Does American Express Cover Rental Car Insurance in Europe?

For many travelers, the idea of renting a car abroad can be quite intimidating, especially in Europe. Not only do you have to navigate a new country and its roadways, but you have to also ensure that your rental car is adequately covered in case of an accident, theft, or damage. Fortunately, many credit card companies, including American Express (Amex), offer their cardholders car rental insurance to cover these types of incidents. This article will outline the car rental insurance coverage offered by American Express in Europe.

American Express Car Rental Insurance in Europe

When you use an eligible American Express Card to reserve and pay for your rental car, you will receive complimentary insurance coverage for damage or theft of the rental car. This coverage is secondary to any other insurance you may have, meaning that it will only kick in after any other applicable insurances, such as your own personal auto insurance, have been exhausted. The coverage provided by American Express is valid in Europe, so you can rest assured that you are covered while driving in any European country.

Eligible American Express Cards

Not all American Express Cards are eligible for car rental insurance coverage in Europe. To be eligible for coverage, your card must be a U.S. issued charge or credit card, including American Express Corporate Cards, American Express Platinum Card, American Express Gold Card, American Express Green Card, and American Express Blue Cash Preferred and Blue Cash Everyday Cards. If you do not have one of these eligible cards, you will not be able to take advantage of the coverage offered by American Express.

What is Covered?

American Express car rental insurance in Europe provides coverage for damage or theft of the rental car, up to the actual cash value of the rental car. This coverage is secondary to any other insurance you have, meaning that it will only kick in after any other applicable insurances, such as your own personal auto insurance, have been exhausted. In addition, American Express also provides coverage for any reasonable towing charges incurred in the event of an accident or breakdown. However, this coverage does not extend to personal liability or personal accident insurance.

Limitations

When it comes to car rental insurance, there are some limitations that you should be aware of. Firstly, American Express’s car rental insurance in Europe will not cover any rental car that is used for business purposes. Secondly, the coverage is limited to a maximum of 31 days for any single rental period. Lastly, American Express car rental insurance does not cover any rental cars that are rented outside of the United States and its territories, so you will need to purchase coverage from the rental car company if you are renting a car in another country.

Conclusion

American Express’s car rental insurance in Europe is a great way to ensure that you are covered in the event of an accident or theft while driving in a foreign country. However, it is important to remember that the coverage is only secondary to any other insurance you may have, so you should always be sure to check that you have adequate coverage before you rent a car. Additionally, you should be aware of the limitations of the coverage, and ensure that you are not renting a car for business purposes or longer than 31 days.