chase cc travel insurance

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Guide to chase sapphire® travel insurance.

Planning a vacation or honeymoon can be exciting. That excitement might include the worries that something unexpected could interrupt those plans. The following overview of Chase Sapphire travel protections may make your next trip less stressful if you are a cardmember.

How does Chase Sapphire travel protection work

Certain benefits that may give you peace of mind when using your card for travel are available to Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred ® cardmembers:

• Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: If you run into a problem away from home, call the Benefit Administrator for legal and medical referrals or other travel and emergency assistance. (You will be responsible for the cost of any goods or services obtained.)
• Trip Delay Reimbursement: If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours (six hours for Sapphire Reserve) or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket.
• Trip Cancellation / Interruption Insurance: If your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather and other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses, including passenger fares, tours and hotels.
• Baggage Delay Insurance: Reimburses you for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing for baggage delays over six hours by passenger carrier up to $100 a day for 5 days.
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement: If you or an immediate family member check or carry-on luggage that is damaged or lost by the carrier, you're covered up to $3,000 per passenger.
• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Decline the rental company's collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. For Sapphire Reserve cardmembers, coverage is primary and provides reimbursement up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage for rental cars in the U.S. and abroad. Sapphire Preferred Cardmembers can be reimbursed up to the actual cash value of the vehicle, but coverage excludes certain cars, such as high value and exotic vehicles.
• Travel Accident Insurance: When you pay for your air, bus, train or cruise transportation with your card, you are eligible to receive accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $500,000 ($1,000,000 for Sapphire Reserve).

Additional Benefits covered with Chase Sapphire Reserve travel insurance

Certain travel reimbursement, cancellation protection and emergency services are available to Chase Sapphire Reserve ® cardmembers on eligible travel booked with their credit card. Here’s some more information about the benefits offered with the card.

Emergency Evacuation and Transportation

If you or a member of your immediate family are injured or become sick during a trip far from home that results in an emergency evacuation, you can be covered for medical services and transportation up to $100,000.

Roadside Assistance

If you have a roadside emergency, you can call for a tow, jumpstart, tire change, locksmith or gas. You’re covered up to $50 per incident 4 times a year.

Emergency Medical and Dental Benefit

If you're 100 miles or more from home on a trip, you can be reimbursed up to $2,500 for medical expenses if you or your immediate family member become sick or injured.

If you have a Sapphire credit card, travel protection applies to plane tickets, rental cars and cruise line reservations booked using a Sapphire card or Ultimate Rewards ® points. You will be able to claim reimbursement for trip cancellations or interruptions, lost luggage, baggage that’s delayed or flight delays.

Whether it’s a long-awaited vacation or flying across the country to see family for the holidays, the Chase Sapphire family of cards offers benefits to give travelers more confidence in their plans.

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Your guide to Chase's trip insurance coverage

Update : Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Chase credit cards are often top of mind when travelers are booking trips because of their superior protections. Chase is one of very few major U.S. credit card issuers that offers a full suite of travel protections across its premium credit cards, including trip delay reimbursement and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

Trip delay reimbursement covers reasonable out-of-pocket expenses due to a lengthy trip delay that is not covered by the common carrier. Trip cancellation/interruption insurance provides reimbursement for covered travel expenses when you have to cancel a trip or end it early.

Now that more people are getting vaccinated and destinations are reopening borders to tourists, you may be planning trips for later this year or into next. This guide will walk through which Chase credit cards have these benefits, what is currently covered and how you can file a successful claim.

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Chase cards offering trip delay and trip cancellation/interruption insurance

Here is an overview of the Chase cards that offer trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance or both:

The information for the United TravelBank Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Best credit cards for trip cancellation and interruption insurance

What is covered by trip cancellation/interruption insurance?

You can find the full terms and conditions of what is generally covered on your specific card in your Guide to Benefits, which can be found through your Chase account online. I'll use the Chase Sapphire Reserve Guide to Benefits as an example.

Here is a rundown of the circumstances covered by Chase's trip cancellation/interruption insurance:

• Accidental bodily injury, loss of life or sickness experienced by you or a traveling companion that prevents you or a travel companion from traveling on the trip.
• Accidental bodily injury, loss of life or sickness experienced by an immediate family member of you or your traveling companion when it's considered life-threatening, requires hospitalization or requires care by you or your traveling companion.
• Severe weather that prevents a "reasonable and prudent person" from beginning or continuing a trip (terms about what constitutes as qualifying severe weather can be found in your Guide to Benefits).
• Named storm warning.
• Change in military orders for you or your spouse.
• Jury duty or a court subpoena, neither of which can be waived.
• You or your traveling companion's place of permanent residence being made uninhabitable, being burglarized or damaged by fire or flood.
• You or your traveling companion's lodging accommodations at the destination of the trip being made uninhabitable.
• Death or hospitalization of you or your traveling companion's host at destination.
• Quarantine of you or your traveling companion imposed by a physician or by a competent governmental authority having jurisdiction, due to health reasons.
• An organized strike affected public transportation which causes you or your traveling companion to either miss 20% or more of your scheduled trip or miss the departure of a prepaid cruise or scheduled tour (booked through a tour operator).
• Terrorism (there are exceptions here; exact terms on what types of terrorist incidents are covered for trip cancellation and interruption insurance are listed in your Guide to Benefits).

Chase does provide an extensive list of things that are not covered by trip cancellation/interruption insurance as well:

• Change in plans, financial circumstances and business obligations.
• Preexisting conditions.
• Any loss due to the voluntary surrender of unused vouchers, tickets, credits, coupons or travel privileges available prior to their expiration date.
• Travel arrangements scheduled to take place after the 26th week of pregnancy, or when a multiple pregnancy (such as twins or triplets) or pregnancy associated with an assisted reproductive program (such as in vitro fertilization) occurs prior to the initial deposit date or booking date of the trip.
• Any loss for a trip booked while on a waiting list for a specified medical treatment.
• Medical travel.
• Disinclination to travel due to civil unrest.
• Failure of you or your travel companion to obtain necessary visas, passports or requisite travel documents.
• Illegal activity.
• Suicide, attempted suicide or intentional self-inflicted injury.
• Drug use at the time of the loss (except if the drug is taken and used as prescribed by a physician).
• Disinclination to travel due to an epidemic or pandemic.
• Financial insolvency of a common carrier, travel agency, tour operator or travel supplier.
• War (not including terrorism).
• For trip cancellation only: Trips booked to any area known to be associated with terrorist activity.
• For trip interruption only: Travel arrangements canceled or changed by a travel supplier unless it's the result of severe weather or an organized strike that affects public transportation.

You'll note that "disinclination to travel due to an epidemic or pandemic" is specifically listed as not covered. At the time of writing, Chase had given no update that would change this, which means canceling a trip you can go on but just don't want to is not covered by your Chase travel insurance .

If you do find yourself canceling or cutting a covered trip short, here are the basic guidelines provided by Chase on what types of expenses are covered for trip cancellation/interruption:

Non-Refundable prepaid travel expenses charged by a Travel Supplier (Travel Agency, Tour Operator, Provider of Lodging, rental car agency, Rented Recreational Vehicle Provider, commercial recreational excursion provider, Cruise Line, airline, railroad, and other Common Carriers). Eligible Travel Expenses also means redeposit fees imposed by a Rewards program administrator. Eligible Travel Expenses does not include Event Tickets or prepaid fees to theme parks, museums, golf courses, or other points of interest (unless such expenses are included as part of a travel package).

What is covered by trip delay insurance?

Trip delay insurance provides reimbursement for expenses incurred when your trip is delayed due to a covered hazard for more than six hours, or if a delay requires an overnight stay. It does not include expenses that are covered by the airline or other common carrier responsible for the delay. You and your family members are covered when you put at least part of a trip on your eligible Chase card.

Covered expenses include meals, lodging, toiletries and medication, but do not include any prepaid expenses related to a trip such as a tour or activity fees.

Chase defines covered hazards as equipment failure, inclement weather, strike and hijacking/skyjacking. The Guide to Benefits specifically exempts any delay due to a covered hazard that was made public or made known to you prior to your departure.

Filing a claim

When you have a delay or trip cancellation/interruption that you think qualifies for coverage, you can file a claim through Chase's online claims center.

Trip delay reimbursement requires the following documentation:

• Expense receipts – Keep receipts from all of the expenses incurred due to the delay. Meal expenses more than $50 per covered traveler must be itemized.
• Fare receipt – You'll need a receipt that proves you purchased at least some of the common carrier fare on your card.
• Multiple payment methods – If you used more than one method of payment for your fare, you must provide documentation outlining any additional currency, voucher, points or other payment method used. For example, if you used points to pay for your flight and just used your card for taxes and fees, you'd need to show documentation to that effect.
• Common carrier statement – This is proof that the trip was delayed, along with the reason for the delay.
• Original itinerary – You'll have to submit a copy of your original ticket.
• Settlement from carrier – You are required to file a claim with the common carrier before submitting a claim with Chase. You'll need a copy of the settlement from the carrier, your insurance and any other reimbursement you'll receive from another party.

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance requires slightly different documentation:

• Completed and signed claim form — You can get a claim form by calling your benefit administrator, or by visiting Chase's online filing application.
• Original itinerary – You'll have to submit a copy of your original travel itinerary, including any prepaid activities that you are including in your claim.
• Confirmation of cancellation/interruption – You have to provide documentation that gives the reason for the cancellation/interruption, such as an official doctor's note, death certificate, official military orders or other supporting documentation.
• Attending physician's statement – This a document provided by a physician or medical facility that essentially acts as proof that you were treated by them.
• Carrier cancellation/refund policy – You'll have to submit a copy of the cancellation or refund policies of the common carrier, tour operator or travel supplier.
• Expense receipts – Keep the receipts of expenses incurred due to your trip interruption.
• Monthly billing statement – Rather than a fare receipt, you are required to submit a monthly billing statement showing the last four digits of the account number as proof of prepaid travel.
• Any unused vouchers, tickets or coupons — You can add these expenses to your claim, but you'll need to be able to provide proof of purchase.

When you fill out the claims form online, you will be asked to upload these documents. You can scan in paper receipts when needed. Typically, you have up to 90 days to file a claim after a delay or cancellation.

Proof of flight delay or cancellation

One of the documents required to file for trip delay reimbursement is a verification form that outlines the reason for the delay or cancellation by the carrier. You can typically get this at the airport when the delay or cancellation is announced, but keep in mind that it may require a supervisor. Each major U.S. airline also has a process for requesting this information after the fact.

Here is an overview of the process different U.S. airlines require in order for you to receive a delay or cancellation verification form:

Bottom line

Having a card with trip insurance can save you hundreds of dollars when unexpected hiccups happen in your travel plans, but it can be confusing to know what exactly is covered and the right documentation you need to file a claim.

Nothing is worse than getting through an entire claims process only to be denied or have to start over because you don't have the required documentation for the insurance provider. Before you start filing a claim, make sure you have the documents listed above. Keep in mind that a provider may ask for additional documentation related to the incident, so you may have to collect receipts and other forms to help your case.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Full List of Travel Insurance Benefits for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card [2023]

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Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Overview

Auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage, roadside dispatch, travel accident insurance, travel and emergency assistance, no foreign transaction fees, filing a claim, other credit cards, travel insurance policies, final thoughts.

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card is a solid choice for your first travel rewards credit card. The card’s strengths include its ability to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards Points on every purchase, the variety of redemption options it offers, and even its shopping benefits.

In addition to the key benefits of strong earning power and travel redemption flexibility, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has your back with travel insurance coverage that offers peace of mind and potential savings during your journey.

If you travel frequently, chances are you’ve used a travel insurance coverage or benefit and realize the value of having this protection. It’s reasonable to expect that a travel rewards card you use to pay for your travel will have associated trip benefits. Unfortunately, credit card issuers have recently cut back on both travel and shopping benefits.

While some other cards are cutting back, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers prominent travel insurance coverage and benefits. Whether you currently have the card or are considering it, you’re sure to find this information useful when comparing travel rewards cards.

To put the Chase Sapphire Preferred card ‘s coverage into context, it’s important to have a little background. Below, you’ll find important card information like any welcome bonus and annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
• 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
• Excellent travel and car rental insurance
• 10% annual bonus points
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card shines at providing car rental insurance coverage when compared to other travel rewards cards.

Unlike most travel rewards cards, the coverage you receive with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is primary car insurance coverage compared to secondary, which means you do not have to file an insurance claim with your own auto insurance company first for coverage to be valid.

To activate the coverage on your card, simply reserve and pay for your rental car with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card , then decline the rental car agency’s collision damage waiver coverage.

The cardholder and any additional drivers you list on the rental agreement are covered.

