American Express Gold Card: Life Insurance Benefits Explained

The American Express Gold Card offers a range of benefits, including various purchase protections and travel insurances. However, it does not offer life insurance.

Rental car insurance

The American Express Gold Card offers rental car insurance, which can be activated by booking and paying for the entire car rental with the card. This insurance is secondary car rental insurance or a collision damage waiver (CDW), which means it does not include liability coverage. This means that damage to another car or injury to other people in an accident is not covered.

The rental car insurance provided by the Amex Gold Card covers the cardholder, their domestic partner or spouse, and any authorised drivers listed on the rental agreement. The coverage includes up to $50,000 per rental agreement for damage or theft of the covered vehicle in the covered territory.

To activate the rental car insurance, cardholders must decline the collision damage waiver or similar coverage offered by the rental company. This type of insurance is only valid in certain territories, and there are exclusions for certain vehicles such as vans, motorcycles, and limousines. It is also not valid for rentals in Australia, Italy, or New Zealand.

In the event of damage or theft of the rental car, cardholders can file a claim through the American Express claims centre online or by phone. The review process usually takes around 45 days, and reimbursement for eligible expenses will appear on the card if the claim is approved.

It is important to note that the rental car insurance provided by the Amex Gold Card is secondary coverage, so cardholders should also consider purchasing additional liability insurance to cover any damage to other vehicles or people in an accident.

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

The Trip Cancellation Insurance benefit reimburses you for the non-refundable and non-transferable portion of your travel arrangements when charged to your Gold Rewards Card before your departure date, should you cancel your trip for a covered reason. You can be covered for up to $1,500 per insured person, per trip, up to a maximum of $3,000 for all insured persons combined.

The Trip Interruption Insurance benefit covers theft, loss, and damage of your rental car with an MSRP of up to $85,000 for rentals of 48 days or less when you fully charge your rental to your Gold Rewards Card. To take advantage of this protection, simply decline the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), or similar option offered by the car rental agency.

Trip delay insurance

To be eligible for trip delay insurance coverage, you must purchase your trip with your American Express Gold Card or AmEx points. The delay must be due to specific reasons, such as equipment failure, lost or stolen travel documents, or terrorist action. The coverage includes expenses for meals, lodging, toiletries, medication, and other personal items.

It is important to note that this insurance is secondary coverage, and there may be limitations and exclusions. Additionally, the benefit level and eligibility may vary by card. For full details, cardholders should refer to the Guide to Benefits or contact American Express directly.

Baggage insurance

The American Express Gold Card offers baggage insurance for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage. Coverage is provided when travelling on a common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) and the entire fare for a ticket for the trip is charged to the Gold Card. Coverage is provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all covered persons per covered trip.

To be eligible for coverage, you must travel on a common carrier, which Amex defines as any air, land, or water vehicle (other than a personal or rental vehicle) that is licensed to carry passengers for hire and is available to the public. Your rental car, as well as taxis and ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft, would be excluded.

The policy covers both primary and additional cardholders, as well as cardholders' spouses or domestic partners, any dependent children under 23 years old, and eligible dependents over 23 years old. However, travellers must be permanent residents of one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

If you've suffered a loss, you must inform Amex of your loss by filing a "notice of claim" within 30 days. You can do this by visiting the Amex website, or calling the relevant phone number. You'll then need to complete "proof of loss" paperwork within 60 days, which can include a claim form, a charge receipt, and a written report of loss for checked bags. Once your claim is approved, you can typically expect reimbursement within 30 days.

Premium Global Assist and Global Assist

The American Express Gold Card offers both Global Assist and Premium Global Assist services. While Global Assist Hotline coordination and assistance services are offered at no additional charge from American Express, cardholders are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Premium Global Assist Hotline coordination and assistance services are also offered at no additional charge from American Express, but cardholders may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Premium Global Assist may provide emergency medical transportation assistance at no cost if approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist.

The Global Assist Hotline provides emergency assistance for Card Members when travelling more than 100 miles from home. This includes medical, legal, financial, or other select emergency coordination and assistance services. The Hotline can help Card Members locate appropriate medical facilities and can help with missing luggage, replacing lost passports, and other emergency travel arrangements. The Hotline can also help with legal or embassy referrals, as well as help Card Members contact family, friends, or business associates, and relay messages back home in the event of an emergency.

The Premium Global Assist Hotline provides similar services, but is available 24/7 and offers more comprehensive assistance. This includes emergency medical transportation assistance, which may be provided at no cost if approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist. The Hotline can also help with emergency assistance and coordination for Card Members who are travelling with children, as well as provide pre-trip assistance and country-specific cultural, customs, visa, and inoculation information.

The Global Assist and Premium Global Assist services are available to Card Members and their families, even if the Card Member is not travelling with them.

Frequently asked questions