American Express complimentary travel insurance

You can get travel insurance for trips overseas and in Australia with an American Express card – here’s how it works.

Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald. See full bio

• Credit cards
• Frequent flyer
• Credit score
• BNPL
• Money management
• Sustainability

• What American Express cards have complimentary insurance?
• What’s covered by American Express complimentary travel insurance?
• What’s not covered by this insurance?
• What do I need to do to use this insurance?
• Pre-existing medical conditions
• How to make a claim
• Other types of complimentary insurance from American Express
• American Express business and corporate card complimentary insurance options

American Express offers complimentary travel insurance on a range of cards in Australia, as well as insurance options for your shopping. These policies are all underwritten by Chubb and have the potential to save you money on standalone policies.

Just like any insurance, you need to meet a set of conditions to get cover and make claims. That’s why it’s always good to read the insurance policy booklet. But if you just want an idea of cover, we’ve got some of the key details here.

What American Express cards have complimentary insurance?

Right now, American Express offers complimentary travel insurance on 6 personal cards in Australia. It also offers cover for purchases and other items. Here’s a look at the insurance you can get with personal Amex cards you can currently apply for:

Interested in Amex business cards? See details here.

What’s covered by American Express complimentary travel insurance?

The cover you get depends on the Amex card that you have and you’ll see details of exactly what applies to your card in its insurance policy booklet (available on the Amex website). But as a basic guide, you’ll typically get emergency medical cover, luggage and some cover for cancellations – including a few cards with cover for specific COVID-19 situations.

To give you an idea of the type of cover you can get, we’ve broken down the key types of benefits available, including cards that offer some form of cover and claim limits. But remember, you should always read the insurance policy booklet for your card to get full details.

• American Express Explorer
• American Express Platinum Edge
• American Express Platinum Card
• American Express Velocity Platinum
• Qantas American Express Ultimate
• Qantas American Express Premium

• American Express Explorer
• American Express Platinum Edge
• American Express Platinum Card
• American Express Velocity Platinum
• Qantas American Express Ultimate
• Qantas American Express Premium

• American Express Explorer
• American Express Platinum Edge
• American Express Platinum Card
• American Express Velocity Platinum
• Qantas American Express Ultimate
• Qantas American Express Premium

• American Express Explorer
• American Express Platinum Edge
• American Express Platinum Card
• American Express Velocity Platinum
• Qantas American Express Ultimate
• Qantas American Express Premium

• American Express Explorer
• American Express Platinum Edge
• American Express Platinum Card
• American Express Velocity Platinum
• Qantas American Express Ultimate
• Qantas American Express Premium

• American Express Explorer
• American Express Platinum Card
• Qantas American Express Ultimate
• American Express Velocity Platinum

• American Express Explorer
• American Express Platinum Edge
• American Express Platinum Card
• American Express Velocity Platinum
• Qantas American Express Ultimate
• Qantas American Express Premium

• American Express Explorer
• American Express Platinum Edge
• American Express Platinum Card
• Qantas American Express Ultimate
• American Express Velocity Platinum

• American Express Explorer
• American Express Platinum

Note:

If you have an American Express card that’s no longer available for new applications, log in to your American Express account or check the Amex website to see whether cover is available.

What’s not covered by this insurance?

All insurance policies have details of when you will and won't get cover, so check before you book a trip or make a claim. In the case of American Express complimentary travel insurance, some of the key situations that aren't typically covered include:

• If you haven't taken care or acted responsibly
• Pre-existing medical conditions, including ongoing dental issues, chronic illness and addictions
• Claims related to hazardous biological, chemical, nuclear or radioactive material, gas matter or contamination
• Insolvency of a travel company

• If you start a trip after an official government body has issued a travel advisory warning
• One-way trips if you can’t prove your plans to return to Australia
• Claims that arise after you’ve taken drugs (unless prescribed by a medical professional)

Remember: Each American Express complimentary insurance policy is different, so you should read the insurance policy document for your card to get full details.

