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AMEX Travel Insurance

American Express Travel Insurance Review

Amex travel insurance offers some competitive limits of up to $5,000,000 for your next staycation, and there are some handy add-ons such as cruise and snow cover.

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Zahra Campbell-Avenell
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Important:

Travel insurance rules continue to change as a result of the pandemic. Some information may not be accurate at this time. It’s even more important to double-check all details that matter to you before taking out cover. Please note:
    • Some policies may not be available through Finder at this time
    • It’s unlikely that your policy will cover expenses from border closures

    Our Verdict

    • Get a competitive rate of up to $10,000 for trip cancellation fees and lost deposits in Australia. Plus, you might find your Amex credit card offers an extra layer of protection if you book using your plastic.
    • Amex offers a strong rate of up to $5,000,000 for personal liability cover. You'll get a rental vehicle excess of $3,000, which isn't bad but is a couple of grand short of Fast Cover's Domestic Plus policy.
    • We looked at 15 travel policies and found that five offer some kind of cover for the pandemic. Amex wasn't one of them.

    Review by our travel insurance senior writer James Martin

    A leading credit card provider throughout the world, today American Express Australia is also an established travel insurance provider. Find out below if they have a policy that meets your needs and see how you could save.

    Compare American Express travel insurance

    Data updated regularly
    Name Product Overseas Medical Expenses Cancellation and amendment fees Theft or damage to lugagge COVID-19 expenses Standard excess
    American Express Domestic Travel Insurance
    American Express Domestic Travel Insurance
    • No
    • $5,000
    • $5,000
    $200
    Get quote
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    Summary of American Express' Comprehensive policy

    Overseas Medical and Hospital ExpensesUnlimited
    Cancellation and Amendment Fees$10,000
    Luggage and Personal Effects$10,000
    Maximum Age Limit79

    Table updated June 2021

    What policies are available?

    American Express provide the following travel insurance options:

    Essentials

    Available with International and for single trips. Cover includes personal liability, medical assistance, some cancellation benefits, luggage travel documents and money benefits.

    Comprehensive

    Available with International and for single trips. Cover includes what's covered in previous plans with higher limits as well as cash in hospital and loss of income benefits.

    Ultimate

    Available with International and for single trips. Cover includes what's covered in comprehensive but also has a higher luggage, travel documents and money benefits limit.

    Australia

    Available with single trips within Australia, you can get cover for cancellation, lost, stolen or damaged luggage as well as travel delays.

    International Annual

    You can get unlimited medical, cash in hospital, cancellation cover, delay benefits and more for a 12 month travel period.

    Within Australia Annual

    This 12 month domestic travel pack comes with cancellation cover, luggage and delay benefits and more. Like other domestic policies, it does not include medical cover.

    Amex travel insurance review of policy benefits

    Take a look at the table below to compare policy benefits.

    BenefitsEssentialsComprehensiveUltimateDomestic
    Cancellation fees and lost deposits$5,000$10,000$20,000$5,000
    Overseas emergency medical assistanceUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
    Overseas emergency medical and hospital expensesUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
    Hospital cash allowance
    		$100 per day$100 per day
    Accidental death$10,000$20,000$25,000
    Loss of income
    		$8,500$10,000
    Travel documents, travellers cheques, credit cards$5,000$10,000$15,000$5,000
    Theft of cash
    		$250$250
    Luggage and personal effects$5,000$10,000$15,000$5,000
    Luggage and personal effects delay expenses$200$250$300$200
    Personal liability$2,500,000$5,000,000$5,000,000$5,000,000
    Rental vehicle excess$3,000$3,000$250$3,000

    Table was last updated: June 2021

    What add-ons are available with American Express?

    These are some of the optional extras available with American Express Travel Insurance:

    • Rental Vehicle Excess. This can be bought with a standalone single trip policy, covering you if you become liable to pay a rental vehicle excess while you are travelling.
    • Snow cover. This can either be taken out as a standalone policy or bundled with other policies, covering you for things like snow sport equipment, piste closure, bad weather and avalanche closure.
    • Cruise cover. You'll need to take out additional cruise cover if you want to be covered for any claims while on a cruise. If you add this onto your policy, it will show on your Certificate of Insurance.

    What isn't included in this policy?

    These general exclusions apply to all American Express Travel Insurance policies and are worth keeping in mind when purchasing a policy. Remember to read your PDS for a full list of general exclusions. You will not be covered for the following:

    • Any pre-existing condition that is not deemed an approved medical condition. You also need to make sure you disclose any relevant pre-existing medical condition
    • Your nerves, anxiety or stress disorders prevents you from completing your journey or results in any changes to your plans
    • Any participation in ski acrobats, stunting, ski jumping, heliskiing, aerial skiing, ski joreing, off-piste skiing, bobsleighing, snow rafting, para-penting
    • An act of Terrorism
    • Any nuclear reaction or contamination
    • Any illegal or unlawful act
    • Costs incurred prior to you being certified by a doctor as unfit to travel, or for any travel undertaken that a doctor has advised against
    • Loss, damage, illness or death if you don't take reasonable care

    Amex travel insurance claim and contact details

    If you need to make a claim, make sure you do it within 30 days of the event taking place. You will need to complete a claims form and attach any relevant receipts, reports and documentation as well.

