10 Best Credit Cards With Travel Insurance

What is travel insurance on a credit card?

Just like regular insurance, credit card travel insurance protects and covers you from unforeseen events that disrupt your travel. For example, if your credit card includes travel insurance, you could be reimbursed for disruptions caused by medical problems, the weather and even lost luggage.

Typically, cards with travel insurance are more premium credit cards reserved for those with excellent credit. They also tend to have higher annual fees; the more comprehensive the coverage, the higher the annual fee.

A key feature of credit card travel insurance is that it only protects you if you pay for your travel expenses with your card.

What does credit card travel insurance cover?

Each credit card will have its own travel insurance policy. While we’ve listed the standard limits above, terms and restrictions apply, so make sure you read through your card’s Guide to Benefits carefully.

Here’s a breakdown of what may be included in your coverage.

Trip cancellation/interruption

Trip cancellation and interruption coverage reimburses nonrefundable expenses like airline, train or bus tickets. It also typically covers prepaid hotels and tours if your travel plans are disrupted or canceled for a covered reason.

Covered reasons may include but are not limited to:

• You or a traveling companion dying
• You or a traveling companion experiencing an accidental injury or illness that prevents travel (as verified by a doctor)
• Inclement weather, such as a blizzard or hurricane
• Terrorist incidents or warnings
• Change in military orders

Covered reasons vary based on the card and issuer, so read your card’s Guide to Benefits thoroughly to learn what is and isn’t covered.

Emergency medical expenses

Emergency medical coverage compensates for the cost of emergency medical transportation and care caused by covered accidents up to the policy limit. However, it generally doesn’t include care for pre-existing conditions. Most cards don’t provide this insurance benefit.

Lost luggage

Lost luggage insurance reimburses your expenses for essentials such as toiletries and clothing if your luggage is lost or significantly damaged by a common carrier. To claim compensation for your expenses, submit a report from the airline stating your luggage was lost or damaged. 

Delayed baggage

If you arrive at your destination and your luggage doesn’t, baggage delay coverage may reimburse you for necessary expenses like toiletries and clothing. The amount of coverage and length of delay depends on your card’s benefits.

Rental cars

Rental car insurance typically provides coverage against damage and theft of a rental car if you use your card to pay for the car and decline the auto rental company’s coverage. Depending on your card, it might offer coverage as the primary or secondary provider. Limits vary by card.

Trip delays

Trip delay insurance covers fees for necessary expenses such as lodging, transportation and meals when your trip is delayed by six to 12 hours or requires you to stay overnight while waiting.

Travel accident insurance

Travel accident coverage may pay a beneficiary up to a certain amount in the event of accidental loss of life or dismemberment. Dismemberment may include loss of sight, hearing, or speech, or body parts. Coverage amounts vary based on the severity of the loss.

Credit card travel insurance vs. standalone travel insurance

Getting travel insurance for a vacation is always a good idea, especially for longer trips. However, if you travel regularly or take shorter trips, many credit card travel insurance policies will provide you with enough coverage.

To understand the difference between credit card travel insurance and standalone policies, let’s take a look at the two side by side:

*This is the average cost of travel insurance. However, this figure will vary depending on travel location, insurance plan and trip length.

When to use credit card travel insurance

Credit card travel insurance is best for short trips or when you need only basic coverage. Frequent travelers will benefit the most from credit card travel insurance as they will receive basic protection without paying for separate travel insurance every time they fly.

When to add additional travel insurance

It’s wise to buy a standalone travel insurance policy when you need comprehensive coverage or are planning to travel for a longer term. Credit card travel insurance typically won’t cover adventure trips or visits to high-risk areas, so make sure you purchase adequate protection for these expeditions.

Accessing your card’s travel insurance benefits

To ensure you can utilize the travel insurance benefits on your card, keep these things in mind:

• Read the fine print: Before you travel, read the fine print for your card’s section about the travel benefits. This can give you a good idea about whether the coverage is enough for your needs or if you should purchase a standalone policy to complement its coverage.
• Know what’s covered and what’s excluded: Before you begin your trip, make sure you know what’s covered and what’s excluded. This can help if you suffer a loss and need to file a claim.
• Pay with your credit card: To access your travel insurance benefits, you must use your credit card to pay for related expenses such as your fares, lodging and rental car costs.
• Keep all documentation of incidents: If you suffer a covered loss, save the documentation from the airline or other transportation provider, as well as any police reports or medical reports that detail what happened and any injuries that resulted from the incident.
• Save receipts: Save all receipts for incidentals you had to pay because of your loss so you can submit them with your claim.
• File your claim on time: You will have a short period to file your claim, so file it as soon as possible after your covered loss.

How to choose a credit card with travel insurance

Choosing the best credit card for your needs can be challenging. Here are some key features to consider.

Coverage amount

Look at the types of coverage and the amounts covered for each type. Some cards offer more coverage types or provide greater coverage amounts for different types.

Annual fee

Many credit cards with travel insurance charge an annual fee. However, some no-annual-fee cards provide basic travel protection. Look for a card with the lowest fee for the types of coverage you want.

Exclusions

Make sure that you understand the exclusions on a credit card’s travel insurance. These are circumstances under which the insurance won’t cover you. For example, many credit cards that provide rental car damage require you to pay for the rental car with your card and decline the rental car company’s insurance before it will apply. Some also exclude certain types of rental vehicles.

Deductibles

Some credit card travel insurance has deductibles you must pay before your coverage kicks in. Compare deductibles before you apply for a card.

Credit card rewards

Look for rewards cards that offer travel miles, rewards points or cash-back options. These benefits can help you earn more for what you spend, including possible airline tickets for companions on future trips.

Other credit card benefits

Compare the other benefits the cards offer before you make your final decision. Opt for cards with no foreign transaction fees to ensure you’re not charged extra fees while traveling. Many travel cards also offer Global Entry and TSA PreCheck credits, which reduce the total cost of your trip as well as save time and stress during your journey.

How to file a travel insurance claim with your card

If you suffer a covered loss while traveling with your credit card, take the following steps to file a claim:

1. Act quickly: Most credit cards require you to file your claim quickly following your loss.
2. Gather proof: You’ll need to gather evidence of the trip interruption, cancellation, delay, baggage loss claim or other covered loss. This might include proof from the airline, train company, other transportation provider, or rental car company.
3. Inventory your luggage contents: Before you leave on your trip, inventory everything you put into your luggage in case of loss. Take photographs and gather information about the value of each item.
4. Gather police reports and medical records: If your covered loss included injuries or an accident, gather copies of your medical records and police reports.
5. Call the credit card company: Your travel insurance claim will likely go through a third-party provider. Start by contacting your credit card company by calling the number on the back of the card. They can direct you to the appropriate party to contact to submit your claim.
6. Submit your claim: Once you’ve found the right insurance company, contact them, and file your claim. Submit all the evidence you’ve gathered. They should give you a claim number and information on how to check its status.

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^{For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.}

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