Coverage You Can Expect:

• Damage to or theft of the rental car
• Loss of use charges imposed by the rental car company while the vehicle is being repaired
• Reasonable and customary towing charges

Conditions:

• Coverage is valid in most countries
• The rental period must not exceed or intend to exceed 31 consecutive days
• Coverage is primary

Exclusions:

• Exceptionally expensive, exotic, and antique vehicles are not covered
• Also excluded are open cargo bed vehicles, trucks, and recreational vehicles
• Motorcycles, mopeds, and motorbikes
• All limousines and vans that transport more than 9 people
• Losses due to off-road use of the rental vehicle
• Liability insurance coverage is not included

Bottom Line: According to the Insurance Information Institute , a car rental agency’s collision damage waiver coverage can cost $9 to $19 per day, even more depending on where you’re renting the vehicle. Having primary rental car insurance with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card could save you hundreds of dollars on a multi-week car rental. 

In addition to car rental insurance, one of the most valuable benefits to have on your travel rewards credit card is coverage when there’s a disruption during your travels.

Pay for your trip in full or in part with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Chase Ultimate Rewards points and receive up to $10,000 if a covered loss prevents you (or other covered persons) from traveling. The maximum benefit for each occurrence is $20,000 and $40,000 maximum per 12-month period.

Expenses covered include any non-refundable, prepaid transportation arrangements that were missed plus change fees.

The definition of who is covered for trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage is broad. The cardholder, spouse or domestic partner, and immediate family are eligible for coverage. Immediate family includes adopted or step-children, legal guardians/wards, siblings or siblings-in-law, parents or parents-in-law, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, and nieces or nephews.

The trip cannot exceed 60 days in duration and the destination must be more than 1 mile from home for coverage to be valid.

Covered events include:

• Accidental injury, loss of life, or illness experienced by the cardholder, immediate family, or traveling companion
• Severe weather
• Change of military orders
• Terrorist events or hijackings
• Jury duty or subpoena that cannot be postponed or waived
• Finding that your residence has become uninhabitable
• You have been quarantined

Hot Tip: If you pay for your immediate family’s trip with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Ultimate Rewards points , they are eligible for trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance coverage, even if you are not traveling with them. For more card options that come with trip cancellation insurance, check out our full guide to the best credit cards for trip cancellation and interruption insurance .

If your trip is significantly delayed, you may be stranded overnight and need to purchase necessities or incur other unexpected expenses such as lodging and additional meals.

Trip delay reimbursement pays up to $500 per ticket for covered expenses that are not paid for by the common carrier. The delay must be overnight or greater than 12 hours in duration.

Baggage Insurance

When traveling on a common carrier, if your baggage is delayed more than 6 hours, you could receive up to $100 reimbursement per day , for up to 5 days, for incidentals purchased.

You can expect to be reimbursed for essential items such as:

• Cell phone charging cable (1)

If your luggage is lost or damaged, lost luggage coverage will pay to repair or replace the luggage plus the cost of personal items lost, up to $3,000 per person, per trip.

You must report the loss to the common carrier first as the Lost Luggage benefit is in excess of any payments you receive from that carrier.

If you’re stranded on the side of the road, lock your keys out of your car, or your car fails to start, you’ll find Roadside Dispatch a welcomed benefit. The coverage provides 24/7 roadside assistance that is just one call away.

Services You Can Expect:

• Changing your flat tire when you have an inflated spare
• Delivery of up to 5 gallons of fuel
• Jump starting
• Lockout service
• Standard towing up to 5 miles
• Standard winching

Service extras such as towing beyond 5 miles, the cost of a replacement key, or the cost of the actual fuel being delivered, are additional charges and the responsibility of the cardholder. However, you won’t pay more than the pre-determined flat rate fee of $69.95 for the initial service call, as it is set in advance.

It’s painful to think about something serious happening during your travels, but there are benefits available in case you’re faced with such a tragic event.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is one of a few cards to offer travel accident insurance . The cardholder and immediate family members are covered even if the cardholder is not traveling with the immediate family. The ticket must be paid for in full or partially with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Ultimate Rewards points.

Chase’s travel accident insurance is divided into 2 coverages:

• Common Carrier Travel Accident Benefit — Covers you while you are a passenger on any common carrier or at the airport, terminal, or station immediately before or after your trip.
• 24-Hour Travel Accident Benefit — Provides coverage as soon as you embark on your trip, during your qualifying trip, and until you return for accidental death, dismemberment, and loss of speech, sight, and hearing.

Coverage on the Common Carrier benefit is limited to up to $500,000 and $100,000 maximum on the 24-hour travel accident benefit. Only 1 benefit can apply per trip.

You’re just one call away from assistance or referral help anytime you need it 24/7. Calling the toll-free number when in the U.S. or the collect-call phone number on the back of your card when traveling out of the country is the fastest way to receive assistance.

In addition to you (the cardholder), your spouse or domestic partner and dependent children under 22 can also use the service.

Referral assistance is complimentary, but the cardholder is responsible for the actual goods or services provided .

• Emergency Message Service — Record and relay emergency messages to travelers
• Medical Referrals — Referral to an English-speaking medical practitioner to monitor your progress and serve as a patient liaison
• Legal Referrals — Referral to an English-speaking attorney, U.S. Consulate or embassy, and assistance with bail bond arrangements
• Emergency Transportation — Help with making arrangements for emergency transport to the nearest medical facility
• Emergency Ticket Replacement — Assistance replacing a lost ticket with your carrier
• Lost Luggage — Provides assistance filing a lost luggage claim or help with replacement items
• Translation Services — Assistance with local language translation services
• Prescription and Valuable Documents Replacement — Assistance getting prescriptions filled at a local pharmacy or locating and transporting valuable documents
• Pre-trip Assistance — Includes help finding an ATM, assistance with visas, health precautions, and other pre-trip information

You don’t want to be hit with 3% fees when using your card during international travels. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees,  which is thankfully true of many cards nowadays.

If you spent $4,000 abroad on a family vacation, the savings would equal $120.

It’s prudent to think about the claim process even before you embark on your journey . Should you need to make a trip interruption, trip delay, or trip cancellation claim, the process will be much easier if you have gathered the information and documentation you need during the event versus after the fact.

Contact the plan administrator as soon as possible during or after the disruption for guidance and to file a claim. You may be expected to provide any of the following when submitting a claim for a trip interruption, trip cancellation, or trip delay :

• A completed and signed claim form
• Credit card statement with the last 4 digits of the card or receipts showing you paid for the trip with an eligible card or points
• A copy of your transportation ticket and itinerary
• Medical documents or a death certificate for health-related claims
• A statement from the carrier stating why the trip was interrupted, canceled, or delayed
• Receipts for purchases and food expense receipts over $50
• Copy of the carrier, tour company, or travel supplier’s cancellation or refund policy
• Any additional documentation requested by the benefit administrator

The documentation needed is not requested by Chase, but by the third-party claim administrator, therefore Chase statements validating your trip purchase are necessary. Knowing this upfront allows you to store your trip receipts in advance for easy access should you need them.

Hot Tip: Prior to your trip, contact the benefits administrator for clarification of trip coverage and to inquire about any special destination information you should know. You can also be proactive by reviewing the claim process before your trip to learn about any required documentation that would be needed in case of an event.

How Coverage Compares

Travel protection and insurance vary greatly by the credit card issuer and can change periodically. In general, here’s what you can expect in the way of travel protections by major issuers:

Chase issues credit cards including the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Chase Sapphire Reserve ® , and Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card offer the comprehensive collection of trip protections reviewed in this article. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card additionally offers emergency medical evacuation, $2,500 in emergency medical and dental coverage, and a shorter delay for trip delay coverage.

American Express

American Express offers secondary car rental insurance versus primary coverage, accident insurance, premium roadside assistance, a Global Assist Hotline, and baggage insurance. There is also emergency medical evacuation coverage that comes with The Platinum Card ® from American Express . The issuer does not offer trip interruption, cancellation, or delay coverage .

Capital One

You’ll find secondary car rental insurance, roadside dispatch, accident insurance, lost and delayed baggage, and emergency travel assistance on some Capital One cards including the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card .

Bank of America

Bank of America travel rewards cards generally do not offer trip protection or major travel benefits.

Hot Tip: For more details, check out our guide to the best credit cards for travel insurance .

Travel protections, benefits, and insurance that come complimentary on credit cards are not designed to take the place of a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

A comprehensive travel insurance policy allows you to select the type of coverage you need and the coverage limits that match your level of risk, whether you’re protecting a significant financial outlay or the potential physical risks associated with the trip. You can also purchase a travel insurance policy that can cover one specific trip or many trips over a specific time period.

With that said, by taking a few minutes to read through the trip protections offered on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you may find enough coverage to satisfy your trip protection requirements for your next trip. As always, you should review the card benefit coverages carefully before you travel and purchase any needed travel insurance to fill in any gaps.

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a high level of travel protection and insurance compared to other travel rewards credit cards. This level of coverage may be more than sufficient for your trip. 

Having travel insurance brings with it the peace of mind to enjoy your journey without worry of any significant financial expense should something go wrong.

To avoid a false sense of security, however, you’ll want to call the benefits administrator (using the number on the back of your card) to ensure you have the coverage you need.

For example, you may assume you have coverage for emergency evacuation on that mountain trek, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred card does not carry this coverage. If the protection is important to you, you’ll want to be aware (and purchase separate coverage) before you embark on your journey.

Additionally, you may want to confirm that the country in which you’re renting is one that is covered under Chase’s car rental collision damage waiver, although most are.

While the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers some of the best travel protection and insurance benefits of any travel rewards card, these benefits are not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.

If you’re spending thousands on a vacation for an entire family, booking an expensive cruise, or planning a trip with several forms of transportation involved, you may want to make sure that card-provided benefits provide protection at a level with which you’re comfortable.

If not, you should purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the chase sapphire preferred card worth it.

Yes. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers the best travel insurance protection of any major credit card, but that is just one of the strong benefits of having the card.

First, the annual fee is lower than other travel rewards cards that offer similar benefits. Additionally, you’ll earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points which can be redeemed for 25% more value when used for travel.

You can also transfer points to airline and hotel partners, receive a statement credit, or purchase gift cards.

Finally, you’ll find shopping benefits such as purchase protection and extended warranty for eligible purchased items.

Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred card have travel insurance?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a long list of travel protections and insurance . You’ll find the all-important primary car rental insurance, trip interruption, trip cancellation, and trip delay insurance, which can be difficult to find on other travel rewards cards.

In addition, the card offers travel accident insurance, lost and delayed baggage coverage, roadside assistance, and travel and emergency assistance.

Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred card have lounge access?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card does not come with a complimentary lounge access benefit.

However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers complimentary Priority Pass Select membership which affords the cardholder access to over 1,300 worldwide lounge properties.

If the Chase Sapphire Preferred card better than the Chase Sapphire Reserve card?

Both cards offer a comprehensive collection of travel protections and benefits.

However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a premium travel rewards card that comes with premium travel rewards benefits including complimentary worldwide lounge access, travel statement credits, elevated earnings on travel and dining, and 50% more value when redeeming Ultimate Rewards points for travel.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card also comes with a much higher annual fee than the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

A good strategy, if you’re just starting out, is to start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card with its lower annual fee.

If you then want more travel benefits, are comfortable paying a higher annual fee, and can utilize the travel benefits that come with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, it can be your subsequent move.

Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred card cover the Global Entry fee?

No. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card does not offer reimbursement for the Global Entry application or renewal fee.

Do the Chase travel benefits cover my trip if I use Ultimate Rewards points to pay?

Yes. You can purchase your trip in part or in full with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Ultimate Rewards points, or a combination of the two, and trip protections and benefits will still apply.

Be sure to check the benefits guide for details.

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Chase travel insurance benefits

Chase credit cards offer some of the most comprehensive travel insurance policies — especially if you're willing to pay a higher annual fee

Published: July 21, 2022

Author: Ana Staples

Author: Erin Bendig

Editor: Claire Dickey

Reviewer: Dignelly Torres Vázquez

How we Choose

Many Chase credit cards offer exceptional travel insurance benefits, such as primary auto rental coverage, travel cancellation insurance and many others. However, the best protections come with a high annual fee.

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards , or use our CardMatch™ tool to find cards matched to your needs.

If you’re traveling and facing unforeseen circumstances, you might be in luck if you carry a Chase credit card.

Chase cards are known as some of the best travel rewards credit cards , and it’s not only due to their high rewards rates and valuable perks. Chase offers significant protections to cardholders, including primary or secondary car rental insurance, trip cancellation coverage and more.

In this guide, we take a look at travel insurance benefits offered with Chase credit cards to see what’s covered and what isn’t.

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance and delay reimbursement

Chase’s trip cancellation insurance can cover your non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled or interrupted. The policy covers the cardholder and their immediate family members, even if the cardholder isn’t traveling with them. Note that, in this case, the trip expenses still need to be charged on the cardholder’s eligible card.

Examples of what Chase’s travel insurance policy covers include:

• Accidental injury or sickness
• Severe weather that results in the cancellation or interruption of a trip
• Terrorist action or hijacking
• Jury duty or a court subpoena that can’t be rescheduled

Make sure to check your benefits guide to find out what your policy doesn’t cover. For instance, Chase travel insurance won’t reimburse you if you’re traveling against your doctor’s advice or have changed your plans due to financial circumstances.

