Does Bank of America Offer Rental Car Insurance?
Last Updated on January 7, 2026
Yes—many Bank of America credit cards include rental car coverage, but the details depend on your specific card and whether it’s a Visa or Mastercard. In most cases, this benefit works like a collision damage waiver that helps pay for damage to (or theft of) the rental car when you follow the card’s requirements.
This guide explains what Bank of America rental coverage typically includes, how it overlaps with your personal auto policy, and when it still makes sense to consider coverage at the rental counter.
Key Takeaways
- Yes, But It’s Card-Specific: Bank of America rental car coverage depends on your exact credit card and whether it’s a Visa or Mastercard benefit.
- It Usually Covers the Rental Car, Not Liability: Credit card rental benefits typically focus on damage/theft of the rental vehicle and usually do not include liability coverage.
- Counter Decisions Affect Coverage: Paying with the right card, declining CDW/LDW when required, and listing all drivers can determine whether the benefit applies.
- Compare Total Risk, Not Just Price: If you lack strong liability limits or have unclear coverage for fees like loss of use, rental counter options may be worth pricing out.
The Need for Rental Car Insurance
Whether you’re renting a car while yours is in the shop or renting during a trip, you’re usually responsible for the vehicle under the rental agreement. That’s why rental companies offer add-ons—some useful, some redundant. Before you buy anything, it helps to understand what rental car insurance from the rental company includes and which protections you may already have elsewhere.
The big categories to think about are (1) physical damage to the rental car, (2) liability for injuries and property damage, (3) medical coverage, and (4) protection for personal belongings.
Where You May Already Have Rental Coverage
Most drivers have potential rental protection from two places: their auto insurance policy and their credit card. Homeowners/renters insurance may also help with stolen personal items.
| Coverage Source | What It May Cover | Best Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Your auto insurance policy | Often extends your existing liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage to a rental car (subject to your policy terms and deductibles) | Review how auto insurance covers rental cars and confirm details with your insurer. |
| Your credit card | Often covers damage/theft to the rental vehicle if you pay with the card and meet the requirements; liability is usually not included | Use this overview of credit card rental car insurance to understand how card benefits generally work. |
| Homeowners or renters insurance | May cover personal belongings stolen from the vehicle (subject to limits, exclusions, and deductible) | If theft is a concern, review coverage for items stolen from inside a car. |
How Your Auto Policy Typically Applies to a Rental Car
If your personal policy includes comprehensive coverage and the right level of liability coverage, those protections often extend to a qualifying rental car. But you should verify the details because policies differ by insurer and state.
When you call your insurer, ask questions like these:
| Question to Ask | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Does my policy extend collision and comprehensive to a rental car? | Confirms whether rental vehicle damage is covered the same way as your own car. |
| Will the policy pay the rental company’s “loss of use” charges? | Some insurers don’t pay certain rental-company fees; understand what could be billed back to you. |
| What deductible applies to rental vehicle damage? | Your out-of-pocket cost is often your normal deductible—see how car insurance deductibles work. |
| Are all drivers on the rental agreement covered? | Unlisted drivers can create claim complications. |
| Is coverage enough if the rental car is totaled? | Helps you understand worst-case exposure—read what happens when a car is declared a total loss. |
| Do my liability limits feel adequate for this trip? | Liability is usually the biggest financial risk; use this guide on choosing auto insurance limits. |
| How are injuries handled under my policy? | Coverage varies (PIP, MedPay, health insurance coordination). Start with how car insurance can pay medical bills. |
If you plan to rent a specialty or high-value vehicle, confirm whether your policy has restrictions or requires you to pay the difference for an upgrade. (This can come up when someone wants to rent a premium sports car—see typical considerations around Corvette insurance costs for context on why higher-value vehicles can change the risk.)
What Bank of America Rental Car Insurance Typically Covers
Bank of America doesn’t “insure” the rental car directly. Instead, many Bank of America credit cards include a rental car benefit through the card network (Visa or Mastercard). In most cases, this is a collision damage waiver-style benefit that focuses on the rental vehicle itself—not liability for injuries or damage to other vehicles.
