Amex card travel insurance

[SeaWolf]

- Will not pay for medical expenses over AUD 1,500 without prior authorisation - this is particularly nasty, given the last thing you may be able to do in an emergency is contact the insurer! E.g. when unconscious. You would hope they would be lenient on this stipulation.

This is the clause that alarms me the most. Most policies word it something like "You must contact us for authorisation as soon as you are able," or something to that effect. Also, every other policy I've looked at has a number you can call with international reverse charges. The AMEX policies do not.

For me, that clause, coupled with the 3% foreign currency fee means I usually end up buying my international travel on my NAB Gold Debit instead.

 

[AdMEL]

The fact that it’s a girl’s car does completely rule it out for me.

I assume you're referring to the CLC200 coupe? If so, I agree, it's a girls car! Like the C200CGI sedan though.

This is the clause that alarms me the most. Most policies word it something like "You must contact us for authorisation as soon as you are able," or something to that effect. Also, every other policy I've looked at has a number you can call with international reverse charges. The AMEX policies do not.

For me, that clause, coupled with the 3% foreign currency fee means I usually end up buying my international travel on my NAB Gold Debit instead.

I'm not familiar with the NAB Gold Debit card - will have to look it up (Unlikely to use it unless it's very compelling though, given I work/bank with the competition!).

 

[Homer]

This is the clause that alarms me the most. Most policies word it something like "You must contact us for authorisation as soon as you are able," or something to that effect. Also, every other policy I've looked at has a number you can call with international reverse charges. The AMEX policies do not.

For me, that clause, coupled with the 3% foreign currency fee means I usually end up buying my international travel on my NAB Gold Debit instead.

The Centurion Travel Insurance PDS requires pre-authorisation from Ace Assistance “as soon as physically possible” and I imagine the Platinum charge card policy is similar. Also Centurion card members can call AMEX reverse charges from anywhere for any reason, including travel insurance. Not sure about Platinum card members but again it’s probably similar.

 

[equus]

The Centurion Travel Insurance PDS requires pre-authorisation from Ace Assistance “as soon as physically possible” and I imagine the Platinum charge card policy is similar. Also Centurion card members can call AMEX reverse charges from anywhere for any reason, including travel insurance. Not sure about Platinum card members but again it’s probably similar.

Yes, and Yes for the Platinum Charge card.

We will not pay medical costs over AUD1,500 without prior authorisation. You
must contact ACE Assistance as soon as a claim or potential claim arises. You
must contact ACE Assistance before incurring expenses or as soon as physically​

possible, to obtain prior authorisation or this will jeopardise Your claim.

 

[ozflier]

I have had contact with the Amex insurer and they do seem to understand the issue of inabilty to notify them of an incident which may involve a claim.

They repeated that they expect early notification if possible but accept that is not always the case.

I have looked further at the issue of car rental excess . There seems little doubt that its absence certainly from USA car rentals is no major loss - most car rentals bought on an Australian website seem to automatically include ample coverage ( CDW, LDW,etc etc ) as part of the deal.

 

[WindowSeat]

I have had contact with the Amex insurer and they do seem to understand the issue of inabilty to notify them of an incident which may involve a claim.

They repeated that they expect early notification if possible but accept that is not always the case.

Has anyone had any experience with the medical side of any Amex card insurance? While customer support may understand the issue, my concern is that it still leaves them wiggle room to get out of paying the bill if they want to.

 

[Homer]

Has anyone had any experience with the medical side of any Amex card insurance? While customer support may understand the issue, my concern is that it still leaves them wiggle room to get out of paying the bill if they want to.

I’ve had a claim for a hotel doctor paid without fuss but I did call AMEX before incurring the services. However the Ts & Cs are pretty clear that you need to call as soon as physically possible, not prior, so it’s not up to “customer support” - it’s there in black letters.

 

[steveda]

I've used the platinum charge card insurance a few times, some of my experiences are summarised below:

Me: Hi Amex insurance, I'm in Hyderabad my wife is in London and has a lump on her neck. She's getting the results of a biopsy tomorrow and wants me home with her
Amex insurance: If you can be at the airport in an hour, your ticket will be waiting for you

Me: Hi Amex insurance, I'm in scotland, my wife's gall bladder has decided that it wants to come out. I need somewhere to stay
Amex insurance: All booked, go to xyz golf resort that's a 5 minute walk from the hospital and you'll be sorted. Let us know when your wife is coming out of hospital and we'll book you in for another 2 days for recuperation and will arrange accomodation on your drive back to London so that you can break up the journey.