Have a question about American Express complimentary travel insurance on your card? Call Chubb on 1800 236 023.

What do I need to do to use this insurance?

It can vary depending on the card, but the requirements generally include:

• Booking. You must book the full fare for a return trip on your American Express credit card or by using reward points earned through the card (e.g. American Express Membership Rewards, Qantas Points or Velocity Points). On some cards, such as the American Express Platinum charge card, you can also claim insurance if you have booked a trip using other rewards points, as long as you pay for taxes and other additional fees using your American Express card.
• Travel plans. Your travel must start and end in Australia and you need to show proof of your plans to return, for example, a return flight booking.
• Age. You must be under 80 years of age.

What if American Express isn’t accepted when I make my booking?

With most Amex cards, you won’t get cover if you can’t pay for your booking with the card or points earned through the card.

If you have an American Express Platinum Charge Card, you can still get complimentary travel insurance if you provide American Express and Chubb with proof of purchase and the name and address of the provider who would not accept your American Express card.

Does American Express credit card travel insurance cover family members?

The travel cover you get with an eligible American Express credit card also extends to your spouse and any dependent children, providing they meet the booking requirements and are travelling with you for the entire trip.

American Express outlines the following definitions for spouses and dependents:

• Spouse. A husband, wife, fiancé(e) or a de-facto and/or life partner with whom the American Express primary cardholder has continuously cohabited for a period of 6 months or more.
• Dependent child. A legally dependent child up to and including the age of 25, including a stepchild or legally adopted child, who is fully dependent on the American Express primary cardholder for financial support.

Pre-existing medical conditions

This complimentary travel insurance doesn't cover pre-existing medical conditions. In really simple terms, that means you won't get cover if you've seen a doctor or other qualified professional about a condition that causes issues overseas. It's the same if you're aware of a physical, medical, mental or dental condition before you travel.

There are some exceptions if you're pregnant, though:

• If you’re travelling overseas, you’ll be covered for unforeseen emergency medical treatment as long as it’s more than 8 weeks before your expected due date and is not related to any other pre-existing conditions (for example, gestational diabetes).
• If your card offers cancellation and amendment cover, you can claim for issues related to your pregnancy as long as it’s more than 8 weeks before your expected due date.

Note that this insurance won’t cover the actual birth of your child when you’re overseas. If you’re planning a trip during your pregnancy, make sure you read the insurance policy booklet to see exactly when you will and won’t get cover.

🔥 Hot tip

The easiest way to find details in the insurance policy booklet is to open your digital copy and use the "Find" tool (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) to search for the terms. For example, “Pre-existing medical conditions”.

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

Travel insurance policies all have specific ways of looking at existing medical conditions, so it's really important you're aware of the actual definition they use. As well as the summary above, we have included an example of the definition of a pre-existing medical condition from the current American Express Explorer card insurance policy document, effective from 15 March 2022 (page 19-20): Pre-Existing Medical Condition means any physical defect, medical or dental condition, illness, injury or disease that:

1.

1. Ongoing medication for treatment or risk factor control;
2. Prescribed medication from a Doctor;
3. Check-ups, consultations, reviews or progress advice (other than those recommended by a Doctor to review a previous condition that is considered by a Doctor prior to You making Your Qualifying Travel Purchase to be cured or in complete remission); or
4. Surgery; or

2. Is either

1. Under investigation;
2. Pending diagnosis or test results;
3. Chronic or arthritic.

• Heart;
• Brain (other than a mental health–related condition);
• Liver;
• Back/spine;
• Kidneys;
• Cardiovascular or circulatory or respiratory system;

and where such medical condition either:

1. Involved a hospital emergency visitation or being an inpatient in hospital; or
2. Required or requires surgery, a specialist appointment or consultation; or
3. Requires:
   1. Ongoing medication for treatment or risk factor control; or
   2. Prescribed medication from a Doctor; or
   3. Check-ups, consultations, reviews or progress advice (other than those recommended by a Doctor to review a previous condition that is considered by a Doctor prior to You making Your Qualifying Travel Purchase to be cured or in complete remission); or
      a. is currently either:
      1. Under investigation; or
      2. Pending diagnosis or test results.

