It might get buried underneath the allure of big points bonuses and travel perks like lounge access, but the rental car coverage you get with the new Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a sneaky-good benefit that shouldn't be overlooked.
The rental car insurance you get when charging your car to a Venture X is some of the best coverage you'll find among top-tier credit cards. Just in case the worst happens, Capital One Venture X rental car insurance allows you to skip costly additional policies from the car agency – or even your own personal policy – saving you more money in the long run.
Still, rental car insurance can be complicated. So we've broken it down to help you know exactly what you're getting from Captial One Venture X's auto insurance benefit.
Click Here to learn more about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Capital One Venture X Rental Car Insurance: Primary vs. Secondary Coverage
The Capital One Venture X card isn't the only one that offers some insurance when renting a car. But this coverage is great.
Most travel credit cards out there offer only secondary rental car coverage. If you get into an accident or your car is damaged with secondary coverage, you'd have to file a claim with your personal insurance policy before turning to your credit card company for help. That means you'll have to pay your deductible – and your auto insurance premiums will likely go up, too.
But it's different with the Capital One Venture X card. You get primary rental car coverage. And that means you can skip your own policy and head straight to Capital One for help.
That puts the Venture X Card on par with both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, both of which also offer primary rental car coverage.
But what does that mean for you? Let's dig in.
Drilling into the Capital One Venture X Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
It's time to get technical.
This primary coverage from the Venture X card replaces the typical “collision damage waivers” – or loss damage waivers – that car rental companies are required to offer.
This policy will provide reimbursement for damage due to collision or theft on a rental car. So if you get into an accident, it will cover the costs of any damage up to the cash value of the vehicle. But from car rental companies, it costs $10 to $30 a day. That can add up fast if you're traveling for more than a day or two.
This is why Capital One's rental car coverage is so valuable. It means you can decline the car rental's add-on policy and still be covered. And you get it not just in the U.S., but internationally with any car rental. In fact, there are just three few countries that don't make the cut: Israel, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Jamaica. Anywhere else, you're set.
Just note that this is not liability insurance. It will not cover medical bills, damage to another vehicle, or damage to property.
Must-Dos When Renting a Car to Get Coverage with the Venture X
First things first: You must charge your rental car to your Capital One Venture X card.
And you also must decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver or loss damage waiver. If you do not decline the car rental company's collision damage waiver, your Capital One Venture X coverage will be voided.
Who Is Covered Under the Capital One Venture X Insurance?
Just because you've got a Capital One Venture X card and used it to make your car rental doesn't mean you're all set. It's important to know exactly who – and what – is covered.
The primary cardholder – whose name is printed on the card – is covered as long as they are listed as the primary renter on the car rental agreement. In addition, any additional driver listed in the rental agreement will also be covered. Anyone in your party not listed in the rental agreement as a driver will not be covered.
This benefit also extends rental car coverage to any authorized users on your card so long as they use their card to rent a car.
Read more: How to Add Authorized Users to the Venture X Card For Free!
What is Covered Under the Capital One Venture X Insurance?
Primary rental car insurance covers much more than other rental policies you'll get from credit cards. Still, it's important to know exactly what will be covered on your rental.
- Physical damage the amount of the suggested retail price of the vehicle, up to $75,000
- Theft, up to the cash value of the vehicle
- Reasonable towing costs related to vehicle damage
- It's unclear exactly what “reasonable” means. If you end up needing a tow, document everything possible with photos and get copies of the paperwork from the towing company. Note that towing due to traffic violations such as parking in an unauthorized space is not covered.
- Vehicle rental periods up to 15 days in your country of residence
- If you need to rent a vehicle longer than 15 days, consider breaking up your rental into two separate rentals to retain this coverage.
- Vehicle rental periods up to 31 days outside of your country of residence
- Car rentals in Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland are not eligible for coverage.
- Valid loss-of-use charges incurred by the rental car agency
- A car rental company may charge you for the time the car is being repaired and they are unable to rent it. Make sure to keep all documents related to repairs and charges incurred from the rental company in order to file a claim with Capital One.
