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Complimentary international travel insurance

Check your eligibility and policy coverage or make a claim on your complimentary international travel insurance through Allianz Global Assistance (AGA).

Changes effective 1 November 2023

Please read this summary of changes to understand how it will affect your complimentary card insurance policy.

Key features

If your NAB card offers complimentary international travel insurance, here are a few reasons to use that feature.

Simple claims process

Make a claim online, even if you’re overseas.

Simple eligibility check

With  Allianz Global Assistance’s eligibility portal , opens in new window , you can easily check if your card is eligible for up to five complimentary insurances including international travel insurance (for persons aged under 81 years).

No need to get a quote

Your insurance is complimentary with eligible NAB cards, so no need to get quotes or apply.

Eligible NAB cards

The following NAB cards include complimentary international travel insurance.

On sale cards

• NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
• NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card
• NAB Rewards Signature Card
• NAB Rewards Platinum Card
• NAB Low Fee Platinum Card
• NAB Platinum Visa Debit Card

Off sale cards

• NAB Premium Card
• NAB Velocity Rewards Premium Card
• NAB Flybuys Rewards Card
• NAB Low Rate Platinum Card
• NAB Qantas Plus Card

Eligible purchases

To be eligible, you’ll need to reside in Australia and:

• charge at least $500 of your prepaid travel costs to the accountholder’s card account before leaving Australia
• have a return overseas travel ticket before leaving Australia
• be aged under 81 years at the time you become eligible for the cover by meeting the conditions above.

You can check if you are eligible for complimentary insurance by using the Allianz Global Assistance eligibility portal , opens in new window .

Policy coverage

The below is a limited summary only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, sub-limits and excesses apply.

You, your spouse and your dependants may be covered by this policy if the eligibility criteria is met. Eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply.

For the full list of benefits and the terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, applicable sub-limits and excesses that apply, please read the  NAB Card Insurance Policy Information Booklet Effective 1 November 2023 (PDF, 489KB) , opens in new window .

What may be covered

Below is a limited summary only. For the full list of benefits and the terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, applicable sub-limits and excesses that apply, please read the  NAB Card Insurance Policy Information Booklet Effective 1 November 2023 (PDF, 489KB) , opens in new window .

Here are examples of what this insurance is designed to cover for eligible customers.

For people aged under 81 years

The below information is a limited summary only and are subject to applicable terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, sub-limits and excesses that may apply.

overseas emergency assistance and medical expenses

accidental death and loss of income

cancellation

travel delay and alternative transport expenses

luggage and luggage delay

rental vehicle excess

personal liability

Epidemic and pandemic cover

Below is a limited summary only and are subject to applicable terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, sub-limits and excesses that may apply.

COVID-19 cover may be available under selected sections of the international travel insurance section.

For more information about epidemics and pandemic coverage (such as COVID-19), please read the  NAB Card Insurance Policy Information Booklet effective 1 November 2023 (PDF, 489KB) , opens in new window .

If, during the period of cover available, you (including your spouse and/or dependants who are eligible for cover) are positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, such as COVID-19, cover may be available to you under the following sections:

1.1 Overseas Emergency Assistance (including Medical Evacuation and Repatriation)

1.2 Overseas Emergency Medical

2.1 Cancellation

3.1 Additional Expenses

If your travel companion is positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, such as COVID-19, which impacts your journey, cover may be available to you under the following sections: 

2.1 Cancellation 

Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply. Please read the  NAB Card Insurance Policy Information Booklet effective 1 November  2023 (PDF, 489KB) , opens in new window  including Part D – General Exclusions and the exclusions set out in each of the above sections.

What isn’t covered

Below is a limited summary only.

For the full list of benefits and the terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, applicable sub-limits and excesses that apply, please read the  NAB Card Insurance Policy Information Booklet effective 1 November 2023 (PDF, 489KB) , opens in new window .

Examples of what’s not covered include claims arising directly or indirectly because of:

• any pre-existing medical condition of any person including you, your travel companion or a relative unless Allianz Global Assistance has confirmed in writing to you that the pre-existing medical condition causing your claim is covered by the Group Policy. Before going overseas, you can apply for assessment of whether your pre-existing medical condition is covered by the group policy online or over the phone. If after assessment, Allianz Global Assistance confirm to you that your pre-existing medical condition is covered by the group policy, you will need to pay an administration fee of $75.
• childbirth at any gestation (except when arising from an injury or sickness) and pregnancy related sickness if you have had complications in your pregnancy before you became eligible for cover  
• your participation in any dangerous activities or your exposure of yourself to danger unless in an attempt to preserve your life or the life of another person

Other complimentary insurances

If you have an eligible NAB card, and make an eligible purchase, these complimentary insurances are also available.

Complimentary domestic travel insurance

Learn what you need to know about your domestic travel insurance.

Complimentary rental vehicle excess insurance in Australia

How to make a claim, check eligibility and understand your policy.

Complimentary extended warranty insurance

Learn about policy coverage, eligibility and the simple claims process for your extended warranty insurance.

Complimentary purchase protection insurance

What you need to know about your policy coverage, eligible purchases and claims.

How to make a claim

If you’re making a claim on your travel insurance, the easiest way to claim is by using the online claims portal. For claims relating to any other type of cover (including domestic travel insurance), please contact our team via email or phone.

For claims relating to international travel insurance only , you can submit an online claim.

Download the relevant form and email our insurance provider Allianz Global Assistance.

Call Allianz Global Assistance (AGA)  Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 7:00pm (AEST/ADST) .

Australia:  1800 187 025

Emergency assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Calls from mobiles, public telephones or hotel rooms may attract additional charges.

Australia:  1800 010 075

Overseas:  +61 7 3305 8800

Important Information

Terms and conditions.

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AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFSL 245631, trading as Allianz Global Assistance (AGA), under a binder from the insurer, Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL 234708 (Allianz), has issued an insurance group policy to National Australia Bank Limited ABN 12 004 044 937 AFSL and Australian credit licence 230686 (NAB) which allows eligible persons to claim under it as third-party beneficiaries. 

Access to the benefit of cover under the NAB card insurances is available to eligible NAB cardholders and other eligible third-party beneficiaries by operation of s48 of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth). Any advice on insurance is general advice only and not based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You must check whether or not it is appropriate, in light of your own circumstances, to act on this advice. The insurance is underwritten by Allianz. NAB is not the product issuer or insurer and neither it nor any of its related bodies corporate guarantee any of the benefits under this cover. If an eligible person wishes to claim any of these benefits, they will be bound by the eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits of the group policy set out in the  NAB Card Insurance Policy Information Booklet effective 1 November 2023 (PDF, 489KB) , opens in new window , which may be amended from time to time. For insurable events that occurred prior to 1 November 2023, please refer to the  NAB Card Insurance Policy Information Booklet dated 30 June 2022 (PDF, 604KB) , opens in new window .

For more information about the changes visit Information about changes to complimentary insurances .

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In this guide

• Our verdict

Product details

Eligibility, how to apply, card benefits.

• Rates & fees

Your reviews

Nab rewards signature.

Offers up to 160,000 bonus NAB Rewards Points and a discounted $145 annual fee in the first year, which goes to $295 after that.

• Up to 160,000 bonus NAB Rewards Points
• Discounted $145 first-year annual fee
• Offers between 1.25 and 3.75 NAB Rewards Points per $1 spent
• 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 12 months
• Need to keep the card for at least 12 months to get the full amount of bonus points
• $295 annual fee after the first year, which is higher than some other cards
• 3% international transaction fee
• Balance transfer offer has a 3% balance transfer fee

The NAB Rewards Signature has one of the biggest bonus points offers on the market and earns 1.25 NAB Rewards Points per $1 on most everyday spending. It also has higher rates of up to 2.5 points per $1 at major department and hardware stores (including Kmart, Target and Bunnings) and 3.75 points per $1 for overseas spending or travel bookings with Webjet. Rewards include gift cards, retail items and point transfers to Velocity Frequent Flyer, Asia Miles, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Air New Zealand Airpoints, Flybuys and Accor Live Limitless (ALL). It also offers perks similar to what you can get with other premium credit cards, including a concierge service and Visa Premium offers. Weighing the value of these features against the card's annual fee can help you decide if it's right for you.

Eligibility criteria

• New cardholder. To be eligible for the bonus points offer, you must be a new customer. This means you cannot hold or have held a NAB Rewards card in the previous 18 months.
• Australian residency status. You can apply if you're an Australian citizen or permanent resident. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident, you will need to have an acceptable visa. Many visas are acceptable but the following are not: Visitor Visa (exception, a Special Category Visa - NZ Citizen is acceptable), Working Holiday, Student, Exchange/gap year, Transit/short stay/seasonal, and Bridging.
• Income. NAB does not explicitly state a required minimum income, but it will be factored into your application along with the rest of your financial information. You may call the customer service team to discuss your specific personal circumstances.
• Age. You must be at least 18 years old to apply.
• Eligible balance transfer. If you elect to transfer a balance, you can transfer up to 90% of your credit limit from Australian-issued, non-NAB cards.

