Guide to credit card travel insurance
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Jennifer Doss
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Jennifer Doss is a credit card analyst and the executive editor of CardRatings.com. Drawing on 15 years in the media industry as a print and online journalist and editor, her work has covered diverse subjects from finance and technology to travel and dining. As a recognized finance expert, Jennifer frequently offers her insights on credit cards and personal finance to outlets including CNBC, Fortune Magazine, and NBC. Her firsthand appreciation for the rewards and benefits of responsible credit card use, cultivated through extensive travel and a passion for food, fuels her commitment to providing accessible online resources that empower individuals to effectively utilize their credit cards.
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Adam B. Frankel is a freelance personal finance writer and portfolio manager. He and his wife began collecting credit card points and miles when they became parents and have leveraged their knowledge to explore the world with their family. When he’s not managing money in the stock market, he teaches financial topics and other core concepts at local schools from elementary through high school.
Updated: June 12, 2025
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- How does credit card travel insurance work?
- What does credit card travel insurance cover?
- What is credit card travel insurance good for?
- How to file a credit card travel insurance claim
- Should you rely on credit card travel insurance or buy separate coverage?
- Which credit cards offer travel insurance?
- Is credit card travel insurance worth it?
- Frequently asked questions about credit card travel insurance
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While many people choose a credit card based on attributes like a large welcome bonus or high rewards in the places they spend, travel insurance is a lesser-known perk that can be extremely valuable when traveling away from home. Coverage can vary significantly between issuers and cards, but commonly includes reimbursements for travel delays or cancellations, loss, damage or delays to your baggage, emergency medical and dental care, and emergency medical transportation and evacuation.
How does credit card travel insurance work?
Credit card travel insurance coverage can be incredibly valuable, but like with anything, it’s important to always pay attention to the fine print, as “covered reasons” can be specific and limited.
Two popular cards offering trip insurance, card_name and card_name, for example, cover “accidental bodily injury, loss of life, or sickness experienced by the cardholder, a traveling companion or an immediate family member of the cardholder or a traveling companion.” If you dig through the fine print, however, Chase also states that the accidental bodily injury or sickness must be considered life-threatening or require hospitalization. So, in short, if you catch the common cold during a trip and want to head home early, you likely won’t be covered. If you’re hospitalized for a more serious sickness, though, you may receive reimbursement. Note, however, that you have to actually be sick for the insurance to kick in. The threat of illness, or the outbreak of an epidemic in the location of your trip, is very unlikely to be covered by credit card trip insurance or any other trip insurance for that matter – even if the CDC or WHO issues travel warnings and bans. For example, a COVID outbreak in the area you are traveling to is unlikely to be considered a covered reason.
Sometimes airlines and hotels will adjust their trip change policies in response to a global crisis. In these cases, it’s not that you’ll get your money back necessarily, but you can possibly alter your trip to another place or date without paying the typical fee to do so. Your best bet is to call your airline or hotel directly and see if they’ll work with you.
What does credit card travel insurance cover?
Coverage can vary greatly between issuers and cards, but some things commonly offered include:
- Trip delay insurance: If your covered trip has been delayed for a specified period of time, trip delay insurance could provide reimbursement for covered expenses, including meals and lodging.
- Trip cancellation/ interruption insurance: This coverage is used if your trip is cancelled or cut short by sickness, severe weather, and other covered situations; you can be reimbursed for your covered travel expenses up to a specified amount.
- Car rental insurance: Car rental collision damage coverage provides reimbursement for theft and collision damage for covered rental cars in the U.S. and abroad, depending on the specific coverage offered by the card. Usually, this coverage requires you to decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. Depending on the particular card, the coverage is usually applied as either primary or secondary insurance on the rental. With primary coverage, the insurance is applied without incorporating your personal insurance coverage, while with secondary coverage, the credit card insurance is applied as supplemental coverage after your personal insurance. Note that even on cards that offer this, some countries may be excluded from this coverage.
- Delayed baggage insurance: Delayed baggage insurance provides coverage if your checked baggage is delayed for a specified period of time. The coverage typically provides reimbursement for necessary personal or business expenses while you wait for your baggage if delayed by a common carrier with certain restrictions and exclusions.
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Lost luggage reimbursement insurance can be used if your checked or carry-on luggage is damaged or lost by the carrier. It typically provides for reimbursement up to a specified amount by the card provider.
- Roadside assistance: A common benefit offered by premium rewards credit cards is a form of roadside assistance. Coverages vary widely from card to card, but can include services like providing help if you need a jump start on the side of the road, while some cards only provide help in arranging assistance (not the roadside assistance itself).
What is credit card travel insurance good for?
Credit card travel insurance is best for things like severe weather interruptions, everyone in your party getting sick the day before your departure, trip delays, and lost luggage. What’s great about this perk, though, is if your credit card offers any type of travel insurance benefits, you’re automatically entitled to them as long as you pay for your trip expenses with that card. There’s no signing up or extra fees to worry about.
