American Express Platinum card improves its travel insurance

Over the last year, there have been rumbles of discontent in our comments section about the travel insurance policy provided with The Platinum Card by American Express.

On paper this is a strong offer.  Subject to enrolment, Platinum cardholders receive coverage for themselves and their immediate family.  Even better, anyone who is given a free supplementary card on the account also receives coverage for themselves and their immediate family.  Until she hit the cut-off age of 70, my Mum had a supplementary card on my account purely for this reason.

American Express has a strong track record – at least in my personal experience – of paying claims.  I have had claims paid where we did not stick to the rules in the policy, by using unapproved doctors or not seeking approval before getting treatment.

There were some notable holes.  The main one was over the lack of coverage for pre-existing conditions.  In theory, anyone with raised cholesterol – for example – was disqualified from medical cover under the policy.  Given that The Platinum Card customer base skews older than many cards, this was not ideal.

American Express has now changed its rules over pre-existing conditions.  It has published a long list of conditions – download a PDF here – for which you are now covered as long as you are not receiving treatment.  Having had constipation in the past no longer stops you from making a claim if you suffer an exceptionally bad case whilst on holiday!

Amex has also expanded the list of winter and summer sports covered by the Platinum travel insurance.  You are now insured for playing badminton, rounders or bowling.  More usefully, horse riding, ballooning, scuba diving, paintball, wind surfing and standard surfing are also covered, along with a range of riskier winter sports options.

If you were previously paying high insurance premiums to cover your family against certain sports, or because you had a particular pre-existing condition, you may want to take another look at The Platinum Card.

Our full review of Amex Platinum is here.  The sign-up bonus, if you qualify, is 30,000 Membership Rewards points.  You can apply here.

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