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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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Credit Cards

Chase Sapphire travel insurance benefits 2024

Stella Shon

Robin Saks Frankel

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

Updated 10:57 a.m. UTC Nov. 14, 2023

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The Chase Sapphire suite of cards are some of the best credit cards for travel available. In addition to excellent rewards and redemption opportunities, they also offer a catalog of travel insurance benefits that can be paramount in the event of an emergency.

Whether your flight is canceled or your rental car gets a flat tire, you can tap into the complimentary benefits that come with ownership of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . In this guide, we’ll take a comprehensive look at these coverages and limitations, as well as the steps to file a claim.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome bonus.

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 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.
• $95 annual fee.
• 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 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 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, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 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 travel insurance overview

Chase is one of the most generous issuers when it comes to offering travel insurance benefits, particularly for its travel-focused Sapphire cards. The $95-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the $550-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Reserve offer high coverage limits and industry-leading reimbursement terms, surpassing most other travel credit cards.

What Chase Sapphire travel insurance covers

To qualify for any of these complimentary protections, you must use your Chase Sapphire card to pay for a portion or all of your travel expenses, like your flight, hotel or rental car. Depending on the coverage, your immediate family members may also qualify for reimbursement — even if you’re not traveling with them.

Thinking about adding an authorized user to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card? Here are the benefits of adding a family member or trusted friend to your Sapphire Preferred .

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

If you need to cancel your trip or it’s interrupted due to an unforeseen circumstance, the Chase Sapphire cardholder and immediate family members can receive up to $10,000 per person and up to $20,000 total per eligible trip in reimbursement. 

If your claim is approved, trip cancellation and interruption insurance will provide reimbursement for non-refundable travel expenses, including flights, accommodations, excursions, and cruises. If you paid your travel expenses with Chase Ultimate Rewards® points , Chase will reimburse you at a rate of 1 cent per point.

For this benefit, your immediate family members do not have to be traveling with you as the primary cardholder, although you will have needed to pay for at least some of their travel expenses to qualify. Here are some examples of situations where trip cancellation and interruption insurance may kick in:  

• Accidental injury, illness or death.
• Severe weather.
• Change in military orders for you or your spouse.
• Jury duty. 
• Permanent residence or travel accommodations become uninhabitable.
• Organized public transportation strike.

Trip delay reimbursement

Next time you’re stuck in a rolling delay by a common carrier, you and your family members can be covered for reasonable expenses like meals, lodging and toiletries with trip delay reimbursement. 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred provides up to $500 in reimbursement for each ticket when you are delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay. The Chase Sapphire Reserve provides the same coverage limits, but offers reimbursement for delays of six hours or more (or requires an overnight stay).

Baggage delay insurance

If you don’t receive your baggage for more than six hours, you can receive up to $100 per day — for a maximum of five days total. Baggage delay insurance will reimburse you to help purchase essential items that you may need in your bag, like clothing, toiletries, chargers, and more. This coverage applies to you and immediate family members that are impacted by delayed or misdirected baggage. 

Lost luggage reimbursement

On a similar note, if your luggage is lost by the common carrier altogether, this coverage can help to recoup some of those costs with your carry-on or checked bag. 

With either Chase Sapphire card, you can receive up to $3,000 per covered person per trip. It’s worth noting that within this coverage, there’s a $500 limit for jewelry and watches, as well as another $500 limit for cameras and other electronic equipment. 

Primary rental car insurance

When renting an eligible car for up to 31 days, Chase provides primary rental car insurance that covers theft and damage. The coverage limits are slightly different between the Chase Sapphire cards. While the more premium Chase Sapphire Reserve provides up to $75,000 in coverage, the Chase Sapphire Preferred provides reimbursement “up to the actual cash value of most rented cars”.

In either case, you’ll need to pay for the entire car rental with your Chase Sapphire card and decline the rental car company’s collision damage waiver as “accepting this coverage will cancel out your benefit”.

Roadside assistance

Chase offers a complimentary roadside assistance referral program for Sapphire Reserve cardholders that’s available 24/7 within the U.S. and Canada. Whether you’re driving your own car or a rental vehicle, cardholders can contact the Cross Country Motor Club at 1-866-7978 for towing, jump starts, fuel delivery and more. You can receive up to $50 in reimbursement for up to four service events per year.

On the other hand, Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders can reach out to a pay-per-use roadside dispatch program, available 24/7 within the U.S by calling 1-800-847-2869. Cardholders are required to pay for all services rendered at a pre-negotiated fee. 

Travel and emergency assistance services

The Chase Sapphire cards offer travel and emergency assistance services to the primary cardholder, as well as spouse and dependent children under the age of 22, even if they’re not traveling with you at the moment. 

Travel and emergency assistance services can provide medical or legal referrals, or transportation coordination 24/7, but like roadside dispatch, the cardholder is financially responsible for any services rendered. 

What Chase Sapphire travel insurance doesn’t cover

While each coverage comes with specific details outlined within each benefits guide, here’s an overview of some noteworthy exclusions: 

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance does not cover a change in plans or financial circumstances; pre-existing conditions; travel during civil unrest or war; failure to obtain necessary travel documents; and more.
• Trip delay reimbursement does not cover delays due to a covered hazard made public or prepaid expenses related to your covered trip.
• Baggage delay insurance does not cover prosthetic devices; any loss resulting from war or civil unrest; money and securities; and more.
• Lost luggage reimbursement does not cover items that have been removed from carry-on luggage by you or inadvertently left behind; money and securities; and more.
• Primary rental car insurance does not cover rentals over 31 days; as well as high-value vehicles (Chase Sapphire Preferred); antique vehicles; cargo vans; motorcycles or mopeds; limousines; and more.

Additional coverage by the Chase Sapphire Reserve

While the Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a costly $550 annual fee, this premium travel card offers a leg up on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , providing a few additional benefits when traveling:

• Emergency evacuation and transportation: This benefit can cover up to $100,000 in necessary emergency travel evacuation and transportation services for you, your spouse, and eligible dependent children as a result of injury or sickness. 
• Emergency medical and dental benefit: You can receive up to $2,500 for emergency treatment and medical expenses for accidental injury or illness, subject to a $50 deductible. 
• Travel accident insurance: You can receive reimbursement for accidental death, dismemberment, or a combination of loss of speech, sight or hearing, up to $1 million when traveling on a common carrier, or up to $100,000 during your trip. While the Sapphire Preferred also offers this benefit, the common carrier coverage amount is lower. 

How Chase Sapphire travel insurance works

Each coverage has specific terms and criteria you’ll need to meet before filing a claim with supporting documentation. For example, you can qualify for trip cancellation and interruption insurance by paying a portion of your travels with a Chase Sapphire card, while primary auto collision damage waiver requires you to pay for your entire rental with the card. 

Once you submit your claim and it’s approved by the benefits administrator, you can receive reimbursement up to the coverage limits stated. If you’re interested in learning more about each coverage, you’ll want to review the benefits guide for the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve to see a full list of limitations. 

How to claim your Chase Sapphire travel insurance

If you’re ready to file a claim, you’ll need to provide your documentation within the deadlines below or “as soon as reasonably possible” by calling the Benefits Administrator or starting your claim online via www.eclaimsline.com .  

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Start your claim within 20 days of the cancellation or interruption; then, fill out a form and provide documentation within 90 days.
• Trip delay reimbursement: Start your claim within 60 days of the incident; then, fill out a form and provide documentation within 100 days.
• Baggage delay insurance: Start your claim within 20 days of the delay; then, fill out a form and provide documentation within 90 days. 
• Lost luggage reimbursement: Start your claim within 20 days of the incident; then, fill out a form and provide documentation within 90 days.
• Primary rental car insurance: Start your claim within 100 days of the incident; then, submit the documentation within 120 to 365 days. 
• Emergency evacuation and transportation (Chase Sapphire Reserve only): Call the Benefits Administrator immediately; then submit a claim and documentation within 180 days.
• Emergency medical and dental benefit (Chase Sapphire Reserve only): Call the Benefits Administrator within 90 days of receiving medical care; then submit a claim and documentation within 180 days.
• Travel accident insurance: Call the Benefits Administrator within 20 days of the incident; then submit a claim and documentation within 90 days. 

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve: What’s the difference?

While the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a bit more well-rounded travel coverages, we’ll also compare the rest of the Reserve card’s benefits to the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s travel benefits .  

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

You can file a claim anytime by visiting www.eclaimsline.com . Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders can call 1-888-320-9961 (within the U.S.) or 1-804-673-1691 (international), while Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can call 1-888-675-1461 (within the U.S.) or 1-804-281-5772 (international). 

The Chase Sapphire cards only offer insurance for qualifying travel and not for events. 

