Do Citi Credit Cards Come With Rental Car Insurance?
Last Updated on February 5, 2026
Some Citi credit cards come with rental car insurance (often called Worldwide Car Rental Insurance or an Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver benefit), but not every Citi card includes it. Even when the perk exists, you must follow specific rules—like paying with the card and declining the rental company’s damage waiver—to trigger coverage. For a broader overview of credit card benefits, see what credit cards may cover when you rent a car.
- Card-Specific Benefit: Some Citi cards include rental car coverage, but many do not—always confirm your exact card’s current Guide to Benefits.
- Activation Rules Matter: Paying with the card and declining the rental company’s CDW/LDW are common requirements; missing a step can void coverage.
- Usually Covers the Car, Not Others: Credit card rental coverage typically helps with damage/theft to the rental vehicle, not liability, injuries, or stolen personal items.
- Know Primary vs. Secondary: Many Citi benefits are secondary in the U.S.; confirm how your coverage works before relying on it for a big or international rental.
- Quick Answer
- How to Tell If Your Citi Card Includes Rental Car Insurance
- What Citi Rental Car Insurance Typically Covers
- How to Activate Citi Rental Car Insurance
- Is Citi Rental Coverage Primary or Secondary?
- Common Exclusions and Fine Print to Watch
- Should You Buy the Rental Company’s CDW/LDW Anyway?
- How to File a Claim
- Final Word
- FAQs on Citi Credit Card Rental Car Insurance
Quick Answer
Yes—some Citi credit cards include rental car insurance, but it’s card-specific. When available, it typically helps pay for damage to or theft of the rental vehicle. It generally does not include liability insurance for injuries or damage you cause to other people or property.
How to Tell If Your Citi Card Includes Rental Car Insurance
Benefits change, and Citi offers many card versions. The only reliable way to confirm coverage is to check your current Guide to Benefits for your exact card:
- Find your card’s benefits guide: Look for “Guide to Benefits,” “Guide to Protection Benefits,” or “Worldwide Car Rental Insurance.” Citi often hosts these at its Card Benefits portal.
- Confirm the network and card tier: Visa vs. Mastercard benefits and rules can differ.
- Check three details: (1) whether coverage is primary or secondary, (2) the maximum rental length, and (3) excluded vehicle types/countries.
- Save a copy: Keep the PDF on your phone for the rental counter and for claims documentation.
Example of the kind of terms you may see in a Citi benefits guide: many Citi cards with this perk list a maximum benefit (commonly up to $50,000) and a maximum covered rental period (commonly up to 31 consecutive days), with coverage described as secondary in the United States. Always confirm your card’s exact limits and definitions in your guide.
Quick tip: If the rental agent says you “must” buy their damage waiver, ask for a written explanation and then call the benefits phone number listed in your Citi Guide to Benefits. Some rental desks misunderstand card coverage rules.
What Citi Rental Car Insurance Typically Covers
When your Citi card includes rental coverage and you meet eligibility requirements, it usually reimburses for physical damage or theft of the rental car (subject to exclusions, limits, and documentation rules). Some versions also include eligible towing, loss-of-use, and administrative fees—only if your guide lists them and required proof is provided.
| Usually Covered | Usually Not Covered | Where to Look for Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Damage to the rental vehicle from a covered collision | Liability for injuries or property damage you cause to others | Rental agency liability options, your personal auto policy, or a non-owner policy |
| Theft of the rental vehicle | Injuries to you or passengers (medical/PIP) | Your auto policy (if applicable), travel medical coverage, or health insurance |
| Eligible towing after a covered loss (if listed) | Personal items stolen from the vehicle | Homeowners/renters insurance (check off-premises limits and deductibles) |
| Eligible loss-of-use/fees (if listed and substantiated) | Wear and tear, mechanical breakdown, interior damage not tied to a covered event | Maintenance responsibility remains with the renter; review rental contract |
How to Activate Citi Rental Car Insurance
Most card benefits require a very specific setup. If you miss a step, the benefit can be denied.
