We are an independent publisher. Our reporters create honest, accurate, and objective content to help you make decisions. To support our work, we are paid for providing advertising services. Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Next” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. The compensation we receive and other factors, such as your location, may impact what ads and links appear on our site, and how, where, and in what order ads and links appear. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, our site does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We strive to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, but some information may not be current. So, your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms on this site. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

This page may include: credit card ads that we may be paid for (“advertiser listing”); and general information about credit card products (“editorial content”). Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Apply Now” button or “Learn More” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. When you click on that hyperlink or button, you may be directed to the credit card issuer’s website where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer. Each advertiser is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its ad offer details, but we attempt to verify those offer details. We have partnerships with advertisers such as Brex, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo and Discover. We also include editorial content to educate consumers about financial products and services. Some of that content may also contain ads, including links to advertisers’ sites, and we may be paid on those ads or links.

For more information, please see How we make money.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Rental Car Insurance Review

  • Million Mile Secrets

    • Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

    Travel Rewards Credit Cards Can Save You Money on a Rental Car.

    Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.

    Until now, I’ve recommended the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card as a terrific card to use when you rent a vehicle, because you get primary insurance coverage for collisions and damage.

    But the Chase Sapphire Reserve also offers similar primary auto rental insurance.  And lots of other improved travel perks!

    So how good is the Chase Sapphire Reserve rental car insurance?  Is it the best credit card for car rentals?

    You’ll Get Primary Coverage With Chase Sapphire Reserve Rental Car Insurance

    I’ve read the fine print.  So let’s find out how the Chase Sapphire Reserve stacks up against other cards that offer primary rental insurance!

    Chase Sapphire Reserve Rental Car Insurance

    Apply Here:   Chase Sapphire Reserve

    Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve

    Like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you’ll get primary rental insurance when you use your Chase Sapphire Reserve card to pay for your car rental and decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver (often called CDW or LDW).

    The Chase Sapphire Reserve rental car insurance applies to rentals of 31 consecutive days or less in the US and most foreign countries (but it’s always best to call the benefits administrator to verify coverage).  You’re covered for theft or damage to your vehicle, but not damage to other vehicles, property, or injuries.

    Chase Sapphire Reserve Car Rental Insurance Is Primary!

    Because Chase Sapphire Reserve rental car insurance is primary, you won’t have to file a claim with any other insurance policy you have first.

    This could save you lots of money in the event of an accident or damage to your vehicle!

    For example Million Mile Secrets team member Joseph saved ~$2,300 when he scraped his rental against a cement pillar in Ireland.

    Million Mile Secrets Team Member Joseph Was Reimbursed by the Chase Sapphire Preferred for ~$2,300 in Damage When He Scraped His Car in Ireland

    And authorized users are covered when they use their Chase Sapphire Reserve to rent a vehicle.  So what’s different compared to the Chase Sapphire Preferred?

    1.   Maximum Amount of Coverage

    With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll be reimbursed for up to $75,000 in covered losses.

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred will cover you up to the actual cash value of most vehicles.  Generally, rental cars are worth far less than $75,000!

    2.   Vehicle Exclusions

    The Chase Sapphire Reserve has fewer exclusions than the Chase Sapphire Preferred.  For example, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you will NOT be covered for:

    Antique automobiles (defined as any vehicle over 20 years old or any vehicle that has not been manufactured for 10 years or more), certain vans, vehicles that have an open cargo bed, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, and motorbikes, limousines, and recreational vehicles.

    But the Chase Sapphire Preferred excludes these, plus:

    Aston Martin, Bentley, Bricklin, Daimler, DeLorean, Excalibur, Ferrari, Jensen, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, Porsche, and Rolls Royce.  However, selected models of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, and Lincoln are covered.

    So if you’re renting a very high-end car, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a better bet!

    3.   Points Earning

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel purchases, including rental cars.  So you’ll do better with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which earns 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel (excluding $300 travel credit).

    4.   Booking Through the Chase Travel Portal

    The Chase Travel Portal often has the cheapest deals on rental cars.  And when you use points from your Chase Sapphire Preferred card, they’re worth 1.25 cents each (even if you pay with a combination of points from your card and cash!).

    The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a better deal if you use points to book your rental through the Chase Travel Portal.  That’s because each point is worth 1.5 cents!

    So on a $100 rental, you’d pay:

    Bottom Line

    The Chase Sapphire Reserve rental car insurance offers terrific primary coverage, which can save you thousands of dollars if your rental car is damaged!

    The coverage it provides differs only slightly from that of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.  For example, certain high-end vehicles aren’t excluded, and you’re covered to a maximum of $75,000 with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

    Remember, liability insurance is NOT included.  So be sure to check your own coverage or purchase liability insurance from the car rental agency.

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)