Credit card travel accident insurance reimburses you for unanticipated expenses such as lost luggage or medical bills in the event of an injury, often providing specific payment tables indicating how much your beneficiaries can expect based on what type of injury occurred and when.
Read over the benefits guide that came with your credit card (that thick pamphlet you may have forgotten to read) to understand exactly what services and features are included.
Coverage
Credit card travel protections differ significantly from and are less comprehensive than the types of coverage provided by traditional travel insurance policies. They tend to apply only in specific purchases and activities – for instance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage may only apply if all the tickets purchased with your card were charged directly, while rental car damage and theft coverage typically pays out when renting with credit cards instead of using vouchers or points for booking rentals. It’s wise to familiarise yourself with your card’s benefit guide for more details; call the number listed within it for more information or call the benefits administrator listed within it for further details.
Most cards with travel accident insurance provide cover for cardholders and their immediate family in case of accidental death or dismemberment while using common carriers (planes, trains, boats or buses). Card issuers offer their own payment tables based on severity and type of incident. Some cards offer trip delay coverage or car rental damage insurance as additional features.
Requirements
Before you can claim credit card travel accident insurance benefits, there are a few criteria you must fulfill. Some cards only provide coverage if the entirety of your trip was paid with them; within an allotted time after an incident takes place; receipts; key documentation (correspondence with travel providers or doctors’ notes); etc may all need to be provided depending on what card issuer’s rules require of you.
Credit cards typically offer what’s known as common carrier travel accident insurance, which will cover you in case of death or serious injury (like losing a limb) while traveling on any plane, train, or ship licensed to carry passengers and open to the general public.
Other cards provide more comprehensive travel and purchase protections, such as rental car damage insurance and emergency evacuation assistance. To learn more, consult your cardholder agreement and guide to benefits.
Filing a claim
Claim filing can differ depending on your credit card travel accident insurance. Usually, it starts by reviewing the issuer’s benefits guide that details rules and maximum coverage amounts for each type of coverage.
Many credit cards offer trip cancellation/interruption coverage that provides compensation if your trip needs to be cancelled due to illness like coronavirus or health reasons, such as quarantines. It could even cover you if authorities place travel restrictions.
Common credit card travel protections include rental car and lost luggage insurance policies that can act either as primary or secondary coverage depending on the terms of your auto insurer; as well as reimbursement should your checked bags go missing. In order to take full advantage of these policies, however, you’ll need to keep accurate records and submit key documentation when filing claims – in addition, most credit card issuers require you to be an active cardmember when filing one in good standing with them.
Limits
If you or any immediate family members experience severe injury or death while traveling, card issuers may offer different amounts for compensation. This amount is set out in their Guide to Benefits document which you can find either online or within its thick pamphlet that came with your new card.
Card issuers also tend to impose very specific rules regarding what injuries are covered and their assessment. For instance, they might only cover medical emergencies that occur while traveling on a common carrier, and typically lack the flexibility of paid travel insurance policies like cancellation due to COVID-19.
Most cards only provide limited protection in case of lost luggage or car rental damage, so additional travel protection from an independent provider may be required if you want more coverage for such risks. Some popular cards may offer such extra benefits.
