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According to the Pew Research Center, 97% of the U.S. population owns a cell phone and 85% own a smartphone. Purchasing a mobile phone can also be a major expense, so having coverage if you should accidentally damage your phone or have it stolen could provide a welcome economic benefit.
Several credit cards come with complimentary cell phone protection, including American Express, one of the world’s largest card issuers. While coverage is reserved for its more premium cards, you’ll still find over a dozen cards that offer the coverage.
Today we’re going to look closely at how Amex cell phone protection works, how to activate and utilize the coverage, and which Amex cards offer this complementary protection.
Let’s begin.
Amex Cards With Cell Phone Protection — Overview
Before we get into the details of how Amex cell phone protection works and look at specific card options, here’s an overview of which cards have the protection and a summary of the coverage you can expect.
Amex Personal Cards That Offer Cell Phone Protection
Coverage Details
The American Express Platinum Card® Exclusively for Schwab
Centurion Card® from American Express
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Ameriprise Financial
The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Goldman Sachs
The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley
$800 per claim, a limit 2 claims per card account each 12-month period, and a $50 deductible applied to each claim
Amex Business Cards That Offer Cell Phone Protection
Coverage Details
Business Centurion® Card from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Corporate Centurion® Card from American Express
Corporate Platinum Card®
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
$800 per claim, a limit 2 claims per card account each 12-month period, and a $50 deductible applied to each claim
Bottom Line: You’ll find complimentary Amex cell phone protection coverage on a over dozen premium American Express cards. As mentioned in the section above, you may receive up to $800 per claim and each claim is subject to a $50 deductible, with a limit of 2 claims per eligible card account in each 12-month period.
How Amex Cell Phone Protection Works
Paying your monthly cell phone bill with your card is the first step to activating coverage. Image Credit: cottonbro via Pexels
While cell phone protection is automatically included on your eligible card, some requirements need to be met before coverage kicks in, only certain losses are covered, and specific exclusions apply.
How To Activate the Coverage
To receive coverage, you must meet certain requirements. Here’s how coverage activation is triggered and how you receive ongoing coverage:
Charge your monthly cell phone bill to your eligible card
Coverage begins on the first day of the month following the initial cell phone bill payment made with your card
If you do not pay your cell phone bill in any given month, your coverage is suspended effective the first day of the following month. Your coverage will be reinstated on the first day of the month following any subsequent cell phone bill payment.
Eligible cell phones include those associated with the primary phone line of the cardmember and any additional or supplemental lines listed on the monthly bill and paid for with the eligible card.
Also, based on our conversation with Amex, authorized users are eligible for the cell phone protection benefit.
What’s Covered
You’ll have coverage for the following losses:
Theft of the Cell Phone — A police report must be filed within 48 hours
Damage to the Cell Phone — Accidental damage is included, and Amex does clarify specifically that a cracked screen is covered
You can expect to receive reimbursement for the cost to repair or replace a stolen or damaged eligible cell phone up to the coverage limits.
Cell Phone Coverage Limits
You may receive up to $800 per claim. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible, with a limit of 2 claims per eligible card account in each 12-month period.
What’s Not Covered
As with all insurance, there are exclusions to coverage. Here is an overview of the list of losses that won’t be covered under Amex’s cell phone protection:
Cellular wireless accessories, except for the manufacturer’s battery and antenna
Cellular wireless telephones that are for resale, professional, or commercial use (consumer cards only)
Lost cell phones or mysterious disappearance
Cell phones that are under the control of a common carrier, such as an airline or delivery service
Rented, leased, prepaid, or borrowed cell phones
Cosmetic damage that does not impair the phone’s ability to make or receive calls
Intentional or illegal acts, normal wear and tear, vermin damage, or confiscation
Replacement cell phones purchased from other than the cellular provider’s retail/internet store or designated agent having the authorization to activate the phone
Losses under warranty or covered by other insurance
Taxes and delivery/transportation fees
Keep in mind that this list of exclusions is abbreviated, and some additional terms and conditions will apply. You can find complete descriptions in your card’s specific guide to benefits.
