Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, continued

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR AUTO RENTAL CDW 

You must make every effort that would be made by a reasonable and prudent person to protect the rental vehicle 
from theft or damage. This provision will not be unreasonably applied to avoid claims. 
If you make any claim knowing it to be false or fraudulent in any respect including, but not limited to, the cost 
of repair services, no coverage shall exist for such claim and your benefits may be canceled. Each cardholder 
agrees that representations regarding claims will be accurate and complete. Any and all relevant provisions shall 
be void in any case of fraud, intentional concealment, or misrepresentation of material fact. 
Once you report an occurrence, a claim file will be opened and shall remain open for six (6) months from the 
date of the incident/occurrence. No payment will be made on a claim that is not completely substantiated in the 
manner required by the Benefit Administrator within twelve (12) months of the date of the incident/occurrence. 
No legal action for a claim may be brought against the Provider until sixty (60) days after the Provider receives 
Proof of Loss. After the expiration of three (3) years from the time written Proof of Loss was to be provided, no 
action shall be brought to recover on this benefit. Further, no legal action may be brought against the Provider 
unless all the terms of this Guide to Benefit have been complied with fully. 
This benefit is provided to eligible Visa cardholders at no additional cost. The terms and conditions contained in 
this Guide to Benefit may be modified by subsequent endorsements. Modifications to the terms and conditions 
may be provided via additional Guide to Benefit mailings, statement inserts, or statement messages. The benefit 
described in this Guide to Benefit will not apply to Visa cardholders whose accounts have been suspended or 
canceled. 
Termination dates may vary by financial institution. Your financial institution can cancel or non-renew the benefit, 
and if they do, they will notify you at least thirty (30) days in advance. This information is a description of the 
benefit provided to you as a Visa cardholder.  Indemnity Insurance Company of North America (“Provider”) is the 
underwriter of this benefit and is solely responsible for its administration and claims. The Benefit Administrator 
provides services on behalf of the Provider.
FORM #VARCDW – 2013 (Stand 04/14) 

ARCDW-O

For more information about the benefit described  
in this guide, call the Benefit Administrator at  
1-800-348-8472, or call collect  
outside the U.S. at 804-673-1164.

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visa.com

© 2006–2013 Visa. All Rights Reserved.

YOUR GUIDE TO CARD BENEFIT

Auto Rental Collision 
Damage Waiver

Your Guide to Benefit 
describes the benefit in  
effect as of 4/1/14. 
Benefit information in this 
guide replaces any prior benefit 
information you may have 
received. Please read and retain 
for your records. Your eligibility 
is determined by your financial 
institution.

For more information  
about the benefit 
described in this guide, call 
the Benefit Administrator 
at 1-800-348-8472,  
or call collect outside the  
U.S. at 804-673-1164.

For questions about your account, balance, or rewards points please call the customer service number on 
your Visa card statement.

Benefit Information
What is the Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (“Auto Rental CDW”) benefit?

The Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (“Auto Rental CDW”) benefit offers insurance coverage for 
automobile rentals made with your Visa card. The benefit provides reimbursement (subject to the terms  
and conditions in this guide) for damage due to collision or theft up to the actual cash value of most  
rental vehicles.

Who is eligible for this benefit?

You are eligible only if you are a valid cardholder whose name is embossed on an eligible Visa card issued 
in the United States. Only you as the primary renter of the vehicle and any additional drivers permitted by 
the auto rental agreement are covered.

What losses are covered? 

The benefit provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle as it was originally 
manufactured. Most private passenger automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles are eligible, but 
some restrictions may apply. Please contact the Benefit Administrator to inquire about a specific vehicle. 
Covered losses include: 

  Physical damage and/or theft of the covered 

  Reasonable and customary towing charges, 

rental vehicle

  Valid loss-of-use charges imposed and 

substantiated by the auto rental company 

due to covered theft or damage, to the nearest 
qualified repair facility

Please Note: This benefit only covers vehicle rental periods that neither exceed nor are intended 
to exceed fifteen (15) consecutive days within your country of residence or thirty-one (31) 
consecutive days outside your country of residence. 

How does this coverage work with other insurance?

