Auto Rental Coverage Guide

Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Auto Rental Coverage Guide

Why use this and not rely on personal insurance?

1. To Cover “Loss of Use” and Other Rental-Specific Fees
Rental companies often charge extra costs your personal policy might not fully cover, like:

• Loss of use: compensation for revenue lost while the car is being repaired.
• Diminished value: the car’s resale value drops after repairs.
• Administrative fees: costs for processing claims and paperwork.

Many personal policies (and even some credit cards) exclude these charges, but the rental company’s coverage usually waives them completely.

2. When You’re Traveling Abroad

Most U.S. auto insurance policies:

• Do not cover international rentals, especially in Europe, Latin America, or Asia.
  In those cases, the rental company’s coverage (or a third-party travel insurance policy) is the only option for protection

How to Activate Coverage

To ensure your Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) auto rental coverage is valid, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• Pay with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card (or redeemable rewards tied to the card) to both initiate and complete the entire rental transaction.
• Decline the rental agency’s Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW).
  • Accepting this coverage voids your CSR benefit.
• The rental period must be 31 consecutive days or less.
  • Rentals exceeding 31 days are not covered under this benefit.
• Coverage is available worldwide, except where prohibited by law or the rental agreement.

What’s Covered

The Chase Sapphire Reserve’s Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) provides the following protections:

• Up to $75,000 in reimbursement for theft or collision damage to the rental vehicle.
  
  Note: Damage to another driver’s vehicle, injuries to persons, or damage to other property is not covered.
  
• Loss-of-use charges properly documented by the rental agency (for time the vehicle is unavailable).
  
• Administrative fees charged by the rental company in connection with a covered claim.
  
• Reasonable towing costs related to a covered theft or accident, to the nearest qualified repair facility.
  
• Primary coverage in most U.S. states and worldwide — meaning you don’t need to file with your personal auto insurer first.
  
• Exception: For New York residents renting within the U.S., CSR coverage acts as secondary if you have personal auto insurance.

How to Use This Benefit

To activate and use the CSR auto rental coverage:

• Pay for the entire rental using your Chase Sapphire Reserve card and/or redeemable Rewards.
  
• Review the rental agreement carefully and decline the CDW/LDW offered by the rental company.
  • Accepting this coverage cancels the CSR benefit.
    
• If renting outside the United States and the rental company requires you to purchase CDW/LDW, CSR coverage becomes secondary (not primary).

How to File a Claim

If your rental vehicle is damaged or stolen, follow these steps to remain eligible for reimbursement:
Report the incident immediately.

• Visit chasecardbenefits.com or call 1-800-350-1697.
  
• Notify Chase as soon as possible, but no later than 100 days from the date of the incident — even if all documents are not yet available.
  
• Failure to report promptly may result in denied reimbursement.
  
• Reporting the incident to anyone other than Chase does not fulfill this obligation.
  

Gather required documentation and submit your claim.

Take reasonable steps to protect the rental vehicle from further damage or theft.

Documents You May Need to Provide

When filing your claim, Chase may require the following:

• Copy of the accident or incident report form.
• Copy of the initial and final rental agreement (front and back).
• Repair estimate and itemized repair bill.
• Two photographs of the damaged rental vehicle (if available).
• Police report, if one was filed.
• Demand letter or statement from the rental company showing the charges you are responsible for and any payments already made.
• Credit card statement showing payment of the rental transaction with your Chase Sapphire Reserve (last four digits only).
• Any other documentation Chase requests to support your claim.

Official Reference

For the complete and official Chase Guide to Benefits, visit:
Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (Full PDF)