Question
I've unsuccessfully tried the "search" function but getting a blank page and "done" at the bottom so I've honestly tried to research this first!
I have a platinum United Chase Visa. I called the number on the back of the card and specifically asked what benefits I hold regarding auto rentals (within the US) and CDW's. I was told it covered up to the full value of the car and could decline an agency's CDW. I've NEVER declined one in the past simply for the smart peace of mind but being told this and saving all that money was too good to pass up.
Well, lo and behold, in the all the years with out an incident, I received an FedEx overnight letter from Enterprise's regional office (letter received on Tuesday, dropped car off the previous Friday) that a dent was discovered on the front passenger door.
I called the number on the back to make a claim. Here's where it gets interesting. The agent informs me that coverage is secondary and will cover only up to my deductible amount on my own insurance. Luckily I have a high one ($1000) and whatever this cost, should be easily covered.
How could Chase have seriously erroneous information about the benefits that VISA actually covers?? This could have been financially detremental if the damage had been worse to the automobile and needed to be reported to my auto insurance.
Live and learn but has this happened to anyone or am I the only loser here. :confused:
Answer
It might indeed cover the full value of the car, but only as secondary coverage -- if the damages exceeded your insurance coverage, it would kick in again in that case. Secondary coverage means they only pay what your insurance doesn't.
Answer
It might indeed cover the full value of the car, but only as secondary coverage -- if the damages exceeded your insurance coverage, it would kick in again in that case. Secondary coverage means they only pay what your insurance doesn't.
It was a rude awakening to understand this afterwards. It's unfortuate that Chase customer service doesn't elaborate further but it appears they don't have this information at all. The impression is your covered completely without involving your insurance company.
Unless you provide a notarized statement indicating you have no insurance will you be covered completely.
I spoke to another rep from Chase to see if I would get the same answer I received originally and went a step further to ask if coverage was primary or secondary. Full value was the definitive answer.
Answer
It was a rude awakening to understand this afterwards. It's unfortuate that Chase customer service doesn't elaborate further but it appears they don't have this information at all. The impression is your covered completely without involving your insurance company.
Unless you provide a notarized statement indicating you have no insurance will you be covered completely.
I spoke to another rep from Chase to see if I would get the same answer I received originally and went a step further to ask if coverage was primary or secondary. Full value was the definitive answer.
I have had a similar situation before. My advice is:
1. Don't take it lying down. Tell them the following (a) you did not dent it, (b) It was not that way when you turned it in, (c) no one noted any damage at the time it was checked in, and (d) why do they assume that it was you and that the damage did not occur after it was checked in. Inform them that you are filing a complaint with their local BBB, calling corporate to complain, and referring this to your lawyer to address.
(I turned in a car. A month later Budget sent me a threatening letter with pictures of the driver side mirror dangling from a wire. I just told them that this made no sense. They would have to see the mirror upon check in if it had been damaged. Their porters damaged it after check-in.)
2. Get a Diners Club or Carte Blanche. They provide a version of PRIMARY coverage. (See the terms or call them for specifics.)
Answer
I have had a similar situation before. My advice is:
1. Don't take it lying down. Tell them the following (a) you did not dent it, (b) It was not that way when you turned it in, (c) no one noted any damage at the time it was checked in, and (d) why do they assume that it was you and that the damage did not occur after it was checked in.
Strange that you should say this because this was close to what I had claimed.
When I took possession and did the walk around with the rep, the car was dripping wet from the car wash it immediately came from. It would have been difficult to notice any soft denting. Unfortunately, being my own devil's advocate, this would be hard to prove after the fact.
I certainly didn't notice a dent upon the return but once again my own fault for not going over it with the rep more closely.
My contact at Loss Control has volunteered to pull all the previous rental agreements for this particular automobile to see if this damage had been documented earlier so I appreciate that she's working with me on this.
I'm not arguing the fact that the damage may or may not have happened on my watch but my beef is with Chase, the issuing bank. This type of misinformation can, indeed, be very costly.
I had a Diners card quite a long time ago for just these purposes but the mileage points I get on the platinum far outweighed (so I thought) the benefits Diners provided. May have to reconsider.
Thanks for your recommendations just the same!
Answer
The regular Chase United card provides primary coverage outside the US only. Says so right there in the terms and conditions booklet you received with the card. Chase should better train their CSRs.
I have the Diners Club card mainly for the primary coverage, even inside the US. The $95 was worth it just for the peace of mind (and I got the fee waived the second year).
Answer
The Chase United Airlines BUSINESS card provides PRIMARY CDW for BUSINESS use of the rental car. Personal use of the rental car is covered as secondary.
I hove no idea what BUSINESS use of the rental car is vs personal use?