Credit card travel insurance is offered by many cards to cover you for cancelled or interrupted trips, with terms that vary depending on both card issuer and issuer.
Chase Sapphire Reserve provides that medical professionals imposing quarantine for health reasons as an acceptable reason.
Cancellation & Interruption Coverage
Credit card travel insurance typically provides trip cancellation and interruption coverage when forced to cancel or shorten a trip for reasons covered by its policy, such as severe weather, medical emergencies affecting you or one of your travel companions, State Department travel warnings or terror-related transport expenses. Some policies even offer medevac transportation.
However, COVID-19 won’t likely trigger these benefits. Chase Sapphire Reserve and American Express Platinum specifically exclude changes of heart or lack of desire due to fears about pandemic from their trip cancellation and interruption coverage policies.
Rather, SmartAsset can connect you with local financial advisors who can create a comprehensive plan to protect against Covid-related disruption. You’re free to start now; this process only takes minutes and won’t impact your credit score!
Trip Delay & Cancellation Coverage
Credit card travel insurance policies typically only cover trips booked and paid for with the covered card; as opposed to traditional policies sold by actual insurers.
Credit cards that provide trip delay coverage typically reimburse expenses such as meals and accommodation incurred when flights, cruise ships or trains are delayed or canceled; however, most credit card travel delay policies cover only delays of 6 hours or longer.
Likewise, if you cancel your trip due to coronavirus pandemic-related reasons, chances are your credit card travel insurance won’t cover it. Card issuers tend to evaluate claims individually and their policies may change over time; to get full details about coverage available for your card you should read its Guide to Benefits or call your card issuer and request their policy book or booklet directly.
Medical Coverage
Credit card travel insurance generally does not provide comprehensive medical coverage like that provided by travel medical plans; however, certain plans may reimburse expenses related to Covid-19 exposure or quarantining as long as you can provide evidence that proves this link between them – keep receipts for submission to your insurer.
Simply, reading your card issuer’s benefits guide is the best way to gain clarity regarding exactly what is covered and when. Your new card should come with an accompanying pamphlet with ample information; however, there may also be numerous exclusions and fine print. If you have any further inquiries or require assistance, customer service reps are also readily available to provide answers. Phone numbers of your card issuer’s website should also be listed there, while some travel credit cards provide extra travel protection, including emergency evacuation coverage and trip interruption benefits that cover any missed portions of a trip in case a negative test or exposure to Covid-19 forces you back home or quarantine domestically or internationally.