Me: Hi Amex insurance, I jumped into a swimming pool fully clothed with my mobile phone in my pocket. It's dead.
Amex insurance: You again?! *sigh* send us the bill for the phone and we'll reimburse you

All in all, some pretty good experiences. I've never had to argue over a claim with them and am more than happy to use the policy as my 'primary' travel insurance policy.

Cheers

Steve

 

[MrSpokeyTokey]

Me: Hi Amex insurance, I jumped into a swimming pool fully clothed with my mobile phone in my pocket. It's dead.
Amex insurance: You again?! *sigh* send us the bill for the phone and we'll reimburse you

Haha! Too funny!

I assume the second situation was a medical emergency, but under which insurance did they cover the first situation?

Regards,

MrSpokeyTokey

 

[steveda]

Haha! Too funny!

I assume the second situation was a medical emergency, but under which insurance did they cover the first situation?

Regards,

MrSpokeyTokey

TBH I have no idea, my conversation with ACE insurance was along the lines of "get me back home now" as opposed to "I'd like to make a claim under section xyz".

Other than sending in a letter from her surgeon after I got home stating that he'd strongly recommended me returning I was a passenger in the process. I pitched up to the LH desk at HYD, they handed me the ticket (pre-paid by ACE insurance) and walked me through customs/immigration. Amex also arranged for me to be met off the plane in in FRA, not entirely sure why, but it was a nice touch.

Forgot to mention the travel inconvenience claim I put in a while ago that amounted to a receipt from a random bar in BOS for significant amounts of liquid 'refreshment' after a flight delay due to weather then a bill from the airport hilton for a room because AA didn't think I was quite sober enough to travel. Again, all paid up no questions asked.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Homer]

I assume the second situation was a medical emergency, but under which insurance did they cover the first situation?

TBH I have no idea, my conversation with ACE insurance was along the lines of "get me back home now" as opposed to "I'd like to make a claim under section xyz”.Steve

Looking at the Centurion Travel Insurance PDS, which I thing would be very similar to the Platinum one, I believe this would be covered under Section F - Resumption of Journey Cover, viz:

"In the event that You have to interrupt Your Trip and return to Your Country of Residence immediately following the death, imminent death, serious accident or acute illness of a Close Relative and then resume Your Trip, We will pay for reasonable expenses incurred. We will reimburse You for the reasonable extra expenses actually and necessarily incurred (less any refund received for the unused prepaid travel accommodation arrangements) to complete Your original travel arrangements (as stated in Your original itinerary) up to AUD10,000."​

Edit: Actually it could also be covered under Section I - Travel Disruption Cover

Cover is provided under this section for the following benefits, subject to all terms, conditions and limitations set out in this document.
1. In the event of Travel Disruption, We will pay:
(a) non-refundable deposits;
(b) pre-paid excursion costs;
(c) travel agents commission which is limited to AUD750 or 15% whichever is the lesser;
(d) unused travel and accommodation costs that You had paid or are contractually obliged to pay; and
(e) any reasonable additional expenses incurred for any other unforeseen circumstance outside of Your control limited to AUD5,000; and
(f) up to AUD50,000 per person, per Trip.​

 

[MrSpokeyTokey]

What if you did your entire trip on points?

If you had to return to your country of residence due to death or sickness of a relative, do you forfeit your points?

I guess they'd pay to get you back, but I can't see how they could compensate you for points.

True??

 

[steveda]

What if you did your entire trip on points?

If you had to return to your country of residence due to death or sickness of a relative, do you forfeit your points?

I guess they'd pay to get you back, but I can't see how they could compensate you for points.

True??

Kinda false... According to page 20 of the plat charge card insurance PDS:

2. In the event of Travel Disruption when the fare is purchased using American
Express Membership Rewards points.
If You purchase an airline ticket (or part thereof) using American Express Membership
Rewards or similar reward points and the airline ticket is subsequently cancelled as a
result of any Travel Disruption and the loss of such points cannot be recovered from
any other source, We will pay You the retail price for that ticket (or part thereof) at
the time it was issued not exceeding AUD30,000.

