coverage. Some mid-tier cards offer secondary coverage only, which means your own insurance pays first.

The Sapphire Reserve's advantage is that the coverage is primary and worldwide, with no deductible and no exclusions for common rental companies. The roadside information is a secondary benefit that most other cards also offer, but it is useful to have if you are renting in an unfamiliar area.

If you rarely rent cars, this benefit may not influence your choice of card. If you rent several times a year, the savings from declining the rental company's waiver (which costs $15 to $30 per day) can add up quickly and offset part of the card's annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to decline the rental company's damage waiver to use Chase's coverage?

Yes. If you accept the rental company's waiver, Chase's coverage becomes secondary, meaning the rental company's insurance pays first. To get the benefit of Chase's primary coverage with no deductible, you must decline the rental company's CDW or LDW at the counter.

What happens if I get in an accident and the rental company says I am liable?

Chase's coverage pays for damage to the rental car itself. If the rental company or another driver sues you for liability (damage to their vehicle or property), that is covered by liability insurance, not the damage coverage. Your auto insurance or the rental company's liability coverage handles that claim.

Does this coverage work if someone else drives the rental car?

Coverage typically applies only to the person whose name is on the rental agreement and who paid with the Sapphire Reserve. If you add an additional driver, check with Chase before the rental to confirm whether they are covered under the same policy.

Can I use this coverage for a one-way rental or a car-sharing service like Turo?

One-way rentals from major companies are covered. Peer-to-peer car-sharing services like Turo are usually not covered because they are not traditional rental companies. Check the card's terms or call Chase before booking a non-traditional rental to confirm coverage.

What if the rental company refuses to let me decline their damage waiver?

This can happen in certain states or with certain companies. Call Chase's travel services line before you rent to ask whether the coverage applies in your location. If it does not, you may need to accept the rental company's waiver or use your own auto insurance instead.