Cell phones are practically extensions of ourselves so keeping them safe is pretty high in importance to most of us. That’s probably the idea behind Amex cell phone protection, a new benefit added by American Express to its premium credit cards in 2021. The benefit provides coverage for your phone against both theft and damage simply by paying your monthly wireless bill on an eligible credit card.

I’ve used the Amex cell phone protection benefit and it proved to be quite valuable coverage when my phone was damaged. Like most credit card benefits, it’s important to understand how it works, which cards are eligible, and what limitations and restrictions apply. That’s why we’ve put together this guide with all the info you need to know about the American Express cell phone protection benefit.

Amex Cards With Cell Phone Protection

The most important thing about the Amex Cell Phone Protection benefit to know is probably which cards include the benefit. The good news is that cell phone protection is included on 15 premium American Express cards for both consumers and small businesses. Here’s an overview of the cards that include it.

Personal Amex Cards Offering Cell Phone Protection:

• Centurion Card® from American Express
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The American Express Platinum Card® Exclusively for Schwab
• 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
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Business & Corporate Amex Cards Offering Cell Phone Protection:

• 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

The full terms and conditions of the benefit vary depending on the card.

How to the Activate Amex Cell Phone Protection Benefit

If you’re a cardholder of one of the eligible cards, then enrolling your cell phone in coverage under the cell phone protection benefit is straightforward.

The coverage is included with your card and no enrollment is necessary so all you need to do is pay your monthly wireless phone bill in full with one of the eligible credit cards listed above. Your phone will be covered starting the first day of the month after you began paying your cell phone bill with your eligible card.

Coverage begins the first day of the calendar month following your first eligible payment. If you stop paying your cell phone bill with an eligible Amex card, your cell phone protection ends at the end of that calendar month. However, if you close an eligible card, your coverage ends immediately.

Coverage includes additional cell phones associated paid for as part of the bill by the cardmember and authorized users of eligible cards are eligible for the benefit.

What’s Covered by Amex Cell Phone Protection?

The Amex Cell Phone Protection provides coverage to cardmembers for repair or replacement of their phone in the following cases:

• Damaged Cell Phone — Any accidental damage to your phone is covered by the benefit including a cracked screen
• Stolen Cell Phone — Coverage is included for stolen phones but a police report must be filed within 48 hours of the theft

The benefit reimburses cardmembers for up to $800 per claim for repair or replacement of their phone, subject to a $50 deductible. This means the maximum reimbursement you can receive from a claim is $750 or $1,500 a year.

Cardmembers are limited to two claims per 12-month period.

What’s Not Covered by Amex Cell Phone Protection?

Phones that are lost are not covered so if your phone suffers a “mysterious disappearance”, you’ll be paying out of pocket. Stolen phones, in contrast, are covered.

The coverage also does not extend to cosmetic damage such as minor abrasions, scruffs, scrapes, dints, scratches, chips, and other superficial damages to your phone’s screen or casing.

However, a cracked screen is specifically noted to be covered by this policy.

Here’s a more complete list of what’s not covered by the cell phone protection benefit.

• Accessories for cellular wireless telephones, excluding the manufacturer’s battery and antenna
• Cell phones intended for resale, professional, or commercial use (only applicable to consumer cards)
• Lost cell phones or unexplained disappearances
• Cell phones in the possession of a common carrier like an airline or delivery service
• Rented, leased, prepaid, or borrowed cell phones
• Cosmetic damage that doesn’t affect the phone’s call-making or receiving capabilities
• Damage resulting from intentional or illegal acts, normal wear and tear, vermin, or confiscation
• Replacement cell phones bought from sources other than the cellular provider’s retail/internet store or authorized agent
• Losses covered by warranty or other insurance
• Taxes and delivery/transportation fees.

Keep in mind that additional terms may apply. Find complete details in your eligible card’s guide to benefits.

The Amex Cell Phone Protection Claims Process

To start an Amex Cell Phone Protection claim, call Amex’s benefits administrator AIG Claims at 1-833-784-1467. Be sure to have your card number handy when you place the call, it’ll ask you to enter that as part of the automated process.

Your claim needs to be opened within 90 days of your loss, or your claim may not be honored. You may need to provide documentation such as a copy of the repair estimate and photos of the damage to your phone for damage claims.

For thefts, a copy of the police report filed within 48 hours of the theft may be required.

The process is quite straightforward, we’ve outlined the steps based on my experience filing a claim here.

Bottom Line

The Amex Cell Phone Protection provides coverage for repair or replacement of your phone in cases of accidental damage or theft, with a reimbursement of up to $800 per claim, subject to a $50 deductible. The benefit is activated by paying your monthly wireless bill with an eligible credit card. The coverage includes 15 premium American Express cards for both consumers and small businesses, and no enrollment is necessary. While you’ll want to review the full terms and conditions, using the benefit can provide valuable protection and help create some peace of mind for cardholders.