2022's Best Credit Cards with Travel Insurance

The Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits include high rewards on travel, plus thousands of dollars in travel insurance and coverage for damaged or stolen purchases. Chase Sapphire Preferred also offers one of the best initial rewards bonuses on the market. That's a big reason why its among WalletHub's choices for the year's best rewards cards as well as the best credit card deals. The average person would earn more Preferred over the first two years of use than any other Chase credit card, according to WalletHub's latest Credit Card Rewards Report. And Chase Sapphire Preferred's secondary benefits are impressive as well.

Here are the Chase Sapphire Preferred's benefits:

• Initial Bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred offers one of the best bonuses on the market.
• Travel Insurance: Chase Sapphire Preferred has the best overall travel insurance among credit cards, according to WalletHub's editors. Pay for travel with Chase Sapphire Preferred, and you'll get coverage for delayed, cancelled, or interrupted trips as well as for lost luggage.
• Rental Car Insurance: Paying for your vehicle rental with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card automatically gives you coverage for damage or theft. Chase's policy ranks second among major issuers.
• Extended Warranty: If you buy something that has a manufacturer's warranty, Chase may add a year to your coverage. Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve® are tied for 17th in this category.
• Purchase Protection: You may be eligible for at least a partial refund if certain items purchased with a Chase Sapphire card are damaged or stolen. WalletHub ranks Chase Sapphire Preferred 6th in this category. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card takes 1st place.
• International Travel Perks: WalletHub's editors analyzed major issuers' perks and policies for international travelers, including travel rewards, foreign transaction fees, emergency assistance and more. Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve tied for 7th best.

Another Chase Sapphire Preferred benefit is worldwide acceptance. Since Chase Sapphire Preferred is a Visa, you can use it pretty much everywhere in the world credit cards are accepted. Using a Visa or a Mastercard is the best way to convert currency when traveling internationally, too, thanks to low exchange rates that could save you as much as 9%. Plus, Chase is one of the few major credit card companies that will send you a free replacement if you lose your card while out of the country.

In short, Chase Sapphire Preferred is an excellent rewards credit card for people with excellent credit. You can learn more about the offer from WalletHub's complete Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review.

Chase Freedom Unlimited travel insurance covers you for up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip that was cut short or canceled because of illness, severe weather, military transfers, or other covered situations. The card's travel benefits also include rental car insurance and travel emergency services. To be eligible to file a travel insurance claim, you'll need to pay for your travel using your Chase Freedom Unlimited.

Types of Chase Freedom Unlimited Travel Insurance

• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption:
  Reimburses cardholders for up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip charged to the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. Applies to trips cut short or cancelled because of illness, severe weather, military transfers or other covered situations.
• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (CDW):
  Offers secondary coverage against collision damage, theft, and towing charges up to the vehicle's actual cash value. Cardholders must decline the rental agency's insurance offer for coverage to apply.
• Travel Emergency Services:
  Provides referrals for medical and legal assistance, arranges for emergency transportation, and helps change travel reservations. Service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Cardholders are responsible for the cost of any goods or services provided.
• Roadside Dispatch:
  24/7 hotline for services such as towing (up to five miles), tire changes, jump starts, fuel delivery, and lockout assistance (no key replacement). There is a fee per service call.

Exclusions and coverage limits apply to many of these benefits, so make sure to check your Chase Freedom Unlimited's guide to benefits for more details on each type of insurance.

How to File a Travel Insurance Claim

1. Call the Chase Benefit Administrator at (888) 320-9656.
2. Fill out your claim form either online, or by sending the information through mail at the following address:
    
   Card Benefit Services
   P.O. Box 72034
   Richmond, VA 23235
3. Wait for a decision on your claim. If everything checks out, you'll be typically compensated within 60 days of Chase receiving your claim and supporting documentation.

It's worth noting that Chase Freedom Unlimited's benefits extend well beyond travel insurance. The card also offers purchase protection, as well as extended warranty protection. Plus, Chase Freedom Unlimited is one of the best credit cards on the market right now, due to its top-notch rewards, $0 annual fee, and intro APRs on both purchases and balance transfers.

Mastercard travel insurance gives you travel protection benefits at no extra cost, like travel accident insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and lost or delayed baggage insurance. To be eligible to file a travel insurance claim, you'll need to pay for your travel using your Mastercard credit card.

Coverage amounts and categories differ based on what level of Mastercard you have: regular, World or World Elite. Plus, it's up to the card's issuer whether or not to include each benefit in the first place. Below you'll find descriptions of the insurance offerings and the dollar amounts of the coverage a Mastercard credit card typically offers. Coverage amounts that change based on the Mastercard tier are noted in the last few bullets.