      Got a pre-existing health condition that's not covered? Check out travel insurance policies that offer cover for conditions including allergies, epilepsy and physical disabilities.

      How to make a claim

      If you think you will need to make a claim, contact Chubb as soon as possible so that it can give you information that’s specific to your situation.

      You can do this by calling +61 2 8907 5666 overseas (for emergencies) or 1800 236 023 in Australia.

      The simplest way to submit your claim is online, using the following steps:

      1. Go to http://www.americanexpress.com/australia/claims
      2. Choose the option for insurance that’s included with your card.
      3. Provide your card number, name and the date of the incident.
      4. Fill in the details on the claim form and upload your supporting documents.

      You can also get a claim form by calling Chubb.

      What to include in your claim

      With insurance claims, it's always good to include as much detail and supporting documentation as possible. It makes it easier for the insurer to look at the claim and your eligibility for a payout.

      So when you're travelling overseas with this cover, try to get as much written or photo evidence as you can for any claim you need to make. This could include:

      • A referral or letter from a doctor or other professional you see in relation to a claim
      • Official medical reports
      • Police reports
      • Photos of damaged items
      • Emails or letters from airlines that relate to a claim
      • Receipts or other proof of purchase

      Some types of claims will also ask for specific documentation, such as a police report if you’re submitting a claim for stolen valuables.

      Tip

      Use a travel wallet or online folder to keep all your important documents together. This could include your passport, itinerary, printed tickets, a copy of the Bankwest card insurance policy booklet – plus anything that could become supporting documentation for future claims.

      Other types of complimentary insurance from American Express

      Amex cards give you access to other types of insurance, also provided by Chubb. Below is a snapshot of the different types.

      Card purchase cover

      • What is it? Cover for the cost of a new item that is stolen or accidentally damaged. It covers most household and personal items such as laptops, shoes and jewellery. Exclusions include second-hand items, perishables, cash, computer software, vehicles and household fixtures such as dishwashers.
      • When can I use it? If you have paid for the item with your eligible Amex card within 90 days before it is stolen or damaged, you can submit a claim. If you’ve only paid for part of the item with your Amex card, you can still make a claim but it will only cover the percentage paid for through the card.
      • How can I make a claim? You need to show proof that you own the item and proof of damage or a police report for theft. Then, call Chubb on 1800 236 023 or submit your claim through the Chubb online claim portal. Note that there is a limit of up to $3,500 per item and $30,000 in any 365-day period.
      • Is there an excess? A $50 excess applies for each claim.

      Card refund cover

      • What is it? Cover for new items worth more than $50 that you’ve bought in Australia when you can’t get a refund through the retailer.
      • When can I use it? If you’ve used your Amex card to buy an item in the last 90 days and it’s unused, not faulty and the retailer won’t refund you. Note, that this does not cover second-hand items.
      • How can I make a claim? Call Chubb on 1800 236 023 or submit your claim through the Chubb online claim portal. Note that there is a limit of up to $500 per item and $2,000 in any 365-day period.
      • Is there an excess? No

      Buyer’s advantage cover

      • What is it? Cover for the breakdown or defect of eligible items you buy in Australia if they had a manufacturer’s warranty that expired before the issue. You’ll get extra cover for the same period as the original warranty, up to a maximum of 1 year. For example, if you bought a laptop with a 12-month manufacturer's warranty and it stopped working for no reason after 12 months, you could make a claim under this cover.
      • When can I use it? If you used your eligible American Express card to pay for an item and it came with an Australian manufacturer's warranty of between 7 days and 5 years. You can make a claim if something happens after the original warranty period has ended.
      • How can I make a claim? Call Chubb on 1800 236 023 or submit your claim through the Chubb online claim portal. Note that there is a limit of up to $20,000 per item and up to $20,000 in any 365-day period.
      • Is there an excess cost? No.

