Is American Airlines travel insurance worth buying?


American Airlines travel insurance protects you from unexpected events, including lost luggage and canceled flights. The cost of travel insurance from American Airlines varies, but plans typically start at $35. Adding AA trip insurance is easy – simply sign up when you purchase an American Airlines ticket.

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Written by
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Reviewed by
Farmers CSR for 4 Years
UPDATED: 2024-03-14T04:05:03.575Z
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Travel insurance

What You Should Know

  • American Airlines flight insurance is sold when you purchase travel from AA
  • Travel insurance policies are underwritten by Allianz, a major insurer
  • American Airlines travel insurance excludes travel delays due to COVID-19

American Airlines trip insurance protects you from unexpected events while you travel, including things like lost luggage and delayed flights due to weather.

Although American Airlines insurance is usually affordable, it’s not always the best option. For example, you can probably skip travel insurance from American Airlines if you purchase your ticket with a credit card.

So, do you need travel insurance for your vacation or a business trip from American Airlines? Read on to learn more about trip insurance from American Airlines and if it’s the right fit for you. Then, enter your ZIP code above to compare American Airlines travel insurance with more travel insurance plans today.

What American Airlines Travel Insurance Covers

Like other travel insurance policies, flight insurance from American Airlines is advertised as a necessity for every traveler. It's provided through a major travel insurance company, Allianz. But what does American Airlines trip insurance cover?

But before you click “purchase,” let’s look into what this policy really covers.

An American Airlines travel insurance policy addresses a number of ways travel insurance will cover your vacation. These situations include:

Circumstances impacting your travel – In the cases of illness, job loss, extreme weather, or other extenuating circumstances, an American Airlines insurance policy may offer financial coverage of changed plans or cancellations.

Cancellations – If your flight is canceled, American Airlines trip cancellation insurance may reimburse some of your expenses. Make sure to read the American Airlines trip insurance cancellation policy to see exactly what's covered.

Lost luggage – A suitcase missing at baggage claim is a nightmare for any traveler. Flight insurance for American Airlines covers most essential items if your luggage is lost or delayed in transit.

Injury or illness – If you sustain an injury or require medical attention during your trip, American Airlines trip protection can provide you with emergency medical and dental benefits in some cases.

Damage to your rental car – Wondering if you should buy rental car insurance? Accidents can happen even when you’re on vacation. AA trip insurance could help you cover any damage to your rental car. To learn more, explore our three tips for renting a car overseas or at home.

Theft – While comprehensive car insurance covers theft, you can add more protection by purchasing trip insurance for American Airlines flights.

Airport employees are always doing their best to serve you, but long lines and complicated logistics can nonetheless make for a frustrating experience when problems arise.

American Airlines encourages customers to purchase travel insurance by offering a streamlined customer service experience. In addition to the coverage above, American Airlines also advertises the additional perk of “24/7 assistance hotline and concierge services” for customers who opt for AA flight insurance.

All of these offerings combine to depict a streamlined and protected travel experience.

But how accurate is this depiction, and is American Airlines trip insurance worth it? Read on to dive deeper into travel insurance from American Airlines.

When You Should Buy American Airlines Travel Insurance

You can read a practical guide for understanding car insurance to know why you need coverage, but what about leaving the airport without travel insurance?

Sure, any number of scenarios could unfold and derail your travel plans. Insurance exists to protect you in the event of these what-ifs—accidents, illnesses, and so on. But is trip insurance worth it from American Airlines?

Travel insurance for American Airlines isn't always as beneficial to the customer as it might seem. Airlines take a large percentage of the profit from every insurance purchase, so it benefits them to market it to their customers as more essential than it is.

With travel insurance, you may end up saving money in the case of flight cancellation or inclement weather. American Airlines trip insurance costs are usually affordable, so it makes sense for many travelers to purchase the coverage.

But consider your past travel history. Most of the time, everything runs smoothly. You get where you’re going without spending money on insurance.

Even if your journey does hit a roadblock or two, the policy may still not be your most economical option. In fact, many personal finance tips to save money often suggest skipping the purchase of travel insurance.

When you dig deeper into the scenarios that travel insurance policies actually cover, you can expect to find many limitations and exclusions. As a result, the coverage may not apply to your situation at all. And of course, these exclusions are nestled deep within the terms and conditions of your policy.

American Airlines Travel Insurance Exclusions Explained

Are you worried about the possibility of extreme global circumstances throwing a wrench into your perfectly planned vacation? In a post-COVID-19 world, that’s not an irrational fear.

While we live in an unpredictable world, it’s important to understand that travel insurance may specifically exclude the very situation you’ve been nervous about.

Exclusions in American Airlines travel insurance policy include:

  • Epidemics
  • Natural disasters
  • Pollution leading to grounded or delayed flights
  • Nuclear and radioactive events
  • War
  • Terrorism
  • Civil unrest
  • Government bans on travel

While these circumstances may sound extreme, less extreme conditions such as standard rain or snow will usually not alter your travel plans to the point where travel insurance would prove beneficial.

