Hertz - How do I cover the insurance on an Award rental?

I never use the insurance.
My company covers me on business and my Amex covers me for leisure.

But when I use my ZE1 awards, how am I covered for the CDW that I always decline? Any ideas??

Your own auto coverage should carry over. Insurance follows the driver, not the car. I would call and check with your agent though!

I used to work for Enterprise rent-a-car and the insurance agents would always advise their insured not to take the CDW on the rental cars.

Also make sure to ask you agent what, if any types of cars/SUVs/trucks are not covered under your policy.

I am about to use 6 free rental days this month and just put a call into my agent as I can't remember but I think that my policy has a $40k limit on any damage to the rental car so it means passing on many upgrades with free rentals for me :( Hey, it's a free rental so I think I can live with the restrictions ;)

jimc_usa : You can also use Diner's Club on the reservation. You won't actually be charged anything, but even with award reservations you can add a credit card to the record.

Diners Club provides primary insurance, while your AMEX provides secondary insurance. (the difference being that AMEX coverage does not kick in until you've exhausted all other sources of coverage; DC kicks in as the primary insurance).

jimc_usa : You can also use Diner's Club on the reservation. You won't actually be charged anything, but even with award reservations you can add a credit card to the record.

Diners Club provides primary insurance, while your AMEX provides secondary insurance. (the difference being that AMEX coverage does not kick in until you've exhausted all other sources of coverage; DC kicks in as the primary insurance).


Well that's something I was not aware of. I thought Corporate AMex covered car rental insurance

Well that's something I was not aware of. I thought Corporate AMex covered car rental insurance

Yeah, its a common misconception. As of now, Diners Club is the only card that provides primary. Even the Platinum AMEX doesn't offer that.

From the AMEX T's and C's: (I've highlighted the important line)

2. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, Administrative Office, Green Bay, WI. You must decline the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This coverage is EXCESS to your other sources of insurance. Coverage applies for the first 30 days of an auto rental if rented from a commercial car rental company. No coverage is provided for vehicles rented in Australia, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Jamaica, and New Zealand. Coverage is only available to permanent residents of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Certain vehicles are not covered and other significant exclusions apply. Coverage is subject to the Terms, Conditions, and Exclusions of Policy AX0925. Call 1-800-338-1670 for more information and eligibility requirements.

And as an FYI (from the Diners Club cardmember benefit's website):

The Diners Club program provides automatic primary full-value coverage worldwide, any time the entire cost of a car rental is charged to a Diners Club Card. To qualify, you must decline the rental agency's collision damage waiver (CDW), thereby saving you up to $16 per rental day. The Diners Club program pays for covered damages up to the full-value of the rental car. There's usually no need to file a claim with your own insurance company, so your personal premium won't be affected.

Don't you still have to pay the assorted taxes and surcharges even on a Hertz "free" rental? You do with National, so even if $10.00 in tax is all that's charged to a credit card on such a rental, that validates the collision damage waiver coverage included with the credit card.

I'm probably in the minority here, but I drive a 7-year-old car and have dropped the collision and comprehensive coverage due to my car's age. If you don't have collision or comp on your own car---or if you don't own a car at all---Visa, MC, and Amex coverage serves as your PRIMARY collision insurance for rental cars when you decline the rental agency's CDW. ^

If you don't have collision or comp on your own car---or if you don't own a car at all---Visa, MC, and Amex coverage serves as your PRIMARY collision insurance for rental cars when you decline the rental agency's CDW. ^

Great point... hadn't thought about it that way. It might not save you from reporting/filing with your insurance provider, but it would give you the necessary coverage.

Great point... hadn't thought about it that way. It might not save you from reporting/filing with your insurance provider, but it would give you the necessary coverage.

If no other vehicles or property are involved in the accident (for example, you crash the rental vehicle into a telephone pole) then there's no need to notify one's own insurance company if you only have liability coverage.

In some states, such as Virginia, the law requires rental agencies to pay out liability claims, even if you have liability insurance on your own vehicle. I was surprised to find this out when I had an at-fault minor fender-bender in Arlington, VA last October in a rented Cadillac. Per Virginia law, National paid for the damage to the other party's vehicle while my Visa card covered damage to the rental car. My insurer (State Farm) didn't pay anything out so fortunately, my premiums didn't go up.

Don't you still have to pay the assorted taxes and surcharges even on a Hertz "free" rental? You do with National, so even if $10.00 in tax is all that's charged to a credit card on such a rental, that validates the collision damage waiver coverage included with the credit card.

I'm probably in the minority here, but I drive a 7-year-old car and have dropped the collision and comprehensive coverage due to my car's age. If you don't have collision or comp on your own car---or if you don't own a car at all---Visa, MC, and Amex coverage serves as your PRIMARY collision insurance for rental cars when you decline the rental agency's CDW. ^

Just notice that on my new mastercard agreements, it says that the Master Rental Insurance provided by MC in certain States, Canada, etc; rental car insurance is covered under liability portion of your personal auto insurance. So if you don't have collision and comprehensive, and if you are involved with an accident, your liability insurance kicks in. The above tems is printed in bold so I think most people mis-understand what the credit card insurance is about.

Also, I have noticed that AMEX insurance only applies to residents of United States. I think the definition of residents is subject to interpretation -> green card holder and citizens only? or anyone who has a valid US visa such as H1?

Just notice that on my new mastercard agreements, it says that the Master Rental Insurance provided by MC in certain States, Canada, etc; rental car insurance is covered under liability portion of your personal auto insurance. So if you don't have collision and comprehensive, and if you are involved with an accident, your liability insurance kicks in. The above tems is printed in bold so I think most people mis-understand what the credit card insurance is about.



Credit cards never cover liability---only damage to the rental vehicle. But in Virginia (and possibly other states - anyone know which ones?) the rental company is required to pay liability claims and one's personal auto liability policy is untouched.