Does Mastercard Come with Rental Car Coverage?
Last Updated on January 9, 2026
Many Mastercard credit cards include rental car insurance in the form of an Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver. If your card is eligible and you pay for the rental with that card, the benefit can help cover damage to or theft of the rental vehicle (subject to your card’s terms).
Not every Mastercard includes this benefit, and coverage details vary by card issuer and card tier. Also, Mastercard rental coverage typically does not include liability insurance (damage or injuries you cause to others), so it should not be treated as a complete substitute for auto insurance.
| Mastercard Rental Car Coverage | What To Know |
|---|---|
| What it usually covers | Damage to the rental car (collision/overturn), theft, and sometimes related costs like reasonable towing and eligible loss-of-use charges—up to your card’s stated limits. |
| What it usually does not cover | Liability (injury/property damage to others), medical payments, personal items inside the car, and many special vehicle types. |
| How you qualify | Rent in your name, pay with an eligible Mastercard, and decline the rental company’s CDW/LDW (and similar damage waivers), as required by your benefits guide. |
| Primary vs. secondary | Many cards provide secondary coverage, but some cards (or some situations) can operate as primary. Your Guide to Benefits controls. |
| Where to confirm details | Your issuer’s “Guide to Benefits” (or “Evidence of Coverage”) for your exact card. |
- Many Mastercard Credit Cards Include Rental Car Insurance
- How Mastercard Rental Car Insurance Works
- What Is Not Covered With Mastercard Rental Car Insurance?
- Mastercard Coverage Is Usually Secondary Auto Insurance
- Mastercard Coverage Limitations
- How to Use Mastercard Rental Car Insurance
- Who Is Covered by Mastercard Rental Car Insurance?
- How Long Does Mastercard’s Rental Car Coverage Last?
- Where Is Mastercard Rental Car Coverage Available?
- Other Common Reasons Claims Get Denied
- How to File a Mastercard Rental Car Insurance Claim
- Check Your Mastercard Documents to Verify Coverage
- Final Word on Mastercard Rental Coverage
- FAQs on Mastercard Rental Car Insurance
Many Mastercard Credit Cards Include Rental Car Insurance
If you have a Mastercard credit card, your card may include rental car coverage—but it depends on the card issuer and the specific product you carry. Look for wording like “Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver” or “MasterRental” in your card’s benefit guide.
In most cases, you only qualify when you:
- Rent the vehicle in your name and sign the rental agreement
- Pay for the rental with your eligible Mastercard (per the benefit terms)
- Decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver (CDW) / loss damage waiver (LDW) if your benefit requires it
Other card networks may offer similar benefits, but coverage levels and rules are not identical. For example, some readers compare their Mastercard benefits to Visa rental car insurance coverage when deciding whether to purchase the rental company’s protection.
How Mastercard Rental Car Insurance Works
If your Mastercard includes rental coverage, it generally works like this: you rent and pay using the eligible card, you follow the benefit’s requirements (including driver and waiver rules), and the benefit may reimburse the rental company’s covered damage/theft charges after a claim.
Common covered items (varies by card) can include:
- Physical damage to the rental car (collision/overturn, vandalism, certain weather-related damage)
- Theft of the rental car
- Reasonable towing to the nearest qualified repair facility
- Eligible loss of use charges (often only when the rental company provides specific supporting documentation)
Coverage is typically limited to the amount you are contractually responsible for under the rental agreement, up to the maximum benefit limit shown in your card’s documentation. Many benefits also exclude “diminished value” and certain administrative fees—so reading your guide matters.
What Is Not Covered With Mastercard Rental Car Insurance?
Mastercard rental car benefits are focused on the rental vehicle itself. Even when you have strong coverage for collision/theft, it’s common for these benefits to exclude liability coverage and many specialized vehicles.
| Common Exclusion | Examples |
|---|---|
| Liability coverage | Bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others (this is typically not included). |
| Personal property | Stolen/damaged items inside the vehicle (luggage, electronics), and often vehicle keys or portable GPS units. |
| Excluded vehicle types | Many benefits exclude or restrict pickups/trucks, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, certain large vans, trailers, limousines, and antique/exotic vehicles (definitions vary). |
| Maintenance-related issues | Mechanical breakdown and damage from normal maintenance issues, including wear and tear, are typically excluded. |
Mastercard Coverage Is Usually Secondary Auto Insurance
On many cards, Mastercard rental coverage is secondary, meaning it pays after other available coverage. In practice, that often means the claim process starts with one of the following, depending on what you have and what you accepted at the counter:
| Potential Primary Coverage | When It Applies |
|---|---|
| Your personal auto policy | If your policy extends to rentals, it’s often the first layer. (See whether your auto insurance covers rental cars.) |
| The rental company’s CDW/LDW | If you accepted the rental company’s damage waiver, it may handle vehicle damage (and your Mastercard benefit may be reduced or not apply). |
| Other applicable insurance | Some travel or specialty policies may apply depending on your situation. |
Some benefits can operate as primary in certain situations (for example, when you do not have any other applicable coverage, or when you are renting in a location where your personal policy does not apply). Because rules vary, the controlling document is always your card’s benefit guide.