 

[MrSpokeyTokey]

Quick questions to all those clever people in this forum:

Would Centurion insurance compensate you for expenses etc if you were delayed by the recent volcanic eruption?
Would this still be the case even though you did not use Amex to buy the tickets, or if you had redeemed points for the tickets?

Your thoughts?

 

[equus]

Would Centurion insurance compensate you for expenses etc if you were delayed by the recent volcanic eruption?
Would this still be the case even though you did not use Amex to buy the tickets, or if you had redeemed points for the tickets?

Both the Centurion and Platinum Charge insurance have no purchase conditions whatsoever - so how you obtained the tickets would not matter.

As to whether they would compensate you, it depends on whether or not you have met the other requirements. I am referencing the Platinum Charge PDS (not Centurion), but believe that the conditions are very similar (although limits are different, and ancedotal evidence suggests other differences as well). The Travel Inconvenience cover will kick in after a 4 hour delay - but doesn't seem to "refresh" for multiple days delay - so there is one fixed amount ($700 for Plat Charge, per person, limited to 2 people max). For the Platinum Charge, the expenses must be incurred on that card (not sure about Centurion, I believe Haydensydney reported success in getting cash expenses reimbursed via the Centurion policy, whether this was according to the T&C or just fortunate, I can't tell).

The General Exclusion criteria which may be a concern is a lack of coverage for conditions caused or contributed by

10. Direct or indirect, actual, alleged or threatened discharge, dispersal, seepage, migration, escape, release of or exposure to any hazardous biological, chemical, nuclear or radioactive material, gas, matter or contamination.
Is volcanic ash a hazardous chemical matter or contamination? IMHO (for what it is worth, which is not much), volcanic ash as such is not a hazardous chemical, but may be classed as a hazardous contamination. Given the inclusion of "migration", in the terms, I would be inclined to believe that under this clause, coverage could be denied if the insurer wanted to be particularly picky.

Whether they choose to do so, would be another question.

By way of comparions, Travel Insurance Direct have advisories out that they will cover such disruptions (subject to some conditions), but their exclusion is different. Whilst it excludes anything caused by radioactive contamination, there is a separate exclusion for biological and/or chemical materials requiring them to be "used directly or indirectly for the purpose to harm or to destroy human life and/or create public fear". With the volcanic eruption lacking any purpose, the exclusion would not apply, hence they will cover.

Cover more general exclusions only cover radioactive contamination, and don't exclude anything to do with chemical or biological contamination, and will cover ash related events. Likewise Columbus Direct only exclude radioactive related contamination.

The best way to find out the answer would be to call up and ask - and request a confirmation in writing.

​

 

[MrSpokeyTokey]

Wow! So thorough.

That's what I like about this forum.... so many clever people.

Thanks.

 

[tourdefrancetips]

I have Plat Insurance through NAB QFF and Earth.

In 2009, I had my camera stolen in Bourg St Maurice after the Stage 16 TdF. No police report, lodged claim upon my return, money went into account no questions asked.

Also, had a ding in the campervan, this was also honoured no questions asked.

In 2011, I paid for tix on NAB Plat, then cancelled the card (if anyone from NAB cards is reading, a 12k minimum limit is too high). Then realised I'd not be covered. No one at Chartis could tell me definitively if I'd be covered. Re-instated the card. All fine.

I pay particular attention to this stuff as I travel with a $8000 pushbike. The standard platinum cred card insurance will cover up to 4k per item for cameras, laptops etc, but bike not covered. Health cover is usually fine.

An option is to look at your house/contents. Mine is global coverage with QBE (it's seriously awesome cover) and covers the bike.

As I said, I pay particular attention to this personally, and also as I talk about it on my site (whose visitors also all need specific cover for expensive bikes heading over to France, Italy etc).

 

[geoffl]

I would like to ask about a separate issue, we are travelling to Thailand on July 17th, 2 weeks after the next Election !
The Tickets are a combination of Any Seat Awards and Cash, given the possibility of civil unreast, as happened a few months ago, does anybody have any prior experience of how Amex Platinum Card Insurance might handle that should departures be disrupted and additional accommodation required. I can't see too much of this in the Policy Book.

 

[Homer]

does anybody have any prior experience of how Amex Platinum Card Insurance might handle that

For the most accurate answer, I suggest you nominate whether you have a Platinum credit card or a Platinum charge card. The two have quite different policies.

 

[geoffl]

Thanks Homer, it is the co branded Amex/Qantas Ultimate Credit Card.