Originally Posted by beep88

According to the AMEX insurance stipulation and confirmed by the reps, rental company authorized renters are defined as per rental company terms. So that includes spouse, and others such as renter's fellow worker/employee/employer(Hertz/Avis?), fellow CAA members(Hertz with CAA plan?) for certain jurisdiction/rental company/discount plan with the rental company, even if the person's name does NOT appear on the rental agreement and no additional fee paid. These people are covered by AMEX.

When you rent a car, 3rd party insurance is included in the rental cost (except California). That insurance covers all authorized renters as defined by the rental contract - so could be a spouse for certain rental company/plan/jurisdiction even you don't pay additional driver fee.

When a non-authorized(as per rental contract) driver drives the rental car, all insurance/coverage provided by the rental company is void. That's where the Canadian Visa and MasterCard coverage comes in. If YOU the renter authorized someone to drive, he is covered by Visa/MC for CDW/LDW *only*. He must also have 3rd party insurance. Typically someone living in your household is also covered by your automobile 3rd party insurance.