Bottom Line: To activate Amex cell phone protection, you must pay your monthly wireless bill with your eligible card. The coverage begins the first day of the month after you pay your first wireless bill. Coverage is up to $800 per claim for damage and theft, a maximum of 2 claims per 12-month period, and each claim has a $50 deductible. Terms and conditions apply.
How To File a Claim
Filing a claim and submitting documentation promptly is critical to getting your claim processed efficiently. Image Credit: Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash
If you have a covered loss, you’ll need to report the claim as soon as possible, gather and submit supporting documentation, and meet certain deadlines for your claim to be handled effectively.
The first step is to report the claim by calling 833-784-1467 as soon as possible, but no later than 90 days after the incident. You will then be provided the needed forms to submit for your claim to be processed.
You could be asked to submit the following:
A copy of your card statement showing that the payment for your cell phone bill was paid for the previous month with your eligible card
A copy of your cell phone provider’s bill
Copy of your receipt for the purchase of your cell phone or other documentation that links the phone number on the bill to your phone
A copy of any other insurance that would apply, a copy of a claim report from your home or auto insurance, or declaration pages showing policy deductibles
If the claim is for theft, you will need to submit the police report
For a damage claim, a repair estimate and photos of the damage
Any other requested supporting documentation
You will have 120 days from the date of loss to submit the required information.
Amex Personal Cards That Offer Cell Phone Protection
Amex offers cell phone protection on its most premium cards. Let’s look at our favorite personal consumer cards that offer this complimentary coverage.
Amex Business Cards That Offer Cell Phone Protection
While Amex consumer cards exclude cellular wireless telephones that are for resale, professional, or commercial use, these exclusions do not apply to the cell phone protection on Amex business cards.
Here are just a few popular Amex business cards offering this expanded coverage:
With a generous welcome bonus, elevated earnings on everyday business expenses (first 3 months after card approval), statement credits for specific purchases, and a 35% rebate when purchasing flights with points, you’ll find plenty of value for your business with the Amex Business Platinum card.
Hot Tip: Enroll your Amex Business Platinum card via the benefits section of your online card account and receive up to $10 each month, up to $120 each year, when you make purchases from a U.S. wireless provider with your card.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Delta flyers who have the Delta Reserve Business card will enjoy lounge access when flying Delta, an annual companion flight certificate, Delta elite-style flight benefits, and a faster path to earning Delta elite status. Additionally, just having the card elevates your chances for complimentary flight upgrades.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
As with any Delta-branded card, you’ll earn more when spending on Delta and receive flight benefits such as priority boarding, a free checked bag, and discounts for onboard food and beverage. The Delta Platinum Business card also offers faster elite qualification for spending on the card.
While short-term in the length of coverage or having a limited application, you will find additional protection for your cell phone offered on all of the Amex cards in this article.
Purchase Protection — Pay for your eligible item with your card and receive coverage for damage and theft for 90 days from the date of purchase. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per incident, $50,000 per card.
Extended Warranty — Eligible items purchased with your card that have manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less may receive 1 additional year of coverage. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per incident, $50,000 per card.
Bottom Line: While the level of coverage varies, you’ll find purchase protection and extended warranty coverages on every American Express card.
Final Thoughts
Amex has stepped up to the plate with a respectable and competitive cell phone protection offering on its premium cards of up to $1,600 per year in potential benefits.
Cell phone damage is common, and having this additional coverage can be a real economic benefit should you need to use it. Remember, however, that with many premium Amex cards, you’ll generally be earning 1x rewards when paying your cell phone bill. Be sure to monitor your Amex Offers for additional earning offers.
For the cell phone protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, The American Express Platinum Card® Exclusively for Schwab, Business Centurion® Card from American Express, Centurion Card® from American Express, The Corporate Centurion® Card from American Express, Corporate Platinum Card®, The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Ameriprise Financial, The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Goldman Sachs, and The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12-month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company.
