Guide to Capital One Travel Insurance

Traveling can bring a host of worries, but travel insurance can help create peace of mind when away from home.

Capital One offers a range of credit cards, many of which provide travel insurance as part of the benefits. This service is free to cardholders, though coverage isn’t automatic. Let’s look at Capital One travel insurance, which cards offer this perk and the benefits you can expect.

» Learn more: What is travel insurance?

Does Capital One have travel insurance?

Capital One’s credit card travel insurance is complimentary and available on many different cards. To be eligible for the insurance, you’ll need to have charged the cost of the trip to your Capital One card. Once you’ve done so, the insurance kicks in automatically.

Capital One credit cards with travel insurance

Many of Capital One’s credit cards include travel insurance, even ones you wouldn’t normally expect. Here are some of the best:

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card.

• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.

• Capital One Spark Miles for Business.

• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - Miles Boost.

» Learn more: How does credit card travel insurance work?

Capital One travel insurance benefits

The actual benefits you’ll receive will depend on which Capital One credit card you hold. In general, these cards provide a whole suite of trip insurance options including rental car insurance, trip delay insurance and baggage delay insurance. Here are some of the best features of Capital One trip insurance.

Trip cancellation and interruption protection

Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for nonrefundable expenses incurred when your trip has been canceled. There are two cases for which you’ll be covered: in the event of injury, death, disease or illness of you or your immediate family member, or default of the common carrier (an airline, for example) resulting from financial insolvency.

If eligible, Capital One’s trip cancellation insurance will refund you up to $2,000 per person for your ticket when you or other covered travelers (such as a spouse or child) cannot travel.

Trip interruption insurance has the same requirements and benefits as trip cancellation insurance, though it simply means that your trip has been interrupted, not entirely canceled.

» Learn more: 10 credit cards that provide travel insurance

Trip delay insurance

Capital One’s travel protection isn’t limited to cancellations. You’ll also have coverage with an eligible card in the event of delays. For example, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has trip delay insurance that begins after six hours of delay or one that requires an overnight stay.

If this is the case, you, your spouse and dependent children under the age of 22 are eligible for up to $500 in expenses incurred due to the delay.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Rental car insurance

Rental car companies love to charge you for their proprietary insurance offerings, but if you have an eligible Capital One card, you’ll want to skip out on their charges.

Both the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee) and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 annual fee) offer rental car insurance. In the case of the less expensive Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, coverage is secondary. This means that it’ll kick in after any personal insurance that you have.

The rental car insurance offered by the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is primary, so it’ll be the first provider with whom you’ll file a claim in the event of an incident.

Note that you’ll need to decline the rental car company’s collision damage waiver for the insurance to apply. You’ll also need to use your eligible card to pay for the rental. Coverage includes expenses for damage incurred by either theft or collision.

» Learn more: How Capital One rental car insurance works

Baggage coverage

Capital One travel protection also includes lost luggage insurance. If your carry-on or checked luggage is lost due to theft or misdirection by the common carrier, Capital One will reimburse you up to $3,000 (or $2,000 for New York residents).

Lost luggage reimbursement is secondary, which means it’ll pay you the difference between the value of your claim and what the common carrier reimburses you.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

How to make a Capital One travel insurance claim

The exact process you’ll need to follow to make a travel insurance claim on your Capital One card will vary based on the card you hold and the claim you’re making.

Generally speaking, you’ll have a limited number of days to file the claim and you’ll need to call or submit your paperwork online.

However, you’ll want to check the individual benefits guide for your credit card for the steps you’ll need to take. They’ll be outlined in detail so it’s simple to follow.

» Learn more: What does travel insurance cover?

If you’re interested in Capital One travel insurance

Capital One has a range of credit cards that provide travel insurance as part of their benefits. Among common offerings are lost luggage reimbursement, rental car insurance and trip delay insurance.

However, each card has its own particular set of insurance coverages, so it’s important to double-check before using your card to book. Otherwise, this is an excellent — and free — perk of being a Capital One cardholder.