Rental car accident - has anyone used their American Express card coverage for reimbursement?
Jun 1st, 2005, 08:29 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rental car accident - has anyone used their American Express card coverage for reimbursement?
I'm just back from my trip to Germany, Austria and a little Italy(trip report to follow later). I scratched up the rental car pretty well($1008 in damage)in Vienna. I declined the collision damage insurance and figured I would let my american express card travel insurance cover any damages(basic "free" coverage). Before I file my claim with AMEX - are there any tricks,tips, or surprises I should know about? Do they make you pay the $1008 right away and then reimburse you? Thanks..Whitey
Jun 1st, 2005, 08:49 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi whitey,
I am copying from my AMEX policy:
Cardmember must notify the Company within 48 hrs or as soon as reasonably possible....
A representative will answer any questions...send a claim form...
Required documentation....
itemized repair bill
police report (if applicable)
photos of the damaged vehicle
copies of claim documents and correspondence from the Rental Company
a copy of the rental agreement
Please note that AMEX is reimbursing you for what you have to pay out. As best I know, they do this by charging your AMEX card, putting the charge on hold and then crediting your account.
Hope it works out OK.
I am copying from my AMEX policy:
Cardmember must notify the Company within 48 hrs or as soon as reasonably possible....
A representative will answer any questions...send a claim form...
Required documentation....
itemized repair bill
police report (if applicable)
photos of the damaged vehicle
copies of claim documents and correspondence from the Rental Company
a copy of the rental agreement
Please note that AMEX is reimbursing you for what you have to pay out. As best I know, they do this by charging your AMEX card, putting the charge on hold and then crediting your account.
Hope it works out OK.
Jun 1st, 2005, 10:12 AM
#6
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Patrick went through this a while back (a year or more ago, now). I do remember he posted that it took a while to get all sorted out, however I don't remember if it was AMEX or some other card or what country it was in.
Try searching on his name.
Try searching on his name.
Jun 1st, 2005, 10:45 AM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chele - it was Citibank Visa, and he was in Wales. I searched on Patrick AND accident and got this one in addition to some others:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34535733
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34535733
Jun 1st, 2005, 02:30 PM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I jsut called AMEX to put in my claim. The people I spoke with were fantastic. I gave them some info and then they transferred me to the disputes department because they don't want me to pay the $1008 charge. They will handle all of the paperwork, and they'll let me know how everything is going in a few weeks. Wow, that was refreshing - especially after reading about Patrick's troubles. I will let everyone know how this eventually comes out - but for the moment I am relieved.
Jun 2nd, 2005, 06:44 AM
#12
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rookie ~ Yes! That was it! Thank you for the link. Perhaps those new to the board will be helped by the experience.
Whitey ~ good to hear the claim is progressing well. Do keep us updated. I'll be hoping all turns out great for you!
Whitey ~ good to hear the claim is progressing well. Do keep us updated. I'll be hoping all turns out great for you!
Jun 8th, 2005, 02:19 PM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just an update: according to American Express, my claim will be paid within the next few days, and I should be free and clear of any charges. If this indeed is the case, I definitely recommend to all Fodorites to use AMEX for their rental car transactions and decline the collision damage waiver. There are some limitations so check your particular AMEX card for details; for example: You can't initiate a rental in Italy, and expensive cars(over $50,000 US) and some full-size pickups and SUV's are excluded from coverage. Also the rental period is limited to 17 days I believe.
But if you're renting a regular car for 2 weeks or less and want to save a few bucks, using the AMEX card is the way to go.
But if you're renting a regular car for 2 weeks or less and want to save a few bucks, using the AMEX card is the way to go.
Jun 8th, 2005, 02:32 PM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mine does not have an annual fee(Golf Card). I specifically got this one to use for the rental car reservation - and I got bonus points to boot(I've earned enough for a $25 Sharper Image gift card)!
Jun 8th, 2005, 02:44 PM
#16
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whitey ~ That is fabulous! I'm glad everything appears to be working out for you. I signed up for the extra protection coverage, and was just reviewing the information this weekend. Not sure about basic, but with the program I have, AMEX covers for 42 consecutive rental days. They do not cover leased vehicles, however. Just some extra info people might be interested in.
TexasAggie ~ some AMEX cards do have a membership fee, others don't. It pays to shop around for what is best. Don't know why, but I've always felt better using my AMEX while traveling.
TexasAggie ~ some AMEX cards do have a membership fee, others don't. It pays to shop around for what is best. Don't know why, but I've always felt better using my AMEX while traveling.
Jun 8th, 2005, 02:45 PM
#17
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow. I was going to respond, but it seems all my answers have been well covered.
Yes, it was a bit of an ordeal with Citibank Visa, but they paid every penny in the end. Part of the complication was that we were still traveling in Europe for a couple months after the accident, and we TOTALLED the car, something Visa didn't seem to understand as they kept asking for the itemized repair bills -- there were none. We also had a problem getting the police report as Wales apparently has a law that says it can only be released to the insurance company -- not the person who had the wreck. Yet Visa claims they aren't really an "insurance" company and they had as hard a time getting it as we did. But sounds like that doesn't apply to your situation.
Yes, it was a bit of an ordeal with Citibank Visa, but they paid every penny in the end. Part of the complication was that we were still traveling in Europe for a couple months after the accident, and we TOTALLED the car, something Visa didn't seem to understand as they kept asking for the itemized repair bills -- there were none. We also had a problem getting the police report as Wales apparently has a law that says it can only be released to the insurance company -- not the person who had the wreck. Yet Visa claims they aren't really an "insurance" company and they had as hard a time getting it as we did. But sounds like that doesn't apply to your situation.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mick10
Europe
9
Aug 30th, 2013 10:27 AM
