Updated 11/02/2023
It’s not a secret that the journey involves dangerous situations that may arise along the way. All this can lead to certain consequences, including injuries to people, damage to cars and private property, as well as the loss of the vehicle as a result of theft. Of course, these aspects cause the material responsibility of the renter, but how to avoid it? AmEx rental car insurance might be your solution!
Table of contents:
- What an American Express car rental insurance is?
- AmEx car rental benefits with different card types
- Major features of American Express Premium car coverage
- American Express rental car insurance international getaways
- AmEx travel car insurance bonuses
What an American Express car rental insurance is?
Nowadays there’s an opportunity to buy insurance right at the car rental company’s office, as well as order it from third-party providers. However, there’s another way to get it completely free of charge – just check your credit card. If it has an American Express logo, then you are lucky! This provider cares about its customers, producing many benefits, such as AmEx car rental coverage.
Although the package features only LDW/CDW insurance, covering vehicle’s damage or theft, this is still good news, because you don’t pay for it. Most often, AmEx operates as a secondary option, but Premium package can be used as a primary option. Remember that it doesn’t include liability protection anyway.
Note: AE can’t be applied in such major destinations as Australia or New Zealand.
Consequently, you can’t use the insurance of a credit cards provider on the territories of these countries. In all other cases, you don’t need to buy the optional CDW/LDW – AmEx protection will be available to you. The main requirements for compliance with the terms are that the reservation and rental payment is performed with exactly this credit card.
In order to buy such coverage, it’s not necessary to take additional steps – if you’re AmEx cardholder, then you already have this insurance on your rental car.
AmEx car rental benefits with different card types
Multiple choices of electronic cards from the well-known American providers can confuse any traveler, as each of them offers something special in terms of car rental insurance.
Fortunately, we are pleased to announce that you automatically receive free American Express insurance when using any bank card, whether it’s a Gold, Blue or Platinum one. Some differences between the protection plans are shown in the table:
| Benefits | AmEx Gold | AmEx Blue | AmEx Platinum |
| Insurance cost | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Max rental period | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Max CDW Benefit | $50,000 | $50,000 | $75,000 |
| Max Medical Coverage | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Death Coverage (accidental) – Cardholder | $200,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| Death Coverage (accidental) – Passengers | $20,000 | $20,000 | $20,000 |
| Max Personal Property Coverage | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Geographical Limitations | Australia, Italy, New Zealand | ||
The Platinum Card from AE one of the main credit cards on the market today. It carries a steep annual fee. There are different types of AmEx Platinum rental car benefits you may want to take advantage of:
Before using AmEx as a car hire dealer, first, check the privacy policy and a list of vehicles that can’t be covered by it:
- Limousines;
- Off-road vehicles;
- Tuning cars;
- Luxury/Premium cars;
- Commercial mini-vans;
- Cargo and full-size vans;
- Antique/Exotic cars.
Basic CDW/LDW options provided by AmEx are secondary packages, and compensate only damages that are not covered by principal insurance. However, those who want to get an advanced car rental protection plan may request Premium insurance, which, in addition to the basic opportunities can operate as a primary option. It covers:
- Liability;
- Damage;
- Theft;
- Medical Expenses.
This means you won’t need to purchase any other insurance if you decide to use a Premium protection offer.
Major features of American Express Premium car rental insurance
Unlike conventional insurance, AmEx Premium car rental protection is available for extra money, but in turn, you get much more benefits that will make your trip better, and save you from headaches in the event of an insured accident.
| Features | |
| Price | $24.99/rental |
| Max coverage period | 42 days |
| Covers Exotic/Antique Cars | Yes |
| Primary Coverage | Yes |
| Max CDW Benefit | $100,000 |
| Max Medical Coverage | $15,000 |
| Accidental Death Insurance – Cardholder | $100,000 |
| Accidental Death Insurance – Passengers | $10,000 |
| Max Personal Property Coverage | $5,000 |
| Geographic Limitations | New Zealand, Australia |
American Express rental car insurance international getaways
Are you going to have a big car trip around Spain, Germany, or maybe you want to visit the beaches of Portugal?
AE does everything to be closer to its customers, providing coverage options in almost every corner of the world. Therefore, you can be calm when planning your upcoming trip.
Due to the nature of local insurance requirements, some countries like Italy forcibly incorporate CDW/LDW in each car rental deal because it is mandatory by law.
The fact is that in order to use protection from AmEx, you must refuse the car hire insurance. And, since this is not possible due to local restrictions, you actually don’t need insurance from a credit card supplier, because it won’t work there.
Also, a lot of drivers claim that AE can’t be among the most attractive insurance providers to use for car hire in Australia. The reason is that only premium cardholders can insure rental cars in such a way. But since the cost of such cards significantly exceeds the price of the rental, it’s absolutely inappropriate.
Until recently, the list of countries where it was impossible to request American Express Insurance included Ireland, Jamaica, and Israel. In these destinations, companies required to buy coverage on-site only. However, starting in 2017, this restriction was removed, and everyone who holds an AmEx can get their advantages in these countries again.
Thus, you see that wide international insurance capabilities of AE contribute to a safe car traveling, making an outstanding background for the development of the industry.
The secondary coverage – car rental loss and damage insurance included with lots of AmEx cards will cover you when an eligible rental auto is stolen or damaged. But you should know that since the insurance is secondary, you will have to file with your personal car insurance first unless you do not have it.
AmEx travel car insurance bonuses
The high cost of insurance at the car rentals offices made travelers look for alternatives. As a result, the increasing popularity of protection packages purchased from a credit card provider indicates that this is a very profitable offer.
Why is American Express Insurance a good choice?
- Attractive Price
If you use Amex as the major insurance plan, then you can cover your expenses for only $24.99 for the entire rental period, which is very cheap. For comparison, the full coverage will cost you an average of $26-32 per day. Agree, this is a very significant amount despite the fact that 1 day rental of an intermediate car is about $45 per day.
- Ease of use
You no longer need to waste time reading a contract at the rental desk, or look for a third-party insurance supplier – everything is already in your wallet! Your bank card is your protection package. Provide a document confirming that you already have the primary insurance, and all attempts to sell you insurance in the office will be in vain.
- Exotic and luxury cars coverage
The insurance for expensive cars can finally destroy your budget. But now this is not a problem! Price for Premium car rental protection (AmEx) is provided regardless of the market value of the car, which will allow you to save a good amount on your account.
Summing it up, the AmEx card can bring much more value than just keeping your money. Having the abilities of a traveler’s protector, it will come in handy when you rent a car.
Moreover, both from the financial and practical points of view, it’s not inferior in its capabilities to the options offered on the counter, and sometimes even surpasses them. So, remember this valuable information and maybe in the future, you will get even more pleasant bonuses from your electronic card supplier!