      Smartphone screen cover

      • What is it? Cover for your smartphone screen if it’s damaged after being accidentally dropped or hit by something.
      • When can I use it? You need to have used your Amex card to pay for the most recent 3 months of your smartphone data plan, or have bought your new phone outright with the card to get cover. You can claim twice in any 365-day period.
      • How can I make a claim? Call Chubb on 1800 236 023 or submit your claim through the Chubb online claim portal.
      • Is there an excess cost? Yes, it’s calculated as 10% of the repair cost. For example, if it costs $250 to repair the screen, your excess would be $25.

      American Express business and corporate card complimentary insurance options

      If you get an Amex card for your business, You can get some form of complimentary travel insurance on the following Amex business and corporate cards:

      Business cards

      • American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card
      • American Express Gold Business Card
      • American Express Business Explorer Credit Card
      • American Express Platinum Business Card
      • American Express Velocity Business Card

      Corporate cards

      • American Express Qantas Corporate Card
      • American Express Qantas Corporate Platinum Card
      • American Express Corporate Gold Card
      • American Express Qantas Corporate Gold Card
      • American Express Corporate Platinum Card
      • American Express Corporate Card

      Similar to Amex cards for personal use, the amount of cover you get depends on the actual card.

      For example, the American Express Business Card offers transport accident cover, card account balance waiver cover and business trip completion cover, while the American Express Platinum Business Card offers more comprehensive cover that includes:

      • Transport accident cover
      • Card account balance waiver cover
      • Business trip completion cover
      • Travel inconvenience cover
      • Medical emergency expenses cover
      • Resumption of journey cover
      • Baggage, money and documents cover
      • Travel cancellation cover
      • Personal liability cover
      • Loss of income cover
      • Hijack cover
      • Kidnap cover
      • Purchase protection cover
      • Refund protection cover
      • Buyer’s advantage cover
      • Loss damage waiver cover
      • Monthly business expenses cover

      So if you’re interested in getting a credit card for your business and want complimentary insurance, check the card’s relevant complimentary insurance policy booklet on the Amex website for full details.

      Want more complimentary insurance from your credit card? Compare cards from American Express, or check out other cards that offer insurance.

      Was this content helpful to you? Thank you for your feedback!

      To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Joelle Grubb as part of our fact-checking process.

      

      Written by

      Amy Bradney-George

      Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald. See full bio

      Amy's expertise
      • Credit cards
      • Frequent flyer
      • Credit score
      • BNPL
      • Money management
      • Sustainability
      More resources on Finder

      More guides on Finder

      American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card Bonus points and low card fees are two of the features that set the American Express Essential Rewards apart from the other rewards credit cards - find out more about it here.

      American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card The American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card offers 150,000 bonus Qantas Points, no pre-set spending limit and perks including complimentary insurance.

      American Express Business Explorer Credit Card Offers 50,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points, up to 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent and complimentary travel insurance.

      American Express Explorer Credit Card The Amex Explorer offers Membership Rewards points, lounge passes, a $400 travel credit and complimentary insurance covers – here's how its other features add up.

      American Express Velocity Business Card The American Express Velocity Business Card earns points per $1 spent and offers complimentary travel insurance and two complimentary Virgin Australia lounge passes each year.

      American Express Velocity Platinum Card The American Express Velocity Platinum Card offers a range of frequent flyer benefits including a complimentary domestic return flight with Virgin Australia, airport lounge access and points per $1 spent.

      Qantas American Express Discovery Card One of the only credit cards that offers Qantas Points for your spending and a $0 annual fee – so is this Amex credit card right for you?

