Car Collision Insurance Travel Credit Cards
When we carry around travel credit cards in our wallet, we never really take into consideration whether it offers car collision insurance since all car rental companies will offer their own insurance when you make a purchase with them. However, you may find that the amount you have to pay the car rental company each day for coverage ends up being a lot more than what your credit card already offers you when you charge the full (or partial) amount to that specific card.
Car collision insurance is a type of auto insurance coverage which will reimburse you for any damage that has occurred during the period of your car rental. This loss or damage has to be due to the fault of the insured driver. Most car collision insurance will cover damage only when an accident has occurred; however, there are some travel credit cards which will also cover theft as well.
Below I have outlined some travel credit cards which offer car collision insurance:
| Credit Card | Car Collision |
| CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Card | Charge full cost to credit card and you will be protected by Auto Rental collision/Loss Damage InsuranceCovers up to the Actual Cash Value of the rental vehicle and valid Rental Agency Loss of Use charges when conditions are met. |
| CIBC Aventura Gold Visa Card | Charge full cost to credit card and you will be protected by Auto Rental collision/Loss Damage InsuranceCovers up to the Actual Cash Value of the rental vehicle and valid Rental Agency Loss of Use charges when conditions are met. |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Card | Charge full cost to credit card and you will be protected by Auto Rental collision/Loss Damage InsuranceCovers up to the Actual Cash Value of the rental vehicle and valid Rental Agency Loss of Use charges when conditions are met. |
| CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Privilege Card | Charge full cost to credit card and you will be protected by Auto Rental collision/Loss Damage InsuranceCovers up to the Actual Cash Value of the rental vehicle and valid Rental Agency Loss of Use charges when conditions are met. |
| CIBC Aerogold Visa Infinite Card | Charge full cost to credit card and you will be protected by Auto Rental collision/Loss Damage InsuranceCovers up to the Actual Cash Value of the rental vehicle and valid Rental Agency Loss of Use charges when conditions are met. |
| CIBC Aero Platinum Visa Card | Charge full cost to credit card and you will be protected by Auto Rental collision/Loss Damage InsuranceCovers up to the Actual Cash Value of the rental vehicle and valid Rental Agency Loss of Use charges when conditions are met. |
| BMO Air Miles World Elite MasterCard | Car Rental Accidental Death and Dismemberment covers insured person who suffers a loss from accidental bodily injury when occupying an eligible rental car.The maximum coverage for one accident is $300,000. |
| BMO CashBack World Elite MasterCard | Car Rental Accidental Death and Dismemberment covers insured person who suffers a loss from accidental bodily injury when occupying an eligible rental car.The maximum coverage for one accident is $300,000. |
| BMO World Elite MasterCard | Car Rental Accidental Death and Dismemberment covers insured person who suffers a loss from accidental bodily injury when occupying an eligible rental car.The maximum coverage for one accident is $300,000. |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | Charge the full cost of the car rental to your credit card and the coverage includes loss or damage to the rental vehicle when the conditions specified are met.-Up to 48 consecutive days |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card | Charge the full cost of the car rental to your credit card and the coverage includes loss or damage to the rental vehicle when the conditions specified are met.-Up to 48 consecutive days |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | Charge the full cost of the car rental to your credit card and the coverage includes loss or damage to the rental vehicle when the conditions specified are met.-Up to 48 consecutive days |
| TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card | Charge the full cost of the car rental to your credit card and the coverage includes loss or damage to the rental vehicle when the conditions specified are met.-Up to 48 consecutive days |
| Scotiabank Gold American Express Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline agency’s collision damage waiver.Car Collision Insurance covers up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen vehicle. Includes reasonable and customary towing charges, and administration charges resulting from damage or theft during the car rental. |
| Scotiabank American Express Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline agency’s collision damage waiver.Car Collision Insurance covers up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen vehicle. Includes reasonable and customary towing charges, and administration charges resulting from damage or theft during the car rental. |
| ScotiaGold Passport Visa Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline agency’s collision damage waiver.Car Collision Insurance covers up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen vehicle. Includes reasonable and customary towing charges, and administration charges resulting from damage or theft during the car rental. |
| Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline agency’s collision damage waiver.Car Collision Insurance covers up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen vehicle. Includes reasonable and customary towing charges, and administration charges resulting from damage or theft during the car rental. |
| Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline agency’s collision damage waiver.Car Collision Insurance covers up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen vehicle. Includes reasonable and customary towing charges, and administration charges resulting from damage or theft during the car rental. |
| RBC Visa Infinite Avion Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage is for loss and damages up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle as well as towing and loss of use charges in the conditions described. |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage is for loss and damages up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle as well as towing and loss of use charges in the conditions described. |
| WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage is for loss and damages up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle as well as towing and loss of use charges in the conditions described. |
| RBC Rewards Visa Preferred | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage is for loss and damages up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle as well as towing and loss of use charges in the conditions described. |
| RBC Visa Platinum Avion | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage is for loss and damages up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle as well as towing and loss of use charges in the conditions described. |
| WestJet RBC MasterCard | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage is for loss and damages up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle as well as towing and loss of use charges in the conditions described. |
| RBC British Airways Visa Infinite | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage is for loss and damages up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle as well as towing and loss of use charges in the conditions described. |
| RBC Cathay Pacific Visa Platinum | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage is for loss and damages up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle as well as towing and loss of use charges in the conditions described. |
