Do Discover Credit Cards Come With Rental Car Insurance?
Last Updated on February 5, 2026
No—Discover credit cards do not come with rental car insurance today. Discover discontinued its auto rental insurance benefit on February 28, 2018, so Discover cardholders generally need to rely on their own auto policy, the rental company’s protection options, or a different credit card that still offers rental coverage.
Some credit cards still include rental coverage (usually a collision/loss damage waiver) when you pay for the rental with the card and follow the issuer’s rules. If you’re comparing cards, this guide on what credit cards cover when renting a car can help you understand what’s typical across issuers.
- Discover Doesn’t Cover Rentals: Discover discontinued its auto rental insurance benefit on February 28, 2018.
- Credit Card “Rental Insurance” Is Usually Damage Coverage: When offered, it typically helps with damage/theft to the rental car—not liability or injuries.
- Your Auto Policy May Still Help: Many drivers can rely on their personal auto insurance for rentals, but deductibles and coverage types still apply.
- Verify Before You Decline the Counter Waiver: If you plan to rely on a credit card or your own policy, confirm requirements, exclusions, and claim steps before you pick up the keys.
- Does Discover Offer Rental Car Insurance?
- What “Rental Car Insurance” Usually Covers (and What It Doesn’t)
- Coverage Options When You Rent a Car
- Should You Buy the Rental Company’s Collision Damage Waiver?
- How to Check If Another Credit Card Covers Your Rental
- What to Do If Your Rental Car Is Damaged or Stolen
- Bottom Line: Discover Cards Don’t Include Rental Car Insurance
- FAQs on Discover Credit Cards and Rental Car Insurance
Does Discover Offer Rental Car Insurance?
Discover previously offered “Auto Rental Insurance” as a cardmember benefit, but it was removed for all Discover cardholders effective February 28, 2018. Claims for incidents that happened on or before that date had a final filing deadline of May 29, 2018.
| Topic | What It Means for Discover Cardholders |
|---|---|
| Rental car insurance benefit | Discontinued as of February 28, 2018 |
| Claim filing window (historical) | Incidents on/before Feb 28, 2018 had to be filed by May 29, 2018 |
| Current takeaway | Plan to use your own auto policy, the rental company’s protection, or another card network/issuer |
Discover rental coverage can be helpful — but your best move depends on what you already have.
Use the buttons below to match your situation. Then enter your ZIP to compare auto policies and see if adding (or upgrading) coverage could save you money the next time you rent.
I have auto insurance
- Your personal policy may extend to rentals for liability and damage (depending on coverage).
- Credit card coverage (if available) often focuses on the rental car, not injuries or damage you cause.
- Compare deductibles and limits — a better policy can reduce what you’d pay out of pocket.
Compare car insurance rates near you
Enter your ZIP to see options that fit your situation.
No SSN required. Fast, free comparison — coverage rules vary by state and card benefits.
What “Rental Car Insurance” Usually Covers (and What It Doesn’t)
When people say “rental car insurance,” they’re usually talking about protection for damage to the rental vehicle (collision) and sometimes theft. Many credit cards and rental counters frame this as a rental car insurance option, but it’s often closer to a damage waiver than full auto insurance.
In many cases, these options do not cover:
- Liability for injuries or property damage you cause to others
- Medical payments for you or your passengers
- Personal belongings stolen from the vehicle
Coverage Options When You Rent a Car
Most renters can mix and match coverage sources. The right choice depends on what you already carry, the type of vehicle you’re renting, and how much risk you’re comfortable handling out of pocket.
| Option | What It Typically Helps With | Common “Gotchas” |
|---|---|---|
| Your personal auto policy | Often extends liability and physical damage coverage to a rental vehicle (subject to your policy terms) | Deductible applies; coverage type/limits vary by policy and state |
| Rental company damage waiver | Reduces or eliminates what you owe the rental company if the car is damaged or stolen | Can be expensive; still must follow rental agreement rules |
| Credit card rental coverage (when offered) | Usually covers damage/theft to the rental car if you pay with the card and follow requirements | Often excludes liability and injuries; excluded vehicles/locations are common |
| Standalone rental/travel policy | May provide damage coverage and/or supplemental liability depending on the policy | Must buy ahead of time; benefits vary widely by insurer |
If you’re wondering whether your existing car insurance carries over, start here: does my auto insurance policy cover rental cars? It’s a quick way to identify what you already have before paying for add-ons at the counter.
Should You Buy the Rental Company’s Collision Damage Waiver?
The biggest decision at the counter is usually whether to accept the rental company’s collision and loss damage waiver. This option is designed to limit what you owe the rental company if the car is damaged or stolen—often making the claim process simpler compared to using a personal policy.
It can be especially worth considering if:
- You don’t carry collision and comprehensive on your personal auto policy
- Your deductible is high and you’d rather avoid paying it
- You’re renting a vehicle type your insurer or card issuer might exclude (for example, certain luxury models, large vans, or specialty vehicles)
- You want to reduce the chance of a claim hitting your personal policy
Quick tip: Even when a credit card offers rental coverage, it typically applies to damage or theft of the rental car—not liability for injuries or property damage you cause. Make sure you have liability protection through your auto policy, the rental company, or a separate policy.
How to Check If Another Credit Card Covers Your Rental
Visa, Mastercard, and American Express issuers may offer rental car coverage on some cards, but the details depend on the specific card and the bank that issued it. These explainers can help you compare the big networks:
- Visa rental car insurance coverage
- Mastercard rental car coverage
- American Express rental car insurance
Before you rely on a card benefit, confirm these points in the card’s “Guide to Benefits” (or by calling the number on the back of your card):
- Is it primary or secondary coverage? Secondary coverage typically pays after your personal auto insurance, while primary coverage may allow you to avoid filing with your personal policy for damage to the rental vehicle.
- What rentals qualify? Many benefits require you to pay for the entire rental with the card and decline the rental company’s damage waiver. The named renter and driver also usually must match the rental agreement.
- What’s excluded? Common exclusions can include certain vehicle classes, long rental periods, off-road use, and some countries.
- What fees are covered? Some benefits include towing or certain administrative fees, while others do not.
What to Do If Your Rental Car Is Damaged or Stolen
If something happens, speed and documentation matter. Start with the rental company’s instructions and gather what insurers and card benefit administrators commonly request.
- Report the incident immediately to the rental company and follow their claims process.
- Get an incident report. Depending on the situation, you may need a police report (especially for theft, vandalism, or a serious crash).
- Document everything—photos, videos, the rental agreement, and any damage estimate. A simple checklist like this can help: how to document damage and gather evidence for a claim.
- Notify your insurer if you’re using your personal auto policy or if a card benefit requires proof of what your auto policy did (or didn’t) pay.
Bottom Line: Discover Cards Don’t Include Rental Car Insurance
Discover cardholders should not expect rental car insurance as a built-in credit card benefit. If you want coverage tied to your card, you’ll likely need a different issuer/card—or you can purchase protection through the rental company or a separate policy.
For current Discover cardmember benefits and support, review Discover’s benefits page at Discover Cardmember Benefits and confirm details with customer service at 1-800-347-2683 (or the number on the back of your card).