Travel delay reimbursement, on the other hand, covers expenses like lodging and food if a trip booked with your eligible card is delayed by the common carrier (airline, ship, etc.) for more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay. Chase can pay up to $5000 per covered trip, with a maximum limit of $10,000 per occurrence. The 12-month maximum benefit amount is $20,000.

Note that you can only get reimbursed if you have paid for your travel arrangements with your eligible Chase card. It’s also important to remember that both cancellation and delay insurance policies are secondary. That means they kick in after you get reimbursement from your primary travel insurance.

Which Chase credit cards offer trip cancellation/interruption insurance or delay reimbursement?

Lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance.

It can be extremely frustrating to have your baggage delayed, let alone lost. If you find it difficult to get fully reimbursed by an airline or another carrier, your Chase credit card travel insurance benefits can come in handy.

For instance, if your baggage is delayed, you can get reimbursement for essentials like clothes and toiletries. If it’s lost, the policy can cover the value of your belongings.

Note: Chase’s lost or delayed luggage coverage is secondary. You’ll need to file a claim with the carrier first to get reimbursed, and your Chase baggage insurance can cover the rest, up to a certain limit.

Premium cards, such as the Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, Ink Business Preferred and the Hyatt Credit Card offer the best protection for your luggage. They can cover the belongings in your baggage for up to $3,000 per person and reimburse you up to $100 a day for up to five days if your baggage is delayed.

• Travel accident insurance

While we all travel hoping the worst won’t happen, it’s nice to have peace of mind knowing that you’re covered either way.

Travel accident insurance covers events such as accidental death and dismemberment, as well as a combined loss of speech, hearing or sight that happens during a covered trip. Chase breaks down this coverage into two benefit types: common carrier travel accident insurance and 24-hour travel accident insurance.

Common carrier insurance offers coverage for accidents occurring when entering, exiting or traveling on a plane, train, bus or other common carrier. Twenty-four hour insurance provides benefits for the entire trip’s length, up to 30 days. It kicks in on the departure date and ends on the return date printed on the tickets. You can only use one type of insurance at a time.

The majority of Chase credit cards offering this travel benefit pay up to $500,000 in common carrier insurance and $100,000 in 24-hour insurance.

• Auto rental collision damage waiver

On a qualifying Chase card, an auto rental collision damage waiver can reimburse you for theft or damage from a collision to a rental vehicle. It covers the cardholder listed as the primary renter and authorized drivers.

Chase isn’t the only card issuer that provides car rental insurance on its cards, but it stands out for offering primary coverage. With primary coverage, you don’t have to file a claim with your primary insurance carrier before submitting a claim for reimbursement from Chase.

Chase’s car rental insurance policy is also quite generous. With most of its cards, you can get reimbursed up to the cash value of the rental vehicle. And with Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits , the maximum coverage amount goes up to $75,000 — a level of car rental protection that’s hard to beat.

To activate coverage, use your eligible Chase credit card to pay for the rental and decline the rental’s company collision damage waiver.

Make sure to read your benefits guide to check what is and isn’t covered under your card’s policy. For example, certain types of vehicles (like luxury cars or passenger vans) are excluded from the coverage, as well as damage done to other cars.

Roadside dispatch and travel assistance

Besides travel insurance, many Chase credit cards also come with perks like roadside dispatch and travel and emergency assistance. Check your benefits guide to see if your card is eligible.

If you run into a problem while on a trip, you can call 1-888-320-9961 for medical and legal referrals and other types of assistance. The service is free, but you’ll have to pay for any third-party costs, such as doctor visits or transportation.

If you’re stranded on the side of the road and need help with a tire change or jumpstart, you can call Chase at 1-800-847-2869 for roadside dispatch. It charges a flat fee per service call and provides:

• Towing (up to five miles)
• Jumpstarting
• Tire changing (you must have a good spare)
• Lockout service
• Winching (within 100 feet of a paved road)
• Fuel delivery (up to five gallons — the fuel’s cost isn’t included)

Premium cards, including the Sapphire Reserve, United Explorer Card and United Club Infinite, qualify for roadside assistance , which offers more coverage than roadside dispatch. For the same services listed above, these qualifying cards cover the cost of up to $50 per service event and up to four events per year.

How to file a travel insurance claim with Chase

If any of the events described above apply to your situation, you can submit your claim online at the Chase claim center. You’ll be prompted to enter your card information, choose the type of claim and provide your personal information.

After that, you’ll need to provide details of your claim and documents to substantiate it. This is the most important and complicated step in the process. Check your benefits guide for required documentation to make sure you have everything you need.

Remember that if you’re using secondary coverage, you’ll have to provide proof that you’ve filed a claim with your primary insurance or carrier first. Once you have provided all the necessary proof and documents, you can submit your claim.

Which is the best Chase card for travel insurance benefits?

Many Chase cards offer significant travel protection, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve is superior, and very much worth it , in many ways — not only to other Chase cards, but to cards from other issuers as well. It offers primary car rental insurance, high amounts of coverage on all travel insurance benefits and extras like roadside assistance. On top of that, it comes with emergency evacuation and transportation, as well as emergency medical and dental benefits.

Emergency evacuation and transportation can cover you if you’re injured or fall ill during a trip that you paid for with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, and it pays for medical services and transportation when you need to evacuate. The coverage amount is $100,000, and the insurance is secondary to other policies you may have.

With medical and dental benefits, you can be reimbursed for urgent medical expenses during your trip that are not covered by your primary medical insurance. It pays up to $2,500 for necessary medical services and $75 per day for a hotel stay if ordered by the physician (up to five days).

If you’re a frequent traveler who’s looking for the best travel insurance benefits available in the market, the Chase Sapphire Reserve might be a good option for you. The benefits paired with rewards can offset a high annual fee. However, if the fee seems too high, other Chase credit cards are worth looking into, as they also offer decent coverage to keep you safe on your travels.

Bottom line

Having a card with good travel insurance benefits can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars (and a lot of stress). Chase credit cards offer excellent travel insurance benefits, especially if you don’t mind paying a substantial annual fee.

Always take time to read your benefits guide to know exactly what your card is eligible for. If you’re looking for a new credit card, make sure to research what it offers, including travel benefits, so you can make an educated decision.

All information about the United Business Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The issuer did not provide the content, nor is it responsible for its accuracy.

Editorial Disclaimer

The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.

Ana Staples is a staff reporter and young credit expert reporter for CreditCards.com and covers product news and credit advice. She loves sharing financial expertise with her reader and believes that the right financial advice at the right time can make a real difference. In her free time, Anastasiia writes romance stories and plans a trip to the French Riviera she'll take one day—when she has enough points, that is.

Erin Bendig Erin pairs personal experience with research and is passionate about sharing credit card information and personal finance advice with others.

On this page

• Trip insurance, delay reimbursement
• Lost luggage, baggage delay insurance
• Roadside travel assistance
• How to file a travel insurance claim
• Best card for travel insurance benefits

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CreditCards.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which CreditCards.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and the likelihood of applicants' credit approval also impact how and where products appear on this site. CreditCards.com does not include the entire universe of available financial or credit offers. CCDC has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance (2024 Guide)

This page includes information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and its benefits. The information featured in this guide was collected by the MarketWatch Guides team and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.

Alex is a MarketWatch Guides team writer that covers automotive and personal finance topics. She’s worked as a content writer for over a dozen car dealerships across the U.S. and as a contributor to several major auto news websites.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card, you can access a wide variety of travel insurance benefits when you book a trip using the card. Chase travel insurance can reimburse certain expenses in less-than-ideal travel scenarios involving trip cancellations, trip interruptions, lost baggage and more.

Learn more about the coverage offered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card so you can decide whether its benefits can cover your travel needs — or if you need a separate travel insurance policy for your vacation.

Our Thoughts on Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance

Chase offers travel insurance through the Sapphire Preferred credit card if you use the card to purchase trip expenses such as cruise bookings, airline tickets, hotel accommodations and more. The company’s travel insurance offering includes coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions and delays, accidents and more.

But while Chase has competitive luggage loss limits when compared with the top travel insurance providers, the Sapphire Preferred Preferred card doesn’t offer emergency medical and evacuation coverage like some other travel cards. And although Chase provides free travel insurance benefits with the Sapphire Preferred card, there is a $95 annual fee.

If you’re a Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card holder, we encourage you to compare its coverage with plans offered by competitors. This can help ensure you have travel protection that fits your vacation and your unique needs as a traveler.

How To Qualify to Use Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance

Qualifying for Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance is a relatively simple process based on our experience. If you do not have a credit card already, you will need to visit Chase’s website to fill out an application. You’ll need to provide personal information such as your name, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, home address, contact information, Social Security number, individual tax ID number, employment status and annual income. Chase states that if you have a high credit score, you can likely apply for any card of your choice — so prepare for the company to consider your credit score when applying for this card.

Available travel insurance when you book using your Chase Sapphire Preferred card includes protection for rental car damage, cruise line reservations and airfare, to name a few. Benefits also apply to the cardholder and their immediate family during their travels. Note that if you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can also qualify for travel protection benefits. However, the benefits differ between the two cards, which we will address further in this article.

How Does Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance Work?

Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance coverage offers several protections at no extra cost to cardholders who book trips using their credit card. Benefits include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement. Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders also receive travel and emergency assistance services if they need legal and medical referrals.

Chase notes that unaffiliated insurance companies underwrite the travel benefits, and these companies are solely responsible for the administration and claims of cardholders. Those so-called benefit administrators may enforce specific time limits and documentation requirements that apply to the claims process. Chase should provide cardholders with this information when they first open their account.

Coverage Benefits of Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance

Chase provides extensive travel insurance benefits through its Sapphire Preferred credit card, including protections you’d find with a traditional travel insurance policy . See the table below for a detailed breakdown of the Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance benefits and associated coverage limits.

* Information about benefits provided by the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card was collected by the MarketWatch Guides team and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.

Trip Cancellation

If you must cancel your trip for a reason covered under your policy, trip cancellation insurance can reimburse prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. This often covers expenses such as lost airline tickets, cruise bookings, prepaid tours and hotel reservations.

Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance covers trip cancellations due to traveler sickness, severe weather and other situations, with reimbursement up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable expenses.

Trip Interruption

If you must cut your vacation short and return home, trip interruption insurance can provide a refund for unused, prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses.Much like trip cancellation insurance, coverage also applies to situations such as the injury, illness, or death of a family member or traveler.

Chase covers Chase Sapphire Preferred travelers up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable expenses.

Trip Delay Insurance

Trip delay coverage applies to travel delays caused by planes, buses, trains and other types of transport to your destination. Benefits for a covered trip will vary depending on the travel insurance plan but can extend to hotel rooms, meals and other necessities incurred if you must wait to resume your trip. Delay coverage does not extend to missing a flight due to poor planning or time management on behalf of the traveler. 

Chase will reimburse up to $500 per common carrier travel ticket purchased using your Chase Sapphire Preferred card if you experience a delay of more than 12 hours or require an overnight stay.  

Baggage Delay or Loss

Baggage coverage can pay for your travel bags if they become lost, stolen, delayed or damaged during your trip. Coverage is usually capped at a certain amount per bag, with some travel insurance plans offering higher limits than others. If you intend on bringing expensive or valuable items in your baggage, you might consider a policy with a high maximum coverage amount for lost luggage reimbursement or delays.

Chase provides Sapphire Preferred cardholders $100 per day for up to five days if they experience baggage delays with a common carrier such as an airline. If your carry-on or checked bags get lost, stolen or damaged, you could receive a reimbursement of up to $3,000 per person to cover your personal effects.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Car rental collision damage coverage is not a standard offering from travel insurance companies. This waiver provides Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders with reimbursement up to the actual cash value of a rental car, minus certain high-value and exotic car models. 

To qualify for this waiver, you will need to decline the rental car insurance provided by the rental company and charge the entire cost of your rental to your Sapphire Preferred card. This waiver covers both theft and collision damage.

Travel Accident Insurance

Travel accident insurance through Chase provides accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage when you pay for your air, bus, train or cruise transportation using your card. Coverage includes up to $500,000 in accident protection.

Emergency Travel Medical Coverage

Travel medical coverage helps cover medical bills if you fall ill or get injured during your vacation. It does not cover routine medical services — only sudden illnesses or injuries considered emergencies or that require treatment by a healthcare provider. Some emergency medical benefits also include emergency dental coverage.

While many travel insurance providers offer this type of coverage, Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders do not have access to these protections with the card’s benefits. You can, however, find this coverage with the Sapphire Reserve card.

If you’re looking for comprehensive travel medical insurance, we recommend International Medical Group (IMG), as the company offers coverage up to $8,000,000. IMG plans average $217 per trip.

Emergency Evacuation and Transportation

Emergency evacuation and transportation insurance can provide peace of mind if you need transportation to a hospital or medical facility while traveling. For example, if you fall ill or become injured in a remote location and require transportation or evacuation to a medical facility equipped to care for your needs. Chase doesn’t provide this coverage for Sapphire Preferred cardholders and their immediate family members.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is not the only credit card Chase offers with travel insurance benefits. Chase’s Sapphire Reserve card also provides benefits for cardholders who book their trips with their credit card. See the table below for a comprehensive breakdown of what each Chase credit card offers in travel insurance benefits.