As long as you pay a portion or all of your travel expenses with your Chase Sapphire card, you are eligible to receive complimentary travel insurance with the coverage limits stated above. 

Chase Sapphire cards won’t provide reimbursement for missed flights, unless the situation meets the terms of trip cancellation and interruption insurance or trip delay reimbursement for situations that are outside of your control. 

It’s not required to notify Chase prior to traveling, but you can set up a travel alert on your card if you’re traveling outside of your state or country over the phone, online, through a mobile app or in person.

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.

Stella Shon is a freelance writer that connects the dots between personal finance and travel. Her work has appeared in The Points Guy, ValuePenguin and MoneyUnder30, and she's been interviewed by The New York Times, CNBC and more.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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Full List of Travel Insurance Benefits for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card [2024]

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Table of Contents

Chase sapphire preferred card overview, car rental loss and damage insurance, trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage insurance, roadside dispatch, travel accident insurance, travel and emergency assistance, no foreign transaction fees, filing a claim, how coverage compares, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

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.

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)
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel SM .
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel SM , 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 SM . For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 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
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Chase Ultimate Rewards

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

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

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.

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)

Lost Luggage

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.

Other Credit Cards

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.

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 Insurance Policies

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 sapphire travel insurance: what it covers and how to use it.

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Whether you're traveling domestically or abroad, going on a trip is an exciting way to see the world. But it can also be expensive, and the last thing you want is to end up losing your money if something goes wrong with your planned vacation.

The good news is, if you pay for your trip with your Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve ® , you should have coverage if your trip is cancelled or delayed or if you experience certain other losses along the way.

There are details you need to be aware of to take advantage of Chase Sapphire travel insurance, though, so it's important to read the fine print to make certain you're able to use this important cardholder benefit if something goes wrong. This complete guide to Chase Sapphire insurance will help you understand what you need to know.

What is travel insurance?

Quick look: chase sapphire travel insurance.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance
• Chase Sapphire Reserve travel insurance

How to file a claim with Chase

Faqs about chase sapphire travel insurance, bottom line on chase travel insurance.

Travel insurance broadly refers to insurance that provides reimbursement when you suffer losses in conjunction with a trip. But lots of different things could go wrong when you’re traveling, so there are different kinds of insurance that cover different major and minor calamities. Although you can buy travel insurance through an agency or insurance company, many travel credit cards come with different types of travel insurance as an included benefit.

Some of the different types of travel insurance you may want when traveling include:

• Travel delay insurance : This covers you when your common carrier (cruise line, airline, tour operator, etc.) is delayed and you get stuck somewhere for a long time or you have to stay somewhere unexpected overnight.
• Trip cancellation insurance: If your trip is cancelled for a covered reason, such as severe weather, this insurance provides you reimbursement for non-refundable expenses.
• Baggage delay insurance: If your bags are delayed for a long time, this insurance covers costs you'll incur for essential purchases such as clean clothing and toiletries.
• Lost luggage insurance: If your baggage never shows up at all, you can get reimbursed for your lost luggage and the stuff inside it.
• Car rental insurance: Car rental insurance can cover you if your rental vehicle is lost, stolen, or damaged
• Roadside assistance: If you get stuck on the road, roadside assistance can come to your rescue and provide a tow, tire change, or other help.
• Travel accident insurance: If you get into an accident or die while on a trip, travel accident insurance can provide a payout to you or your loved ones.

Chase offers some of these insurance benefits, but there are differences in coverage when you compare the Sapphire Preferred vs. the Sapphire Reserve . This could impact which card you use to make a travel-related purchase or which card you apply for to begin with.

The table below shows some of the details about the travel insurance benefits on the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve cards.

Each of these different kinds of coverage come with limitations, restrictions, and qualifications that are important to be aware of if you're relying on the protections Chase is offering. Let's look at each type of coverage on each card in a little more detail.

Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card travel insurance

While the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred cover a number of different aspects, the travel benefits are a big draw for most cardholders. Here's what you need to know about using your travel insurance benefits available on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Trip delay reimbursement

This provides coverage for the cardholder, the cardholder's spouse or domestic partner, and the cardholder's dependent children ages 22 and under when the trip is paid for with the Chase card. This coverage applies if your trip is delayed more than 12 hours or an overnight stay is required due to a delay.

Coverage is limited to one delay per covered trip and delays are covered only if they are caused by a common carrier and are in a city away from the cardholder's home. The maximum of $500 in benefits can be spent on reasonable expenses for meals, lodging, toiletries, medication, and other personal items. To be considered for reimbursement, the cardmember must notify Chase within 60 days of the delay.

Trip cancellation insurance

Cancellation insurance covers the cardholder and immediate family members if a trip is interrupted on the way to the point of departure or after you've left. It also provides coverage if a trip has to be postponed for a covered reason and fees are incurred due to rescheduling.

Covered losses include severe weather; terrorist actions; jury duty; court subpoenas; or accidental bodily injury, death, or sickness of the cardholder, immediate family, or a traveling companion. The cardholder doesn't need to be traveling with family for them to be covered, but the trip must be paid for by the Chase card.

The benefit is limited to $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per occurrence and benefits paid can't exceed $40,000 over 12 months. So if a family of five goes on a $30,000 trip, the maximum coverage is still $20,000 even though each individual family member would theoretically be entitled to $10,000 in reimbursement.

The coverage is secondary to other travel insurance or reimbursement from others, so if your cruise line or travel insurance policy offers any reimbursement, you have to go through them first.

Baggage delay insurance

The cardholder, spouse or domestic partner, and immediate family members are covered if a common carrier delays luggage for six or more hours. This coverage provides up to $100 per day for a maximum of five days to pay for essentials such as clothes, toiletries, and one cell phone charging cable.

This insurance is secondary to other reimbursement or travel insurance coverage, so claims have to be made with those other providers first. To get reimbursement from Chase, you have to file your claim within 20 days of the delay.

Lost luggage insurance

Checked and carry-on baggage are both covered, along with personal property in your suitcases or bags. The cardholder and immediate family members are covered, even if the cardholder isn't traveling with the family members.

The insurance provides up to $3,000 per insured person on each covered trip; however, coverage for jewelry, watches, and electronics is limited to $500 per person and there's no coverage for loss of money or travelers checks or for losses resulting from a war.

Claims have to be made within 20 days of the occurrence and the loss must have been reported to the carrier in a timely manner. Coverage is secondary, which means you have to try to get reimbursed by any other primary travel insurance or by the occupancy provider (hotel, etc.) or common carrier first.

Car rental insurance

The Chase cardholder and additional drivers on the rental agreement are covered by this policy, which provides reimbursement for collision or theft for rental vehicles in the U.S. and abroad. Coverage is secondary in your own country when renting for personal reasons, so you have to make a claim on your other auto insurance first. This isn't required if you're renting abroad.

You're covered for up to the actual value of the rental car, but won't be covered if you're renting the car for more than 31 consecutive days. Chase also excludes expensive, exotic, and antique automobiles as well as trucks, recreational vehicles, and large vans.

Travel accident insurance

If you pay with your Chase card, you're covered for $500,000 in benefits for loss of life if you have an accident while on a common carrier. You'll also get a payout for dismemberment or a loss of speech, sight, and hearing. The amount you get will depend on your injuries. If you have an accident at any other time, your maximum coverage is $100,000 for loss of life and you get partial compensation for dismemberment up to $100,000, depending on what injuries you sustained.

The cardholder and immediate family members are covered even if the cardholder isn't traveling with them as long as the cardholder files a written claim within 20 days of the incident. But if multiple eligible people are hurt, coverage can't exceed twice the applicable benefit amount ($500,000 or $100,000) and the total amount will be divided up among the eligible injured people.

Emotional distress is not covered, nor are injuries or deaths sustained in the commission of illegal acts or when car racing, parachute jumping, or participating in sports activities where potential prizes are at stake.

Bottom line on Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance

The Chase Sapphire Preferred provides similar travel insurance benefits to the Sapphire Reserve, which we’ll discuss in detail next. But with the Sapphire Preferred, your trip delay insurance doesn't kick in until 12 hours have passed instead of six with the Reserve and your travel accident insurance offers $500,000 in coverage instead of $1 million. You also won't get roadside assistance, though you can use roadside dispatch if you pay for it.

On the plus side, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card comes with a much lower annual fee ($95) than the Sapphire Reserve ($550). The Sapphire Preferred card also offers plenty of other travel-related benefits, including 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠,  2X bonus points on other travel purchases, and a 25% points bonus when you redeem your rewards for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal .

Overall, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great choice for frequent jetsetters who want to be protected in case of a problem on their trip.

Chase Sapphire Reserve ® travel insurance

The benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve are plentiful, and there’s no shortage of travel-related perks with this card. Here's what you need to know about using the travel insurance benefits you're provided with as a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder.