How Mastercard Travel Insurance Works

• Mastercard travel accident insurance: Reimburses you in the event of serious injury or death aboard a common carrier (airline, cruise ship, bus, etc.). Coverage applies to you, your domestic partner and your dependent children, as long as you pay for the whole fare with your Mastercard.
• Mastercard trip cancellation insurance: Reimburses for trips cancelled because of the death, illness or injury of you or a family member. If the travel provider goes out of business that counts too. Some situations, like pre-existing conditions and cosmetic surgery, are not covered.
• Mastercard trip delay insurance: Will pay up to $500 per trip for each person whose ticket you pay for with your card. You're eligible if the travel provider delays your trip for at least 3 hours.
• Mastercard baggage delay insurance: Gives you up to $100 per day for up to 3 days you spend without your bag. It covers items you are forced to buy, like clothes and toiletries. All Mastercards have this benefit.
• Mastercard lost baggage insurance: Pays up to $3,000 per trip for bags that are lost by the travel provider. Certain types of items, like medical equipment, aren't covered.
• Mastercard rental car insurance: When you rent a car with any Mastercard, you'll be protected against collision damage and theft, up to $50,000 for rental periods of 31 days or fewer. You have to decline any insurance the rental agency offers you. Certain types of cars aren't covered: vans, trucks, antique cars, motorcycles, etc. And Mastercard won't pay for the theft of personal belongings or if you were driving irresponsibly.
• Best Mastercard for travel insurance: World Elite Mastercard credit cards give you the most travel insurance, followed by World Mastercards and standard Mastercards. One of the best World Elite Mastercard cards for travel is Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.
• World Elite Mastercard travel insurance: World Elite Mastercard credit cards offer every type of travel insurance. You're also covered for a higher total dollar amount than with a World Mastercard: up to $1,000,000 for travel accidents.
• World Mastercard travel insurance: World Mastercards give every type of travel insurance. They offer just $200,000 in travel accident insurance. They also give up to $1,500 per trip for cancellation.
• Standard Mastercard travel insurance: Standard Mastercards only give a mere $100 in travel accident insurance and $100 in trip interruption/delay insurance. Aside from that, they offer the regular baggage delay insurance and rental car insurance amounts.

Each of these benefits comes with a laundry list of restricted situations. So be sure to read your card's benefits guide in detail to confirm you know what's covered and what's not.

The best credit card with trip cancellation insurance is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card because it offers up to $10,000 in trip cancellation coverage per person and $20,000 per trip. Cardholders can get reimbursed for eligible travel expenses like airfare and car rentals if a trip is cancelled or interrupted due to sickness, severe weather, and other unforeseen circumstances. Chase Sapphire Preferred also has an annual fee of only $95, which is a bargain compared to other credit cards with similar trip cancellation coverage.

5 of the Best Credit Cards with Trip Cancellation Insurance

Having trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance coverage on your credit card can be a real plus for travelers. But each card offers varying degrees of coverage, so make sure to check your card's guide to benefits for more details.

The best credit cards for trip cancellation insurance come with generous rewards, too. Most of them also require at least good credit for approval. To get a better picture, it's worth taking a closer look at WalletHub's picks.

Learn More About the Best Cards with Trip Cancellation Insurance

Coverage amount: Up to $10,000 per person, with a maximum of $20,000 per trip

Covered: Trips cancelled due to unforeseeable circumstances like accidental bodily injury, sickness, death, or severe weather

Not covered: Trips cancelled due to pre-existing conditions, changes in plans or financial circumstances, and failure to obtain documents required for travel (visas, passports, etc.), among other things.

Rewards: 5 points per $1 spent on travel purchased through Chase, 2 points per $1 on all other travel purchases, 3 points per $1 on dining and online grocery purchases, 3 points per $1 on select streaming services, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

Annual fee: $95

Credit requirement: Good credit (700+ credit score recommended)

Coverage amount: Up to $10,000 per person, with a maximum of $20,000 per trip

Covered: Trips cancelled due to unforeseeable circumstances like accidental bodily injury, sickness, death, or severe weather

Not covered: Trips cancelled due to pre-existing conditions, changes in plans or financial circumstances, and failure to obtain documents required for travel (visas, passports, etc.), among other things

Rewards: a total of 10 points per $1 spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase, a total of 10 points per $1 spent on prepaid restaurant reservations or takeout orders made through Chase, a total of 5 points per $1 spent on flights purchased through Chase, 3 points per $1 spent on all other travel and dining purchases, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

