Travel Alert – Important information regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), please click here

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING COVID-19

  • Where there are no applicable advisories issued by the New Zealand government or a New Zealand government agency (such as MFAT) to “Do not travel overseas” or “Do Not Travel” or that borders are closed, this Policy will provide limited cover for costs incurred from having to cancel Your Journey or One Way Trip to an approved country because You contracted Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19). The Policy also provides limited cover for Journey curtailment, overseas medical expenses, and mortal remains repatriation because You contracted COVID-19 in an approved country. The list of approved countries is specified below. See Section 19 – COVID-19 Cover of this Policy for full details of the cover, as well as the limits that apply as specified in the Schedule of Benefits.
  • Apart from the limited cover provided in Section 19 – COVID-19, this Policy does not cover and We will not (under any other section of the Policy) pay for claims of any kind directly or indirectly arising from, relating to or in any way connected with the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) (or any mutation or variation thereof) and/or its outbreak. To the extent that any term or condition in the Policy may be inconsistent with this exclusion, this exclusion shall prevail.
  • The approved countries are: Australia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Northern Cyprus, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam and Yemen.
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Cover for COVID-19

* This policy provides cover for costs incurred from having to cancel, curtail or change your trip because you contract COVID-19 and it is first diagnosed after the policy is issued. The Policy also provides cover for overseas medical emergency expenses incurred on your overseas trip, and transportation of remains or burial if you die during your trip, as a result of you having contracted COVID-19 which was first confirmed or diagnosed while on Your Trip (unless you were COVID-19 positive when your trip began, or you travel against a government issued “Do Not Travel” warning or border closure). 

We do not cover trip cancellation, curtailment or change due to border closures caused by COVID-19. Limits apply and vary with each plan. See Policy Wording and PDS for full terms, conditions and exclusions.

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Cover for COVID-19 

Cover for overseas medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, and trip cancellation, curtailment or change, due to your Covid-19 diagnosis. See details above.

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Medical Expenses

Provides cover for repatriation/evacuation, cost of overseas emergency medical treatment, emergency dental treatment and extra accommodation costs, in the event of a medical emergency while on your overseas trip. Excludes claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions.

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Travel Inconveniences

The Policy provides cover if you need to cancel, curtail or change your trip due to certain unforeseen circumstances including injury or illness (excluding pre-existing medical conditions). The Policy also covers trip delay by providing additional hotel accommodation (room only) if your flight is cancelled or extensively delayed (waiting periods apply), as well as cover for lost or damaged personal baggage and travel documents (theft report required, limits and sub-limits apply, excludes items stolen if left unattended in a public place).

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24-hour Worldwide Assistance

We support you with advice and assistance services 24 hours a day, seven days a week for medical or other emergencies while on your overseas trip and which are covered by the policy. 

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Optional add-ons 

Options include snow sports cover, cruise cover and rental vehicle excess cover (additional premiums apply).

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Other

Cover for accidental death, hijack and kidnap cover, and cover for personal liability incurred, while on your overseas trip (excluding liability for use of vehicles or watercraft). Cover also provided for loss of income due to an overseas injury causing temporary total disablement

Travelling against Government advice? We will not cover losses, pay or reimburse any costs, under any section of this Policy, arising from circumstances where: (a) prior to the Issue Date specified on Your Certificate of Insurance in the case of a claim for Cancellation; or (b) prior to You starting a Trip for all other claims under the Policy; an Australian State, Territory or the Federal Government or a government agency (such as DFAT) issued a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning or advising that borders are closed, for the destination You planned to travel to. Please refer to who.int, smartraveller.gov.au, dfat.gov.au or other government sites for further information.


 

Travel Insurance

Protect yourself and your belongings when you travel with American Express Travel Insurance. You can choose from a range of plans and cover options.

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Single Trip Insurance

 

Our Single Trip policies are designed to provide cover for a single trip away. You can choose from a number of different plans, such as Essential, Comprehensive or Ultimate.

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Coverage Optional Add-Ons

 

You can select from a range of optional extra covers to customise your policy. These include Rental Vehicle Excess, Snow Sports Cover and Cruise Cover.

