How does Amex Platinum purchase protection work?

Amex Platinum purchase protection insures items bought with an American Express Platinum card up to $10,000 per incident and $50,000 per year. If an eligible item is lost, broken, or stolen within 90 days of the purchase date, Amex may reimburse its value. Authorized users are also covered, as long as they’re U.S. residents.

This perk is pretty standard for rewards cards, and it doesn’t cost extra. But there are a few restrictions. First off, you need to still have the original store receipt. Secondly, certain items are restricted. Non-eligible items include: tickets, checks, gift cards, animals/plants, consumables/perishables, antiques, motor vehicles and rented items, to name a few. For the full list, you can look here. Also, losses due to natural disasters will only be reimbursed up to $500.

You can file a claim either online, or by phone at (800) 228-6855.

One other thing to keep in mind is that Amex might ask you to send them your broken item. If they do, they’ll reimburse you for the shipping.

If you want to file an American Express Platinum card purchase protection claim, it’s pretty straightforward. First, contact Amex within 30 days of the incident. The number is (800) 228-6855. You just need to tell them what happened and that you want to make a Purchase Protection claim. Then, send proof of the loss. That includes the claim form that Amex will send you, along with the sales receipt, police reports, damage estimates, etc. Finally, wait up to 30 days. Amex will either approve or deny your claim. If they approve it, they’ll send you a check within the 30-day timeframe.