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The Guide to Capital One Venture X Rental Car Insurance
Capital One's rental car insurance covers damage or theft but excludes liability for certain kinds of trips.
Aaron is a former contributing writer to the travel team at NerdWallet. He has been a credit card and travel rewards enthusiast since applying for his first credit card the day he turned 18. While a student at Iowa State University, Aaron combined his knowledge of credit card rewards with a resale business to help pay his way through college. After finishing a Master of Business Administration at the University of Michigan, Aaron used points and miles to travel for six months across five continents, including a month traveling overland through Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China on the Trans-Siberian Railway Network.
He has written hundreds of articles about miles, points, travel and credit card rewards for publications, including The Points Guy, Bankrate.com, Forbes, Rolling Stone and Robb Report. He is passionate about helping others leverage their wallets into increasing their financial security and fulfilling their travel dreams.
Aaron is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but his favorite airport is Amsterdam Schiphol.
Meghan Coyle is an editor on the Travel Rewards team and the co-host of the Smart Travel podcast. She covers travel credit cards, airline and hotel loyalty programs, and how to travel on points. Meghan is based in Los Angeles and has a love-hate relationship with LAX.
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When you rent a car during your travels, you usually aren’t thinking about what happens if you crash your car. that is, until the agent at the rental car desk paints that worst-case scenario during their collision damage waiver pitch.
Should you pay extra to cover your car in the case of an accident? Not if you hold the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card features primary auto rental collision damage waiver insurance that covers damage caused by theft or collision. If you're involved in a fender bender, you can rely on your credit card coverage to pay for damage to your rental car without making a claim against your personal auto insurance.
Although it’s a great idea to use your Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card to book your rental cars, the auto rental collision damage waiver benefit on the card doesn’t cover everything — or every trip.
How the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card rental car insurance works
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
Every credit card car rental insurance requires you to use the card for your rental transaction and decline the car rental company’s collision damage waiver option. The car rental coverage provided by the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is no different.
Simply being a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card member isn’t enough — you must use the card to cover your rental transaction and decline the collision damage waiver offered by the rental counter.
Be aware that some rates include collision damage waiver insurance. If you book using one of these rates, you won’t be covered by the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card car rental insurance on that rental.
The most important thing to understand about Capital One’s car rental insurance is what it covers. It covers only the following types of losses:
Damage to a rental car caused by a collision.
Loss of a rental car due to theft.
While your card’s insurance coverage will reimburse you for damage to your rental car, an accident can also cause damage to another driver’s vehicle or result in bodily injury.
If you injure someone (including yourself) in an accident or if you damage someone else’s vehicle, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card car rental insurance won’t cover these losses. Here are some items that are not covered by Capital One’s rental car insurance.
Personal liability.
Loss or theft of personal belongings.
Bodily injuries of any kind to anyone.
Damage to anything other than the rental vehicle.
Wear and tear or mechanical breakdowns.
Most likely, you’ll want travel insurance or personal auto insurance to shield yourself from liability, in case you are involved in an accident that damages someone else’s car or causes an injury.
Finally, Capital One car rental insurance covers rental periods of only 15 or fewer consecutive days within your country of residence. Rentals outside your country of residence are covered up to 31 consecutive days.
Nerdy Perspective
Do you use the rental car coverage benefits on credit cards?
Harlan Vaughn
Contributing Travel Writer
I always use credit card rental car coverage. I've had two incidents with rental cars. With one, I rented a car in Montana and parked in a parking lot near a trailhead for a multi-day hike. When I got back to the car a week later, there was a little dent in the side door. It was small but noticeable. The rental car company noticed it too, but I'd paid with my Chase Sapphire Reserve® . I gathered all the paperwork from the rental agency and opened a claim online. I saw an email come through a couple of weeks later and it was all handled. I didn't even have to speak to anyone. I saw the bill and, yikes — I'm glad I didn't have to pay for that. I've also saved a lot of money on collision damage waivers (CDWs) over the years thanks to having cards with primary rental car insurance. I would never be without one after seeing how much they'd saved me (it must be in the thousands by now).
I always use credit card rental car coverage. I've had two incidents with rental cars. With one, I rented a car in Montana and parked in a parking lot near a trailhead for a multi-day hike. When I got back to the car a week later, there was a little dent in the side door. It was small but noticeable. The rental car company noticed it too, but I'd paid with my Chase Sapphire Reserve® . I gathered all the paperwork from the rental agency and opened a claim online. I saw an email come through a couple of weeks later and it was all handled. I didn't even have to speak to anyone. I saw the bill and, yikes — I'm glad I didn't have to pay for that. I've also saved a lot of money on collision damage waivers (CDWs) over the years thanks to having cards with primary rental car insurance. I would never be without one after seeing how much they'd saved me (it must be in the thousands by now).