When your common carrier delays your trip for six or more hours or a delay requires an overnight stay, you'll get up to $500 in coverage per purchased ticket. Cardholders, their spouses or domestic partners, and dependent children under age 22 are all covered.

However, coverage is limited to one covered hazard per trip, and you won't be covered for prepaid expenses or for covered hazard delays you knew about before departing. You have just 60 days to provide notice after a covered delay and you'll be reimbursed for reasonable additional expenses only.

This coverage kicks in if you can't go on your trip before it starts due to a covered loss. The cardholder and immediate family are covered even if the cardholder doesn't go along on the trip with family.

The maximum payout is $10,000 for each covered trip and $20,000 for each covered incident, with an aggregate maximum payout of $40,000 over a 12-month period. This means if a three-person family goes on a trip that costs $10,000 each, they would be entitled to a maximum payment of $20,000 if the trip is cancelled for all of them for a covered reason, even though they'd be out $10,000 that wasn't reimbursed.

Claims have to be made within 20 days after the occurrence that causes the trip cancellation, and there must have been a covered reason for cancelling such as severe weather; jury duty or a subpoena that can't be postponed; or accidental injury or death of the cardmember, an immediate family member, or a traveling companion. Coverage is secondary to other travel insurance or reimbursement from the common carrier or occupancy provider.

The cardholder, spouse or domestic partner, and immediate family members get up to $100 per day in coverage when a common carrier delays a bag for more than six hours. This $100 can be used to purchase one cell phone charging cable, clothing, toiletries, and other essential personal care items.

The cardholder has to file a claim within 20 days of the loss and reimbursement from Chase comes only after exhausting other travel insurance or seeking funds from the common carrier.

The cardholder and immediate family can be reimbursed up to $3,000 per person per trip for checked bags or carry-ons that are lost by a common carrier. Claims have to be made on other travel insurance policies or with the carrier first, though, and coverage is limited to $500 per person per covered trip for jewelry, watches, and electronics.

The cardholder has to report the loss right away to the common carrier and to Chase within 20 days and no coverage is provided for travelers checks, money or security, or losses resulting from war.

This provides reimbursement for up to $75,000 in losses for the cardholder and additional drivers if a rental vehicle is in an accident or stolen. The reservation for the car rental can't exceed 31 consecutive days, and expensive or antique vehicles are excluded.

The insurance coverage is primary, so there's no need to file a claim with other insurance first, but the entire rental transaction has to be completed with Chase and you have to decline the rental company’s auto rental collision damage waiver or loss damage waiver.

Roadside assistance

The cardholder and anyone driving a vehicle the cardholder owns or leases is eligible for roadside assistance 24/7. Coverage includes battery charges, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, help if you're locked out, and towing.

You're covered for a maximum of $50 per service event and get a maximum of four service events annually. If you're in an off-road area or in a place not regularly traveled, you won't be covered.

The cardholder and immediate family members get up to $1 million in coverage for accidents on a common carrier and $100,000 in coverage for other types of accidents on a trip. The $1 million is reserved for loss of life but a partial payout is available for dismemberment, loss of speech, loss of sight, or loss of hearing. The specific amount you'll receive depends on the nature of your injuries.

Chase doesn't provide payments for emotional trauma; dismemberment or death during a war; if you're hurt or killed during an illegal act or while on an aircraft not certified by or registered with the government; or if you get hurt racing cars, parachute jumping, or participating in competitive sports.

Bottom line on Chase Sapphire Reserve travel insurance

If you want coverage for shorter trip delays, need roadside assistance or want more travel accident insurance coverage, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the ideal card for you.

The Sapphire Reserve also has a $550 annual fee, though. While you’ll earn 5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases, and you’ll also enjoy a 50% redemption bonus when you redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards through the Chase travel portal, you'll want to make sure other cardholder perks — such as a $300 annual travel credit and statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees — make this card worth your while.

If you’re a regular traveler wanting to take advantage of the travel insurance protections this card offers, then the Chase Sapphire Reserve might be the best travel credit card to have in your wallet.

If you believe you have a valid claim under Chase's travel insurance, call 800-356-8955 to request a claim form. You can also submit a claim online at eclaimsonline.com .

To file your claim:

• Start by selecting the type of claim you wish to file
• Provide your personal details including your contact information
• Input details about your claim, including the type of loss you endured and the amount of financial damage you're seeking reimbursement for
• Be prepared to upload documentation such as receipts from expenses incurred; a statement from your common carrier detailing your delay or its refund or cancellation policy; a copy of your original tickets or receipts; and, if necessary, proof you filed a claim for reimbursement from your common carrier, auto insurer, or travel insurer
• Confirm the details and submit your claim

Chase may contact you to request that you provide additional details or documentation to support your claim.

Does Chase Sapphire cover missed flights?

Chase provides reimbursement for its list of covered losses only. Although you could potentially get some airfare costs covered if your airline delays your flight long enough that you miss your connection, you won't be covered by Chase if you simply get to the airport late and miss your flight.

Does Chase Sapphire travel insurance cover jury duty?

According to Chase, jury duty is a covered reason for cancelling your trip. So, your trip cancellation or trip interruption insurance provided by Chase should protect you from losses in the event that you are called to jury duty.

Does Chase travel insurance cover my immediate family members?

Chase travel insurance covers the cardholder as well as immediate family members such as spouses and dependent children, even if the cardholder isn't traveling with them.

What happens to my Chase Ultimate Rewards when I cancel a trip?

When you book travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal, it's just like booking through a travel agent. Your ability to cancel and get your travel rewards refunded depends on the policies of the hotel or airline you book with. But if you cancel for a reason covered by Chase, then your trip cancellation insurance will kick in and your Ultimate Rewards points will be refunded.

If you are a frequent traveler, both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve offer you important protections, whether you're renting a car or taking a train, bus, cruise, or plane. You’ll also have some protections even if you can't go on your trip at all because it's cancelled or delayed.

Although the travel insurance benefits differ slightly on each card, both can earn you valuable travel rewards, charge you no foreign transaction fees, and provide travel protections for many of the losses you're likely to encounter when you’re off adventuring. You just need to make sure to read the fine print and have one of these valuable rewards credit cards in your wallet.

Great for Flexible Travel Rewards

Chase sapphire preferred ® card.

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Current Offer

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Rewards Rate

5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases

• 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 25% more value when redeeming rewards for travel through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary point bonus each year
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠
• Premium travel protection benefits
• Has annual fee
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 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, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 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.
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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.

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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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Lost Luggage Benefits from Chase Sapphire Preferred

When my bags had not arrived the following morning, I called the Chase Sapphire line, where an agent always pick up. I was not aware of the precise benefits, but figured the card had to have something. Indeed it did.

Delayed and lost luggage insurance. If you have any checked bags that have been delayed for more than 18 hours, you will be reimbursed for the emergency purchase of covered essential items. If your checked or carry-on luggage has been lost or stolen, you will receive a full reimbursement.

Note–this is for tickets (including award tickets!) you have purchased with your Chase Sapphire card.

Here’s what I found: as a cardholder, you are entitled up to $100/day for emergency essentials for up to four days (there is a long list of items not covered the agent read to me, but it was all common-sense stuff like electronics, gift cards, automobiles…). In other words, all clothes are fair game.

The first day kicks in once your bags have been delayed for more than 18 hours. Sadly, the claim is not processed directly through Chase but rather outsourced through chubb.com. I was directed to fill out a claim form on the site, but the URL given me me by Chase was invalid when I later visited the site. I eventually found the claim form and it seems a rather straight-forward process.

My bag arrived a few hours later so while I suppose I could have gone on a $100 shopping spree on the Frankfurt Ziel, I did not. But it is nice to know that the option was available and that should my bags be delayed or lost again, I can purchase essentials and be reimbursed.

Also noteworthy–

Trip delay and cancellation insurance. If your covered trip is delayed for more than 12 hours, you will be covered for your expenses, for example, if you need to eat in a restaurant or sleep in a hotel. If your covered trip is canceled for any reason, you will be provided with a full reimbursement.

Haven’t run into any long delays this year ( last year I can think of one… ) but this is a nice benefit as well.

upgrd.com may be compensated if you choose to apply through the application links above and ultimately are approved, but our point in offering these sign-up links is to help you effectively choose which credit card to focus your mileage earning on.

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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11 comments.

uh oh…the blog has begun its descent down the slippery slope of credit card referral bonuses….say goodbye to travel reading without the constant credit card plug. Hmm…I wonder which credit card promotion- er, travel site- I should visit next….