Within your country of residence, this benefit supplements, and applies excess of, any valid and collectible 
insurance or reimbursement from any source. This means that, subject to the terms and conditions of this 
benefit, Auto Rental CDW applies to eligible theft or damage or expenses that are not covered by insurance or 
reimbursement.
If you do not have personal automobile insurance or any other insurance covering this theft or damage, 
this benefit reimburses you for the covered theft or damage as well as valid administrative and loss-of-use 
charges imposed by the auto rental company and reasonable towing charges that occur while you are 
responsible for the rental vehicle.
If you do have personal automobile insurance or other insurance covering this theft or damage, the Auto 
Rental CDW benefit reimburses you for the deductible portion of your personal automobile insurance and any 
unreimbursed portion of valid administrative and loss-of-use charges imposed by the auto rental company, 
as well as reasonable towing charges resulting from covered theft or damage of the rental vehicle while it is 
your responsibility. 

What types of rental vehicles are not covered? 

The following vehicles are not covered by Auto Rental CDW: expensive, exotic, and antique automobiles; 
certain vans; vehicles that have an open cargo bed; trucks; motorcycles, mopeds, and motorbikes; 
limousines; and recreational vehicles. 

  Examples of excluded expensive or exotic 

automobiles include: the Aston Martin, Bentley, 
Bricklin, Daimler, DeLorean, Excalibur, Ferrari, 
Jensen, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, Porsche, 
and Rolls Royce. However, selected models of 
BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, and Lincoln  
are covered. 

  An antique automobile is defined as any vehicle 
over twenty (20) years old or any vehicle that has 
not been manufactured for ten (10) years or more. 

  Vans are not covered, with the exception of 

those manufactured and designed specifically 
as small group transportation vehicles (for a 
maximum of eight (8) people including the driver). 

Continued on page 2 

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, continued

For questions about a specific vehicle, call the Benefit Administrator at 1-800-348-8472.  
If you are outside the United States, call collect at 804-673-1164. 

What else is not covered? 

  Any obligation you assume under any agreement 
(other than the deductible under your personal 
auto policy)

  Theft or damage due to hostility of any kind 
(including, but not limited to, war, invasion, 
rebellion, insurrection, or terrorist activities)

  Any violation of the auto rental agreement or this 

benefit

  Confiscation by authorities
  Vehicles that do not meet the definition of  

  Injury of anyone or damage to anything inside or 

covered vehicles

outside the rental vehicle

  Loss or theft of personal belongings
  Personal liability
  Expenses assumed, waived, or paid by the auto 

rental company or its insurer

  Cost of any insurance or collision damage waiver 
offered by or purchased through the auto rental 
company

  Depreciation of the rental vehicle caused by  
the incident including, but not limited to 
“diminished value”

  Expenses reimbursable by your insurer, employer, 

or employer’s insurance

  Theft or damage due to intentional acts, or due to 
the driver(s) being under the influence of alcohol, 
intoxicants, or drugs, or due to contraband or 
illegal activities

  Wear and tear, gradual deterioration, or 

mechanical breakdown

  Items not installed by the original manufacturer
  Damage due to off-road operation of the  

rental vehicle

Where am I covered? 

  Rental periods that either exceed or are  

intended to exceed fifteen (15) consecutive  
days within your country of residence or  
thirty-one (31) consecutive days outside your 
country of residence
  Leases and mini leases
  Theft or damage as a result of the authorized 

driver’s and/or cardholder’s lack of reasonable 
care in protecting the rental vehicle before and/or 
after theft or damage occurs (for example, leaving 
the vehicle running and unattended)

  Theft or damage reported more than forty-five 

(45) days* from the date of the incident

  Theft or damage for which a claim form has not 
been received within ninety (90) days* from the 
date of the incident

  Theft or damage for which all required 

documentation has not been received within three 
hundred and sixty-five (365) days from the date of 
the incident

  Theft or damage from rental transactions that 
originated in Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of 
Ireland, or Northern Ireland

This benefit is available in the United States and most foreign countries. However, no benefit is provided 
for motor vehicles rented in Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland, or Northern Ireland. 
Additionally, this benefit is not available where precluded by law or in violation of the territory terms of the auto 
rental agreement or prohibited by individual merchants. Because regulations vary outside the United 
States, it is recommended you check with your auto rental company and the Benefit Administrator 
before you travel to make sure Auto Rental CDW will apply. 
This benefit is in effect while the rental vehicle remains in your control or in the control of an authorized  
driver permitted to operate the rental vehicle in accordance with the rental agreement between you and  
the auto rental company. This benefit terminates when the auto rental company re-assumes control of the 
rental vehicle. 