Required documents

• Personal details. Including your full name, date of birth, residential address, marital status and number of dependents. You'll also be asked to include proof of identification including your driver's licence number, passport or birth certificate.
• Income. You'll need to confirm your annual income and may be asked to provide some recent payslips or bank statements.
• Finances. As well as your income, you'll need to provide information regarding any expenses, assets or liabilities.
• Employment. You'll need to confirm your current place of employment and provide your employer's contact details.
• Balance transfer details. If you are planning to transfer a balance, you'll need to provide the details of that account(s), including the institution and account number.
• Bonus points offer. You'll get 120,000 bonus NAB Rewards Points when you spend $3,000 on everyday purchases within 60 days of opening the account. These points will be credited to your account within 3 months of meeting the spend. The other 40,000 bonus points will be credited in the 13th month, which means you need to keep your account open and pay the second-year annual fee. There's no specified expiry date for this offer, but NAB may vary or end it at any time.
• Discounted first-year annual fee. This card offers a reduced annual fee of $145 for the first year, which goes to $295 p.a. after that.
• Points per $1 spent. With this card, you earn 1.25 points per $1 spent on most everyday purchases, 2.5 points per $1 on purchases made at major department and hardware stores (including Myer, David Jones, Kmart, Target, Big W, Bunnings, Mitre 10, Home Timber and Hardware, Stratco and Total Tools) and 3.75 points per $1 for eligible spending with Webjet, when you're overseas or when you make overseas purchases online. Transactions that don't earn points include cash advances, interest charges and other bank fees, government transactions, balance transfers and gambling.
• NAB Rewards redemptions. You can redeem NAB Rewards Points for rewards including travel with Webjet, experiences, gift cards and retail items. You can also transfer your points to frequent flyer programs, with 3 NAB Reward Points equal to 1.5 Velocity Points, 1 KrisFlyer Mile, 1 Asia Mile or $0.015 Airpoints Dollars. NAB Rewards is also one of the few credit card rewards programs to offer point transfers to Flybuys with an equal transfer rate, and to the Accor Live Limitless (ALL) loyalty program with 3,000 NAB Rewards Points equal to 500 ALL Reward Points.
• Accor Live Limitless benefits. If you choose to auto-redeem your NAB Rewards points for ALL Reward Points with this card, you can get fast-tracked to ALL Gold status after an eligible 1-night stay each year, instead of the usual 30-night requirement. Gold status benefits include a welcome drink and late check-out. As a NAB Rewards member, you'll also get 10% of the flexible rate for selected room types at participating hotels for bookings made through the link on the NAB Rewards website.
• Balance transfer offer. The NAB Rewards Signature offers 0% p.a. for the first 12 months, with a one-time 3% balance transfer fee. At the end of the introductory period, any debt remaining from the transfer will attract the variable cash advance interest rate, currently 21.74% p.a., and you must still make minimum repayments.
• Mobile wallets. You can link your NAB credit card with Samsung Pay , Apple Pay , Google Pay , Fitbit Pay or Garmin Pay to make contactless payments using your eligible device at the checkout.

Rates & fees

• Annual fee. Outside of any promotions, this card charges an annual fee of $295 p.a.
• Purchase rate. The purchase rate on this card is 20.99% p.a. If you regularly pay less than the total shown on each statement, you may want to consider a low rate credit card that charges 15% p.a. or less.
• Interest-free days. This card offers up to 44 days interest-free on purchases when you pay your total balance by the due date on your statement. If your statement shows an "interest free days payment" that's different to the total balance, you'll also get interest-free days on purchases if you pay that amount by the statement due date.
• Cash advances. This card has a 21.74% p.a. variable cash advance interest rate when you use it to withdraw cash from an ATM or make other cash advance transactions. Cash advances also attract a fee worth 3% or $3, whichever is greater.
• International transaction fee. A fee of 3% applies for transactions you make overseas or online with a business that's based overseas.
• Minimum credit limit. You can apply for a minimum credit limit of $15,000.
• NAB Rewards Signature Credit Card TMD

Amy Bradney-George

Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald. See full profile

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Home > Travel Insurance > NAB Travel Insurance Review

NAB Travel Insurance Review

Learn more about NAB' s travel insurance policies to find out about their coverage and fees and compare them with other insurers today.  

Fact checked

The National Australia Bank (NAB) is one of the country’s ‘big four’ financial institutions and among the 25 largest banks in the world. Aside from providing business and consumer banking, though, NAB offers a range of insurance products, including travel insurance policies.

If you’re in the market for a travel insurance policy and want to see how NAB’s products stack up against the competition, comparing with Savvy can help you out. By doing your homework with us, you can see who offers the most generous claim limits and the most benefits at the best price.

Grab a quote and find out more about NAB’s travel insurance policies by comparing with Savvy today.

*Please note that Savvy does not represent NAB for its travel insurance products.

More about NAB travel insurance

What travel insurance policies does nab offer.

Travel insurance is only accessible if you’re a cardholder with NAB, as they ceased offering standalone policies in March 2020. If you have a NAB Signature, Platinum or Premium debit or credit card, you can be automatically covered for the following:

• International Travel Insurance: if you’re a NAB cardholder who spends more than $500 on prepaid travel costs, you can get complimentary international travel insurance coverage. This policy covers you for overseas medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, expenses while in hospital, cancellation or travel delays and the loss or damage of your luggage. You mustn’t be over 91 years old to take out a policy. However, if you’re over 75, your benefits will be limited.
• Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance: NAB provides you with free domestic travel insurance coverage if you pay for the entire cost of your interstate trip on your credit card. This coverage includes cancellation, flight delays, luggage and funeral expenses if you die on your holiday.
• Transit Accident Insurance: this unique travel insurance policy covers you in the event you suffer an injury or die while travelling to your destination. This type of domestic travel insurance policy covers you or your partner for loss of life, limbs or eyesight up to a specific claim limit. For example, NAB will pay out $750,000 if you die on your holiday or $250,000 if you lose both hands.
• Vehicle Excess in Australia Insurance: this NAB policy covers you if a rental car company makes an excess payable if your hire car is damaged or stolen. The maximum amount you can claim per event is $5,000.

Whether you’re taking a trip to Norfolk Island or the USA, it’s always a good idea to shop around before snapping up a travel insurance policy. Comparing with Savvy ensures you get the best chance at finding the cover most suited to your holiday.

What optional extras are available through NAB?

NAB does not offer any additional coverage, in contrast to other travel insurance providers. Some of the extras offered by most other travel insurers include adventure sports and snow sports coverage.

What exclusions should I be aware of when buying travel insurance through NAB?

General exclusions are part and parcel of any travel insurance policy with no company willing to cover you for absolutely anything or everything that can happen while you’re abroad or overseas. As such, NAB has a slew of exclusions including:

• Acting irresponsibly
• Unapproved pre-existing medical conditions
• Items stolen while left in a car or tent
• Personal items, such as a mobile phone , packed into your check-in luggage
• Intentionally injuring yourself or attempting suicide
• Knowingly travelling to a country with a ‘do not travel’ warning
• Illegal or criminal acts

If you’ve found a policy that draws your eye, make sure you review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before you set your decision in stone.

What we think of NAB travel insurance

What we like, instant travel insurance coverage.

One of the beauties of complimentary travel insurance is that you can be covered instantly as soon as you make a purchase towards your holiday, saving you the hassle of looking at different options.

24/7 support

NAB promises travellers support over the phone or online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This extends to if you need to make a claim.

Generous claim limits

By taking out NAB’s international policy, you get covered for an unlimited amount of hospital, cancellation and additional emergency costs, which can be capped by other insurers.

What we don't like

Only available to credit card customers.

Only people who have Platinum, Premium or Signature credit cards are eligible for coverage for travel with NAB, as they don’t provide any independent travel insurance products.

No optional extras

NAB doesn’t include any add-ons or optional extras as part of its policies, which is a rare move for a travel insurance provider.

Limited coverage for seniors

While you can technically take out a policy up until you’re 91 years old, senior travellers won’t be covered for overseas medical costs or emergency expenses if you’re over the age of 76.

Types of travel insurance

International.

International travel insurance can offer cover for a range of events, including medical expenses, lost luggage or items, cancellation fees and more when you're overseas and a long way from home.

If you're journeying within Australia, domestic policies are designed to offer many of the same protections as international travel insurance (with the exception of medical expenses).

Single trip

The most standard and common type of travel insurance, this policy can cover you for one trip starting and ending in Australia (and is available for both international and domestic travel).

Annual multi-trip

As the name suggests, this type of travel insurance covers multiple trips over a 12-month period. Depending on your insurer, you may be able to take an unlimited number of trips up to 90 days each.

You don't have to have a return ticket booked to take out cover while you're overseas. One-way travel insurance enables you to access cover without a set end date, such as if you're moving temporarily.

You may need to take out specialist coverage if you're setting sail on a cruise. Fortunately, cruise insurance can cover emergency evacuation, cabin confinement and more.

Just because you're older doesn't mean travel insurance isn't still important. If you qualify for cover, seniors' travel insurance can offer greater peace of mind for included events while you're travelling.

Adding winter sports or ski cover to your policy can add protection against damage to your equipment, piste closure due to bad weather and activities such as back-country skiing, heliskiing and more.

Adventure sports

Looking to enjoy some adventure sports on holiday? An adventure sports pack can grant you cover for a range of activities, such as hiking, scuba diving and motorcycle or scooter riding.

Jetsetting with the whole clan in tow? Some insurers offer family travel insurance, which enables you to include yourself, your partner and your dependent children under one policy to help you save.

If you're travelling interstate or overseas with your partner (or simply another friend or family member), you may be able to access a discount by taking out a joint or duo travel insurance policy.

Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?

Reputable insurance partners, fast and convenient online process.

You can complete the quote, comparison and purchase process online through Savvy quickly and easily.

Competitive quote costs

Regardless of the type of insurance you’re looking for, we can help you compare between competitive quotes.

Frequently asked questions about NAB travel insurance

Yes – if you test positive for COVID-19, NAB can accept claims for overseas emergency assistance or medical treatment, cancellations, additional expenses and repatriation or evacuation. You or your spouse will need to have tested positive for you to make a claim on your policy.

You can either submit a claim online or over the phone with NAB. If you’re lodging a claim over the internet, you’ll need to use NAB’s claim manager portal. This is where you’ll provide details of the incident you’re claiming for and upload any supporting documents. Alternatively, you can call Allianz, who underwrites NAB’s travel insurance, and make the claim over the phone. You should allow for about ten days for your claim to be processed.