* Information about benefits provided by the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cards were collected by the MarketWatch Guides team and have not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.

How To File a Travel Insurance Claim with Chase

Filing a travel insurance claim with Chase will vary based on your credit card and the type of coverage you’re filing a claim for. But the typical process follows these steps:

Generally, the first step is to contact the appropriate number listed in your credit card’s benefits guide. You can also file a claim online through eclaimsline.com if you prefer a fully digital experience.

Chase will likely ask you to prepare documentation that proves your losses to support your claim. These documents may include receipts for prepaid expenses, proof of lost, damaged or stolen items, or proof of travel delays from your airline or other transportation carriers.

Once you’ve submitted your claim, you then wait for approval and reimbursement, which may vary in time. Note that Chase enforces specific time limits in addition to documentation requirements for claims filing, so submitting your claim as soon as possible is recommended.

Should You Get a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card For Travel Insurance?

Signing up for a Chase Sapphire Preferred card strictly for its travel insurance benefits is a personal decision. However, getting a credit card for travel insurance is not your only option — you may also opt for a policy with a standard carrier such as Travelex . Chase’s coverage limits are not as high as limits from some other providers offering comprehensive travel insurance policies. Taking on an additional expense in the form of the Sapphire Preferred card’s $95 annual fee may also not be worth it if you don’t plan on using the card for anything other than infrequent travel.

If you’re looking for coverage for emergency medical expenses, evacuations and more, you may consider a plan from some of the other dedicated travel insurance companies. Chase does not specialize in travel insurance and lacks unique protections such as cancel for any reason (CFAR) and extreme sports coverage that other travel insurance companies may provide. 

If you already have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and feel satisfied with its travel insurance coverage limits, you can take advantage of these benefits by booking your trip using the card. Regardless, we recommend considering your travel needs and budget before choosing travel insurance coverage.

Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance: Frequently Asked Questions

Does chase travel insurance cover family members.

Yes, Chase travel insurance through its Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve cards covers the cardholder and immediate family members traveling with them.

What reasons for trip cancellation does Chase cover?

Covered cancellations related to trip cancellation insurance vary by travel insurance provider. Chase states that covered cancellations for trips purchased with Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve cards include sickness, severe weather and other situations. Check your card benefits guide for more information on specific scenarios.

Do I need travel insurance if I have a credit card?

If you have a credit card with a company such as Chase, Citi or Capital One, your card may come with travel insurance benefits if you use the card to purchase your trip components. If you’re unsure whether your credit card comes with these perks, check with your card issuer.

What other benefits come with the Chase Sapphire card?

The Chase Sapphire card comes with more than just travel rewards. It also includes benefits such as the ChaseUltimate Rewards program, which adds points for qualifying purchases that cardholders can redeem toward future travel expenses. In addition, new card members can receive 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card ownership.

Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies

Our team researched and reviewed dozens of travel insurance providers and created a scoring system to judge each company based on coverage, quality and service. We also collected sample quotes from each company, both over the phone and on the Internet, to better understand the customer experience. Here are the factors we take into consideration when rating providers:

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers offering a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades. Providers that offer six or more plans will earn top marks in this category.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the standard coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage will earn full points, with a focus on baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons such as accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that will reimburse customers after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

AM Best Disclaimer

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Best credit cards for travel insurance in 2024

Travel insurance benefits offered through credit cards can include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel delay coverage and lost luggage reimbursement. You must pay for travel with a common carrier with your respective card for complimentary travel insurance benefits to apply. While credit cards with travel insurance can help protect your trip, they come up short when it comes to protection for emergency medical expenses.

Our top recommendations

• card_name : Best travel insurance benefits overall.
• card_name : Best travel insurance benefits, runner-up.
• card_name : Best for premium benefits.
• card_name : Best for luxury travel.
• card_name : Best for food spending.
• card_name : Best for flat-rate rewards.
• card_name : Best with no annual fee.
• card_name : Best airline credit card for travel insurance.
• card_name : Best for Marriott Bonvoy.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card : Best for Hilton Honors.

card_name : Best travel insurance benefits overall

Chase sapphire reserve®, why we like it.

• Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to airlines and hotels.
• Get 50% more value for travel booked through Chase.
• Comes with $300 travel credit each year.
• Includes airport lounge access.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Comes with generous travel insurance benefits.
• annual_fees annual fee.
• High variable APR.
• Requires very good or excellent credit.

Travel insurance benefits:

• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip.
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip.
• Trip delay coverage worth up to $500 per ticket (six-hour delay required).
• Baggage delay coverage worth up to $100 per day for five days.
• Lost luggage reimbursement worth up to $3,000 per passenger.
• Travel accident insurance worth up to $1 million.
• Primary rental car coverage worth up to $75,000.
• Emergency medical and dental benefits worth up to $2,500 when you're at least 100 miles from home.
• Emergency evacuation coverage worth up to $100,000.

The card_name Card has the best selection of travel insurance benefits of any credit card on the market today by far. Its coverage is broad and rewarding with included benefits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation you don't see from other travel credit cards.

This card also earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, merchandise or travel through Chase with 50% more value. Points also transfer 1:1 to airline and hotel partners like British Airways, Southwest Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt.

card_name : Best travel insurance benefits, runner-up

Chase sapphire preferred® card.

• Points transfer 1:1 to Chase airline and hotel partners.
• Get 25% more value for points when booking travel through Chase.
• Other flexible rewards options.
• Excellent earning rate for everyday purchases.
• Comes with a $50 annual hotel stay credit.
• Requires very good to excellent credit.
• No luxury travel benefits.
• Trip interruption insurance worth up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip.
• Trip delay insurance worth up to $500 per ticket (12-hour delay required).
• Baggage delay insurance worth up to $100 per day for five days.
• Travel accident insurance worth up to $500,000.
• Primary rental car insurance worth up to the actual cash value of the car.

The card_name offers similar travel insurance protections as the Reserve, but with fewer benefits and some lower coverage limits. However, the annual fee on this card is just annual_fees , and users still earn valuable and flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

This makes the card_name a good option for frequent travelers who want the chance to transfer their rewards to airline and hotel partners but want to keep costs down. Customers can also use their points to book travel through the Chase portal, or they can redeem for cash back, gift cards or merchandise.

card_name : Best for premium benefits

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

• Earns flexible miles that transfer to Capital One airline and hotel partners.
• $300 annual travel credit.
• Airport lounge membership included.
• Excellent rewards rate for eligible travel purchases.
• Lower annual fee than other premium cards with airport lounge access.
• High APR if you carry a balance.
• Excellent credit required.
• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $2,000 per person.
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to $2,000 per person.
• Lost luggage reimbursement worth up to $3,000 per covered trip ($2,000 per bag in New York).
• Trip delay insurance worth up to $500 per ticket (six-hour delay required).
• Primary auto rental coverage worth up to $75,000.

The card_name is a Visa Infinite card, so it includes a range of travel insurance protections you won't find with other cards. This flexible travel credit card also earns Capital One miles that can be used to book travel through Capital One or transferred to Capital One airline and hotel partners. Additional flexible redemption options include gift cards, statement credits, merchandise and more.

Other reasons to love this card include its $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge membership, cell phone protection and Hertz President's Circle status.

card_name : Best for luxury travel

The platinum card® from american express.

( Rates & Fees )

Insurance disclosures

• Trip Delay Insurance - Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance - The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Premium Global Assist Hotline - You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial, or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
• Cell Phone Protection - Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Extended Warranty – When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
• Return Protection - With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
• Purchase Protection - Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited to up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
• Baggage Insurance Plan - Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
• Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance - Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
• Earns flexible Amex Membership Rewards points.
• $1,500+ in statement credits each year.
• Broadest airport lounge membership available today.
• Very good to excellent credit required.
• Statement credits can be difficult to use.
• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $10,000 per trip (maximum benefit of $20,000 each 12-month period).
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to $10,000 per trip (maximum benefit of $20,000 each 12-month period).
• Trip delay coverage worth up to $500 per trip (six-hour delay required).
• Secondary rental car insurance worth up to $75,000.

‌ card_name doesn't offer as many travel insurance benefits as other premium travel credit cards on our list, but it does offer more statement credits and the broadest airport lounge membership available from a credit card. This card also earns flexible American Express Membership Rewards points that can be used for travel through Amex, point transfers to Amex airline and hotel partners, gift cards and other flexible options. Terms apply.

card_name : Best for food spending

American express® gold card.

Trip Delay Insurance - Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. 
• Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. 
• Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Global Assist Hotline - You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility.

• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
• Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
• Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Extended Warranty - When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.

• Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Purchase Protection - Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. 

Baggage Insurance Plan - Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance - Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.

• Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
• Points transfer to Amex airline and hotel partners.
• Comes with up to $240 in statement credits each year.
• Generous rewards for food spending and airfare.
• High APR can apply.
• Baggage insurance plan worth up to $1,250 for carry-on bags and up to $500 for checked bags ($10,000 aggregate coverage limit for residents of New York).
• Secondary auto rental coverage worth up to $50,000 per rental agreement.
• Trip delay insurance worth up to $300 per covered trip (up to two claims allowed per 12-month period).

The card_name offers a few important travel protections, plus generous rewards for big food spenders. In addition to its impressive rewards rates for purchases at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide, this card also comes with up to $240 in credits per year that can apply to select dining purchases and Uber rides or Uber Eats food deliveries.

Cardholders with the card_name also earn American Express Membership Rewards points that are highly flexible and valuable when it comes to travel redemptions.

card_name : Best for flat-rate rewards

Capital one® venture® rewards credit card.

• Earns flexible rewards with Capital One.
• Miles transfer to Capital One airline and hotel partners.
• Excellent flat rewards rate.
• Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership included.
• Primary auto rental coverage worth up to the actual cash value of a vehicle if you don't have your own insurance (secondary coverage if you have your own insurance)
• Lost luggage reimbursement worth up to $3,000 per trip ($2,000 per bag for New York residents)
• Travel accident insurance worth up to $250,000

The card_name offers a few travel insurance benefits that can help protect your trip. Cardholders also earn flexible Capital One miles that can be used to book travel through Capital One or transferred to airline and hotel partners. Rewards can also be used for statement credits, gift cards and other flexible options.

The annual_fees annual fee on this card makes it a steal when you consider the sign-up bonus you can earn, along with perks like a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.

card_name : Best with no annual fee

Chase freedom unlimited®.

• Generous cash back rate for everyday purchases.
• Comes with intro APR offer.
• Rewards points are flexible.
• Points do not transfer to Chase airline and hotel partners.
• High variable APR after intro offer.
• Charges foreign transaction fees.
• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $1,500 per passenger and $6,000 per covered trip.
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to $1,500 per passenger and $6,000 per covered trip.
• Secondary auto rental coverage.

The card_name is an excellent choice for infrequent travelers who want protection for trip cancellation and interruption first and foremost. This card doesn't charge an annual fee, and it features incredible cash back rates in several everyday spending categories. Users even get an intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration , which can help them save on interest payments for more than a year.

card_name : Best airline credit card for travel insurance

United quest℠ card.

• Earns United miles that are redeemable for flights with United and Star Alliance partners.
• Comes with frequent flyer benefits.
• Earn PQP toward elite status.
• annual_fees annual fee applies.
• Rewards inflexibility.
• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $1,500 per traveler and up to $6,000 per covered trip.
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to $1,500 per traveler and up to $6,000 per covered trip.
• Baggage delay insurance worth up to $100 per day for three days (six-hour delay required).
• Trip delay reimbursement worth up to $500 per ticket (12-hour delay or overnight stay required).
• Primary auto rental coverage worth up to the cash value of the vehicle.

While the card_name requires a annual_fees annual fee, this card comes with a robust selection of travel insurance benefits and frequent-flyer perks. Users also earn United miles that can be used for flights with United and partners to more than 1,200 destinations in 186 countries around the world.

This card also gives members the chance to earn PQP toward elite status with the United MileagePlus program.

card_name : Best for Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott bonvoy brilliant® american express® card.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance - The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Premium Global Assist Hotline - You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility.

• If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Return Protection - With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won't take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories.

Purchase Protection - Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply.

Baggage Insurance Plan - Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance - Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.

• Automatic Platinum Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy.
• Includes a range of travel benefits and statement credit offers.
• Comes with airport lounge membership.
• Generous welcome bonus and earning rates.
• Trip cancellation insurance worth up to $10,000 per covered trip and up to $20,000 per eligible card per 12-month period.
• Trip interruption insurance worth up to $10,000 per covered trip and up to $20,000 per eligible card per 12-month period.
• Trip delay insurance worth up to $500 per trip (six-hour delay required) with a maximum limit of two claims per 12-month period.
• Baggage insurance plan worth up to $2,000 for checked bags and up to $3,000 for both checked and carry-on luggage ($2,000 per bag in coverage for New York residents with aggregate limit of $10,000).