@Eddie–sorry, I’m not going to apologize for this. I use the Chase Sapphire card every day, you just read about how it came in handy with my delayed bag last week, and I believe smart mileage collectors should sign up for the card, irrespective of the token referral bonus I may receive for those who are approved. But if you haven’t signed up for the card yet, I’d appreciate you doing it through the link above.

Hi Matthew – Do you need to have purchased your ticket entirely using the Chase card to be eligible to claim on the insurance?

@Sit In First: That is correct–in my case, I had put my BD taxes on the card, so they said I qualified.

This was an award ticket? Wow.

I just used this last month for a lost bag. Very straight forward to do. Do keep in mind you must have made a claim with your airline within 24 hrs. And with Chase within 45 days. They will cover the excess that the airline doesn’t reimburse for up to $3K.

Ok what if the airline provides a hotel voucher? Then I assume the Chase reimbursement of a hotel is not going to yeild anything? Or can one decline an airline hotel voucher in lieu of $200 additional airline voucher on top of the $400 voucher already given??

Thanks Matthew for the great reminder! Encountering a lengthy delay as I speak and will apply this when I get home! Thanks!

I am currently attempting to collect on this advertised benefit with a Presidential Plus business card. 50 hour bag delay on UA EWR-LHR in June; award ticket purchased on card. Only hassle thus far: chubb paper form required notarization. Will update thread when I receive a response.

Hey can someone compare the difference between the Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire lost bag benefits?

prior mentioned benefit event was fully paid by chubb. up to $300.

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7 Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits you might not know about

Editor's Note

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards cards out there and comes with several well-known benefits , as well as a 75,000-point bonus when you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening — all for a $95 annual fee.

But what are some of the lesser-known benefits of the super-popular card? Let's take a look.

Complimentary DashPass

Historically, the Chase Sapphire Preferred hasn't offered much in the way of statement credits or similar benefits. It's a mid-tier credit card with a low annual fee, so that is to be expected. However, within the past couple of years, the Sapphire Preferred has received a couple of new perks from partners such as DoorDash.

Through Chase's partnership with DoorDash, a food pickup and delivery service, you can get at least one year of complimentary DashPass , the company's subscription service. DashPass comes with $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12.

The subscription service typically costs $9.99 monthly, so you'll get at least $119.88 in value. Chase's DashPass partnership is valid through Dec. 31, depending on your activation date.

Related: 15 food delivery promo codes and offers to help you save money on your next meal

Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance

If your trip is cut short or interrupted by sickness, severe weather and other covered situations (deemed so by the benefit administrator), you can be reimbursed for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses (such as plane tickets, hotels and tours) on up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. This coverage is available to you and your immediate family members traveling with you when you pay for the trip expenses with your Chase Sapphire Preferred.

I invoked this benefit for the first time when I was in Kuala Lumpur on business, staying at Le Méridien. I had brought my wife and 9-month-old son along to see the city and enjoy the hotel while I was at work each day. We had nonrefundable AirAsiaX tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Busan, Korea. Unfortunately, my son awoke the day before our flight with a terrible cough. We decided a trip to Korea may not serve his best interests and it was time to send my wife and son back home to Japan and our doctor.

I called Chase at 3 a.m. Eastern Time to inquire about having the AirAsia tickets to Busan covered by the benefit. Within 10 minutes, I had an email requesting the canceled plane ticket itinerary, a doctor's note and the credit card statement showing where the tickets were purchased. Soon after, I confirmed the benefits administrator had received my documentation and I was told a $625 credit would be issued back to my Sapphire Preferred card . That was pretty fantastic.

Related: Your guide to Chase's trip insurance coverage

Baggage delay Insurance

If your checked bag is delayed by more than six hours, you can be reimbursed up to $100 per day for up to five days for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing. For example, my mother's checked suitcase did not arrive on Air Canada's flight from Toronto to Tokyo. I immediately called Chase from Narita International Airport (NRT) to inquire about this benefit.

I was told to get a baggage delayed report from the baggage service counter and keep receipts for any essentials she purchased, up to $100 a day for five days or until the suitcase arrived. The suitcase was finally delivered to my Japanese address four days later. In the meantime, we took full advantage of the benefit, with my mom buying $400 worth of clothes, shoes and toiletries to get around Japan during her stay.

I sent the benefits administrator a baggage delayed report, a courier note when the bag was finally dropped off, receipts for my mom's purchases and the credit card statement showing I had paid for her ticket. Since she had flown on an award ticket, I had only paid the fees with my Sapphire Preferred card (and not the whole fare). I was nervous this would make us ineligible for the perk, but we received a $400 check a short time later to cover the expenses.

Along these same lines, you may be eligible for up to $3,000 in lost luggage coverage. However, this benefit requires you to produce almost all your original receipts for items costing more than $25, making it much harder to get full value.

Related: When to buy travel insurance versus when to rely on credit card protections

Trip delay reimbursement

Have you ever been on the last flight of the day to your destination only to have it canceled? If it's due to weather or any other cause that allows the carrier to deflect blame, you may get a preferred rate from the local airport hotel or be out of luck altogether. Either way, you'll likely be forced to pay out of pocket.

If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card covers you and your family for up to $500 per ticket for non-reimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging. Thankfully, I've never had to put this benefit to use, but knowing I could stay in a nice place for free would make the situation more tolerable.

Related: Chase paid for my $1,100-per-night hotel room thanks to built-in trip delay coverage

Primary car rental insurance

While most — although not all — credit cards offer car rental insurance, you'll notice a difference in the insurance being offered. While several credit cards offer secondary car rental insurance and some even charge a fee, others offer primary car rental insurance — better coverage for your next car rental.

Fortunately, one of the perks of the Chase Sapphire Preferred is that it offers primary car rental coverage for no added fee to your rental. This means rentals of up to 31 consecutive days paid for with the card are covered for losses, including physical damage and theft of the rental vehicle, valid loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company and reasonable and customary towing charges related to a covered loss. In addition, with this particular card, your coverage is up to the cash value of the rental car.

Using a credit card that offers this type of coverage means you can decline any rental car agency insurance policy — which will save you money on your rental — and not have to file a claim with your auto insurance policy.

While this is a benefit you hope you never have to use, it can sure come in handy in an unfortunate event. You'll also earn at least 2 points per dollar on all travel expenses, including car rentals, so you'll still earn bonus points by paying for your car rental with the Sapphire Preferred.

Related: Best credit cards for rental car coverage

Purchase protection

This benefit covers eligible personal property (purchased using your Sapphire Preferred ) in the event of theft, damage or involuntary and accidental parting with property. If something happens to an item within 120 days of purchase, it will be repaired or replaced for a value of up to $500.

There's a lengthy list of excluded items, including animals, antiques, anything with an engine, perishable items and used/pre-owned items. Still, when I bought my latest iPad, I felt more at ease knowing I had 120 days of coverage if I spilled coffee on it or left it behind while traveling.

Plenty of other cards offer similar benefits (such as Amex purchase protection ), but it's good to know Chase is keeping up with the competition.

Related: The best credit cards for price protection

Extended warranty protection

This benefit can really save you money. Receive an additional year of coverage on eligible purchases with a manufacturer's warranty of three years or less. Boats, automobiles, aircraft, medical equipment, leased or pre-owned items and items for commercial use are ineligible.

A few years ago, I purchased a top-of-the-line flat-screen TV for $1,200, with a manufacturer's warranty of two years. Then, three years later, my wife and I were watching a football game when a loud pop occurred, and a puff of smoke appeared from the back of the TV.

I called Chase, and a representative asked for a copy of the original purchase receipt and a letter from the TV manufacturer stating it was out of the manufacturer's warranty. I was then instructed to get an estimate from a TV maintenance specialist (yes, they still exist) of what it would cost to fix the TV. I flipped through the Yellow Pages (yes, these still exist, too) and a few days later had an estimate saying the TV was broken beyond repair. After submitting the estimate, I got a credit back for my original purchase price of the TV and a credit for the TV repair fee.

I then bought a TV for $800, which was better than what I had paid $1,200 for three years earlier. In addition, Chase promises reimbursement within five business days of receipt and validation of all required documents. Needless to say, I was pretty excited this benefit was on the card.

Related: Best credit cards for extended warranties

Bottom line

Several of these benefits have provided excellent value for me and made life easier when I could have otherwise been out of luck. As always, make sure you read the fine print for benefits, terms and conditions. Clearly defined and labeled documentation submitted in a logical order has made the claim processes rather painless for me.

Also, note that the above seven benefits are by no means the only perks of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. For example, travel accident insurance, zero liability protection and travel and emergency assistant services could all make a sour situation slightly sweeter.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred with 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months.

Do I need credit card travel insurance?

Key takeaways.