How do I make sure my Auto Rental CDW benefit is in effect?  

To be sure you are covered, take the following steps when you rent a vehicle:

1

Initiate and complete the entire rental 
transaction with your eligible Visa card.

2 Decline the auto rental company’s collision 

damage waiver (CDW/LDW) option or similar 
provision.

Helpful tips: 
  Be sure to check the rental vehicle for prior damage before leaving the rental lot. 
  Review the auto rental agreement carefully to make sure you are declining CDW/LDW and are 

familiar with the terms and conditions of the auto rental agreement. 

What if the auto rental company insists that I purchase the auto rental company’s auto insurance or 
collision damage waiver?  

Call the Benefit Administrator for help at 1-800-348-8472. If you are outside the United States,  
call collect at 804-673-1164.  

2

Continued on page 3 

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, continued
Filing an Auto Rental CDW Claim

What do I do if I have an accident or the rental vehicle is stolen?   

Immediately call the Benefit Administrator at 1-800-348-8472 to report the theft or damage  
regardless of whether your liability has been established. If you are outside the United States, call collect 
at 804-673-1164. The Benefit Administrator will answer any questions you or the auto rental company may 
have and will send you a claim form.  

When should I report an incident?    

You should report theft or damage as soon as possible, but no later than forty-five (45) days* 
from the date of the incident. The Benefit Administrator reserves the right to deny any claim that contains 
charges that would not have been included had the Benefit Administrator been notified before those 
expenses were incurred, so you are advised to notify the Benefit Administrator immediately after  
any incident.

Please Note: You must make every reasonable effort to protect the rental vehicle from theft  
or damage.  As the cardholder you are responsible for reporting your claim to the Benefit  
Administrator immediately. Reporting an incident to someone other than the Benefit Administrator 
will not fulfill this obligation.

What do I need from the auto rental company in order to file a claim?     

At the time of the theft or damage, or when you return the rental vehicle, immediately ask the auto rental 
company for: 

  A copy of the accident report form and claim 

  A copy of the repair estimate and itemized  

document, which should indicate the costs you 
are responsible for and any amounts that have 
been paid toward the claim

  A copy of the initial and final auto rental 

agreement(s)

repair bill

  Two (2) photographs of the damaged vehicle,  

if available

  A police report, if obtainable

How do I file a claim?      

Submit the documents gathered from the auto rental company (listed above) along with the following 
additional documents to the Benefit Administrator: 

  The completed and signed Auto Rental CDW claim 
form. Please Note: Your completed claim form 
must be postmarked within ninety (90) days* of 
the date of the theft or damage, even if all other 
required documentation is not yet available, or 
your claim may be denied 

  A copy of your receipt or monthly billing statement 
as proof that the entire vehicle rental was charged 
and paid for with your eligible Visa card

  A statement from your insurance carrier (and/or 
your employer or employer’s insurance carrier, 
if applicable) or other reimbursement showing 
the costs for which you are responsible and 

any amounts that have been paid toward the 
claim. Or, if you have no applicable insurance 
or reimbursement, a notarized statement of no 
insurance or reimbursement is required 
  A copy of your primary insurance policy's 

Declarations Page to confirm your deductible.  
“Declarations Page” means the document(s) in 
your insurance policy that lists names, coverages, 
limits, effective dates and deductibles.

  Any other documentation deemed necessary by 

the Benefit Administrator to substantiate  
the claim

Please Note: All remaining documents must be postmarked within three hundred and sixty-five (365) days  
of the date of theft or damage. If you have difficulty obtaining the required documents within ninety (90)  
days* of the date of theft or damage, submit the claim form with available documentation. 

For faster filing, or to learn more about Auto Rental CDW, visit www.visa.com/eclaims

Do I have to do anything else?     

Usually there is nothing else you need to do. Typically, claims will be finalized within fifteen (15) days after the 
Auto Rental CDW Benefit Administrator has received all documentation necessary to fully substantiate your 
claim. 
After the Benefit Administrator has paid your claim, all your rights and remedies against any party in respect 
of this theft or damage will be transferred to the Benefit Administrator to the extent of the cost of payment 
made to you. You must give the Benefit Administrator all assistance as may reasonably be required to secure 
all rights and remedies. 

* Not applicable to residents of certain states. 

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