      American Express Platinum Card How does the huge bonus points offer, $450 annual travel credit and other platinum perks stack up against the Amex Platinum card’s annual fee?

      Amex, Visa or Mastercard credit cards: How to choose If you are comparing American Express, Visa and Mastercard credit cards, this guide offers everything you need to know about the benefits and downsides of each

      Qantas American Express Ultimate Card The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card earns up to 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent, a yearly $450 travel credit and additional premium travel features.

      Ask a question

      235 Responses

      Neil April 11, 2023

      I have paid for all of my upcoming African Safari holiday on my AMEX Corporate Card. I have been told it comes with complementary travel insurance. Do I need to obtain some sort of cover letter for AMEX to carry with me?

      Finder

      Amy April 14, 2023 Finder

      Hi Neil,
      You can get a confirmation of insurance benefit letter by calling the insurance provider, Chubb, on 1800 236 023. You don’t need this letter if you’re eligible for cover but some tour companies and other travel organisations do require proof of insurance.
      Keep in mind that all Amex corporate cards have their own insurance policy documents. It’s important to refer to these to check what’s covered and who’s eligible for cover (if you haven’t already). I hope that helps.

      John March 11, 2020

      I am booked with Singapore airlines to fly to Amsterdam on 26/4 returning 2/6/20, paid for by Amex platinum reserve credit card, I also booked hotels thru Booking .com.
      Since the Corona virus started my wife and I decided to cancel the trip to Europe, I bancelled most hotel bookings and received a full refund, however some will not refund the monies.
      Am I covered with the Amex pkatinum travel Ins please.
      Regards John

      Nikki March 12, 2020

      Hi John, Thanks for your comment and I hope you are well. I’m sorry to hear you had to cancel your travel plans but I’m glad you’re taking precautionary measures for you and your wife’s health. It’s good to know that some of the suppliers refunded you for your trip. It’s helpful to know that no travel insurance will cover you for any Coronavirus related claim as it is a known event and is continuously evolving therefore how your insurance company responds this week might not be the same way it responds next month. If you have bought your policy before January 2020 and you want to know if your travel insurance covers Coronavirus, contact your insurer directly and ask how they handle this. I hope this helps and I hope they find a good resolution for you! Be safe! Best,
      Nikki

      Alex October 8, 2019

      Does the American Express Essential Credit Card include complimentary travel insurance given that all criteria listed above is met?

      Jhez October 9, 2019 Finder

      Hi Alex, Thank you for your comment. According to our review, the American Express Essential Credit Card does not have a complimentary travel insurance. You should be able to find the list of American Express cards offering travel insurance from our American Express complimentary travel insurance review page. Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. Regards,
      Jhezelyn

      Maritere August 15, 2019

      My family and I are travelling to Spain in September and renting a car with the Amex Business Green credit card. We want to know if the card insurance covers that rental.

      Jeni August 15, 2019 Finder

      Hi Maritere, Thank you for getting in touch with Finder. If you have an American Express Business credit card, it does not cover car rental insurance and does not offer complimentary travel insurance. I hope this helps. Thank you and have a wonderful day! Cheers,
      Jeni

      Anthony April 2, 2019

      Ash Munoz G’day. Thanks for your speedy & peace of mind reply regarding travel insurance arrangements but do I need a reference number of sorts just in case——God forbid I may not need it. Kind regards Tony.

      Load More Comments

      Australia

      • © 2024 finder.com.au
      • Terms of service
      • Privacy & cookies policy
      • Complaints policy
      • Modern slavery statement

      Level 10, 99 York St, Sydney NSW 2000

      Finder acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.

      How likely would you be to recommend Finder to a friend or colleague?

      Very Unlikely Extremely Likely

      Thank you for your feedback.

      Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.

      Important information about this website

      Advertiser Disclosure

      finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market. Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.

      How we make money

      We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them. Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options. Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.

      Sorting and Ranking Products

      When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.

      Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

      Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.

      We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.