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 journalist with nearly a decade of experience in personal finance and insurance. She has contributed to Domain, Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Insurance Business Australia, offering in-depth insights into commercial insurance in the Australian market. Nicola holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Leeds and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which complies with ASIC standards. See full bio
Nicola's expertise
Nicola has written 243 Finder guides across topics including:
Personal finance
Personal insurance, including car, health, home, life, pet and travel insurance
i need at least $250,000 emergency evacuation insurance from Antarctica does your policy cover this ?
Finder
RichardSeptember 21, 2015Finder
Hi Brian,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and not an insurer. There is no mention of Antarctica on the American Express Travel Insurance website nor in the PDS. Antarctica was covered under Worldwide for their previous policy, so you may want to contact AMEX directly for clarification on this matter.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
GarySeptember 7, 2015
Does annual mean 365 day from payment date or from Jan 1 to Dec 31?
Finder
WilliamSeptember 7, 2015Finder
Hi Gary,
Thank you for your enquiry. It is 365 days from the policy commencement date, that is the date you select when purchasing cover. It is not from Jan 1 to Dec 31.
Thanks again and all the best,
Will
lorraineJuly 23, 2015
flying Melbourne to Singapore 3days there on the 6th dec. the n a cruise for 14 days to Thailand Cambodia Vietnam bali then fremantle do we need separate INSURANCE
Finder
RichardJuly 24, 2015Finder
Hi Lorraine,
Thanks for your question.
If you are planning on taking out cover with American Express, you will need to purchase additional coverage. For more information, please have a look at our cruise travel insurance page.
Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
MarkMay 9, 2015
My wife and I are flying from Sydney to Perth to commence a cruise in December leaving from Fremantle. It is a 15 day cruise to Indonesia and returns to Fremantle. We then plan to spend a week around W.A in the Margaret River are before flying back to Sydney. What is the best policy that will cover our cruise and if necessary our domestic travel as well?
Finder
RichardMay 13, 2015Finder
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your question.
When it comes to cruise cover with AMEX, the cover for any cruise travel will be based on your chosen geographical region. Since you will be heading to Indonesia, you will need international travel insurance. For more information, please have a look at our cruise insurance page.
Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
terryFebruary 9, 2015
we have paid for our trip overseas with our gold card I am 70 years old will I be covered and are we covered in Egypt and Turkey with our card we get travel insurance when we pay for our trips thank you
Finder
RichardFebruary 10, 2015Finder
Hi Terry,
Thanks for your question.
The page you are currently on refers to the standalone products offered by AMEX and not its complementary option. For more information about the complimentary cover and its inclusions and exclusions, please have a look at the American Express complimentary travel insurance page.
Under the complementary policy, you ought to be covered for travel in regards to age, they have a maximum age of 80 years old. However, you may want to contact AMEX and find out if the destinations are indeed covered, as both countries have governmental travel warnings.
Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
InsureandGo Travel Insurance can save you time with a comprehensive range of policies that are easy to digest and understand. Its policies include winter sports coverage plus both single and multiple trip policies.
Medibank is a leading travel insurance provider in Australia offering cover for international comprehensive, international medical only cover and more. Read the finder.com.au review for a breakdown of the policy and more.
A guide to understanding cruise insurance - why you need it, what's covered, and what's not.
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i need at least $250,000 emergency evacuation insurance from Antarctica does your policy cover this ?
Hi Brian,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and not an insurer. There is no mention of Antarctica on the American Express Travel Insurance website nor in the PDS. Antarctica was covered under Worldwide for their previous policy, so you may want to contact AMEX directly for clarification on this matter.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Does annual mean 365 day from payment date or from Jan 1 to Dec 31?
Hi Gary,
Thank you for your enquiry. It is 365 days from the policy commencement date, that is the date you select when purchasing cover. It is not from Jan 1 to Dec 31.
Thanks again and all the best,
Will
flying Melbourne to Singapore 3days there on the 6th dec. the n a cruise for 14 days to Thailand Cambodia Vietnam bali then fremantle do we need separate INSURANCE
Hi Lorraine,
Thanks for your question.
If you are planning on taking out cover with American Express, you will need to purchase additional coverage. For more information, please have a look at our cruise travel insurance page.
Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
My wife and I are flying from Sydney to Perth to commence a cruise in December leaving from Fremantle. It is a 15 day cruise to Indonesia and returns to Fremantle. We then plan to spend a week around W.A in the Margaret River are before flying back to Sydney. What is the best policy that will cover our cruise and if necessary our domestic travel as well?
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your question.
When it comes to cruise cover with AMEX, the cover for any cruise travel will be based on your chosen geographical region. Since you will be heading to Indonesia, you will need international travel insurance. For more information, please have a look at our cruise insurance page.
Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
we have paid for our trip overseas with our gold card I am 70 years old will I be covered and are we covered in Egypt and Turkey with our card we get travel insurance when we pay for our trips thank you
Hi Terry,
Thanks for your question.
The page you are currently on refers to the standalone products offered by AMEX and not its complementary option. For more information about the complimentary cover and its inclusions and exclusions, please have a look at the American Express complimentary travel insurance page.
Under the complementary policy, you ought to be covered for travel in regards to age, they have a maximum age of 80 years old. However, you may want to contact AMEX and find out if the destinations are indeed covered, as both countries have governmental travel warnings.
Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard