Has anyone actually had a claim with the Am Ex rental car insurance?
Feb 16th, 2010, 07:39 AM
#1
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Has anyone actually had a claim with the Am Ex rental car insurance?
I'd like to hear from anyone who actually filed a claim. Did you forego the insurance offered by the rental car company in Mexico and insure using just your Am Ex coverage? How did it go when you filed a claim? Any hassles?
My only concern is that the Am Ex policy doesn't seem to offer any liability coverage. Although the lilability coverage offered by the car rental company is only $200 and the cost is $10 per day on the car. That adds a lot to our 30 day rental and hardly seems whorlwhile.
My AmEX "Premium" coverage policy states:
<u>Key Features</u>
Coverage is primary. You won't have to file a claim with your personal insurance company and risk having your premiums increase.
There are no deductibles.
<u>Coverage (for you and your passengers)</u>
Up to $100,000 of primary coverage for damage or theft of a Rental Car. (certainly enough to cover the little old VW sedan that we rent)
Up to $100,000 of Accidental Death or Dismemberment coverage.
Up to $15,000 for excess medical expenses.
<u>Protection</u>
Coverage is worldwide, except for vehicles rented in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and New Zealand.
Coverage is for up to 42 consecutive days (up to 30 consecutive days for Washington State Cardmembers) and automatically extends to your other noncorporate American Express® Card accounts.
Covers most vehicles typically available from a Rental Company.
My only concern is that the Am Ex policy doesn't seem to offer any liability coverage. Although the lilability coverage offered by the car rental company is only $200 and the cost is $10 per day on the car. That adds a lot to our 30 day rental and hardly seems whorlwhile.
My AmEX "Premium" coverage policy states:
<u>Key Features</u>
Coverage is primary. You won't have to file a claim with your personal insurance company and risk having your premiums increase.
There are no deductibles.
<u>Coverage (for you and your passengers)</u>
Up to $100,000 of primary coverage for damage or theft of a Rental Car. (certainly enough to cover the little old VW sedan that we rent)
Up to $100,000 of Accidental Death or Dismemberment coverage.
Up to $15,000 for excess medical expenses.
<u>Protection</u>
Coverage is worldwide, except for vehicles rented in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and New Zealand.
Coverage is for up to 42 consecutive days (up to 30 consecutive days for Washington State Cardmembers) and automatically extends to your other noncorporate American Express® Card accounts.
Covers most vehicles typically available from a Rental Company.
Feb 16th, 2010, 11:18 AM
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My rental car was hit while parked in LA (pretty minor damage & I did not see the event). When I returned the car I notified Amex and they walked me through the process. Amex paid the claim and it couldn't have gone any smoother.
Feb 16th, 2010, 06:20 PM
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Last time that we rented in Mexico from National, we also had the "premium" coverage.
It was supposed to be primary, but the rental agency did not care. In fact, they made us sign a separate statement that I understood that my insurance was primary, not AMEX.
That being said, we generally take the insurance in Mexico and Central America. It's just not worth the the hassle and we've repeatedly found that when checking the car back in, noted "new" damage mysteriously becomes a non-issue when we remind them that we took their insurance.
Yes, it increases the cost of the insurance, but it is peace of mind. If, God forbid, you are in an accident, even if you are not liable, you may not be permitted to leave the country unless you can show financial responsibility for the full value of the accident. If this is a serious accident or a fatality is involved and you do not have Mexican insurance, you can be detained until you can show financial responsibility for the accident.
It's just not worth risking it. For a week it might run an extra $200, but it's completely worth the zero deductible and liability coverage for some peace of mind.
It was supposed to be primary, but the rental agency did not care. In fact, they made us sign a separate statement that I understood that my insurance was primary, not AMEX.
That being said, we generally take the insurance in Mexico and Central America. It's just not worth the the hassle and we've repeatedly found that when checking the car back in, noted "new" damage mysteriously becomes a non-issue when we remind them that we took their insurance.
