Does My Credit Card Provide Sufficient Travel Insurance?
One of the most common things travelers say is: “I don’t need travel insurance—my credit card already covers me.”
While it’s true that many credit cards offer some travel insurance benefits, the coverage is often limited. At best, it may include accident protection, baggage coverage, or trip delay reimbursement. But the most important protection—emergency medical coverage abroad—is usually missing.
This article reviews what credit card travel insurance covers, how major cards compare, and why most travelers still need a dedicated travel plan.
Is the Insurance on Your Credit Card Enough?
So, I went and checked for myself. For business, I have the American Express Business Platinum Card (which is different from the AmEx Corporate Platinum Card and many other variations—so check the specific card you have and the benefits of each; they are different).
Here is a summary of what is offered for travel insurance:
“AMEX Travel Accident Insurance can provide up to $500,000 in accidental death and dismemberment coverage while traveling on a Common Carrier (plane, train, ship, helicopter, or bus) when the entire fare has been charged to the eligible Card.”
Please read important exclusions and restrictions on the American Express website.
So, in short, if you die or get “dismembered” (loss of limb, other bodily injuries, etc.), you are eligible for up to $500,000 in benefits – as long as you paid for the specific ticket in full with the eligible card and the injury happens in transit.
To be complete, they also offer Baggage Insurance (up to $3,000 maximum) and rental car coverage. They offer trip cancellation, emergency medical, and other benefits offered with more traditional travel insurance plans—but for an additional cost, of course. See AMEX Travel Insurance Plans for more details on their stand-alone travel insurance products.
Our Recommended Travel Insurance Plans:
Patriot Platinum Travel Insurance
- Maximum limits up to $8,000,000
- IMG pays 100% of medical expenses in-network
- Evacuation due to Natural Disasters & Political Unrest
Atlas Travel Insurance
- Emergency medical, evacuation, and repatriation benefits
- Choose between basic or more extensive coverage
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
Which Credit Cards Offer Comprehensive Travel Insurance Options?
According to our research and that done by AirFareWatchdog, the three cards you should consider if travel insurance is a priority are:
All offer Lost Luggage and Travel Accident coverage similar to AmEx. However, they also include (with no additional charges) Trip Cancellation, Trip Delay, Travel Assistance, and Auto Rental coverage.
None offers the emergency medical benefits typically found in travel medical plans. Even if you have already booked or started your trip, it’s not too late to get travel insurance.
Another card, the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card, is an excellent option with good benefits. However, as with most things, the devil is in the details. I could not find specific information about the insurance benefits—only an overview (Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card Travel Protection).
It appears they offer good evacuation coverage (up to $ 100,000), which generally covers the cost of transferring to another hospital for treatment (not always the hospital of your choice) if you become ill and local facilities are unable to treat you. However, this is not clear in their description, which makes it confusing.
Repatriation (return of mortal remains) coverage is low, so don’t die, although the accidental death benefit is good. The Emergency Medical Benefit (which would cover medical costs if you get sick and need to be treated overseas) differs from the Evacuation benefit and is limited to $2,500.
Otherwise, most benefit descriptions are vague, and you would need to review the policy to gain a clear understanding of what situations are covered.
Most other cards on the market, like the World Master Card, offer similar (i.e., minimal) benefits to what AmEx offers. Therefore, ensure you understand what you have before deciding whether to buy or not buy any policy, including travel insurance.
Joe Cronin, President of ICI, is a leading expert in international health, life, and travel insurance. An MBA and founder of multiple global businesses, he helps expatriates and travelers access trusted, comprehensive insurance solutions worldwide.
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