- Pay for the rental with the eligible Citi card: Put the full rental charge on the card (or as your benefits guide allows).
- Decline the rental company’s damage waiver: You typically must decline the rental counter’s CDW/LDW (names vary by company) for card coverage to apply.
- Make the cardholder the primary renter: Ensure the cardholder is listed as the main driver/renter.
- Add authorized drivers correctly: Additional drivers should be listed on the rental agreement and must meet your benefits guide definitions.
- Stay within the rental-length cap: Many guides cap the maximum covered rental duration; extending a rental can create a gap.
Is Citi Rental Coverage Primary or Secondary?
It depends on the card and where you’re renting. Many Citi benefits guides describe the coverage as secondary within the United States (or within your country of residence), meaning your personal auto policy may pay first (if it applies) and the card benefit may reimburse eligible remaining costs such as deductibles. Learn the practical differences here: primary vs. secondary coverage.
Some benefits guides describe coverage that can function more like primary outside your country of residence or when you don’t have other applicable auto insurance. Because this is highly card- and location-dependent, confirm the exact wording in your Citi Guide to Benefits before relying on it.
Common Exclusions and Fine Print to Watch
Even when your card includes rental coverage, exclusions are where people get surprised. Common tripwires include:
- Excluded vehicle types: specialty/exotic cars, motorcycles, large vans, trucks, cargo vans, and off-road vehicles are commonly excluded.
- Prohibited use: violating the rental agreement, reckless driving, intoxication, or using the vehicle for certain commercial activities can void coverage.
- Rental duration limits: coverage is typically limited to a maximum number of consecutive days per rental agreement.
- Geographic restrictions: certain countries may be excluded depending on the benefit terms and network rules.
- Documentation requirements: missing paperwork (rental agreement, incident report, repair estimate, proof of payment) can lead to denial.
Quick tip: Take time-stamped photos/video at pickup and drop-off (all sides, roof, wheels, interior). It’s one of the easiest ways to prevent “damage discovered later” disputes.
Should You Buy the Rental Company’s CDW/LDW Anyway?
Sometimes, yes. The rental counter’s damage waiver can be the simplest option when you want minimal hassle or when your Citi card’s terms don’t fit your rental. Here’s a quick decision guide:
| Scenario | Card Coverage Might Be Enough If… | Consider Buying CDW/LDW If… |
|---|---|---|
| You have personal auto insurance | Your auto policy extends to rentals and your Citi benefit terms match the rental. | You want to avoid any claim activity, delays, or coverage disputes. |
| You don’t have personal auto insurance | Your Citi guide states the benefit can function as primary without other insurance. | Your guide requires other coverage, or you’re unsure how “primary” applies for your rental. |
| International rental | Your Citi guide confirms coverage applies in that country. | The country/agency is excluded or requires coverage you can’t prove at pickup. |
| Vehicle type is non-standard | The vehicle is clearly eligible under your guide. | You’re renting a vehicle type commonly excluded (large vans, trucks, specialty vehicles). |
Also remember: your personal auto policy may cover rentals in many situations, but not always. Review whether your auto insurance covers rental cars before you travel.
How to File a Claim
Claim steps vary by network (Visa/Mastercard) and by card program, but the general process is similar:
- Report the incident promptly: Contact the number listed in your Citi Guide to Benefits as soon as practical and ask for a claim reference number.
- Gather documents: rental agreement, proof you paid with the card, proof you declined the rental company’s damage waiver, photos, police/incident report (if any), and the rental company’s demand letter/estimate.
- Respond quickly to requests: benefits administrators often require specific forms or additional proof (like a final itemized bill or loss-of-use documentation).
- Coordinate with other insurance if required: if coverage is secondary, you may need documentation from your auto insurer showing what was paid or denied.
Final Word
Some Citi credit cards do come with rental car insurance, but it’s not universal—and details can differ significantly from one Citi card to another. Before you rent, verify your current Guide to Benefits, confirm whether coverage is primary or secondary, follow the activation steps exactly, and make sure you’re not missing liability coverage.