- Administrative fees
What's Not Covered Under the Capital One Venture X Rental Car Insurance?
While the Capital One Venture X rental car insurance coverage is broad, it won't include everything.
- Expensive, exotic, and antique automobiles, vans designed to carry more than nine people, vehicles that have an open cargo bed, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, and motorbikes, limousines, and recreational vehicles such as ATVs are not covered
- Expensive vehicles are defined as those with a suggested retail price over $75,000.
- Antique cards are those that are 20+ years old or have not been manufactured in 10+ years.
- Personal injuries incurred by passengers in a car accident
- Check your personal auto insurance to find out what is covered.
- Property damage caused by the car are not covered
- Check your personal auto insurance to find out what is covered.
- Lost or theft of personal items inside your rental car
- You may have what is called “off-premise” Personal Effects Coverage included in your renters or homeowners insurance that would cover some personal items depending on your deductible.
- Expenses reimbursed under your personal auto insurance policy, your employer, or your employer’s insurance
- Check your personal auto insurance policy to see if car rentals are covered and when your policy may kick in first.
- Expenses assumed, waived, or paid by the auto rental company
- Any violation of the auto rental agreement
- Depreciation of the rental vehicle caused by the incident
- Intentional damage or theft due to the driver being under the influence of alcohol, intoxicants, drugs, or due to illegal activity
- Damage due to off-road operation of the vehicle
- Theft or damage due to war, invasion, insurrection, or terrorist activities
- Confiscation by authorities
- Rental periods longer than 15 consecutive days within your country of residence – or 31 days outside your country of residence
- Car rentals in Israel, Jamaica, Ireland, and Northern Ireland
- Leases
If you have any concerns about coverage for a specific type of vehicle or any other questions about what is covered, just contact a Capital One Venture X benefit administrator.
How to File a Claim with Capital One
If you get into an accident or your rental car is stolen, you should immediately contact a Capital One Venture X benefit administrator to report damage or theft. You must notify the benefit administrator immediately after any incident regardless if your liability has been established. You should report the theft or damage as soon as possible but you must report it within 45 days of the date of the incident.
In the U.S. you can contact a Captial One Benefit Administrator at 1-800-825-4062.
If you are outside of the U.S., call up a Captial One Benefit Administrator at 1-804-965-8071.
Capital One will send you a claim form when you report your loss. You must submit a completed claim form within 100 days of the damage or theft. You then have 365 days from the incident to submit all required supporting documentation.
Required documentation from the rental car company needed to submit a claim:
- A copy of the accident report form
- A copy of the initial and final auto rental agreements
- A copy of the repair estimate and itemized repair bill
- Two photographs of the damaged vehicle, if available
- In addition, it is always a good idea to take photos or a video of the vehicle before leaving the rental car agency to have proof of any damage the vehicle incurred before you rented it. Your phone will time stamp the photos.
- A police report, if obtainable
- A copy of the demand letter which lists the costs you are responsible for and any amounts that have been paid towards the claim
Additional required documentation needed to submit a claim:
- A completed and signed Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver claim form
- This must be postmarked within 90 days of the theft or damage, even if you haven't received other documentation from the rental car company, or your claim may be denied.
- A copy of your monthly billing statement with the last four digits of the account number that shows the entire rental transaction charge
- Any other documentation requested by the Benefit Administrator.
For faster filing or to learn more, you can go to www.eclaimsline.com. However, you still need to call a benefit administrator.
Tips for Filing a Claim
There are a few things ahead of time that you can do to make sure filing a claim is as easy as possible.
- Take photos and/or video of the car before you leave the rental lot. Not only will this show any current damage before you have driven the car but you'll have images in case the car is damaged later. This will also provide a timestamp.
- Take a photo(s) of the car rental agreement and any documents you are given. In the event of a stolen car or severe damage, you will want to have easy access to these documents.
When to Contact a Capital One Benefit Administrator
Besides filing a claim with Capital One there are a few things you may want to clarify before renting a car. Here is when you should contact a Capital One Benefit Administrator.
