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Amex Adds New Cell Phone Protection Benefit

American Express is improving its credit card products by adding Cell Phone Protection as a new benefit for eligible U.S. Consumer and Small Business Cards, inclusive of protection against screen damage, which is typically excluded from damage coverage.

Effective April 1, 2021, if a Card Members’ cell phone is stolen or damaged, including a cracked screen, they can be reimbursed for the repair or replacement costs for up to two approved claims, for a maximum of $800 per claim or $1,600 per 12-month period, when their cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month’s wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible applies to each approved claim.

Cell Phone Protection will be included for no additional cost for the following American Express Card Members:

• Platinum Card® from American Express

• Business Platinum Card®

• Centurion® Card from American Express

• Business Centurion Card®

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

• The Platinum Card® Exclusively for Charles Schwab

• The Platinum Card® Exclusively for Morgan Stanley

• The Platinum Card® Exclusively for Goldman Sachs

• The Centurion® Card Exclusively for Goldman Sachs

Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company, at no-additional-cost to Card Membership. For more information about the coverage, you can check out the Guide to Benefits at americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/cell-phone-protection.html. You can check out the details based on your American Express credit card.

How to File a Claim

You can call the number on the back of your eligible American Express credit card to start a claim. You must report the claim within 90 days of the loss, or as soon as reasonably possible, or the claim may not be honored. Upon receipt of a notice of claim, American Express will provide you with the necessary instructions for filing proof of loss. Written proof of loss must be submitted to the Administrator within 120 days of the loss or the claim may not be honored. Required documentation may include but is not limited to the following:

• Your Eligible Card Account statement reflecting the monthly Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone payments for the month preceding the date the
  Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone was Stolen or suffered damage;
• A copy of your current Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone service provider’s billing statement;
• Copy of the original Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone purchase receipt or other sufficient proof of the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone
  model currently linked to the Eligible Person’s Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone account
• Copy of the insurance claim to the Eligible Person’s homeowner’s, renter’s or personal automobile insurance or any applicable cellular telephone
  insurance, or in the event that the claim amount is less than the Eligible Person’s deductible, a copy of the policy’s declarations page;
• If a claim is due to damage, a copy of the repair estimate and photos of the damage;
• If the claim is due to theft, a copy of the police report filed within 48 hours of the theft; and
• Any other documentation or information reasonably requested by us to support the claim.

What is NOT Covered

• Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone accessories other than the standard battery and standard antenna provided by the
  manufacturer;
• Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones purchased for resale or for professional or commercial use. Exclusion applies for
  Consumer card accounts only;
  Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones that are lost or Mysterious Disappearance;
• Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones under the care and control of a common carrier, including, but not limited to, the U.S.
  Postal Service, airplanes or delivery service;
• Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones which have been rented, leased, borrowed or Cellular Wireless Telephones that are
  received as part of a pre-paid plan;
• Cosmetic damage (i.e. superficial abrasions or scuffs) to the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone or damage that does not
  impact the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone’s ability to make or receive phone calls;
• Damage or theft resulting from abuse, intentional acts, fraud, hostilities of any kind (including, but not limited to, war,
  invasion, rebellion or insurrection), confiscation by the authorities, risks of contraband, illegal activities, normal wear and tear,
  flood, earthquake, radioactive contamination, or damage from inherent product defects or vermin;
• Damage or theft resulting from mis-delivery or voluntary parting from the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone;
• Replacement Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone(s) purchased from anyone other than a cellular service provider’s retail or
  internet store that has the ability to initiate activation with the cellular service provider;
• Taxes, delivery or transportation charges or any fees associated with the service provided; or
• Losses covered under a warranty issued by a manufacturer, distributor or seller.

Conclusion

This is a great benefit, especially since it includes cracked screens, which seem to be getting more fragile with every new phone that comes out. The benefit could be more be more beneficial to Delta cardholders that also receive monthly wireless credits through the end of the year.

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