How to use credit card insurance to pay a rental car claim

[jpdx]

Upon returning a rental car, Enterprise pointed at a scratch on the passenger door and then mailed me a bill for over $500. Ouch!

I successfully used my Chase credit card to cover the cost in full. This wasn't an easy process, as it's in their best interest to make it as difficult as possible, but it can be done. Here's how:

I filed my claim online with their third party processor Card Benefit Services. Over the course of two months, they requested nearly a dozen documents to support my claim: incident report, rental agreement, receipt, CC statement, two photos of the damage, itemized repair bill, even a letter from my employer (me!) stating the rental for for business purposes. They said the accident report was illegible, so I made a color scan, they said it was still illegible, so I made them a typed transcription.

Save everything, stay organized, and don't give up.

Finally, paid in full, and I am happy to hang on to that $500 and my pride.

[Assetup]

Good for you!  Insurance companies will do their best to avoid paying but you forced their hand. 

[ducky19]

Had our rental Jeep broken into (broken window and damage to the window trim) and a tire slashed on our last trip to St. Croix. Thankfully used my American Express for the reservation - filed a claim with them and they did all of the work with the rental company. In just under a month, the matter was resolved. Their policy is to pay up to your deductible on your personal vehicle ($1000 in our case). Total damages were $1255, so I still had to pay a couple hundred out of pocket, but at least I didn't have to file a claim with my own insurance. It was definitely no where near the headache OP had.

[billy]

Really good to know, I'll keep this in mind in the future.

[meghan88]

PTF.  Some great info here.