The card_name offers a suite of impressive benefits Marriott Bonvoy enthusiasts will love, including annual dining credits, automatic Platinum Elite status, and a $100 property credit. Other cardholder perks help justify the annual_fees annual fee, including Priority Pass Select membership and the credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.

This card also includes more travel insurance benefits than many other hotel credit cards on the market today.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card : Best for Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

• Comes with automatic Hilton Diamond status.
• Range of hotel benefits and statement credits included.
• Comes with Priority Pass Select membership.
• Free night award each year.
• Several flight benefits included.
• $550 annual fee.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers a robust selection of benefits for air travel, airports and stays with the Hilton brand. While the $550 annual fee is high, perks like airport lounge membership, annual hotel stay credits and a free night award each year can more than make up for it. The included travel insurance benefits for this card are also generous, and they can be well worth having if you need to file a claim.

Best credit cards for travel insurance 2024: Comparison

How we chose the best credit cards for travel insurance.

To find the best credit cards for travel insurance, we looked at cards based on their included insurance benefits first and foremost. We gave preference to cards that offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage, as well as insurance for lost or delayed bags and travel delays.

We also looked for credit cards that offer the most lucrative rewards structures and welcome offers, as well as flexibility within their designated rewards programs. Other factors we took into consideration include annual fees and interest rates.

Choosing the best credit card for travel insurance: Where to begin

The best credit card for travel insurance can vary from person to person, and assessing each card based on the most important factors can help you in your search. Consider the following criteria as you select a credit card for your next trip.

Travel insurance benefits

The credit cards in this ranking offer complimentary travel insurance protections, although you have to pay for travel with your card for a trip to be covered. These benefits can include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay coverage, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay insurance, primary auto rental coverage and more. Some cards even offer limited coverage for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation.

Annual fees

Credit cards with the most benefits tend to charge annual fees of $395 to $695. Meanwhile, there are some credit cards with travel insurance that charge $0 to $95 per year.

Either way, you'll want to make sure any annual fee you pay is worth it based on the travel insurance benefits, rewards and other perks you receive.

Travel perks and features

Decide if you want premium travel benefits like airport lounge access, expedited airport security or annual travel credits. If you do want a travel credit card with all the bells and whistles, prepare to pay several hundred dollars in annual fees each year.

Customer satisfaction rankings

You can also look at customer service rankings from different card issuers to determine the quality of customer service you'll receive. Consider the customer service scores below from J.D. Power's 2023 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study , which were assigned by using responses from 31,418 credit card customers from August 2022 through June 2023.

Eligibility by credit score

Note that the majority of credit cards with travel insurance require very good or excellent credit. If you have poor credit or fair credit, you should focus on improving your credit score and financial health before you apply.

Rewards programs

Finally, consider the rewards rates for cards you're looking at and the type of rewards you'll earn. You'll find that credit cards with travel insurance can earn cash back, flexible rewards for travel, airline miles or hotel points.

What does travel insurance from a credit card cover?

Credit cards with travel insurance can offer different protections with their own unique coverage limits and policy limitations. The most common types of travel insurance you can get with a credit card include:

• Trip cancellation coverage : This coverage can reimburse you for prepaid travel expenses when you must cancel a trip for a covered reason like the death of an immediate family member or a sudden illness.
• Trip interruption coverage : Interruption insurance can reimburse you for prepaid travel expenses when a trip must be interrupted for a covered reason, such as falling ill during your vacation.
• T rip delay coverage : This coverage can pay for sudden hotel bills or meals when a trip is delayed by at least six or 12 hours or a delay forces an overnight stay.
• Baggage delay insurance : Baggage delay coverage can pay for clothing, toiletries and other essentials when your bags are delayed by at least six or 12 hours.
• Lost luggage reimbursement : Insurance for lost luggage can reimburse you for your baggage and belongings when your luggage is lost in transit while in the care of a common carrier.
• Rental car coverage : This protection can be primary or secondary to your own insurance, and policy limits apply.
• Medical and dental expense coverage : This protection can pay for emergency medical and dental expenses you incur when traveling away from home.
• Medical evacuation coverage : This type of travel insurance can pay for transportation in a helicopter, an ambulance or a plane when you must be medically transported due to a health emergency.
• Travel accident insurance : This coverage can kick in if you lose your life or are accidentally dismembered during a covered trip.

Pros and cons of credit card travel insurance

Credit card travel insurance comes with its share of benefits that cannot be denied, but there are downsides that come with relying on a credit card for travel insurance protection as well.

Consider these pros and cons:

Pros of credit card travel insurance

• Complimentary coverage : The biggest upside of credit card travel insurance is the fact it's offered for free. You just have to pay for travel with your credit card (or your rewards points in some cases) for coverage to apply.
• Coverage limits can be high : Some credit card insurance protections come with high limits that are enough to cover most trips.
• Can apply to family members : The best coverages apply to the primary cardholder and other companions they're traveling with, including family members.

Cons of credit card travel insurance

• Low coverage limits in some cases : Some cards have relatively low travel insurance limits that may not provide enough protection when you need it most.
• Limited coverages with some cards : Some credit cards with travel insurance only have a few kinds, so they may leave you without important protections you need.
• Minimal protection for emergency medical expenses : Only one credit card offers travel insurance for emergency medical expenses (the card_name ), and this coverage is only worth up to $2,500 when you're traveling more than 100 miles from home.

Do you need additional travel insurance?

Whether you need to buy travel insurance that applies independently of what your credit card offers depends on the type of trip you're taking and how much it costs. If you're driving a few towns away to stay in a hotel, for example, you may be fine with credit card travel insurance. The same is true if you're flying to another state for a relatively inexpensive vacation.

If you're traveling internationally where your own health insurance won't apply, however, you'll likely want to purchase a travel insurance plan that includes robust protection for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation. Expensive trips may also need travel insurance with higher limits than you can get with credit card coverage.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Do credit card companies sell travel insurance.

Credit card companies do not sell travel insurance, but plenty of reputable travel insurance providers do. If you're ready to compare plans, you can check out companies like Allianz, Travelex and World Nomads.

Is travel insurance worth it for international travel?

Travel insurance is essential for international travel if you want to have coverage for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation. After all, U.S. health plans do not work overseas, nor do government healthcare programs like Medicare.

Does my Visa card cover travel insurance?

The travel insurance protections you get with a credit card depend on the exact card you have.

How do I know if my credit card covers travel insurance?

Read over your credit card's guide to benefits to find out which protections are already included. You can also call your card issuer to inquire about coverage, but make sure they send you the information in the mail.

For rates and fees of the card_name , please visit URL .

AP Buyline has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. AP Buyline and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance Offered On Cards

T he Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are two of Chase's most coveted credit card products. With benefits ranging from travel and dining to lounge access and purchase protection, each card has its own set of perks. And one of these perks that's especially beneficial is the travel insurance offered on Chase Sapphire cards. Although you probably won't need to use it often, this particular perk can be a lifesaver if travel doesn't go quite as planned.

Don't wait for something unfortunate to happen on your trip to understand how the insurance works. Find out what's covered, how to claim it and other essential information that can help you best utilize this credit card benefit when things go wrong with this guide to Chase Sapphire travel insurance.

How Does Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance Work?

Chase's Sapphire travel insurance can cover your trip in case of cancellation or interruption, reimburse expenses due to trip delays or lost/delayed baggage and provide supplemental medical insurance or evacuation coverage in case of accident or emergency.

To use Chase Sapphire travel insurance, you must be a Chase Sapphire cardholder and have used that card to pay for some or all of your travel costs for whatever particular trip you'd like to claim the insurance on. Chase defines the cardholder as someone whose 'name is embossed on an eligible Card issued in the United States.' In many cases, spouses, children and immediate family members* may also be covered, even when the cardholder isn't traveling with them, but this varies by card and insurance benefit.

Finally, it's important to know that travel insurance benefits vary by Sapphire card. The travel insurance benefits the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers can differ from the travel insurance benefits the Chase Sapphire Preferred card provides.

What Is Covered With Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance?

Here are the various travel insurance benefits available for Chase Sapphire cardholders:

Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

This benefit offers reimbursement of up to $10,000 per covered person and $20,000 per trip for cancellation or interruption of travel for the cardholder and immediate family members, assuming a part of the trip has been charged to the cardholder's Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Maximum coverage in a 12-month period is limited to $40,000.

Eligible travel expenses are considered non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses, things like flights, cruises, hotels, car rentals and more. If you paid using Rewards points, you'll be reimbursed at their monetary value or at $.01 per point.

Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance covers situations like:

• Injury, illness or hospitalization that prevents you from traveling
• Severe weather events
• Jury duty or military order
• Quarantine imposed by a physician
• The lodging at your destination becoming uninhabitable

Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance doesn't cover situations like:

• A change in your financial circumstances
• Failure to obtain required visas or passports
• Not wanting to travel due to civil unrest

Trip Delay Reimbursement

This insurance benefit offers reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred during a trip delay for up to $500 for each ticket purchase when you're delayed for more than six hours or require an overnight stay for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders and more than 12 hours or require an overnight stay for Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders.

The benefit extends to both the cardholder and accompanying family members (spouses and children under 26). The insurance covers reasonable expenses such as meals, lodging, toiletries and medication.

Travel Accident Insurance

If you have a transportation incident during travel, travel accident insurance covers you, assuming you paid for the transport using a Chase Sapphire card. Travel accident insurance extends to the cardholder and immediate family members.

For Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders, the covered loss of life benefit amount in the case of a common carrier travel accident (like a flight, cruise, or train incident) is $500,000 per insured person. The 24-hour travel accident insurance, meanwhile, is $100,000. Specific losses covered include things like loss of sight, hearing or limbs.

For Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders, a maximum amount of up to $1 million is covered for common carrier travel accidents, while 24-hour travel accident insurance remains at $100,000.

Travel and Emergency Assistance Services

If you run into an emergency when traveling, you have access to complimentary assistance along with your spouse and any dependent children under 22 who are traveling with you. This includes things like emergency transportation assistance, medical referrals and legal referrals. However, the costs of these services aren't covered, just the help in sourcing them.

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

If your or your immediate family members' luggage is lost, your checked and carry-on baggage are each covered for up to $3,000 per person per trip. Jewelry and watches are capped at $500 per covered person as are cameras and other electronics.

These items aren't covered in the policy:

• Items you may have left behind
• Documents/papers
• Travelers' Checks

Baggage Delay Insurance

If your or your immediate family members' baggage is delayed for more than six hours, this benefit offers reimbursement for emergency purchases of essentials like toiletries, chargers and clothing. You can get up to $100 daily (up to a maximum of five days).

There's a long list of items that aren't covered; here are some to note:

• Jewelry and watches
• Cameras and electronics
• Hearing aids

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

You can also benefit from the Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver. The Sapphire version of coverage is Primary , meaning you don't have to file with your insurance company first. This offers reimbursement for damages caused by theft or collision up to $75,000 for rental periods up to 31 days when the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is used to pay for the entire car rental transaction.

Cardholders of the Chase Sapphire Preferred also have this benefit, but the reimbursement amount for damages caused by theft or collision is capped at the Actual Cash Value of most rented cars.

Additional Benefits Covered With Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance

These are two additional travel insurance benefits available only for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders. Here's what they cover.

Emergency Evacuation and Transportation

This benefit covers emergency evacuation and transportation up to $100,000 for you, your spouse and eligible children under the age of 19 (or 26 if they're enrolled as a full"time student at an accredited university). Note that this must be pre-approved by Chase in conjunction with a doctor who certifies that the evacuation is necessary due to severe injury or illness. This benefit also covers repatriation of remains up to $1,000.

Emergency Medical and Dental Benefits

Chase Sapphire Reserve travel insurance also offers emergency medical and dental benefits. Oddly, this benefit only applies to trips that were arranged by a travel agency.

The amount covered is up to $2,500 with a $50 deductible on covered trips. In addition to the cardholder, this benefit covers spouses/domestic partners and/or legally dependent children under 19 (or 26 if legally enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited university).

Do note that this benefit doesn't cover medical situations caused by adventure activities that travelers may do, like scuba diving, parachuting, rock climbing and beyond.

How Do I Claim My Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance?

To file a claim with Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance, you must call the Benefit Administrator. Each type of insurance has different requirements for what documentation you need to provide when submitting a claim.