    Claims and contact details

    Emergency assistance: +61 2 8907 5666

    Claim method 1: The easiest way is to submit your claim online. You will needg your insurance details, contact information, any relevant supporting documents and the intended payee's information.

    Claim method 2: Alternatively, you can call 1800 139 149 and they will talk you through the process. You will need the same information as mentioned in the online claims process.

    General phone enquiries: Call 1800 139 149 or email [email protected]

    Compare AMEX travel insurance

    AMEX Travel Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

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    24 Responses

      Default Gravatar
      JanOctober 9, 2018

      We are planning a trip to Switzerland and Italy June 2019 for about 3 weeks. My mother has just turned 85 and still lives independently at her home. Would we be covered if during our time away, she passed away and we needed to fly home? She has the normal age related issues but does not have any other issues other than old age. We have heard that a lot of insurers do not cover this. Thanks

      Reply
        Avatarfinder Customer Care
        JeniOctober 13, 2018Staff

        Hi Jan,

        Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

        The American Express travel insurance offer cover in case of death of a relative during the trip.

        If you are looking for a travel insurance that can help you recover your cancellation costs including pre-booked tickets and hotels, costs associated with returning home at short notice and costs associated with resuming your journey at a later date due to family/relative emergency at home, please refer to our travel insurance for family emergency to start comparing your options.

        I hope this helps.

        Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.

        Thank you and have a wonderful day!

        Cheers,
        Jeni

        Reply
      Default Gravatar
      DebMarch 19, 2018

      Hi I’m heading to Bali and wondering if your Ultimate policy cover the Volcano if it goes off

      Reply
        Default Gravatar
        NikkiMarch 22, 2018

        Hi Deb!

        Thank you for your question.

        You have contacted finder.com.au, a comparison and information service and not actually an American Express Travel Insurance.

        American Express Travel Insurance covers medical emergency expense cover, travel cancellation cover, transport accident cover, travel inconvenience insurance and baggage, money and documentation cover.

        It would be best to contact American Express directly as this would require for you to check the complete coverage of the insurance.

        Hope this helps!

        Best regards,

        Nikki

        Reply
      Default Gravatar
      AkhtarMay 14, 2017

      Is AMEX Travel Insurance available for Cruise travel to an Island within Australia?

      Reply
        Avatarfinder Customer Care
        HaroldMay 15, 2017Staff

        Hi Akhtar,

        Thank you for your inquiry.

        According to the American Express Travel Insurance product disclosure statement (PDS), “cover for any cruise travel will be based on Your chosen geographical region.” Meaning that you should be covered by your standard policy. However, you should review the PDS for the exact costs covered for cruise related claims. For more information about the costs covered by AMEX or the definitions related to Australian waters, you should contact them directly.

        I hope this information has helped.

        Cheers,
        Harold

        Reply
      Default Gravatar
      maryApril 10, 2017

      Do you insure travellers age 80 and 93

      Reply
        Avatarfinder Customer Care
        ZubairApril 11, 2017Staff

        Hi Mary,

        Thank you for your question.

        You have contacted finder.com.au, a comparison and information service and not actually an American Express Travel Insurance.

        American Express Travel Insurance has different age limits for different policies:

        • Ultimate and comprehensive policies have a maximum age limit of 89 years old.
        • Essential policy has a maximum age limit of 79 years old.
        • Basic policy has a maximum age limit of 69 years old.
        • Domestic policy has a maximum age limit of 79 years old.

        If you would like to check which insurers provide cover for 80 and 93 year old travelers, please head to our seniors travel insurance page.

        All the best,
        Zubair

        Reply
      Default Gravatar
      MJSJanuary 29, 2016

      I am a 45yo male and had a stroke just over 12 months ago. Although my stroke was not for medical reasons (I have no risk factors) and I have been advised by my neurologist that everything has healed and I now have no more likelihood of having another stroke than the average person, it is still considered a pre-existing condition by the insurers I have spoken with. Are you aware of any travel insurance policies that would provide me with cover?

      Reply
        Avatarfinder Customer Care
        RichardJanuary 29, 2016Staff

        Hi MJS,

        Thanks for your question. Both Cover-More and InsureandGo consider most conditions after a medical assessment. They may be a good starting point.

        I hope this was helpful,
        Richard

        Reply
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