Choosing between credit card travel insurance and a separate policy

06.12.25 by Travelex Insurance

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Your credit card — especially if it’s a premium one — may come with built-in travel insurance benefits. But what does credit card travel insurance cover, and is it worth it to get a separate policy from a dedicated travel insurance provider? Let’s look at the difference between both forms of trip protection.

What does credit card travel insurance cover?

Credit card trip insurance is designed to protect your finances if something goes wrong on vacation. It often covers trip cancellations, delays, rental car damage, lost luggage, and even emergency medical expenses.

Coverage specifics can vary depending on the card issuer and the type of card you hold. Every credit card company offers different benefits, so be sure to contact your card company and read the fine print of your credit card travel insurance before starting your trip.

Is credit card travel insurance enough?

Your card’s coverage may be convenient, but it has limitations. Here are some restrictions of credit card trip insurance:

Payment requirements: You may only have coverage for expenses purchased with that card.
Coverage caps: Your coverage could be lower than coverage from a travel insurance company (meaning you’d receive less money back). You may also need to pay deductibles for emergency medical expenses.
Different domestic and international coverage: You may not have the same (or any) coverage if you’re traveling to a country outside of the U.S.
Coverage exclusions: You may not have full (or any) coverage for pre-existing conditions, high-risk activities (e.g., extreme sports), high-value belongings, and emergency evacuation.
Lack of customization: You may have limited options and be unable to add extra coverage for specific travel needs.
Lack of customer support: You may not have 24/7 expert travel assistance like many travel insurance providers offer.

If you’re considering credit card travel insurance, it’s helpful to ask your card issuer these questions:

1. What’s the maximum trip cost limit? Is it enough for my trip?

2. Are emergency medical, dental and evacuation covered with no deductibles?

3. Are the amounts of emergency medical, dental and evacuation coverage enough for my trip?

4. Are trip cancellation and interruption included? What are the covered reasons to cancel or interrupt my trip?

5. Does my credit card travel insurance extend to my traveling companions? For instance, can children be included at no additional cost when traveling with an insured adult?

6. If I get sick or injured while traveling, can I get support to find medical care?

7. Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?

8. If my trip is delayed, can extra expenses like hotel stays, meals, and taxi fares be reimbursed?

9. If my luggage is lost or stolen, can I be reimbursed?

10. What if my luggage doesn't arrive when I do? Can I be reimbursed for essential personal items to help me enjoy my trip?

After answering these questions, you’ll be better able to decide which protection may be right for you. If your coverage is lacking in any of these areas, you may want to choose a travel insurance plan from a provider like our Travelex team.

What are the advantages of a travel insurance policy over credit card travel insurance?

With one of our plans, you’ll have travel insurance from a caring company who specializes in protecting your trip investment — plus 24/7 support so you never feel alone while navigating travel mishaps.

Here are some perks that set our travel insurance apart from credit card coverage:

1. Customization

You can choose the level of coverage you need and add optional upgrades to eligible plans. With our upgrades, you can include coverage like rental car damage, adventure activities, and cancel for any reason, for more flexibility.

2. Higher benefit limits

Our plans often provide higher reimbursement limits for emergency medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost belongings, and more. With our most comprehensive Ultimate plan, you can have up to $250,000 medical coverage, $50,000 trip cancellation, and $75,000 trip interruption, plus a variety of other benefits.

3. More benefits

Our plans tend to pack more benefits than standard credit card travel insurance. If you buy our Ultimate plan, you can be eligible for trip inconvenience, kids-included pricing, all nine of our optional upgrades, and a waiver for pre-existing medical condition exclusions.

4. Helpful Travel On app for safer trips

With a Travelex policy, you get access to our Travel On app. It can send you real-time safety alerts, help you learn about your destination, and allow you to tap to call for 24/7 travel assistance.

5. Affordable options

We offer different plans to suit a range of budgets and travel needs, from our simpler Essential plan to our top-tier Ultimate plan. Plus, unlike with credit card travel insurance, you’re eligible for coverage no matter how you pay for trip costs.

6. 24/7 travel assistance

We don’t just help protect your trip — we help protect you with 24/7 support. From finding you a nearby doctor to language translation in your destination, our assistance provider is by your side on the go.