Amex Platinum car hire insurance query

[iandv]

Hi

I’ve hired a car with Alamo for our upcoming trip to Orlando. I have read that as part of the AMEX platinum benefits it now comes with full car insurance but is there anything I need to do to link these up or activate the benefit?

Also does anyone know if it also includes roadside assistance for the hire care if you break down

[Guernsey Globetrotter]

No need to activate – cardholders are covered automatically. It does NOT cover roadside assistance. You do NOT need to pay for the car hire with your card to be eligible. The basic summary of cover from the Amex website is below (https://www.americanexpress.com/en-gb/benefits/insurance-and-protection/the-platinum-card/travel-insurance/Car Rental Benefits – Theft, Damage and Liability)

– Up to £50,000 for theft or damage to vehicle (including any applicable excess)

– Up to £500,000 (Up to US$1 million in USA) for damage to another person or their property
Key exclusions and limitations

* Commercial vehicles, motor homes, caravans and trailers

* Cover applies only when rental agency allows refusal of their insurance

* An insured person must be named on the rental agreement

You should read the full policy document (https://icm.aexp-static.com/Internet/internationalcardshop/en_gb/pdf/platinum-card/UK_Platinum_Charge_Insurance_Documentation_v1_0.pdf) to clearly understand your cover and exclusions.

[kevinchoi]

If I hire a car and add my dad as a second driver, does my platinum card benefits cover him as well when he drives the hire car? (He doesn’t have plat)

[Guernsey Globetrotter]

kevinchoi wrote:

If I hire a car and add my dad as a second driver, does my platinum card benefits cover him as well when he drives the hire car? (He doesn’t have plat)

The policy says “These benefits apply to drivers named on the rental agreement which You are named on, subject to a maximum of 5 drivers”. However, I’d always read the policy carefully and not rely on random advice on the internet to give you a final position!

[iandv]

Thanks all. Is this Amex policy enough cover in the USA – I wouldn’t need to take out any additional policies from the rental provider – Alamo ?

Also who do people use for roadside assistance in Orlando ?

[Guernsey Globetrotter]

iandv wrote:

Thanks all. Is this Amex policy enough cover in the USA – I wouldn’t need to take out any additional policies from the rental provider – Alamo ?

Also who do people use for roadside assistance in Orlando ?

The Amex cover is generally considered sufficient cover by most on here but, as I said above, I’m just an internet randomer and not an insurance professional.

I’d say roadside assistance is the responsibility of Alamo if they give you a duff car!

[Tocsin]

kevinchoi wrote:

If I hire a car and add my dad as a second driver, does my platinum card benefits cover him as well when he drives the hire car? (He doesn’t have plat)

Make sure his name doesn’t appear first on the car rental paperwork – your insurance could then be nullified (can’t remember where I read about this issue!)