Each type of claim also has a different time period allowed for submitting a claim. These are the following timelines to know:

• For Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption claims : Submit within 20 days of cancellation/interruption. Then, return the completed and signed forms/requested documentation within 90 days (or a maximum of one year after the 90-day deadline).
• For Trip Delay Reimbursement claims : Submit within 60 days of delay. Then, return completed and signed forms/requested documentation within 100 days.
• For Lost Luggage claims : Start by filling out the proper documentation for the airline that lost your luggage (save a copy). Contact the Benefits Administrator within 20 days of when your baggage was lost, damaged or stolen. You should receive a claim form within 15 days, which you should submit, alongside documentation, within 90 days.
• For Baggage Delay claims : Start by completing the proper documentation for the airline on which your bag was delayed (save a copy). Contact the Benefits Administrator within 20 days of the delay, then return documentation and forms within 90 days (or a maximum of one year after the 90-day deadline).
• For Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver claims : Request the proper documentation from the car rental company (and police, if applicable), then contact the Benefits Administrator within 100 days of the incident. Submitting documentation varies by state but is usually required within 120-365 days of the incident.
• Emergency Evacuation and Transportation claims : Call the Benefits Administrator immediately upon incident, then submit the claim and documentation within 180 days of the occurrence.
• Emergency Medical and Dental Benefits claims : Call the Benefit Administrator within 90 days of receiving medical care on your trip, then submit the claim and documentation within 180 days of the occurrence.

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can call 1-888-675-1461 while in the U.S. or call collect at 1-804-281-5772 while outside of the U.S. to file claims. Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders can call 1-888-320-9961 while in the U.S. or call collect at 1-804-673-1691 while outside of the US to file claims.

An alternative is to visit www.eclaimsline.com to submit your claims.

Bottom Line

Hopefully, you won't need to use it, but it's nice to know Sapphire cardholders have access to Chase Sapphire travel insurance benefits that can help you out of a minor (or serious) pickle.

However, it's important to read the fine print for both the Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance benefits and the Chase Sapphire Reserve travel insurance benefits , as there are many exclusions and provisions that you should know before submitting a claim. And when it comes to submitting those claims, make sure to do so within the allocated time periods to ensure coverage.

*Unless otherwise specified within each type of insurance, Chase states that 'Immediate family members include: spouse, and parents thereof; sons and daughters, including adopted children and stepchildren; parents, including stepparents; brothers and sisters; grandparents and grandchildren; aunts or uncles; nieces or nephews; and Domestic Partner and parents thereof, including Domestic Partners and spouses of any individual of this definition. Immediate Family Members also include legal guardians or wards.'

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Credit Cards

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Worth it?

Tamara Aydinyan

Ashley Barnett

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Published 5:51 a.m. UTC March 28, 2024

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For a credit card with a reasonable annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card comes packed with perks and travel benefits that can far surpass its cost. But is it the right card for you? 

A favorite amongst travelers for its easy entry into travel credit cards , the Chase Sapphire Preferred has high rewards rates that favor those who dine out or order in and comes with flexible and lucrative redemption options. The card also offers a generous welcome bonus that offsets its $95 annual fee, and its robust benefits include travel and purchase coverage. 

Determining whether the Chase Sapphire Preferred is worth it depends on your personal spending habits and frequency of travel. Here’s what you need to know about this popular credit card to decide if it’s right for you.

• Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• $95 annual fee.
• Earn 5 points per $1 on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per $1 on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per $1 on all other travel purchases and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. 
• Points come in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards® .
• Perks include up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠ and an anniversary bonus equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome bonus.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

• Flexible points that can be transferred to 14 travel partners or redeemed through Chase Travel℠ at 1.25 cents each.
• $50 annual statement credit toward Chase Travel hotel bookings.
• Valuable travel protections.
• Category bonuses are limited and not competitive against other travel cards.
• Transfer partner list is limited compared to programs like Amex Membership ® Rewards and Citi ThankYou ® .

Card Details

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits

• 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to over a dozen airline and hotel loyalty program partners. 
• Travel benefits including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary auto rental insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement and travel and emergency assistance services.
• Purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Partner benefits with DoorDash, Instacart, Lyft and Peloton.

Chase Sapphire Preferred drawbacks

• High 21.49%-28.49% Variable APR.
• Can only hold one Chase Sapphire product at a time.

Chase Sapphire Preferred may be worth it if:

You’re looking for a travel starter card .

Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a great entry into the travel credit card world. It earns extra rewards in everyday spending categories and has flexible redemption options. 

You can learn how to maximize the value of your points by transferring them to loyalty partners , but at the very least you can still get an extra 25% value when redeeming them through the easy-to-use Chase Travel portal. Plus, money-saving benefits like primary rental car insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance round out a substantial travel card. 

You want a big welcome bonus with a reasonable annual fee

Earning 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening is a generous welcome bonus for a card with a $95 annual fee, especially when you consider that you can redeem those points for $750 in travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and potentially more if you transfer to partners and book directly with airlines and hotels. 

You stay (or want to stay) at Hyatt Hotels  

One of the best ways to use your Chase points is by transferring them to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. With award pricing that starts as low as 3,500 points per night and a fixed award chart, Hyatt offers some of the best redemptions you can find for its over 1,250 hotels. 

Even all-inclusive resorts can be booked using points and with the added bonus of waived resort fees on award stays, you can save even more.

Chase Sapphire Preferred may not be worth it if:

You rarely travel .

Since the Chase Sapphire Preferred is most valuable when its benefits and rewards are used for travel, it’s not the best card for you if you rarely do. In that case, a cash-back card that puts a percentage of your spending back in your wallet might be a better fit for your lifestyle.

You want airport perks

Although the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great travel card for beginners, those who are frequent travelers and want perks like a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit or airport lounge access should consider other options. 

The card’s older sibling, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® can be a great choice as it comes with a statement credit of up to $100 every four years as reimbursement for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fees. It also includes complimentary lounge access through Priority Pass Select (enrollment required) and Chase Sapphire Lounges.

You don’t spend much

You don’t have to be a big spender to benefit from travel credit cards, but it should be enough to offset the annual fee. If you don’t think you can spend enough in the first few months to receive the welcome bonus, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card may not be the right card for you at the moment. 

Bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Preferred shines as a trusty mid-tier travel card for those entering the points world but may not be as appealing for those well-versed in travel rewards. Some may be put off by the $95 annual fee, but those who can make the most of the card’s benefits will quickly see the outsized value this card provides.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred can be worth getting for those looking for a well-rounded travel credit card to add to their wallets. But if it will be worth it for you depends on your specific lifestyle and spending habits.

If you don’t travel at all or travel very frequently, there may be better travel credit cards for you.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is popular for having a generous welcome bonus, big reward-earning opportunities in multiple categories and flexible award redemptions for travel.

You’re most likely to get approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card with a good to excellent credit score.

If you earn the welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, this is worth $750 when redeemed for travel through Chase, which covers the annual fee several times over.

In years not accounting for the welcome bonus, spending $7,600 on purchases in non-bonus categories will earn you enough points to cancel out the annual fee when redeemed through the Chase Travel portal at a value of 1.25 cents per point.

You are not eligible for a welcome bonus on a Chase Sapphire card if you have received a Sapphire bonus in the last 48 months.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Tamara Aydinyan has been traveling the world with the help of miles and points for over a decade and enjoys teaching others to do the same. When she's not on the move, you can find her in Los Angeles or New York City, or on Instagram @deadlytravel.

Ashley Barnett has been writing and editing personal finance articles for the internet since 2008. Before editing for USA TODAY Blueprint, she was the Content Director for an international media company leading the content on their suite of personal finance sites. She lives in Phoenix, AZ where you can find her rereading Harry Potter for the 100th time.

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Both cards charge the same annual fee

Chase sapphire preferred has a more lucrative welcome bonus, autograph journey offers more flexibility for earning rewards, chase sapphire preferred has more options for redeeming rewards -- for now, chase sapphire preferred wins the travel insurance faceoff, both cards offer valuable general perks, the bottom line.

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Does Wells Fargo’s New Travel Card Beat Chase Sapphire Preferred at Its Own Game?

The Autograph Journey matches Sapphire Preferred in many categories, but comes up short on redemption options. That could change soon.

Holly Johnson

Contributor

Holly Johnson is a credit card expert and writer who covers rewards and loyalty programs, budgeting, and all things personal finance. In addition to writing for publications like Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Forbes Advisor and Investopedia, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love."

Tiffany Connors

Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card * is the first card from Wells Fargo to offer points that transfer to airlines and hotels . It features a welcome bonus and impressive rewards rates for travel and dining purchases, which makes it a solid option for if you regularly spend in these categories. It was available to applicants starting this week.

The Autograph Journey shares some features with one of the top rewards credit cards on the market, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . The cards have similar welcome bonuses and annual fees, and they both have built-in travel insurance protections . They also have similar redemption options for their rewards, but they do differ in some respects.

We’ve set up a category-by-category matchup of these credit cards to see which one comes out on top as the better travel card.

Both the Autograph Journey and the Chase Sapphire Preferred have an annual fee of $95. Many other travel credit cards with points that transfer to airlines and hotels have annual fees of $395 or higher. This one ends in a tie.

These travel rewards credit cards have the same welcome bonus and the same minimum spending requirement. You can earn 60,000 points with either card after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening.

However, the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s bonus could be worth more than the Wells Fargo card’s. That’s because the Sapphire Preferred has a better redemption program. If you redeem the card’s bonus for travel through Chase Travel℠, you’ll get a 25% redemption bonus, which would push the value of the bonus to $750 – more than the $600 you’d see from the Wells Fargo card.

Here’s where things get interesting. While both credit cards offer the same rewards rate for airfare, you’ll need to book travel through Chase’s portal to get the best rate with the Sapphire Preferred.

On the other hand, Autograph Journey’s high rates still apply when you book travel directly with providers. So you can earn the two highest rewards rates on hotels and airfare, no matter which brand you’re booking with.

If you book other travel with this card, including hotels and airlines booked through online travel agents like Expedia or Priceline, you earn 3x points. You also earn 3x points on restaurants, which is a major plus.

While the rewards rates on both of these cards are exceptional, the Autograph Journey has a slight edge in this category since consumers have more options for booking travel while still earning bonus reward points.

Both of these rewards credit cards have similar redemption options, including gift cards, cash back to an eligible bank account or statement credits. They also let you transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners for added value and flexibility, and you can use points from either card to book travel through each issuer’s respective portal.

Interestingly, both cards also let you pool points with rewards cards that earn other rewards currencies. For example, you can pool rewards earned with Chase cash-back credit cards into your Chase Sapphire Preferred account for premium travel redemptions. You can also pool points earned with the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card account in your Autograph Journey account.

Still, the Chase Sapphire Preferred easily beats the competition in this category. Cardholders get 25% more value from their points when they use them to book travel -- airfare, hotels, rental cars or other travel expenses -- through Chase Travel℠. Outside of that, the Chase Ultimate Rewards program has what is arguably the best selection of transfer partners across all credit card rewards programs. There are also more transfer partners to choose from compared to Wells Fargo.

You can transfer points to the following Chase transfer partners at a 1:1 ratio:

Airline partners

• Aer Lingus, AerClub
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France (Flying Blue)
• British Airways Executive Club
• Emirates Skywards®
• Iberia Plus
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®
• United MileagePlus®
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Hotel partners

• IHG® Rewards Club
• Marriott Bonvoy®
• World of Hyatt®

In contrast, Wells Fargo cardholders will only be able to transfer to the following partners starting on April 4, 2024:

You can transfer points to the following airline partners at a 1:1 transfer ratio:

• Avianca LifeMiles
• Aer Lingus AerClub

Choice Privileges: You can transfer points to Wells Fargo’s hotel partner at 1:2 transfer ratio.

Wells Fargo says it is just now building out its selection of airline and hotel transfer partners, and that more partners will join the program soon.

Both of these travel credit cards have a surprising number of travel insurance benefits that are automatically available. However, the Chase Sapphire Preferred wins in this category because it offers primary auto rental coverage that you can use in place of your own auto insurance when you rent a car.

Auto rental coverage offered through Autograph Journey works secondary to your own insurance in the US. This means you would have to exhaust limits on your own auto insurance policy before you can use it.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred also offers a few more types of coverage than the Autograph Journey. 

Each of these rewards credit cards also offers a few other perks that make them more valuable overall. Since their other benefits are difficult to compare, this category ends in a tie as well.

With the Autograph Journey, cardholders get cell phone damage or theft protection coverage worth up to $1,000 per claim (subject to a $25 deductible) when they pay their phone bill with their credit card. This benefit can apply up to two times per 12-month period for a maximum value of $2,000 each year. Cardholders also get a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers purchase protection against damage or theft and extended warranty coverage on eligible items that come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Cardholders also get some additional perks from DoorDash and Instacart, as well as the chance to earn bonus points on Lyft purchases through March 2025 and eligible Peloton equipment and accessory purchases.

Finally, cardholders with the Sapphire Preferred qualify for up to $50 in statement credits each anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel.

While it appears the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the better option, that may not be the case for long. Wells Fargo said in its press release that it is actively working on adding new transfer partners to its portfolio so that cardholders have more options in the coming year. 

Any new partners it gets could shake up the comparison of these two cards pretty quickly, especially since the Autograph Journey has great earning rates for both dining and travel.

* All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

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The Guide to Chase Sapphire Reserve’s Travel Insurance Benefits

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Table of Contents

1. Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance

2. trip delay reimbursement, 3. baggage delay insurance, 4. lost luggage reimbursement, 5. auto rental collision damage waiver, 6. roadside assistance, 7. travel and emergency assistance, 8. travel accident insurance, 9. emergency evacuation and transportation, 10. emergency medical and dental benefit, what if coverage is insufficient, the bottom line.

