American Express card for car rental with AutoEurope or Kemwel?
Aug 20th, 2009, 02:58 PM
#21
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Hello... It's me again, with another update.
I just got my American Express statement in the mail and the charge for the car rental from Kemwel was on there as contracted. However, missing was the $24.95 charge for the AE Premium Insurance package, which was supposed to automatically appear every time a car rental was made.
When my husband called AE, they said they didn't recognize the transaction as a car rental because it was listed as Kemwel Travel Agency. They're supposed to charge our next statement for the automatic insurance package.
I'm just glad we caught this error before we left on our journey. It would have been a bummer to be driving the rental car without the additional insurance that we thought we had purchased. Just a warning for anyone renting from Kemwel and using the AE insurance plan.
Down to 47 days!
Robyn
I just got my American Express statement in the mail and the charge for the car rental from Kemwel was on there as contracted. However, missing was the $24.95 charge for the AE Premium Insurance package, which was supposed to automatically appear every time a car rental was made.
When my husband called AE, they said they didn't recognize the transaction as a car rental because it was listed as Kemwel Travel Agency. They're supposed to charge our next statement for the automatic insurance package.
I'm just glad we caught this error before we left on our journey. It would have been a bummer to be driving the rental car without the additional insurance that we thought we had purchased. Just a warning for anyone renting from Kemwel and using the AE insurance plan.
Down to 47 days!
Robyn
Aug 21st, 2009, 05:05 AM
#22
Hi; I agree with 'Robyn'. We have the $19.95 plan and used www.carrentals.com . AX did not charge us for the Premium Insurance. However, when I talked to AX, they said I would have been covered. It is a good plan for us, as it makes AX the primary insurer. Dick
Nov 26th, 2009, 04:26 AM
#24
Hi; On our 25th driving trip to Europe, I had a minor accident. Happened in Germany [September] We had purchased the American Express Premium Protection plan for $19.95. This plan makes AX the primary insurer. Filed the claim on September 20th for almost 2000 euros and it was finally settled for $2657 US with Sixt on November 23rd. The 'zero' deductable worked. Richard
Nov 26th, 2009, 04:47 AM
#25
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Sorry to be dense, but do you mean that YOU had to pay the $2657 or that Amex paid it?
There is much discussion about Kemwell and AE being "sister" companies, but when I asked a Kemwell phone rep, he denied that this was the case. They each have their own pricing and regs, and these vary from country to country even on their own sites.
There is much discussion about Kemwell and AE being "sister" companies, but when I asked a Kemwell phone rep, he denied that this was the case. They each have their own pricing and regs, and these vary from country to country even on their own sites.
Feb 25th, 2010, 08:58 PM
#27
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Hello,
Does the American Express premium coverage pays if the other car gets damaged? I noticed that Kemwell includes the liability for that but didn't see it when I looked at Avis website.
I wanted to book with Avis because they have a car rental office at the train station in Arles, France.
Twee
Does the American Express premium coverage pays if the other car gets damaged? I noticed that Kemwell includes the liability for that but didn't see it when I looked at Avis website.
I wanted to book with Avis because they have a car rental office at the train station in Arles, France.
Twee
Feb 26th, 2010, 06:27 AM
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Hi thuy,
>Does the American Express premium coverage pays if the other car gets damaged?<
That is third party insurance. It is covered by the rental company.
Amex and other CC card insurance will be your primary insurer (almost always) and give you zero deductible on almost everything - read the fine print.
The premium plan covers the driver and occupants of the rental car.
>Does the American Express premium coverage pays if the other car gets damaged?<
That is third party insurance. It is covered by the rental company.
Amex and other CC card insurance will be your primary insurer (almost always) and give you zero deductible on almost everything - read the fine print.
The premium plan covers the driver and occupants of the rental car.
Feb 26th, 2010, 08:44 PM
#30
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Hi,
On Avis website, the following insurance is offered as an optional selection. So does that mean Avis does not include the liability insurance that would pay for damages to other cars or property like what AutoEurope and Kemwell include in their basic charges quote?
on AVIS WEBSITE:
Optional insurances are subject to tax in certain locations. This tax is not reflected in the Estimated Total.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)12.23 USD Per Day
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)6.25 USD Per Day
***Liability Insurance9.20 USD Per Day
Theft Protection4.72 USD Per Day
Also, at the bottom of the webpage, I noticed that Kemwell and AutoEurope list additional 32 Euros for picking up the car at a train station? It wasn't included in the rates that were quoted. Is this true for all cities? We are renting from either Arles or Nimes.
Thanks for any clarification.
Thuy (Twee)
On Avis website, the following insurance is offered as an optional selection. So does that mean Avis does not include the liability insurance that would pay for damages to other cars or property like what AutoEurope and Kemwell include in their basic charges quote?
on AVIS WEBSITE:
Optional insurances are subject to tax in certain locations. This tax is not reflected in the Estimated Total.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)12.23 USD Per Day
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)6.25 USD Per Day
***Liability Insurance9.20 USD Per Day
Theft Protection4.72 USD Per Day
Also, at the bottom of the webpage, I noticed that Kemwell and AutoEurope list additional 32 Euros for picking up the car at a train station? It wasn't included in the rates that were quoted. Is this true for all cities? We are renting from either Arles or Nimes.
