American Airlines Travel Insurance: $35 Covers Luggage & Rental Cars!
Clearsurance.com recently published its review of American Airlines travel insurance. Starting at $35, adding coverage when buying plane tickets is simple. However, Clearsurance.com found other options to compare.
When purchasing American Airlines tickets online, customers can add travel insurance through Allianz by checking a box at checkout. Travelers may also have travel insurance through their credit card. Another option is to buy a third-party travel insurance policy.
Travel Insurance Coverage Through American Airlines
The insurance offered at checkout from American Airlines is a basic travel insurance policy.
Covers Flight Cancelations
It will cover cover flight cancelations. Travelers without insurance have a certain level of protection from canceled flights. For example, even if the weather causes a cancellation, the airlines will get passengers booked on other flights as soon as they are able.
Cancellation insurance offered from American Airlines is more comprehensive than the standard flight protection implied when purchasing tickets. It covers passengers who miss flights because of injuries and illnesses as well as some other reasons.
Covers Rental Car
Travelers who purchase insurance through American Airlines will have coverage for rental cars. Travelers without American Airlines insurance have the option of purchasing insurance from the rental car company.
Auto insurance companies typically extend insurance coverage to rental vehicles when travelers have auto insurance on their own vehicles
Having rental car coverage included with the travel insurance plan from American Airlines can save money compared to buying rental coverage separately.
Covers Lost Luggage
Airlines cover lost and damaged luggage to a certain extent without travel insurance. The travel insurance plan offers more comprehensive coverage and protects policyholders’ luggage during the entire trip and not just during the flight.
If luggage is lost, damaged, or stolen during any part of the trip, the travel insurance through American Airlines will cover the losses.
Covers Medical and Dental
American Airlines travel insurance covers emergency medical care. It also covers emergency dental care up to a limit.
Travelers with health insurance will likely have coverage for emergencies when they travel within the U.S. However, they will typically not have coverage for medical and dental services when traveling abroad.
Alternatives to American Airlines Travel Insurance
In some situations, travelers may have sufficient coverage between their own health insurance and standard airline protections.
However, individuals looking for an extra level of protection and considering American Airlines should compare what the airline offers with other options.
Credit Card Protection
Many credit card companies offer basic travel protections if the traveler books the trip using that credit card.
Some credit card companies offer additional trip insurance for a fee. These plans may be even more comprehensive than American Airlines’ travel insurance option.
Third-Party Travel Insurance
When a traveler books a policy with American Airlines, the policy is set. It’s not customizable. Policies purchased through third-party insurance providers will likely have several options. Some travelers would prefer a customizable policy with more comprehensive protection.
Comparing what American Airlines offers with other options can help travelers decide which option fits with their needs and budget.
Melanie Musson, a nationally recognized insurance expert with Clearsurance.com, says, “While the convenience of booking insurance when booking flights is hard to beat, taking extra time to compare options may result in a better policy for the traveler’s needs.”
Travel Insurance Exclusions
There are several travel insurance exclusions that apply to most insurance policies whether purchased from American Airlines or a third party.
Clearsurance.com lists them as follows:
- Epidemics
- Natural disasters
- Pollution leading to grounded or delayed flights
- Nuclear and radioactive events
- War
- Terrorism
- Civil unrest
- Government bans on travel
Pre-existing medical conditions are excluded from travel medical insurance plans, and coverage for adventure sports injuries is often excluded.
Read Clearsurance.com’s entire review here: Is American Airlines travel insurance worth buying in 2025?