The last thing anyone wants to think about when going on vacation is getting into an accident, experiencing a trip delay, or having a bag lost or stolen. However, accidents happen, and being prepared before you travel can save you a lot of headaches. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , you already have free travel insurance. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with these benefits so that you don’t unnecessarily purchase a standalone travel insurance policy.

Here’s what you need to know about the travel insurance benefits offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

Note that to benefit from the protections outlined here, your trip must have been purchased with your Chase Sapphire Reserve® or with Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned from that card.

Although these two benefits are grouped together, they are slightly different.

Trip cancellation insurance covers you before your trip begins. If a covered loss prevents you from traveling on your trip, Chase will reimburse you or your immediate family members up to $10,000. If the trip was booked using Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, reimbursement will be in the form of points.

Trip interruption insurance begins the moment your trip starts, including on the way to the point of departure or after departure. If a loss results in the interruption of your trip, this benefit offers up to $10,000 in reimbursement for cardholders and immediate family members. Reimbursable expenses include change fees as well as prepaid and nonrefundable airfare, hotels and cruises.

Valid reasons include:

Accidental bodily injury, death or illness experienced by the cardholder, a traveling companion or an immediate family member of the cardholder.

Extreme weather that prevents the start or continuation of a trip.

Terrorist attack or hijacking.

Court subpoena or jury duty that can’t be waived or postponed.

Quarantine orders from a physician.

Bankruptcy of the cardholder’s travel agency, tour operator or travel provider.

Chase has identified various occurrences that are not covered, such as cancellations/interruptions due to changes in plans or financial circumstances, pre-existing medical conditions, war, traveling against doctor’s orders or trips longer than 60 days.

The primary cardholder as well as immediate family members not traveling with the cardholder are also protected. The fact that Chase provides coverage to family members even if they aren’t traveling with the primary cardholder is a unique and important point.

The maximum reimbursed amount for this benefit is $10,000 per covered trip, $20,000 per occurrence and $40,000 per 12-month period. Claims must be filed within 20 days of the occurrence. In the event of a medical issue resulting in trip cancellation, cardholders must inform the trip supplier within 48 hours.

» Learn more: The majority of Americans plan to travel in 2022

If your trip is delayed by more than six hours or requires an overnight hotel stay, you (and your family) are eligible for reimbursement up to $500 per person. Reimbursable expenses include meals, lodging, toiletries, medication and other personal use items.

Your trip will be covered as long as you are away from home for fewer than 365 days. Coverage is limited to one event per trip.

Covered events include:

Equipment failure.

Extreme weather.

Labor strikes.

Hijacking or skyjacking.

If a covered hazard was public or known to the cardholder before departure, reimbursement will not be provided. Coverage applies to the cardholder, a spouse or domestic partner and dependent children under age 22.

Claims must be filed within 60 days of the delay, and supporting documents must be submitted to Chase within 100 days of the delay.

» Learn more: What you need to know about Chase's trip delay insurance

If your bags are delayed by more than six hours, this benefit will cover up to $100 per day for up to five days for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing. Coverage applies to the cardholder, a spouse or domestic partner and immediate family members (even if they are not traveling with the cardholder).

There are several expenses that are specifically called out as not covered, including contact lenses, glasses or hearing aids. It’s always best to check the fine print of this policy before expecting reimbursement for your purchases.

You need to file a claim within 20 days of the delay and provide supporting documentation to Chase within 90 days of the delay.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Lost luggage reimbursement protects you in the event that your luggage is lost by the carrier or you incur costs to repair/replace baggage that is damaged by the carrier. Coverage is up to $3,000 per passenger and applies to the cardholder and immediate family members (even if the cardholder is not traveling on the trip).

The benefit includes a reimbursement of up to $500 per person for jewelry, watches, cameras, video recorders and other electronic equipment.

You must report the loss/damage immediately to the common carrier, and proof of the report must be included with the claim. Claims must be submitted within 20 days of the occurrence, and supporting documents need to be supplied within 90 days of the occurrence.

This auto rental collision damage waiver covers up to $75,000 in case of a car accident or theft when traveling within the U.S. or abroad. This benefit applies to rental periods up to 31 days.

Covered costs include:

Physical damage/theft of the rental car.

Towing charges to move the car to a repair shop.

Valid loss-of-use costs incurred by the car rental company.

This coverage is primary, which means that you do not need to purchase supplemental coverage or get your own insurance company involved in case of an accident. Importantly, if you accept the collision damage waiver offered by the car rental company, you will not be eligible for this benefit.

Covered persons include the cardholder, who must be listed as the primary renter, along with additional authorized drivers added to the rental agreement.

There are many vehicles that are not eligible for coverage, including:

Antique cars.

Vans built to transport more than nine people.

Motorcycles and trucks.

Motorbikes.

Limousines.

Recreational vehicles.

You must contact the benefit administrator immediately to report an accident or theft, and completed claim forms must be submitted within 100 days of the damage/theft. Any remaining supporting documents must be received within 365 day of the occurrence.

» Learn more: What your credit card rental car coverage doesn’t include

This benefit provides various roadside assistance services while traveling within the U.S. and Canada. Cardholders are covered up to $50 per incident four times per year for the following services:

Battery boost.

Flat tire service.

Fuel delivery.

Lockout assistance.

Coverage applies to the cardholder driving his/her own leased or owned car. Note that coverage is not available in areas that are not regularly traveled (off-road areas) or for heavy trucks/trailers and commercial vehicles.

To use Roadside Assistance, call 1-866-860-7978. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you’re traveling and need any sort of emergency assistance (refilling a prescription, legal referrals or translation services, to name a few), this benefit is also available 24/7. Referrals are provided free of charge, but cardholders are liable for any costs incurred for using the recommended services.

Coverage applies to the cardholder, their spouse/domestic partner and dependents under age 22.

The following services are offered:

Emergency message service.

Medical referral assistance.

Legal referral assistance.

Emergency transportation assistance.

Emergency ticket replacement.

Lost luggage locator service.

Emergency translation service.

Prescription assistance.

Valuable document delivery arrangement.

Pre-trip assistance (offers information on exchange rates, local currency, health precautions and ATM locations).

We hope that our NerdWallet readers never have to rely on this benefit. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® ’s travel accident insurance provides up to $1 million in coverage for accidental death or dismemberment and loss of speech, sight or hearing. This benefit comprises two types of insurance:

Common carrier travel accident insurance — Applies when an accident is sustained when entering, exiting or riding as a passenger on the common carrier (airplane, train, cruise ship or bus). The maximum payout is $1,000,000.

24-hour travel accident insurance — Applies to any loss sustained starting on the departure date and ending on the return date. The maximum payout is $100,000.

Note that you cannot be reimbursed under both policies, and any payment received will be for the largest eligible benefit. Chase includes a list of events that are not eligible for coverage, such as:

Illegal acts committed by the covered person.

Emotional trauma.

Mental or physical illness.

Skydiving and flying on non registered aircraft.

Claims must be filed within 20 days of the occurrence, and supporting documentation needs to be provided within 90 days.

» Learn more: 4 best credit cards for travel insurance benefits

If you or any member of your immediate family get sick or injured on vacation and require emergency evacuation, this benefit will cover costs up to $100,000. Examples of covered services can include ambulance transportation (air and land), medical supplies and private motor vehicles.

To be eligible for coverage, a licensed physician must approve the emergency evacuation. Furthermore, all transportation arrangements need to be made by the benefit administrator. The length of the trip must be between five and 60 days, and you must be 100 miles or farther from home.

Travel for medical treatment is not covered and neither are nonemergency services or experimental treatments.

Coverage extends to the cardholder, their spouse/domestic partner and dependent children under the age of 18 (or 25 if a full-time student at an accredited institution).

A completed claim form and supporting documentation need to be submitted within 180 days of the event.

This benefit provides coverage during vacation of up to $2,500 for emergency medical or dental expenses that are not covered by your medical insurance. Cardholders are responsible for a $50 deductible.

If a physician determines that you cannot travel as a result of a medical or dental emergency, this benefit will reimburse you up to $75 per day for up to five days at a hotel. The trip must be between five and 60 days and you must be 100 miles or further from home.

Covered expenses include:

Services of a qualified doctor, nurse, dentist or osteopath.

Hospital/operating room costs.

Anesthesia, X-rays or lab tests.

Ambulance transportation.

Coverage applies to the cardholder, their spouse/domestic partner and legally dependent children under the age of 18 (or 25, as long as the child is a full-time student at an accredited institution).

Chase has also outlined certain expenses that are not covered:

Nonemergency services.

Experimental care.

Services in countries that the U.S. deems as unsafe for travel.

With regard to countries deemed unsafe for travel, the card's terms single out the following countries:

Afghanistan.

El Salvador.

Kampuchea (Cambodia).

North Korea.

Be sure to review the U.S. Department of State's travel guidelines for your destination before deciding to rely on this coverage, as travel advisories could be applied to countries beyond those listed above.

If an emergency occurs, you must contact the benefit administrator immediately. A completed claim form and supporting documentation needs to be submitted within 180 days of the emergency.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: Emergency coverage while you travel internationally

If you don’t have a premium travel credit card that offers trip insurance or feel that the protections offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve® are insufficient, take a look at the insurance policies offered for your state. You can either check directly with an insurer you already know or browse an insurance comparison site, like Squaremouth.

Typically insurance comparison sites offer many options to choose from, including standalone medical insurance, Cancel For Any Reason , and long-term trip insurance.

The Nerds analyzed several factors before naming the Best Travel Insurance Companies . This can be a good first place to start understanding your coverage options.

Deciding which policy is best always depends on your particular circumstances, which benefits you’d like to have and the duration of your trip.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel card that offers several key travel insurance benefits. Although we hope you never need to use them, it’s good to know that the coverage is there.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

• Nationwide Travel Insurance
• AXA Assistance USA
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance
• HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance
• World Nomads Travel Insurance

Cruise Travel Insurance Tips

• Why You Should Trust Us

Best Cruise Insurance Companies of April 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

A cruise vacation can take much of the stress out of planning a vacation. With a pre-set itinerary on the high seas, you don't have to worry about how you're getting to your destination and what you're going to do there. However, an unexpected emergency can take the wind out of your sails and money out of your travel budget. So you'll want to ensure you have the best travel insurance coverage that won't leave you high and dry in an emergency.

Best Cruise Insurance Companies

• Nationwide Travel Insurance : Best Overall
• AXA Assistance USA : Best for Affordability
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance : Best for Seniors
• HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance : Best for Expensive Trips
• World Nomads Travel Insurance : Best for Exotic Locations

Compare the Top Cruise Insurance Offers

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Diverse coverage options such as CFAR, optional sports equipment coverage, etc.
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Available in all 50 states
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Prices are higher than many competitors
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews around claims processing are mixed
• Trip cancellation insurance of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption insurance of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance available

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Reasonable premiums
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR coverage available with some plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical emergency and evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc not available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited reviews with complaints about claims not being paid
• Trip cancellation of up to $5,000 with the Economy plan and up to $50,000 with the Preferred plan
• Cancel for any reason insurance and missed connection insurance available with the Preferred plan
• Baggage delay insurance starting after 24 or 12 hours depending on the plan

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
• Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
• 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
• Trip protection for up to $10,000
• Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
• Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
• Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

Cruise Insurance Reviews

Best cruise insurance overall: nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide Travel Insurance  is a long-standing and reputable brand within the insurance marketplace that offers cruise insurance plans with solid coverage and reasonable rates.

It has three cruise insurance options: Universal, Choice, and Luxury. The Nationwide Choice plan, for example, offers $100,000 in emergency medical coverage and $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage.

The right plan for you depends on your budget and coverage needs. But each plan offers cruise-specific coverages like ship-based mechanical breakdowns, coverage for missed prepaid excursions if your cruise itinerary changes, and covered service disruptions aboard the cruise ship.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Affordability: AXA Travel Insurance

AXA Assistance USA  offers three comprehensive coverage plans: Gold, Silver, and Platinum. Each of these plans offers coverage for issues like missed flights, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and more.

The highest-tier Platinum plan provides $250,000 in medical emergency coverage and $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. The baggage loss coverage is $3,000 per person, and their missed connection coverage is $1,500 per person for cruises and tours.

In addition, travelers can take advantage of AXA's concierge service, which provides an extensive network of international service providers. They'll be able to assist you with things like restaurant reservations and referrals, golf course information, and more. This service could come in handy if you're stopping at a variety of unfamiliar destinations during your cruise.

The coverage limits on AXA's policies are on the higher end compared to other providers. And you can buy coverage for a little as 4% of your trip cost depending on your age, travel destination, and state of residence.