Annual fee: $550

Credit requirement: Excellent credit (750+ credit score recommended)

Coverage amount: Up to $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per eligible card every 12 consecutive months*

Covered: Trips cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances such as accidental bodily injury, loss of life, sickness, weather conditions, or quarantines imposed by physicians

Not covered: Trips cancelled due to pre-existing conditions, self-inflicted injuries, illegal or criminal acts, among other things

Rewards: 5 points per $1 spent on flights booked with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 spent per year), 5 points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked through Amex, and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

Annual fee: $695

Credit requirement: Good credit (700+ credit score recommended)

Coverage amount: Up to $5,000 per person, with a maximum of $10,000 per trip

Covered: Trips cancelled due to unforeseeable circumstances like accidental bodily injury, sickness, death, or severe weather

Not covered: Trips cancelled due to pre-existing conditions, changes in plans or financial circumstances, and failure to obtain documents required for travel (visas, passports, etc.), among other things

Rewards: 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent per year on travel and select business expenses, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

Annual fee: $95

Credit requirement: Good credit (700+ credit score recommended)

Coverage amount: Up to $1,500 per person, with a maximum of $6,000 per trip

Covered: Trips cancelled due to unforeseeable circumstances like accidental bodily injury, sickness, death, or severe weather

Not covered: Trips cancelled due to pre-existing conditions, changes in plans or financial circumstances, and failure to obtain documents required for travel (visas, passports, etc.), among other things

Rewards: 1% cash back on all purchases

Annual fee: $0

Credit requirement: Limited History credit (less than 3 years of credit history)

How Trip Cancellation Insurance Works on Credit Cards

Trip cancellation insurance generally covers trips cancelled or cut short by sickness or severe weather. After such an event, the cardholder can file a claim and get reimbursed for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses, including airfare, tours and hotels. Most credit card trip cancellation insurance policies cover both the primary cardholder and any authorized users, plus immediate family members traveling with the primary cardholder or the authorized user.

To receive reimbursement, you must use your covered credit card to pay for the travel expenses. Most credit cards also have a limit on the amount of money that you can be reimbursed for. So, make sure to check your card's guide to benefits for more details.

How to File a Trip Cancellation Insurance Claim

1. Call the benefits administrator.
   Call your credit card's benefits administrator and notify them of your intention to file a claim, or do so by visiting the card's benefits website. You'll be able to find the phone number and/or web address in the benefits guide that came with your credit card. You may also find this information on your credit card company's website.
2. Stick to deadlines.
   Generally, you must give notice of your claim within 20 to 60 days after the cancellation to be eligible for reimbursement, but the exact window will depend on your card issuer's rules.
3. Submit your evidence.
   After you give notice of your claim, the benefits administrator will give you further instructions to file your claim. You will likely need to submit documentation, such as ticket receipts, billing statements, notes from your doctor, and anything else that may validate your claim. There is also a window of time to provide these documents. This time frame will depend on your card issuer, but it's usually 90 to 180 days after the trip is cancelled.

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance perks give great peace of mind when booking a trip. If you are interested in other types of travel insurance, like coverage for travel accidents, lost luggage, or travel delays, you could check out our editors' latest picks for the best credit cards with travel insurance.

* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Credit card trip cancellation insurance covers certain nonrefundable travel expenses when a trip is cancelled or interrupted due to illness, injury, severe weather, or another covered reason. 

Here's how trip cancellation insurance works on credit cards:

• What is covered: Credit cards with trip cancellation insurance typically reimburse cardholders for common carrier fares (airfare, train tickets, etc.), tours, lodging and other eligible travel expenses – up to a maximum amount per person, per trip and/or per year.
• Eligibility: Cardholders must pay for all or part of the trip with the covered credit card to be eligible, but these rules vary by card issuer. 
• Coverage amounts: The credit card trip cancellation insurance amount per trip can vary between $1,500 and $10,000. The coverage will depend on the card network and the card issuer, as some issuers will add their own rules.
• Insurance policy: Most credit card trip cancellation insurance policies cover both the primary cardholder and any authorized users, plus their immediate family members if they are traveling. Some credit cards cover family members even if the cardholder is not travelling with them.

Typically, trip cancellation insurance is offered to cardholders for free, so there's no extra cost to keep the benefit active.