How to file a credit card travel insurance claim
Each issuer has different policies regarding filing a claim, but the process is similar no matter which card you hold. Visit the online claim center for your issuer.
When you file a claim, you’ll be asked to fill out information with the details of what occurred, along with any supporting documentation, such as a doctor’s note, any receipts showing how much you paid for the expense, and any other relevant information. You’ll also be asked to include the date the loss occurred and any other supporting information.
Once submitted, it can take anywhere from a week or more to hear back about your claim. Sometimes you might be asked to provide additional information, which can further extend the time it takes to receive a decision on your claim.
Should you rely on credit card travel insurance or buy separate coverage?
Whether or not you should rely solely on your credit card’s travel insurance for enough coverage will depend on both the trip you’re taking and the coverage available on your card. For example, if you’re traveling abroad with a big group and plan on renting a minivan, that might not be covered. Certain luxury vehicles may also be excluded, and even certain countries may not be covered by your credit card car rental coverage.
Additionally, if you have a complex itinerary involving multiple stops or are trying to make a cruise sailing that requires travel to get there, it may make sense to buy more comprehensive coverage.
Another scenario where it may be worth buying additional coverage is if you’re traveling somewhere that isn’t close to good medical facilities. You may want to consider separate emergency evacuation coverage or similar protection just in case of a problem.
Which credit cards offer travel insurance?
Card issuers don’t always highlight benefits like travel insurance, but if it’s a perk that comes with your credit card, it’s an incentive worth digging through the fine print for next time you’re planning a trip. Some of our favorite credit cards offering travel insurance include:
Squaremouth’s Guide to Credit Card Travel Insurance
Many travel credit cards include trip insurance to attract new members and provide existing cardholders with peace of mind when taking a trip. While this built-in coverage can be limited, it may be perfect for travelers that have lower trip costs or are heading to low-risk destinations.
As indicated by Forbes , travel insurance coverage can vary dramatically from one credit card to the next. Squaremouth breaks down credit card travel insurance, what it covers, and how it compares to third-party travel insurance.
How Does Credit Card Travel Insurance Work?
Credit card travel insurance is a popular perk that’s offered by many travel credit cards. This trip protection can provide you with reimbursement for unexpected travel expenses if your trip is disrupted by events out of your control, such as inclement weather , illness, or natural disasters.
The extent of financial protection you’re eligible for will depend on a wide-range of factors, such as the card you own, how you paid for your trip, and the circumstances surrounding your financial loss.
While some travel cards are free to attain, the cards that offer the highest level of coverage usually require an annual fee, which can range between $50-$700. To be approved for a travel credit card, the issuer may also need to verify that your credit score meets their minimum threshold.
What Does Credit Card Travel Insurance Cover?
The best travel credit cards address the most common concerns of travelers. From lengthy delays to last-minute cancellations, credit cards can offer travel insurance benefits that can protect you from the time you depart for your trip to the time you return .
Below are some of the most common travel insurance benefits offered by credit cards.
Cancellation Benefits
Many popular travel credit cards offer Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption insurance. These benefits are designed to protect your prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses in the event you’re forced to cancel or end your trip early due to a covered reason.
Commonly covered cancellation reasons include unexpected injuries, illness, severe weather events, or death of an immediate family member.
It’s important to note that most credit card issuers will only reimburse you for trip payments made using the card. For that reason, it’s crucial that you pay for your flights, hotels, and other bookings using the card that offers the travel benefits.
Luggage Benefits
Lost luggage can put a damper on any trip. Luckily, many travel credit cards offer strong coverage for luggage that gets lost, stolen, or damaged during a trip.
Credit card travel insurance can also provide financial coverage if your luggage is delayed by a common carrier en route to your destination. This coverage typically will reimburse you if you need to purchase clothes and toiletries while you wait for your baggage to arrive.
Delay Benefits
Roughly a quarter of all flights in the United States are delayed. During significant delays, you may need to purchase food or overnight accommodations as you await your new departure time.
Many credit cards offer trip delay reimbursement that covers these unexpected costs. Eligibility for this benefit can vary depending on the card, but coverage typically kicks in once a specific period of time has passed, usually 3-12 hours.
Other Travel Benefits
In addition to the perks listed above, it’s possible your credit card issuer may offer extra benefits to support you as you travel. Examples of unique card benefits to keep an eye out for include:
- Airport lounge access
- Rental car insurance
- 24-hour emergency assistance
- Emergency cash transfers
- Concierge service
- Hotel credit
What is Not Covered by Credit Card Travel Insurance?
While credit cards are known to offer helpful benefits such as trip cancellation insurance and lost luggage reimbursement, they do lack one critical element; medical protection.
Since most primary healthcare plans don’t offer coverage overseas, many travelers turn to travel insurance to cover any unexpected medical expenses that arise during their trip. Unfortunately, this type of coverage is not commonly found in credit cards. If it is offered, coverage is usually very limited.
