How Does American Express Rental Car Insurance Work? Understanding Coverage and Benefits

American Express offers a valuable benefit for cardholders who frequently rent vehicles – Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance. This coverage provides peace of mind and financial protection in case of unexpected incidents during your rental period. Understanding how American Express rental car insurance works is essential to make the most of this benefit and ensure a smooth travel experience.

What is American Express Rental Car Insurance?

American Express Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance is a complimentary benefit that comes with many American Express cards. It provides coverage for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle when you pay for the entire rental with your eligible American Express card and decline the collision damage waiver offered by the rental company. This insurance acts as primary coverage, meaning you don’t need to file a claim with your personal auto insurance first.

The coverage includes reimbursement for damage to the rental vehicle, theft of the vehicle, and reasonable towing charges. It also offers some personal property and medical expense benefits for the cardholder and passengers.

Why Choose American Express for Rental Car Insurance?

There are several advantages to relying on American Express for your rental car insurance needs:

Cost savings – By declining the rental company’s collision damage waiver, which can cost $10-30 per day, you can save significant money on your car rentals.
Broad coverage – American Express insurance covers damage, theft, towing charges, and some personal property and medical expenses. Premium Car Rental Protection, available for an additional fee, offers even more comprehensive benefits.
Streamlined claims – If you need to file a claim, American Express provides clear instructions and support to guide you through the process, aiming to resolve claims within 45 days.
Global support – With worldwide coverage (albeit with some country exclusions), you can travel with confidence knowing you have insurance backing you in case of incidents.

Understanding Coverage Options

American Express Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance comes with a suite of coverages to protect you on the road:

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

The core of the American Express rental car insurance is the Collision Damage Waiver. By declining the rental company’s CDW and paying with your eligible American Express card, you receive primary coverage for damage to or theft of the rental vehicle. This means you don’t need to involve your personal auto insurance or pay out of pocket for covered damages.

Medical Expenses Coverage

If you or your passengers are injured in a covered accident while riding in the rental vehicle, American Express provides secondary coverage for medical expenses. This coverage kicks in after any personal medical insurance and provides up to $5,000 per person for necessary medical treatment.

Personal Property Coverage

American Express rental car insurance also offers limited personal property coverage. If your personal belongings are damaged or stolen while in the rental vehicle, you can be reimbursed up to $1,000 per person, with a maximum of $2,000 per rental period. Be aware there are exclusions for high-value items like jewelry, sporting equipment, and electronics.

Accidental Death or Dismemberment Benefits

In the unfortunate event of accidental death or dismemberment of the cardholder or passengers during a covered rental period, the insurance provides additional benefits. The cardholder is eligible for up to $200,000 in accidental death or dismemberment compensation, with lower limits for passengers.

Eligibility and Activation

Eligible Cards for Coverage

Most American Express consumer and business cards are eligible for Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, but it’s important to check your specific card’s benefits. Some popular eligible cards include:

The Platinum Card from American Express
American Express Gold Card
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
American Express Green Card
Business Platinum Card from American Express

How to Activate Coverage

Activating your American Express rental car insurance is straightforward:

Rent an eligible vehicle using your American Express card, ensuring the entire rental is charged to the card.
Decline the collision damage waiver offered by the rental company.
Ensure the cardholder is listed as the primary renter on the rental agreement.

Your coverage is now active for that rental period without any additional steps required. Be sure to save your rental agreement and credit card statement as proof of coverage if needed for a claim later.

Claim Process

Steps to File a Claim

If your rental vehicle is damaged or stolen during a covered rental period, follow these steps to initiate a claim:

Notify the rental company and obtain an accident report or police report if applicable.
Contact American Express as soon as possible to start the claim process. Call the number on the back of your card or visit the website for instructions.
Gather required documentation like the rental agreement, photos of the damage, repair estimates, and police reports.
Submit your claim form and supporting documents to American Express within 30 days of the incident. You can do this online, by fax, or by mail.
Cooperate with any follow up from the American Express claims team.

Most claims are resolved within 45 days of receiving complete documentation.

Required Documentation

To process your claim efficiently, American Express will require certain documents:

A completed and signed claim form
Your American Express card statement showing the rental charge
A copy of the rental agreement
Photos of the damage, if applicable
Repair estimates or bills
Police report or accident report, if applicable
Any other documents requested by the claims team

Submitting clear, comprehensive documentation from the start can help expedite your claim review and reimbursement.

Exclusions and Limitations

While American Express rental car insurance is quite broad, there are some important exclusions and limitations to be aware of.

Geographical Exclusions

Coverage is available in most countries worldwide, but there are a few notable exceptions. Rentals in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand are not covered. Some specific vehicle types may also be excluded in certain countries.

Always check the specific terms for your card before traveling to ensure your destination is included in the covered territory for the insurance.

Other Important Exclusions

In addition to the geographical restrictions, there are some general exclusions to American Express rental car coverage:

Certain vehicle types like full-sized vans, cargo vans, trucks, and exotic vehicles
Rentals exceeding 30 consecutive days
Violation of the rental agreement, including DUI
Reckless or illegal behavior
Tire damage not associated with other covered loss
Damage due to off-road operation
Theft due to cardholder neglect (i.e. leaving keys in car)
Property transported in the rental vehicle
Damage due to war or terrorism

Review the full terms and conditions for your specific card to understand all applicable limitations.

Additional Resources and Support

FAQs

American Express provides a comprehensive FAQ resource covering common questions about the Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance. You can find detailed information on topics like:

Specific vehicle and country exclusions
Insurance terms and definitions
Claim requirements and processes
Coverage for additional drivers
How American Express insurance compares to other options

The FAQ is a great first stop if you have questions about how your coverage works in different scenarios.

Customer Support

If you need personalized support, the American Express customer service team is available 24/7 to assist with questions about your rental car coverage and claims. You can reach them by:

Calling the number on the back of your eligible card
Logging in to your online account and using the chat feature
Tweeting to @AskAmex on Twitter

For claims specific questions, contact the claims hotline directly using the number in your benefits guide.

By understanding how your American Express rental car insurance works, from coverage options to claims processes, you can rent with confidence on your next trip. Make the most of this valuable cardholder perk to save money and stress less on the road.

See also:

Introduction to American Express Rental Car Insurance