RENTAL CAR INSURANCE
Compatible with rental car companies worldwide!*
Protection from RentalCover is compatible with rental car companies worldwide* such as Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, Europcar and thousands more. This makes us the perfect travel companion wherever you go!
Get complete protection without paying rental counter prices
Credit card coverage is typically secondary to your personal auto insurance. With primary coverage from RentalCover, you don’t have to make any claims on your personal auto policy, or worry about how your rates may be impacted. We also offer Supplemental Liability Insurance for damage to third party property or vehicles, and injuries caused to other drivers and their passengers.
No deductible
$0 deductible in the event of a claim
Better Price
Up to 50% cheaper than the rental counter†
Less Stress
Buy online before pickup and avoid upsells
What's covered
We offer coverage for rental cars, including mini-vans, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles rented from a rental car agency.
Enjoy comprehensive protection with our CDW or third party cover with SLI.
Cover for damage rental companies usually exclude, such as damage caused by harsh climate and road conditions.
Cover for flat tires, cracked windshields, damaged headlights, lost keys, key replacement and lockout.
Complete cover for all authorized drivers listed on the rental agreement.
No sky-high charges added to your repair bill, including fees for processing, loss of use, relocation and roadside assistance.
Covers rental agreements lasting more than 30 days.
Cancel anytime before pickup for a full refund.
Cover built for all types of US travelers
RentalCover is ideal for every type of traveler who wants reliable, affordable rental car coverage:
Business travelers
Coverage if you rent frequently and want consistent, primary coverage without having to deal with credit cards and auto policies.
Vacation travelers
Get stress-free coverage with no upsells at the rental car counter, so you’re all set to enjoy your dream vacation.
International travelers
Standalone, comprehensive coverage for when your personal auto insurance doesn’t cover travel abroad.
Travelers without personal car insurance
Our coverage offers protection for your rental vehicle without you needing to have a personal auto insurance policy.
Trusted by 10+ million of customers worldwide
What makes our rental car insurance coverage different to other US providers
You have 3 main options for rental car insurance coverage when traveling in the United States: Third-party providers like RentalCover, your rental company’s CDW and the coverage your credit card may offer.
Here’s how they stack up:
WHAT'S COVERED |  | RENTAL CAR COMPANIES | CREDIT CARDS |
|---|---|---|---|
Coverage type | Yes Primary | Yes Primary | No Secondary |
Personal insurance | Yes No personal insurance claims | Yes No personal insurance claims | No Must file with personal insurance first |
Deductible | Yes $0 deductible | No Pay deductible | No Pay high deductible |
Collision damage | Yes Covered | Yes Covered | Yes Covered |
Theft | Yes Covered | Yes Covered | No Partial – varies by provider |
Windshield & glass | Yes Covered | No Excluded – Sold as a separate product at the counter | No Not covered |
Tires & underbody | Yes Covered | No Not covered | No Not covered |
Fast claim payouts | Yes 98% within 3 days | No Varies | No Weeks (multi-party) |
Find out more in our complete rental car insurance comparison breakdown.
How rental car damage protection works in 3 simple steps
We make it easy to protect your rental vehicle:
Purchase online before your trip
Get a transparent quote and purchase your rental car coverage online in under 2 minutes.
Decline rental counter insurance
Show up confident at the rental desk knowing you're already fully protected.
Drive protected
Enjoy comprehensive coverage and 24/7 claims support for your entire rental period.
Ready to save on your rental car insurance?
Get an instant quote in under 2 minutes. No commitments, cancel anytime before pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Supplemental Liability Insurance is a type of add-on (non-compulsory) cover that increases your protection against third-party claims for bodily injury and property damage.
SLI protects you if you are at fault for an accident and boosts the amount of coverage for damage, such as high-cost accidents, medical expenses or vehicle repairs.
SLI is generally offered by car rental companies. Our policy offers similar coverage.
Whether your car insurance covers a rental car or not depends on your specific policy. More comprehensive policies may extend cover to rental cars, while others may require a paid add-on or purchase of a separate policy.
The price of car rental insurance in the United States can vary widely depending on your vehicle, rental period and insurance provider. Car rental agencies often offer costly, suboptimal insurance with significant exclusions.
RentalCover’s policies are up to 50% cheaper than what you pay at the rental counter,† while offering coverage for items that rental companies often exclude. This includes tires, underbody damage and more.
In the United States, rental car insurance works through a combination of policies offered by rental companies, personal auto insurance and credit card benefits.
Rental car insurance in the United States may require purchasing additional coverage, such as Collision Damage Waiver or Supplemental Liability Insurance.
Many credit cards do cover rental car insurance. However, relying on your credit card could mean paying thousands of dollars out of your own pocket. For US residents, your credit card likely provides secondary car rental insurance that only kicks in after you make a claim through your personal auto insurance. This may lead to an increase in the rate.
Credit card coverage often has an additional list of exclusions, including:
- Specific damages like damage to windshields or undercarriages.
- Damage caused by additional drivers.
- Lost keys.
- Roadside repair costs.
- Long-term rental.
- Any fees your rental company may add to your repair bill.
With RentalCover, you have more comprehensive protection at a lower cost.
A Collision Damage Waiver (or Loss Damage Waiver) is a type of car insurance that reduces your liability for damages to a rental vehicle if it is damaged or stolen.
A CDW is not strictly insurance. It’s a waiver that transfers the risk of financial loss for damages like towing and administrative fees to the rental company.
Rental car companies usually offer a CDW when you pick up your rental. This cover usually comes with a high deductible, which you can reduce with additional upsells.
If you have cover from Rental Cover, you can say ‘no’ to CDWs and upsells at the rental desk. Our policies come with a $0 deductible and go beyond standard rental company CDWs. For example, we offer cover for windshields and all authorized drivers on the rental agreement.
Rental car insurance refers to policies used to cover collisions and other incidents that may occur when renting a car or other vehicle. In the United States, common types of rental car insurance include:
- Collision Damage Waivers (CDWs), reducing your liability if your rental vehicle is damaged or stolen.
- Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI), offering coverage for damages to third party property or vehicles, and injuries caused to other drivers and their passengers.
Rental car insurance can be purchased through your rental vehicle agency, or another provider like RentalCover. Your credit card may also offer some rental car insurance.
Yes, rental car insurance is worth it. It gives you protection for potentially extreme rental company deductible fees if your hired car is damaged or stolen. Without insurance, you could face very high costs if an incident occurs.