I normally do not pay for my rental car until I pick up car. So $24.95 flat fee cost for car ins kicks in at that point.
If I pay ahead of time, for a trip in a month, does the Am Ex primary insurance time start running at time of payment or at time of pick up?
Amex is not going to charge you for insurance on a rental vehicle until you actually have keys to the vehicle at the time you pick it up and have signed the car rental contract.
Be sure to check if the country you are renting the car in requires American drivers by law to have an “International Drivers Permit” or IDP. Spain, Austria, Italy and Slovenia, for example, are just some of the countries that require an IDP. If an IDP is required and you don’t have one, the insurance coverage may be null and void in the event you have an accident— so it’s critical to get one in the countries where it is required.
IDP’s can be obtained for about $30 at any American Automobile Association (AAA) office .
Think about it this way, you have no insurable interest in the car until it is in your possession so what could AMEX insure? Let’s say the random car that was going to be assigned to you is totaled 5 minutes before you are scheduled to pick it up, you would in no way be responsible for the damages. No insurable interest equals no way to sell someone insurance.
I do tend to overthink. Better before the trip than later.LOL Thanks!