Thanks for any clarification.
Thuy (Twee)
Feb 27th, 2010, 04:29 AM
#31
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I can't help you on the insurance, but many cities have city taxes on car rental places in airports or train stations. They do that a lot in the US, also, for example. It's a tax and since I have rented from Autoeurope, I seem to recall the quote was the rental fee, it didn't include a few small items like a local tax.
Dec 29th, 2011, 12:47 PM
#34
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Sorry... Didn't mean to 'submit' above post.
But I just wanted to clarify the process when booking ahead using the AMEX insurance option:
1) Activate the AMEX Insurance
2) Reserve your rental car. -> As a result of the purchase, the name of the rental insurance on the statement will activate the AMEX Insurance policy, thus charging $24.95 to the AMEX statement.
3). *This is the part I am confused about*. AMEX Insurance policy says it will cover the auto rental for up to 30 days. Does this mean that the 30 days will be triggered at the time of the reservation? or what triggers the coverage when you plan on renting the car months after reserving the rental?
I am trying to reserve a car in Aix-en-Provence for July of 2012, but am worried that the 30 days of coverage will be activated at the time of the reservation (Jan 2012) and not at the time of pick-up(if this is incorrect, what triggers AMEX to apply the coverage at pick-up, if no additional charges appear on the CC at the time of pick up?).
But I just wanted to clarify the process when booking ahead using the AMEX insurance option:
1) Activate the AMEX Insurance
2) Reserve your rental car. -> As a result of the purchase, the name of the rental insurance on the statement will activate the AMEX Insurance policy, thus charging $24.95 to the AMEX statement.
3). *This is the part I am confused about*. AMEX Insurance policy says it will cover the auto rental for up to 30 days. Does this mean that the 30 days will be triggered at the time of the reservation? or what triggers the coverage when you plan on renting the car months after reserving the rental?
I am trying to reserve a car in Aix-en-Provence for July of 2012, but am worried that the 30 days of coverage will be activated at the time of the reservation (Jan 2012) and not at the time of pick-up(if this is incorrect, what triggers AMEX to apply the coverage at pick-up, if no additional charges appear on the CC at the time of pick up?).
Dec 29th, 2011, 01:29 PM
#36
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OK, thanks StCirq.
If that is the case, is it necessary for me to activate the AMEX Insurance option before I book ahead to reserve, or do I only need to apply for the option sometime between the reservation (Jan) and the pick-up (July)?
Also, it is it normal for AutoEurope to charge the rental amount at the time of the reservation booking? I don't have any experience renting cars, but I was always under the impression that you aren't actually charged until rental car pick-up or rental car-return, but never at the time of the reservation.
If that is the case, is it necessary for me to activate the AMEX Insurance option before I book ahead to reserve, or do I only need to apply for the option sometime between the reservation (Jan) and the pick-up (July)?
Also, it is it normal for AutoEurope to charge the rental amount at the time of the reservation booking? I don't have any experience renting cars, but I was always under the impression that you aren't actually charged until rental car pick-up or rental car-return, but never at the time of the reservation.
Dec 29th, 2011, 01:32 PM
#37
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Different companies have different practices, and some do charge in advance and some give you a different rate if you prepay. There is no law about when a car rental company charges you. This is true in the US, also, BTW.
Dec 29th, 2011, 01:38 PM
#38
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As SrCirq points out, the 30 day coverage starts when you pickup the rental car. If you are using Autoeurope or Kemwell or some other broker, AE may not recognize the payment you make to them as payment for a car rental. You might clarify with a call to AE to be sure your coverage begins when you need it.
The AE insurance is primary coverage meaning you never pay anything in the event of a claim. Other policies only reimburse the expenses you are responsible to pay. I consider the AE rental insurance to be one of the best plans available and one which no one should be without.
The AE insurance is primary coverage meaning you never pay anything in the event of a claim. Other policies only reimburse the expenses you are responsible to pay. I consider the AE rental insurance to be one of the best plans available and one which no one should be without.
Dec 29th, 2011, 01:43 PM
#39
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I am guessing that you don't need to activate the AMEX insurance ahead of time, but I'd call AMEX to confirm that. I got the insurance right after they started offering it quite a few years ago, and I didn't activate it until just before leaving on a trip. But the rules may be different now.
AutoEurope always charged me a third or maybe half of the rental at the time of making the reservation, then the rest upon return of the car. I'm guessing they might charge you the whole thing these days, though, because exchange rates are fluctuating a lot these days.
AutoEurope always charged me a third or maybe half of the rental at the time of making the reservation, then the rest upon return of the car. I'm guessing they might charge you the whole thing these days, though, because exchange rates are fluctuating a lot these days.
Jan 7th, 2012, 03:23 PM
#40
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I signed up for the AMEX insurance some time ago. I rented a car thru Kemwel early last year but didn't see a charge on the card for the insurance. I called Amex and they added the charge. Good thing as on the last day of the rental someone backed into the fender while it was parked. Amex covered the entire amount so was glad I had the insurance. Just be sure every charge for the car at pickup goes on the Amex card or it won't be covered. The insurance goes into effect when you pick the car up not when you pay the rental if you pay in advance.
