Thread: Be careful w/ American Express car rental insurance!

1: How would amex know if i have my own insurance or not i can just say i don't have insurance and they will be my primary no?

2: I took my car in to service the other day, the car is under my father name but they really don't care. He gave me a slip to go to enterprise and the car was free for a week. I declined all the insurance since I am under the impression that platinum card covers everything except liability. I got home and call amex they told me you have to reserve and pay for the car on your card, i told them the car was free they just charged me a $250 deposit then they told me you we are not covering you, the car needs to be paid. Is this true?

Originally Posted by DoingHomework

The original post is correct. I was in an extremely minor incident last year in a rental car, paid for with Amex. There was no damage at all to the rental car. The other car was slightly damaged (probably under $500). Fault was hard to determine - I honestly thought it was my fault based on the facts. The cops said they Could not tell. The investigation determined it was the other guy's fault. My own car insurance company (State Farm) would have covered the other guy's damage completely had it been my fault (under my liability protection). Damage to the rental car would have been covered under my comprehensive coverage. Amex would have covered any deductible I had to pay. Knowing this let's me carry a very high deductible and save on premiums.

State Farm was very helpful in my situation and explained everything very clearly. They also stood firmly and did a good job protecting me. My rates did NOT go up. They explained exactly what coverage I had and made it clear that there was no reason ever to pay for rental car insurance at the counter given my regular coverage.

I agree though with the original post = it is important to know what is covered and what is not. Your regular insurance is far more useful than what you get from Amex.