Yes, it increases the cost of the insurance, but it is peace of mind. If, God forbid, you are in an accident, even if you are not liable, you may not be permitted to leave the country unless you can show financial responsibility for the full value of the accident. If this is a serious accident or a fatality is involved and you do not have Mexican insurance, you can be detained until you can show financial responsibility for the accident.
It's just not worth risking it. For a week it might run an extra $200, but it's completely worth the zero deductible and liability coverage for some peace of mind.
Feb 16th, 2010, 07:40 PM
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Thanks all. I've had a reply from the US Consulate in Cozumel, Mexico. She says, "according to Federal Mexican law all rental companies are obligated to carry 3rd party insurance - liability. (Official form NOM-124-SCFI-1998) It must be included in the rate for the rental. Many car rental companies deny this is the case in order to sell insurance. I have also had a reply from the claims department of AmEx and they assure me that the policy is good in Mexico.
Since the cars we rent are only worth about $500 total, and the cost of the insurance for the 30 days that we rent would more than double the cost, I guess I'll continue to turn down the insurance. It really does seem that we are adaquetely covered.
Mom23: I think that "primary" insurance coverage only means that AmEx pays first. If the policy is not primary, one would file a claim with their own home auto insurer and then AmEx would pick up the difference. With AmEx as your primary insurer, they pay for it all. This is most likely why the rental company didn't care and wanted proof of insurance for the waiver.
Since the cars we rent are only worth about $500 total, and the cost of the insurance for the 30 days that we rent would more than double the cost, I guess I'll continue to turn down the insurance. It really does seem that we are adaquetely covered.
Mom23: I think that "primary" insurance coverage only means that AmEx pays first. If the policy is not primary, one would file a claim with their own home auto insurer and then AmEx would pick up the difference. With AmEx as your primary insurer, they pay for it all. This is most likely why the rental company didn't care and wanted proof of insurance for the waiver.
Feb 17th, 2010, 05:03 AM
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TC,
I've worked for the insurance industry for 20+ years. While the rental car company is required to carry liability insurance, that does not mean that they won't pursue you for your negligence in the operation of their vehicle. That also does not mean that you won't be detained if you are involved in a serious accident. Liability insurance held by a rental car company likely has a very large deductible (or SIR) for which you would be personally responsible.
If you're referring to the value of the vehicle, you are only considering the 1st party comp or collision coverage. I'm talking about 3rd party liability coverage. If there is a $10,000 SIR (which would be the minimum on a BAP) on that liability coverage, can you personally post that bond so that you can exit the country?
If you can afford to travel for extended periods, and it's only a few hundred dollars to protect yourself, why wouldn't you? However, it sounds like you've already made your decision.
I've worked for the insurance industry for 20+ years. While the rental car company is required to carry liability insurance, that does not mean that they won't pursue you for your negligence in the operation of their vehicle. That also does not mean that you won't be detained if you are involved in a serious accident. Liability insurance held by a rental car company likely has a very large deductible (or SIR) for which you would be personally responsible.
If you're referring to the value of the vehicle, you are only considering the 1st party comp or collision coverage. I'm talking about 3rd party liability coverage. If there is a $10,000 SIR (which would be the minimum on a BAP) on that liability coverage, can you personally post that bond so that you can exit the country?
If you can afford to travel for extended periods, and it's only a few hundred dollars to protect yourself, why wouldn't you? However, it sounds like you've already made your decision.
Feb 17th, 2010, 07:16 PM
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BTW: Typo in first posting -- the $200 is the <u>deductable</u> on the liability coverage - not the total coverage. The rental company is now offering total coverage for $3.50 per day, so I think I <u>have</u> made my decision.
Still, wondering if there is anyone out there who has filed a claim with AmEX on an Intl. car rental. Would welcome hearing your story.
Still, wondering if there is anyone out there who has filed a claim with AmEX on an Intl. car rental. Would welcome hearing your story.
