Traveling is an exciting adventure that opens up the world to new experiences. However, it is also important to stay protected while exploring unfamiliar territories. One aspect of protection that is often overlooked is travel insurance. It is not the most exhilarating topic, but it is an indispensable ally when things go wrong. Now, let’s dive into the subject of travel insurance offered by credit cards, and find out which are the best ones.
Understanding Credit Card Travel Insurance
Credit card travel insurance is a bonus feature that comes with some credit cards. They usually have an annual fee, but the insurance doesn’t cost anything extra. To activate the insurance, you’ll need to pay for your trip with the card. The coverage usually includes categories such as trip delay, trip cancellation and interruption, rental car insurance, baggage loss, and accident insurance. However, each credit card has specific terms and conditions, so always read the fine print.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: The Top Choice
My top choice is the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, a premium rewards card with comprehensive travel insurance. This Visa Infinite® card’s insurance policies include primary car rental insurance, travel accident insurance, trip cancellation/interruption coverage, trip delay coverage, lost luggage coverage, emergency medical and dental coverage, and emergency evacuation insurance. Plus, it offers airport lounge access, a great roster of transfer partners, and statement credits, making the $550 annual fee more palatable.
Capital One Venture X: A Robust Competitor
Capital One’s Venture X is a strong competitor, offering excellent travel protection. Its coverage includes travel accident insurance, primary car rental insurance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, travel delay coverage, lost luggage coverage, and cell phone protection. It also offers 2x points on every purchase and no fee for up to four authorized users.
Bilt Rewards Mastercard: No Annual Fee
The Bilt Rewards Mastercard is unique as it allows you to earn points by paying your rent. It also has the best travel insurance you can get on a card with no annual fee. It offers primary car rental insurance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, trip delay coverage, and cell phone protection.
The Platinum Card from American Express: High-End Travel Insurance
The Platinum Card from American Express has the highest annual fee of any consumer travel card, but it offers emergency evacuation and medical transport coverage with no limit on cost, which can be a lifesaver. It also offers secondary car rental coverage, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, trip delay coverage, lost luggage coverage, and cell phone protection.
Making The Most of Your Credit Card’s Travel Insurance
To ensure you’re covered for your trip, use your card to pay for your trip, keep all receipts, submit claims as soon as possible, and always read the fine print. Remember, not all credit cards come with travel insurance, and the coverage varies, so it’s crucial to be informed.
Common Queries On Credit Card Travel Insurance
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Do Visa credit cards come with travel insurance? Premium Visa cards come with travel insurance. Coverage varies based on the type of card.
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Do credit cards automatically have travel insurance? No, it’s important to know which ones do to use the right card when paying for your trip.
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What’s the difference between credit card insurance and travel insurance? Both have overlapping features, but standard travel insurance policies offer more comprehensive medical coverage.
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How do you submit a claim for credit card insurance? Every card’s process is different, usually, you’ll need to file your claim online, including all supporting documentation.
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Does credit card insurance cover missed flights? It depends on the reason and the specific coverage of the card.
In conclusion, when choosing a credit card for travel insurance, consider your needs to get the one that suits you best. However, regardless of the card you choose, I always recommend getting a comprehensive travel insurance policy to cover you for medical mishaps on the road. That way, you’ll be protected no matter what happens.
Planning Your Trip
Book Your Flight: Skyscanner is my go-to search engine as it searches websites and airlines around the globe.
Book Your Accommodation: You can book your hostel with Hostelworld, or opt for a hotel through Booking.com.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance: Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. My favorite companies are SafetyWing, Insure My Trip, and Medjet.
Travel for Free: Travel credit cards allow you to earn points for free flights and accommodation. Check out my guide to choosing the right card and the latest best deals.
Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
Advertiser Disclosure: Nomadic Matt has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Some or all of the card offers on this page are from advertisers and compensation may impact how and where card products appear on the site.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. This page does not include all card companies or all available card offers.