How to file a trip cancellation claim:

1. Call your credit card issuer. To file a trip cancellation insurance claim, you will need to call your credit card's benefits administrator and notify them of your intention to file a claim or visit the card's benefits website. You'll be able to find the phone number and/or web address in the benefits guide that came with your credit card.
2. Stick to deadlines. Generally, you must give notice of your claim within 20 to 60 days after the cancellation to be eligible for reimbursement, but the exact window will depend on your card issuer's rules. 
3. Submit your evidence. After you give notice of your claim, the benefits administrator will give you further instructions to file your claim. You will likely need to submit documentation with your claim, such as ticket receipts, billing statements, notes from your doctor, and anything else that may validate your claim. There is also a window of time to provide these documents, and it will depend on your card issuer, but it could be 90 to 180 days after the trip is cancelled.

If you think you may need to use your credit card's trip cancellation insurance, it's important that you review your benefits guide before booking your trip, so you know exactly what's covered and what's not. And because credit card benefits change all the time, it's a good idea to call your credit card's customer service line to make sure your card is still covered.  

One of the best credit cards with free roadside assistance is Chase Sapphire Reserve® because it offers coverage for towing, flat tires, dead batteries, lockouts, and empty gas tanks, up to $50 per service call. Cardholders can use the roadside assistance benefit up to four times per year. 

Credit card roadside assistance – sometimes called roadside dispatch – is a service offered by certain cards that gives cardholders a dedicated phone line to call for help with roadside emergencies. Some cards cover up to a certain amount per event, while others only arrange help at a negotiated rate. The remaining charges will be automatically billed to your account.

Popular Credit Cards with Roadside Assistance Benefits

Roadside Assistance Details: 24/7 hotline for services such as towing, tire changes, jump-starts, lockout service (no key replacement), standard winching, and delivery of up to two gallons of gas. You're covered for up to $50 per service call, with a maximum of four events per year. 

Initial Bonus: 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months

Ongoing Rewards: You can earn a total of 10 points per $1 spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase, a total of 10 points per $1 spent on prepaid restaurant reservations or takeout orders made through Chase, a total of 5 points per $1 spent on flights purchased through Chase, 3 points per $1 spent on all other travel and dining purchases, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

Annual Fee: $550

Roadside Assistance Details: 24/7 hotline for services such as towing (up to five miles), tire changes, jump starts, lockout service (no key replacement), standard winching, and delivery of up to five gallons of gas. There is a fee that cardholders need to pay in order to benefit from the services mentioned above, but the exact amount is not disclosed. In addition, the cardholder is still responsible for services that are not covered.

Initial Bonus: 75,000 miles for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months

Ongoing Rewards: 5 miles per $1 spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles per $1 on all other purchases

Annual Fee: $95

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

Roadside Assistance Details: 24/7 hotline for services such as towing (up to five miles), tire changes, jump starts, lockout service (no key replacement), standard winching, and delivery of up to five gallons of gas. There is a fee that cardholders need to pay in order to benefit from the services mentioned above, but the exact amount is not disclosed. In addition, the cardholder is still responsible for services that are not covered.

Initial Bonus: $200 cash rewards after spending $500 in the first 3 months

Ongoing Rewards: 2% cash rewards

Annual Fee: $0

Roadside Assistance Details: 24/7 hotline for services such as towing (up to five miles), tire changes, jump starts, lockout service (no key replacement), standard winching, and delivery of up to five gallons of gas. There is a fee that cardholders need to pay in order to benefit from the services mentioned above, but the exact amount is not disclosed. The cardholder is responsible for services that are not covered, too.

Initial Bonus: 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 90 days

Ongoing Rewards: 2 points per $1 spent on travel and dining, and 1.5 points per $1 on all other purchases

Annual Fee: $95

It is worth noting that the roadside assistance benefit is offered through a card's network, rather than its issuer. However, the issuer does decide what benefits are included with its card. It is also important to note that the only major credit card networks that offer this benefit are Visa and Mastercard. 

Even if your credit card doesn't include this benefit, there are plenty of companies that offer roadside assistance plans. Most plans are available for a flat fee every month or year and offer better coverage than the credit cards mentioned above. 

Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance covers lost or delayed luggage, accidents resulting in injury or death, and canceled trips, among other things. These policies cover you and your immediate family, as long as you pay for the trip. To be eligible to file a travel insurance claim, you'll need to pay for your travel using your Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Types of Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance

Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best credit cards with travel insurance on the market right now. Exclusions apply to these benefits, however, so it's worth taking a closer look at how each type of Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance works.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance Exclusions

• Rental Car Insurance: Not all vehicles are covered, like high-value motor vehicles, trucks, or motorcycles. Certain incidents aren't covered either, like personal injury, and situations like driving while intoxicated or driving off-road.
• Travel Accident Insurance: Examples include any losses sustained while committing an illegal act, parachute jumping, self-inflicted injuries, or participating in motorized speed contests.

