American Express (also called AMEX) is one of the best known names in credit cards worldwide, but you don’t need to have an American Express credit card to get American Express travel insurance.
In this article, we review American Express’ stand-alone travel insurance policies. If you’re interested in travel insurance perks that come with an American Express credit card, check out our American Express Canada Credit Card Review.
American Express offers top-up credit card travel insurance through the travel insurance policies we review in this article.
Advantages
- Easy to use online quote system
- Clear, easy to understand comparison of travel insurance plans
- A wide range of policies, and easy to understand descriptions of the differences
Disadvantages
- There’s a rather complicated scheduled of pre-existing condition exclusions. The length of your stability period for pre-existing conditions depends on your age, whether you’ve completed a medical questionnaire, your answers to the medical questionnaire, and your specific policy. You’ll need to read your policy carefully to determine your pre-existing condition exclusions.
- AMEX does not offer plans for visitors to Canada or plans for special student plans.
Overview
American Express has two main types of travel insurance policies: single trip and multi-trip (annual). For both the single trip and multi-trip annual policies they offer four levels of plans:
- Basic Medical (with emergency medical travel insurance only)
- Essential Travel (which includes emergency medical insurance, trip interruption and baggage loss, but DOES NOT INCLUDE trip cancellation)
- Select Travel (which includes trip interruption and baggage loss, AND trip cancellation, but DOES NOT INCLUDE emergency medical insurance)
- Ultimate Travel (which includes emergency medical insurance, trip interruption and baggage loss, and trip cancellation)
AMEX also offers Credit Card Top Up insurance.
Basic Medical Single Trip Plan
This plan is aimed at people who intend to travel once a year. The plan includes numerous emergency medical insurance only, and does not include trip cancellation, trip interruption or baggage insurance.
Essential Travel/Medical Single Trip Plan
This plan includes emergency medical insurance, trip interruption and baggage insurance. It does not does not include trip cancellation insurance, and covers you for one trip only.
Select Travel Single Trip Plan
The Select Single Trip Plan includes emergency medical insurance, trip interruption and baggage loss, but does not include emergency medical insurance.
Ultimate Travel/Medical Single Trip Plan
This plan includes emergency medical insurance, trip interruption and baggage loss and trip cancellation. It is usually the most expensive of the AMEX single trip plans.
Basic Medical Multi-Trip (Annual) Plan
This AMEX Basic Multi-trip plan is for travelers who take more than one trip in an a year. Like all ‘Multi-trip’ (a.k.a. Annual) plans, it includes emergency medical insurance over unlimited trips in a single year, (three options to choose from: 10, 16 or 31 day maximum) but does not include trip cancellation, trip interruption or baggage insurance.
Essential Travel/Medical Multi-Trip (Annual) Plan
This plan includes emergency medical insurance, trip interruption and baggage insurance. It does not does not include trip cancellation insurance, and covers you for unlimited trips in a single year (three options to choose from: 10, 16 or 31 day maximum).
Select Travel Multi-Trip (Annual) Plan
The Select Annual Multi-Trip Plan includes emergency medical insurance, trip interruption and baggage loss, but does not include emergency medical insurance. This plan covers you for unlimited trips in a single year (three options to choose from: 10, 16 or 31 day maximum) .
Ultimate Travel/Medical Multi-Trip (Annual) Plan
This plan includes emergency medical insurance, trip interruption and baggage loss and trip cancellation. It is usually the most expensive of the AMEX multi-trip plans, and covers you for unlimited trips in a single year (three options to choose from: 10, 16 or 31 day maximum).
Credit Card Top Up Insurance Plan
You can get additional AMEX Travel Insurance in addition to your existing coverage that you may have on your American Express Card for you, your spouse, and dependent children.
You’ll need to call the Enrollment Centre at 1 844 200 8959 to arrange for additional coverage.
Comparison Chart for American Express Travel Insurance Plans
| Plan | Medical Insurance Coverage | Deductible | Trip Cancellation and Interruption | Baggage | Maximum Age and Maximum Length of Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Medical Single Trip plan | Unlimited | 0 |  | | No age limit but person age 60-74 and travelling more than 15 days, or person age 75 and older must complete a medical health questionnaire. Trip length maximum 212 days for residents of Ontario and 183 days for residents of others in Canada |
| Essential Travel/Medical Single Trip plan | | 0 | Trip cancellation (prior to departure) is not available Trip interruption (after departure): up to $1,500 per person | Up to $1,000 per trip | No age limit but person age 60-74 and travelling more than 15 days, or person age 75 and older must complete a medical health questionnaire. Trip length maximum 212 days for residents of Ontario and 183 days for residents of others is Canada |
| Select Travel Single Trip plan | Unlimited | 0 | Trip cancellation (prior to departure): Up to sum insured. Trip interruption (after departure): Up to $1,500 per person | Up to $1,000 per trip | No age limit. Trip length maximum 212 days for residents of Ontario and 183 days for residents of others in Canada |
| Ultimate Travel/Medical Single Trip plan | Unlimited | 0 | Trip cancellation (prior to departure): up to the sum insured Trip interruption (after departure): up to $1,500 per person | Up to $1,000 per trip | Max. age 74 years old. Trip length maximum 212 days for residents of Ontario and 183 days for residents of others is Canada |
| Basic Medical Multi-trip plan | Unlimited | 0 | | | Max. age 74 years old and person aged 60 or older must complete a medical health questionnaire. Trip length 10 or 31 days. |
| Essential Travel/Medical Multi-trip plan | | 0 | Trip cancellation (prior to departure) is not available Trip interruption (after departure): up to $1,500 per person and maximum $10,000 per year | Up to $1,000 per trip | Max. age 74 years old and person aged 60 or older must complete a medical health questionnaire. Trip length 10 or 31 days |
| Select Travel Multi-trip plan | Unlimited | 0 | Trip cancellation (prior to departure): up to sum insured Trip interruption (after departure): up to $1,500 per person and maximum $10,000 per year | Up to $1,000 per trip | Max. age 74 years old. Trip length 10 or 31 days |
| Ultimate Travel/Medical Multi-trip plan | Unlimited | 0 | Trip cancellation (prior to departure): up to sum insured Trip cancellation (prior to departure): up to sum insured Trip interruption (after departure): up to $1,500 per person and maximum $10,000 per year | $Up to $1,000 per trip | Max. age 74 years old. Trip length 10 or 31 |
Tips for Saving with American Express Travel Insurance
- Special rates are available for families of 3 or more for all plans
- If you travel more than once a year, a multi-trip plan may save you money.
Refunds
You may cancel your insurance contract at any time but after the 10-day delay, penalties may apply. However, for many plans, refunds are not available after the effective date of the contract, even if no travel has taken place. You’ll need to look at your specific policy for details.
You Need to Know
- Travellers over the age of 75 can’t buy online, and need to call the enrollment centre at 1-844-200-8959.
- American Express travel insurance is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Company of Canada.
- You must have a Canadian Government health insurance plan and be a resident of Canada.
- Policies and coverage can change at any time, without warning. This article is only intended as general advice. Please check your own policy carefully.
How to Learn more
You can learn more about American Express online, by telephone at the AMEX Travel Insurance Enrollment Centre at 1 844-200-8959 (6 a.m. to midnight, EST 7 days a week).
Want to Compare American Express’ Rates and Plans?
If you’d like to compare American Express plans and policies with other travel insurance companies, the quickest way is to get a few comparison quotes.
BestQuote Travel Insurance lets you compare multiple Canadian travel insurance companies online in just minutes. They give free, no obligation quotes.
Type in a few details about your trip, and compare policy coverage and prices to help narrow down your choice.