 

This frequently asked questions (FAQ) document has been prepared to address some frequent coverage queries relating to the American Express Travel Insurance Policy Wording and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). The FAQs are a summary only, they are not an exhaustive list of the coverage, terms, conditions or exclusions in the Policy.

Limits apply and vary with each plan. Please refer to the Policy Wording and PDS for further information on the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy.

If I am diagnosed with COVID-19 during my overseas trip, will my overseas medical expenses be covered?

Yes, if you are first diagnosed with COVID-19 while on your overseas trip and require immediate medical treatment, cover is provided for the cost of medical treatment incurred overseas. Except where you were COVID-19 positive when your trip began, or you travel against a government issued “Do Not Travel” warning or border closure.


If I’m positive with COVID-19 when my trip begins, will I be covered for COVID-19 related medical expenses during my trip?

No, you’re not covered for medical expenses incurred during your trip if you were diagnosed with COVID-19 before your departure.


If I become ill with COVID-19 before or during my Trip, will I be able to claim for costs I incur for the Cancellation or Curtailment of my Trip?

Yes, cover is provided for costs arising from a necessary and unavoidable trip cancellation or curtailment as a result of an unforeseen illness (including COVID-19) where:

  • you first contract and are diagnosed with COVID-19 after the policy is issued;
  • a doctor confirms the illness in writing; and
  • the illness is not a pre-existing medical condition.

I no longer want to travel because I am worried about the spread of COVID-19. Are my trip cancellation, curtailment or change costs covered?

No, cover is not available in this scenario. Simply no longer wishing to travel is not covered under the Policy.


If I need to cancel, curtail or change my trip due to a COVID-19 border closure as announced by any departure or destination government, am I covered?

No, cancellation due to COVID-19 government related travel advisories and/or border closures is not covered.


If I am diagnosed with COVID-19 after commencing my trip and subsequently issued with a quarantine order, will I be covered for the quarantine costs?

Yes, additional travel or accommodation expenses incurred are covered (within the benefit limitations) as a result of a mandatory quarantine order by a local government or public health authority. Except where you travel against a government issued “Do Not Travel” warning or border closure.


I have been classified by a public health authority as a close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 and have been required to isolate as a result of this contact. Is there any benefit that I can claim?

No, cover is not available in this scenario.


Do I need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to be eligible for the COVID-19 cover under this policy?

No, you do not need to have the COVID-19 vaccination to be eligible for cover under this policy. However, you will not be covered for any claim for cancellation, curtailment or trip change where you do not meet the vaccination protocols required by your transport provider or by any government authority (in Australia or at the destination) prior to departure.


Is there an option to purchase COVID-19 Cover on a stand-alone basis?

No, COVID-19 cover is not available on a stand-alone basis.


Are Pre-Existing Medical Conditions covered?

This policy does not cover any pre-existing medical conditions. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, this cover may not be right for you. Before you purchase a policy, you should consider whether a medical condition is considered pre-existing based on the definition of ‘Pre-Existing Medical Condition’ which is found on page 10 of the American Express Travel Insurance Policy Wording and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).


What is a "Pre-Existing Medical Condition"?

A Pre-Existing Medical Condition generally means any medical or dental condition, illness, injury or disease that you previously required or continue to require treatment for, or that is under investigation at the time the policy is issued. It’s important to check the full definition of “Pre-Existing Medical Condition” on page 10 of the American Express Travel Insurance Policy Wording and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making your purchase, as variable limits and time restrictions apply to specified conditions.


If I need medical treatment during my overseas trip, will my overseas medical expenses be covered?

Yes, if you suffer an unforeseen illness or injury on an overseas trip which requires immediate medical treatment, cover is provided for your medical expenses incurred overseas. It’s important to always check the American Express Travel Insurance Policy Wording and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), which excludes claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions and participation in certain sports.


Is cover provided for trip cancellation, curtailment or change due to a natural disaster at my intended travel destination?

