You drop your new laptop on the way home from the Apple Store. If you paid with The Platinum Card from American Express, you may be able to get reimbursed. The benefit is called purchase protection, and it is one of the more useful, and most overlooked, perks on the card.
Here is how American Express purchase protection works on Platinum cards in 2026, what is covered, and how to file a claim if something goes wrong.
What Is American Express Purchase Protection?
Purchase protection is a benefit underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. It can reimburse you if a covered item bought with your Platinum Card is accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost during the coverage window.
It is not the same as an extended warranty, which covers manufacturer defects. Purchase protection focuses on things that happen to the item after you bought it.
Coverage Limits on the Platinum Card
As of May 2026, the Platinum Card includes the strongest purchase protection in the consumer Amex lineup:
- Up to $10,000 per covered occurrence
- Up to $50,000 in claims per calendar year
- Coverage for 90 days from the date of purchase
- Up to $500 in additional coverage per event for losses caused by natural disasters
Lower-tier Amex cards like the Gold Card and Green Card also include purchase protection, but the per-item limits are lower. Terms apply.
What Is Covered
Purchase protection generally covers accidental damage, theft, and certain types of loss. Examples include:
- A new TV that arrives cracked in the box
- A stolen camera taken from a hotel room
- A laptop screen broken when you drop it
- Clothes ruined by a freak coffee spill
The item must be purchased entirely with your eligible Amex card, or with a combination of the card and Membership Rewards points. Gifts you bought for someone else are typically eligible as well.
If you are still building your score and not yet eligible for a Platinum-tier card, the Self Visa® Credit Card is a practical starter card. It does not include premium purchase protection, but it does help establish a payment history that can qualify you for premium cards later.
What Is Not Covered
Purchase protection has clear exclusions. Common examples:
- Items lost through mysterious disappearance, meaning you cannot explain how it went missing
- Damage from normal wear and tear
- Items used for business or commercial purposes
- Cars, motorized vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft
- Cash, traveler's checks, and tickets
- Items intentionally damaged
- Animals and living plants
Claims may also be denied if you wait too long to report a theft to the police, or if you did not file a claim with the merchant or your homeowner's insurance first when those options exist. Purchase protection is secondary coverage, so any reimbursement from another source comes off the top.
Coverage Window: The 90-Day Rule
The 90-day clock starts on the purchase date, not the delivery date. If you order an item that takes three weeks to arrive, you only have about 70 days of useful coverage left when it shows up.
For expensive purchases, consider buying closer to when you can pick the item up, or use credit cards from issuers with longer protection windows for certain items. Visa Infinite cards, for example, offer different terms.
How to File a Purchase Protection Claim
The claim process is straightforward but document-heavy:
- Report theft to local police within 48 hours if applicable
- Log in to your Amex account or visit the Amex Benefit Hub
- File a claim within 30 days of the incident
- Submit your itemized receipt, the credit card statement showing the purchase, a police report if applicable, and photos of damage
- Provide proof of any denied or partial coverage from other sources
Claims are usually processed within 30 to 60 days. Pay attention to deadlines, since late submissions are a common reason for denial.
Pairing Purchase Protection With Other Card Benefits
The Platinum Card stacks purchase protection with extended warranty, which adds up to one extra year to manufacturer warranties of five years or less, capped at $10,000 per item. Return protection is no longer offered on most U.S. Amex consumer cards as of recent updates, so do not count on it.
For electronics and appliances, this combination of purchase protection plus extended warranty can replace a third-party protection plan.
Building Up to a Platinum Card
The Platinum Card requires good to excellent credit, often a FICO score of 700 or higher. If you are not there yet, a smart path is:
- Start with a secured card that reports to all three bureaus
- Pay the full balance every month
- Keep utilization under 30 percent of your limit
- Wait six to twelve months before applying for an unsecured card
Many people start with a secured credit card and graduate to premium cards within two to three years. Patience pays off here. Terms apply and APRs vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Amex Platinum purchase protection last?
Purchase protection covers eligible items for 90 days from the date of purchase. If your card is the only one used to pay, you must file a claim within 30 days of the incident. Late submissions may be denied.
What is the maximum claim amount on the Platinum Card?
The Platinum Card covers up to $10,000 per covered occurrence and up to $50,000 in claims per calendar year. There is also up to $500 in natural disaster coverage per event. Terms apply.
Does Amex purchase protection cover items bought online?
Yes, online purchases are eligible as long as you paid with your eligible Amex Platinum Card. The 90-day window starts on the purchase date, so a long shipping window can cut into your coverage period. Keep your receipt and order confirmation.
Can I use purchase protection if my homeowner's insurance also covers the item?
Amex purchase protection is secondary coverage. You generally need to file with your homeowner's or renter's insurance first, and Amex may reimburse the deductible or any uncovered amount up to the policy limit. Submit denial or partial payment documentation with your Amex claim.
