American Express Everyday Card: Exploring The Auto Rental Insurance Advantage

The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card provides car rental loss and damage insurance. This insurance is secondary, meaning it will reimburse you only after all other insurance has paid out. To be eligible for coverage, you must pay for the full rental cost with your Amex EveryDay® Credit Card and decline the optional insurance coverages offered by the rental company. Coverage is available for up to 30 consecutive days and is subject to additional terms, conditions, and exclusions.

The Amex Everyday card provides secondary car rental insurance

To be eligible for secondary car rental insurance coverage, you must pay for the entire rental cost with your Amex Everyday card and decline the optional insurance coverage offered by the rental car company. Car rentals booked with points are generally included. Coverage is available for rentals of up to 30 consecutive days.

Amex's rental car insurance covers theft of the rental car, reasonable towing charges, and physical damage to the vehicle. It's important to note that not all vehicle types are covered, and there may be geographic restrictions. For example, rentals in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand are excluded. Additionally, luxury cars and recreational vehicles are often not included in the coverage.

If you need primary coverage, you can purchase it for an extra fee through Amex's Premium Car Rental Protection. This provides primary insurance coverage, meaning you can submit an accident claim right away without first submitting it to a personal policy.

Coverage is provided for theft or damage to eligible rental cars

The Amex Everyday card provides secondary car rental insurance at no additional charge. This means that if you experience theft or damage to your rental car, you will need to file a claim with your auto insurance provider before Amex's rental coverage kicks in.

To be eligible for this coverage, you must pay for the entire rental cost with your Amex Everyday card and decline the optional insurance coverage offered by the rental company. Coverage is provided for theft or damage to eligible rental cars, but it is not available for certain vehicle types, including cargo vans and antique or customized vehicles. It also does not extend to personal vehicles rented through a rideshare or peer-to-peer company, or rentals in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand.

In the event of theft or damage, Amex will reimburse you for the cost of repairs or replacement, up to a certain limit, which varies depending on the card. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card provides coverage of up to $50,000, while The Platinum Card® from American Express covers up to $75,000.

It's important to note that Amex's rental car insurance does not include liability coverage, so you may be responsible for any bodily injury or damage to other people's property if an accident occurs.

Coverage is not provided for certain vehicle types, including cargo vans and antique vehicles

The Amex Everyday Credit Card provides car rental loss and damage insurance, which can be very useful when renting a vehicle. However, it's important to note that not all vehicle types are covered by this insurance. Specifically, cargo vans and antique vehicles are excluded from coverage.

So, what constitutes an antique vehicle? Well, that can vary depending on the source and the context. In general, an antique car is one that was manufactured a significant number of years ago – we're talking decades here. Different organizations have different definitions, but antique cars are often classified as those manufactured in 1975 or earlier, or at least 25 to 45 years old. So, if you're planning to rent a vehicle that falls into this category, it's important to be aware that your Amex Everyday Credit Card insurance won't cover it.

Similarly, cargo vans are also not covered by the Amex Everyday Credit Card insurance. This exclusion is likely due to the specialized nature of cargo vans, which are designed for transporting goods rather than passengers. So, if you're planning to rent a cargo van, you'll need to look into alternative insurance options.

It's always a good idea to carefully review the terms and conditions of any insurance policy before assuming you're covered. In this case, American Express provides a benefits guide that outlines the specific coverage and exclusions for their car rental insurance. It's worth noting that even if your rental vehicle is not covered by the Amex Everyday Credit Card insurance, you may still be able to purchase additional coverage from the rental company or through other insurance providers. Each credit card has its own unique benefits and exclusions, so it's always a good idea to do your research before relying on any credit card benefits.

Coverage is not provided for rentals in Australia, Italy and New Zealand

American Express offers a wide range of coverage for all cardholders, but there are some exclusions.

Rental vehicles in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand are excluded from American Express car rental insurance coverage. This means that if you rent a car in any of these countries, you will not be covered by American Express' insurance policy.

The exclusion of these countries from coverage is important to note, as it could leave you without insurance in the event of an accident or theft. It is always recommended to carefully review the terms and conditions of your specific card's policy to ensure that your rental meets the requirements for coverage.

Additionally, certain types of vehicles are also excluded from coverage, regardless of the country. These include vans with a seating capacity of over eight passengers, trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more, and recreational vehicles.

To ensure peace of mind and avoid unexpected costs, it is essential to understand the limitations of your American Express car rental insurance policy.

Primary coverage can be purchased through Amex's Premium Car Rental Protection

If you're looking for primary coverage for your rental car, you can purchase it through American Express' Premium Car Rental Protection. This is a good option if none of your credit cards offer primary car rental loss/damage insurance.

The Premium Car Rental Protection policy provides primary insurance coverage for damage to or theft of your rental vehicle. It applies to a wide range of rental car types, including luxury vehicles, pickup trucks, and SUVs. The coverage is good for up to 42 consecutive days and can be used in most countries worldwide, with a few exceptions.

There are two coverage levels available:

The $75,000 coverage level comes with a premium of $19.95 ($15.95 for California residents) and covers:

• Up to $75,000 of primary damage and theft coverage for the rental car.
• Up to $75,000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. ($150,000 for California residents).
• Up to $7,500 of AD&D coverage per passenger ($150,000 for California residents).
• Up to $7,500 per person of excess coverage for Medical Expenses.
• Up to a maximum of $200,000 combined medical and AD&D coverage per car ($350,000 for California residents).
• Up to $2,500 per person of excess coverage for personal property, with a maximum of $5,000 for all.

The $100,000 coverage level comes with a premium of $24.95 ($15.25 for Florida residents and $17.95 for California residents) and covers:

• Up to $100,000 of primary damage and theft coverage for the rental car.
• Up to $100,000 of Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage ($250,000 for California residents).
• Up to $10,000 of AD&D coverage per passenger ($40,000 for Florida residents and $250,000 for California residents).
• Up to $15,000 per person of excess coverage for Medical Expenses.
• Up to a maximum of $300,000 combined medical and AD&D coverage per car ($500,000 for California residents).
• Up to $5,000 per person of excess coverage for personal property, with a maximum of $10,000 for all. (Up to $15,000 per person, with a maximum of $25,000 for Florida residents).

Please note that this product does not include liability coverage.

To enroll in the Premium Car Rental Protection program, visit the American Express Premium Car Rental Protection page and click "Enroll Now." Log in to your American Express account, select the card you want to enroll, choose your preferred plan, and review the program's terms and conditions.

Frequently asked questions