For the purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, The American Express Platinum Card® Exclusively for Schwab, Business Centurion® Card from American Express, Centurion Card® from American Express, The Corporate Centurion® Card from American Express, Corporate Platinum Card®, The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Ameriprise Financial, The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Goldman Sachs, and The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the extended warranty benefit The Platinum Card® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, The American Express Platinum Card® Exclusively for Schwab, Business Centurion® Card from American Express, Centurion Card® from American Express, The Corporate Centurion® Card from American Express, Corporate Platinum Card®, The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Ameriprise Financial, The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Goldman Sachs, and The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley, when an American Express® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. The information regarding the The American Express Platinum Card® Exclusively for Schwab, The Corporate Centurion® Card from American Express, Corporate Platinum Card®, The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Ameriprise Financial, The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Goldman Sachs and The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Centurion® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and was not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Business Centurion® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Corporate Platinum Card® by American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here. For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card, click here. For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here. For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.
Featured Image Credit: Markus Winkler via Unsplash
Frequently Asked Questions
Amex cell phone protection provides reimbursement for repair or replacement up to $800 per claim, up to 2 claims in a 12-month period, for damage or theft of your cell phone. There is a $50 deductible per claim.
The monthly wireless bill must be paid for with your eligible Amex card. Coverage begins on the first day of the month after you make your first payment and continues as long as the monthly statement is paid with your card.
If the bill is not paid in any given month, coverage ceases on the first day of the following month.
There is no coverage if you lose your phone or it mysteriously disappears. Amex cell phone protection covers damage and theft.
Amex specifically states that cracked screens are covered. However, cosmetic damage is not covered if your phone can still send and receive calls.
Amex cell phone protection comes complimentary on the American Express premium cards listed in this article.
Amex cell phone protection does not cover leased, rented, prepaid, or borrowed cell phones.
According to our discussion with Amex, authorized users are eligible for the cell phone protection benefit when all other criteria are met.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.
27 comments
David
July 09, 2021
It’s free with the AmEx card and that is good. However, for folks that engage in hiking, boating and other outdoor activities, the risk of just losing a phone is real and is a big hole in coverage.
American Express does not cover a phone that is dropped into the lake, river, etc – unless you can recover the now damaged phone. I understand that there is a risk that unscrupulous users will claim a loss that has not occurred, but they could also file and claim damage for a substitute phone sufficiently that it would not be recognizable.
David M
October 01, 2021
Nowhere in the giant PDF of terms does it exclude water damage or dropping it in a lake or river. That would be a phone that’s “lost”. Unless you think that counts under “mysterious disappearance”?? I know for the provider’s cell phone insurance plans I’ve definitely received a replacement phone for dropping it in the ocean before.
derek k
October 13, 2021
Warning – if you use a personal card and you use your phone for both business and personal use (which is probably 90% or more of small business owners) you will be denied coverage. I missed this in the fine print. You need to pay your phone bill with a Business Amex Platinum card if you use your phone for business and personal use.
Hi Derek. The Guide to Benefits for both personal consumer cards and business cards are identical and mention nothing about any specific usage being excluded. Do you have a reference for the “fine print” you’re referring to.
Erin
May 14, 2022
I just realized that our cell phone plan is still under a business plan from when I was using my phone for business purposes, but I have not used my phone for business for a couple years. Do you think they will deny a claim because my cell phone plan is indicated as a business plan even though my phone is not used for business?
Hi Erin. Amex cell phone protection does not exclude business plans but does require that the entire monthly bill is paid with the eligible card. Amex defines an eligible wireless charge as : “Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones means the cellular telephones associated with the primary line and additional or supplemental lines on the Eligible Person’s monthly billing statement from a cellular provider for the billing cycle preceding the month in which the theft or damage occurred.” You can, however, call the number on the back of your card to ask about your specific situation. Thanks for reading.
chad
August 12, 2022
I have a Business Amex Gold Card. Will the coverage still be there?
