American Express Platinum card improves its travel insurance

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• Mike says:

  13 Aug13 August 04:41

  Raised cholesterol is still not covered and means as I seldom travel for business, the Platinum still does not work for me

  • ringingup says:

    13 Aug13 August 05:55

    As far as I understand, it doesn’t mean that the policy is void if you have a pre-existing condition, it just means that anything related to the condition won’t be covered, whether that is reason for cancellation or a trip or whether you will need treatment whilst on a trip.

    • Yorkieflyer says:

      13 Aug13 August 07:29

      Which is hardly ideal

    • Lady London says:

      13 Aug13 August 11:10

      ‘related’ can be exploited by insurance companies not wanting to pay.

      The point of insurance is you have to have confidence they will pay out.

  • Anna says:

    13 Aug13 August 09:21

    I have “raised” cholesterol, however my GP has told me that it’s genetic and there’s nothing I can do about it, that it would only be an issue if I smoked or had high blood pressure (which I don’t). It seems perverse to pt a blanket exclusion on it when it’s not a clear cut health risk.

• Boi says:

  13 Aug13 August 05:54

  Maybe I am being selfish but they excluded high blood pressure which is usually a chronic condition causing no problems to sufferers. HSBC cover it.

  • BJ says:

    13 Aug13 August 07:26

    Not to mention, the mere mention of it in peoples files regardless of whether they have ever received medication for it is a get out of jail free card for AXA if they wish.

    • BJ says:

      13 Aug13 August 07:36

      I am curious also what happens when a preexisting condition that is covered is a risk factor in one which is not.

    • Liz says:

      13 Aug13 August 08:33

      We had to get access to my daughters medical records prior to going to work for Camp America a few years ago. It showed on her record she had asthma. She has never had asthma, very healthy child her whole life, never off school, very rarely had any kind of infection, had about 10 spots for chicken pox – no idea how that was ever put on her medical file.

      • Lady London says:

        13 Aug13 August 11:13

        did you get it removed?

      • BJ says:

        13 Aug13 August 11:14

        Which is even worse. Hope she got that sorted.

        • Liz says:

          13 Aug13 August 20:28

          No we didnt remove it – i suppose we should

        • Lady London says:

          13 Aug13 August 21:24

          I would make quite a fuss and get a correction added to the file (removal woild be better but I suspect they will refuse).

• Qwertyknowsbest says:

  13 Aug13 August 06:01

  Amex Plat insurance a step in the right direction, but only a small step. For example Statins for raised Cholesterol are one of the most prescribed drugs in the world, yet take these and are you are not covered, even if your Cholesterol is now within advised limits.

  No option still to advise them about pre-existing conditions and if required payment of an additional premium to be covered.

  The point made re only the condition that you have is not covered if not on the list, is I consider far too risky. For example if you have raised Cholesterol and unfortunately taken ill with a heart attack, will they say this is related to raised Cholesterol? It goes on.

  I decided to go Nationwide packaged product for insurance, much better and flexible. Even covering for countries on FCO ‘advise against all but essential travel’ list. Also policy wording much clearer.

  • ringingup says:

    13 Aug13 August 06:05

    Of course, you’re right. In the past I have taken out additional insurance with Coverwise to cover for some pre-existing conditions.

  • Yorkieflyer says:

    13 Aug13 August 07:34

    Totally agree re the point on statins, would you want to rely on their goodwill, I don’t think so. I have the card but also have Nationwide flex worldwide cover which includes pre existing conditions/ medications if disclosed often for no surcharge
    Separately, I’m sure our Amex cover is Chubb, I know it used to be Axa?

• ringingup says:

  13 Aug13 August 06:03

  It is worth noting that a pre-existing condition is defined as following:

  Pre-existing Medical Condition(s)” means any past or current Medical Condition (other than those on the Accepted Conditions list which is available by visiting americanexpress.com/uk/insuranceportal) which, during the
  2 years prior to You booking a Trip, has given rise to symptoms or for which any form of treatment or prescribed medication, medical consultation, investigation or follow-up/check-up has been required or received; and any cardiovascular or circulatory condition (e.g. heart condition, hypertension, blood clots, raised cholesterol, stroke, aneurysm) that has occurred at any time prior to You booking a Trip.

  • Spk says:

    13 Aug13 August 06:43

    How does Amex determine if it’s a pre existing condition if you don’t / can’t declare it? Does the report from doctor / hospital state that it is a pre existing condition? Am wondering if I might have a condition but never knew about it – will I be refused cover?

    • Dominic Barrington says:

      13 Aug13 August 06:49

      I think any claim is likely to require access to one’s doctor and they will be clear if there is a history.

    • Rob says:

      13 Aug13 August 07:26

      No.

• Spk says:

  13 Aug13 August 06:46

  Does anyone know if the ICC plat card offers the same level of insurance?

  • Rob says:

    13 Aug13 August 07:26

    I think it is still 80 years, like Business Plat. Not sure about small print.

  • Cam says:

    13 Aug13 August 09:43

    As Rob said, 80 years, and no requirements to hzve paid for things on the card.

• Michael C says:

  13 Aug13 August 06:56

  But does a pre-existing condition render the whole policy invalid?
  Or does it just mean that particular aspect of your health is not covered?

  Will stick with StaySure for now.

  • Spursdebs says:

    13 Aug13 August 07:11

    I’m with staysure cost £525 for yearly worldwide cover with cruise cover. I declared it all, some was on included list some wasn’t. I think no point paying thousands of £ for a fabulous trip and not have proper insurance in place . The price equates to a couple of nights in a hotel.

• John says:

  13 Aug13 August 07:05

  The email I had fro Amex Centurion also announced they are ending the Card Defence benefit, which IMO was a handy service for all cards in case of loss, it also allowed uploading scanned documents, wasn’t this also a Platinum benefit?

  “Card Defence ends November 2020
  The Card Defence benefit provided by Collinson Services Group Limited
  will end on 1 November 2020. If you have registered for this, you will no longer be able to benefit from the service or access the portal after this date. All data stored with Collinson Services Group Limited will be permanently deleted 90 days later.”

  • Alan says:

    14 Aug14 August 02:59

    Nope, it wasn’t a Plat benefit.

• Waddle says:

  13 Aug13 August 07:29

  This brings Plat insurances up a level but I think HSBC Premier is still a bit better. Instead of an approved list of conditions, Premier clients can ring up and request cover for conditions in writing. This was very helpful for Ms Waddle as HSBC approved her two conditions neither of which are on Amex’s list. Still, Plat does cover certain sporting activities which HSBC doesn’t.

  Abseiling is covered but not climbing though…

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