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Plan related FAQs
Q: I will be going to a number of countries on my trip, which coverage should I choose?
A: You can select from one of the following levels of cover: Premier (Worldwide), Classic (Worldwide) or Classic (Excluding Americas & Africa's).
Q: If I'm travelling interstate then going straight on to the international leg of my journey, do I need to take out 2 policies - one for domestic and one for international?
A: No. The Premier (Worldwide), Classic (Worldwide) or Classic (Excluding Americas & Africa) levels of cover also provide cover whilst in Australia. However, remember, cover in Australia is limited. Eg: no medical expenses cover is provided and domestic limits apply. Please see the American Express Travel Insurance (Annual) Policy Wording and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or the American Express Travel Insurance (Single Trip) Policy Wording and PDS for full details of terms, conditions and exclusions.
Q: If I am travelling with my friend, do we both need to buy separate travel insurance policies?
A: Yes.
Medical related FAQs
Q: Do I need a medical examination to apply for any of the American Express Travel Insurance policies?
A: No. A medical examination is not required. However, please note that claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions are excluded under the American Express Travel Insurance policies, except claims arising from the Approved Pre-Existing Medical Conditions listed in the table at the end of Section 9 General Exclusions of American Express Travel Insurance (Annual) Policy Wording and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or the American Express Travel Insurance (Single Trip) Policy Wording and PDS for full details of terms, conditions and exclusions.
Q: Can I buy American Express Travel Insurance for someone who is overseas now, but is travelling to Australia
A: No. Cover is for Australian residents only and each Journey must start and finish in Australia.
Q: Can I pay extra to cover pre-existing medical conditions?
A: No, we do not offer this option under the American Express Travel Insurance policies.
Luggage related FAQs
Q: Can luggage cover under the American Express Travel Insurance policies be increased?
A: No, there is no option under the policies to increase the cover provided for luggage. However, the Premier, Classic and Domestic plans offer different benefit levels; you can select the level that best suits your needs.
Q: Is a video camera or any other item on loan or hire for the Journey covered?
A: Yes, loaned items are covered under the American Express Travel Insurance policies, subject to the applicable terms, conditions and exclusions. For example, video camera equipment must accompany you as personal cabin baggage. We regard these items as 'personal effects'. Any claim arising must first be made under the owner's insurance, if applicable.*
Q: Are gifts and articles purchased during the Journey covered?
A: Yes they are covered under the American Express Travel Insurance policies, subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions. For example, household furniture is excluded.*
Q: What happens if the carrier 'temporarily' misplaces my total luggage for more than 24 hours?
A: Cover is available under the American Express Travel Insurance policies for reimbursement of the cost of replacement essential items, subject to the benefit limits and the applicable terms, conditions and exclusions.*
Q: What happens if I go on a Journey and my entire luggage is lost on the way? Then, after it is replaced, it gets lost again on the way home?
A: Cover will be available under the Policy Wording and PDS as the American Express Travel Insurance policies allow for one automatic re-instalment of the maximum amount of cover provided to the covered person, under Section 7 Luggage and Travel Documents.*
Q: Would a suitcase shipped home early to save costs on excess baggage be covered under the American Express Travel Insurances?
A: No, it would not be covered, as unaccompanied luggage is not covered unless transported by the carrier with whom you are travelling and arranged in conjunction with your travel ticket.
Q: If the Customs Department were to take wooden carvings and stuffed animals from me, could I make a claim under the American Express Travel Insurance policies?
A: No, cover for claims arising from confiscation by authorities is excluded.
Q: Is luggage that is locked in the boot of a car covered?
A: If the luggage is not left in the car overnight and, if the luggage is stolen, forced entry has been gained, the luggage will be covered, subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the Policy Wording and PDS. A Police report is required within the 24 hours of the loss or theft. Cover is not provided for jewellery, camera and video camera equipment, sound equipment, mobile phones or portable computer equipment left unattended at any time, even if left in the boot of a car. (See exclusion 5 under Section 7 of the American Express Travel Insurance (Annual) Policy Wording and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or the American Express Travel Insurance (Single Trip) Policy Wording and PDS for full details of terms, conditions and exclusions.
Q: If I purchase the American Express Travel Insurance (Annual) Premier family cover for myself, my wife and our two dependent children with a limit of cover for Luggage and Travel Documents of $15,000, and all of our luggage is stolen at a loss of $32,500, how much would we be able to claim under the Luggage and Travel Documents cover?
A: With family cover, you will be able to claim a maximum amount of twice the sum insured, as shown on the Schedule against Luggage and Travel Documents, subject to item limits and the full terms, conditions and exclusions contained in Policy Wording and PDS.*
Sports and Sporting Equipment related FAQs
Q: Are surfboards or other sporting equipment covered under the American Express Travel Insurance policies?
A: No. Surfboards and waterborne craft are not covered. Other sporting equipment is not covered whilst in use. (See exclusion 8 of Section 7 Luggage and Travel Documents of the Policy Wording and PDS.)
Q: I think I'll be participating in some extreme sports on my holiday. How do I know which sports I'm covered for under my American Express Travel Insurance policy?
A: The Policy Wording and PDS outlines specific exclusions with regards to participation in certain sporting activities. These can be found the General Exclusions Section. See exclusions 16, 17, and 18 in particular. Please read the full terms, conditions and exclusions of the Policy Wording and PDS.*
Q: Is trekking considered "mountaineering"?
A: Trekking will be considered “mountaineering” under the American Express Travel Insurance policies if it involves using ropes and rope guides. Claims arising from walking/hiking are not excluded, subject to the full terms, conditions and exclusions of the Policy Wording and PDS.*
Cancellation related FAQs
Q: Would I be covered under the American Express Travel Insurances if I booked a Journey and then could not go because my employer cancelled my leave?
A: No, cover is only available in these circumstances if the employer revoking the leave is the Australian Armed Services or the Police Service. The policy otherwise excludes claims arising from business obligations.
Q: What if I've booked a Journey, but I can't go because I can't get an entry visa? Could I claim under an American Express Travel Insurance policy?
A: No, cover for claims arising from a prohibition or regulation made by any government is excluded. A claim for cancellation costs would not be covered.
Q: If a natural disaster hit the country I'm just about to visit, if I had cover under an American Express Travel Insurance policy, could I cancel my Journey and make a claim?
A: Yes, subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the Policy Wording and PDS. Excesses and limits apply.*
General FAQ's
Q: Do the American Express Travel Insurances cover people over 75?
A: No, unfortunately cover is excluded for people over the age of 75.
Q: Can I pay extra to remove the excess applicable to the American Express Travel Insurance policies?
A: No, there is no option under these policies to pay extra to remove the excess, being the first amount of a claim that the insurer does not pay.
Q: Can I increase the excess and pay a lower premium?
A: No, this option is not available under the American Express Travel Insurance policies.
* Please see the American Express Travel Insurance (Annual) Policy Wording and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or the American Express Travel Insurance (Single Trip) Policy Wording and PDS for full details of terms, conditions and exclusions.