• S ome typical travel insurance benefits include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, emergency medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation, lost or damaged baggage insurance, delayed baggage insurance and car rental insurance
• Many top travel credit cards provide enough travel insurance benefits to protect you in an emergency or if your plans change, so purchasing extra travel coverage likely won’t be necessary
• However, if you plan to book an expensive trip or travel abroad for an extended period of time, you might want to purchase travel coverage. Check with your card issuer to confirm any coverage terms and conditions before purchasing any additional policies

Now that travel is back in full swing, it’s time to plan your next exciting getaway. With all the fun that comes with traveling to new locales, you always risk running into expensive problems far from home. Lost luggage, canceled flights, injuries, rental car mishaps — all sorts of inconveniences can occur when traveling. One way to soften the blow of travel disasters — at least financially — is to have travel insurance.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance helps provide financial compensation for mishaps like lost or stolen luggage or if you need to cancel a trip for reasons that are beyond your control. In the event of a qualifying incident, you can file a claim with the insurance company to get money back for certain expenses, up to a previously agreed-upon limit. You can purchase travel insurance policies from insurance providers — or you can take advantage of travel insurance benefits offered by your credit card provider.

Fortunately for travelers, many credit cards offer some form of travel insurance to cardholders, and some of the top travel credit cards offer an impressive lineup of travel protections. However, credit card travel insurance works a bit differently than a travel insurance policy you purchase .

As a rule, credit card travel insurance doesn’t typically offer the same level of comprehensive coverage you’d get from a purchased policy. You also can’t choose what type of coverage you receive. That said, many travel credit cards offer some level of coverage for issues like trip cancellation and interruption , trip delays, lost luggage, baggage delays , rental cars and travel accidents.

If you’re considering buying separate travel insurance, it’s worth learning what type of coverage your credit card offers before paying for protection you may already have. One easy way to find out what your credit card covers is to call your credit card provider and have them walk you through your card’s benefits guide.

What is credit card travel insurance?

Credit card travel insurance is a complimentary benefit that commonly comes with credit cards. While it isn’t the most robust coverage, this protection can help out with various travel-related emergencies and inconveniences. When cardholders use their credit cards to book travel arrangements such as flights, hotels or rental cars, they may automatically become eligible for these insurance benefits. The key element here is to book at least your flights or other transportation using the credit card, or you won’t qualify for the coverage.

Typically, credit card travel insurance includes coverage for trip cancellations, trip interruptions and delays, as well as lost or delayed baggage. Some cards may also provide coverage for emergency medical expenses, evacuation and rental car insurance. The extent of coverage varies among credit cards and may depend on factors such as the card type, the issuer and the terms and conditions outlined in the card agreement.

It’s important for cardholders to review the specific details of the travel insurance offered by their credit cards, including any limitations, exclusions and requirements for activation. While credit card travel insurance can be a valuable perk, you may want to consider purchasing additional coverage for more thorough coverage.

What does travel insurance cover?

To make it easier to understand what travel insurance covers, we’re breaking down the most common types of coverage.

Coverage for canceled, interrupted or delayed trips

If you need to cancel your trip, having trip cancellation and interruption coverage can provide reimbursement for the cost of your trip, including expenses like transportation, hotels and prepaid activities. Qualifying reasons might include events such as the death of a family member, terrorism, natural disasters and unforeseen illnesses or injuries. Check your policy to see what’s included as each policy differs. In some cases, events like jury duty or being laid off from your job qualify.

Generally, your trip needs to be delayed unexpectedly by six to 12 hours (but this varies by each policy) to qualify for trip delay reimbursement. This benefit typically offers $150 to $200 per day for a certain number of days — though sometimes, this benefit offers a certain amount per ticket — to cover necessary expenses like lodgings or food.

Getting stranded far from home and having to pay for extra nights in a hotel you didn’t budget for, having to change flights at the last minute or canceling some or all of a nonrefundable trip before you even hit the road can all cost a pretty penny. If you’re traveling somewhere prone to major weather incidents and have multiple flights (increasing the possibility of missed connections), this is an important type of insurance to have.

Coverage for emergency medical situations

Emergency medical benefits can come in handy if you’re injured or become ill while traveling and require hospitalization, medication or treatment. This type of coverage is more necessary if you’re traveling internationally or on a cruise where you may not have access to medical care covered by your health insurance plan. Unfortunately, in most cases, you’ll need to pay for your medical care out of pocket and file a claim later for reimbursement.

If you have a medical emergency while traveling that requires transportation to the nearest medical facility, medical evacuation coverage can help with those costs. This is often add-on coverage for travel medical insurance, but it can come in handy if your treating physician recommends you go home to receive medical treatment or if a death occurs and there are costs associated with transporting the traveler’s remains.

Are you traveling out of network? How about out of the country or to a remote locale where it’s difficult to access medical care? If you need medical attention when you’re traveling and your health insurance won’t cover your costs, having travel insurance that pays for medical emergencies and medical transportation can save you a lot of money.

Coverage for lost, damaged or delayed baggage

Generally, lost or damaged baggage protection only covers up to a certain value, but your belongings are covered throughout your entire trip. Some policies only reimburse for luggage that is lost or damaged when it is checked with a common carrier. If your bag is permanently lost, having the right type of insurance can save you a lot of money. If you’ll be carrying more expensive items, you may want to pursue a third-party plan that will reimburse more expensive items, such as a camera or computer. Additionally, note that you may need to file a police report within a certain timeframe to receive coverage.

Even if your belongings eventually arrive in one piece, baggage delay protection can reimburse you for any costs you incur while waiting to be reunited with your belongings. You may face a daily limit on how much you can purchase to replace your delayed goods, along with a limit on what you can purchase. Additionally, these benefits don’t typically kick in unless your luggage is delayed for a specified period of time (usually six to 24 hours).

If you’re checking a bag while flying, you may want coverage for lost, damaged or delayed baggage. This coverage can help you pay for clothing, toiletries and any other items you need to replace if your luggage goes missing or is harmed, especially if it gets lost by the time you arrive at your destination. If you’re driving, however, you probably won’t need this type of coverage.

Coverage for rental cars

Many credit cards offer rental car coverage for collisions, loss and damage. It’s usually secondary coverage, meaning it kicks in after your primary auto insurance, and it usually excludes liability for damage to other property or for injuries to others. However, some credit cards offer primary coverage, which typically provides reimbursement up to a certain amount for theft and collision damage. Note that you’ll typically need to decline the car rental company’s insurance in order to receive coverage through your credit card.

For domestic travel, your existing auto insurance policy may cover any issues with rental cars, and it’ll likely kick in before an additional collision policy anyway. Check out what your insurer covers first before getting an additional policy. It’s also worth noting that your credit card rental car insurance may apply overseas. However, it would be wise to look into additional car rental protections, whether with a third-party insurer or at the rental counter, since some countries are excluded from credit card rental car coverage.

How to use credit card travel insurance

If a trip is partially or fully booked on your credit card — be sure to confirm booking standards with your card provider first — you may be able to access travel insurance benefits that come with your credit card . Here’s how to use your credit card travel insurance:

• Confirm your coverage. Before you file a claim, it’s helpful to brush up on your coverage. Your card should come with a benefits guide that outlines what type of travel coverage you have, including the maximum amount they’ll cover, exceptions to your coverage and how long you have to submit a claim (typically less than 60 days).
• Show receipts and necessary documentation. You’ll likely need to provide receipts when you file your claim if you want to get your money back. You might also need to provide key documentation such as showing how a loss occurred, correspondence with travel providers proving they won’t reimburse you, doctors’ notes, police reports or any other applicable paperwork.
• File the claim. Report any losses or situations to the benefits administrator within your policy’s claim time frame. Generally, you’ll download a claim form from the credit card provider’s website and submit evidence of the losses or situations for which you’re seeking reimbursement.
• Wait for a decision. Your credit card provider will contact you with a decision regarding your claim and, if approved, explain how it plans to distribute your funds.

When is travel insurance worth it?

Traveling is expensive, so it’s understandable if you’re wondering — is trip insurance worth it? Where or not you should purchase travel insurance in addition to the benefits your credit card offers depends on how much coverage you already have and what your risk tolerance is. Some premium credit cards offer robust travel coverage — such as emergency evacuation coverage, lost baggage coverage or trip cancellation and interruption insurance — whereas no-annual-fee credit cards typically offer basic coverage like roadside assistance.

Note that travel insurance policies tend to get more expensive as you age. So the flat annual fees you’ll pay for premium travel credit cards such as The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee) and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($550 annual fee) make their travel coverage more valuable the older you get.

Consider what type of travel insurance you may need and what events and belongings you need to have insured. If you want basic coverage for smaller issues, such as covering costs incurred if your flight is delayed, then your credit card policy may do the trick. But if you have ambitious travel plans that involve bigger risks — like booking a nonrefundable international trip — then you’ll likely want to purchase a travel insurance policy that will allow you to cancel a trip for any reason.

