monicainindy

We are renting a car in in France in October and I will be using my AMEX reserve to pay for the rental. The card cover me for a damage or stolen car. Has anyone rented with this same card and did you pay for the rental company's insurance? Don't want to be under insured but I also don't want to pay for something I don't need.

Thanks!

yodababe

Read the fine print of both the rental company contract and AMEX to find out for sure. Better yet, talk to an AMEX agent.

kerouac

For the first time ever, I got a full refund of the deductible after a small accident after paying by Gold Mastercard. I believe that Amex offers the same car rental coverage. I never get the extra insurance.

StuDudley

We rent about 3 cars in Europe every year. Our CDW is always covered by the CC issuer (MC or VISA - don't have AE). However, you must "intend" to rent the car for 15 or 31 days or less (depending on the specific card). Check with your issuer on this.

I we intend to rent the car for more than 31 days, we will return the car sometime before 31 days a rent a new car to start the clock over at zero.

Stu Dudley

DebitNM

Your coverage depends on the type/level of AMEX card you have. I have a basic card so I signed up for their car rental insurance program. It is $24.95 each time you rent a car using AMEX card.

Our rental car was broken into, and we had some damage to the car from scrapes etc. it took awhile (due to rental company taking forever to deal with AMEX) but AMEX did pay 100% of charges, (almost $900). Best $24.95 ever spent.

And we declined all insurance that was beyond the basic that was covered in rental, nothing additional.

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/c...tbenefitdetail

DebitNM

I meant to add, that the AMEX is primary with no deductible, unlike VISA or MCard. Also, after I first reported it to AMEX, I never had to do another thing. We had a car rental using VISA card in Hawaii and it was a nightmare to deal with them. We had to submit it to our regular insurance first, then eventually after hours of calls etc, VISA paid the deductible. I realize that this was in US, but still...

Our current auto insurance, USAA, doesn't cover Rentals outside US. So, it was important to us to get full coverage at a reasonable cost.

DebitNM

This is a better link -
https://www295.americanexpress.com/p...VEL-Car_Rental

Sarastro

The $25 AmEx coverage the best deal in car rental insurance. I had a claim using my Visa card insurance and the paperwork was extensive even as the accident was the fault of and eventually paid for by the other party.

mgnapoli

We have looked at all the alternatives, and the AMEX $24.95 supplement seems the best option. We are going to use this when renting in England.

ira

Hi M,

I always use Amex to rent a car.

You MUST decline the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver).

Amex will then be your insurer for all covered damage (eg flat tires are your responsibility).

Should there be a problem, Amex will tell you what to do. Your card will not be charged until the matter has been settled.

Over the years, they have come through for me twice.

Highly recommended.

Sondrali

In regards to the Liability Insurance that is included with the rental cars basic coverage that is required---Does that Liability Insurance cover the cost of fixing someone else's vehicle if you have an accident? Could the other person still sue you?

Michael

I meant to add, that the AMEX is primary with no deductible, unlike VISA or MCard

My Visa has no deductible in a foreign country. I do not know how it would play in the States where I also have coverage from my auto insurance company.

Patty

I do not know how it would play in the States where I also have coverage from my auto insurance company.

In this case, your auto insurance company would be primary and Visa would cover the deductible.

Bellarosa70032

I do the same as Ira. We have a gold Amex, so every time we rent a car we do not have to renew this coverage. It is taken care of automactically. Now, in Italy, you need the full CDW.

Sarastro

I am unaware of any US auto insurance company which automatically extends coverage to clients driving rental cars outside of the US.

Visa/MC rental coverage is secondary coverage only meaning that the driver is responsible for all costs and the insurance arm of either Visa or MC will reimburse expenses they determine are reasonable which may or may not cover all expenses. In the event of a claim, the required paperwork can be extensive but you will be dealing with representatives in the USA.

The $25 American Express coverage is primary coverage meaning you basically walk away from any accident.

In the event of any accident, you should have a competed copy of the constat, blanks of which are typically found in the glove boxes of most rental cards. Copies should be retained and submitted with your claim. The constat is in French but the backside is an English translation and easy to use. Ideally, if the accident is not your fault, you should ask for a déclaration de main courante¨ which is signed at the local police station. Having this will streamline any claim you might have.

Additionally, take lots of photos as everyone on vacation has a camera or maybe even a smartphone.

Being prepared and knowing what to do in the event of an accident will make the follow on paper work much easier.

Patty

Visa/MC/basic Amex coverage become primary by default if you do not have auto insurance or where your auto insurance doesn't cover you whereas the premium Amex coverage is always primary. The premium Amex coverage also has higher limits, covers more types of vehicles and longer rental periods vs the basic Amex coverage.

Sarastro

Visa/MC/basic Amex coverage become primary by default

Whether Visa/MC or basic AmEx covers you as your only source of insurance or not, these polices only reimburse you for any loss you may incur and are therefor secondary insurers. Primary coverage, such as what the $25 AmEx coverage, pays any loss directly, absorbing the insured of any financial responsibility in the event of a loss.

Michael

Whether Visa/MC or basic AmEx covers you as your only source of insurance or not, these polices only reimburse you for any loss you may incur and are therefor secondary insurers. Primary coverage, such as what the $25 AmEx coverage, pays any loss directly, absorbing the insured of any financial responsibility in the event of a loss.

6 of one half dozen of the other except that one must cover the cost until reimbursed by Visa/MC etc. If the car renter feels uncomfortable about paying for damages, then s/he should get the $25 AmEx coverage; but that assumes that s/he has an AmEx card.

iris1745

The AM primary coverage, either the $19.95 or the $24.95 makes AX the primary insurer and takes collision to zero responsibility of the insured.

One issue they do not cover is loss of use and for us, AX negotiated that also to zero cost to us.

Our damage report was 2000 euros and ended up as no cost to us.

suzanne484

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