American Express Rental Insurance Claim: Eligibility and Steps

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Vibrant red and blue quadricycles parked for rental in a sunny outdoor area.
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To file an American Express rental insurance claim, you'll need to meet the eligibility requirements. You can be eligible if you're a cardmember and have purchased the rental car using your American Express card.

The rental car must be for personal use, not for business purposes. This means you can't claim for a rental car used for commercial activities, such as driving for a ride-sharing service.

The rental car must be damaged or stolen during the rental period. If the rental car is damaged before you take possession, you won't be eligible for a claim.

Eligibility and Coverage

American Express car rental insurance is available to all cardmembers, making it a convenient benefit for travelers. You don't need to worry about additional costs or complicated paperwork.

The level of coverage varies depending on your card type. Cards with no annual fee offer a maximum benefit of $50,000, while premium cards with an annual fee can provide up to $75,000 in coverage.

Close-up of modern building balconies with a visible rental sign.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of modern building balconies with a visible rental sign.

To give you a better idea of what's covered, here are the key benefits:

  • Car rentals for up to 30 days
  • Repairs for covered perils such as theft or damage for up to the limit of $50,000 or $75,000, depending on the card
  • The actual cash value of the rental vehicle if it’s less than the amount of the repairs required
  • The wholesale book value or invoice price minus depreciation if the rental was stolen or a total loss
  • Additional related costs such as appraisal, storage or towing fees
  • Your primary car insurance’s deductible

American Express Car Rental Insurance Eligibility

American Express car rental insurance is a valuable benefit for cardmembers, but do you know who's eligible? American Express cardmembers all qualify for car rental coverage, known as car rental loss and damage insurance.

The level of insurance depends on the card, but generally, American Express cards with no annual fee have a maximum car rental loss and damage benefit of $50,000. However, premium personal and business cards with an annual fee, such as the American Express Platinum card, offer a higher benefit limit of $75,000.

Whether you're a casual traveler or a frequent renter, it's good to know that you're protected with American Express car rental insurance.

What's Not Covered

When renting a car, it's essential to understand what's not covered by your American Express car rental insurance. Commercial vehicles such as a cargo van are not included in the coverage.

Smartphone displaying American Express logo on a laptop for online shopping convenience.
Credit: pexels.com, Smartphone displaying American Express logo on a laptop for online shopping convenience.

Some countries have specific exclusions as well. For example, vehicles rented in Australia, New Zealand, or Italy are not covered. I've personally known travelers who have rented cars in these countries and wished they had checked the fine print.

Off-roading is also not covered by the insurance. If you plan on driving on rugged terrain, you may want to consider purchasing additional coverage.

Additionally, any activity that's considered illegal or driving under the influence is not covered. This includes any accidents or damages that result from such activities.

Here are some specific exclusions to keep in mind:

  • Commercial vehicles such as a cargo van
  • Vehicles rented in Australia, New Zealand, or Italy
  • Off-roading
  • Illegal activity or driving under the influence
  • Liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist claims

It's crucial to read the American Express car rental insurance terms for your card type to know the details of what is — and isn't — covered.

Filing a Claim

Filing a claim with American Express is a relatively straightforward process. You'll need to submit supporting documents online via the American Express Claims Center.

To get started, gather the necessary documents and information, including your car rental agreement or contract, personal insurance information, and a police report if you're reporting theft or accident information. This will help speed up the process and ensure your claim is processed efficiently.

Credit: youtube.com, How to File a Renters Insurance Claim Step by Step

You can file your claim online, and it should take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. If you need to stop and come back to it, you can click the "Save and Finish Later" button, but be sure to finish your claim within 72 hours or you'll have to start over.

It's worth noting that filing your claim as soon as possible is recommended, especially within 30 days of the event. This will help you get a faster decision, although it may take up to 45 days to receive a final decision, or up to 90 days for international rentals.

Filing a Claim

Filing a claim with American Express can be a straightforward process. You can submit your claim online via the American Express Claims Center.

To get started, you'll need to gather some documents, including your car rental agreement/contract, personal insurance information, and a police report if you're reporting theft or accident information. This will help support your claim.

Credit: youtube.com, How to File a Claim

You can file your claim in about 15 to 20 minutes, and you can even save your progress and come back to it later by clicking the Save and Finish Later button. Just be sure to finish your claim within 72 hours or you'll have to start over.

It's a good idea to file your claim right away or within 30 days of the event, as American Express recommends. You can file online or call the American Express claims center at 1-800-338-1670 if you don't have internet access.

Here are the documents and information you'll need to file a claim:

  • Car rental agreement/contract
  • Personal insurance information
  • Police report (if reporting theft or accident information)

It's worth noting that it may take up to 90 days to receive a final decision regarding your claim, especially if you rented a car internationally.

American Express Car Rental Insurance Claim

Filing a claim with American Express is a relatively straightforward process. You'll need to submit supporting documents online via the American Express Claims Center.

Credit: youtube.com, How Does AMEX Car Rental Insurance Work? - InsuranceGuide360.com

To get started, you'll need to gather some necessary documents and information, including your car rental agreement/contract, personal insurance information, and a police report if you're reporting theft or accident information. You'll need to file a police report noting the damage or theft before you can make a claim with American Express.

The claims process typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes to complete, and you can save your progress and come back to it later if needed. However, be aware that if you don't finish your claim within 72 hours, all of your information will be deleted and you'll have to start over from scratch.

Once you've submitted your claim, it will take about 45 days to receive a final decision, although international rentals may take up to 90 days. If you have any questions about your claim, you can call 800-338-1670 for assistance.

Here are the basic steps to file an American Express car rental insurance claim:

  • Log in to the Claims Center.
  • Click on “File a Claim.”
  • Select the American Express card you used.
  • Enter the details required such as rental date, incident description and more.
  • Provide required “Proof of Loss” documentation such as the rental car contract, American Express statement showing the rental car charge, police report, itemized repair bill and photos.

It's worth noting that American Express car rental insurance claims are typically processed within 45 days and paid within 30 days of the filed claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to submit a claim with Amex?

To submit a claim with Amex, log in to the online claims center and follow the prompts to select your card, date of purchase, and benefit. File a claim by clicking "File a Claim" and choosing the relevant benefit from the "Find Your Benefits" menu.

Is Amex rental insurance primary or secondary?

Amex rental insurance is secondary coverage, meaning it kicks in after other insurance policies have been applied. Check your card's terms for specific details on coverage and eligibility.

Vanessa Schmidt

Lead Writer

Vanessa Schmidt is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for research, she has established herself as a trusted voice in the world of personal finance. Her expertise has led to the creation of articles on a wide range of topics, including Wells Fargo credit card information, where she provides readers with valuable insights and practical advice.

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