Amex Car Rental Insurance: Coverage and Benefits

If you’re an American Express cardholder, you might wonder, “Does my American Express cover car rental insurance?” An average American spends around $1,765 per year on car insurance, and Amex can help you make that number more bearable. In this article, we’ll view each benefit and reward of Amex Car Rental Protection to decide whether it's worth your while.

What Is Car Insurance Coverage?

Car insurance covers the costs in case of an accident, damage, or theft. Depending on the policy, it can help pay for repairs, medical expenses, and liability costs, saving you from unexpected expenses. The types of coverage include liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance.

There are two types of car rental insurance coverage: primary and secondary. Primary insurance covers costs first. If you had a car crash with a rented vehicle, you can use the primary coverage to cover the damages. If the costs exceed the required amount, you may opt for secondary coverage or pay the remainder yourself.

Secondary coverage will only compensate you once all additional insurance claims have been paid, including any personal insurance. Typically, Amex car insurance belongs to the category.

What Is Covered?

American Express provides rental car insurance not only for the cardholder but also for their spouses and authorized drivers. The coverage encompasses several key protection types, including:

Collision Damage Waiver

If you pay the full amount for your rental and reject the protection given by the rental agency, the CDW part of Amex car rental insurance policy can cover damaged or stolen rental automobiles. The CDW will also cover towing and the loss-of-use fee. However, it won’t pay for liability and medical expenses. Coverage is typically valid for rentals under 30 days, but it doesn’t include certain vehicle types, such as motorcycles, vans, and limousines.

Loss of Use

Will American Express provide rental car insurance if a rented car needs repair? Yes, loss of use coverage applies in this case. It compensates for alternative transportation while your car is being repaired. You may use a taxi or public transport or even rent another vehicle, and it will all be covered by insurance. Bear in mind that the coverage applies only if the policy covers the crash that caused damage to your vehicle.

Towing and Storage Fees

If a rented car is damaged in an accident or becomes inoperable, the vehicle will need to be taken to an auto repair shop. Does Amex offer rental car insurance that covers the cost of towing the vehicle? Luckily, yes. You may also be provided with reimbursement for vehicle storage during repairs, but limits on term and overall cost do apply. Additionally, don’t forget to check your insurance, as some policies may exclude certain fees or impose caps.

Accidental Injury Coverage

Does American Express offer rental car insurance in case of injuries resulting from car accidents? Yes, but not every Amex Card package includes this kind of coverage. Owners of Amex Centurion, Personal Platinum, and Business Platinum cards can claim up to $5,000 per person in case of a car crash and up to $300,000 for all benefits per car rental accident. This sum can be used to cover the cost of medical treatment and supplies within 90 days after the incident.

Accidental Death or Dismemberment Coverage

Does Amex cover rental car insurance in case of death? Yes, but this feature is only available to Platinum and Centurion cardholders. In the event of death in an accident, it is possible to claim up to $200,000 per Card Member, up to $20,000 per Passenger or Authorized Driver, within a $300,000 limit. If a person dies as a result of an accident, the benefit will be paid to the deceased’s estate.

Compensation for dismemberment depends on the situation. For example, if an injured person loses both hands or both feet, they will receive 100% compensation for medical treatment. However, if they become completely deaf after an accident, they’ll be compensated at only 50%.

What Is Not Covered?

Liability Insurance

Does American Express offer rental car insurance if you physically hurt someone while driving a leased car? No, and it certainly won’t relieve you of your responsibility, as liability insurance is not included. You’ll have to purchase this coverage type separately.

Liability coverage protects you if you’re held legally responsible for causing harm to a person or damaging their property. For example, if you hit someone with a rented car or damage a fence at a private house, liability insurance helps cover the costs of legal fees, medical bills, or repairs. It’s designed to prevent you from paying large sums out of pocket in such situations, providing financial protection and peace of mind.

Specific Types of Vehicles

Amex car rental insurance won’t cover any vehicle you can rent. The restriction applies to expensive rides, such as limousines or SUVs, as well as rides that are suitable for road trips, such as campers, trailers, mopeds, motorcycles, and RVs. Additionally, it doesn’t cover motorized and golf carts.

Country Restrictions

Does American Express cover rental cars outside the US? Yes, but there are some exceptions. You won’t be able to use this protection in New Zealand, Australia, Italy, or any other country under sanctions enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Acts of War

Amex doesn’t provide car rental insurance for damage from war, invasions, or military actions. This is standard in many insurance policies because war-related incidents are considered high-risk and unpredictable. If you rent a car with Amex, be aware that your insurance does not cover damage from these occurrences. You should get extra insurance if you need to visit a region at risk of war.

Long-Term Rentals

For how long does Amex provide rental car insurance? Well, the service excludes rentals that last more than 30 days. If you need a vehicle for a longer time, the coverage provided by an Amex Card may not apply. It’s important to check the specific terms of your card to confirm details and avoid coverage gaps.

How to Use the Coverage?

Use an Amex Card to Pay

Make sure you use an eligible Amex Card to pay for the entire car rental. Also, ensure the rental is in a covered country and that your rental period doesn’t exceed any restrictions, like the typical 30-day limit.

Decline the Rental Company’s Insurance

Decline to pay for the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) provided by the rental company, as the Amex coverage acts as a replacement. Otherwise, Amex insurance won’t be activated.

File a Claim

You can file a claim on Amex’s official website or call 800-338-1670. If you’re outside the US, call 303-273-6497. Note that you must report the accident as soon as possible and no later than 30 days after the loss.

After that, you’ll have 60 days to provide proof of loss. You’ll need to submit the documents listed below:

1. Repair bill.
2. Rental agreement copy.
3. Rental vehicle charge form сopy.
4. A copy of your insurance or a notarized document declaring that you do not have it.
5. Your driver’s license copy.
6. Police report (if available).

Amex will pay out your compensation within 30 days of receiving all the listed documents and processing your claim.

Premium Car Rental Protection

Does American Express have car rental insurance for expensive autos? Yes! Cardholders with Amex Premium Car Rental Insurance can receive coverage for theft or destruction for a wide range of leased vehicles, including elite automobiles, pick-up trucks, and SUVs.

The coverage is valid for up to 42 days in a row, except for people who live in Washington, who get it for 30 days.

Let's summarize the benefits of Amex Premium Car Rental Protection:

• Higher coverage limits: The insurance covers up to $100,000 for the loss or damage to the leased vehicle.
• Primary coverage: It acts as the primary insurance, meaning you won’t need to incorporate any additional auto insurance.
• No deductible: There’s no out-of-pocket deductible in case of a claim.
• Global coverage: Amex partnerships include most international rentals, covering theft, damage, and even certain medical expenses (except for New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Jamaica, Israel, and Ireland).
• Flat-rate fee: A fixed fee per rental period, regardless of how many days you rent.
• Protection for personal injury: It covers up to $15,000 in medical expenses for the driver and passengers.

The insurance is available for most Amex cardholders, except for those who own only corporate cards or those from third-party bank partners. To enroll in this protection, go to the official registration page and click on the “Enroll Now” button. After logging in, select the card you’d like to use for coverage, then choose the protection plan that best suits your needs. You don’t have to pay anything until you rent a car with an Amex card.