Yes, provided there had been no official publication (prior to the purchase of the policy) warning that the natural disaster had occurred or was likely to occur. Please note that natural disasters do not include epidemics or pandemics (which are excluded under the policy).


I am unable to obtain my passport, entry visa or other required documentation in time and need to cancel my trip. Is this covered?

No, failure to hold or obtain all required documentation for your trip is not covered.


If I need to cancel my trip due to an illness or injury before my departure, am I covered?

Yes, cover is provided for trip cancellation which is necessary and unavoidable as a result of an unforeseen illness or injury as confirmed by a doctor in writing. The illness or injury must first be contracted or occur after the policy is issued. It’s important to check American Express Travel Insurance Policy Wording and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for details on pre-existing medical conditions which are not covered.


Is a video camera (or any other item) on loan or hire for the trip covered?

No, any items loaned, hired or entrusted to you are not covered


What happens if my luggage is delayed by the airline when I’m on my trip?

We will reimburse essential emergency clothing and toiletry expenses incurred (as required for a 24-hour period, up to the benefit amount under ‘Delay of Personal Baggage’ applicable to your chosen plan) if your luggage is delayed for 12 hours or more. If your luggage is delayed for more than 36 hours, the limit is increased up to the benefit amount under ‘Extended Delay of Personal Baggage’ applicable to your chosen plan.


Who is eligible for cover under the policy?

All people covered under the policy must be Australian residents and 79 years of age or younger. You must purchase your policy before your trip commences, and the trip must start and end in Australia.


When can I purchase my American Express Travel Insurance policy?

You can purchase the policy up to 12 months before your trip commences.


Will my policy be valid if I start or end my trip outside of Australia?

No. Your trip must begin and end in Australia for your policy to be valid.


Is there a maximum age on the policy?

Yes. Covered persons must be 79 years of age or younger before the date your policy is issued.


Do I need to undergo a medical examination to apply for the policy?

No. However, please note that pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.


Will I be covered if I purchased the policy after the commencement of my trip?

No. Cover is only applicable if your travel insurance is purchased before you start your trip.


Is there a maximum travel period on the policy?

Yes. The maximum trip duration is 180 consecutive days.


Is pregnancy covered under the policy?

The policy provides limited pregnancy cover. Pregnancy related claims are covered under the following sections of the policy:

  1. Overseas medical expenses cover - If you have a sudden and unexpected pregnancy related injury or illness which occurs before the end of the 23rd week of your pregnancy
  2. Trip cancellation and amendment cover - If you have a sudden and unexpected injury or illness arising from your pregnancy that a doctor confirms will prevent you from commencing or continuing the trip.

There is no cover for costs associated with childbirth or the health of a newborn child, or for claims arising from any pre-existing medical condition (including any medical condition related to a previous pregnancy or if you have experienced pregnancy complications prior to purchasing the policy).


If my flight is delayed, am I covered?

Yes. We will reimburse additional accommodation expenses (up to the benefit amount under ‘Delayed, cancelled, overbooked or missed onward flight’ applicable to your chosen plan) if your flight is delayed for 6 hours or more. If your flight is delayed for more than 30 hours, the limit is increased up to the benefit amount under ’Extended Delayed, cancelled, overbooked or missed onward flight’ applicable to your chosen plan.


Is there a cooling off period?

Yes. You may cancel your policy for any reason within 14 days of issue (cooling-off period). You will receive a full refund of the premium you paid, provided:

  1. you haven’t started your trip; or
  2. you haven’t made a claim; or
  3. you don’t want to make a claim or exercise any other right under the policy.

What is Chubb Assistance? How does it work?

Chubb Assistance is an emergency assistance service. Support is available for emergency advice and assistance services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for medical or other emergencies while on your overseas trip and which are covered by the policy. In the event of a medical or similar emergency, simply call our emergency response team on +61 2 8907 5666 to get immediate assistance and help accessing vital services in your local area where covered by the policy


Further Questions?

Please contact Chubb on 1800 139 149 or email us on amextravel.au@chubb.com for any questions you may have.

American Express Travel Insurance Policy Wording and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)   

Target Market Determination