Imagine: a coast-to-coast road trip after a long time, and suddenly a rock comes up and cracks the windshield of your rental car. That feeling when your heart drops. Does this mean the end of your holiday or a huge hole in your wallet? Most people rely on Amex car rental insurance. But is it really enough to protect you? Explore with us as we decipher the details of Amex hire car insurance, so you can hit the road without worrying.
Comprehending Amex Car Rental Insurance Protection
Most of the cards under American Express come along with a nice perk: they offer car rental insurance. This saves you quite a bit! But what is actually covered?
Consider Amex car rental insurance as type of “Collision Damage Waiver (CDW),” or “Loss Damage Waiver (LDW).” It’s designed to cover damage to the rental car itself, whereas liability insurance covers injuries and damage you cause to others.
Amex usually offers secondary coverage. What does that mean? It means that your own car insurance pays first, and then Amex pays for whatever remains. Some Amex cards may feature primary coverage, this is actually better, since Amex provides you initial cover and you never have to engage your own insurance.
Amex Car Rental Insurance: The Fine Print
Like any insurance, Amex car rental insurance has its limits. Check this out before hitting the road.
Amex has maximum coverage limits, but these tend to change. Refer to your card benefits guide for confirmation. There may be a deductible, too. The deductible is the amount you pay before Amex picks up the rest of the tab. Knowing this will make it easier to plan.
Eligible Amex Cards for Car Rental Insurance
Not all Amex cards can provide car rental insurance. The benefits differ.
Most handle the likes of Amex Platinum or Amex Gold, but always check. Some cards offer better benefits compared to others, while other cards would probably have lower limits.
Confirm by visiting the Amex website or call customer service. Search your card’s benefits guide for details on your rental car insurance.
Scenario Covered and Not Covered by Amex
Knowing what you are covered for and what not, may spare you from additional expense. What if you are in an accident? What if the car is stolen?
Typically, Amex has collided accidents or incidences covering losses from damage to the rental cars. Following their conditions, damage caused towards the rental would essentially be covered. Theft of the car will be covered by Amex subject to having filed a police report and having complied with all rental agreement terms.
Common Exclusions in Amex Car Rental Insurance
Amex car rental insurance does not cover everything. Certain situations leave you hanging.
Damage to the tires, windshield, and undercarriage of the vehicle may not be covered. Also, driving on uncobbled streets would most likely nullify the insurance. Additionally, extended rental periods may not be covered. Always read the fine print!
Activating and Making Use of the Amex Car Rental Insurance
Taking advantage of Amex car rental insurance entails a few steps. Doing it right is to ensure protection during a car rental.
Pre-enrollment may not be necessary; however, the whole rental payment should be charged to the Amex card. If that card is used for the payment, coverage is lost. That is an important detail.
Filing a Claim with Amex: The Stages
You must file a claim if anything happens. Knowing how makes it much easier.
To start with, you collect all the documents required for this process. These are the police report, if there was an accident, and the car rental agreement. You will also require repair estimates. The next step is getting in touch with Amex as soon as possible to start the claim process since it has a filing deadline.
Comparison Between Amex and Other Options of Car Rental Insurance
Amex is one option, but it is certainly not the only one. How does it stack up against the other options, though?
Rental companies have their own insurance. This means a lot of convenience for a customer. However, it is usually too expensive. You may find cheaper options with good coverage if you search with third parties.
Cost Benefit Analysis: Amex Enough for You?
It will depend on factors whether Amex is enough. One is the value of the car that is being rented. Then consider how comfortable one is with risk.
Precisely, when renting a car of high value, you should seek extra coverage just in case. If you’re a careful driver, Amex should work well for you. Travel habits of your own should guide.
Maximize Protection When Renting a Car
Amex can provide coverage, but you can take further steps to boost your protection.
Look to do an exhaustive inspection of the rental car with your eyes before leaving. Record every scratch or dent with a photograph. Consider buying supplemental liability insurance for extra peace of mind. Copies of all documentation and communications should be retained.
