A credit card enthusiast and avid traveler, Lori has visited more than 60 countries, many of them using credit card points and frequent flyer miles. She has lived in Spain as a freelance writer and editor for around two decades, figuring out the best.
Lori Zaino Credit Cards WriterA credit card enthusiast and avid traveler, Lori has visited more than 60 countries, many of them using credit card points and frequent flyer miles. She has lived in Spain as a freelance writer and editor for around two decades, figuring out the best.
Written By Lori Zaino Credit Cards WriterA credit card enthusiast and avid traveler, Lori has visited more than 60 countries, many of them using credit card points and frequent flyer miles. She has lived in Spain as a freelance writer and editor for around two decades, figuring out the best.
Lori Zaino Credit Cards WriterA credit card enthusiast and avid traveler, Lori has visited more than 60 countries, many of them using credit card points and frequent flyer miles. She has lived in Spain as a freelance writer and editor for around two decades, figuring out the best.
Credit Cards Writer Dylan Pearl Credit Cards EditorOver a decade of editorial experience across a number of publications and more than 60 countries visited have given Dylan Pearl a wealth of travel knowledge, and the tools to effectively communicate that knowledge to others. Dylan has made it his mis.
Dylan Pearl Credit Cards EditorOver a decade of editorial experience across a number of publications and more than 60 countries visited have given Dylan Pearl a wealth of travel knowledge, and the tools to effectively communicate that knowledge to others. Dylan has made it his mis.
Dylan Pearl Credit Cards EditorOver a decade of editorial experience across a number of publications and more than 60 countries visited have given Dylan Pearl a wealth of travel knowledge, and the tools to effectively communicate that knowledge to others. Dylan has made it his mis.
Dylan Pearl Credit Cards EditorOver a decade of editorial experience across a number of publications and more than 60 countries visited have given Dylan Pearl a wealth of travel knowledge, and the tools to effectively communicate that knowledge to others. Dylan has made it his mis.
| Credit Cards Editor
Updated: May 6, 2024, 12:48pm
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Car rental insurance is a credit card benefit you may not be able to take advantage of daily but can be incredibly valuable on occasions when you need or want to rent a car.
Many credit cards from American Express offer car rental loss and damage insurance¹, including the American Express® Gold Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees). This guide outlines the type of car rental insurance American Express offers and exactly what to expect when it comes to car rental loss and damage insurance for the Amex Gold Card.
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Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
American Express offers car rental insurance for many of its credit cards, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express² (Terms apply, see rates & fees), the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card² (Terms apply, see rates & fees), the Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card * and the American Express® Gold Card. Each card has its own policy, so it’s best to check your card’s terms and conditions to ensure you understand the terms and coverage.
All information about Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor
Most American Express cards in the United States offer rental car insurance. See if your Amex card offers rental car insurance.
The American Express® Gold Card comes complete with numerous benefits, many of which are geared toward users who spend on restaurants and groceries. One of these benefits includes rental car insurance.
The Amex Gold offers secondary car rental insurance or collision damage waiver (CDW), which means it doesn’t include liability coverage.
Secondary car rental insurance covers damage from an accident or theft on the renter’s car after claiming your personal car insurance. This is different than primary car rental insurance (not offered on the Amex Gold), which covers damage from an accident or theft before claiming your personal car insurance.
If you damage another car in an accident (that’s not the one you’re renting) or injure other people, you may be liable. This is why it’s important to have liability insurance (not offered on the Amex Gold).
If you use your Amex Gold to reserve and pay for the rental and decline the collision damage insurance (CDW) offered to you when picking up the car, you and any authorized driver will be covered for damage and theft of the vehicle, assuming you’re renting a car in a covered territory.
If you’re looking to get primary CDW coverage instead of secondary CDW coverage, consider one of the below options:
When using the car rental insurance benefit on the Amex Gold Card, it’s essential to understand a few key things.
The driver (the person using their Amex Gold card to book and pay), the domestic partner or spouse of the renter/main driver and any authorized drivers as per the rental agreement are covered with the Amex Gold secondary car rental insurance or collision damage waiver (assuming they decline the CDW offered at the rental counter).
Up to $50,000 per rental agreement is covered for damage or theft of the covered vehicle in the covered territory.
Remember to read the fine print when using Amex Gold car rental insurance. Some things are not included in the coverage, such as:
Keep in mind that rental insurance rules may be slightly different for those who reside in New York State.
Also, note that the Amex Gold does not offer liability coverage.
It’s simple to activate your Amex Gold rental car insurance coverage. Just use the card to book and pay for the entire car rental. Then, make sure to decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) or similar coverage at the rental counter. Once you sign the rental agreement after following these steps, your secondary insurance coverage offered with the Amex Gold Card is now activated.
If your rental car is damaged or stolen, file a claim through the American Express claims center online or by calling 1-800-338-1670. You’ll be asked to show copies of your rental car agreement, insurance info, any repair bills and police reports.
Claim review usually takes around 45 days, and you can check the status online or by calling the number above. If your claim is approved, reimbursement for eligible expenses will appear on your card.
Car rental insurance offered by credit cards is a useful benefit. Before renting a vehicle, it’s important to figure out exactly what kind of rental coverage your card offers, paying special attention to the exclusions.
When it comes to the Amex Gold card, renters and authorized drivers can benefit from secondary car rental insurance (collision damage waiver), which covers most theft and damage cover to the cardholder’s rented car. Just make sure when utilizing this benefit to also consider getting liability insurance (some states and countries may require it) so your bases are covered for any damage that may incur to other vehicles or people.
To view rates and fees for American Express® Gold Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card please visit this page.
Explore The Benefits Of the American Express® Gold Card
Click to learn more and apply today. Rates & Fees / Terms ApplyOn American Express's Website
¹Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
²Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card . The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Credit Cards WriterA credit card enthusiast and avid traveler, Lori has visited more than 60 countries, many of them using credit card points and frequent flyer miles. She has lived in Spain as a freelance writer and editor for around two decades, figuring out the best tips and tricks for using points and miles to live and travel abroad, and writing about it to share her knowledge every step of the way.
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