If you’re planning a road trip to Iceland and have a Chase Sapphire credit card, you may be wondering whether your card’s rental car insurance will cover you during your trip.
The good news is that Chase Sapphire car rental insurance can provide coverage in Iceland, depending on your card, the rental vehicle, and the terms of your benefits.
Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve offer Car Rental Coverage, which can help protect you against certain costs if your rental car is damaged or stolen.
However, there are a few important things to understand before declining your rental company’s insurance, including the Chase Sapphire car rental insurance letter that you may need to provide at the rental counter.
In this guide, we’ll explain how Chase Sapphire rental car insurance works in Iceland, what it covers, how to obtain your insurance confirmation letter, and what to know before renting a car with Thrifty Car Rental Iceland.
Does Chase Sapphire Car Rental Insurance Work in Iceland?
Yes. Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve provide rental car coverage internationally, including Iceland, subject to the conditions and exclusions in your card’s Guide to Benefits.
Both cards offer primary Car Rental Coverage for eligible rentals. This means the benefit generally applies before your personal auto insurance when a covered incident occurs.
However, the coverage is not the same as comprehensive car insurance. It primarily protects against eligible theft and damage to the rental vehicle, rather than every possible expense associated with an accident.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve Rental Car Insurance
| Feature | Sapphire Preferred | Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage in Iceland | Yes, subject to terms | Yes, subject to terms |
| Primary rental coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum coverage | Up to $60,000 | Up to $75,000 |
| Maximum rental period | 31 consecutive days | 31 consecutive days |
| Theft and collision damage | Covered, subject to exclusions | Covered, subject to exclusions |
| Third-party liability | Not covered | Not covered |
These limits are based on Chase’s published benefits information. Coverage and vehicle eligibility can vary, so always check your current Guide to Benefits before travelling.
How to Use Chase Sapphire Car Rental Insurance in Iceland
To qualify for Chase Sapphire rental car coverage, you generally need to meet several requirements.
- Pay with your Chase Sapphire card. Charge the full eligible rental transaction to your card or use qualifying Chase rewards.
- Be the primary renter. Your name must appear as the main renter on the rental agreement.
- Review the rental company’s CDW. Chase generally requires you to decline the rental company’s Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or similar protection.
- Follow the rental agreement. Only authorized drivers should operate the vehicle, and all rental restrictions must be followed.
- Check your coverage before travelling. Confirm that Iceland, your chosen vehicle, and your rental period are eligible.
Important for Thrifty Car Rental Iceland customers: Basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is already included in Thrifty’s online rental rates. Chase’s benefits guide contains a special provision for international rentals where the rental company does not allow customers to decline CDW. In those cases, Chase coverage may become secondary to the rental company’s protection.
Before relying on your Chase Sapphire card, contact the Chase benefits administrator to confirm how the included CDW at Thrifty Iceland affects your coverage.
Do I Need a Chase Sapphire Car Rental Insurance Letter for Iceland?
A Chase Sapphire car rental insurance letter, also called a Letter of Coverage or proof of rental car insurance, is a document confirming the insurance benefit associated with your credit card.
Some car rental companies or countries may request this document before allowing a customer to rely on credit card rental coverage.
Even when a letter is not specifically required, obtaining one before your trip can help you understand your coverage and avoid confusion at the rental counter.
How to Get a Chase Sapphire Rental Car Insurance Letter
You can request your insurance confirmation letter directly from Chase’s benefits administrator.
- Visit Chase Card Benefits.
- Find the option to request a Letter of Coverage.
- Follow the instructions to request proof of your Auto Rental Coverage.
- Confirm that the letter applies to rentals in Iceland and your specific card.
- Save a digital copy and consider bringing a printed copy to the rental counter.
Alternatively, you can call the benefits administrator using the telephone number in your card’s Guide to Benefits.
Chase confirms that proof-of-coverage letters can be requested through its benefits website or by telephone.
Tip: Request your Chase Sapphire insurance letter before leaving for Iceland, rather than waiting until you arrive at the airport. Remember that the letter confirms your card benefit; it does not automatically guarantee that every type of damage or rental vehicle is covered.
What Does Chase Sapphire Car Rental Insurance Cover in Iceland?
Chase Sapphire Auto Rental Coverage can reimburse eligible costs arising from theft or collision damage to your rental vehicle.
Depending on the terms of your card, eligible expenses may include:
- Damage to the rental vehicle caused by a covered collision
- Theft of the rental vehicle
- Reasonable towing expenses associated with covered damage
- Eligible administrative fees
- Valid loss-of-use charges imposed by the rental company
However, certain damages, vehicles, and driving activities may be excluded.
For example, Chase rental car insurance does not provide third-party liability coverage for injuries or damage caused to another person’s property.
What About Gravel, Sand, Ash, and Wind Damage in Iceland?
Iceland’s driving conditions are different from those in many other countries.
Even when travelling on regular roads, rental vehicles can be exposed to loose gravel, strong winds, blowing sand, and volcanic ash.
These conditions make it particularly important to understand the limitations of your Chase Sapphire car rental insurance.
