AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[Duffa]

I did not even know about it And it looks like even if you are registered you have to obtain your quote using a special link.

I got my 10x points just for renewing my home and contents insurance. Been with them past 5 years!! Didn't have to use any link which was a nice surprise

 

[one9]

Moved my Benz to them 2 months ago and the wifes Audi to them yesterday (hasn't gone through yet so thought I might be able to sneak in), ...

I had by BMW insured with AAMI for a few years and everything seemed good...they gave a great price and they were friendly on the phone. But when I had an accident I realized how lacking they are. After assessing my car, they awarded the repair to some small dodgy repair shop in the western suburbs who said the new bumper would take 3 weeks to arrive from overseas. Checking with a BMW recommended repairer, I was informed that the bumper was in stock in Australia and they could order it in 1-2 days. Luckily the other car who was at fault was insured with NRMA (I think) and I was able to use the BMW recommended repairer by not going through my insurance (AAMI) and instead going through the other car's insurer as a third party.

From that experience I found out the three Sydney BMW recommended repairs won't deal with AAMI at all (they won't even quote to them as they know there is 0% chance they will get the job) and that AAMI award jobs to very small dodgy western suburb repairers. So unless I had a cough or old car, I would not use AAMI again, no matter how many bonus points they give away.

 

[edman]

I got my 10x points just for renewing my home and contents insurance. Been with them past 5 years!! Didn't have to use any link which was a nice surprise

Ok well I might be in with a chance then. I've just checked on my points history and found I only got the .5 points bonus on the transaction back in Sept (not registered for the promo until yesterday) and now my other AAMI transaction has appeared on my transactions screen backdated to date of transaction being 13th. Points haven't posted yet but will be interesting, particularly as I've reached my cap.

 

[edman]

I had by BMW insured with AAMI for a few years and everything seemed good...they gave a great price and they were friendly on the phone. But when I had an accident I realized how lacking they are. After assessing my car, they awarded the repair to some small dodgy repair shop in the western suburbs who said the new bumper would take 3 weeks to arrive from overseas. Checking with a BMW recommended repairer, I was informed that the bumper was in stock in Australia and they could order it in 1-2 days. Luckily the other car who was at fault was insured with NRMA (I think) and I was able to use the BMW recommended repairer by not going through my insurance (AAMI) and instead going through the other car's insurer as a third party.

From that experience I found out the three Sydney BMW recommended repairs won't deal with AAMI at all (they won't even quote to them as they know there is 0% chance they will get the job) and that AAMI award jobs to very small dodgy western suburb repairers. So unless I had a cough or old car, I would not use AAMI again, no matter how many bonus points they give away.

Interesting take, I've been with them before and didn't have any problems (but only 1 claim and I was not at fault). I was previously with Budget Direct who I actually found good to deal with on the one occassion when I needed them (again, not at fault and other party identified which I think helped). Not worried about the points as I didn't even know about it until lovestotravel alerted me to it, fingers crossed.

 

[lovestotravel]

I had by BMW insured with AAMI for a few years and everything seemed good...they gave a great price and they were friendly on the phone. But when I had an accident I realized how lacking they are. After assessing my car, they awarded the repair to some small dodgy repair shop in the western suburbs who said the new bumper would take 3 weeks to arrive from overseas. Checking with a BMW recommended repairer, I was informed that the bumper was in stock in Australia and they could order it in 1-2 days. Luckily the other car who was at fault was insured with NRMA (I think) and I was able to use the BMW recommended repairer by not going through my insurance (AAMI) and instead going through the other car's insurer as a third party.

From that experience I found out the three Sydney BMW recommended repairs won't deal with AAMI at all (they won't even quote to them as they know there is 0% chance they will get the job) and that AAMI award jobs to very small dodgy western suburb repairers. So unless I had a cough or old car, I would not use AAMI again, no matter how many bonus points they give away.

Interesting you say this... I used to hear lots of "interesting" stories about Amex from various people, this confirms that those "interesting" stories still occur

 

[Moopere]

From that experience I found out the three Sydney BMW recommended repairs won't deal with AAMI at all (they won't even quote to them as they know there is 0% chance they will get the job) and that AAMI award jobs to very small dodgy western suburb repairers. So unless I had a cough or old car, I would not use AAMI again, no matter how many bonus points they give away.