There’s no one average cost of travel insurance to follow, with the price of premiums determined by a unique set of variables including:

• Destination (for example, travel to the USA can be more expensive than travel to Italy due to the lack of universal health cover)
• Level of coverage you buy
• Any optional extras you need
• Pre-existing medical conditions you need to disclose
• Excess you choose
• Type of insurer and insurance policy you buy

Yes – NAB will provide coverage for travellers up to the 26th week of their pregnancy if they get sick or hurt while travelling and give birth. However, no coverage is offered if you’ve already experienced difficulties as a result of your pregnancy or have used IVF to try to conceive.

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Best Domestic Travel Insurance

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Benefits of Travel Insurance

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Average Cost of Travel Insurance

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Explore your travel insurance options for your next destination

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Disclaimer: We do not compare all travel insurance brands currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and does not consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

Savvy earns a commission from our partners each time a customer buys a travel insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via their websites.

Before purchasing your policy, we recommend you refer to the provider’s PDS for any further information on the terms, inclusions and exclusions.

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10 Credit Cards That Provide Travel Insurance

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Travel insurance helps you get your money back when things go wrong with your trip. And it remains a debate: Do you really need it, and is it worth it?

Personally, I’ve often skipped travel insurance, preferring to put the extra money toward my trip. Yet as I pulled into the airport after a winter ski trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in my SUV rental, a snowplow kicked up a rock and a crack extended across the windshield. And just like that, I got in the dreaded rental car accident .

Thankfully, I had rented my car with my Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card , which covered rental car windshield reimbursement. Note that I had also specifically opted out of the car rental's insurance coverage offered at the counter, which is a requirement in order to allow my credit card coverage to kick in. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

A number of credit cards provide various types of travel insurance (including trip cancellation, trip interruption and car rental loss and damage insurance) when you use your card to pay for flights, rental cars and other travel expenses. So do you need additional travel insurance? Maybe not.

What does your travel insurance cover?

First, let’s look at the different types of coverage that your credit card may offer to help protect your trip, from your bags to your rental car to your health.

Baggage delay . If your luggage doesn’t arrive when you do, you may receive a reimbursement to offset the costs of having to purchase new attire and other items you may need. The length of delay required and the coverage offered varies by card.

Lost/damaged baggage . If your bags are lost or damaged by a carrier, or items have been stolen from your baggage, your provider may provide monetary compensation.

Trip delay . If your trip on a common carrier is delayed, you may receive monetary compensation to help cover meals, hotels, transportation and necessary purchases up to a certain amount per ticket.

Trip cancellation . If you need to cancel a prepaid, nonrefundable trip, you may receive compensation to offset the lost funds. This benefit generally applies to cancellations for covered reasons, which vary by card.

Trip interruption . If you miss a portion of your trip due to a covered reason, this benefit will reimburse you for any unused, prepaid, nonrefundable reservations (i.e., excursions, hotel nights).

Medical treatment . If you are hurt while traveling and require medical treatment, medical expenses may be covered up to a certain dollar amount.

Medical evacuation . If your illness or injury requires you to return home immediately for care, the insurance coverage through your card may cover the costs.

Travel accident insurance. In the case of accidental death or dismemberment, your credit card may provide coverage to you or to your beneficiary

Rental car insurance. This coverage provides protection to your rental car against theft and damage. Coverage may be primary or secondary to your personal auto insurance, depending on the card.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Popular credit cards with travel insurance

Some of the best travel rewards cards include various forms of travel insurance. These are a few of our favorite cards that offer certain types of coverage. If you have a different travel rewards card, it’s a good idea to check the benefits of your card before assuming that it either does or doesn’t have any of the coverage listed here.

1. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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.

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

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

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

Travel accident: Up to $1,000,000.

Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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

Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

3. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Lost luggage: Up to $2,000 for checked bag and up to $3,000 for checked and carry-on bag. New York state residents get $2,000 per bag, up to a maximum of $10,000 for all covered persons per trip.

Travel accident insurance. Up to $500,000.

Trip delay insurance: Up to $500 per trip. Maximum benefit of $1,000 per 12-month period.

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.

4. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing for delays of over six hours.

Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger for checked or carry on luggage.

Damaged luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger for checked or carry on luggage.

5. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

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

Travel accident insurance: Up to $250,000 to $500,000 (Visa Platinum and Visa Signature, respectively).

Rental car insurance: Up to actual cash value of vehicle.

Travel and emergency assistance services: Assistance and referral via the Benefit Administrator, cardholder is responsible for all costs.

6. United℠ Explorer Card

Trip cancellation: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.

Trip interruption: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.

Rental car insurance: Covers damage or theft with restrictions.

7. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Lost carry on luggage: Up to $1,250 per person for carry on baggage while in direct transit to or from a common carrier terminal, while traveling on a common carrier or while at a common carrier terminal.

Lost checked luggage: Up to $500 per person while traveling on a common carrier.

Rental car insurance: Up to $50,000.

Terms apply.

8. The Platinum Card® from American Express

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

9. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger. For New York state residents, coverage is limited to $2,000 per bag.

Travel accident insurance: Up to $250,000.

Rental car insurance: Covers damage or theft with restrictions. Eligible rental periods are limited to 15 consecutive days in the cardholders home country or 32 consecutive days outside it.

10. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Baggage delay: Up to $100 per carrier for three days.

Do I need additional travel insurance?

Even with the coverage listed above, some credit cards offering travel insurance benefits may not provide enough insurance for your needs. For example, if you have paid $10,000 for a vacation using your card and trip cancellation is not offered, you may want to purchase additional coverage. Likewise, if you book a very expensive trip but your card only covers $10,000 in trip cancellation coverage, you may want to consider additional coverage.

American Express offers full travel insurance options through AmEx Assurance . This specific benefit is available to all travelers and does not require an American Express card. You can pick and choose the coverage you want, and a quote will be processed based on your age, trip expense and days traveling.

For example, here's what we found when requesting insurance for a two-day trip that costs $1,000. You can decide what coverage you'd like and see the full cost of your options:

The quote we received covered 100% reimbursement for cancellation, then offered different levels for other types of coverage.

Medical protection was available for $25,000 to $100,000.

Travel accident protection was available for $250,000 to $1,500,000.

Baggage protection was available for up to $500 to $2,500.

Trip delay coverage was offered for $150 to $1,000 per day, depending on selecting basic, silver, gold or premium options.

When renting a car, be sure to check the specific requirements of your credit card, which may vary by location and type of vehicle.

So do you need travel insurance? A good rule of thumb is if the amount you could lose is more than you want to lose (or can afford to lose) if something goes wrong, get the insurance. For a list of travel insurance companies that provide online quotes, read more about how to find the best travel insurance .

» Learn more: Does trip insurance cover award flights?

Cards with travel insurance, recapped

If you are concerned about an upcoming trip and want to be fully protected, combine your travel credit card insurance with a build-your-own plan to cover what your credit card does not.

How to maximize your rewards

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

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

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

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

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

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

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.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 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.

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

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.

Credit Cards With Travel Insurance

• Compare 80 credit cards that come with complimentary travel insurance.
• See how our Editor compared credit card travel insurance to standalone cover for an upcoming trip.

Compare credit cards with international travel insurance

This table shows credit cards in australia that offer complimentary travel insurance to cardholders. the table is sorted by lowest annual fee then by lowest purchase rate..

Info correct as at 4 February 2024. Check with the provider for full card details, including fees, limits, terms and conditions – plus insurance inclusions, exclusions, limits and other conditions – to make sure it's right for you. While this is an extensive list of the credit cards available with overseas travel insurance included, we can't guarantee that all cards available in the market are shown.*After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent. For Card Members who applied for the Card between 1 July 2023 – 9 January 2024, this change will come into effect from 10 July 2024.

In our credit cards with travel insurance guide:

How to choose the best credit card with travel insurance included

Credit card travel insurance Vs a standalone policy

How to trigger your credit card travel insurance

Other questions people ask about credit card travel insurance, what cover do you get with credit card travel insurance, is credit card travel insurance worth it, what to check before relying on credit card travel insurance.

Complimentary travel insurance is one of the most common perks offered with credit cards, particularly the more premium rewards credit cards .

But it’s rarely the only reason for choosing to apply for a credit card . Here's what to consider if you're looking for a suitable credit card overall:

• Travel insurance inclusions: Assess the policy's suitability for you. The Australian government's Smartraveller travel insurance guide says you should consider your travel habits (destination, trip duration, activities and trip cost), plus your age, health and what valuables you'll be travelling with.
• Interest rate: If you will ever carry a balance on the credit card beyond the interest-free period, opting for a low rate credit card will save you money.
• Interest free days: The higher the number of days you get interest-free on your credit card, the less likely it is you’ll need to pay interest on your purchases. 55 days is usually the maximum but there are cards out there offering up to 110 interest free days.
• Annual fee: This is often the biggest cost of having a credit card. Ideally aim for a low fee (e.g. under $100) or better yet, no fee at all.
• International fees: If you will be using it while you’re travelling (or paying for overseas purchases while at home), opting for one of the credit cards with no international fees could save you money.
• Rewards: If rewards are important to you, look at both the number of points you’ll earn per $1 spend as well as any sign up bonuses. If it's a cashback credit card , look at the percentage of spending you get back. And make sure you will actually use the points (many people don't!). Some cards offer other rewards perks, including some cards that come with airport lounge access .

The travel insurance that’s included with some credit cards covers most of the same risks as the standalone travel insurance available directly from insurance companies.

The main difference with credit card travel insurance is the cover is standardised for all cardholders. With some limited exceptions, you're not able to tailor the cover to your specific trip or needs, like you can with most standalone policies.