When is travel insurance not worth it?

Depending on where you’re traveling and the type of trip you’re taking, travel insurance might not be necessary. For example, if your trip is completely refundable, trip interruption and cancellation insurance is likely not necessary. You may also not need any type of travel insurance if you’re taking a cheap or short domestic trip.

Additionally, if you’re traveling within the U.S., you likely won’t need additional medical coverage beyond your existing health insurance plan (though it would be good to check your policy first). If you’re traveling outside of the U.S., however, additional medical coverage — whether purchased or provided through a credit card — can be helpful in an emergency situation.

Should you get a top credit card for travel insurance?

Many travel credit cards can provide you with enough travel insurance benefits to protect you in an emergency or if your plans change, so purchasing extra travel coverage likely won’t be necessary. Of course, this depends on the type of trip you’re taking, among other factors.

If you’re looking for a new credit card and want one that provides solid travel insurance coverage, here are some of the best cards for travel insurance to consider:

Although travel insurance can be a great cardholder perk, it probably won’t be the main factor you’re considering when picking out a new credit card . While it’s nice for frequent travelers, you’ll want to look for a credit card that offers benefits you’ll use, such as a great rewards program, a sign-up bonus or intro APR offers. A card that rewards you for your regular spending may be more valuable in the long run than one that comes with a limited amount of travel insurance to cover the occasional trip.

While you can’t predict the exact cost of every future trip you plan, you probably have an idea of what kind of trips you take and what type of coverage they require. For example, if you love taking road trips in your trusty SUV and rarely rent a car or book a flight for a vacation, then you’re less likely to need car rental or baggage delay coverage. But having roadside assistance as a perk may give you much-needed peace of mind when you hit the open road. Look for a credit card that offers coverage in line with the way you travel most often.

There is no worse feeling than thinking you have insurance coverage, only to find you’re going to need to pay more out of pocket than you realized when something does go wrong. Double-check the fine print for the travel insurance coverage before relying on a credit card’s insurance perks. You’ll likely come across some potential exclusions.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Travel insurance costs vary depending on the type of plan you select: Basic, middle tier or comprehensive. They also typically depend on factors like your trip’s total cost, how long you’re traveling for, where you’re traveling, how many people require coverage and travelers’ ages. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from 4 percent to 11 percent of the total cost of your trip.

Consumers typically run into two primary problems with travel insurance: not having enough coverage or not actually qualifying for the coverage they do have. When dealing with travel insurance that you gain access to as a cardholder perk, you’ll want to read through your policy before booking your trip to ensure you know exactly what you have coverage for and whether you need any extra coverage. Take note of what your coverage limits are. For example, your credit card travel insurance may cover medical treatment, but there may be a limit as to how much they’re willing to cover. The type of vacation you take can also impact your insurance. Most basic travel insurance does not cover activities that can be viewed as dangerous, like skydiving or rock climbing, or it will contain exclusions for travel to specific areas, like those prone to extreme weather events or with current travel warnings. As for car rental insurance, your credit card coverage may not be applicable in certain countries, or it may not cover certain situations. Credit card car rental coverage is also usually secondary coverage, which means your credit card company only pays what your primary car insurance policy won’t cover. However, some premium travel credit cards do offer primary car insurance, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

You often need to pay for all travel expenses with an eligible credit card if you want to potentially use that card’s travel insurance offerings. In many cases, you’ll need to pay for the common carrier fare on the plane, train, bus or cruise ship you plan on traveling with in order to gain access to your travel insurance offerings. Note that some credit card providers may require you to book the entirety of your trip on their card, whereas others simply need you to book the main transportation to your destination in order to qualify. Because these requirements can vary so much, it’s important to confirm how to qualify for your insurance benefits before you book your trip.

The bottom line

Credit card travel insurance benefits can offer travelers solutions to frustrating and costly travel problems. Because you don’t need to pay for this cardholder perk, it’s a great bit of extra protection to have in your back pocket. However, if you’re spending a lot on an upcoming trip and you’re worried about travel issues that may require expensive solutions, then purchasing a separate travel insurance policy may be worth it.

Already planning your next vacation? Check out Bankrate’s travel toolkit for tips and tricks on how to maximize travel with a credit card.

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

Introduction to Nationwide Travel Insurance

• Coverage Options
• How to Purchase and Manage Your Policy

Nationwide Customer Reviews and Claims Experience

Compare nationwide travel insurance.

• Why You Should Trust Us

Nationwide Travel Insurance Review 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.

Nationwide has been around close to 100 years after being founded in 1926. The Ohio-based company has many different products in the insurance and finance space, including coverage for trips. Nationwide Travel Insurance policies are available for single or multiple trips and can cover cruise trips too.

• 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

Nationwide is one of the leading names in insurance across various areas of coverage including life, auto, and travel insurance. Nationwide's coverage is also as comprehensive as it is varied. It tops our list of the best travel insurance companies and best cruise travel insurance , also ranking among the best cheap travel insurance companies for the value it provides.

With single trip, multi trip, and cruise-specific policies along with an abundance of riders, there's a good chance Nationwide will have the coverage you're looking for.

That said, Nationwide lacks some of the niche coverage that other companies can provide. For example, Nationwide doesn't insure trips over 31-days long. Its annual travel insurance only applies to trips 30 days or under. Additionally, Nationwide lacks specific adventure sports coverage.

Ultimately, Nationwide is the company to beat. If you're shopping for something a little more specific, use Nationwide's quotes as your baseline as you search for something more tailored to your trip. 

Coverage Options from Nationwide

Nationwide 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.

The travel insurance policies offered by Nationwide are available to consumers and are divided up by the type of trip: single trip, multiple trips, or cruise coverage.

Single-trip travel insurance policies

Nationwide offers two single-trip travel insurance policies: the Essential plan and the Prime plan.

As the name suggests, Nationwide Essential travel insurance covers the basics. It offers some protection should anything happen ahead of your trip or while you're on your trip.

The Prime plan takes your coverage to the next level, with higher coverage limits and the option to add on the coveted cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage at an extra cost.

Both plans include trip cancellation or interruption coverage in the event of terrorism in your destination city, travel assistance from Nationwide at no additional charge, and refunds with a 10-day review period (except in Washington and New York). Note that for baggage and personal effects coverage, there is a $500 combined maximum limit for valuable items (see your policy's terms and conditions for details on what's considered valuable). It also covers damaged or lost sports equipment.

Here's how the two plans stack up in terms of coverage limits. For trip delay coverage, you'll be eligible for reimbursement for delays of six hours or more.

Annual and multi-trip travel insurance policies

If you're looking for travel insurance coverage for more than one trip and want to cover your partner and children, the Travel Pro Plan may be an affordable option. It's important to note that this policy only covers events after departure, not pre-departure events. This policy could be as low as $59 as of the time of writing.

The Travel Plus Plan is another multi-trip policy from Nationwide that has flexible term limits for trip interruption and cancellation coverage, up to $10,000. This covers the gaps from the Travel Pro Plan, which only covers post-departure events. So if you needed to cancel the trip due to a covered illness or other reason, this is the plan for you.

If you want to increase the level of benefits for your after departure coverage, the Travel Pro Deluxe Plan does just that. It builds on the Travel Pro Plan, hence the name, and includes higher coverage limits for just $20 more.

All plans include the same travel assistance from Nationwide that's included with the single-trip policies. Here's how the multiple-trip plans compare:

Cruise coverage

Nationwide offers three cruise travel insurance plans.

If you're going on a short cruise or going for the first time, the Universal Cruise Plan may be a good starting point if you want added protection and to recoup nonrefundable costs. Just make sure that you qualify based on your state, as cruise coverage isn't available in all states.

If you're going on a longer cruise and want added coverage to protect your trip, the Choice Cruise plan is an option to consider. And if you're looking for the most benefits and go on many cruises, the Luxury Cruise plan offers the most coverage options.

All three policies can be refunded with a 10-day review period, except in Washington and New York.

Here's a comparison of the coverage you'll get with Nationwide's three different cruise travel insurance policies:

Additional coverage options from Nationwide

Nationwide has a number of additional coverage options that can add more protection to your policy but also add to the cost as well. These include:

• Financial default coverage , in the event your travel supplier ends up in default or bankruptcy. This is available with the Essential and Prime single-trip policies.
• Pre-existing condition waiver, which may offer coverage for pre-existing illnesses or diseases if certain conditions are met. This is available with the Essential and Prime single-trip policies.
• Accidental death and dismemberment, which can have limits of $5,000, $10,000, $25,000 or $50,000 depending on the plan. This is available with the Essential and Prime single-trip policies.
• Accidental death for flights only, which can have limits of $100,000, $250,000, or $500,000. This is available with the Essential and Prime single-trip policies.
• Rental car collision or loss coverage, in the event something happens to your rental car, you can add on this coverage for up to $25,000 or $35,000 depending on the plan.This is available with the Essential and Prime single-trip policies (except in Texas or New York).
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) , which must be added to a policy and is available through the single-trip Prime Plan, the Choice Cruise Plan, and the Luxury Cruise Plan.