Hi Rob. The definition of what is covered states “wireless cellular telephones associated with the primary line and additional or supplemental lines ” so watches and tablets do not appear to be covered.
Miles Hustler
April 13, 2022
Does it cover phones originally purchased with a different card but the monthly bill is paid by the AMEX card?
Hi Miles,
Yes, you’ll be covered as long as you pay your cell phone bill with the card that includes the cell phone protection plan.
Vic
July 27, 2022
My wife and I each have our own different Amex Business Platinum cards (or card accounts, as, I believe, Amex calls them). Neither of us are authorized users on the other’s card account. Both of our phones are on the same phone carrier plan, i.e., there is only one monthly bill.
Another benefit of the Biz Plat is that it credits $10/month for any cell phone payments made from a BIz Plat card. I’ve set up auto billing with my phone plan carrier using my Business Platinum, but I’ve been making a manual $10/mo payment prior to the monthly auto billing date using my wife’s Business Platinum. The carrier then correspondingly reduces the auto billing amount by that $10. Will this spoil any claim I might make?
Hi Vic. That’s a good question. After reading the terms and conditions of the coverage, I think you’re covered for your phone as your entire bill is paid with your card. You’re paying your wife’s bill with your card AND her card so there might be an issue there. The Guide to Benefits reads: “You must charge your monthly Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone bill to your Eligible Card Account”. You might want to touch base with the claim department at 1-833-784-1467 for clarification.
If you pay your monthly bill with your eligible Amex card, then yes it should be covered.
MB
September 22, 2022
Are phones on non-monthly prepaid plans eligible? Specifically, what if one used Amex platinum card to pay for a 12-month prepaid plan via Mint Wireless, so there’s only a single payment and not monthly?
Hi MB. The language in the Guide to Benefits states “You must charge your monthly Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone bill to your Eligible Card Account. You are eligible for coverage the first day of the calendar month following the payment of your Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone bill using your Eligible Card Account”. Under eligible wireless telephones this language is also included, “Eligible person’s monthly billing statement from a cellular provider for the billing cycle preceding the month in which the theft or damage occurred”. So, it appears the answer is no. However, you can always call the number on the back of your card to ask about your specific situation.
Caroline
November 04, 2022
Hi! My husband has the plat but the cell phone bill is under my name. Would that still work? Thanks!!
Yes, it should still work. You could also add your husband to the phone bill for peace of mind.
Grant
December 23, 2022
My wife says her smartphone is “going out”. She has to smack the side of it sometimes to activate/re-activate the screen. The bill is always paid with the Amex Platinum. Would we need to get it repaired or get an estimate for repair?
Hi Grant. I would call the claim number to get the process started. The claims administrator will let you know the next step.
Traveling Rogers
April 30, 2023
I have multiple cards that qualify for coverage, including multiple AmEx Biz Platinum cards. If I make a $10 payment from one or two AMEX Biz Platinum cards and then Pay the remaining balance with either another AMEX Biz Platinum or AMEX Delta Reserve card, will I still be eligible for coverage?
This is a common question that I cannot answer with 100% confidence. My opinion is that there would be coverage as the bill was paid in full with all eligible cards. However, that doesn’t mean there wouldn’t be confusion at the time of a claim. I have the bill automatically paid with an eligible card then manually pay the $10 with the Amex Business Platinum for the credit. You might call the claims administrator for an answer that fits your specific situation.
Arne Thorsrud
May 04, 2023
Hi. My wife and I are Amex Platinum holders. Her cell phone was purchased with the card and our monthly bills are paid with Amex Platinum card. I just tried to claim her accidentally damaged phone. It was dropped in the water and recovered, by the way. The claims people at Amex denied the claim and said the accident was not covered because it did not occur within 120 days. Also not covered under extended warranty. I don’t understand this as your articles make it seem it would be covered. Oh well.