| RBC U.S. Dollar Visa Gold | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage is for loss and damages up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle as well as towing and loss of use charges in the conditions described. |
| RBC Rewards Visa Gold | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage is for loss and damages up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle as well as towing and loss of use charges in the conditions described. |
| Signature RBC Rewards Visa | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage is for loss and damages up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle as well as towing and loss of use charges in the conditions described. |
| NBC World Elite MasterCard | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Covers against collision, theft or damage for a period of 48 days or lessThe maximum coverage for theft is $2,000. |
| NBC World MasterCard | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Covers against collision, theft or damage for a period of 48 days or lessThe maximum coverage for theft is $2,000. |
| NBC Platinum MasterCard | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Covers against collision, theft or damage for a period of 48 days or lessThe maximum coverage for theft is $2,000. |
| Desjardins Odyssey Gold Visa | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damager waiver.Covers you if your rental car is damaged or stolen up to a period of 48 days.Covers up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle, as well as valid Loss of Use charges resulting from damage or theft. |
| Desjardins Visa Prestige Platinum Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Covers you if your rental car is damaged or stolen up to a period of 48 days.Covers up to the actual cash value of the damaged or stolen rental vehicle, as well as valid Loss of Use charges resulting from damage or theft. |
| American Express Gold Rewards Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage includes damage or theft of your rental car which has an MSRP of up to $85,000. |
| American Express Platinum Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage includes damage or theft of your rental car which has an MSRP of up to $85,000. |
| American Express SimplyCash Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage includes damage or theft of your rental car which has an MSRP of up to $85,000. |
| American Express SimplyCash Preferred Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage includes damage or theft of your rental car which has an MSRP of up to $85,000. |
| HSBC Premier MasterCard | Charge at least 75% of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.You will be covered if your rental car is damaged or stolen for up to a period of 31 days |
| American Express AeroplanPlus Platinum Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage includes damage or theft of your rental car which has an MSRP of up to $85,000. |
| American Express Air Miles Reserve Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage includes damage or theft of your rental car which has an MSRP of up to $85,000. |
| American Express Air Miles Platinum Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage includes damage or theft of your rental car which has an MSRP of up to $85,000. |
| American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage includes damage or theft of your rental car which has an MSRP of up to $85,000. |
| American Express Business Platinum Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage includes damage or theft of your rental car which has an MSRP of up to $85,000. |
| American Express Business Gold Rewards Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage includes damage or theft of your rental car which has an MSRP of up to $85,000. |
| American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Business Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage includes damage or theft of your rental car which has an MSRP of up to $85,000. |
| American Express Air Miles Business Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage includes damage or theft of your rental car which has an MSRP of up to $85,000. |
| Capital One Aspire Cash Platinum MasterCard | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.You will be covered if your rental car is damaged or stolen for up to a period of 31 days. |
| Capital One Aspire Travel World Elite MasterCard | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.You will be covered if your rental car is damaged or stolen for up to a period of 31 days. |
| Capital One Aspire Travel Platinum MasterCard | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.You will be covered if your rental car is damaged or stolen for up to a period of 31 days. |
| Capital One Platinum MasterCard | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.You will be covered if your rental car is damaged or stolen for up to a period of 31 days. |
| Capital One IHG Rewards Club World MasterCard | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.You will be covered if your rental car is damaged or stolen for up to a period of 48 days. |
| Capital One IHG Rewards Club Platinum MasterCard | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.You will be covered if your rental car is damaged or stolen for up to a period of 31 days. |
| MBNA Smart Cash Platinum Plus MasterCard | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.You will be covered if your rental car is damaged or stolen for up to a period of 31 days. |
| MBNA Rewards World Elite MasterCard | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.You will be covered if your rental car is damaged or stolen for up to a period of 31 days |
| MBNA Alaska Airlines MasterCard | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.You will be covered if your rental car is damaged or stolen for up to a period of 31 days |
| Chase Marriot Rewards Premier Visa Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.You will be covered if your rental car is damaged or stolen |
| Vancity enviro Gold Visa Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage includes damage or theft of your rental car up to $65,000. The coverage is for up to 48 consecutive days. |
| Vancity enviro ExpenseGold Visa Card | Charge the full cost of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.Coverage includes damage or theft of your rental car up to $65,000. The coverage is for up to 48 consecutive days. |
| HSBC Premier World MasterCard | Charge at least 75% of your car rental to your credit card and decline rental agency’s collision damage waiver.You will be covered if your rental car is damaged or stolen for up to a period of 31 days |
Most cards will offer coverage for up to a period of 31 days, which is plenty for the majority of travelers. If you are a frequent car renter, you may want to look into credit cards such as the TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card, TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card, Desjardins Odyssey Gold Visa, or the NBC Platinum MasterCard as they offer a coverage period of 48 consecutive days.
The bottom line is, accidents do happen so it will be beneficial for you to take advantage of auto insurance if you plan to travel by car for part (or all) of your vacation.
In regards to rental cars the last few years I have used various credit cards (that have rental car insurance) and declined all coverages. It was brought to my attention recently that most cards don’t cover 3rd. party liability. In other words the credit card insurance will cover damage to the rental car but not cover injuries to the other party or damage to their vehicle if (in a worst case scenario) they are uninsured. Do you know if this is true as it would be a concern to me as I normally rent for work, want to save the company money (by declining the coverage), but I don’t want to be the on the hook for a huge medical bill if an accident with injuries were to happen?
Hi Daniel, yes you are correct, most (if not all) credit cards will not cover third-party liability.