Nationwide Travel Insurance Cost

The premium you pay will depend on various factors, including the age of the travelers, destination, and total trip costs. The  average cost of travel insurance  is 4% to 8% of your travel costs.

After inputting some personal information, such as your age and state of residence, along with your trip details, like travel dates, destination, and trip costs, you'll get an instant quote for Nationwide Insurance plans available for your trip. And from there, it's easy to compare each option based on your coverage needs and budget.

Now let's look at a few examples to estimate Nationwide coverage costs.

As of 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a week-long, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following travel insurance quotes:

• Essential: $89.55
• Prime: $129.19

Premiums for Nationwide Insurance plans are between 3% and 4.3% of the trip's cost, well within the average cost of travel insurance.

Nationwide insurance provides the following quotes for a 30-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for two weeks on a $4,000 trip:

• Essential: $113.01
• Prime: $160.47

Once again, premiums for Nationwide plans are between 2.8% and 4% of the trip's cost, within and below the expected range of travel insurance costs.

A Texas family consisting of two 40-year-old parents with a 10-year-old and 4-year-old on a two-week trip to Australia for $20,000:

• Essential: $571.62
• Prime: $801.94

Nationwide plans cost between 2.8% and 4% of the trip's cost, below and within the average cost of travel insurance. 

A 65-year-old couple looking to escape New Jersey for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following quotes:

• Essential: $248.56
• Prime: $352.44

Premiums for Nationwide plans are between 4.1% and 5.9%, which is well the average cost for travel insurance. While its certainly more expensive than coverage for younger travelers, it's on the lower end of what travel insurance companies tend to quote for older travelers. 

Nationwide Annual Travel Insurance Cost

Quotes from Nationwide's annual travel insurance plans don't actually change based on age or state. You'll get a base quote of $69, which will vary based on how much trip cancellation coverage you'd like to purchase. Prices range from $155 to $729

You can also select a Pro Delux upgrade, which will cost an additional $20.

How to Purchase and Manage Your Nationwide Policy

To purchase a Nationwide travel insurance policy, you first need to obtain a quote from Nationwide's website. You should be prepared to provide the following:

• Destination
• Departure date
• Return date
• State of Residence
• Total trip cost
• Initial trip payment date

When you select a plan, be sure to also take a moment and scroll through the optional add-ons, such as rental car coverage. 

How to File a Claim with Nationwide

If you purchased travel insurance through Nationwide and need to file a claim, you can contact a Nationwide representative. You have seven days from the start of the issue that caused loss to notify Nationwide of your claim.

Claims through Nationwide are handled by Co-ordinated Benefit Plans, LLC. You can use its claims portal or call a representative, based on your type of policy.

Single trip policy phone number: 888-490-7606

Annual plan policy phone number: 866-281-1017

Cruise policy phone number : 866-281-0334

Rather reach out via email? You can contact Nationwide via [email protected] .

If you need to send documents via mail, the mailing address is:

Co-ordinated Benefit Plans, LLC

On Behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance

Company and Affiliated Companies

P.O. Box 26222 Tampa, FL 33623

Nationwide refrains from promising a specific response time frame. However, customers have reported waiting several weeks before hearing any updates.

Since Nationwide offers such a wide breadth of insurance types, it's difficult to separate its travel-specific customer reviews from reviews on its other products. It received an average of 1.16 stars out of five across over 340 reviews on its BBB page, though most customers are writing about experiences with Nationwide's auto and health insurance.

On SquareMouth, a travel insurance-specific aggregator, Nationwide has an average of 4.01 stars across 570 reviews. Reviewers reported unresponsive a claims team and long wait times. Additionally, while insurance companies often engage directly with customer reviews on SquareMouth, Nationwide doesn't respond to customer reviews.

Learn more about how Nationwide Travel Insurance compares against the competition. 

Nationwide Travel Insurance vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

Much like Nationwide, Allianz Travel Insurance insurance offers many different types of insurance coverage. While the company may be most well known for auto insurance, it offers travel insurance as well and has eight options. Allianz Travel Insurance, a major player in the travel insurance space, has 10 options listed.

Allianz Travel Insurance may offer higher coverage limits for the policies offered and have a streamlined process for filing a claim online. Where Nationwide wins out is the fact that you can add cancel for any reason (CFAR) for an added cost, whereas CFAR coverage isn't available when purchasing an online policy via Allianz Travel Insurance.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

Nationwide Travel Insurance vs. John Hancock Travel Insurance

John Hancock Travel Insurance  is similar to Nationwide in that it provides a wide range of insurance offerings and financial services. One of those offerings is travel insurance. John Hancock travel insurance offers travel insurance through Bronze, Silver, and Gold policies.

When comparing policies, the budget option may be slightly more affordable with Nationwide. However, mid-tier and higher coverage options may be more affordable with John Hancock travel insurance. It depends on your policy, trip details, and age. One good thing is that you can add cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage under all John Hancock travel insurance plan options.

Read our John Hancock Travel Insurance review here.

Nationwide vs. credit card travel coverage

Rewards credit cards come chock full of benefits for cardholders, some of which they might be unaware of. One such perk can be travel interruption or cancellation coverage as well as rental car coverage. Credit cards may have sufficient coverage for quick trips. However, if you want the peace of mind of having solid medical coverage or higher limits, going the traditional travel insurance route may be a better fit.

For frequent travelers, credit card travel protection may be appealing as the coverage is constant. If you're looking for a comparable travel insurance plan with more comprehensive coverage, some companies offer annual travel insurance.

You can find our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance  here.

Nationwide Travel Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Nationwide's travel insurance offers very comprehensive coverage, including trip cancellation, interruption, medical emergencies, and baggage loss.

Yes, Nationwide allows the purchase of travel insurance up to a day before your departure. It doesn't offer plans for trips already in progress.

Nationwide covers COVID-19 like any other illness, covering trip cancellations with proof of a positive test and covering emergency medical expenses. 

Nationwide single trip plans cover pre-existing conditions as long as you purchase the Essential plan within 10 days of your trip deposit and the Prime plan within 21 days of your trip deposit. The annual plan doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, with a 60-day look-back period. 

Nationwide is known for its reliable customer service, wide range of coverage options, and the ability to tailor policies with various add-ons, setting them apart from many competitors.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Nationwide Travel Insurance

For our review of Nationwide, we looked at the leading travel insurance providers and compared the amount of options provided, coverage limits, cost, customer service options, and flexibility.

Nationwide is a top contender for cruise-related travel insurance policies and stands out for having cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, though it's not available with every policy and comes with an extra cost. To find the best travel insurance policy for you, review various providers and compare quotes before buying a policy.

Read more about how Business Insider rates travel insurance companies 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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Faye Travel Insurance Review: Is It Worth the Cost?

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Travel insurance can be a worthwhile investment, especially if you’re worried about unexpected costs during your trip. There are a ton of different travel insurance companies out there, so finding one that suits your needs can be a struggle. That’s why we’ve done the work for you.

Let’s take a look at travel insurance provider Faye to see what type of plans the company offers, the coverage levels you can expect and whether Faye travel insurance is right for you.

About Faye travel insurance

Faye is the brand name for customizable travel protection plans offered by a company called Zenner Inc. Its website notes that it specializes in quick reimbursements, which can be a big draw for travelers. Policies issued by Faye are underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company.

» Learn more: How to pick between travel insurance providers

Faye insurance plans

Unlike many other travel insurance companies , Faye offers only one plan.

To find out what types of coverage Faye travel insurance plans include, we generated a quote for a 44-year-old woman from Arizona who was traveling to Italy for two weeks. Her total trip cost came in at $2,000.

Here’s what Faye provides:

This plan costs 7.03% of the overall trip cost, which is typical according to NerdWallet's analysis .

The plan is comprehensive and includes coverage you don’t typically see, such as reimbursement for lost credit cards and a payment for being inconvenienced.

Faye also offers a number of customizations; there are different add-ons from which to choose, all of which vary in price. More on your options in the next section.

» Learn more: How travel insurance for domestic vacations works

Plan add-ons

If you'd like to customize your Faye travel insurance plan to meet your needs more specifically, you can add on extra coverage for more money.

» Learn more: How does travel insurance work?

What isn’t covered by Faye

Even if you purchase a very comprehensive travel insurance policy, there are still situations where you’re not covered.

These include:

Bad weather, including hurricanes, if the policy was purchased after the storm was named.

