You booked a rental car through Priceline and added their Rental Cover collision insurance at checkout. Now you've realized you don't need it — maybe your credit card already covers rental cars, or your personal auto insurance extends to rentals. The good news: you can get a full refund, even after you've already picked up the car. But the clock is ticking.
The Key Deadline
Priceline's Rental Cover can be cancelled for a full refund if you request the cancellation by 11:59 PM on the day you pick up the car.
After that deadline passes, no refund is available regardless of the reason.
Who Handles the Refund
This is where many people waste time. The refund must go through Priceline, not the rental car company:
| Entity | Can Process Rental Cover Refund? |
|---|---|
| Priceline customer service | Yes |
| Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, etc. | No |
| Rentalcover.com (the underwriter) | No — redirects to Priceline |
| Your credit card company | Only as a chargeback (last resort) |
The rental car company has no record of the insurance purchase and no ability to refund it. Calling them is a dead end.
Step-by-Step: Getting the Refund
Step 1: Find Your Booking Details
Open your Priceline confirmation email. You'll need:
- Priceline trip number / booking confirmation number
- The email address associated with your Priceline account
- The rental car pickup date
Step 2: Contact Priceline
Phone (fastest): Call 1-877-477-5807 (Priceline customer service) Online: Log into your Priceline account and navigate to your trip details
Step 3: Request the Cancellation
Tell the agent: "I'd like to cancel the Rental Cover insurance on my car rental booking. My confirmation number is [number]."
The agent will:
- Verify your identity and booking
- Confirm the Rental Cover charge amount
- Process the cancellation
- Provide a confirmation number for the refund
Step 4: Get Written Confirmation
Ask for an email confirmation of the cancellation and refund. This protects you if the refund doesn't appear on your statement.
Step 5: Check Your Statement
The refund typically appears within:
- 5-7 business days for credit card refunds
- 7-10 business days for debit card refunds
If it doesn't appear within 10 business days, call Priceline back with your cancellation confirmation number.
What Priceline Rental Cover Actually Covers
Before cancelling, make sure you have alternative coverage:
Rental Cover typically includes:
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) — covers damage to the rental vehicle
- Theft protection — covers the vehicle if it's stolen
- Coverage for the rental company's "loss of use" charges
It does NOT typically include:
- Liability insurance (injury to others)
- Personal effects coverage (your belongings in the car)
- Roadside assistance
Do You Actually Need It?
Check these sources before deciding:
Your Credit Card
Many credit cards include rental car CDW as a benefit. Check if your card:
- Covers the vehicle class you're renting (some exclude SUVs, luxury cars, or trucks)
- Requires you to decline the rental company's CDW (most do)
- Covers the country you're renting in
- Includes "loss of use" coverage (some don't)
Your Personal Auto Insurance
If you have comprehensive and collision coverage on your personal car, it usually extends to rental vehicles. Call your insurer to confirm:
- Does my policy cover rental cars?
- What's the deductible?
- Does it cover "loss of use" charges?
Your Travel Insurance
If you bought a travel insurance policy, check if it includes rental car coverage. Some comprehensive policies include CDW.
The Bottom Line
Priceline Rental Cover refunds are straightforward if you act on the same day you pick up the car. Call Priceline directly (not the rental car company), request the cancellation before 11:59 PM on the pickup date, and get written confirmation. The refund hits your account within 5 to 10 business days. If you'd rather not handle the phone call yourself, an AI agent like Pine can call Priceline and process the cancellation for you — in one real case, Pine secured a full $54 Rental Cover refund with a single phone call.
Sources
- Priceline Help Center: https://help.priceline.com/
- III (Insurance Information Institute): https://www.iii.org/
- CFPB Credit Card Rights: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/
What is the deadline to cancel Priceline Rental Cover for a refund?
You must request the cancellation by 11:59 PM on the day you pick up the rental car. After that deadline, no refund is available. The cancellation must be processed through Priceline customer service, not through the rental car company.
Do I call Priceline or the rental car company for a Rental Cover refund?
Call Priceline. The rental car company such as Hertz, Enterprise, or Avis has no record of the insurance purchase and cannot process a refund. Call Priceline customer service at 1-877-477-5807 with your booking confirmation number to request the cancellation.
How long does a Priceline Rental Cover refund take?
After the cancellation is processed, the refund typically appears on credit card statements within 5 to 7 business days. Debit card refunds may take 7 to 10 business days. If the refund doesn't appear within 10 business days, contact Priceline with your cancellation confirmation number.
