The Complete Guide to Amex Rental Car Insurance in 2025

When you rent a car, the agent often asks if you’d like to add insurance. If you’re an American Express cardholder, you may already have this protection built into your card. Amex Rental Car Insurance — officially called Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance — can help you avoid paying extra fees at the counter while still staying covered.

Understanding how this coverage works can save you hundreds of dollars. Before traveling internationally, it’s also important to know that insurance requirements vary. The U.S. Department of State offers guidance on rental car insurance rules abroad, which can help you confirm if Amex’s protection applies to your trip.

Beyond Amex, it’s useful to understand rental insurance in general. The Insurance Information Institute provides a breakdown of rental car coverage basics, giving context for what protections Amex actually fills in — and what it doesn’t.

What Is Amex Rental Car Insurance?

Amex Rental Car Insurance is an automatic benefit when you use an eligible American Express card to pay for your rental car.

Coverage is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
It protects against theft and damage to your rental car.
Includes towing and loss-of-use fees charged by rental companies.

However, this coverage is usually secondary. That means if you have personal auto insurance, Amex steps in only after your primary insurer pays.

Eligible American Express Cards

Not all Amex cards have the same benefits. Commonly eligible cards include:

Platinum Card® from American Express
American Express® Gold Card
American Express® Green Card
Blue Cash Everyday® and Blue Cash Preferred®
Amex EveryDay® and EveryDay® Preferred
Co-branded cards with Delta, Hilton, Marriott
Business Platinum Card® and Business Gold Card®
Centurion® Card

Always check your card’s Guide to Benefits before renting.

What Does It Cover?

Amex’s standard coverage includes:

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Pays for repairs if the car is damaged.
Theft Protection: Covers a stolen rental vehicle.
Towing Costs: If needed after a covered incident.
Loss-of-Use Fees: Reimburses daily charges while the car is out of service.

Coverage generally lasts up to 30 or 31 days.

Exclusions and Limitations

This benefit has clear restrictions:

❌ No liability coverage (injuries or damage to others).
❌ Exotic and specialty vehicles are excluded (e.g., Ferrari, Lamborghini, motorcycles, trucks).
❌ Not valid in certain countries (like Italy, Australia, New Zealand).
❌ Invalid if you accept the rental company’s CDW or misuse the vehicle.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also explains how credit card travel protections typically work, which helps you understand where Amex fits in.

How to Use Amex Rental Car Insurance

To activate coverage:

Pay for the entire rental with your eligible Amex card.
Decline the rental company’s CDW.
Ensure the primary cardholder is the renter.
Keep copies of the rental agreement and receipts.

Filing a Claim

If you need to use your coverage:

Report the incident quickly (within 30 days).
Submit:
- Rental contract
- Police report (if applicable)
- Repair estimate or invoice
- Credit card statement
File online via the Amex claims portal or by calling Amex Assurance.

Amex Premium Car Rental Protection

For stronger coverage, Amex offers Premium Car Rental Protection at $12.25–$24.95 per rental.

Benefits include:

Primary coverage (does not rely on personal auto insurance).
Up to $100,000 coverage for damage or theft.
Medical and accidental injury coverage.
Protection for rentals up to 42 days.

Feature	Standard Coverage	Premium Protection
Cost	Free	$12.25–$24.95 per rental
Type	Secondary	Primary
Max Coverage	Varies	Up to $100,000
Medical Benefits	No	Yes
Rental Duration	30–31 days	42 days

Comparison: Amex vs Other Cards

Chase Sapphire Reserve / Preferred → Built-in primary coverage.
Citi Cards → Many benefits removed in recent years.
Amex → Secondary coverage by default, but strong optional Premium Protection.

Tips to Maximize Coverage

✅ Always decline the rental agency’s CDW.
✅ Use premium Amex cards for stronger protections.
✅ Double-check country exclusions before booking.
✅ Consider Premium Protection for long or international trips.
✅ Keep digital copies of all rental documents.

FAQs

Does Amex Platinum cover rental car insurance?
Yes, it provides secondary coverage.

Does Amex Gold cover rental car insurance?
Yes, but terms may differ.

Does Amex cover liability insurance?
No — liability is excluded.

Does Amex cover international rentals?
Yes, except in excluded countries.

How long does coverage last?
Standard: 30–31 days. Premium: 42 days.

Conclusion

Amex Rental Car Insurance is a valuable perk that can save you from unnecessary costs at the rental desk. By knowing its coverage details, limitations, and how to file a claim, you can travel with confidence. For frequent or international renters, upgrading to Amex Premium Car Rental Protection is often worth the modest fee for the added peace of mind.