Hi Arne. The claim would not be covered under Purchase Protection because that coverage only exists for purchases within 90 days of the purchase date. It would not be covered under the extended warranty because it was not a manufacturer’s defect or other covered reason under that protection. The coverage that would apply would be cell phone protection. However, the claim must be reported within 120 days of the occurrence. Since you mentioned “120 days”, perhaps that is the reason. If you reported the claim within the 120 day period, you might want to read through the exclusions under that coverage and see if any apply to your situation. Here is the Guide to Benefits for cell phone protection but the link can expire. If it does, you can access via Google or via your online card account. https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/NAC-Benefit-Guides/2022.11.03_CPP-GTB_FINAL.pdf
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27 comments
David
July 09, 2021
It’s free with the AmEx card and that is good. However, for folks that engage in hiking, boating and other outdoor activities, the risk of just losing a phone is real and is a big hole in coverage.
American Express does not cover a phone that is dropped into the lake, river, etc – unless you can recover the now damaged phone. I understand that there is a risk that unscrupulous users will claim a loss that has not occurred, but they could also file and claim damage for a substitute phone sufficiently that it would not be recognizable.
David M
October 01, 2021
Nowhere in the giant PDF of terms does it exclude water damage or dropping it in a lake or river. That would be a phone that’s “lost”. Unless you think that counts under “mysterious disappearance”?? I know for the provider’s cell phone insurance plans I’ve definitely received a replacement phone for dropping it in the ocean before.
derek k
October 13, 2021
Warning – if you use a personal card and you use your phone for both business and personal use (which is probably 90% or more of small business owners) you will be denied coverage. I missed this in the fine print. You need to pay your phone bill with a Business Amex Platinum card if you use your phone for business and personal use.
Christine Krzyszton
October 13, 2021
Hi Derek. The Guide to Benefits for both personal consumer cards and business cards are identical and mention nothing about any specific usage being excluded. Do you have a reference for the “fine print” you’re referring to.
Erin
May 14, 2022
I just realized that our cell phone plan is still under a business plan from when I was using my phone for business purposes, but I have not used my phone for business for a couple years. Do you think they will deny a claim because my cell phone plan is indicated as a business plan even though my phone is not used for business?
Christine Krzyszton
May 16, 2022
Hi Erin. Amex cell phone protection does not exclude business plans but does require that the entire monthly bill is paid with the eligible card. Amex defines an eligible wireless charge as : “Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones means the cellular telephones associated with the primary line and additional or supplemental lines on the Eligible Person’s monthly billing statement from a cellular provider for the billing cycle preceding the month in which the theft or damage occurred.” You can, however, call the number on the back of your card to ask about your specific situation. Thanks for reading.
chad
August 12, 2022
I have a Business Amex Gold Card. Will the coverage still be there?
Christine Krzyszton
August 13, 2022
Hi Chad. The Amex Business Gold card does not offer cell phone protection.
Rob Mullan
March 07, 2022
Does it cover Watches and Tablets or just phones?
Christine Krzyszton
March 08, 2022
Hi Rob. The definition of what is covered states “wireless cellular telephones associated with the primary line and additional or supplemental lines ” so watches and tablets do not appear to be covered.
Miles Hustler
April 13, 2022
Does it cover phones originally purchased with a different card but the monthly bill is paid by the AMEX card?
Katie Seemann
April 18, 2022
Hi Miles,
Yes, you’ll be covered as long as you pay your cell phone bill with the card that includes the cell phone protection plan.
Vic
July 27, 2022
My wife and I each have our own different Amex Business Platinum cards (or card accounts, as, I believe, Amex calls them). Neither of us are authorized users on the other’s card account. Both of our phones are on the same phone carrier plan, i.e., there is only one monthly bill.
Another benefit of the Biz Plat is that it credits $10/month for any cell phone payments made from a BIz Plat card. I’ve set up auto billing with my phone plan carrier using my Business Platinum, but I’ve been making a manual $10/mo payment prior to the monthly auto billing date using my wife’s Business Platinum. The carrier then correspondingly reduces the auto billing amount by that $10. Will this spoil any claim I might make?
