4 Things To Know About Rental Car Insurance in Europe
When renting a car in Europe, what you pay for the rental typically includes the liability insurance required in your host country.
However, you should consider getting separate coverage for theft or damage to your rental car.
Many major credit card companies in the U.S. include this coverage at no cost if you pay for the rental with your card. Your credit card may not offer protection in some countries, like Italy. So, it's important to check your benefits before heading overseas.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Your Area
Your rental fee includes liability coverage
In most of Europe, the daily rate you pay for a rental must include enough liability coverage to meet the legal requirement.
This coverage typically pays for any injuries or damage you cause to other drivers in an accident.
The rental car agent may try to sell you an upgrade for more liability insurance. You should consider buying the same amount of liability insurance for your rental car as you have on your car insurance policy at home. That way, you have the same amount of protection while driving abroad.
Remember that liability insurance doesn't pay for any damage you do to the rental car. You'll need extra coverage if you're worried about repair costs.
Your credit card may offer extra coverage
Many U.S. credit cards, including most rewards and travel credit cards, offer free rental car coverage.
This coverage typically protects against theft and damage to your rental car.
To get this coverage, you typically need to pay for the rental car using a credit card that offers rental car protection. You must also decline the rental company's collision damage waiver, which these companies usually sell for an extra fee.
Some rental car agents in Europe might be skeptical that your credit card offers this protection. That's because this perk is rare for credit cards issued in Europe.
Consider bringing a printout of your credit card's car rental coverage policy to reduce pushback. Try to get a copy in the language of the country you're visiting, if it's available.
After an accident, the rental company will charge your credit card for the value of the damage. You'll need to ask your credit card company to reimburse you for these charges when you get home. The credit card company will usually need the police report and the car rental company's accident report.
Does my credit card cover car rental insurance in Europe?
The best way to confirm that you have protection for your European rental car is to call your credit card company before your trip.
Tell your credit card company about the specifics of your trip. Some companies don't offer coverage in certain countries like Italy or Ireland.
Credit card customer service phone numbers
Company | Phone number |
|---|---|
| American Express | 800-528-4800 |
| Barclays | 877-523-0478 |
| Capital One | 800-227-4825 |
| Chase | 800-432-3117 |
| Citi | 800-950-5114 |
What insurance do I need to rent a car in Italy?
In Italy, you must get a collision damage waiver (CDW) and theft protection for your rental car.
Many U.S. credit card companies don't offer rental car coverage in Italy. However, your rental car fee may already include these coverages. If not, you can typically get a collision damage waiver and theft protection from the rental company for an additional cost.
A U.S. rental company may be the easiest option
When choosing a rental car company, consider a company with a U.S. presence, especially if its rates are competitive and you've had a good experience with it.
Choosing a company with a presence in the U.S. could be helpful if you have an accident overseas.
That's because it can lead to some back-and-forth with the rental car company.
It will be much easier to resolve any issues if your rental company is open during regular business hours in the U.S., as opposed to being in a European time zone. You also won't have to worry about navigating any language barriers.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to get insurance on a rental car in Europe?
When you rent a car in Europe, the daily rate you pay for a rental should include the minimum liability insurance required in the country you're visiting.
However, you should get extra coverage to protect your rental car if you crash or someone steals the car. You may already have this protection through your credit card company. If not, the rental car company typically offers a collision damage waiver. This waiver will lessen the amount you'll pay for repairs.
Does my U.S. auto insurance cover me in Europe?
No, your U.S. car insurance doesn't protect you while driving in Europe. Your rental car fee should include any liability insurance required by the country you're visiting. But you'll need to get extra coverage to avoid paying for damage to your rental car that you cause.
Does Amex cover rental car insurance in Europe?
American Express will typically cover your European rental car. You'll need to pay for the rental using your American Express card. You also must decline the collision damage waiver offered by the rental car company to get rental car coverage from Amex.
However, American Express doesn't offer rental car coverage in Italy. Coverage may vary depending on the type of card you have, so it's best to call American Express to confirm your coverage before your trip.
Does Visa cover rental car insurance in Europe?
Visa usually offers coverage for accidental damage to your rental car in Europe. To get this coverage, you'll need to pay for the rental car with your Visa card. You must also decline the collision damage waiver offered by the rental car company.
Benefits may vary depending on the type of card you have, and you may not be able to get coverage in certain countries. You should call Visa before renting a car overseas to make sure you have coverage.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.