Amex Platinum Car Hire Insurance – USA

[Whatsthepoint]

Given the ‘still’ very hire car hire prices in the USA, has anyone has any experience of using the Amex Platinum car hire insurance to provide cover to reduce costs by booking on a US based site that doesn’t include all the insurances that are automatically added if you use a UK site? Does it reduce costs? Do you get same cover as if you book through a UK site? Also, I do have Avis preferred, but is Car Hire status through Amex Platinum worth it? Tried searching on this topic and found bits and pieces but not a full answer.

[dougzz99]

https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/car-hire-tips/

[Philondon]

When in the US we have booked with Avis through the British Airways website shopping portal. All insurances and stuff are included as is a free 2nd driver.

[JDB]

Whatsthepoint wrote:

Given the ‘still’ very hire car hire prices in the USA, has anyone has any experience of using the Amex Platinum car hire insurance to provide cover to reduce costs by booking on a US based site that doesn’t include all the insurances that are automatically added if you use a UK site? Does it reduce costs? Do you get same cover as if you book through a UK site? Also, I do have Avis preferred, but is Car Hire status through Amex Platinum worth it? Tried searching on this topic and found bits and pieces but not a full answer.

You have sort of answered your own question. If you book through a US site that doesn’t include the same insurances as the UK site (so it will be cheaper), then you don’t have the same cover. However, the concept is that the Amex Platinum insurance plugs the gap, albeit on a pay and claim basis. The reason for the difference is that most US private car insurance provides cover also for rental cars, so they don’t need the cover.