Credit cards often come with perks, and for travelers, car rental insurance is a valuable one. Many cards provide coverage when you use them to pay for your rental, protecting you against vehicle damage, theft, or accidents. While some premium travel rewards credit cards offer primary coverage, meaning they pay out first before any other insurance, secondary coverage is more typical. American Express stands out by offering an optional upgrade: the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection program.
While standard American Express credit cards usually provide secondary car rental insurance, they give cardholders the option to purchase American Express Premium Car Rental Protection. This add-on offers primary coverage for a nominal fee when you rent a car with your eligible Amex card. Let’s delve into this optional coverage to help you decide if enrolling in the American Express Premium Car Rental Insurance Program is the right move for your next car rental.
Understanding Car Rental Coverage Provided by American Express Cards
Most American Express cards offer secondary car rental loss and damage insurance. This means you’re covered if your rental car is damaged or stolen when you pay with your Amex card. However, the “secondary” aspect is crucial. Should an incident occur, you must first file a claim with your primary insurance provider, such as your personal auto insurance or travel insurance, before Amex steps in.
This secondary coverage can present a few drawbacks. Filing a claim with your primary insurer could potentially increase your premiums down the line. Furthermore, if your primary policy has a high deductible, you might have to pay a significant amount out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in. This is why securing primary rental car insurance is often a more desirable option.
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It’s also important to be aware of vehicle exclusions under standard Amex secondary coverage. Certain types of vehicles are not covered, including:
- Cargo vans
- Custom vans
- Vans with seating for more than eight passengers
- Cube vans
- Box trucks
- Trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more
- Antique cars
- Limousines
- Off-road vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Mopeds
- Recreational vehicles
- Motorized carts
- Campers
Additionally, rentals in Australia, Italy, New Zealand, and countries sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control are also excluded.
To check the specific secondary car rental coverage offered by your American Express card, you can visit the Amex website, which provides policy details for all eligible cards. Coverage levels can vary between cards, so reviewing your card’s policy is recommended.
Related Reading: The 10 Cards We Think Amex May Refresh This Year — Here’s What to Expect
Delving into American Express Premium Car Rental Protection
American Express Premium Car Rental Protection is the upgrade that provides primary insurance coverage. This means that if your rental car is damaged or stolen, this coverage pays out first, regardless of any other insurance you may have. It covers a broad spectrum of rental vehicles, including luxury cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs.
This program offers coverage for rentals up to 42 consecutive days and is valid in most countries globally, with a few exceptions. Crucially, most American Express cards, even those without automatic secondary rental car coverage, allow you to enroll in this American Express Premium Car Rental Insurance Program for a flat fee per rental period.
Alt Text: American Express logo, a globally recognized financial services company offering premium car rental protection.
Remember that while American Express Premium Car Rental Protection offers a significant upgrade, the standard secondary car rental policies differ among American Express cards. Always confirm the details specific to your card.
Exclusions Under Premium Car Rental Protection
Even with Premium Car Rental Protection, certain limitations apply. Rentals exceeding 42 consecutive days (or 30 days for Washington state residents) are not covered, and neither are the following vehicle types:
- Trucks (excluding pickup trucks)
- Cube vans or box trucks
- Leased or mini-leased vehicles
- Vehicles customized or modified after manufacturing (except for driver’s assistance equipment for drivers with disabilities)
- Vehicles used for hire or commercial purposes
- Antique cars (over 20 years old or not manufactured in the last 10 years)
- Limousines, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, motorbikes, mopeds, recreational vehicles, motorized carts (including golf carts), moving trucks or vans, campers, or trailers.
Alt Text: Close-up of damaged car tires, highlighting a potential exclusion in car rental insurance coverage.
Furthermore, American Express Premium Car Rental Insurance Program does not cover:
- Costs covered by the rental company’s normal business practices or waived/paid by them or their insurer.
- Pre-existing damage to the rental car.
- Tire damage, unless related to a covered accident or theft of the entire vehicle.
- Manufacturing defects.
- Diminished value (unless legally required).
- Depreciation (unless legally required).
- Wear and tear.
- Property other than the rental car and personal property within.
- Lost items.
- Animals, furniture, art, money, securities, tickets, or documents.
- Items left in the car after returning it.
- Injuries, except for accidental injury/death benefits outlined in the policy.
- Pre-existing medical conditions contributing to injury.
Coverage can also be denied if the loss was caused by:
- Violating the rental agreement.
- Intentional damage by the covered person.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol (above legal limit) or non-prescribed drugs.
- War or acts of war.
- Hazardous material exposure (biological, chemical, nuclear, radioactive).
- Governmental confiscation.
- Freezing or mechanical/electrical failure (unless resulting from theft).
- Leaving the car unlocked or with windows open.
- Pushing or towing anything.
- Committing a criminal act.
