Amex free insurance - rental cars in Australia?

[opusman]

I've used the Amex free insurance for rental car coverage overseas successfully a couple of times, but never tried to use it in Australia. Has anyone ever successfully claimed for a rental within Australia using the free cover?

 

[Flyfrequently]

I've used the Amex free insurance for rental car coverage overseas successfully a couple of times, but never tried to use it in Australia. Has anyone ever successfully claimed for a rental within Australia using the free cover?

Not exactly to answer your question but, depending on which card you have @opusman , Amex via Chubb does not cover domestic car rental now, this change occurred a few years ago. (I have Amex Ultimate and Elevate.)

 

[opusman]

Does seem to be covered according to my reading of the policy docs (I have Elevate card as well):

https://icm.aexp-static.com/Internet/internationalcardshop/en_au/pdf/elevatepremiumcard/elevate_premium_insurance.pdf

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thread 'Car Hire Excess with AMEX?'

May 23, 2024

I understand that there are terms & conditions for the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card when it comes to travel insurance and the like.

I've read through the full PDF document and I can't figure this out, so perhaps some here can help.

When you book and pay for a full car hire booking with your Amex card, do you leave pay more to lower the excess or do you leave it at stock standard?

What I'm wondering is if the travel insurance terms & conditions with my Amex apply to car hire excess in the event of something going wrong.

• Catweazle
• Replies: 12
• Forum: American Express

• 

Thank you for that, I have re read it.
I would like to think your reading of the policy is correct @opusman , but as a catastrophiser, I have a healthy/cynical "regard" for insurance companies!

I called Amex and Qantas Premier Everyday and both told me no domestic cover.
Fortunately, we have Westpac Platinum Mastercard who do cover.
Happy to be corrected- guess you never really know until you have to make a claim.

 

[Gladstone Tim]

Thread 'Car Hire Excess with AMEX?'

May 23, 2024

I understand that there are terms & conditions for the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card when it comes to travel insurance and the like.

I've read through the full PDF document and I can't figure this out, so perhaps some here can help.

When you book and pay for a full car hire booking with your Amex card, do you leave pay more to lower the excess or do you leave it at stock standard?

What I'm wondering is if the travel insurance terms & conditions with my Amex apply to car hire excess in the event of something going wrong.

• Catweazle
• Replies: 12
• Forum: American Express

• 

Thank you for that, I have re read it.
I would like to think your reading of the policy is correct @opusman , but as a catastrophiser, I have a healthy/cynical "regard" for insurance companies!

I called Amex and Qantas Premier Everyday and both told me no domestic cover.
Fortunately, we have Westpac Platinum Mastercard who do cover.
Happy to be corrected- guess you never really know until you have to make a claim.

I tend to email or use chat and save a copy so as to have written confirmation when it is such a delicate and loopholish scenario.

 

[opusman]

The PDF document I linked doesn't cover the Ultimate Amex card, so possibly that has different terms which exclude domestic rental.

I believe the policy makes it explicit that domestic rentals are covered - the table on page 16 has columns for both "International Return Trip" and "Domestic Return Trip", and $100,000 is given as the benefit limit for Loss Damage Waiver Cover in both columns.

But like you I am a bit cynical about it - hence I would love to hear from someone who had successfully claimed on this for a domestic rental!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The PDF document I linked doesn't cover the Ultimate Amex card, so possibly that has different terms which exclude domestic rental.

I believe the policy makes it explicit that domestic rentals are covered - the table on page 16 has columns for both "International Return Trip" and "Domestic Return Trip", and $100,000 is given as the benefit limit for Loss Damage Waiver Cover in both columns.

But like you I am a bit cynical about it - hence I would love to hear from someone who had successfully claimed on this for a domestic rental!

I’m not sure there any reason to be skeptical of the domestic cover if you’re haply with the international version.

What concerns do you have in particular as to why domestic won’t be covered, even though it’s outlined as a benefit?

The only ‘snag’ I can see is if you are insured under another policy, then the Amex one is excluded.

 

[opusman]

What concerns do you have in particular as to why domestic won’t be covered, even though it’s outlined as a benefit?

Nothing really, the only thing is I've had this card for quite a while and I was *sure* that it didn't include domestic rentals. I wonder if it's a new thing since the change to Chubb or if it always did and I had just misunderstood the policy (which is quite annoying if so, since I've spent money on domestic travel insurance policies I otherwise didn't need to!)

You're right though, there's no real reason to be skeptical, the claims I've made for international rentals were always processed very quickly and efficiently.