Christine Krzyszton
July 28, 2022
Hi Vic. That’s a good question. After reading the terms and conditions of the coverage, I think you’re covered for your phone as your entire bill is paid with your card. You’re paying your wife’s bill with your card AND her card so there might be an issue there. The Guide to Benefits reads: “You must charge your monthly Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone bill to your Eligible Card Account”. You might want to touch base with the claim department at 1-833-784-1467 for clarification.
Vic
July 28, 2022
Thanks, Christine. I think I will do just that.
Jude
August 25, 2022
Are used phones bought of ebay covered?
Jarrod West
August 25, 2022
Hi Jude,
If you pay your monthly bill with your eligible Amex card, then yes it should be covered.
MB
September 22, 2022
Are phones on non-monthly prepaid plans eligible? Specifically, what if one used Amex platinum card to pay for a 12-month prepaid plan via Mint Wireless, so there’s only a single payment and not monthly?
Christine Krzyszton
September 22, 2022
Hi MB. The language in the Guide to Benefits states “You must charge your monthly Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone bill to your Eligible Card Account. You are eligible for coverage the first day of the calendar month following the payment of your Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone bill using your Eligible Card Account”. Under eligible wireless telephones this language is also included, “Eligible person’s monthly billing statement from a cellular provider for the billing cycle preceding the month in which the theft or damage occurred”. So, it appears the answer is no. However, you can always call the number on the back of your card to ask about your specific situation.
Caroline
November 04, 2022
Hi! My husband has the plat but the cell phone bill is under my name. Would that still work? Thanks!!
Jarrod West
November 04, 2022
Hi Caroline,
Yes, it should still work. You could also add your husband to the phone bill for peace of mind.
Grant
December 23, 2022
My wife says her smartphone is “going out”. She has to smack the side of it sometimes to activate/re-activate the screen. The bill is always paid with the Amex Platinum. Would we need to get it repaired or get an estimate for repair?
Christine Krzyszton
December 25, 2022
Hi Grant. I would call the claim number to get the process started. The claims administrator will let you know the next step.
Traveling Rogers
April 30, 2023
I have multiple cards that qualify for coverage, including multiple AmEx Biz Platinum cards. If I make a $10 payment from one or two AMEX Biz Platinum cards and then Pay the remaining balance with either another AMEX Biz Platinum or AMEX Delta Reserve card, will I still be eligible for coverage?
Christine Krzyszton
April 30, 2023
This is a common question that I cannot answer with 100% confidence. My opinion is that there would be coverage as the bill was paid in full with all eligible cards. However, that doesn’t mean there wouldn’t be confusion at the time of a claim. I have the bill automatically paid with an eligible card then manually pay the $10 with the Amex Business Platinum for the credit. You might call the claims administrator for an answer that fits your specific situation.
Arne Thorsrud
May 04, 2023
Hi. My wife and I are Amex Platinum holders. Her cell phone was purchased with the card and our monthly bills are paid with Amex Platinum card. I just tried to claim her accidentally damaged phone. It was dropped in the water and recovered, by the way. The claims people at Amex denied the claim and said the accident was not covered because it did not occur within 120 days. Also not covered under extended warranty. I don’t understand this as your articles make it seem it would be covered. Oh well.
Christine Krzyszton
May 05, 2023
Hi Arne. The claim would not be covered under Purchase Protection because that coverage only exists for purchases within 90 days of the purchase date. It would not be covered under the extended warranty because it was not a manufacturer’s defect or other covered reason under that protection. The coverage that would apply would be cell phone protection. However, the claim must be reported within 120 days of the occurrence. Since you mentioned “120 days”, perhaps that is the reason. If you reported the claim within the 120 day period, you might want to read through the exclusions under that coverage and see if any apply to your situation. Here is the Guide to Benefits for cell phone protection but the link can expire. If it does, you can access via Google or via your online card account. https://www.americanexpress.com/content/dam/amex/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/NAC-Benefit-Guides/2022.11.03_CPP-GTB_FINAL.pdf
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