Thanks AlexB for taking the time to alert us to Diners Club's new view of loss-of-use charges. I called American Express to inquire about their Premium Car Rental Protection which can be purchased for $24.95. This is a primary damage and theft coverage for up to $100,000. Good for 42 consecutive days. I asked if this rental protection covers loss-of-use and administration fees. She said no it does not because fleet utilization records are private and the car companies will not disclose the records. Same line Diners Club gave AlexB. I found this hard to believe and called my Visa Business Auto Rental Collision Claims Department. Citi Bank Visa Business automatically becomes Primary Coverage if vehicle is used for Business purposes and secondary coverage if used for pleasure. The rep validated what the disclosure statement stated for Rentals using the Visa Business Card:
WHAT IS COVERED ?
Subject to the terms and conditions in the Guide to Benefit, Visa Business Auto Rental CDW reimburses you for the repair or replacement of covered losses to a rental vehicle while it is your responsibility and while it is being used for business purposes. Only vehicle rental periods which neither exceed nor are intended to exceed thirty-one (31) consecutive days are covered. This benefit is primary and provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle as it was originally manufactured. However, if the rental is for personal reasons, this coverage supplements, and applies excess of, any valid and collectible insurance or reimbursement benefits from any source. Most private passenger automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles are eligible, but some restrictions may apply. Please contact the Benefit Administrator to inquire about a specific vehicle. Covered losses are:

Physical damage and/or theft of the covered rental vehicle.
Valid loss-of-use charges imposed and substantiated by the rental agency through a fleet utilization log.
Reasonable and customary towing charges, due to a covered loss, to the nearest qualified repair facility http://usa.visa.com/business/cards/b...to_rental.html

I asked him if they had trouble with rental car companies turning over loss-of-use fleet utilization records. He replied no we do not have that Problem at all.

Two years ago a deer augered in to the side of my Hertz Ford Focus I was using for Business. I filed the claim using my Citibank Visa Business Card and they covered everything. I do think Rental car companies might be a little more benevolent to Business customers since they utilize a lot more business for the Rental Companies. I noticed that Visa CDW for personal cards also states they will cover loss-of-use charges as a secondary coverage for exspenses not paid by your primary auto insurance.

BEWARE OF ORBITZ! Many people speak of getting CDW insurance through Orbitz as a package deal or pay the $72. If you look at the first paragraph you might think your getting Primary coverage because of how the paragraph is worded:
Orbitz has partnered with Access America to provide you with Rental Car Damage Protector. Collision/Loss Damage Insurance provides coverage for damage or loss of a rental car. This competitively priced coverage is provided on a PRIMARY basis. Coverage is only available to U.S. and Canadian residents. For program questions, please contact Access America at 877-593-4989. If you click on the terms and disclosure you find out it is only secondary coverage: Scroll to page 7 of 10 for the coverage details. I also called them to verify that they are only secondary coverage. Very deceptive in my eyes!

I also called my State Farm agent to ask how they handled loss-of-use charges filed by rental companies. The adjuster said that they will pay the rental company only if they can prove they did not have that car class available due to the fact the rental was out of commission. They demand fleet utilization logs if the rental company demands loss-of-use charges. If they close the case because State Farm feels it has satisfied their liability and the rental company still demands payment, the client has to litigate his own case and find his own legal counsel.

Amica Insurance is rated one of the best for customer service by Consumer Report and I can see why after speaking to a Claim Rep. I do not have any insurance with them but know people who do and love them. They don't advertise and yet turn away a lot of people.
The Claims rep told me that if a Rental Car Company files for loss-of-use charges or admin fees they demand the fleet utilization logs. She said a majority of the time they never hear back from the rental company and the charges are dropped. If the car company insists and can prove they lost business by not having that car available, they recompense the car company through the rental waiver fund that is a rider on all full coverage vehicles. But she reiterated that just by asking for documentation settles most extra charges because the rental companies won't forward the records.
My question is: Is AMEX and Diners Club cutting back on ADMIN costs by passing this on to the consumer since Visa and Insurance companies have no problem making this request. Diners Club and AMEX both stated that these records are private and rental car companies do not have to relinquish them. I do not think that would hold up to well in court. Charging somebody without having to document with an itemized staement. I bet a summons to Small Claims Court would quiet these renegade rental cars company. The cost to transport a lawyer for a $300 trumped up charge would not be worth it to them in my estimation.

Thanks to all for making this such a great Board houckeye52