Each credit card’s travel insurance inclusions will be different (the same is true of standalone policies) but there are four main types of travel cover that may be included:

• Overseas travel insurance: Covers a range of risks related to an overseas trip, including medical costs, travel cancellations and loss/damage of luggage.
• Interstate flight inconvenience cover: Covers domestic travel for risks like cancellation, delay and loss of luggage. Around 94% of cards offering international travel insurance also offer this kind of domestic cover, Money.com.au’s analysis shows.
• Transit accident insurance: Pays a benefit if someone covered by the policy is killed or injured in an accident while travelling. This may cover international trips, domestic or both.
• Rental vehicle excess cover: Covers the policyholder for part or all of the costs they otherwise would need to pay if a car they are renting is damaged. This could apply to cars hired in Australia, internationally or both depending on the policy.

Credit card travel insurance explained in more detail

Who is covered by credit card travel insurance.

Credit card travel insurance generally covers the cardholder(s), plus their spouse(s) and any dependents travelling with them.

To be eligible, you generally also need to be living in Australia and making a return trip. An upper age limit typically applies too. This tends to be around 80 years of age on policies analysed by Money.com.au. NAB is one provider that extends a level of cover – excluding medical – to eligible travellers aged under 91 years.

Make sure to double check the eligibility criteria for who is covered as it can vary from card to card.

Remember too that you are not automatically covered by your credit card’s travel insurance. You generally need to ‘activate’ the cover. This usually means you need to pay for all or part of the trip using the credit card offering the cover. More on that to come.

What is covered by credit card overseas travel insurance?

Credit cards with travel insurance tend to cover a wide range of risks and events. But what you’re covered for will vary from provider to provider. It can also differ from one card to another among cards from the same provider.

As a rule of thumb, the more premium the credit card, the more comprehensive the travel insurance it offers is likely to be . But check the insurance documents and list of benefits available to be sure.

Here are some of the risks that credit card travel insurance may cover. Cover provided is usually up to a certain dollar amount per type of cover for each trip, but for some risks, cover may be unlimited.

• Trip cancellation/amendment: Will cover pre-paid costs if you need to cancel or change your travel plans for certain reasons (e.g. you become sick).
• Personal accident cover: Makes a payout if you die or are injured in an accident while travelling.
• Card account balance waiver cover: Pays off your credit card balance if you have an accident.
• Travel inconvenience cover: Covers your costs if your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, or you miss a connecting flight.
• Medical emergency cover: Covers your costs if you experience a medical/dental emergency while travelling or need to be flown back to Australia due to a medical emergency.
• Emergency travel and accommodation cover: Covers the cost of additional transport and/or accommodation required if you are incapacitated. E.g. with some policies, the cost of flying your dependents home may be covered if you are hospitalised.
• Resumption of trip cover: Pays for the cost of resuming your international trip if it is unexpectedly interrupted because a close relative dies or becomes seriously ill.
• Cover for luggage and travel documents: Covers the cost of your luggage and travel documents if they are lost, damaged or stolen. Usually there is a limit on how much you can claim back per item and in total.
• Personal liability cover: Covers your costs if you accidentally injure someone or their property.
• Loss of income cover: Covers you for lost income if you are injured or suffer an illness while travelling. The loss of income generally needs to be above a certain limit (e.g. 30 days or more).
• Kidnap/hijack cover: Enables your close relatives to travel to the place where you have been kidnapped or where the hijacking has happened.
• Domestic pet boarding cost cover: Covers additional costs you incur for boarding your dog(s) or cat(s) if your return home is unexpectedly delayed.

How long are you covered for?

Your credit card’s travel insurance terms and conditions will specify how long you will be covered for. It's often either three or six consecutive months from when you begin your travel.

This is different to how a standalone travel insurance works. With standalone cover, you tell the insurer your travel dates and the cover applies to those dates if you’re approved. You can also get annual cover.

If you are undertaking a long trip, bear in mind that credit card travel insurance may not cover its full duration.

What’s excluded with credit card travel insurance?

With credit card travel insurance, there are two types of exclusions to watch out for: those that apply to specific named events or risks and general exclusions that apply across the policy. Here’s an overview of each.

General exclusions

These are exclusions that apply across any kind of risk, and include:

• Travelling against medical advice or after you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
• Travel for the purpose of getting medical treatment may also be excluded.
• Claims relating to excluded pre-existing medical conditions.
• Claims relating to you losing your income or employment.
• Intentional self-harm or suicide. Claims relating to your use of alcohol or drugs.
• Many pregnancy-related claims.
• Participating in dangerous activities (e.g. travelling in an unlicensed air plane or other form air travel, or scuba diving unless you are properly qualified and certified) Illegal activity by you, your spouse or dependents under your supervision.
• Travel costs lost because you or your spouse failed to obtain a visa/passport for travel.
• Claims relating to acts of war.
• Claims that were caused by you not taking reasonable care.
• Interference with your travel plans by any government or local authority.
• Travelling against a government warning (e.g. ‘do not travel’ or ‘reconsider your need to travel’ warning)

Risk-level exclusions

These are more specific and relate to particular types of risks listed in a credit card’s travel insurance policy documents.

As an example, many policies cover your costs if you need to cancel your trip for unforeseen reasons. But depending on the policy, you might not be covered if:

• Before you booked the trip, you were aware your plans might need to change for that reason.
• Your travel partner changed their plans.
• The company you booked your travel with has a financial collapse.
• The cancellation is caused by an act of terrorism.

Comparing credit card travel insurance to a standalone policy

I recently compared travel insurance options for a two-week family trip to the United States. I was surprised to see that the cover I get through my credit card (inclusions and claim limits) is very similar to the standalone policies I looked at – only much cheaper.

My credit card (Westpac Altitude – Qantas) has an annual cost of $250. Each standalone policy I looked at would have cost considerably more than that.

My credit card also earns me around 25,000 Qantas points per year on average (I’m not a massive credit card spender). That’s worth about $100 if converted to a gift card with most retailers. The table below shows a summary of how I compared the options.

Sean Callery , Editor of Money.com.au

Costs, inclusions and limits are examples based on this specific scenario only. Actual policy costs will be different based on the provider you choose, your specific travel plans and circumstances.

The travel insurance that comes included with credit cards tends to compare well to standalone travel insurance based on cost. It’s included in your card’s annual fee after all, so there is no additional cost.

The main trade-off is flexibility. Credit card travel insurance falls under what’s known as a 'group policy'. This kind of cover applies in the same way for all policyholders. On other words, there is very little scope to tailor the cover if the standard inclusions don’t suit you.

In my case (outlined above), the generic cover was fine, but that won’t be true of all trips and travellers.

Pros and cons of credit card travel insurance

Pros of credit card travel insurance.

• No additional cost beyond the cost of your credit card (the annual fee is the main fee, but there are credit cards with no annual fee that offer complimentary insurance).
• The standard inclusions, exclusions, limits and other policy conditions are typically similar to what you can get with a basic standalone policy.
• Having your travel insurance included means there one less thing to do when booking your trip.
• Your card may offer other travel perks – e.g. frequent flyer points and in some cases no international transaction fees .

Cons of credit card travel insurance

• Nearly all credit cards offering travel insurance have an annual fee. The average among cards analysed by Money.com.au is $244, but can be as high as $1,450.
• The cover is usually generic for all cardholders. For more complex situations where a higher level of cover is required, the cover included may not be suitable. Some card providers (e.g. Commbank ) allow you to upgrade your cover for an extra fee.
• The cover usually does not apply automatically. You need to ‘activate’ it. In many cases, that means using your card to book the trip.

Our expert’s view on credit card travel insurance

Many people don't trust card-based travel insurance, but I don't really understand why. Maybe I'm the only person who actually reads product disclosure statements, but when you look into what’s behind these insurance policies, they are issued by the big insurance companies and the inclusions are usually very generous. Just don’t assume it’s going to be right for everyone. Look into the detail and check if it's what you need.

Brad Kelly , Money.com.au's credit card expert

The travel insurance that may come with your credit card usually needs to be activated before you’re eligible to be covered.

If you haven’t activated it, chances are you won’t be covered and any claim you make may be denied.

Money.com.au looked at the rules for dozens of credit card insurance policies and, broadly speaking, to activate your cover you need to do one or both of the following:

• Pay for all or part of your eligible trip using the credit card. Paying for the trip in full using credit card points may not count as a way of activating the insurance, depending on the provider.
• Opt in to activate the cover.

Here are the rules for activating your travel insurance with eligible credit cards with Australia’s major credit card providers.

Activating travel insurance with the major providers

American express.

For return international trips, you must pay the full amount of your outbound ticket for a scheduled flight or cruise leaving Australia using a current American Express credit card account and/or corresponding American Express Membership Rewards/frequent flyer points or travel benefit.

Before leaving Australia you must spend at least $250 on your prepaid travel costs and charge these costs to the account holder’s card account.

Overseas medical and liability cover applies automatically. But for other aspects of overseas travel cover, you must activate the policy online (no fee or minimum spend applies) before you leave Australia. If you activate the cover after you leave Australia, a three-day no-cover period will apply.

You must charge at least $500 of your prepaid travel costs to the account holder’s card account. NAB is also the issuer of Qantas credit cards (ones sold directly by the airline), as well as Citi and BOQ credit cards.

Before leaving Australia you must spend at least $500 on prepaid travel costs and charge these costs (e.g. cost of your return overseas travel ticket or accommodation) to the account holder's card account

Are you eligible to be covered?

Based on your age and other factors.

Is your trip eligible?

It usually needs to be a return trip starting in Australia.

Will your travel companions be covered?

Usually only the cardholder's spouse and dependents are eligible. A friend you're travelling typically won't be.

Is the cover duration long enough?

The max is usually 3/6 consecutive months.

Will any pre-existing conditions be covered?

Some policies will still cover specific pre-existing conditions but many conditions will be excluded (check theT&Cs).

Have you activated the policy?

If not, you won't be covered. Check the requirements carefully.

Will any risky activities be covered?

Many policies exclude 'extreme' activities.

Is the policy generally suitable?

Based on your situation and the kind of trip you’re undertaking.

How do you make a claim on your credit card’s travel insurance?

