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American Express So you think using your American Express card protects you when renting a car? Think again! ripoff New York new york
August 3, 2007
American Express
New York, New York
To whom it may concern:
I recently used my American Express card to pay for a rental car. I needed to get this car as a replacement because someone ran a stop sign and smashed my wifes SUV and totaled it. We rented a Jeep Commander because there are six people in our family and we need to use a larger vehicle, similar to the vehicle that we own. While driving this vehicle on the freeway a few nights ago, something hit the windshield very forcefully and left the window with a large smashed in area.
The next morning, I submitted an insurance claim to American Express to pay for the repair to this rental vehicle. The claim was summarily denied because it was an SUV. Had we rented a smaller car, the claim would have been approved. When I questioned this, the claims supervisor for American express, Denise Kennedy explained that we as cardholders receive this notice of policy.
I was incredulous! It has always been my understanding that American Express acts as supplemental insurance when using your card to rent an automobile. As such, I use my American Express Card EVERY time I rent a car. Rest assured this will stop if this claim is not paid. I dont have the time or inclination to read all of the fine print that comes my way in my daily life. Most reasonable people would expect that American Express would pay his claim paid because of the marketing it does in this regard. To try to avoid paying this claim on a technicality such as this outrages me. The average person feels insurance companies will try to do whatever they can to deny claims and after this it seems they are right.
I am very upset about this and wont take it lying down. If this claim is not paid immediately, I will cancel all of my cards and go very public about this. I am thoroughly disgusted about this. Part of my plan is to go to the local news papers as well other media outlets to inform them of this. (During this summer travel period, I am sure they will find it relevant and interesting).
Additionally, I will speak to consumer protection groups and suggest to them that whenever a person uses their American Express card they should have to sign a waiver explaining that they know of this practice and policy. I have other plans and my anger over this matter will keep me energized to pursue it. Just to let you know I am serious about this, I will post this matter on the www.ripoffreport.com .
I suppose a cynical person would think that a big corporation would do anything they could to wiggle out of their responsibilities. I thought American Express was above this type of practice. Do the right thing. Pay this claim.
Brian
irvine, California
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Carl
Oakland Park,Florida,
U.S.A.
as bad as this sounds, it really is in the fine print....
#2Consumer Suggestion
Sat, January 19, 2008
I know you don't want to hear this and you're going to hate me for being so honest, but the solution to your issue is in a comment you made... "I don't have time to read the fine print."
My solution? You HAVE to read the fine print. I too have an AMEX card, and, when you enroll in the Auto Insurance (or when you get your card), the policy really does state that things like SUVs, Luxury cars, Certain Specialty cars and a few more (I forget the details right now) are NOT covered by the policy, usually only standard, small, or compact sedans.
I also think the policy doesn't cover you in certain countries...don't remember what they are.
My point, even if you don't have time to read the fine print, YOU HAVE TOO. This situation, if nothing else, is proof of that. As hard as I know this is to hear, ignorance of the rules really is no excuse and cancelling your card with them doesn't change that responsibility.