Does American Express Offer Rental Car Insurance?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

Paying with a credit card can simplify rental car insurance—but only if you understand what’s covered (and what isn’t). Some cards include rental car coverage, while others exclude it entirely or limit protection to certain rentals.

This guide explains how American Express rental car insurance works, when you can skip the rental counter’s coverage, and when it’s smart to add American Express Premium Car Rental Protection.

1. AMEX Typically Covers Damage/Theft of the Rental Car: Most American Express cards include rental car loss and damage protection when you pay with your eligible card and follow the rules.
2. Standard AMEX Coverage Is Often Secondary: If you have a personal auto policy, you may need to file with your own insurer first before AMEX benefits apply.
3. Premium Car Rental Protection Can Be Primary: AMEX’s optional Premium plan can provide primary coverage for rental car damage/theft for a flat fee per rental (not per day).
4. Liability Coverage Usually Isn’t Included: AMEX rental coverage generally doesn’t replace liability insurance—so make sure you’re protected if you injure someone or damage their property.

American Express Usually Covers Rental Car Damage (But Not Everything)

Most American Express cards include Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance (often described as a collision damage waiver-style benefit). In plain English: it can help pay for damage to or theft of an eligible rental car when you follow the rules for activating coverage.

This benefit is similar to a collision damage waiver (CDW): it’s focused on the rental vehicle itself—not the injuries or liability claims that can come with an accident.

What AMEX Rental Car Insurance Covers

AMEX’s standard rental car benefit generally covers:

• Damage to the rental vehicle (collision, vandalism, certain other covered events)
• Theft of the rental vehicle (or certain theft-related losses), including situations where the rental car is stolen
• Towing and related covered expenses in some situations (depending on your benefit terms)

Coverage details vary by card, country, and the specific benefit guide for your account. If you want a deeper overview of how rental coverage works across cards and policies, see our guide to rental car insurance.

What AMEX Rental Car Insurance Does Not Cover

This is the part that surprises many renters: AMEX coverage is usually not full “car insurance.” Even when your rental car’s physical damage is covered, you may still need protection for other risks.

• Liability coverage (damage/injuries you cause to other people or their property)
• Injuries to you or passengers (medical payments, personal injury protection, etc.)
• Your personal belongings stolen from the car (often excluded or limited)
• Maintenance-related issues and many “ownership-style” costs (varies by terms)
• Common wear items like tire damage and wear and tear are frequently excluded

The Big Catch: Standard AMEX Coverage Is Usually Secondary

In many cases, AMEX’s included Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance works as secondary coverage. That means if you have a personal auto policy, you typically file with your own insurer first and AMEX may reimburse covered amounts that remain (based on the benefit terms).

If you’re unsure whether your regular policy extends to rentals, start here: Does my auto insurance policy cover rental cars?

Why does “secondary” matter? Because using your personal policy may mean paying your deductible and potentially dealing with a claim on your record. (If you’re trying to reduce out-of-pocket exposure, read: How can I avoid paying my car insurance deductible?)

How to Activate AMEX Rental Car Coverage

To maximize your chances of being covered, follow a simple checklist:

1. Use your eligible AMEX card to reserve and pay for the entire rental.
2. Decline the rental company’s CDW/LDW at the counter (or in the online checkout flow).
3. Keep the rental agreement in your name and follow the contract rules (authorized drivers only, permitted use only).
4. Rent an eligible vehicle type (see exclusions below).
5. Stay within the maximum rental period allowed by your benefit guide (many benefits cap coverage by consecutive days).

When You Should Consider Buying Insurance at the Rental Counter

Even if AMEX covers the rental car itself, you might still want to add coverage from the rental company (or a separate policy) in situations like these:

• You don’t have personal auto insurance (or it doesn’t extend to rentals)
• You want liability coverage beyond what’s automatically included by the rental company/state minimums
• You’re traveling internationally and your personal policy won’t apply
• You want “walk-away” simplicity (some rental-company damage waivers can reduce paperwork and claims handling)

A common approach is: rely on AMEX for rental car damage/theft protection, but add liability coverage if you’re not confident your personal policy will protect you (or if you want higher limits).

American Express Premium Car Rental Protection

If you want stronger coverage for the rental vehicle (and you want to avoid involving your personal auto policy), AMEX offers Premium Car Rental Protection as an add-on. Enrollment is required, and when you pay for an eligible rental with an enrolled card, AMEX charges a flat fee per rental (not per day).

What it typically improves: Premium Car Rental Protection can provide primary coverage for damage to or theft of the rental car (based on the option you choose), which can help you avoid filing a claim with your personal auto insurer for covered physical damage.

Typical cost (U.S.): Depending on your state and the plan level, pricing generally ranges from about $12.25 to $24.95 per rental. Some states have specific pricing and duration rules (for example, Washington residents may have a shorter maximum consecutive-day coverage period).

How long it can cover you: Premium Car Rental Protection commonly applies for up to 42 consecutive days per rental (with certain state-specific limits). This can be a big win for longer trips where the rental counter’s per-day waiver gets expensive fast.

Important Limitations of Premium Car Rental Protection

Premium Car Rental Protection can be excellent for rental-car damage/theft protection, but it still has limits. For example:

• It does not replace liability insurance (you still need liability protection from your own policy, the rental company, or another source)
• Not every country is covered (coverage can be excluded in certain locations—always check before an international trip)
• You must be enrolled before the rental and must pay with the enrolled card

AMEX Rental Car Insurance Exclusions to Watch For

Like any insurance benefit, AMEX rental coverage comes with exclusions. A claim can be denied if the rental or the incident falls outside the program rules.

Common exclusions often include (check your benefit guide for the exact list):

• Many non-passenger vehicles (certain vans, large trucks, specialty vehicles). Some benefits allow certain rentals like a standard pickup truck, but rules vary.
• Motorcycles, mopeds, RVs, off-road vehicles, and other specialty rentals
• Vehicles with major modifications or certain aftermarket alterations (learn more about OEM vs. aftermarket parts)
• Use outside the rental agreement (unauthorized drivers, prohibited use, driving where you’re not allowed)
• Illegal or reckless driving, including driving while intoxicated (if this is a concern, see: cheap DUI/DWI car insurance)

How to File a Claim With AMEX Rental Car Insurance

If something happens, start documenting immediately. Then follow these steps:

1. Protect everyone’s safety first and contact emergency services if needed.
2. Notify the police when appropriate (especially for theft, vandalism, or serious crashes). If you’re unsure when this is required, read: Do you need a police report to file a claim?
3. Call the rental company and follow their incident instructions.
4. Contact AMEX benefits/claims as soon as reasonably possible (many benefit guides require notice within a specific time window).
5. Submit the required documents (rental agreement, incident report, photos, repair estimate, and any other requested paperwork).

Tip: Keep copies of everything—photos, receipts, names, dates, and the rental company’s claim paperwork. Missing documents are one of the most common reasons rental claims get delayed.

FAQs on American Express Rental Car Insurance

Final Word

American Express rental car insurance can be a valuable perk—especially for protecting the rental vehicle from damage or theft. The key is knowing the gaps: standard AMEX coverage is often secondary and typically doesn’t include liability or injury coverage.

If you want primary protection for the rental car (and a flat fee per rental instead of a daily waiver), American Express Premium Car Rental Protection can be worth a look—just remember you may still need separate liability coverage.

Official references (helpful for verifying your specific card’s terms): AMEX Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance Terms and AMEX Premium Car Rental Protection.