You’ll need to make the claim to the travel insurance provider (not the card issuer) but there is usually a link to the claims portal on the card provider’s website. You can typically claim online or over the phone by providing details about the incident and supplying any supporting evidence and cost receipts.

What other insurance can I get with a credit card?

Travel insurance is just one of the types of cover available with some credit cards in Australia. You may also get:

• Purchase protection cover: Covers eligible purchases if the item you bought is lost, damaged or stolen.
• Price protection cover: Covers you for the price difference if the item you purchased drops in price within a specified period after you bought it.
• Refund protection: Reimburses the cardholder for the cost of eligible items if the retailer will not provide a refund.
• Extended warranty insurance: Extends the manufacturer’s standard warranty on eligible items purchased using the card.
• Smartphone screen cover: Like purchase protection cover, but specifically designed to cover the cost of repairing a smartphone screen that’s been damaged.

Are pre-existing conditions covered by credit card travel insurance?

Many credit card travel insurance policies exclude claims relating to pre-existing medical conditions. However, there are some situations where a pre-existing may be covered:

• The condition type is specifically listed as being included for cover in the policy terms and conditions; or
• You have applied to the insurer to have a condition covered by your policy and they have confirmed in writing that it will be.

Is credit card travel insurance enough?

This comes down to the type of trip you’re undertaking and your personal situation (e.g. your health). The travel insurance that comes with a credit card is usually a standardised policy designed to apply to the large numbers of people with that credit card.

For that reason, the insurance covers common risks and situations but it’s not going to be a perfect fit for everyone.

It’s worth closely checking what is and isn’t covered and what limits apply if you need to make a claim, particularly if you are going on a non-standard trip or have complicated health needs. In some cases, the travel insurance your credit card offers may not be enough.

Sean Callery

Reviewed by.

Credit Cards Expert

As featured in.

Credit Cards with Free Travel Insurance

One of the most popular extras offered on credit cards these days is complimentary travel insurance, which can cover everything from emergency medical expenses to car rental excess to flight delays.

Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard

No annual fee ever plus no foreign transaction fees on online and overseas purchases. Enjoy 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 28 months with 3% balance transfer fee. Complimentary insurances and platinum benefits.

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$1 earn rate  

Bonus points

Your points • 30 days is indicative of 1 month • Point caps are reset every statement period, which we have also assumed to be 1 month • There is a fixed monthly spend for 365 day. • Your monthly spend is multiplied by the earn rate for that 12 months. • You’ll be getting the highest earn rate for spending (if the card has tiered earn rates). • Points capping is factored in, if applicable, as is any sign-up bonus. Bear in mind though, terms and conditions always apply to points earning and sign-up bonus points.">

No annual fee for life

For a limited time, enjoy 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 28 months (a 3% balance transfer fee applies). No foreign transaction fees on online and overseas purchases. Complimentary overseas travel insurance and other platinum benefits. Other fees, T&Cs apply.

Pay no annual fee ever and for a limited time, enjoy 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 28 months (a 3% balance transfer fee applies). No foreign transaction fees on online and overseas purchases. Complimentary overseas travel insurance and other platinum benefits. Other fees, T&Cs apply.

Earn rate per $1

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Qantas Premier Platinum Credit Card

Limited time super-sized Qantas Points

Earn 60k when you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months, plus 20k when you haven’t earned Qantas Points with a credit card in the last 12 months. 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 12 months. Save 20% on flights for you and 8 friends. Complimentary travel insurance.

Up to 80,000 bonus Qantas Points

Earn 60,000 when you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months, plus 20,000 when you haven’t earned Qantas Points with a credit card in the last 12 months. 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 12 months. Discounted annual fee for the first year.

ANZ Rewards Black Credit Card

180,000 extra anz reward points + $150 back.

Rare platinum features + flexibility: Get 180,000 extra ANZ Reward Points (redeemable for $720 ANZ Cashback or $800 digital gift card) plus $150 back to your new card when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from approval (T&Cs apply). Redeem points for flights, merch and more. Save on travel with complimentary international travel insurance and rental vehicle excess in Australia.

Enjoy 180,000 extra ANZ Reward Points (redeemable for $720 ANZ Cashback or $800 digital gift card) plus $150 back to your new card when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from approval. T&Cs apply. Complimentary international travel insurance.

American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card

170,000 bonus qantas points.

Spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of card approval. Get up to $100 credit (maximum of two credits at a total of $200 each year) when you spend with Dell Technologies. No fee for Employee Cards (up to 99).

Earn 170,000 bonus Qantas Points in the first 3 months, minimum spend applies. Get up to $100 credit (maximum of two credits at a total of $200 each year) when you spend with Dell Technologies. No fee for Employee Cards (up to 99).

American Express Velocity Platinum Credit Card

Receive 100,000 bonus velocity points.

Spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. Earn 1.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases. Complimentary annual domestic flight, lounge passes, 100 Velocity Frequent Flyer Status Credits.

when you apply online, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. Earn 1.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases. Complimentary annual domestic flight, lounge passes, 100 Velocity Frequent Flyer Status Credits.

• ANZ Platinum Credit Card

$300 back + free travel insurance

Enjoy $300 back when you make $1,500 of eligible purchases within 3 months of approval. Includes travel insurance and rental vehicle excess cover. No annual fee each following year if you meet the minimum annual spend requirement.

Qantas American Express Ultimate Credit Card

60,000 bonus qantas points.

Spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. $450 Qantas Travel Credit to use on eligible domestic or international Qantas flights each year. Two complimentary The Centurion® Lounge entries each year plus travel insurance covers. T&Cs apply.

When you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. $450 Annual Qantas Travel Credit. Two complimentary The Centurion® Lounge entries each year plus travel insurance covers. Add 4 additional cardholders for free.

American Express Velocity Business Charge Card

200,000 bonus Velocity Points + Travel Insurance

Spend $5,000 within the first 2 months of your approval date. Receive complimentary international and domestic travel insurance. T&Cs apply. 2 single entry passes to the Virgin Australia lounges per year. No pre-set spending limit.

200,000 bonus Velocity Points + Complimentary 12-month Velocity Frequent Flyer Gold Membership

Qantas american express premium credit card, 20,000 bonus qantas points.

Min. spend applies. Earn 1 Qantas Points for every $1 spent on everyday purchases and 2 Qantas Club lounge passes per year, domestic & overseas Travel Insurance.

Min. spend applies. Earn 1 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases. 2 Qantas Club lounge passes per year, domestic & overseas Travel Insurance covers.

American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card

$0 annual card fee first year.

Pay $0 Annual Card Fee in the first year. $200 Travel Credit every year. Earn up to 3 Rewards points per $1 spent. Transfer points to a choice of 11 airline partner programs. Complimentary Travel Insurance and more.

American Express Explorer Credit Card

50,000 bonus membership rewards points.

Min. spend applies. $400 Travel Credit every year. Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on purchases. Up to $500 Smartphone Screen Cover

50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points, minimum spend applies. $400 Travel Credit every year. Up to $500 Smartphone Screen Cover. Earn up to 2 points for every $1 spent

American Express Platinum Business Card

350,000 membership rewards bonus points.

Min. spend applies. Up to 55 cash flow days. Transfer points to 12 Airline programs including Qantas. Complimentary domestic and international Travel Insurance. Up to 99 Employee Card Members at no cost.

Minimum spend applies. Up to 55 cash flow days. Transfer points to 12 Airline programs including Qantas. Complimentary domestic and international Travel Insurance. Up to 99 Employee Card Members at no cost.

Westpac Altitude Black Credit Card

Up to 150,000 bonus Altitude points

Min spend and offer T&Cs apply. Reduced annual fee in the first year. Complimentary insurance covers plus, 2 lounge passes each year with Priority Pass.

Up to 150,000 bonus Altitude points - get 100k points when you spend $6,000 within the first 120 days in year 1 plus 50k points after first eligible purchase in year 2. Complimentary overseas travel insurance. T&Cs apply.

• American Express Platinum Charge Card

150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points

Minimum spend applies. New American Express Card Members only. Enjoy $450 Platinum Travel Credit each year. Access to over 1,400 airport lounges.

Receive 150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points, minimum spend applies. New American Express Card Members only. Enjoy $450 Platinum Travel Credit each year. Access to over 1,400 airport lounges.

Qantas Premier Everyday Credit Card

Up to 8,000 bonus qantas points.

Big rewards for a tiny annual fee: earn up to 8000 bonus points in the first 4 months plus up to 1 point per $1 on your regular spending (up to $3000 per statement period). Earn 1 bonus point for Qantas products and services. Complimentary overseas travel insurance with rental vehicle excess cover and 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 12 months with 2% BT fee.

Earn 2 bonus Qantas Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases within 4 months of card approval, up to 8,000 bonus Qantas Points. 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 12 months, 2% BT fee applies. Low $99 annual fee.

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What is complimentary credit card insurance?

Credit card travel insurance is an added feature on many premium and rewards credit cards. It offers free travel cover overseas or domestically (or both), which helps you save money when you travel.

Credit card travel insurance covers the cardholder and often additional cardholders, spouses and dependents as well. You'll usually need to pay for your travel on the card to activate the insurance, so it's important to read the PDS to make sure you're covered for your trip.

Let's look at how credit card travel insurance works.

Is credit card insurance really ‘complimentary’?

Technically, yes, the insurance is free. However, these kinds of extras are usually found on credit cards with higher annual fees or higher interest rates.

You might also need to spend a certain amount on your travel for the insurance to activate. For instance, it's typical to need to spend at least $500 on your card on flights, car hire or accommodation.

If you meet all the eligibility criteria, travel insurance is a great perk that can save you money every time you travel.

Should you choose a credit card simply for the insurance offered?

If you're a frequent traveller then complimentary travel insurance can help offset costs on your trips. Since travel insurance is usually found on cards with other travel extras, it could be a good 'package deal' that saves money on insurances, foreign fees, and gives flight discounts or earns rewards points.