Gravel damage in Iceland
Loose stones can damage windshields, headlights, and bodywork. Do not assume all gravel-related damage is covered by your Chase Sapphire card.
Sand and ash damage in Iceland
Windblown sand and volcanic ash can damage a vehicle’s paint and exterior. Confirm whether these specific types of damage qualify under your credit card coverage.
Highland and F-road driving in Iceland
Credit card coverage may exclude off-road driving and activities that violate the rental agreement. In Iceland, F-roads are designated mountain roads, but driving on them is subject to vehicle restrictions and rental conditions.
At Thrifty Car Rental Iceland, customers can choose additional protection packages covering specific risks such as gravel damage, windshield damage, and sand and ash damage. However, exclusions still apply, including undercarriage damage, river crossings, and off-road driving.
Learn more about Thrifty Iceland’s rental car protection packages.
Chase Sapphire Insurance vs. Thrifty Iceland Protection Packages
If you already have Chase Sapphire rental car insurance, you might wonder whether you need additional protection from Thrifty.
The answer depends on the coverage you want and how much financial responsibility you’re comfortable accepting.
Chase Sapphire coverage is generally a reimbursement benefit. If your rental car is damaged, you may need to pay the rental company first and then submit a claim to Chase.
Thrifty Iceland offers its own protection packages, including a MAX package that provides zero excess for damage covered by the package.
| Chase Sapphire coverage | Thrifty protection packages |
|---|---|
| Provided through your eligible credit card | Provided directly by Thrifty |
| Subject to Chase’s benefit terms | Subject to Thrifty’s rental terms |
| Claims handled by the benefits administrator | Covered damage handled through Thrifty |
| May require you to pay and seek reimbursement | Can reduce or eliminate excess for covered damage |
| Specific exclusions apply | Specific exclusions apply |
Thrifty’s MAX package does not cover every possible incident. River-crossing damage, undercarriage damage, and off-road driving damage remain excluded.
What Happens if You Damage Your Rental Car in Iceland?
If you’re relying on Chase Sapphire insurance and your rental vehicle is damaged, it’s important to follow both Thrifty’s rental procedures and Chase’s claim requirements.
Report the incident to Thrifty Car Rental Iceland as soon as possible, follow the applicable accident-reporting procedures, and document the damage with photographs.
Keep your rental agreement, damage report, repair invoices, and proof of payment. Chase may request these documents when reviewing your claim.
Remember that having Chase Sapphire rental car insurance does not automatically remove your financial responsibility to Thrifty Car Rental Iceland. Any reimbursement depends on Chase approving the claim under the terms of your card benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chase Sapphire Rental Car Insurance in Iceland
- Does Chase Sapphire Preferred cover rental cars in Iceland?
Yes. Chase Sapphire Preferred offers primary Auto Rental Coverage for eligible international rentals, including Iceland, subject to the card’s terms, vehicle restrictions, and exclusions.
- Does Chase Sapphire Reserve cover car rentals in Iceland?
Yes. Chase Sapphire Reserve offers primary rental car coverage for eligible theft and collision damage, up to $75,000 under the published benefits guide.
- Do I need a Chase Sapphire insurance letter to rent a car in Iceland?
Not every rental company requires one. However, we at Thrifty Car Rental do. It’s recommended to request a Letter of Coverage from Chase before your visit.
- How do I get proof of Chase Sapphire rental car insurance?
Visit chasecardbenefits.com or contact the benefits administrator listed in your Guide to Benefits to request an insurance confirmation letter.
- Does Chase Sapphire cover gravel damage in Iceland?
Coverage depends on how the damage occurred and the exclusions in your card’s policy. Confirm whether windshield chips, gravel damage, and other Iceland-specific risks are covered before relying on your card.
- Can I use Chase Sapphire insurance for a 4×4 rental in Iceland?
Potentially, yes. Eligible 4×4 rental vehicles may qualify, but certain vehicle categories and driving activities are excluded. Driving on restricted roads or violating the rental agreement may invalidate coverage.
- Is CDW included when renting with Thrifty Iceland?
Yes. Thrifty Iceland includes basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) in its online rental rates. Because Chase generally requires renters to decline CDW, you should confirm with Chase how its international mandatory-CDW provision applies to your booking.
- Can I use Chase Sapphire insurance instead of buying extra insurance in Iceland?
You may choose to rely on your eligible credit card benefit, but you should first confirm its coverage, exclusions, and compatibility with your rental agreement. Optional protection from Thrifty may cover risks that your credit card does not.
Conclusion: Should You Use Chase Sapphire Car Rental Insurance in Iceland?
Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve can be useful for travellers looking to reduce their car rental insurance costs in Iceland.
However, credit card insurance is not a guarantee against every type of damage. Before your trip, review your Chase benefits, request your insurance letter, and check how the coverage works alongside the CDW included in your rental.
At Thrifty Iceland, we offer affordable car rental options with transparent pricing and several protection packages to suit different travel plans.
Whether you decide to rely on your Chase Sapphire card or choose additional protection, understanding your coverage before collecting your vehicle will help you make an informed decision.
Explore our affordable rental cars in Iceland and find the right vehicle for your road trip.