
The American Express Gold Card offers some amazing benefits for travelers, including rental car insurance and other travel expenses. The card's rental car insurance covers damage or theft of a rental vehicle, up to a certain limit.
If you're planning a road trip or renting a car for business, this insurance can be a lifesaver. You won't have to worry about paying for damages or repairs out of pocket.
The Amex Gold Card also provides reimbursement for travel delays, trip cancellations, and interruptions. This can be especially useful if your plans are disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances.
Additionally, the card offers travel insurance, which can cover medical expenses, evacuation, and other travel-related costs.
Amex Gold Card Rental Car Insurance
The American Express Gold Card offers rental car insurance that's a lifesaver when you're on a trip. This coverage is secondary to your own car insurance policy, so you'll need to file a claim with your personal insurance first.

You'll need to pay for the entire car rental with your Amex Gold Card and decline the collision damage waiver offered at check-in. This will ensure you're covered for up to $50,000 in case of theft or damage. Terms apply, so be sure to read the fine print.
One thing to note is that Amex Gold Card rental car insurance doesn't cover vehicles rented in Australia, Italy, or New Zealand. Additionally, certain vehicle types, like cargo vans, motorcycles, mopeds, and campers, are excluded from coverage.
To file a claim, you'll need to call customer service at 800-338-1670 or submit a claim online. You'll need to do this within 30 days of the loss, so act quickly. You may also need to submit proof of loss, such as repair bills or police reports, within 60 days.
Here are the key details to keep in mind:
- Coverage is secondary to your personal auto insurance policy
- Pay for the entire car rental with your Amex Gold Card and decline the collision damage waiver
- Exclusions apply, including vehicles rented in certain countries and certain vehicle types
- Filing a claim must be done within 30 days of the loss
- Proof of loss may be required within 60 days
With the Amex Gold Card rental car insurance, you can have peace of mind when renting a car on your next trip. Just remember to follow the terms and conditions, and you'll be protected in case of an accident.
Filing a Claim

If you need to file a claim for damage or theft of a rental car covered by the American Express Gold Card, you'll need to follow a specific process. First, you'll need to file a claim with your own car insurance policy, as the AmEx coverage is secondary to your personal policy.
You'll be responsible for paying the deductible on your personal policy before the AmEx coverage kicks in. This means your monthly premiums may increase as a result of filing a claim.
The AmEx coverage can reimburse your deductible and potentially other costs not covered by your personal policy, but this is after you've already filed a claim with your own insurance company.
Here are the key things to keep in mind when filing a claim:
- File a claim with your personal auto insurance company first.
- The AmEx coverage will reimburse your deductible and potentially other costs not covered by your personal policy.
Keep in mind that the AmEx coverage has its own set of restrictions and exclusions, so it's essential to review the terms and conditions carefully before filing a claim.
Car Rental Insurance Details

The American Express Gold Card offers car rental insurance coverage, which can protect you against damage or theft of rental vehicles. This coverage is secondary to your own car insurance policy, so you'll need to file a claim with your auto insurer first.
To qualify for this coverage, you must pay for the full car rental with your American Express Gold Card and decline the collision damage waiver offered at check-in. This will provide coverage up to $50,000 per rental agreement.
Here are some key details about the car rental insurance coverage:
- Provides secondary coverage to your own car insurance policy
- Covers damage or theft of rental vehicles up to $50,000 per rental agreement
- Must pay for the full car rental with your American Express Gold Card and decline the collision damage waiver
- Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply
It's also worth noting that this coverage can kick in even when using Membership Rewards points or Pay With Points to cover the cost of your rental, which is a great perk.
What Are Exclusions?
Car rental insurance with American Express has some exclusions you should know about. This means there are certain situations where the insurance won't cover you.

You'll generally need to pay for trips with your American Express Gold Card to get these travel protections. The exclusions apply to car rental protection, specifically.
American Express does not cover certain things, including:
- Damage to or theft of the rental car's wheels or tires.
- Damage to or theft of the rental car's interior or exterior.
- Liability for accidents or damage to other vehicles or property.
These exclusions are in addition to the general terms and conditions of the American Express Gold Card. It's essential to read and understand these before using the car rental insurance.
Primary vs Secondary Coverage
If you're renting a car, you might be wondering about the different types of insurance coverage available to you. Primary coverage is just like the name suggests, allowing you to submit an accident claim right away without first submitting it to a personal policy.
Secondary coverage, on the other hand, kicks in after your personal car insurance policy. This means you'd first need to file a claim with your own car insurance company before submitting a claim through the credit card's insurance provider.
Some credit cards offer secondary coverage, which can be a good thing if you don't have a personal auto insurance policy. Just check your policy to make sure you're covered.
Travel Insurance

The American Express Gold Card offers secondary car rental insurance coverage, which means you need to rely on your own car insurance policy first before the AmEx car rental protections are available.
This coverage can be a great perk, especially if you're using Membership Rewards points or Pay With Points to cover the cost of your rental.
You'll have up to $50,000 per rental agreement in coverage if your rental car is damaged or stolen within a covered territory.
However, keep in mind that your monthly premiums may go up if you file a claim with your car insurance policy and pay the deductible first.
The coverage kicks in, but it's secondary to your primary coverage, which is typically better but few cards offer it.
This means you'll need to pay the deductible and potentially other costs not covered by your personal policy before the AmEx car rental protections are available.
Sources
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/amex-gold-rental-car-insurance
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/amex-gold-travel-insurance
- https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-gold-card/car-rental-insurance-benefits/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/american-express-gold-car-rental-insurance-1000405-2140722597/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/credit-card-car-rental-insurance-how-it-works-cards-that-have-it/
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