For more details on each type of travel insurance offered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred, make sure to also check your Chase Sapphire Preferred's guide to benefits. You can also contact the Benefits Administrator by calling (888) 320-9961, should you have any further inquiries.

How to Submit a Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Insurance Claim

1. Notify the Transportation Provider or Rental Agency.
   Get in touch with the airline, passenger train company, rental car agency, etc., and tell them about the incident. This will begin the company's claims process. Chase will ask for proof that you notified the transportation company of the incident, so make sure you get copies of all paperwork.
2. Notify Chase of Your Claim Within the Deadline.
   Call (888) 320-9961 within 20-100 days of a covered event, depending on the type of travel insurance.
3. Fill Out Your Claim Form.
   Chase is required to send you paperwork to file a claim within 15-100 days of notification, depending on the type of insurance. Alternately, you can fill out your claim online at eclaimsline.com.
4. Submit Your Completed Form on Time.
   You must include proof of the incident, which may consist of your travel itinerary, police reports, credit card statements reflecting ticket charges, copies of receipts, and any other requested documents. You have to submit the completed form within 90-365 days of the incident, depending on the type of insurance.
5. Wait up to 60 Days for a Decision.
   Chase will need to evaluate the validity of your claim. If everything checks out, you'll be typically compensated within 60 days of Chase receiving your claim and supporting documentation.

It's also worth noting that Chase Sapphire Preferred's benefits extend well beyond travel insurance. Chase Sapphire Preferred also has among the best extended warranty and purchase protection programs on the market. In addition, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a $95 foreign transaction fee. This means that you won't have to pay extra when you use your card abroad or online with international merchants. Plus, you can't forget that Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of WalletHub's picks for the best rewards credit cards.

The American Express Blue Card travel insurance gives you automatic travel protection benefits at no extra charge, as long as you pay for your travel costs with your card. The American Express Blue Card's travel insurance includes rental car insurance and Global Assist Hotline.

The rental car insurance pays for damage to and theft of rental cars and the coverage is as high as $75,000 per vehicle. To be eligible for coverage, you must pay your entire travel fare with your American Express Blue Card.

The Global Assist Hotline offers 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical, legal, and passport referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance, whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home.

Of course, terms & conditions apply. You can learn more by visiting Amex's benefits page.

The best credit card with travel medical insurance is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card because it offers up to $1 million in coverage for travel accidents when you pay for your trip with the card. Chase Sapphire Reserve travel accident insurance applies for loss of life, limb, sight, speech, or hearing. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with other travel benefits, too, such as emergency medical and dental coverage.

Chase Sapphire Reserve also offers a generous initial bonus and 1 - 10 points per $1 spent on purchases. It charges a $550 annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Travel Medical Insurance

Travel Accident Insurance

This benefit provides up to $100,000 in coverage for accidents that happen at any point during a trip you paid for with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card. If the accident occurs while in transit on a common carrier, you're covered up to $1 million. A common carrier is any motorized vehicle operated by an organization structured and licensed for the transportation of passengers for hire.  

Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage

Chase Sapphire Reserve covers up to $2,500 in medical fees for emergency treatment during travel purchased with the card. There is a $50 deductible.

Emergency Evacuation and Transportation

This benefit covers necessary expenses for emergency transportation, up to $100,000, if you become severely ill or injured during your trip. To be eligible, you must have booked the trip through a travel agency and be at least 100 miles from your residence.

Travel medical insurance benefits are not a very common feature on credit cards, though there are a few notable cards that offer some coverage.

Best Credit Cards with Travel Medical Insurance

Travel medical insurance on credit cards usually applies to you, your partner, and your dependent children, as long as the travel fare is charged to the card. The benefits are usually administered by the card's payment network, and coverage amounts vary by card. For more options, you can check out WalletHub's top picks for 2023's best credit cards with travel insurance.

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

No, the Citi Double Cash Card doesn't have travel insurance anymore. Citibank discontinued travel insurance for the Citi Double Cash Card and most of its other credit cards a while back. 

Generally, credit card travel insurance includes travel accident insurance, lost/damaged luggage reimbursements, baggage delay insurance, and emergency assistance.

Alternative Credit Card Options

If you're looking for a card that offers travel insurance benefits, there are several options from other issuers to choose from. Some good options include the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card.