Harlan Vaughn
Contributing Travel Writer
Benjamin Din
Lead Writer
I always use a travel credit card that offers primary coverage when I rent a car. For me, that's the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card. I've never had to file a claim, but it's great to have the peace of mind that I'll be covered in case anything does happen.
I always use a travel credit card that offers primary coverage when I rent a car. For me, that's the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card. I've never had to file a claim, but it's great to have the peace of mind that I'll be covered in case anything does happen.
Benjamin Din
Lead Writer
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
I always use a card that offers a primary collision damage waiver when I rent a car. Currently, that card is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . Fortunately, I've never had to use it. But it's reassuring to know that, if I'm in an accident, my primary auto insurance won't be notified. If they were, it could potentially lead to an increase on my insurance premium.
I always use a card that offers a primary collision damage waiver when I rent a car. Currently, that card is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . Fortunately, I've never had to use it. But it's reassuring to know that, if I'm in an accident, my primary auto insurance won't be notified. If they were, it could potentially lead to an increase on my insurance premium.
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Harlan Vaughn
Contributing Travel Writer
I always use credit card rental car coverage. I've had two incidents with rental cars. With one, I rented a car in Montana and parked in a parking lot near a trailhead for a multi-day hike. When I got back to the car a week later, there was a little dent in the side door. It was small but noticeable. The rental car company noticed it too, but I'd paid with my Chase Sapphire Reserve® . I gathered all the paperwork from the rental agency and opened a claim online. I saw an email come through a couple of weeks later and it was all handled. I didn't even have to speak to anyone. I saw the bill and, yikes — I'm glad I didn't have to pay for that. I've also saved a lot of money on collision damage waivers (CDWs) over the years thanks to having cards with primary rental car insurance. I would never be without one after seeing how much they'd saved me (it must be in the thousands by now).
I always use credit card rental car coverage. I've had two incidents with rental cars. With one, I rented a car in Montana and parked in a parking lot near a trailhead for a multi-day hike. When I got back to the car a week later, there was a little dent in the side door. It was small but noticeable. The rental car company noticed it too, but I'd paid with my Chase Sapphire Reserve® . I gathered all the paperwork from the rental agency and opened a claim online. I saw an email come through a couple of weeks later and it was all handled. I didn't even have to speak to anyone. I saw the bill and, yikes — I'm glad I didn't have to pay for that. I've also saved a lot of money on collision damage waivers (CDWs) over the years thanks to having cards with primary rental car insurance. I would never be without one after seeing how much they'd saved me (it must be in the thousands by now).
Harlan Vaughn
Contributing Travel Writer
Benjamin Din
Lead Writer
I always use a travel credit card that offers primary coverage when I rent a car. For me, that's the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card. I've never had to file a claim, but it's great to have the peace of mind that I'll be covered in case anything does happen.
I always use a travel credit card that offers primary coverage when I rent a car. For me, that's the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card. I've never had to file a claim, but it's great to have the peace of mind that I'll be covered in case anything does happen.
Benjamin Din
Lead Writer
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
I always use a card that offers a primary collision damage waiver when I rent a car. Currently, that card is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . Fortunately, I've never had to use it. But it's reassuring to know that, if I'm in an accident, my primary auto insurance won't be notified. If they were, it could potentially lead to an increase on my insurance premium.
I always use a card that offers a primary collision damage waiver when I rent a car. Currently, that card is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . Fortunately, I've never had to use it. But it's reassuring to know that, if I'm in an accident, my primary auto insurance won't be notified. If they were, it could potentially lead to an increase on my insurance premium.
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Harlan Vaughn
Contributing Travel Writer
I always use credit card rental car coverage. I've had two incidents with rental cars. With one, I rented a car in Montana and parked in a parking lot near a trailhead for a multi-day hike. When I got back to the car a week later, there was a little dent in the side door. It was small but noticeable. The rental car company noticed it too, but I'd paid with my Chase Sapphire Reserve® . I gathered all the paperwork from the rental agency and opened a claim online. I saw an email come through a couple of weeks later and it was all handled. I didn't even have to speak to anyone. I saw the bill and, yikes — I'm glad I didn't have to pay for that. I've also saved a lot of money on collision damage waivers (CDWs) over the years thanks to having cards with primary rental car insurance. I would never be without one after seeing how much they'd saved me (it must be in the thousands by now).