- Participating in riots or civil unrest.
- Suicide or self-inflicted injury.
- Failure to return all keys.
- Using the rental car outside authorized territory.
- Racing or team sports with the rental car.
- Using the rental car for hire (passengers or property).
- Off-road operation.
- Pre-existing diseases or illnesses.
Eligibility for Premium Car Rental Protection
Most American Express cards are eligible for enrollment in the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection program. However, corporate cards (distinct from business credit cards) and cards issued by third-party bank partners of American Express are generally not eligible.
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Eligibility can also depend on your state of residence and the enrollment status of other Amex card accounts you may have previously opened.
Enrolling in Premium Car Rental Protection
Enrolling in American Express Premium Car Rental Protection is straightforward. Visit the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection page and click “Enroll Now.” You’ll need to log in to your American Express account, select the card you want to enroll, choose your desired plan, and review the program’s terms and conditions.
Alt Text: Screenshot of the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection enrollment page, showing the “Enroll Now” button.
Primary cardholders can enroll online. For authorized user cards, you’ll need to call 1-800-228-6855 to enroll.
You won’t be charged until you use your enrolled card for a car rental. The premium will then be automatically charged to your account. Your enrollment remains active until you explicitly cancel it. To cancel, call 1-800-228-6855 or the number on the back of your card before your next rental if you don’t need coverage. Otherwise, you’ll continue to be charged for each rental made with the enrolled card.
Reasons to Consider Premium Car Rental Protection
While it’s often preferable to use a credit card that automatically offers primary car rental protection, American Express Premium Car Rental Insurance Program presents compelling reasons to consider enrolling:
Alt Text: Car driving on a highway during a road trip, representing the peace of mind offered by car rental insurance.
- No Primary Coverage Cards: If you don’t have a credit card that offers primary car rental loss/damage insurance.
- Specific Vehicle Types: If you’re renting vehicle types excluded from many primary coverage policies, like pickup trucks, cargo vans, passenger vans, or SUVs.
- Longer Rentals: If you need rental coverage for up to 42 days, exceeding the limits of some primary coverage cards.
- Medical and Property Loss Benefits: The program includes secondary medical expense and personal property loss benefits, which are not standard in many credit card rental insurance offerings.
- Amex Ecosystem Preference: If you prefer using your American Express card for points earning, Amex Offers, or because of reported smoother claims processes compared to other issuers’ benefits administrators.
Related Reading: Hitting the Road This Summer? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Rental Car Elite Status
Filing a Claim with Amex Premium Car Rental Protection
In the unfortunate event of an incident, here’s how to file a claim with American Express Premium Car Rental Protection:
Alt Text: Scene of a minor car accident, emphasizing the importance of reporting rental car incidents quickly.
- Report to Law Enforcement: Immediately report any damage, theft, vandalism, or accidents to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
- Notify Rental Agency: Inform the rental agency about the incident, that you’ve notified the authorities, and that you’ll be filing a claim with American Express.
- Contact American Express: Call the number on the back of your enrolled Amex card to report the incident and initiate the claims process.
You may receive a claim form to complete. Return this form and all requested documentation to the Premium Car Rental Protection Claims Unit within 60 days of the incident. Failure to submit documentation within 60 days may result in claim denial, except in situations beyond your control.
Required documentation may include:
- Itemized repair or replacement bill.
- Law enforcement report (e.g., police report).
- Photos of vehicle damage.
- Claim documents and correspondence from the rental company.
- Rental agreement copy.
- Death certificate and/or medical bills/records (if applicable).
- Signed medical records authorization (if applicable).
- Completed claim form.
- Rental company documentation confirming responsibility for damages.
- Receipts/proof of ownership for stolen/damaged items.
Approved claims are payable to the cardmember or rental agency, depending on circumstances and coverage.
Is American Express Premium Car Rental Protection a Worthwhile Investment?
American Express Premium Car Rental Protection provides a valuable insurance option for cardmembers renting vehicles. While competitors like Chase offer primary car rental insurance automatically with certain cards, it’s worth noting reports of claim issues with the third-party insurer used by Chase and some others, like Capital One.
If you don’t already carry a card with primary auto rental coverage, the American Express Premium Car Rental Insurance Program is a strong contender for a reasonable fee. It’s particularly beneficial for longer rentals or when renting vehicle types often excluded from standard policies, like pickup trucks, vans, or SUVs.
Bottom Line: Peace of Mind with Amex Premium Car Rental Protection
For frequent travelers, having car rental insurance through a credit card is a significant advantage. While most credit cards offer secondary coverage, American Express Premium Car Rental Protection offers primary coverage for eligible cardholders, providing extra peace of mind. If you hold an eligible Amex card, this program is worth considering for your next car rental, especially when primary coverage and broader vehicle coverage are desired.
Related Reading: Car Rental Insurance: What You Need to Know