It's important to read the terms if you know you're going to be using the complimentary insurance. Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for age (most insurances don't cover you if you're over 80 years old) and that it covers any family members who travel with you.

Pros and Cons

• You may be able to save money, especially if you are a frequent traveller.
• The cover offered may be similar to standalone cover.
• You can save time comparing standalone cover for each trip you take.
• The policy may cover your family if they are travelling with you (as long as you activate the policy correctly).
• You may be able to enjoy continuing cover as you get older, whereas standalone cover can charge higher premiums for older travellers.
• Your policy may offer cover for a range of international destinations, whereas the cost for standalone cover may vary according to where you travel.
• As credit card travel insurance is considered a premium feature, you may pay higher annual fees and interest.
• Activation of travel insurance varies by card. You may have to spend a certain amount or pay for your entire trip using your card for the insurance to activate.
• Cover varies. Your policy may offer cover overseas only, or within Australia only.
• If you don’t travel that often, you may not get that much value from the insurance offered. You might find you're paying more in annual fees and interest and not getting the returns from perks like insurance.
• Certain exclusions and an excess may apply.
• The cover offered may not be as extensive as standalone travel insurance, in terms of the length on trip covered, the limits offered, or the activities covered.

🗨 Frequently Asked Questions

What should you be aware of when comparing credit card insurance.

Double-check these factors before applying for a card, especially if you're expecting to use the travel insurance for a trip.

• Activation and eligibility: Cover is activated in different ways. Some require a minimum spend on the card, some need a return ticket. Some activate automatically while others need an online request. The PDS will tell you how to make sure you're covered.
• Length of travel: Check how long the standard cover goes for. It could be 2 weeks, 30 days or 6 months. Some need a specific request for longer cover.
• Excess: Whether excess is payable depends on the card and the cover policy. Think about how much you are willing to pay in excess, and whether the policy still offers value if you have to make a claim.
• Terms and conditions: It's tedious, but important that you read the terms and conditions in full. Do this before you rely on the cover – not after you want to make a claim.

Which credit cards offer complimentary credit card insurance?

There's a wide range of credit cards that offer travel insurance, including low-cost cards. It's more common to find it as a perk on premium cards, specifically ones that focus on travel. That includes frequent flyer cards, rewards cards and platinum cards.

How do you make a claim on your credit card insurance?

Credit card travel insurance is backed by an underwriter, not the credit card provider. For instance, Allianz is the underwriter for NAB and Westpac insurance cover.

You'll find details on making a claim in the credit card insurance PDS. It's a good idea to know how to make a claim before you travel, just in case.

How do you choose the right credit card with the right travel insurance?

That's a very big question! Firstly, think about what you need from the card, and how you will use it. If you're looking for travel rewards, look for frequent flyer credit cards. Then compare the different features: travel insurance, lounge access, flight vouchers, flight delay cover and rewards points.

Another factor to consider is currency conversion fees and rates, if you plan to use the card while overseas. Some cards waive conversion fees altogether.

Is credit card travel insurance the same as regular insurance?

We get asked this one a lot. Travel insurance on a credit card is underwritten by the same insurers that you would take out a standalone policy with (for example, Allianz, Zurich or Chubb Insurance). So, there isn't a whole lot of difference.

You'll likely be covered for the same medical, emergency, transport and death cover that a standalone policy would. Just remember that some high-risk activities aren't covered by any insurers, such as skiing. You'll need add-on cover for that.

If you're comparing credit card insurance to standalone insurance, just make sure to consider:

• Who is covered: credit card insurance usually covers you, additional cardholders and family members.
• What is covered: credit card insurance sometimes covers rental vehicle excess, flight delays, lost baggage and trip cancellations as well.
• Limitations and exclusions: credit card insurance can be more inclusive of seniors, with some cards offering optional extras for those over 79. It also rarely comes with extra costs for travelling to certain destinations, unlike standalone insurance.

Always check the PDS to make sure you're fully covered and your insurance is activated before you travel. I know I've repeated that over and over again, but it's really important with insurance cover.

Credit cards with included COVID-19 cover

These banks have released updates to include limited cover for pandemics and epidemics. Click to see the details of cover for each brand:

• American Express
• Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard (limited time offer)

Bendigo Bank

Bank of melbourne, qantas money.

Until early this year, no credit card travel insurance covered events caused by COVID-19, meaning you had to cross your fingers and hope borders stayed open and you stayed well.

Now, most major credit card providers have jumped on the COVID-19 bandwagon, which is great to see since it gives a little more peace of mind around travelling. We've put together a rundown of each credit card and its coronavirus policy, but always check the card's PDS since it can change quickly.

Interestingly, some providers like ANZ and St. George have changed their terms to include all pandemic/epidemic disruptions from now on. Let's hope we don't need that anytime soon.

Remember, terms, conditions and exclusions apply to travel insurance. Check the PDS for more information.

American Express 

Domestic return trips:.

• you can change, curtail or cancel your return trip if you, your travel buddy or the person you were visiting test positive for coronavirus.
• You aren't covered if you need to cancel or reschedule because borders closed or travel advisory warnings are put in place.
• If you become unwell with coronavirus while travelling, you can claim under Medical Emergency Expenses cover (not valid while a 'do not travel' warning is in place)

International return trips:

• You can be covered if borders close or a travel advisory warning is issued for the country you're visiting.
• You won't be covered if Australia issues a 'do not travel' warning.
• You won't be covered if the borders at your destination are already closed.

Amex credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including COVID-19 cover:

• American Express Platinum Edge
• American Express Explorer
• American Express Velocity Platinum
• Qantas American Express Ultimate
• Qantas American Express Premium

Claims related to pandemics/epidemics:

• if you or any dependents covered by the travel insurance test positive to COVID-19, or any illness recognised as a pandemic/epidemic, you may be able to claim the Cancellation, Additional Expenses, Evacuation & Repatriation, and Overseas Emergency Assistance cover.
• If you become ill with COVID-19, you may be able to claim Overseas Medical Emergency cover.
• If your travel buddy becomes ill with COVID-19, cover is available under Cancellation and Additional Expenses.
• There is no mention of coverage if you're prevented from travelling by border closures or travel warnings.
• You aren't covered if you travel to a destination with a travel advice warning by the Australian government.

ANZ credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including COVID-19 cover:

• ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum
• ANZ Frequent Flyer Black
• ANZ Rewards Platinum
• ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Card
• ANZ Rewards Black
• If you or any dependents covered by the travel insurance test positive to COVID-19, or any illness recognised as a pandemic/epidemic, you may be able to claim the Overseas Emergency Assistance, Overseas Emergency Medical, Medical Evacuation & Repatriation, Cancellation, and Additional Expenses cover.
• You aren't covered if you don't follow advice or warnings when travelling to a destination; for example, a 'Reconsider your need to travel' or 'Do not travel' alert from the Australian government, or published by a reliable media source.
• NAB's travel insurance policy specifically states there are no other pandemic or epidemic-related circumstances covered, which likely includes border closures or other travel restrictions.

NAB credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including COVID-19 cover:

• NAB Low Fee Platinum
• NAB Qantas Rewards Signature
• NAB Rewards Signature
• NAB Qantas Rewards Premium
• NAB Rewards Platinum

Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard 

Claims related to covid-19:.

• Cover applies to you and your 'family', which includes you, your spouse and up to 3 eligible children
• You can claim up to $700,000 per person in medical costs if you need treatment for COVID-19 during an overseas covered trip
• You may be covered for travel and accommodation deposits if you contract COVID-19 on a covered trip and a doctor certifies you're unfit to travel
• If you have to quarantine just before departure because you've tested positive to COVID-19, you may be covered for administrative costs (but not any other additional costs related to your quarantine)
• You're not covered for any additional costs such as accommodation or flights because of borders closures or travel disruptions
• If you or any dependents covered by the travel insurance test positive to COVID-19, or any illness recognised as a pandemic/epidemic, you may be able to claim the Cancellation, Additional Expenses, Evacuation & Repatriation, and Overseas Emergency Assistance cover.
• If you become ill with COVID-19, you may be able to claim Overseas Emergency Medical cover.
• You aren't covered if you travel to a destination with a travel advice warning by the Australian government, even if you have an exemption or permission from the Australian government to travel

Bendigo Bank credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including pandemic cover:

• Bendigo Platinum Rewards
• Bendigo Bank Qantas Platinum

St. George 

• If you or any dependents covered by the travel insurance test positive for COVID-19, or any illness recognised as a pandemic/epidemic, you may be able to claim the Overseas Emergency Assistance, Overseas Emergency Medical, Medical Evacuation & Repatriation, Cancellation, and Additional Expenses cover.
• If you or your companion become so sick with COVID-19 that can't continue travelling, you may be reimbursed for additional accommodation and travel expenses.

St. George credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including pandemic and epidemic cover:

• St. George Amplify Platinum
• St. George Amplify Platinum - Qantas
• St. George Amplify Signature
• St. George Amplify Signature - Qantas

Westpac 

Westpac credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including pandemic and epidemic cover:.

• Westpac Altitude Black
• Westpac Altitude Black - Qantas
• Westpac Altitude Platinum Black
• Westpac Altitude Platinum - Qantas
• Westpac Business Choice Rewards Platinum Mastercard
• Westpac Altitude Business Platinum
• Westpac Altitude Business Gold Mastercard
• If your travel buddy becomes ill with COVID-19, cover may be available under Cancellation and Additional Expenses.
• If you or your companion become so sick with COVID-19 that you can't continue travelling, you may be reimbursed for additional accommodation and travel expenses.

