Our verdict: American Express Travel Insurance covers all the basics but excludes pre-existing medical conditions so if you have one, you might want to look elsewhere.
American Express makes claiming easy, with an online portal, email and phone options.
The loss of income benefit is particularly strong, paying a monthly benefit of up to $2,000 for a maximum of 5 months if you're seriously injured while on holiday and subsequently unable to work.
Cons
Pre-existing medical conditions are excluded and there's no option to add them on for an additional fee. Even American Express warns that its policy might not be right for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions.
Even the most comprehensive American Express policy, Ultimate Plan, has a $20,000 limit on cancellation costs. There are many brands which offer unlimited cancellation cover.
American Express Travel Insurance is not currently available via Finder. You can head to the American Express website or compare alternative options available below.
Summary of American Express International Comprehensive policy
Overseas Medical and Hospital Expenses
Unlimited
Cancellation and Amendment Fees
$10,000
Luggage and Personal Effects
$10,000
Maximum Age Limit
79
Table updated August 2023
How does American Express Travel Insurance cover COVID-19?
American Express has you covered if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 before you head on holiday or while you're away. Here's what you can expect:
Any costs incurred from having to cancel, delay or change your trip because you or a travelling companion are diagnosed with COVID-19 - that includes additional accommodation and travel expenses.
Overseas emergency medical costs if you need treatment for COVID0-19 while on your trip
Transport of your remains or burial costs if you die as a result of COVID-19 during your trip.
There are some scenarios that are not covered by American Express including costs incurred as a result of mandatory quarantine or isolation, border closures or government travel bans.
Also, if you were diagnosed with COVID-19 before heading on your trip but you went anyway, you won't be covered for any COVID-related overseas medical expenses.
What policies does American Express offer?
American Express offers four insurance policies to travellers. The Essential, Comprehensive and Ultimate plans are available to travellers heading overseas while the Domestic plan is for travellers staying in Australia.
Essential
Comprehensive
Ultimate
Domestic
The insurer of this product is Chubb Insurance Australia Limited. It comes with a cooling-off period of 14 days and choice of $200 standard excess for international plans.
Here's a breakdown of American Express Travel Insurance features
These are some of the main insured events that American Express will cover. These benefits apply across all international policies.
Overseas medical treatment
Lost, damaged or stolen property
Trip cancellation or amendment
Additional accommodation and transport
Theft of money
Luggage and travel delay
Kidnap and hijack
Personal liability
Accidental death
Optional add-ons
American Express also offers three add-ons that provide cover for a wider range of risks.
Rental vehicle excess cover. If your rental vehicle is damaged, this benefit will cover the cost of the insurance excess. Does not apply to campervans, motorbikes or scooters.
Snow Sports Cover.Cover for equipment and cancellation expenses if you're going skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing or snowmobiling. .
Cruise Cover Extends your insurance policy to cover cruises and any cruise-related claim.
Exclusions
Unfortunately, travel insurance doesn't cover everything. Generally, American Express will not pay your claim if it relates to:
Unlawful, wreckless or unreasonably unsafe behaviour by you
Behaviour while you were drunk or under the influence of drugs
Expenses related to a pre-existing medical condition
Alternatively, you can phone Chubb on 1800 139 149, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm AEST.
Here's the bottom line about American Express Travel Insurance
Travellers with pre-existing medical conditions might want to look elsewhere as they won't be covered by policies and American Express won't consider adding them for an extra fee.
Further, there appears to be no cover available for travellers wishing to ride a motorbike or scooter, even if you have a valid licence.
You have 60 days from your return date to submit your travel insurance claim. If you're still waiting on documentation to support your claim but worried you won't make the deadline, you can start the process and submit the additional documentation later.
Yes, American Express does not offer travel insurance to people over 80. However, there are plenty of other providers that offer travel insurance to over 80s..
No, you do not have to be an American Express customer to take out a travel insurance policy.
Request travel insurance quotes and compare policies
Nicola Middlemiss is a contributing writer at Finder, with a special interest in personal finance and insurance. Formerly a business and finance journalist, Nicola has written thousands of articles helping Australians better understand insurance and grow their personal wealth. She has contributed to a wide range of publications, including Domain, the Educator, Financy, Fundraising and Philanthropy, Insurance Business, MoneyMag, Mortgage Professional, Yahoo Finance, Your Investment Property, and Wealth Professional. Nicola has a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Leeds. See full bio
Nicola's expertise
Nicola has written 239 Finder guides across topics including:
Personal finance
Personal insurance, including car, health, home, life, pet and travel insurance
If you are planning a getaway, ensure your financial safety with a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Comprehensive travel insurance protects both you and your travelling companion against an array of unforeseen events.
Review affordable backpacker insurance for your next overseas adventure and find the right insurance policy to cover commonplace backpacking travel risks.
Domestic travel insurance can provide cover for trip cancellation (domestic flights), loss or damage to luggage and expensive items, car rental excess charges and much more. Find out why domestic travel insurance is worth getting and compare policies from Australian insurers.
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
Finder
JeniOctober 13, 2018Finder
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
DebMarch 19, 2018
Hi I’m heading to Bali and wondering if your Ultimate policy cover the Volcano if it goes off
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
AkhtarMay 14, 2017
Is AMEX Travel Insurance available for Cruise travel to an Island within Australia?
Finder
HaroldMay 15, 2017Finder
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
maryApril 10, 2017
Do you insure travellers age 80 and 93
Finder
ZubairApril 11, 2017Finder
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
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?
Finder
RichardJanuary 29, 2016Finder
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
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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
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
Hi I’m heading to Bali and wondering if your Ultimate policy cover the Volcano if it goes off
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
Is AMEX Travel Insurance available for Cruise travel to an Island within Australia?
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
Do you insure travellers age 80 and 93
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:
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
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?
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