When to consider American Express Premium Car Rental Protection

Certain credit cards provide car rental insurance when used for rental payments, covering the vehicle in case of an accident, theft, or damage.

A limited number of premium travel rewards credit cards offer primary coverage, which means you don't need to involve any other insurance first, although secondary coverage is more prevalent.

While most American Express credit cards do not include primary car rental coverage by default, many allow you to purchase a Premium Car Rental Protection policy that offers primary coverage.

For a nominal fee, you can add the optional Premium Car Rental Protection policy to rentals made with an eligible Amex card. We investigate this optional coverage and advise you on when it’s beneficial to enroll.

What car rental protection do American Express cards automatically provide?

Most eligible American Express cards include secondary insurance for rental car loss and damage, protecting you if an eligible rental car is damaged or stolen.

Since this insurance is secondary, in the event of damage to your rental vehicle, you must first file a claim with your primary insurer (like your personal car or travel insurance) before claiming through Amex.

This situation is not ideal, as it may increase your insurance premiums. Additionally, if you have a high deductible on your primary policy, you might find yourself paying hundreds or even thousands out of pocket.

That’s why seeking primary rental car insurance whenever possible is advisable.

If you possess an Amex card and qualify for secondary insurance, be aware that certain vehicles are not covered. These include:

• Cargo vans
• Custom vans
• Vans seating more than eight passengers
• Cube vans
• Box trucks
• Any truck with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more
• Antique vehicles
• Limousines
• Off-road vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Mopeds
• Recreational vehicles
• Motorized carts
• Campers

Furthermore, any rental vehicle obtained in Australia, Italy, New Zealand, or any country listed on the Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions list is not covered.

To determine if a specific American Express card offers secondary coverage, you can visit the Amex website, which displays policies for all cards that include this benefit.

Various cards offer differing levels of coverage, so make sure to review the policy specific to your card.

What does American Express Premium Car Rental Protection entail?

American Express Premium Car Rental Protection provides primary insurance coverage for damage to or theft of your rental vehicle. This applies to a broad selection of rental car types, including luxury cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs.

This coverage is valid for up to 42 consecutive days and can be used to insure rental cars in most countries around the globe, with a few exceptions.

As previously mentioned, most American Express cards — even those that do not offer secondary coverage for rental cars — permit you to buy this primary coverage for a reasonable flat fee per rental.

Primary coverage means you won’t need to involve any other insurance provider before filing a claim with American Express. Enrollment is necessary for certain benefits.

Keep in mind that the secondary car rental policies associated with American Express cards can vary, so your coverage may not be identical to another Amex card’s.

What is not covered under Premium Car Rental Protection?

With Premium Car Rental Protection, rentals exceeding 42 consecutive days (or 30 consecutive days for residents of Washington state) and the following rental types are excluded:

• Any truck other than a pickup truck
• Cube vans or box trucks
• Leased or mini-leased vehicles
• Vehicles that have been customized or modified after manufacturing (except for driver assistance equipment for disabled drivers)
• Vehicles used for hire or commercial purposes
• Antique cars (defined as any vehicle over 20 years old or no longer in production for 10 years)
• Limousines, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, recreational vehicles, any motorized carts (including golf carts), moving trucks or vans, campers, or trailers

Additionally, the following are not covered:

• Costs related to the rental company's routine operations and any expenses that are waived or covered by the rental company or its insurer
• Damage that occurred prior to your possession of the rental vehicle
• Tires, unless damaged in the same incident as other parts of the vehicle or if the entire vehicle is stolen
• Manufacturing defects of the rental vehicle
• Diminished value, unless mandated by law
• Depreciation, unless legally required for reimbursement
• Wear and tear, including gradual effects over time
• Any property other than the rental vehicle and personal belongings
• Lost items
• Animals, furniture, art, cash, securities, tickets, or documents
• Items left in the rental vehicle after the cardholder or authorized driver has returned it
• Any injury, except for those covered under the accidental injury expense benefit and accidental death or dismemberment benefit
• Any pre-existing injury or condition of a covered person before an accident

Benefits will not be paid if the loss for which coverage is requested was contributed to or caused by any of the following:

• Breaching the rental agreement with the rental company
• Intentional damage or harm caused by a covered individual
• Consumption of alcohol exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit for driving in the location of the accident
• Being under the influence of any drug not prescribed or directed by a physician or dentist
• Acts of war, whether declared or not
• Actual, alleged, or threatened release or exposure to hazardous biological, chemical, nuclear, or radioactive substances, gases, or contamination
• Confiscation by a governmental authority
• Freezing, mechanical failure, or electrical failure, unless due to theft
• Leaving the rental vehicle unattended and unlocked, or with a window left partially open
• Pushing or towing any object
• Committing a criminal act, whether cited or charged, by the covered individual
• Engaging in a riot, civil unrest, or insurrection
• Suicide, attempted suicide, or self-inflicted injury while in a sane state
• Failure to return all keys after use of the vehicle by the cardholder or authorized driver
• Using the rental vehicle outside the authorized rental area
• Using the rental vehicle for racing or team sports
• Using the rental vehicle for hire, whether for transporting people or goods
• Off-road driving of the rental vehicle
• Any disease, illness, or physical condition

Which cards qualify for Premium Car Rental Protection?

