If you’re planning on renting a car, having the right credit card in your wallet can save you hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars. Several U.S. personal credit cards offer primary rental car coverage, meaning you won’t have to involve your personal auto insurance if the rental car is damaged or stolen.
But not all cards are created equal. Some offer higher coverage limits, more generous vehicle eligibility, or broader geographic protection. We’ve reviewed the official benefit guides and broken down which cards provide the best, average, and limited primary CDW/LDW coverage.
(Haven’t brushed up on what CDW or LDW covers? We explain the basics in this post.)
Best-in-Class Primary Coverage
These cards offer the highest protection limits, the broadest geographic coverage, and the fewest exclusions—but they also come with the highest annual fees or are harder to obtain.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Up to $75,000 in coverage worldwide for rentals up to 31 days. Includes towing, administrative fees, and loss-of-use charges. Excludes antique and high-capacity passenger vans. - The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card
Identical to Sapphire Reserve in coverage and terms, but this card is only available via product change from another Chase Marriott card.
Solid Coverage with Reasonable Annual Fees
These cards offer nearly identical coverage to top-tier options but at a lower cost. While the United Club℠ Infinite card sits in a higher fee bracket due to its lounge perks, the coverage across this group is essentially the same, making the Sapphire Preferred and United Explorer excellent value picks if you’re mainly looking for rental protection.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Covers up to $60,000 worldwide for rentals up to 31 days. Excludes vehicles with an MSRP over $125,000 and a long list of exotic brands. With a modest annual fee, this is one of the best mainstream cards offering primary CDW/LDW coverage. - United℠ Explorer / Quest / MileagePlus Cards
Same coverage terms as the Sapphire Preferred—$60,000 limit, 31-day rentals, and similar exclusions. These cards also carry a manageable annual fee and offer added value for United flyers. - United Club℠ Infinite Card
Includes the same primary rental car protection (up to $60,000) as the Explorer card, but with a much higher annual fee. The real draw here is United Club lounge access—not the rental coverage.
Lower Coverage or More Restrictions
These cards still offer primary rental car coverage, but with lower coverage caps, shorter rental periods, or geographic exclusions. They’re not necessarily “low-cost” cards—but the trade-offs vary. In fact, in the case of Venture X, you’re paying for other premium benefits—rental coverage just happens to come with the package.
- Capital One Venture X
Covers rentals up to $75,000 MSRP. Rental periods are limited to 15 days domestically and 31 days internationally. Excludes rentals in Israel, Jamaica, and the Republic of Northern Ireland. Exotic brands and certain vehicle types are also excluded. While Venture X isn’t a low-fee card, it does offer huge points multipliers—10x miles on rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel portal (must use the card to pay). It’s reassuring to know that you’ll still receive primary coverage when booking that way. - Bilt Mastercard®
Coverage up to $50,000. Same geographic and vehicle brand exclusions as Venture X. Passenger vans seating up to nine are covered, but larger vans, trucks, motorcycles, and exotic brands are not. That said, this card has no annual fee, making it an excellent option for renters who simply want reliable protection without incurring additional costs.
What All These Cards Have in Common
Regardless of the card’s coverage limit or annual fee, there are several key terms that apply across the board:
- Coverage is primary, meaning it kicks in before your personal auto insurance—so long as you decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW and pay with the card.
- The cardholder must be the primary renter, and all additional drivers must be listed on the rental agreement.
- Coverage applies to the rental vehicle only; it doesn’t include liability protection for injuries or damage to others.
- Rental periods are typically capped at 31 consecutive days (except Venture X’s 15-day domestic limit).
- Exclusions apply—usually for exotic or antique cars, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and high-capacity vans.
A Note About Primary Coverage
One important caveat: Primary rental car coverage only makes a difference if you have your own personal auto insurance.
If you do, a credit card with primary coverage can save you from filing a claim on your own policy, helping you avoid a deductible or rate hike.
But if you don’t have any personal auto coverage (common for city dwellers or infrequent drivers), any credit card that provides rental car protection becomes your primary insurance by default.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a frequent renter who values peace of mind, cards like the Sapphire Reserve and the Ritz-Carlton Card provide excellent protection.
For most travelers, the Chase Sapphire Preferred or United Explorer hit the sweet spot. They offer nearly identical coverage at a far lower cost, making them ideal for people who want strong protection without a premium price tag.
And if you’re looking for a practical option, Bilt’s no-annual-fee card or the Venture X (especially when booking through the Capital One portal) gives you solid protection—just be aware of the limits.
No matter what card you use, be sure to decline the rental company’s CDW/LDW coverage and double-check your card’s benefit guide before you hit the road.
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