What are rental car insurance exclusions?

How do rental car insurance exclusions work?

A card's rental car benefit is a term of that specific product, so its exclusions are issued with the product documents rather than with the rewards programme. American Express states that its Membership Rewards terms relate only to the Rewards Program, and that cardholders should refer to the separate document(s) they received upon enrolment for terms and conditions related to a specific product. [7]

The two sets of terms do different jobs. The Membership Rewards terms govern earning and using points, including transfers to partner airline and hotel programmes; American Express states that these terms relate only to the Rewards Program, and that product terms are in the separate enrolment document(s). [7]

The card benefit and the rental agreement are also separate documents. Protection bought from the rental company runs on the rental company's own terms: Avis lists protections and coverages among its products and services, alongside items such as long-term car rental and one-way rentals. [3]

What kinds of rental fall outside card cover?

The situations a card's rental car benefit excludes are set by the terms for that specific product. American Express states that terms and conditions related to a specific product are in the separate document(s) received upon enrolment, and that its Membership Rewards terms relate only to the Rewards Program. [7]

Avis publishes its own catalogue of products and services — protections and coverages, rental add-ons, long-term car rental, one-way rentals and extended roadside assistance — which are products sold by the rental company rather than terms of a card benefit. [3]

How do you find the exclusion list for your card?

Start with the document issued for the specific card, not with the loyalty programme the card earns in. American Express states that for terms and conditions related to a specific product, cardholders should refer to the separate document(s) they received upon enrolment. [7]

The Membership Rewards terms can change. American Express states that it may make changes to the Rewards Program and may add to and/or change these Terms and Conditions at any time, and that if it cancels the Rewards Program it will notify cardholders at least 90 days in advance, during which time points can still be earned or used, though certain rewards may be changed or cancelled. [7]

Keep charges on the card in mind. American Express states that a flight booked using frequent flyer miles will not be charged to the card account, and that this means the cardholder will not receive insurance and other benefits that may apply when a flight is charged to the card account. [7] For a rental, the payment conditions sit in the card's own product document, which American Express issues separately on enrolment. [7]

Rental companies also sell their own protection products. Avis lists protections and coverages among its products and services and states that it "offers several protections & coverages that will keep you safe during your rental." [3]

What are the limits and exceptions?

• Terms vary by product. American Express states that terms and conditions related to a specific product are in the separate document(s) received upon enrolment, so the terms that apply to a card's rental benefit come with that product. [7]
• Membership Rewards terms can change. American Express states that it may change the number of points required to redeem for rewards, impose caps and/or fees on earning and/or using points, and add to or change the Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions at any time. [7]
• Cancellation has a notice period. If American Express cancels the Rewards Program it will notify cardholders at least 90 days in advance; points can be earned or used during that time, but certain rewards may be changed or cancelled. [7]
• A benefit tied to a charge can fall away. American Express gives the example of a flight booked with frequent flyer miles, which is not charged to the card account, so the insurance and other benefits that apply when a flight is charged to the card are not received. [7]
• Counter protection is a separate product. Avis lists protections and coverages among the products and services it offers, with the statement that they "will keep you safe during your rental." [3]

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find the exclusion list for my card?

In the terms issued for that specific card. American Express states that terms and conditions for a specific product are in the separate document(s) received on enrolment, and that its Membership Rewards terms relate only to the Rewards Program. [7]

Does the card's insurance apply if the rental is not charged to the card?

For flights, American Express states that a flight booked using frequent flyer miles is not charged to the card account, so the insurance and other benefits that apply when a flight is charged to the card are not received. [7] For a rental, the payment conditions sit in the card's own product document. [7]

Can I buy cover from the rental company instead?

Rental companies sell their own protection products. Avis states: "Avis offers several protections & coverages that will keep you safe during your rental." [3] Those are Avis products, separate from the benefit attached to a card, which is governed by the card's own product terms. [7]

Related pages

Explainers: credit card rental car insurance eligibility, car rental insurance and excess guide, car rental age and license requirements. Browse every entry in the frequent flyer glossary.

Sources

Sources accessed on 18 October 2026.

1. Avis Rent a Car: car rental products and services, checked 18 October 2026
2. American Express Membership Rewards Program terms and conditions, checked 18 October 2026