Data point: Chase Sapphire rental car damage coverage paid out in 7 days. Sixt still sent me to collections before their own due date.

Sharing this as a data point for anyone relying on Chase Sapphire's rental car damage coverage.

The benefit works. The process was smooth and fast. The problem was the rental company.

I rented a car from Sixt LAX. Upon return they flagged rim scratches — 1-2 mm wide, on the edge of the rim. The rep at the counter told me I was covered and didn't owe anything. Two weeks later I received a damage invoice for $710 with a due date of 3/24.

Here's how the Chase claim went:

– 3/10 — Received the Sixt invoice. Filed the Chase Sapphire claim within a few hours. Received confirmation it was submitted the same afternoon.

– 3/10 — Emailed Sixt's claims department letting them know the claim was filed and asking for a brief extension to accommodate processing time.

– 3/17 — Chase approved the claim and confirmed a check was sent to Sixt. Seven days from filing to payment. I emailed Sixt again with the approval letter attached.

– 3/23 — Sixt sent me to collections. One day before their own due date. Six days after I emailed them confirmation that payment was sent.

So the benefit did exactly what it's supposed to do — approved and paid within a week. But Sixt either didn't read their emails, didn't care, or has an automated collections process that ignores incoming communication. Either way, having the coverage didn't prevent the collections referral.

Separately, I also rented a second car from Sixt the same week. When I returned it they flagged damage including a spot on the hood they labeled "GRAFFITI" — it was tree sap I had photographed at pickup and uploaded to their app. If I hadn't taken 25 detailed photos, I'd have had no recourse on that one either.

Takeaways for this crowd:

– Chase Sapphire rental damage coverage works and pays fast. No complaints about the benefit itself.

– File immediately. I submitted within hours of the invoice and it still barely beat Sixt's collections timeline.

– Email the rental company the same day you file, and again when payment is confirmed. Keep everything in writing. I did both and it's the only reason I have a paper trail.

– Take photos of every inch of the car at pickup. Every rim, every panel, the hood, the roof. Upload to the rental company's app AND keep copies on your phone.

– Even if you do everything right, the rental company can still send you to collections. The credit card benefit covers the cost — it doesn't prevent the hassle.