SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED
This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
Capital One offers a variety of credit cards for all types of consumers. This includes cash-back cards, cards targeted toward students and travel rewards cards. While not all cards feature the same benefits, a few provide extra protections.
One such protection is rental car insurance. When renting a vehicle, you can drive with extra peace of mind when paying with select Capital One credit cards and being protected with Capital One rental car insurance.
Here's a look at Capital One's car rental insurance offerings, what they cover and how to file a claim when you’ve had an accident.
What does Capital One rental car insurance cover?
Rental car insurance offered by Capital One is distinct from other types of car insurance, especially personal policies. To be eligible for this complimentary insurance, you’ll need to decline the collision damage waiver, or CDW, insurance offered by the rental car company. You’ll also need to pay for the entire rental with your Capital One card.
As a rule, if your card has rental car coverage, Capital One car insurance will protect you in the event that these types of damage occur:
- Physical damage to the car.
- Theft of a covered rental vehicle.
- Valid loss-of-use charges charged by the rental car agency.
- Reasonable towing charges.
Note that Capital One’s insurance only covers your rental car, not other vehicles, which means if you’re in an at-fault accident you won’t have coverage. The insurance doesn't costs for damage to other vehicles as well as medical payments for which you may be liable.
The insurance has other limitations. Capital One’s rental car insurance specifically excludes coverage in the Republic of Ireland, Israel, Jamaica and Northern Ireland.
In addition, depending which card you have, there might be limits on the length of coverage. On some cards, your rental cannot exceed 15 consecutive days in your home country or 31 consecutive days in other countries.
Which Capital One travel cards include rental car insurance?
Here are a few of Capital One’s credit cards that provide rental car insurance:
Annual fee
$395.
$95.
$0.
Welcome offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
Earn a bonus of 40,000 miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $400 in travel.
Still not sure?
» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now
By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
The coverage you’ll receive will depend on what type of Capital One credit card you hold. Before renting a car, read and understand the insurance benefits for your specific card.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, for example, offers primary coverage. This means the insurance will pay out before other types of insurance policies you may have.
The following cards offer benefits that are secondary to other types of insurance when within your country of residence. It still acts as primary insurance when you’re traveling and renting a car abroad if your primary insurance does not cover you.
Who is covered?
No matter which Capital One card you have, if it includes car rental coverage, that coverage is fairly standard on a basic level. As the cardholder and primary renter of the vehicle, you are covered. Any additional drivers as specified on the rental car policy are also covered.
Be aware that other drivers who aren’t explicitly listed on your agreement will not have coverage in the event of an accident.
» Learn more: Rental car insurance explained
What vehicles are not covered?
While many rental vehicles are covered under Capital One’s coverage, some are specifically excluded. They include:
- Trucks, pickups, full-size vans mounted on truck chassis, cargo vans, campers, off-road vehicles, and other recreational vehicles.
- Sport utility trucks that have been or can be converted to an open, flatbed truck.
- Trailers, motorbikes, motorcycles, and any other vehicle having fewer than four wheels.
- Vehicles that are more than 20 years old or have not been manufactured for at least 10 years.
- Limousines.
Coverage is also excluded for any loss associated with reckless driving or any loss that happens while the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
How to file a Capital One rental car insurance claim
If an incident does occur and you need to file a claim, contact the benefits administrator for your card about the incident.
- For Mastercard: Call 800-627-8372 or open a claim online.
- For Visa: Call 800-825-4062 or open a claim online.
- For Discover: Call 800-825-4062 or open a claim online.
Regardless of the method that you choose, file your claim as quickly as possible but no later than 45 days after it occurred for many cards. It’s 60 days for some cards.
You’ll then need to fill out the claim form and send in the auto rental CDW form. This must be postmarked no more than 90 days after the date of the accident.
Finally, you’ll have up to 365 days to send in the remaining documentation that the claim will require. For some cards, this needs to be completed in 180 days.
This documentation includes:
- A copy of your billing receipt or credit card statement showing that you paid for the rental using your eligible card.
- A copy of your driver’s license.
- A copy of the initial and final auto rental agreements (front and back).
- A copy of the accident report form.
- A copy of the repair estimate and itemized bill.
- At least two photographs of the damage (if possible).
- A police report (if possible).
- A copy of the demand letter indicating any costs for which you are liable and any payments already made.
Note that the documentation requirements will differ based on which card you hold. Those with a secondary coverage card will need to provide information regarding their existing insurance policy. The claims administrator might also request other documentation.
After you’ve finished submitting documentation, the benefit administrator will begin finalizing your claim. Claims are generally resolved within 15 days after you’ve turned in all your information.
» Learn more: What to do if you have an accident in a rental car
Capital One car rental coverage, recapped
Even if you don’t rent cars often while traveling, Capital One’s rental car insurance coverage can save you big bucks at the rental company’s counter. Declining coverage and using your eligible card to pay for the vehicle can entitle you to complimentary insurance while you’re on the road.
Be sure to double-check which card you hold and its appropriate guide to benefits. Not all coverage is the same. Some cards, like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, will only provide secondary insurance for your vehicle. While others, like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, feature primary coverage, which will handle your claim without affecting any personal policies that you may hold.
Travelers to certain countries should be aware that Capital One travel credit cards may not provide coverage.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Explore more on