Feb 20th, 2010, 07:50 PM
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just fyi-my non-premium Amex card offers a program that I cut and pasted below from their website:
"Key Features
One flat price of $24.95 per rental period, not per day ($17.95 for California Residents).
Coverage is primary. You won't have to file a claim with your personal insurance company and risk having your premiums increase.
There are no deductibles.
There is no cost to enroll and you will only be billed a premium when you use your enrolled Card to rent a car until your enrollment is terminated.
Coverage (for you and your passengers)
Up to $100,000 of primary coverage for damage or theft of a Rental Car.
Up to $100,000 of Accidental Death or Dismemberment coverage.
Up to $15,000 for excess medical expenses.
Protection
Coverage is worldwide, except for vehicles rented in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and New Zealand.
Coverage is for up to 42 consecutive days (up to 30 consecutive days for Washington State Cardmembers) and automatically extends to your other noncorporate American Express® Card accounts.
Covers most vehicles typically available from a Rental Company.
"Key Features
One flat price of $24.95 per rental period, not per day ($17.95 for California Residents).
Coverage is primary. You won't have to file a claim with your personal insurance company and risk having your premiums increase.
There are no deductibles.
There is no cost to enroll and you will only be billed a premium when you use your enrolled Card to rent a car until your enrollment is terminated.
Coverage (for you and your passengers)
Up to $100,000 of primary coverage for damage or theft of a Rental Car.
Up to $100,000 of Accidental Death or Dismemberment coverage.
Up to $15,000 for excess medical expenses.
Protection
Coverage is worldwide, except for vehicles rented in Australia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and New Zealand.
Coverage is for up to 42 consecutive days (up to 30 consecutive days for Washington State Cardmembers) and automatically extends to your other noncorporate American Express® Card accounts.
Covers most vehicles typically available from a Rental Company.
Feb 21st, 2010, 08:51 AM
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<b>Non-stop:</b> What you've outlined is the coverage that I call "premium". You do pay a premium each time you rent a car ($24.95), instead of the coverage that is included free by virtue of just using your AMEX card for the rental. I have the next level down -- $19.95 per rental, which is the same except for the coverage is $75,000. That is a sufficent amount for us since our home-owners umbrella policy kicks in after the first $50,000. We have tons of accidental death/medical through other policies. It is always the question of liability that is at issue and it appears that no policy from the States covers <u>liability</u> on a rental car.
Feb 21st, 2010, 03:13 PM
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TC-OK, I understand. I assumed "premium" meant you were referring to something like Amex. Plat. I have never used the Amex coverage, but am thinking about doing it this year.
I also, have a couple of Citcards that are supposed to pay what my stateside insurance doesn't. But, like Mom23rugrats, I have always had in the back of my mind that there might somehow be more of a hassle using a credit card for my car insurance, so I usually just opt for the additional coverage so I have "no worries". However, I am probably paying money that is not necessary. I have always been worried there might be something in the "fine print that I am missing.
Case in point, one year when I checked with my insurance company about my stateside policy coverage in Anguilla..They said "no problem" as long as you are not renting a 4 wheel drive vehicle like a "jeep" which is exactly what I was renting.
Having said all that, I don't think I have ever been aware of anyone having problem with their "secondary" or credit card insurance paying the claims.
I also, have a couple of Citcards that are supposed to pay what my stateside insurance doesn't. But, like Mom23rugrats, I have always had in the back of my mind that there might somehow be more of a hassle using a credit card for my car insurance, so I usually just opt for the additional coverage so I have "no worries". However, I am probably paying money that is not necessary. I have always been worried there might be something in the "fine print that I am missing.
Case in point, one year when I checked with my insurance company about my stateside policy coverage in Anguilla..They said "no problem" as long as you are not renting a 4 wheel drive vehicle like a "jeep" which is exactly what I was renting.
Having said all that, I don't think I have ever been aware of anyone having problem with their "secondary" or credit card insurance paying the claims.
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