- If you're interested in renting a more expensive vehicle or a vehicle outside of the norm make sure to double-check if it will be covered before you waive the insurance from the rental company.
- Immediately after an accident to get instructions on what will be needed to file a claim.
Capital One Benefit Administrator Phone Number: 1-800-825-4062
Where to Find Information About Rental Insurance in Your Capital One Account
When you log into your Capital One account, you can find more information about this benefit on the “Benefits” tab. But since this benefit is actually provided through Visa Infinite and not Capital One itself, you'll want to click on the “Visa Infinite Benefits” option.
Clicking that link will take you to the Visa Infinite Benefits page. Once hear' you'll want to select the “Protection” tab.
Once here, you'll find more information on all the travel protections offered on the Venture X card.
Venture X Rental Car Insurance FAQs
Do I have to pay with my Capital One Venture X card to get coverage?
Yes, in order to get the coverage you need to use your Capital One card to rent the car. And you need to pay for the entire
Can I use Capital One Venture Miles in the Capital One travel portal to pay for the rental car and still receive coverage?
Yes, when using points to pay for a rental car you still need to put a credit card on file. To receive the coverage you must use your Capital One card.
If I already have car insurance, should I still use the Venture X benefit?
Yes, you should use the rental car insurance through Capital One. That way, if any damage occurs to the car, you can make a claim with Capital and not your own personal car insurance. If there is a situation where Capital One coverage doesn't cover something, you can then file a claim with your car insurance.
Does this coverage work in all countries abroad?
No, coverage does not apply to car rentals in Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
How much coverage does my card provide?
The Capital One Venture X benefit will cover up to the cash value of the rental car up to $75,000. However, it's important to note that certain kinds of vehicles are not covered including recreational, classic cars, expensive makes and models, and motorcycles.
Does an authorized user of the Captial One Venture X get this benefit?
Yes, this benefit does extend to any authorized card user as long as they use their card to rent a car.
How long will it take to finalize a claim with Capital One?
Your claim will typically be finalized within fifteen days of all your documentation being received by the benefit administrator.
Other Benefits of the New Venture X Card
Stellar rental car insurance is just one reason this new Venture X Card is so great.
Here's a quick glance at everything it offers.
- Earn 75,000 Capital One Venture Miles after spending $4,000 on the card in your first three months of card membership.
- Annual $300 travel credit to use for Capital One Travel bookings for flights, hotels, or car rentals
- Complimentary access to the Capital One Lounges, plus two free guests
- A Priority Pass membership, which will get you and two guests into 1,200-plus other airport lounges around the globe
- Use $120 credit for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry once every four years
- Get 10,000 bonus Venture miles each year after renewing your card, starting in year 2
- Earn 10x miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x miles on flights booked via the Capital One Travel portal
- Earn 2x miles on all other spending
- Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status
- Primary Rental Car Coverage
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement
- Trip Delay Coverage, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage
- $395 annual fee
Click Here to learn more about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Read more: Why the Capital One Venture X Annual Fee Shouldn't Scare You Off
Bottom Line
Capital One Venture X rental car insurance is one of the most underrated benefits of this card. It's there when you need it, and it goes much farther than the coverage you get from almost any other travel credit card – or any coverage you can pay extra for, for that matter.
Just make sure you use your Capital One Venture X card when you pay, decline your rental company's coverage, and understand how to use this benefit beforehand – just in case.
what about in Italy where purchasing basic CDW is legally required?
This was the only place I was able to find the information I needed to file a claim, shame on Capital One! Very grateful for your time and the info!!
Great breakdown – thank you. Important to note that ‘Diminished value’ is not covered and that will likely be thousands of dollars. When you purchase the ‘optional LDW/CDW coverage’ from the rental agency I believe that is ‘walk away’ coverage that includes loss of value. There will almost always be diminished value charges in any accident and the rental company can pretty much set the amount. Another situation where you may save a few bucks up front but be on the hook for thousands potentially. Personal coverage may kick in for that but that’s really what we are trying to avoid. Not sure if the Chase cards insurance includes or excludes diminished value.