I always use credit card rental car coverage. I've had two incidents with rental cars. With one, I rented a car in Montana and parked in a parking lot near a trailhead for a multi-day hike. When I got back to the car a week later, there was a little dent in the side door. It was small but noticeable. The rental car company noticed it too, but I'd paid with my Chase Sapphire Reserve® . I gathered all the paperwork from the rental agency and opened a claim online. I saw an email come through a couple of weeks later and it was all handled. I didn't even have to speak to anyone. I saw the bill and, yikes — I'm glad I didn't have to pay for that. I've also saved a lot of money on collision damage waivers (CDWs) over the years thanks to having cards with primary rental car insurance. I would never be without one after seeing how much they'd saved me (it must be in the thousands by now).
Harlan Vaughn
Contributing Travel Writer
Benjamin Din
Lead Writer
I always use a travel credit card that offers primary coverage when I rent a car. For me, that's the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card. I've never had to file a claim, but it's great to have the peace of mind that I'll be covered in case anything does happen.
I always use a travel credit card that offers primary coverage when I rent a car. For me, that's the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card. I've never had to file a claim, but it's great to have the peace of mind that I'll be covered in case anything does happen.
Benjamin Din
Lead Writer
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
I always use a card that offers a primary collision damage waiver when I rent a car. Currently, that card is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . Fortunately, I've never had to use it. But it's reassuring to know that, if I'm in an accident, my primary auto insurance won't be notified. If they were, it could potentially lead to an increase on my insurance premium.
I always use a card that offers a primary collision damage waiver when I rent a car. Currently, that card is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . Fortunately, I've never had to use it. But it's reassuring to know that, if I'm in an accident, my primary auto insurance won't be notified. If they were, it could potentially lead to an increase on my insurance premium.
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
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Notable exclusions
Certain vehicles
Capital One car rental insurance is meant to cover rentals of non-luxury passenger vehicles. The policy will pay only for the actual cash value of cars with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of up to $75,000 when new, so extremely expensive luxury cars won’t be covered.
If you’re renting a Toyota Corolla, you’re going to be covered. If you want to drive an Aston Martin, you’ll need to find other insurance. Here are some of the types of automobiles that are excluded:
Expensive automobiles with an MSRP of over $75,000 when new.
Antique vehicles that are over 20 years old or have not been manufactured for 10 years.
Vans, other than those designed for small-group transportation and seat up to nine people.
Trucks and vehicles with an open cargo bed.
Two-wheeled vehicles like mopeds, motorcycles and motorbikes.
Capital One provides rental car damage and theft coverage only to you, the person whose name is embossed on your eligible Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. You must reserve, pick up and pay for the rental car and be listed as the primary driver.
Additional drivers on the rental car are covered by your Capital One car rental insurance, but you (the cardholder) must be the primary renter of the car.
If you have an accident or your rental car is stolen, you will need to call the car rental benefit administrator to report the incident as soon as possible, regardless of your liability.
Within the U.S., call 800-825-4062. If you’re traveling outside the U.S., you can make a collect call to 804-965-8071. You can also initiate your claim online at https://www.eclaimsline.com/.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Be sure to submit your claim form within 90 days of the date of theft or damage or your claim may be denied. Submit the claim form even if you don’t yet have access to all other requested information.
To prepare to submit your claim, you’ll want to collect documentation that will be needed to process your claim. Here’s what you should collect and be prepared to submit to the benefit administrator.
The accident report form provided by the rental company.
A copy of the front and back of the initial and final rental agreements.
A copy of repair estimates and an itemized repair bill.
At least two photographs of the vehicle.
A police report, if one can be obtained.
A copy of any demand letter you receive from the car rental agency.
You’ll also need to fill out a claim form and submit the above documentation, plus a copy of your credit card billing statement including the rental charge. The benefit administrator may also request additional documentation to validate your claim.
Your claim will usually be processed within 15 days after the benefit administrator has received all requested documentation.
Capital One Venture X rental car insurance recapped
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers car rental insurance that covers damage to or theft of your rental vehicle when you decline the car rental company’s collision damage waiver insurance and charge the entire rental transaction to your credit card.
The coverage does not include liability coverage of any kind or cover trips longer than 15 days in your country of residence or 31 days abroad. Be sure to check your card’s Guide to Benefits for coverage details.
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