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Many American Express cards include travel insurance, which offers coverage for certain types of losses. Among other benefits, AmEx provides complimentary rental car insurance on its cards, though the coverage level can vary depending on the card you hold.
Does AmEx cover rental car insurance?
Many AmEx cards include rental car insurance as a benefit. This applies to its most premium options, such as the American Express Platinum Card®, as well as standard cards such as the Hilton Honors American Express Card. Terms apply.
AmEx cards that provide rental car insurance
Here are some of the AmEx cards that provide rental car insurance:
Terms apply.
AmEx cards
Annual fee
- $895
- $325
- $0
- $150
- $0
» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now
Coverage levels differ depending on which card you hold. If you have the American Express Platinum Card®, for example, AmEx will reimburse up to $75,000 for damage or theft after a qualifying incident. Meanwhile, if you have the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, you’ll receive $50,000 in coverage after an incident. Terms apply.
Note that AmEx car rental insurance is secondary, which means it’ll reimburse you only after all other insurance has paid out. This includes any personal insurance that you have. However, secondary insurance becomes primary if you don’t hold any other car insurance, even within the U.S.
Annual fee
- $350
- $650
- $0
- $250
- $650
» Learn more: Best credit cards for rental cars
What does AmEx rental car insurance cover?
Complimentary credit card rental insurance does a pretty good job when it comes to coverage, but keep in mind that what's covered depends on the card you hold.
Here’s what American Express rental car insurance generally covers for premium cards, such as the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card:
- Theft of a covered rental car.
- Physical damage to the vehicle.
- Accidental death or dismemberment.
- Accidental injury.
- Car rental personal property coverage.
- Loss-of-use charges as incurred by the agency.
- Appraisal fees.
- Reasonable towing charges.
Terms apply.
Coverage for other cards is less comprehensive and includes:
- Theft of the rental car.
- Loss-of-use fees.
- Reasonable towing charges.
- Physical damage to the vehicle.
Terms apply.
You’ll find this type of insurance on cards such as the American Express® Gold Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Terms apply.
To receive coverage for your rental vehicle, you’ll need to:
- Pay for the full rental using your eligible AmEx card.
- Decline the optional insurance coverages offered by the rental company — for higher-end cards, this means you’ll also need to decline insurance such as personal property coverage and personal accident insurance. Other cardholders simply need to decline the full collision damage waiver.
Terms apply.
Note that you can still receive insurance if you’ve used your American Express Membership Rewards to pay for the car but not if you used any other rewards programs.
Rental car insurance is valid for rentals of up to 30 consecutive days only. Terms apply.
Who is covered?
AmEx’s rental car insurance protects more than the cardholder. As defined in the guide to benefits, an eligible renter for collision insurance is a cardmember with an eligible card, their spouse or partner and any authorized drivers. For other types of insurance, such as accidental injury insurance, passengers of the vehicle are also covered. Terms apply.
How to file a claim with AmEx rental car insurance
There are two ways to file a claim for an incident. The first is to head to AmEx’s online site and start your claim.
If you prefer talking with someone, report your claim by calling 800-338-1670. If you’re out of the country, call 303-273-6497 collect. You’ll want to report the incident within 30 days of the loss or as soon as reasonably possible.
Then you'll need to submit proof of loss within 60 days. Expect to provide a variety of documentation, including:
- An itemized repair bill.
- A copy of the rental agreement.
- A copy of the charge slip for the vehicle.
- A copy of your personal insurance or a notarized letter stating that you don’t have any.
- A police report (if there is one).
- A copy of your driver’s license unless it is included as part of the rental agreement.
Once AmEx has all your information and has processed your claim, it will pay out your benefits within 30 days. Terms apply.
AmEx car rental insurance, recapped
Most AmEx cards come with some form of rental car insurance. This is true of premium cards with high annual fees and lower-fee cards. However, the type of insurance and the level of coverage that you’ll receive varies based on your card. Terms apply.
To determine how the AmEx rental car benefits for your card work, you’ll want to check out its guide to benefits, where you’ll find information such as coverage limits and who is eligible for coverage.
To receive complimentary rental car insurance, you’ll need to pay for the full rental with your eligible card. You’ll also need to decline any insurance offered by the rental agency. Once that’s done, insurance is automatic and you can drive away knowing that you’re covered.
All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.
To view rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page.
Insurance Benefit: Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 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.
To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, see this page.
Insurance Benefit: Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance
- Car 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.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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