Travel Insurance and Medical Care

Maybe you’re worried about your health delaying your plans or causing you trouble once you arrive at your destination. Or maybe you're wondering if you need to carry your health insurance card when you go on vacation.

American Airlines’ policy also names many exclusions on when they will provide health coverage, including:

  • Pre-existing medical conditions
  • Pregnancy, fertility treatments, and childbirth
  • Mental health issues including self-harm
  • Health issues accompanied by alcohol or drug use
  • Problems stemming from training and competition in professional or amateur sports

Whether your condition is pre-existing or you start to feel sick after consuming a few too many airport martinis, there are many scenarios where your health needs will not be covered by travel insurance.

Additionally, even though many mental health disorders can lead to or cause physical ailments, travel insurance offers no coverage for them.

If you would like to account for potential health issues during travel, be sure to do your research to make sure the policy covers your areas of concern.

American Airlines Travel Insurance and the COVID-19 Pandemic

We’ve already talked about one major exclusion — epidemics. Insurance companies' Coronavirus responses varied, but most travel programs have the same ideas about pandemics.

Of course, we’re continuing to live with the global results of a pandemic. The coronavirus outbreak has introduced a new level of uncertainty to the travel industry, with increased regulations and safety measures impacting flight schedules and airline ticket availability. Does travel insurance cover you for the coronavirus?

This uncertainty around travel may make travel insurance seem like a reasonable step to take. If your flight is canceled or rescheduled, you don’t want to be left in the dust.

However, American Airlines’ travel insurance does not offer protection against issues caused by the pandemic.

How do other policies stack up? Unfortunately, most travel insurance policies don't cover trip interruptions caused by pandemics.

You certainly want to handle travel with care and precision. However, travel insurance may not be the best way to do so.

Your best bet is to arrive at the airport early to give yourself ample time to sort out any issues. In addition, pay attention to safety protocols to protect your health and the health of your fellow travelers.

Broad American Airlines Travel Insurance Exclusions

American Airlines goes even further to shift the responsibility onto the individual to avoid covering losses.

They list the broad exclusion of “any loss, condition, or event that was known, foreseeable, intended, or expected when your certificate was purchased.”

Intent can be a hard thing to prove. Given the wording of these exclusions, it appears that American Airlines has broad discretion to avoid payouts on travel insurance.

Other Travel Insurance Options

Studies suggest that seeking out third-party travel insurance may be more advantageous than purchasing a policy directly from your air carrier.

Just because you want to stay protected while you travel doesn’t mean you need to buy the policy offered by the airline. Remember: you are in control of the insurance that you obtain. Despite what your airline tells you, there are other options out there.

Compare American Airlines Travel Insurance Today

The travel insurance market can be a tricky one to navigate. Different providers attempt to pull you in different directions and persuade you to buy their products. Unfortunately, they may be prioritizing their profits over your best interest.

Don’t fall victim to these business practices and end up with an expensive insurance policy you don’t need. Instead, shop around and compare quotes on travel insurance before you buy. If you’ve done your research ahead of time, you won’t feel compelled to purchase American Airlines travel insurance when you buy your tickets unless you’re sure it’s what you need.

Hopefully, you've learned what you need to know about American Airlines travel insurance. Now compare your travel insurance options with free quotes when you enter your ZIP code below.

FAQs

What does trip insurance cover?

Trip insurance covers unexpected events that impact your travel plans. Every trip insurance policy is different, but most cover financial losses from things like injuries, illness, flight delays, and even lost luggage.

What does trip insurance not cover?

Travel insurance covers a lot, but it doesn't cover everything. Events like natural disasters that start before you purchase your flight and any personal fears preventing you from getting on a plane.

How much does trip insurance cost?

The average trip insurance policy usually costs between 4 and 10% of the total price of your trip. For example, you'll pay about $70 for travel insurance on a trip that costs $1,000.

Does American Airlines offer travel insurance?

You can purchase American Airlines travel insurance for most flights. The amount you'll pay for American Airlines travel insurance varies, but customers report that prices are affordable.

Can you purchase travel insurance after booking a flight?

You can purchase travel insurance up until the time of your flight. However, it's best to purchase a plan as soon as possible so you don't miss out on valuable benefits.

Is travel insurance worth it?

Travel insurance is worth it for some and not for others. If you purchased your ticket with a credit card, you probably already have travel insurance and can skip purchasing another plan. However, the peace of mind is always worth it if you're worried about something interrupting your plans.

How do you submit an American Airlines travel insurance claim?

Submitting an American Airlines claim is simple. Visit the American Airlines travel insurance website to start the reimbursement process. If you need help, you can call the American Airlines customer service phone number.

Do credit cards cover trip interruptions?

Some credit cards offer trip protection if you pay for at least part of your trip with them. However, you'll need to check with your credit card to see if trip insurance is offered.

Does travel insurance get more expensive closer to your departure date?

Travel insurance rates typically stay the same, no matter how close it is to your departure time. However, you'll probably pay higher rates if you purchase insurance after your trip has already started.

How long does a travel insurance claim take to resolve?

Every company is different, but most travel insurance claims are resolved within a few weeks.

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