Bank of Melbourne credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including pandemic and epidemic cover:

• Bank of Melbourne Amplify Platinum
• Bank of Melbourne Amplify Platinum - Qantas
• Bank of Melbourne Amplify Signature
• Bank of Melbourne Amplify Signature - Qantas
• Bank of Melbourne Amplify Business

BankSA credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including pandemic and epidemic cover:

• BankSA Amplify Platinum
• BankSA Amplify Platinum - Qantas
• BankSA Amplify Signature
• BankSA Amplify Signature - Qantas

Claims related to pandemic/epidemic cover:

• If you test positive for Covid-19 you may be able to access Overseas Medical Emergency and Hospital Expenses cover.
• You aren't covered if you don't take appropriate action to avoid countries with a 'do not travel' warning advised by the Australian government or mass media.
• You will not be covered for flight cancellations, accommodation or any other travel expenses.
• You will not be covered for anything Covid-related on a cruise.

Bankwest credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including COVID-19 cover:

• Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card
• Bankwest Zero Platinum Credit Card
• Bankwest More World Mastercard
• Bankwest Qantas Gold Credit Card
• Bankwest Qantas Platinum Credit Card
• Bankwest More Platinum Credit Card
• If you test positive for COVID-19, or any illness recognised as a pandemic/epidemic, you may be able to claim the Overseas Emergency Assistance, Overseas Emergency Medical, Medical Evacuation & Repatriation, Cancellation, and Additional Expenses cover.
• You aren't covered if borders close during your trip.

HSBC credit cards with complimentary travel insurance including COVID-19 cover:

• HSBC Platinum Card - 0% Balance Transfer Offer
• HSBC Premier Credit Card
• HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card
• HSBC Credit Card
• You aren't covered if you don't take appropriate action to avoid countries with a 'do not travel' warning advised by the Smart Traveller website (excluding Australia and New Zealand).
• You may be covered for costs incurred from having to cancel, curtail or change your trip because you or your travel buddy contract COVID-19.
• You may be covered for overseas medical emergency expenses on your overseas return trip and transportation of remains if you die from COVID-19 while travelling (it must be confirmed and diagnosed on your trip).
• Besides Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover and Overseas Medical Emergency Expenses cover, you won't be covered for anything else caused by COVID-19 or any of its variants.
• You may be covered for overseas medical emergency expenses on your overseas return trip and transportation of remains if you die from COVID-19 while travelling (it must be confirmed or diagnosed on your trip).

Other credit cards with complimentary travel insurance

Almost all banks and insurance companies have updated their insurance terms to include COVID-19 since 2020. You can find and compare credit cards with free travel insurance here , but always check the terms and conditions to see what you're covered for.

Tips for using complimentary travel insurance

First, always read the PDS carefully. I know, it's like a broken record, but insurances come with a lot of 'but's and 'only if's that could leave you high and dry - and out of pocket - if things go awry. Clauses regarding COVID-19 are still new, so make sure you understand what you're covered for.

Second, make sure you activate your credit card's travel insurance. You'll usually be able to check that it's active via the card's website or by calling customer service.

💡 TIP: Accommodations, airlines and tour operators may have their own COVID-19 policies that are worth checking before you book, too. 

Pauline Hatch is a personal finance expert at Creditcard.com.au with 8 years of finance writing under her belt. She loves turning complex money concepts into simple, practical actions so you can win financially. You can ask Pauline any questions by submitting a comment below and get a personal reply.

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John cunningham.

• The annual fee is charged in the first month. • You only pay the minimum monthly payment of your overall balance each month. • You do not spend or withdraw cash on the card until the balance transfer period ends or is paid in full. • All other fees and charges that may apply are excluded. When there is no interest savings or a negative interest saving after the introductory period, the calculator will display $0.'> Filter your savings

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Please Note - If you are cruising around Australia you need to select Pacific. With Regions, variances can apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East. You are not required to enter stop-over countries if your stop-over is less than 48 hours.

If you don’t know where you’re traveling to within the next 12 months, choose Worldwide to ensure you’re covered no matter where you go. If you’re travelling to multiple countries choose the region that you are visiting that is furthest away (excluding stopovers less than 48 hours). In most cases you will be covered for the closer regions as well. For example, if you choose Europe, you will also be covered in the Middle East, Asia and Pacific.

Worldwide means anywhere in the world

Americas means USA, Canada, South America, Latin America, Hawaii and the Caribbean

Europe means all European countries, including UK

Middle East refers to the area from Syria to Yemen; Egypt to Iran

Asia generally means Asia and the Indian subcontinent. For some insurers this excludes Japan*

Pacific means the South West Pacific, Australia and Indonesia/Bali*. Select Pacific for domestic cruises in New Zealand waters

New Zealand means domestic travel within New Zealand only

*Note: Variances apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East. Check that your destination is covered once directed to your chosen insurer’s site.

Credit card travel insurance

Complimentary or 'free' credit card travel insurance is a popular feature which many travellers rely on for cover during their travels.  Checking the fine print of your credit card travel insurance policy terms is essential - otherwise, you might find common exclusions leave you out of pocket.

What is  credit card travel insurance?

Pros and cons of credit card travel insurance.

Here's the top four pros and cons of complimentary credit card travel insurance:

Most credit card policies are underwritten by the same companies as standalone policies, so you know legitimate claims will be paid. 

Most credit card travel insurance policies specifically exclude pre-existing conditions from cover.

While standard travel insurance gets more expensive as you get older, there's no extra cost on credit card travel insurance policies. 

Many cards have an age limit or restrictions once you hit 75 years of age. Trip duration is often limited of 1 to 6 months, so you might not be covered at all even though you've paid your annual fee. 

You don't have to pay extra to be covered for places like Japan and the USA, which typically cost more with standalone policies due to .

If you're going skiing, riding a motorcycle, or partaking in adventure activities be sure to check the policy detail as they may be excluded.

You've already paid for your policy using your annual fees, so there's no additional cost to you. 

Annual card fees can be hefty. Depending upon your trip details, a standalone policy may be cheaper than your credit card annual fee.

Activating  credit card travel insurance

1. ​activation on purchase, 2. activation on value or percentage of trip purchases, 3. activation on flight purchase, 4. activation on notification.

You need to call your card provider or log in to their internet banking or app and notify them of your trip to activate the policy.

compare credit card  travel insurance conditions 

The information provided is factual at the time of writing and general in nature.  We have not considered your personal circumstances.  Eligibility requirements and terms and conditions for cover are subject to change from time to time.  Please refer to your credit card provider and the latest policy wording prior to your travels. 

Will credit card insurance cover you?

Spouse or family members, trip length.

what credit card travel insurance may not cover

Pre-existing conditions, holiday activities,   high-value items, what credit card travel insurance covers, overseas emergency medical treatment, cancellation fees and lost deposits, luggage and personal effects, public liability, credit card travel cover  faqs, is credit card travel insurance any good.

Whether credit card travel insurance is as good as or better than standalone travel insurance depends entirely on you and your circumstances. If you're going for a short trip, you've paid for your flight on your card, and you have no pre-existing medical conditions, taking advantage of 'free' credit card travel insurance might be a winner. But if you're going for a while, doing any adventurous activities, or you're got existing health issues, a standalone product may offer you the coverage you're looking for.

Which Australian credit cards come with travel insurance?

Not every credit card comes with travel insurance. Complimentary travel insurance is typically offered on premium credit or rewards cards that have higher annual fees. Check your policy documents for details or contact your bank. You can also check the table above for some of the more popular credit cards.

What is the best credit card for travel insurance?

The benefits you get with credit cards varies based on the type of card you have, the policy provider and your individual circumstances, so there isn’t actually a “best” credit card for travel insurance. Our table lists Australia's premium cards that provide travel insurance and outlines any activation criteria.

Can I cover my medical conditions with my credit card cover?

In most cases, pre-existing medical conditions will not be covered by travel insurance that comes with your credit card, but you may be able to get cover for this by contacting the insurer and paying an additional premium. You will need to check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), also known as policy wording to find out whether pre-existing medical conditions are covered. The alternative is a standalone travel insurance, learn more about covering your medical conditions.

Am I covered if I go skiing?

Like all insurances, some limitations apply to the travel insurance that comes with your credit card or rewards card and skiing is often one of them. Winter sports activities such as skiing and snowboarding are often excluded from credit card travel insurance, so if you're planning on hitting the slopes you should contact your provider to ensure that you have adequate cover for your planned activities. If not, opt for a standalone ski insurance policy.

Crystal Moran

With a research and journalism background, and certified in Tier 2 General Insurance General Advice, Crystal is passionate about investigating customers’ tricky travel questions and helping them find the answers they’re looking for. A writer and filmmaker whose favourite trips have been to film festivals in Cuba and South Korea, and campervanning around the USA, she loves getting to know new people and seeing a glimpse of the world through their eyes.

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Our comparison is a free service that allows users to compare quotes in a few simple steps based on limited personal criteria. Comparisons supplied are not a recommendation or opinion about the suitability of a policy for a user. Comparisons are default ranked according to price and users have the ability to sort by popular cover levels. Whilst we compare a vast range of policies, we do not compare all providers in the market. This site compares the following brands: 1Cover, AllClear, Budget Direct, Downunder, Fast Cover Travel Insurance, Insure4Less, InsureandGo, iTrek, Simply Travel Insurance, Ski-Insurance, Travel Insurance Saver, Travel Insuranz, Wise Traveller, Zoom Travel Insurance . The directors and shareholders are common with companies i-Trek Pty Ltd, Zoom Travel Insurance and 1Cover Pty Ltd including it’s subsidiary brand Ski-insurance. CoverDirect takes all reasonable care when preparing this information but does not warrant its accuracy. Pricing information is supplied by the providers who participate on this site and should be verified with the insurer before you purchase. This site links users to the website of the provider to verify quotes and access the relevant PDS to understand what is, and is not, covered by a policy prior to purchase.

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Travel Insurance

Cheapest travel insurance of April 2024

Mandy Sleight

Heidi Gollub

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

Updated 9:52 a.m. UTC April 11, 2024

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Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

WorldTrips is the best cheap travel insurance company of 2024 based on our in-depth analysis of the cheapest travel insurance plans. Its Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier plans offer affordable travel insurance with high limits for emergency medical and evacuation benefits bundled with good coverage for trip delays, travel inconvenience and missed connections.