Mastercard Coverage Limitations
Limitations vary by issuer and card tier, but most Mastercard rental benefits include restrictions around rental length, vehicle type/value, where you rent, and which drivers are covered.
| Limitation Type | What It Can Mean |
|---|---|
| Rental period cap | Many cards cap coverage to a set number of consecutive days (often a short-term rental). Longer rentals may be excluded unless you close and reopen the contract per the benefit rules. |
| Vehicle restrictions | Certain vehicles (like pickups, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, large vans, trailers, limos, antique/exotic cars) may be excluded, limited, or require special definitions to qualify. |
| Geographic restrictions | Some standard benefits exclude certain countries or regions, and coverage can be unavailable where prohibited by law. |
| Documentation requirements | Loss-of-use and some fees may require specific proof from the rental company (and strict claim deadlines often apply). |
| Authorized drivers only | Only the cardholder and drivers listed on the rental agreement are typically covered. |
Quick tip: Mastercard benefits usually don’t include liability coverage. If you don’t have your own auto policy (or you’re renting internationally), review the rental counter options and your existing coverage first. This guide can help you understand rental car insurance options so you don’t accidentally leave a liability gap.
How to Use Mastercard Rental Car Insurance
To use Mastercard rental car coverage, you generally need to set up the rental correctly and follow the claims process exactly as your benefit guide requires.
Before You Leave the Rental Counter
- Confirm your card includes rental coverage (check your Guide to Benefits or call the benefits administrator).
- Rent the car in your name and make sure all drivers are listed on the rental agreement.
- Pay for the rental with the eligible Mastercard as required by your guide.
- Decline the rental company’s CDW/LDW if your benefit requires it for coverage.
If an Accident or Theft Happens
- Prioritize safety, then notify the rental company as soon as possible.
- If required (or if theft/vandalism occurred), file a police report and keep a copy.
- Take photos and keep records. Use a consistent process to document damage and gather evidence (rental agreement, receipts, damage report, correspondence, and repair estimate).
- Start any required claims with your primary coverage first if your Mastercard benefit is secondary.
Who Is Covered by Mastercard Rental Car Insurance?
Coverage typically applies to the cardholder and any authorized drivers listed on the rental agreement. If someone drives the vehicle who is not listed (even a spouse or friend), that can be grounds for denial depending on the policy terms.
How Long Does Mastercard’s Rental Car Coverage Last?
Rental car coverage is commonly limited to short-term rentals and a set number of consecutive days. Some cards have longer limits than others. If you plan to rent for multiple weeks, confirm the maximum rental period in your Guide to Benefits before you book.
Where Is Mastercard Rental Car Coverage Available?
Many Mastercard rental benefits apply worldwide, but there are often exceptions. Some standard benefits exclude rentals in certain countries (commonly including Ireland and a few other locations), and coverage is generally unavailable where prohibited by law or restricted by local regulations.
If you’re renting internationally, verify the country restrictions and any special rules in your card’s Guide to Benefits before traveling.
Other Common Reasons Claims Get Denied
Even when your card includes rental coverage, claims can be denied if the rental wasn’t set up correctly or if the loss falls under an exclusion. Common issues include:
- Accepting the rental company’s CDW/LDW when the Mastercard benefit requires you to decline it
- Drivers not listed on the rental agreement
- Driving under the influence, reckless driving, racing, or intentional damage
- Using the vehicle for hire, delivery, or other excluded commercial use (depending on the card terms)
- Damage to personal items inside the vehicle, including keys and many removable electronics
How to File a Mastercard Rental Car Insurance Claim
Claims are handled through the benefits administrator listed in your card’s Guide to Benefits (the process is not the same for every issuer). Start the claim as soon as possible after the incident to avoid missing deadlines.
Expect to provide documentation such as:
- Your rental agreement (front and back) and the final rental receipt
- Your card statement showing the rental charge
- A police report (when required, such as for theft or certain accidents)
- An itemized repair estimate or bill and the rental company’s incident report
- Loss-of-use documentation from the rental company when you’re charged for it
Check Your Mastercard Documents to Verify Coverage
Mastercard rental car insurance is not one-size-fits-all. The only way to know exactly what you have is to review your card’s Guide to Benefits for details like:
- Whether coverage is primary or secondary
- Maximum rental period and any back-to-back rental rules
- Covered vehicle types and excluded vehicle classes
- Country restrictions and prohibited uses
- Claim deadlines and required documentation
If you can’t find the guide, contact your card issuer’s customer service and request the rental car benefits terms for your specific card.
Final Word on Mastercard Rental Coverage
Many Mastercard credit cards include rental car coverage that can help pay for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle when you rent correctly and follow the benefit rules. However, it usually doesn’t include liability coverage, and the details can vary widely from one card to another.
Before you rely on it, verify your benefits guide, confirm any country or vehicle restrictions, and make sure you understand what coverage you still need (especially liability).