I have a list of 'must haves' that insurance companies must allow me else they are not in the running. One of these is "Authorised MB repairer" or "Choose own repairer". There is too much scope for customer abuse, in my opinion, when the insurer doesn't give you any choices in repair. MB insurance is actually very good, though the team is slow to respond and rather dysfunctional, but with some encouragement the stated (PDS) and obtainable benefits are worthwhile - this year however the premium leaped by over 20% despite depreciation and no claims ... Shannons is almost as good (for me) in listed benefits that I care about and realistically priced, though still far from cheap.

I should follow up the Amex thing with them to see if theres any progress

 

[pointsjunkie]

I got my 10x points just for renewing my home and contents insurance. Been with them past 5 years!! Didn't have to use any link which was a nice surprise

Yeh me too, got the 10 Bonus Points per dollar and did it all over the phone - plus the quote was heaps cheaper than competitors - happy days!

 

[edman]

Thanks lovestotravel, I owe you a beer.

Although I didn't register for the AAMI promo until 14th Nov, and the transaction when it cleared was dated 13th, when the points posted a few days later it came with the bonus points. Which is a bonus as I'd reached my cap (although the bonus points have appeared sporadically when this has happened in the past).

 

[Foreigner]

Had to go to NRMA to renew home insurance policy. They wouldn't take Amex and DC cards. With such large membership, I would have thought Amex would have fought / negotiated hard to get their business. Perhaps NRMA is in stronger position and didn't wish to pay commissions Amex demanded.

 

[simongr]

The NRMA (IAG) thing is a real annoyance. I have also seen two local merchants now applying a surcharge that they previously did not

 

[zzyss]

Had to go to NRMA to renew home insurance policy. They wouldn't take Amex and DC cards. With such large membership, I would have thought Amex would have fought / negotiated hard to get their business. Perhaps NRMA is in stronger position and didn't wish to pay commissions Amex demanded.

Been that way for a while now. There was a time where they'd accept Amex over the phone due to a loophole in their phone system, but even that's closed off now. Sucks for me, since I can't find any insurer that covers both QLD and NSW that will beat them on price after all the various discounts, so I have to just suck it up and pay some other way.

 

[StevePER]

For renewing my roadside assistance with RAC (WA), the bill says they accept Amex but the website doesn't take it. Not sure what's going on there.

 

[Moopere]

For renewing my roadside assistance with RAC (WA), the bill says they accept Amex but the website doesn't take it. Not sure what's going on there.

Yeah, there is something funny. I ended up ringing in to do mine and they did mention something about Amex. Anyway, they were able to take it via the phone and I've been charged, so you may want to try that.

 

[StevePER]

Yeah, there is something funny. I ended up ringing in to do mine and they did mention something about Amex. Anyway, they were able to take it via the phone and I've been charged, so you may want to try that.

Done - it is accepted on their phone system but not on the website.

 

[Flashback]

Done - it is accepted on their phone system but not on the website.

Handy to know, my renewal is coming up soon too.

 

[yo yo ma]

Sucks for me, since I can't find any insurer that covers both QLD and NSW that will beat them on price after all the various discounts, so I have to just suck it up and pay some other way.

Try getting a quote from Allianz... they were the cheapest for me (based in Qld) and they accept Amex - bonus!

 

[zzyss]

Try getting a quote from Allianz... they were the cheapest for me (based in Qld) and they accept Amex - bonus!

That looks promising, thanks! Will check it out. Probably a good time to do deals if I can find that one sales guy that hasn't made his 2011 target

 

[JohnK]

Umart in Milton have a 3% surcharge on Amex. Not sure if it is all credit cards or just Amex.

 

[moofasa]

freedom furniture have recently started charging. 1.9% I think

 

[JohnK]

freedom furniture have recently started charging. 1.9% I think

Is that in Queensland? Purchased a mattress early last year and they did not accept American Express.