.png){kind=spacer}
If you own a Discover credit card, it can be disappointing to learn that Discover no longer offers rental car insurance as a card benefit. This cover was discontinued in 2018.
In this guide, we'll explore some alternatives to Discover credit card rental car coverage, and the benefits you still get with a Discover card.
Note: Discover cards are not issued outside of the United States, and card acceptance is limited in some countries. The information on this page is relevant only to vehicle rentals inside the United States.
Discover benefits explained
In 2018, Discover made significant cuts to the benefits offered by its credit cards. This included completely removing rental car insurance coverage, alongside other perks like:
- Purchase protection
- Extended product warranty
- Return guarantee
- Flight accident insurance
- Price protection
That said, there are still some benefits included in Discover cards. These include:
- Cash back: The Discover it® card gets 5% cash back on select everyday purchases, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Miles: If you have the Discover travel card, you can earn unlimited 1.5x travel Miles on every dollar of every purchase.
- Security benefits: Security benefits that come with Discover cards include Social Security Number alerts and a $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee.
Overall, Discover now has a relatively small array of perks compared to other cards out there. That includes no cover relating to rental car insurance.
What are your other options for rental car insurance?
Discover might not have you covered for rental car insurance, but there are a range of different options you can consider instead:
Rental companies
Relying on credit card insurance generally requires you to reject rental company insurance policies like Collision Damage Waivers (CDWs). If you don't have any cover from a credit card you currently own, you should consider the policies offered by rental companies and determine if they may be a better option for you.
While rental car insurance from vehicle hire companies can seem more convenient, these policies can often be expensive and come with high deductibles. They also often have exclusions including flat tyres, damaged headlamps and loss-of-use fees.
Other credit cards
While Discover may have discontinued its rental car insurance benefit, there are plenty of other credit cards available on the market offering rental car coverage. It's important to remember that credit card rental car coverage is usually secondary.
Therefore, it relies on a primary level of coverage offered by another policy like your personal auto insurance policy. This is a drawback compared to insurance offered by rental companies and RentalCover. When you choose these cover options, your insurance is primary, meaning you can orchestrate your cover while dealing with fewer entities.
RentalCover
RentalCover offers policies that are more comprehensive than the rental companies while also being 50% cheaper†. We deal directly with your rental car company to settle claims, and there's nothing for you to pay when you make a claim with us.
Unlike credit cards, which often exclude liability cover, we have a Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) product, offering cover for liability costs if you're at fault for a car accident.
Get a quote today and find out how RentalCover can help you enjoy greater peace of mind on your next car rental journey.
Which credit card companies offer rental car insurance?
Discover might not offer rental car insurance, but there are plenty of other credit cards to choose from if you want to take advantage of this benefit. Your options include:
- American Express: Plenty of American Express cards include rental car insurance, including Platinum, Gold and Green cards. American Express also offers primary rental car insurance as a separate policy outside of its credit card benefits.
- Chase: Chase cards with rental car insurance include the Sapphire® and Freedom® cards.
- Capital One: Capital One cards offering rental car insurance include secondary coverage through Venture, VentureOne, Quicksilver and Savor cards. You can also get primary car rental insurance through Venture X cards.
Bank of America: You can get car rental coverage through Bank of America cards like Premium Rewards® Elite, Premium Rewards® and Travel Rewards®.
Choose RentalCover for rental car insurance
Don't have credit card insurance to rely on? Don't worry. RentalCover offers comprehensive and affordable cover for your next holiday in a rental vehicle.
Our cover is 50% cheaper than the rental companies†. It also covers items that may be excluded from coverage purchased from vehicle hire companies, including flat tyres, broken windscreens and loss-of-use fees.
Get your instant quote today and see how RentalCover's policies can provide more peace of mind on your next rental vehicle journey.
Frequently asked questions
Is credit card rental car insurance primary or secondary?
Credit card rental car insurance is generally secondary, meaning it relies on a primary policy like your own auto insurance policy to kick in before it can be activated. However, some credit cards do offer primary insurance, such as the Capital One Venture X card.
How do I know if my credit card covers rental car insurance?
Here are a few steps you can take to verify if your credit card offers cover for rental vehicles:
- Benefits Guides: You can generally find Benefits Guides for your credit card on the website of your issuer. These guides should offer a detailed breakdown of all the perks of your credit card, including what you need to know about auto rental insurance.
- Get in touch: If your Benefits Guide leaves you with any questions, don't hesitate to contact your card issuer directly. You should be able to get in touch with a Benefits Administrator who can fill you in with everything you need to know about your credit card coverage.
- Confirm details: Before you actually book your rental car, ensure you understand all the fine print that goes into your policy. Confirm things like whether your coverage is primary or secondary and whether you need to reject all of the rental company's insurance for your credit card cover to apply.
Does credit card rental car insurance cover other drivers?
Rental car insurance through your credit card may cover other authorised drivers listed on your rental agreement. Be sure to confirm this before relying on your card for your rental vehicle insurance.