One of the lesser-known but significant benefits of holding an American Express credit card in India is the insurance options available to cardholders. I have been using the Amex-linked car insurance benefit for three years and saved more than 30% on premium compared with typical market rates (update: now serviced by Acko/Digit).
If you are new to Amex Health Insurance, this article explains the plans, advantages, how to enroll, and my personal experience.
Table of Contents
- Health Insurance Plans
- Amex Advantage
- How to get it?
- My Experience
- Bottomline
Health Insurance Plans
American Express partners with multiple insurers to offer customized health plans and wellness benefits. Cover amounts typically range from 5 lakh to 1 crore, allowing cardholders to choose a sum insured that suits their needs.
Smaller individual covers up to 30 lakh are commonly facilitated by ICICI Lombard, while higher-value or family covers are provided through TATA AIG (previously offered via Bharti AXA). Note that partner insurers and plan features may change from time to time.
I found the ICICI Lombard option attractive for my requirements and chose that plan. Although similar products are available directly from insurers, there are some specific advantages when you purchase through American Express.
Amex Advantage
- Dedicated helpline for cardholder insurance queries
- OPD benefit for consultations and medicines (unique feature)
- Priority claims processing (experience may vary)
- No Third Party Administrator (TPA) involvement
Among these, the OPD benefit stands out because outpatient coverage for consultations and medicines is relatively rare in the retail health insurance market.
Caution: Gym memberships, yoga classes, spectacles, lab tests, and dental treatments are no longer covered under the OPD benefit.
How to get it?
- Email: insuranceservices [at] aexp.com (response may take about a week)
- SMS: Text HLT to 5616166
- Call: 0124-4405500 (Monday to Saturday, 9:30 am to 6:30 pm)
To enroll in an Amex Health Insurance policy, contact the Amex insurance support line by phone, SMS, or email. The team handles the paperwork and typically charges the card within a couple of days. The issuance process is largely online; you should receive both soft and hard copies of policy documents within around 10 days.
My Experience
I selected a 10 lakh cover, which initially cost about Rs.14,700 per year (varies with age) and included a Rs.10,000 OPD benefit. After COVID, the premium increased to around Rs.17,000. For the cost difference, the OPD and the overall coverage made the plan attractive for me.
If you are in a higher income tax bracket, the tax savings on premiums can also be meaningful. Below are the claim experiences I documented:
- OPD claim experience (Rs.10,000)
- Reimbursement claim experience (~Rs.3 lakh)
The ICICI Lombard health care card that arrived with the policy feels quite basic and not particularly premium—small gripe, but notable if presentation matters to you.
Bottomline
I had delayed buying health insurance for a long time and finally found an Amex-linked plan that met my needs. Although the offer no longer seems as lucrative as it once was, it remains one of the better choices if outpatient coverage is important to you.
Purchasing through American Express also adds a layer of convenience and peace of mind for many cardholders.
These plans are available to American Express primary cardholders and their families. If you are not yet in the Amex ecosystem, some card options worth considering include Amex Platinum Travel and Amex Membership Rewards cards.
Do you have health insurance through Amex or another provider? Share your experiences in the comments below.