Cheapest travel insurance of 2024

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our team of travel insurance experts analyzes hundreds of insurance products and thousands of data points to help you find the best travel insurance for your next trip. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content . You can read more about our methodology below.

• 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
• 567 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact-checking.

Best cheap travel insurance

Top-scoring plans

Average cost, medical limit per person, medical evacuation limit per person, why it’s the best.

WorldTrips tops our rating of the cheapest travel insurance with two plans:

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheaper travel insurance plan of the two, with $100,000 per person in emergency medical benefits as secondary coverage and an optional upgrade to primary coverage. It’s also our pick for the best travel insurance for cruises .
• Atlas Journey Premier costs a little more but gives you $150,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage . This is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority.

Pros and cons

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheapest of our 5-star travel insurance plans.
• Atlas Journey Premier offers $150,000 in primary medical coverage.
• Both plans have top-notch $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Each plan offers travel inconvenience coverage of $750 per person.
• 12 optional upgrades, including destination wedding and rental car damage and theft.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Cheap travel insurance for cruises

Travel insured.

Top-scoring plan

Travel Insured offers cheap travel insurance for cruises and its Worldwide Trip Protector plan gets 4 stars in our rating of the best cruise travel insurance .

• Worldwide Trip Protector offers $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and a rare $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits, which means you won’t have to file medical claims with your health insurance first.
• Cheap trip insurance for cruises.
• Offers a rare $150,000 for non-medical evacuation.
• $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
• Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
• Missed connection benefit of $500 per person only available for cruises and tours.

Best cheap travel insurance for families

Travelex has the best cheap travel insurance for families because kids age 17 are covered by your policy for free when they’re traveling with you.

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• $2,000 travel delay coverage per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Only $50,000 per person emergency medical coverage.
• Baggage delay coverage is only $200 and requires a 12-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for seniors

Evacuation limit per person

Nationwide has the best cheap travel insurance for seniors — its Prime plan gets 4 stars in our best senior travel insurance rating. However, Nationwide’s Cruise Choice plan ranks higher in our best cheap travel insurance rating.

• Cruise Choice has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion. It also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay, for cruises or tours. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.
• Coverage for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
• Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel medical coverage is secondary.
• Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
• No “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) upgrade available.
• Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person is only for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for add-on options

AIG offers the best cheap travel insurance for add-on options because the Travel Guard Preferred plan allows you to customize your policy with a host of optional upgrades.

• Travel Guard Preferred upgrades include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings. There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million.
• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your affordable travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
• Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Best cheap travel insurance for missed connections

TravelSafe has the best cheap travel insurance for missed connections because coverage is not limited to cruises and tours, as it is with many policies.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
• Most expensive of the best cheap travel insurance plans.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage available.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

Cheapest travel insurance comparison

How much does the cheapest travel insurance cost?

The cheapest travel insurance in our rating is $334. This is for a WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred travel insurance plan, based on the average of seven quotes for travelers of various ages to international destinations with a range of trip values.  

Factors that determine travel insurance cost

There are several factors that determine the cost of travel insurance, including:

• Age and number of travelers being insured.
• Trip length.
• Total trip cost.
• The travel insurance plan you choose.
• The travel insurance company.
• Any add-ons, features or upgraded benefits you include in the travel insurance plan.

Expert tip: “In general, travelers can expect to pay anywhere from 4% to 10% of their total prepaid, non-refundable trip costs,” said Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip.

Is buying the cheapest travel insurance a good idea?

Choosing cheaper travel insurance without paying attention to what a plan covers and excludes could leave you underinsured for your trip. Comparing travel insurance plans side-by-side can help ensure you get enough coverage to protect yourself financially in an emergency for the best price. 

For example, compare these two Travelex travel insurance plans:

• Travel Basic is cheaper but it only provides up to $15,000 for emergency medical expense coverage. You’ll also have to pay extra for coverage for children.
• Travel Select will cost you a bit more but it covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses and includes coverage for kids aged 17 and younger traveling with you. It also offers upgrades such additional medical coverage, “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage and an adventure sports rider that may be a good fit for your trip.

Reasons to consider paying more for travel insurance 

Make sure you understand what you’re giving up if you buy the cheapest travel insurance. Here are a few reasons you may consider paying a little extra for better coverage. 

• Emergency medical. The best travel medical insurance offers primary coverage for emergency medical benefits. Travel insurance with primary coverage can cost more than secondary coverage but will save you from having to file a claim with your health insurance company before filing a travel insurance claim.
• Emergency evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote location or planning a boat excursion on your trip, look at travel insurance with a high medical evacuation insurance limit. If you are injured while traveling, transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility could cost in the tens to hundreds of thousands. It may make sense to pay more for travel insurance with robust emergency evacuation coverage. 
• Flexibility. To maximize your trip flexibility, you might consider upgrading your travel insurance to “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage . This will increase the cost of your travel insurance but allow you to cancel your trip for any reason — not just those listed in your policy. The catch is that you’ll need to cancel at least 48 hours before your trip and will only be reimbursed 50% or 75% of your trip expenses, depending on the plan. 
• Upgrades. Many travel insurance plans have optional extras like car rental collision and adventure sports (which may otherwise be excluded from coverage). These will cost you extra but may give you the coverage you need. 

How to find the cheapest travel insurance

The best way to find the cheapest travel insurance is to determine what you’re looking for in a travel insurance policy and compare plans that meet your needs.

 “Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every trip is different, and every traveler has different needs, wants and concerns. This is why comparison is key,” said Morrow.

Consider the following factors when comparing cheap travel insurance plans.

• How often you’re traveling. A single-trip policy may be the most cost-effective if you’re only going on a single trip this year. But a multi-trip travel insurance plan may be cheaper if you’re going on multiple international trips throughout the year. Annual travel insurance policies cover you for a whole year as long as each trip doesn’t exceed a certain number of days, usually 30 to 90 days. 
• Credit card has travel insurance benefits. The best credit cards offer perks and benefits, and many offer travel insurance-specific benefits. The coverage types and benefit limits can vary, and you must put the entire trip cost on the credit card to use the coverage. If your trip costs more than the coverage limit on your card, you can supplement the rest with a cheaper travel insurance plan.
• The coverage you need. When looking for the best travel insurance option at the most affordable price, only buy extras and upgrades you really need. A basic plan may only provide up to $500 in baggage insurance, but if you only plan to take $300 worth of clothes and accessories, you don’t need to pay more for higher coverage limits.

Is cheap travel insurance worth it?

Cheap travel insurance can be worth it, as long as you understand the plan limitations and exclusions. Taking the time to read your policy, especially the fine print, well before your trip can ensure there won’t be any surprises about what’s covered once your journey begins.

“If a traveler is looking for coverage for travel delays, cancellations, interruptions, medical and baggage — a comprehensive travel insurance policy will provide the most bang for their buck,” said Morrow. But if you’re on a tight budget and are only worried about emergency medical care and evacuation coverage while traveling abroad, stand-alone options are cheaper.

Before buying travel insurance, you should also consider what your health insurance will cover. 

“Most domestic health insurance plans, including Medicare, will not cover medical bills abroad,” said Morrow. Even if you’re staying stateside, you may find value in an affordable travel insurance plan with medical coverage if you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). 

A cheap travel insurance plan is better than none at all if you end up in a situation that would have covered some or all of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance . From those top-scoring travel insurance plans, we chose the most affordable for our rating of the cheapest travel insurance.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

• Cost: 40 points. We scored the average cost of each travel insurance policy for a variety of trips and traveler profiles.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

Cheapest travel insurance FAQs

When buying travel insurance, cheapest is not always the best. The most affordable travel insurance plans typically offer fewer coverages with lower policy limits and few or no optional upgrades. Add up your total nonrefundable trip costs and compare travel insurance plans and available features that cover your travel expenses. This strategy can help you find the cheapest travel insurance policy that best protects you from financial loss if an unforeseen circumstance arises.

Get the coverage you need: Best travel insurance of 2024

According to our analysis, WorldTrips , Travel Insured International and Travelex offer the best cheap travel insurance. Policy coverage types and limits can vary by each travel insurance provider, so the best way to get the cheapest travel insurance plan is to compare several policies and companies to find the right fit for your budget.

A good rate for travel insurance depends on your budget and coverage needs. The most comprehensive travel insurance plan is usually not the cheapest. But cheap trip insurance may not have enough coverage or the types of coverage you want. Comparing different levels of coverage and how much they cost can help you find the best cheap insurance for travel. 

The average cost of travel insurance is between 5% to 6% of your total travel expenses for one trip, according to our analysis of rates. However, you may find cheaper travel insurance if you opt for a plan with fewer benefits or lower coverage limits. How much you pay for travel insurance will also depend on the number of travelers covered, their ages, the length of the trip and any upgrades you add to your plan.

Travel insurance covers nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs — up to the policy coverage limits — when your trip is interrupted or canceled for a covered reason outlined in your plan documents. Even the cheapest travel insurance policies usually provide coverage for:

• Medical emergencies.
• Trip delays.
• Trip interruption.
• Trip cancellation.
• Lost, stolen or damaged luggage.

However, if you’re looking to save on travel insurance, you can shop for a policy that only has travel medical insurance and does not include benefits for trip cancellation .

Even when you buy cheap travel insurance, you can often use upgrade options to customize your policy to meet your specific needs. 

Some common travel insurance add-ons you may want to consider include:

• Rental car damage coverage. 
• Medical bundle.
• Security bundle.
• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Adventure sports bundle.
• Pet bundle.
• Wedding bundle.
• “Cancel for work reasons” coverage.
• “Interruption for any reason” (IFAR) coverage.
• “Cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage .

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.

Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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