Read our AXA Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Seniors: Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Seven Corners Travel Insurance lets cruisers enjoy traveling in their golden years with the knowledge they're covered in the event of an accident or emergency. While other providers do offer coverage to those 80+ years old, Seven Corners is known for its affordable premiums while offering above-average medical expenses and medical evacuation coverage limits — two areas of travel insurance coverage that are even more important as we get older.

Seven Corners also offers the option of a preexisting conditions waiver and CFAR insurance at an additional cost, plus "Trip Interruption for Any Reason" coverage, which you won't find on many policies.

You can choose between the Trip Protection Basic or Trip Protection Choice plans, with the higher-tier Choice plan costing more but providing more coverage.

Read our Seven Corners Travel Insurance review here. 

Best Cruise Insurance for Expensive Trips: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance

HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance  offers three levels of trip protection: TripProtector Economy, Classic, and Preferred. The higher the tier, the more coverage you'll get for things like baggage delays, trip delays & cancellations, and medical expenses. But their premiums remain reasonable even at the highest tier of coverage.

Not only does the HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Preferred plan offer higher-than-average medical emergency and evacuation coverage limits ($500,000 and $1 million, respectively), but you'll also get a baggage loss coverage limit of $2,000 per person and coverage for trip interruption of up to 200% of the trip cost. You also have the option to add CFAR coverage for an additional cost.

Read our HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Exotic Locations: World Nomads Travel Insurance

World Nomads Travel Insurance  has been a top choice for comprehensive travel insurance for many years now. And it's a great option when it comes to cruise coverage, too.

Even the most basic Standard Plan comes with $100,000 in medical emergency coverage and $300,000 in emergency evacuation coverage. And you'll get higher coverage limits with their Premium Plan. Plus, unlike many other providers, World Nomads trip cancellation and emergency medical coverage include COVID-19-related issues.

What sets World Nomads apart from many other insurance companies is that its policies cover 200+ adventure sports. This can be important for adventurous cruisers who plan to take part in activities like jet skiing, scuba diving, or parasailing during their cruise.

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

Introduction to Cruise Insurance

Cruise insurance may offer unique coverage like missed port of call and medical evacuation coverage. You might not need the flight protections of a regular travel insurance plan if you're catching a cruise at a port near you, but medical and cancel for any reason coverage could be critical.

Understanding the Basics of Cruise Insurance

At its core, cruise insurance is your financial lifeboat, designed to protect you from unforeseen events that could disrupt your sea voyage. Whether it's a sudden illness, adverse weather, or other unexpected occurrences, having the right insurance can make a world of difference.

Why Cruise Insurance is Important

Picture this: You're all set for your dream cruise, but a sudden family emergency means you can't set sail. Or worse, you fall ill in the middle of the ocean. Without cruise insurance, you're not just missing out on an adventure, but also facing potentially huge financial losses. That's why securing cruise insurance isn't just recommended; it's a crucial part of your cruise planning.

Types of Cruise Insurance Coverage

Cruise insurance isn't a one-size-fits-all life jacket. There are various types of coverage, each tailored to protect different aspects of your cruise experience.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage

This coverage is like your safety net, catching you financially if you need to cancel your trip last minute or cut it short due to emergencies, be it due to personal, health-related, or even certain work conflicts.

Medical Coverage

Being on a cruise shouldn't mean being adrift from medical care. Medical coverage ensures that if you fall ill or get injured, your medical expenses won't sink your finances.

Emergency Evacuation Coverage

In the rare case that you need to be evacuated from the ship due to a medical emergency or severe weather, this coverage ensures you're not left adrift in a sea of expenses.

Baggage and Personal Effects Coverage

Imagine reaching your dream destination only to find your luggage lost at sea. This coverage ensures that lost, stolen, or damaged baggage doesn't dampen your cruise experience.

Buying Cruise Insurance

Securing the best cruise insurance isn't just about finding the best price; it's about ensuring it covers all your potential needs.

When to Purchase Cruise Insurance

Timing is everything. Purchasing your insurance soon after booking your cruise can often provide additional benefits and ensure you're covered for any early surprises. As you get closer to your trip your coverage options may get more expensive, and certain providers may not be able to offer you coverage.

How to Find the Best Deals on Cruise Insurance

Keep a lookout for deals, but remember, the cheapest option isn't always the best. Balance cost with coverage, and ensure you're getting the protection you need at a price that doesn't rock your financial boat. A travel insurance comparison site like SquareMouth is a good place to compare multiple quotes from all of the major carriers at once.

How to Pick The Best Cruise Insurance for You

When buying travel insurance for a cruise, consider the additional risks that are specific to cruising. These include hurricanes and other weather-related concerns, strict cancellation terms, high pre-paid costs of a cruise, and the distance to emergency medical assistance.

To find the policy that's right for you, it's best to compare several different cruise insurance policies based on the pricing and coverage they provide. Remember too that all reputable insurance providers will offer a "free-look period." This allows you to return the policy you've purchased for any reason, within a specific time period, for a full refund.

The most important coverages to look for in cruise insurance are:

• Medical coverage — This coverage will pay for medical bills outside the US. But because treatment can be more expensive while onboard, make sure your policy offers sufficient coverage ($100,000+).
• Medical evacuation coverage — This coverage will transport you to the nearest hospital or even back home if you become sick or injured during your journey. But an evacuation from sea will be more expensive than one from land. So you'll want to make sure your coverage has sufficiently high limits ($250,000+).
• Missed connection (missed port of call) coverage — This type of coverage will help you catch up to your itinerary if you miss your port of call for a covered reason, like a delayed flight on the way to the airport.
• Coverage for hurricane warnings — With this type of coverage, you don't actually need to be affected by the hurricane. You can cancel and be reimbursed for your trip if the NOAA issues a hurricane warning. If you're cruising anywhere during (or on the tail ends) of hurricane season, this can come in handy. Just note: You can't buy travel insurance to cover a weather event once a storm or hurricane has been named.
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) — This is the most comprehensive coverage you can get, as it allows cancellations and reimbursement for pre-paid expenses for any reason. This can be a wise add-on for cruise coverage given the often higher prepaid expenses associated with cruising. See our guide to the best CFAR travel insurance options to learn more.
• Preexisting conditions — This coverage ensures that no known health conditions are excluded from coverage. Obtaining a preexisting condition waiver usually requires purchasing your travel insurance soon after booking your trip.
• Personal possessions insurance — Because of the events and fancy dinners cruise ships hold, you might take more valuable clothing or jewelry with you on a cruise. This type of coverage will insure your belongings against loss or theft while cruising.
• Baggage loss and delay — This coverage will reimburse you up to a specified amount for essentials if your bags are delayed or if your bags get lost en route.

As a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay between 5% and 10% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses for cruise insurance coverage. The price will vary depending on factors like your age, your travel destination, and whether you require additional coverage.

If you're booking a cruise, we recommend purchasing travel insurance when you make your first trip payment. That could be for the cruise itself or an expense like airfare to get you to your cruising destination. This way, if you have to cancel your trip, you'll have the most extended coverage period possible.

You can buy your own cruise insurance that isn't offered directly through the cruise line operator. In fact, this could be a better option if you want coverage for your travel to the cruise's departure point, not just for the cruise itself.

The difference between traditional travel insurance and cruise insurance is that cruise insurance offers more specialized coverage, for situations such as missing a departure port and more coverage for medical evacuations, since it's more expensive to evacuate someone at sea than on land. 

Most cruise insurance includes coverage for missing a departure port, so you should be able to claim for a missed port. Just make sure you check the details of your policy before you file a claim, and before you travel so you know what compensation you're entitled to.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Cruise Travel Insurance

When comparing cruise travel insurance providers, we evaluated them based on the following criteria to come up with our list of top picks:

Customer Satisfaction

We look at ratings from JD Power and other industry giants to see where a company ranks in customer satisfaction. We also look at customer review sites like Trustpilot and SquareMouth.

Policy Types

We look at policy types and offerings, from standard travel protections to adventure sports coverage. We look at the amount of insurance offered

Average Premiums

We compare average premiums per trip. Some companies also offer annual plans, and we compare policies accordingly.

Claims Paid

How frequently do companies pay claims easily and quickly? We check customer reviews and other resources to see which companies honor policies most effectively.

We look at the company's overall behavior. Is it operating ethically? Companies can earn additional points for such behaviors.

You can read more about how Business Insider rates insurance here.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Moscow-City: 7 surprising facts about the Russian capital’s business center

1. Guinness World Record in highlining

The record was set in 2019 by a team of seven athletes from Russia, Germany, France and Canada. They did it on September 8, on which the ‘Moscow-City Day’ is celebrated. The cord was stretched at the height of 350 m between the ‘OKO’ (“Eye”) and ‘Neva Towers’ skyscrapers. The distance between them is 245 m. The first of the athletes to cross was Friede Kuhne from Germany. The athletes didn't just walk, but also performed some daredevil tricks. Their record is 103 meters higher than the previous one set in Mexico City in December 2016.

2. Domination of Europe's top-10 highest skyscrapers

7 out of 10 Europe’s highest skyscrapers are located in Moscow-City. Earlier, the  ‘Federation Tower’ complex’s ‘Vostok’ (“East”) skyscraper was the considered the tallest in Europe.

Left to right: the lower of the ‘Neva Towers’ (296 m), Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt (300 m), Gorod Stolits (“City of Capitals”) Moscow tower (302 m), Eurasia tower (309 m), The Shard’ skyscraper in London (310 m), Mercury City Tower (339 m), Neva Towers (345 m).

However, in 2018, the construction of the 462 meter tall ‘Lakhta Center’ in Saint-Petersburg was completed, pushing ‘Vostok’ (374 m) into 2nd place. The 3rd place is taken by OKO’s southern tower (354 m).

3. The unrealized ‘Rossiya’ tower

If all the building plans of Moscow-City were realized, the ‘Lakhta Center’ in St. Petersburg wouldn't have a chance to be Europe's highest skyscraper. Boris Tkhor, the architect who designed the concept of Moscow-City, had planned for the ‘Rossiya’ tower to be the tallest. In his project, it was a 600 meter tall golden cylindrical skyscraper ending with a spire that was inspired by traditional Russian bell towers. Then, the project was reinvented by famous British architect Sir Norman Foster. He had designed ‘Rossiya’ as a pyramid ending with a spire. The skyscraper itself would have been 612 meters tall, and the height including the spire would have reached 744,5 meters (for comparison, the ‘Burj Khalifa’ in Dubai, UAE, would have been just 83,5 meters taller). Unfortunately, the investors faced a lot of economic problems, due to the 2008 financial crisis, so the ‘Rossiya’ skyscraper was never built. A shopping mall and the ‘Neva Towers’ complex was constructed at its place in 2019.

4. Changed appearance of ‘Federation Tower’

In its first project, the ‘Federation Tower’ was designed to resemble a ship with a mast and two sails. The mast was to be represented by a tall glass spire with passages between the towers. It was planned to make a high-speed lift in it. The top of the spire was going to be turned into an observation deck. But the ship lost its mast in the middle of its construction. Experts at the Moscow-city Museum based in the ‘Imperia’ (“Empire”) tower say, that the construction of the spire was stopped, firstly, due to fire safety reasons and secondly, because it posed a threat to helicopter flights – the flickering glass of the spire could potentially blind the pilots. So, the half-built construction was disassembled. However, an observation deck was opened in the ‘Vostok’ tower.

5. Open windows of ‘Federation Tower’

We all know that the windows of the upper floors in different buildings don’t usually open. Experts say that it’s not actually for people’s safety. Falling from a big height is likely to be fatal in any building. The actual reason is the ventilation system. In a skyscraper, it’s managed with a mechanical system, and the building has its own climate. But in the ‘Zapad’ (“West”) tower of the ‘Federation Tower’ complex, the windows can open. The 62nd and last floor of the tower are taken up by a restaurant called ‘Sixty’. There, the windows are equipped with a special hydraulic system. They open for a short period of time accompanied by classical music, so the guests can take breathtaking photos of Moscow.

6. Broken glass units of ‘Federation Tower’

The guests of the ‘Sixty’ restaurant at the top of the ‘Zapad’ tower can be surprised to see cracked glass window panes. It is particularly strange, if we take into consideration the special type of this glass. It is extremely solid and can’t be broken once installed. For example, during experiments people threw all sorts of heavy items at the windows, but the glass wouldn’t break. The broken glass units of ‘Zapad’ were already damaged during shipment . As each of them is curved in its own way to make the tower’s curvature smooth, making a new set of window panes and bringing them to Russia was deemed too expensive . Moreover, the investors had financial problems (again, due to the 2008 financial crisis), so the ‘Vostok’ tower even stood unfinished for several years. Eventually, the cracked window panes were installed in their place.

7. The highest restaurant in Europe

‘Birds’, another restaurant in Moscow-City, is remarkable for its location. It was opened at the end of 2019 on the 84th floor of the ‘OKO’ complex’s southern tower. Guests at the restaurant can enjoy an amazing panoramic view at a height of 336 meters. On January 28, the experts of ‘Kniga Recordov Rossii’ (“Russian Records Book”) declared ‘Birds’ the highest restaurant in Europe, a step toward an application for a Guinness World Record.

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