American Express Membership Rewards - Amex Rental Car Insurance

Apologies if this has been asked before, but search is only turning up some really old (2000 and 2004) threads... none of which answered my question anyway.

I am renting a car on a monthly basis in Dubai, from a local car rental place. The car I rented from this place said the price included comprehensive insurance, and also that if I wanted to pay by Amex, they would add 5% to the total price to cover the vendor fees. :p

Since the car came with comprehensive insurance, I went ahead and paid with my visa. Just as I was walking away with my keys, some guys come in to ask about renting a car, and they push for details on the insurance. It turns out that the car is only covered if the accident is determined to not be your fault. If you are at fault, you are SOL to cover the damages.

So... my question -- does the Amex insurance (I'm subscribed for the $19.95 version) cover damage regardless of whose fault the accident is? Or just if it is not your fault?

I'm not planning to trash my rental, or anything like that... just people in Dubai seem to drive like it's the first day of driver's ed, and an accident seems inevitable at some point. It's worth the 5% + $20 (which would only be $45 or so total -- monthly car rentals are cheap here!) for the piece of mind, if Amex covers damage regardless of whose fault it is. But I can't seem to find the answer on the amex website.

Anyone know, offhand? TIA! :)

:-:3timesalady:-:

I've filed a claim before. It is just like having normal insurance.

The rental must be charged on your AMEX card (although most credit cards everywhere now have a rental car insurance coverage).

The percentage the company was going to charge you for using an AMEX as opposed to another card doesn't sound right. You shouldn't have to pay addt'l fees to use amex opposed to visa.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7130e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

I suggest that the OP contact Visa. She may already be covered by LDW, as long as she did not accept any LDW coverage from the rental company, and as long as the rental period does not exceed 31 days (15 days in one's country of residence). The OP should also check to see whether there is any waiting period required between 31-day rentals for the coverage to apply to subsequent rentals, if she is planning any.
Generally, as long as one is not under the influence and does not intentionally damage the vehicle, coverage will apply regardless of fault. But there are some other exclusions, so it's important to review the coverage terms and conditions.

Another thing to keep in mind is what else than the car damage is covered. For example the car retrieval / towing might not be included!

I had to discover this last month in Scotland when my car window was smashed. I paid with my VISA Lufthansa Miles & More Business Card having thereby the full comprehensive cover and they also paid for the replacement window and repair costs. Luckily I phoned them before calling AA to get the car towed away. This VISA insurance only pays the car repair costs. As the towing is a special insurance, it is not mentioned somewhere as an exclusion and therefore I never realized that this important part is missing! So I was driving with some cabrio feeling myself to the next garage... :p

The Amex insurance in Germany included in the Centurion for example includes such a insurance. So check with your $19.95 version.

:) stefan

AFAIK Amex rental car coverage is limited to 30 days and must be combined with overnight stays in a hotel etc (not at home -- it has to be a "trip").

AFAIK Amex rental car coverage is limited to 30 days and must be combined with overnight stays in a hotel etc (not at home -- it has to be a "trip").

The 30 days thing I knew about, but the hotel stay part is news! Thanks for the heads up, zzboba (and thanks everyone else for your replies)!

Of course... if my billing address is in the US, how would Amex know if I was here on business or here because I've moved here? Does it literally have to come down to hotel receipts??

BTW, this is the policy (http://www.bonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/32/Description_AMEX_PCRP-320684.pdf), right?

this is the policy (http://www.bonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/32/Description_AMEX_PCRP-320684.pdf), right?

The linked document is a Description of Coverage, not the actual policy, if that's what you were asking.

if my billing address is in the US, how would Amex know if I was here on business or here because I've moved here?

You billing address is irrelevant:

Coverage ends automatically at the earliest of the following:

3. the date the Cardmember’s Permanent Residence is no longer within
the 50 United States of America, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or
the U.S. Virgin Islands;

“Permanent Residence” means the Covered Person’s one primary dwelling
place where the Covered Person permanently resides and intends to return