The exact terms depend on the specific card and network. To understand the typical structure of these benefits, see overviews of Visa rental car coverage and Mastercard rental car coverage.
Here’s what to confirm before you rely on your card benefit:
| Item to Verify | What “Yes” Usually Means | Common Pitfall |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | You reserve and pay for the entire rental with the eligible Bank of America card. | Split payments or certain third-party billing arrangements can void coverage. |
| Primary vs. secondary | If you have auto insurance, the card benefit is often secondary; if you don’t, it may act as primary for rental-vehicle damage. | Assuming the card replaces liability coverage—it usually doesn’t. |
| Declining the rental company’s CDW/LDW | You typically must decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver (sometimes called LDW) to use the card benefit. | Accepting the waiver may make the card benefit unavailable. |
| Covered vehicle types | Standard passenger vehicles are most commonly eligible. | Exclusions often include certain trucks (see pickup truck insurance context) and motorcycles (see motorcycle vs. car insurance). |
| Rental length and location | Coverage usually applies only up to a maximum rental period and may vary by country. | Long rentals or certain countries can be excluded—always check your card’s benefit guide. |
| Fees like “loss of use” | Some card benefits may pay certain documented rental-company charges. | Loss-of-use and administrative fees can be disputed—understand loss of use before you rely on the card benefit. |
Quick tip: Before your trip, pull up your card’s Guide to Benefits and save it. The claim deadlines and exclusions matter just as much as the coverage itself.
Renting a car with a Bank of America card?
Your card may help with rental car damage, but liability usually comes from your auto policy. Compare options in minutes—start with your ZIP code.
- See prices from multiple carriers
- Check if your current liability limits are enough
- Helpful before you decline the rental counter CDW/LDW
When to Use Bank of America Coverage vs. Rental Counter Coverage
Your best choice depends on what you already have and what risk you’re trying to avoid. In many cases, a personal auto policy covers liability and (if you carry comp/collision) rental vehicle damage—while the card benefit may help with certain costs tied to damage/theft of the rental car.
| Situation | Often a Good Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You have comp/collision on your personal auto policy and solid liability limits | Rely on your auto policy (and confirm whether the card benefit is secondary) | Your policy may provide the broadest protection, including liability, while the card benefit is usually focused on the rental car itself. |
| You don’t own a car and don’t have a personal auto policy | Credit card benefit + rental company liability option (often) | The card may help with rental car damage, but you may still need a liability solution. |
| You’re worried about being billed for “loss of use” or admin fees | Compare card terms vs. the rental waiver | Some benefits address certain fees; others don’t. Confirm what would be reimbursed. |
| Multiple drivers will rotate on a road trip | Whatever clearly covers all drivers on the contract | Unlisted drivers can create coverage problems—ensure every driver is authorized. |
| You’re renting for business use or work purposes | Confirm with both your insurer and card | Coverage can change for business use. If the rental is for work, review when commercial auto insurance is needed. |
| You want protection for personal items in the vehicle | Homeowners/renters (if you have it) or rental “personal effects” add-on | Auto policies and card benefits often don’t fully address personal property losses. |
How to Avoid Claim Problems With Credit Card Rental Coverage
Credit card rental coverage can work well, but it’s rule-driven. These steps help reduce the chance of a denial or delay:
- Pay with the eligible card: Reserve and pay for the entire rental with your Bank of America card that includes the benefit.
- Decline the rental company’s CDW/LDW if required: If the benefit requires a decline, accepting the waiver can void coverage.
- List all authorized drivers: Make sure every driver is on the rental agreement.
- Document the condition of the car: Take photos at pickup and return, and keep the final itemized bill.
- Follow the claim steps exactly: Claims often have strict notice and document deadlines listed in the benefit guide.
If you’re unsure what your Bank of America card includes, confirm coverage in your card’s benefit guide or call the number on the back of your card. That’s the most reliable way to verify whether coverage is primary or secondary, which vehicles are excluded, and how fees like loss of use are handled.