Most American Express cards can enroll in the Premium Car Rental Protection program.

However, corporate cards (distinct from business credit cards) and accounts issued by third-party banks affiliated with American Express are generally not eligible.

Eligibility may differ based on your state and the status of other card accounts you've opened previously.

What are the steps to enroll in Premium Car Rental Protection?

To enroll, head to the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection webpage and click "Enroll Now." You'll need to log in to your American Express account, select the card for enrollment, choose your desired plan, and review the terms and conditions of the program.

You can enroll cards online if you're the primary cardholder, but for authorized user cards, you'll need to call 1-866-518-0259 for enrollment.

You won't incur any charges until you rent a car with an enrolled card, at which point the premium will automatically appear on your account. Your enrollment will remain active until you decide to cancel it.

If you don't need coverage for a particular car rental, be sure to cancel your enrollment beforehand by calling the same number mentioned earlier (1-866-518-0259) or the number on the back of your card.

If you fail to cancel, you will be charged for coverage every time you rent a vehicle using an enrolled card.

Benefits of enrolling in Premium Car Rental Protection

While the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection policy is reasonably priced, it's often advisable to use a card that automatically offers primary car rental protection when used to pay for a rental.

Nonetheless, there are several reasons you might consider using an American Express card and enrolling in the Premium Car Rental Protection program instead:

• None of your credit cards provide primary coverage for rental car loss or damage.
• You’re renting a pickup truck, cargo van, passenger van, or SUV, and none of your cards with primary car rental insurance cover these vehicle types.
• You need a rental for up to 42 days, and none of your primary insurance cards cover rentals of that duration.
• You appreciate the medical expense and property loss benefits, both of which offer secondary coverage that most credit cards do not provide.
• You prefer or need to use an American Express card, possibly for better rewards, an Amex Offer, or because many users find their claims process more efficient than those of other issuers.

How to submit a claim for Amex Premium Car Rental Protection

If you encounter any issues while driving, here's what you should do to utilize the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection.

Your initial action should be to report any damage to your rental car—whether it's vandalism, theft, or an accident—to the relevant law enforcement agency as soon as you can.

After that, contact your rental agency to inform them of the situation, confirm that you've alerted the authorities, and that you will be filing a claim with American Express.

Then, call the number located on the back of your enrolled card to report the incident and initiate the claims process.

If necessary, you'll receive a claim form. This form and any other required documentation must be submitted to the Premium Car Rental Protection Claims Unit within 60 days of the damage or theft incident.

Coverage may be denied if the necessary documentation isn't submitted within 60 days of the loss date—except for documentation that couldn't be provided for reasons outside your control.

Required documentation may include, but is not limited to:

• An itemized bill for the repair or replacement of the rental vehicle or item
• A report from a law enforcement agency, such as a police report
• Photographs of the damaged vehicle
• Copies of all claim documents and correspondence from the rental company
• A copy of the rental agreement with the rental company
• A death certificate and/or itemized medical bills and records
• A signed authorization to access medical records
• A completed claim form
• Documentation from the rental company showing that the covered person was liable for the damages or loss
• Receipts or proof of ownership for the stolen or damaged item

If your claim is approved, the payment will be made to either the cardmember or the rental agency, depending on the situation and coverage.

Is Amex Premium Car Rental Protection beneficial?

The American Express Premium Car Rental Protection policy offers cardmembers a reliable option for insuring their rented vehicles.

Travel cards from competitors like Chase include primary car rental insurance simply by using the credit card for the rental payment.

However, be aware that the third-party insurance provider used by Chase and some other issuers, including Capital One, has a poor reputation for processing claims.

If you don’t have a card that offers primary auto rental coverage, the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection policy can be an excellent choice for a reasonable price.

It's also a strong option if you're renting for an extended period or need coverage for a vehicle that's typically hard to insure, like a pickup truck, van, or SUV.

Conclusion

For frequent travelers, having a credit card with car rental insurance can be beneficial. However, most cards only provide secondary coverage for rental car loss and damage, meaning you need to file a claim with your primary insurer first if your rental car is harmed or stolen.

With an eligible card, the primary coverage provided by Amex's Premium Car Rental Protection can offer added peace of mind.