Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi Rental Car Coverage: Up to $50,000 (actual cash value of the vehicle) Secondary CDW
Manually audited from official issuer benefit guides · Last verified Apr 2026 · Source: Official Guide to Protection Benefits (CostcoCon.ashx
Quick Answer
- secondary Collision Damage Waiver: Up to $50,000 (actual cash value of the vehicle)
- Maximum Rental Duration: 31 days
- Towing & Roadside Assistance: Included
The Costco Visa's rental car benefit has a split personality depending on where you travel. In the United States, it's secondary coverage — meaning your personal auto insurance handles the claim first, and Citi picks up what's left, up to $50,000. But outside the US, it effectively becomes primary, because your domestic auto policy typically doesn't apply internationally. That switch makes this card surprisingly strong for overseas rentals.
The critical requirement: you must decline the rental company's CDW/LDW insurance at the counter. If you accept any optional collision or damage waiver from the agency, your Citi benefit is voided. The coverage only protects the vehicle itself — collision and theft. It does not include liability for damage to other cars, people, or property.
In countries like Italy where some level of insurance is mandatory and built into the rental price, that won't void your card benefit — it's the optional add-ons you need to refuse. If you do have an incident, contact Citi Costco Card Services at 1-866-506-5222 as soon as possible; don't wait until you're home.
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How It Compares
| Feature | This Card |
|---|---|
| secondary Collision Damage Waiver | Up to $50,000 (actual cash value of the vehicle) |
| Maximum Rental Duration | 31 days |
| Towing & Roadside Assistance | Included |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi rental car coverage primary or secondary?
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi provides secondary rental car coverage. This means you must file with your personal auto insurance first, then submit remaining costs to your card issuer.
What's the coverage limit for Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi rental car damage?
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi covers rental car damage up to Up to $50,000 (actual cash value of the vehicle). This includes collision damage and theft. Decline the rental company's CDW/LDW to activate your card's coverage.
What vehicles are excluded from coverage?
Most cards exclude luxury vehicles (MSRP over $50K-$75K), trucks, motorcycles, RVs, and vehicles rented for more than 31 consecutive days. Coverage is typically limited to standard passenger cars and small SUVs.
Do I need to decline the rental company's insurance?
Yes. For your card's coverage to apply, you must decline the rental company's collision damage waiver (CDW/LDW). Accepting it deactivates your card's coverage.
EU Liability Inclusion: what does the law require?
In EU countries, third-party liability insurance is legally included in all rental prices. Do not buy extra liability coverage there. Focus on collision/CDW, excess amounts, and common exclusions (tires, glass, undercarriage).
Business Use Exclusion: what's excluded?
Business use, commercial purposes, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), and delivery services void all credit card rental coverage even on personal cards. Coverage applies only to personal leisure travel.
Italy CDW Mandate: what does the law require?
Italian law mandates basic CDW coverage that cannot be waived, with minimum deductibles €1,000-€1,500. Credit card CDW coverage generally excluded in Italy.
Does this depend on which of my other cards I'd actually use?
Yes — Critical gap: US auto policies exclude international liability coverage. Credit card rental coverage excludes liability. Separate international auto liability required. Norte's Assistant checks this against your actual wallet instead of one card in isolation.
Do I need to connect my bank account?
No. Norte analyzes coverage from our database of 200+ cards. Simply select your cards from our list — no account connections or personal financial data required.
How accurate is the coverage information?
Our database is built from official card benefit guides and policy documents. We verify coverage details regularly, but always confirm with your card issuer before making claims.
How long does the claims process typically take?
Most claims are processed within 30-45 days of submitting complete documentation. You'll typically receive initial acknowledgment within 5-7 business days.
See our complete guide to filing rental car claims for step-by-step help.
Related Guides
Source & Official Terms: View official benefit terms and conditions
Claims support: 1-866-506-5222 (Citi Costco Card Services), 1-312-356-7830 (international), Costco Concierge: 1-866-861-0450
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