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Do credit cards offer American Express travel medical insurance?
Only select Amex cards offer travel medical insurance.
Benefits changes to Amex cards in 2020
Amex added, removed and reduced certain card coverages on January 1, 2020. At this time, it has not announced changes to Global Assist and Premium Global Assist benefits, which the following article discusses.
Changes include:
- Added trip cancellation coverage.
- Added trip delay reimbursement.
- Reduced extended warranties from two years to one year.
- Reduced purchase protection from 120 days to 90 days.
- Removal of travel accident insurance.
- Removal of roadside assistance.
- Removal of return protection from select cards.
When traveling, it can be a good idea to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances. Protecting yourself with medical coverage can help.
If you want emergency medical costs covered, consider buying travel insurance through American Express. Some Amex cards also offer select travel coverage through the Global Assist Hotline.
Can I get American Express travel medical insurance from a credit card?
With most of its credit cards, Amex doesn’t offer travel medical insurance — only referrals to medical assistance. If you need more comprehensive coverage, you can purchase a policy on the provider’s website.
Amex may cover select medical costs if you have an eligible premium Amex card.
Getting emergency medical assistance through Global Assist Hotline
The Amex Global Assist Hotline offers assistance in medical emergencies when you’re traveling more than 100 miles from your permanent residence. At the time of this writing, this benefit is available to cardholders of all Amex credit cards.
Amex can provide referrals for:
- Emergency medical transportation.
- Medical prescription replacement.
- Medical and dental care.
- Repatriation of mortal remains.
While Amex will connect you to these services, you’re responsible for costs from third-party providers.
The Global Assist Hotline also offers medical monitoring, relaying information about your care to your family.
Getting emergency medical assistance through Premium Global Assist Hotline
Access to the Premium Global Assist Hotline is reserved for those with select Amex cards. These include The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and Centurion® Card from American Express.
You’ll get access to the same medical services that other Amex cardholders do. However, Amex may pay for emergency medical transportation and repatriation of remains.
What is American Express travel medical insurance?
This covers eligible emergency medical expenses when you travel more than 150 miles from your permanent residence. It can be useful if you find the coverage from your credit card insufficient.
American Express travel medical insurance includes:
- Emergency medical and dental expenses.
To qualify for coverage, you must be treated by an Amex-approved medical provider. Confirm eligibility by calling the assistance number Amex provides with your policy.
- Emergency medical evacuation.
You may be traveling in a location without sufficient medical care and need to be taken to a nearby medical facility.
- Repatriation of remains.
In the event of your death during your trip, American Express will cover costs of returning your remains.
- Visitor during hospital stay.
If a physician determines you need to stay in a hospital for five or more days during your trip, Amex will pay for a round-trip economy flight for one visitor.
- Change of flight.
If you can’t fly back as originally scheduled due to an accidental injury or sickness, Amex will pay up to $100 for your domestic return flight or $200 for your international return flight.
How to get American Express travel medical insurance
You can buy a policy through the American Express website. To get a quote, enter the following information on the travel insurance homepage:
- Date of departure and return.
- Number of travelers.
- State of residence.
- Current age of travelers.
- Trip cost per traveler.
- Whether you want to see insurance packages or build your own.
After searching for insurance, you can compare insurance packages, including coverage limits.
Confirm your package. Then enter information of all travelers you want to add to the policy.
Compare Amex credit cards with emergency medical assistance
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How can I use travel medical insurance?
If you have a medical emergency, call the Global Assist Hotline or Premium Global Assist Hotline at these numbers:
- Global Assist Hotline (US): 800-333-2639
- Premium Global Assist Hotline (US): 800-345-2639
- Global Assist Hotline (International): 715-343-7977
- Premium Global Assist Hotline (International): 715-343-7979
If you have American Express travel medical insurance and want to file a claim, call the claims phone number on your Certificate of Insurance/Policy. You can also find the claims number by visiting the American Express Travel Insurance website and clicking the Claims link at the top of the page.
What proof will I need for my claim?
Pull up your Certificate of Insurance/Policy and check the Proof of Loss section. There, you’ll find which documentation you’ll need for your claim.
While traveling, keep receipts, medical bills, police reports and similar documents to support your claim.
Who gets to use travel medical insurance?
Select Global Assist Hotline medical services are available to you and eligible family members on the same itinerary, which include your:
- Spouse or domestic partner.
- Dependent up to age 23, or age 26 if a full-time student.
For American Express travel medical insurance, you must take out a policy for anyone who wants coverage.
Bottom line
While American Express credit cards typically don’t offer travel medical insurance, you can get coverage from the provider’s website.
To find a card that offers the insurance you want, compare other travel credit cards
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