For that reason, it’s still strongly recommended to purchase a travel insurance policy that includes medical coverage, particularly plans with strong Emergency Medical, Medical Evacuation, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment protection.
Which Credit Cards Offer Travel Insurance?
Travel protection has become a popular differentiating factor for many credit cards, especially as the cost of travel continues to rise.
Below are a handful of popular credit cards at different price points that offer travel protection, as well as their coverage limits at the time this article was written.
| The Business Platinum Card From American Express | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Capital One Venture X Rewards | Capital One Venture X Rewards | |
| Annual Fee | $695 | $550 | $395 | $95 |
| Trip Protection | $10,000 per trip | $10,000 per person, $20,000 per trip | $2,000 per person | $10,000 per person, $20,000 per trip |
| Trip Interruption | $10,000 per trip | $10,000 per person, $20,000 per trip | $2,000 per person | $10,000 per person, $20,000 per trip |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | N/A | $1,000,000 | N/A | $500,000 |
| Travel Delay | $500 per ticket, 6-hour delay minimum | $500 per ticket, 6-hour delay minimum | $500 per ticket, 6-hour delay minimum | $500 per ticket, 12-hour delay minimum |
| Baggage Delay | N/A | $100 per day for five days | N/A | $100 per day for five days |
| Baggage Loss | $3,000 per passenger | $3,000 per passenger | $3,000 per passenger | $3,000 per passenger |
| Rental Car Coverage | $75,000 | $75,000 | $75,000 | Up to the actual cash value of the car |
The above list is not a complete list of credit cards with travel insurance, but it does illustrate similarities and differences among cards at different annual fees. Most travel credit cards also come with additional perks like hotel credit, rewards, concierge services, and airport lounge access.
Credit Card Travel Insurance vs. Third-Party Travel Insurance
If you currently have travel protection from your credit card, you may not need additional coverage from a travel insurance policy.
However, if you’re insuring an expensive or adventurous trip, a comprehensive travel insurance policy from a third-party provider is still something to consider. Below we compare the differences between the two types.
| Credit Card Travel Insurance | Third-Party Travel Insurance | |
| Cost | Most travel credit cards require an annual fee, typically between $50-$700 | Travel insurance can be purchased for less than $100, but typically average around $300 per trip |
| Choice | Credit cards only provide one policy option to cardholders | Most providers offer multiple plans that offer varying degrees of coverage |
| Trip Costs | Credit cards will only protect expenses made through the credit card | Travel insurance plans can protect any trip investment, regardless of how it was made |
| Cancellation Coverage | Cards will provide a set reimbursement limit for trip cancellations and interruptions | Comprehensive insurance plans typically reimburse 100% of trip costs for covered cancellations or interruptions |
| Cancel For Any Reason | No credit card offers CFAR | Certain providers offer CFAR as an optional add-on at checkout |
| Medical Coverage | Credit cards typically do not provide medical coverage | Almost all travel insurance policies provide coverage for medical emergencies and evacuations |
| Delay Coverage | Most credit card insurance plans will provide between $100 and $1,000 per traveler after a 6-12 hour delay | Travel insurance delay coverage ranges from $250-$2,000 and may begin after a 3 hour delay |
| Luggage Protection | Many offer up to $3,000 in baggage insurance | Providers usually offer between $500-$3,000 in luggage protection |
What Type of Travel Insurance is Right for You?
To put it simply, credit cards are great for protecting some or all of your trip expenses, assuming they were made on your card. They can also provide great protection for your personal belongings while you travel.
Third-party insurance providers, however, are able to offer more options and coverage to travelers that need it. The key differentiator between credit card travel insurance and a policy you can purchase online is medical coverage. If you want health insurance while you travel, you may want to start comparing options.
No matter what you decide, it never hurts to compare your options for you leave for your trip. It’s not only free to shop, but you may find that travel insurance is more affordable than you expected.
Final Thoughts
Credit card travel insurance is a valuable benefit that provides essential protections for cardholders on the go. It can help mitigate the financial impact of unexpected trip cancellations, delays, or lost luggage, offering peace of mind to travelers at no additional cost beyond the card’s annual fee.
However, credit card travel insurance is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Coverage varies widely between cards, and most lack critical protections like robust medical coverage or evacuation benefits. For travelers planning expensive or international trips, or those seeking comprehensive coverage, a third-party travel insurance policy may offer a better solution.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your travel habits and risk tolerance. Carefully review your credit card’s insurance benefits and compare them to third-party options to ensure you’re adequately protected for your journey.
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- What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
- What are the Covered Reasons for Trip Cancellation?
- Is Travel Insurance Refundable?
- Can I Buy More Than One Policy for the Same Trip?
- Can You Buy Travel Insurance After Booking a Flight?
https://www.cardratings.com/guide-to-credit-card-travel-insurance.htmlhttps://www.squaremouth.com/travel-advice/guide-credit-card-travel-insurance
