Car Rental Thru Priceline - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

topcop400 · October 31, 2006, 08:45 PM

When paying for a car rental with your American Express card, you automatically are covered for insurance. If you reserve through Priceline does that negate the insurance coverage?

It seems like it might, since you aren't directly paying the rental company.

derb · October 31, 2006, 08:56 PM

Not a problem. I rented thru hotwire and had a dented fender, someone banged it while we were parked. All it took was an extra step to show the charge to hotwire.

philemer · October 31, 2006, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derb

Not a problem. I rented thru hotwire and had a dented fender, someone banged it while we were parked. All it took was an extra step to show the charge to hotwire.

Are you saying you paid for your Hotwire rental with an AMEX card?

SteveH · November 2, 2006, 01:18 PM

I have a no-fee Amex card that I use just for Costco and Priceline (the only card it would accept) and it doesn't provide collision.
Steve

johnmfaeth · November 2, 2006, 01:29 PM

Amex has the best insurance coverage (an option) in the industry. Normally, they and other cards will act as what's called a "secondary". That means if you have an accident, you must first file a claim with your home insurer. The credit car then pays what your home insurer doesn't cover.

That's terrible, a little fender bender on vacation and your insurance premiums at home jump higher and your vacation is ruined.

The Amex optional program is called "Primary Insurance Coverage". It covers the vehicle and other property damage 100%. If you have an accident, you notify Amex and they work it out with the car rental company directly. You sign on piece of paper and you're done.

Your home insurance is never notified and you have little hassle.

I have found that the rental companies never play games either when they realize that they are dealing with Amex.

This coverage costs a flat $19.95 per rental, regardless of term (one day or one week or one month).

Visa and MC issuers have no similar product.

For added safety, I always take photos of each side of the car when it is returned. I try to get the rental return person in at least one shot.

MULTIZ321 · November 2, 2006, 07:26 PM

John,

I assume you call Amex and ask for this primary insurance coverage when you have a rental? Is that the process?

Thanks

Richard

Andi · November 2, 2006, 09:57 PM

John

Is that for all Amex card or just certain ones? If it is just for certain ones, which ones allow you to do this?

Andi

TheDuke · November 11, 2006, 12:44 AM

Like some other posters, I have an AmEx card (Optima) that does not have rental coverage. As a consequence, I always prefer to use a Visa Card.

TheDuke

Michael · November 11, 2006, 05:28 AM

Diner's Club is primary as well and is free with your annual membership.

- Michael

bogey21 · November 11, 2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andi

John

Is that for all Amex card or just certain ones? If it is just for certain ones, which ones allow you to do this?

Andi

I also have this Amex insurance which as previously stated is $19.95 whether the rental is for 1 day, 1 week or 1 month. I am very satisfied with it.

I believe it is applicable to all your American Express cards but you have to call (one time only) and sign up for it over the phone. You just call, say you want it and it is done. Each time you rent a car (and use one of your Amex cards) the insurance is automatically charged to your car.

In answer to the Priceline question. On the one occasion I used Priceline and my Amex card, the $19.95 was charged to my Amex card for the insurance. My guess is that when Priceline sends the charge to Amex they designate what it is for - car, air or hotel. I suspect that this is to facilitate those credit card companies which send you an annual itemization of your charges by catagory.

GEORGE

LisaH · November 11, 2006, 02:36 PM

I tried last time to get the $19.95 additonal coverage and was told it's no longer available for CA residence.

October 31, 2006, 08:45 PM	#1
topcop400 TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: May 24, 06 Location: Northern California Posts: 230 Resorts: Wyndham Alexandria Cypress Pointe Grandvillas in Orlando	Car Rental Thru Priceline When paying for a car rental with your American Express card, you automatically are covered for insurance. If you reserve through Priceline does that negate the insurance coverage? It seems like it might, since you aren't directly paying the rental company. __________________ Becky Northern California "Where the air is clean, but the pay sucks."

November 2, 2006, 09:57 PM	#7
Andi TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 13, 05 Location: Foley, AL Posts: 41	Car Rental Insurance John Is that for all Amex card or just certain ones? If it is just for certain ones, which ones allow you to do this? Andi

November 11, 2006, 12:44 AM	#8
TheDuke TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 12, 05 Location: Paducah, KY USA Posts: 92	AmEx Car Rentals Like some other posters, I have an AmEx card (Optima) that does not have rental coverage. As a consequence, I always prefer to use a Visa Card. TheDuke

November 11, 2006, 05:28 AM	#9
Michael TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Posts: 193	Diner's Club is primary as well Diner's Club is primary as well and is free with your annual membership. - Michael

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October 31, 2006, 08:56 PM	#2
derb TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Coral Springs, Florida Posts: 543 Resorts: HGVC Flam, Jockey Cb, Marriott HP, Murray Valley,Diks, S Gate Villas, Powhatan, Blue Ridge, Polo Towers, LV Desert Cb	Not a problem. I rented thru hotwire and had a dented fender, someone banged it while we were parked. All it took was an extra step to show the charge to hotwire.

November 2, 2006, 01:18 PM	#4
SteveH TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 128	I have a no-fee Amex card that I use just for Costco and Priceline (the only card it would accept) and it doesn't provide collision. Steve

November 2, 2006, 01:29 PM	#5
johnmfaeth TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Oct 7, 06 Location: Northeast PA Posts: 2,601	Amex has the best insurance coverage (an option) in the industry. Normally, they and other cards will act as what's called a "secondary". That means if you have an accident, you must first file a claim with your home insurer. The credit car then pays what your home insurer doesn't cover. That's terrible, a little fender bender on vacation and your insurance premiums at home jump higher and your vacation is ruined. The Amex optional program is called "Primary Insurance Coverage". It covers the vehicle and other property damage 100%. If you have an accident, you notify Amex and they work it out with the car rental company directly. You sign on piece of paper and you're done. Your home insurance is never notified and you have little hassle. I have found that the rental companies never play games either when they realize that they are dealing with Amex. This coverage costs a flat $19.95 per rental, regardless of term (one day or one week or one month). Visa and MC issuers have no similar product. For added safety, I always take photos of each side of the car when it is returned. I try to get the rental return person in at least one shot.

November 2, 2006, 07:26 PM	#6
MULTIZ321 TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: FT. LAUDERDALE, FL Posts: 3,595 Resorts: CELEBRITY RESORTS PALM COAST; CELEBRATION, ORLANDO; SEAWATCH AT ISLAND CLUB, HHI; RHC (POINTS)	John, I assume you call Amex and ask for this primary insurance coverage when you have a rental? Is that the process? Thanks Richard

November 11, 2006, 02:36 PM	#11
LisaH TUG Lifetime Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: SF Bay area, CA Posts: 1,327	I tried last time to get the $19.95 additonal coverage and was told it's no longer available for CA residence.