Intentionally self-inflicted injuries or suicide.

Expenses incurred while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

High-risk sports for which you are paid. 

Psychological disorders, unless you’re hospitalized. 

War and acts of war. 

Illegal acts. 

Piloting or learning to pilot or acting as crew of an aircraft. 

To find the full list of exclusions for your specific policy, be sure to review your plan’s benefits schedule.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

How to choose a Faye plan online

Purchasing a Faye travel insurance plan online is simple. You’ll first want to head to the company’s website to generate a quote.

You’ll need to input information like your age, where you live, where you’re going and how long you’re going to be away. Once you’ve got that all entered in, you’ll be taken to the results page.

Here, you’ll be able to see what plan options you have available, as well as what add-ons there are to pick.

After you’ve selected the coverage you’d like, you’ll need to go through the online checkout process.

» Learn more: Is travel insurance worth it?

Which Faye plan is best for me?

Although Faye has just one base plan available for purchase, it has plenty of different add-ons from which to choose. Faye sorts its bundles and add-ons according to the trip you’re taking, so you may see your bundled offer vary from time to time.

For tentative plans . Choosing to add on a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy can provide peace of mind if your travel plans aren’t solid. With the ability to get up to 75% of your money back, you’ll just want to make sure you’re canceling at least 48 hours in advance. 

For pet owners . Not many travel insurance companies include coverage for your pets , especially not when it comes to vet bills. With a low overall cost, this add-on can make a huge difference if you end up delayed on your return. 

For those wanting to customize everything . Faye’s base plan allows customers to create tons of different customizations according to their travel needs. Even though it’s costly, it makes up for it with wholly comprehensive coverage. 

Faye’s travel insurance offerings may suit your needs, but before purchasing a plan, take a look in your wallet. Many different travel credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance , which can include benefits such as trip cancellation reimbursement, rental car insurance and more.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

Insurance Benefit: 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.

Insurance Benefit: 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.

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

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 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.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

More From Forbes

Is travel insurance refundable here’s everything you need to know.

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Sometimes, travel insurance is refundable. Here's when you can get your money back.

Peter Hoagland always checks to see if his travel insurance is refundable. That's because anything can happen between the time you book your vacation and when you leave — and because travel insurance isn't always refundable.

During the pandemic, he discovered that the hard way. He had to cancel a trip and asked for his money back from the insurance company. It refused.

"Since then, I always read the fine print on the policy," he says.

The refundability of travel insurance has always been an open question. Some countries and U.S. states regulate refundability. Travel insurance companies put refundability details in the fine print of the policy. And, as Hoagland found out, there are always exceptions.

Like the pandemic, when refund policies were all over the map. Some insurance companies adhered to their published policies. Others offered a credit that could be reused within a year, which was minimally useful because the pandemic was still happening a year later. Others quietly gave their customers a refund.

Hoagland says he fought for his money. Eventually, he contacted a manager at his travel insurance company.

"That produced a quick result," he says. "I got my money back."

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But let's face it: Getting a refund for travel insurance can be difficult. There are times when insurance is always refundable because it's required by law. There are times when it's sometimes refundable. And there are times when it's almost never refundable. But even then, there may be a way to recover some — or all — of the value of your policy.

Getting a refund for travel insurance can be a challenge

If you have a travel insurance policy and would like to get a refund, it might be easier said than done, say experts.

"While travel insurance is regulated like auto and home insurance, it’s often less standardized," says Stuart Winchester, CEO of Marble, a digital wallet for your insurance. "So first off, it’s important to check the fine print of your specific policy. Don’t assume it’s like the last one you got."

Even when you have something in writing, a refund can require some serious negotiating skills.

"Getting a refund for travel insurance can be complicated and frustrating," says Peter Hamdy, the managing director of a tour operator in Auckland, New Zealand. He's asked for a refund on policies numerous times and says that despite what travel insurance companies may tell you, there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to getting a refund on your policy.

"Some situations can warrant a refund," he says. "It depends on your policy."

What does a typical refundability clause look like? For example, the World Explorer Guardian from Insured Nomads notes that it's refundable only during the 10-day review period from the date of delivery or 15 days from the date of delivery if mailed, provided you have not already departed on your trip and you have not incurred any claimable losses during that time. If you depart on your trip before the expiration of the review period, the review period ends and the policy can't be refunded.

"We go a bit further with our World Explorer Travel Medical plans," notes Andrew Jernigan, CEO of Insured Nomads. "If no claims have been filed then we can refund the unused portion of the policy if you cut your trip short.”

When can you get a refund for travel insurance?

Here are the most common cases where travel insurance can be refunded:

• If you cancel during the "free look" period required by the government. Most states require what's called a "free look" period of anywhere from 10 to 14 days. "During this period, travelers can review the purchase and make sure it fits their needs," explains James Nuttall, general manager of Insubuy . "If it does not, they can cancel it for any reason and get a full refund, no questions asked, so long as you haven’t departed yet.
• If you cancel during the travel insurance company grace period. Many insurance companies also have a grace period for refunds (usually, they are the same as the "free look" although some grace periods can be longer). "If you’re outside your grace period, which typically lasts one to two weeks after signing, you’re contractually obliged to pay your premiums," says David Ciccarelli, CEO of the vacation rental site Lake . "Still, it doesn’t hurt to ask your company for a refund or alternative options if you’re outside your grace window. You might not get a yes, but it could lead to some cost savings or better solutions."
• When someone else cancels your trip. "For instance, if your cruise is canceled due to low river tide, you are not at fault and would typically receive a full refund or credit for a future sailing, thus eliminating the need for the travel insurance policy," explains Rhonda Abedsalam vice president of travel insurance for AXA Assistance US.
• If you die. Typically, the policy would be refunded to your next of kin. Generally, you can also ask for a refund if your travel companion dies before your trip.

Remember, it depends on where you buy your insurance

The refundability of your insurance can depend on where you purchased it. Commercial policies bought from a cruise or tour company are generally canceled and refunded if you cancel the trip far enough in advance of your departure date.

"The travel insurance cancellation provisions are generally tied to the cancellation provisions for the cruise or tour," explains Dan Skilken, president of TripInsurance.com . "After you have paid the last deposits on the cruise and are close enough to departure that they will not provide a refund on the cruise, they generally will also not provide a refund on the travel insurance. But if you cancel early enough to get all or most of your deposit back, you will also get your travel insurance premium refunded."

If you’ve purchased retail travel insurance from a third-party provider or comparison website, you can often get a refund if you can show receipts proving that you received a full refund of all trip deposits and have not had any cancellation penalties or taken any travel credits when you canceled your trip.

That's because retail travel insurance is sold for a specific traveler and for a specific trip. If you have proof of a complete refund and have not received travel credits, then you no longer have what's called an "insurable interest" in the trip. The insurance company must cancel and refund your premium in full, says Skilken.

Insider tip: If the insurance company refuses, just tell them you have proof that you no longer have an insurable interest in the trip. You have to have an insurable interest in a trip to own a travel insurance policy.

Your agent may be able to help you get a refund

You may also be able to lean on the agent who sold you the policy. For example, all policies on Squaremouth come with a money-back guarantee.

"The purpose of this benefit is to give travelers extra time to review their policy documentation to be sure it’s the best policy for their coverage needs," says spokeswoman Jenna Hummer. At Squaremouth, the money-back period typically lasts between 10 and 14 days, which is in line with the mandated "free look" period.

However, I have also seen agents negotiate with travel insurance companies for a more generous refund period in case of extenuating circumstances. There's no guarantee that you'll get it, but it's worth asking — and one reason to work with a third party.

Agents can also help you avoid this problem. Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips , a travel agency, notes that American Airlines Vacation Packages offers a predeparture protection insurance plan, which allows cancellation for any reason before the outbound departing flight time. Other restrictions apply, she adds.

"More flexibility will often cost you more," she says. "But having the flexibility is a great way to sleep well at night."

Can't get a refund? Look for other kinds of flexibility from your travel insurance company

Even if your travel insurance company says no to a refund, it doesn't necessarily mean you've lost the value of your policy.

"If a travel supplier changes or cancels your trip, you should be able to change your travel insurance policy to match the new dates of your trip or even cover a new trip, sometimes up to two years into the future," says Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA .

Pro tip: Be sure to change the dates of your travel insurance policy before the departure date of your current itinerary. You can do that online or by calling your agent. Once the policy's effective date has passed, making any changes or initiating a refund or credit becomes much more difficult.

Don't forget to do your due diligence

Bottom line: Travel insurance is refundable under certain circumstances. But knowing when can require research.

"It's important for consumers to carefully read their policy upon receipt to understand the specific terms offered by their insurance provider," says Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association.

The more you know, the likelier you are to get the refund you want when your plans change.

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