TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums US VI and Puerto Rico Car insurance - St John (USVI)

Hi! When we were going to go to Bonaire, found out that car insurance can be a real bugger and that American Express offers good rental car coverage when your home one won't cover you (typically out of US).
So, if your auto policy covers rental cars, no need for additional coverage? I have State Farm and they confirmed I'm covered in the USVI.
Not all rental places take Am Ex so it would be nice to know if we needed it or not.
Any car insurance experts out there?

State Farm may be one of the few that do cover, not sure. Seems to be the case, but read your policy to see if it specifically cover US Territories or not. Also read it about the type of vehicle that is covered. Some do not cover jeeps for example, which would be a typical rental in St. John.

Some Visa/Mastercards also include coverage so check with your cards also. They might cover any deductible you would have under your home policy. Some cards also have "primary" coverage vs "secondary" coverage. That makes a difference also. Primary coverage is when the CC covers the cost up front for the rental, you do not even contact your home insurance carrier.

Eric, great insights! It was actually my State Farm rep that said we were covered, but I will ask about the Jeep. I know the optional coverage offered by Am Ex is really good, but don't want to limit my selection of rental places to only those that take it. thx!

You are dealing with three separate contracts: a car rental contract, a credit card contract, and an insurance contract.

You have to look closely at all three as often the car rental contract has provisions that are not covered. An example is diminished value of the vehicle after an accident , or loss of use.

It isn't at all easy to determine the responsibilities and coverages.

While AMX may offer coverage on a rental, read the fine print. They do not cover "off road" vehicles. I believe a jeep is considered an off road vehicle? As "unregistered" stated some coverage's may not cover loss of use of the vehicle if it is removed from the fleet for repairs after an accident. You may be charged for each day it is out of the fleet. You need to be well informed and read the fine print.

My personal insurance covers jeeps, but a few years ago I blew out the back window of a jeep backing into a parking space. We had bought trip insurance so I contacted them 1st, they covered it! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />