Credit Card Travel Insurance: Is It Really Enough?
Article highlights:
Credit card travel insurance can cover medical emergencies, trip interruptions, rental cars and more.
Coverage may not be enough for longer trips, bigger groups and those over age 65.
Supplementary coverage is available to those who need it.
Know what to do in the event you need to make a claim
When your bags are packed and you’re ready to go, the credit card in your wallet may be the only protection you have if something goes wrong on your trip.
That protection is worthwhile — many credit cards cover everything from delayed bags to medical emergencies at no additional cost to you. But when things come cheap or free, there’s usually a catch — right? Could your credit card travel insurance really give you all the coverage you need?
What is credit card travel insurance?
BACK TO TOPCredit card travel insurance is nearly identical to regular travel insurance that you might purchase from an insurance company or bank, except that it's included as a cardholder benefit at no extra charge.
Coverage varies by card and benefit, but this insurance covers a variety of potential losses, which may include medical emergencies and disruptions to your trip. Whether you need to pay for the trip with your card depends on the benefit.
» PREPARE: The best way to use a credit card overseas
What does credit card travel insurance cover?
Credit card travel insurance coverage varies from card to card. Some cards offer no protection at all, while others cover just about everything you can imagine that’s related to travel.
Common coverages include:
Travel emergency medical pays for the cost of medical emergencies, which may include ambulance services, hospital expenses, medical evacuation and more.
Trip cancellation reimburses your paid travel expenses if you need to cancel your trip. Covered causes may include illness, injury, death, bereavement and other things beyond your control.
Trip interruption covers your expenses in the event you need to cut your trip short due to injury, illness or another emergency beyond your control.
Flight/trip delay pays for eligible costs when a flight is delayed long enough to meet the policy’s threshold (usually a minimum of four hours). This coverage may pay for the cost of hotels, meals and sundries.
Delayed baggage reimburses your cost of purchasing essential items like clothing and toothbrushes when your baggage after a qualifying delay, which varies by policy (usually a minimum of four hours).
Lost baggage pays to replace your items after your luggage is permanently lost or stolen.
Common carrier travel accident pays a defined benefit in the event you’re killed or injured in an accident while travelling on a common carrier (e.g., airline or bus line).
Rental car collision/loss damage covers your liability to the rental agency in the event your rental car is damaged, lost or stolen.
Hotel/motel burglary pays to replace belongings that are stolen from your hotel room.
What are the limitations of credit card travel insurance?
Insurance companies love fine print. Luckily, so do we.
We’ve gone through the policies of the most popular credit cards in Canada to find out where their travel insurance coverage might have gaps.
Travel emergency medical insurance
Travel emergency medical insurance deserves its own section, because the limitations can be complex:
Coverage is typically limited to a maximum number of travelling days. The limit may be shorter for travellers 65 and older, and some cards stop providing coverage at age 65.
Coverage is usually limited to a maximum dollar amount (e.g., $1-million).
Certain categories, like dental care, are usually limited to a maximum dollar amount (e.g., $2,000)
Pre-existing conditions are generally not covered.
Injuries or death due to risky activities are generally not covered.
Some policies require you to contact the insurer before or soon after treatment when possible; check your certificate for notification and pre-approval requirements.
Rental car collision/loss damage coverage
Rental car collision/loss damage coverage also has complex limitations necessitating its own set of bullet points.
Coverage is typically limited to a maximum number of consecutive days.
Coverage is usually limited to cars and minivans. Pickup trucks, full-size vans, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and antique vehicles are not usually covered.
Coverage may not be extended to a rental vehicle used to tow a trailer.
Vehicles with an MSRP over a certain amount may not be covered.
Third party liability insurance, which covers injury and damage to others, is generally not included.
Other categories of coverage also have limitations:
Trip cancellation is typically only covered for specific causes and is limited to a maximum amount of coverage per person, per trip.
Trip interruption is typically only covered for specific causes and is limited to a maximum amount of coverage per person, per trip.
Flight/trip delay is limited to certain items purchased within a limited time frame to a maximum value per person.
Delayed baggage only applies after a qualifying delay, which varies by policy (typically four hours or more) and typically only pays for essential items to a maximum value per person.
Lost baggage only applies when baggage is permanently lost or stolen and only pays to replace the items actually lost, up to a maximum value per person.
Common carrier travel accident coverage is typically limited to a defined benefit even if the actual loss is higher.
Hotel/motel burglary coverage may exclude private rentals (i.e., Airbnb) and is limited to a maximum amount of coverage per person, per trip.
Many credit card travel insurance benefits require you to pay at least part of your travel costs with the card, but the rule isn’t universal. Emergency medical coverage may apply even if you didn’t charge the trip to the card. Check the requirements for each benefit separately.
Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada
Compare all different travel credit cards side-by-side and find out the best card that will meet your need with special perks and benefits
Is credit card travel insurance enough?
BACK TO TOPWhether your credit card’s travel insurance is enough depends on its specific coverage.
Let’s look at an example of a popular travel rewards credit card, the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card.
Category | Coverage | Good for | Not enough for |
|---|---|---|---|
Travel emergency medical | Up to $1 million per insured person per trip, for up to 25 consecutive days for persons aged 64 and under, and for up to 3 consecutive days for persons 65 and over. | People under age 65 for trips up to 25 days long. | Trips over 25 days for travellers under 65 or three days for travellers 65+; some pre-existing conditions. |
Trip cancellation/interruption | Up to $1,500 per insured person, up to a maximum of $10,000 per trip. | Trips costing less than $1,500 per person. | Trips with more than $1,500 in eligible costs per person or more than $10,000 in eligible costs per trip. |
Flight delay | Up to $500 per insured person per trip. | Most trips and travellers. | Delays where eligible expenses exceed $500 per person. |
Delayed and lost luggage | Up to $1,000 per trip. | Most trips and travellers. | Electronics, animals, and valuables. |
Common carrier travel accident | Up to $500,000 per person and up to $1 million per occurrence. | Most trips and travellers. | Individuals requiring more coverage. |
Hotel/motel burglary | Up to $1,000 per occurrence. | Most trips and travellers. | Valuables, stays outside Canada and the USA, AirBnB rentals. |
Rental car collision/loss damage | 48 days for vehicles up to $65,000 in value. | Most trips and travellers. | Long-term rentals, premium vehicles. |
As you can see, this card’s insurance is fairly broad. Where it starts to break down is for longer, more expensive trips, especially when costs exceed the per-person or per-trip limits. Travellers aged 65 and over may also need additional travel emergency medical insurance for trips longer than three days.
Alternatives to credit card travel insurance
If your credit card doesn’t offer enough protection, you may want to consider purchasing additional coverage for your trip. Such coverage is available from insurance companies as well as some banks.
Direct-to-consumer insurance providers
Best for: Travellers over 65, those with stable pre-existing medical conditions, long-term travellers and those without access to credit card emergency medical coverage.
Companies like Manulife and World Nomads offer comprehensive travel medical policies you can tailor to your trip needs and purchase directly from the carriers. As a rule of thumb, comprehensive travel insurance often costs a few percent of your total prepaid trip cost, though your price depends heavily on age, trip length and the coverage you choose.
When purchasing through a direct provider, you can choose from single-trip or annual policies. For frequent travellers who take two or three trips per year, annual policies usually offer a better bang for your buck than buying one-off trip coverage.
Banks
Best for: Travellers with access to bank-provided travel emergency medical policies and those who don’t have a travel or premium credit card.
Many banks also sell travel insurance directly, and eligibility can differ from credit card coverage. If your card’s policy doesn’t fit your age, trip length or medical needs, compare standalone policies from your bank alongside other insurers.
» TRAVELLING?: Learn how to get airport lounge access with a credit card
Which credit cards come with travel insurance?
BACK TO TOPMost travel rewards credit cards with an annual fee provide some amount of travel insurance, although there are a few cards with no annual fee that include limited coverage.
A few cards worth looking at include:
View details
Points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more.
Points for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining purchases, entertainment purchases, and eligible daily transit options (including rideshares, buses, subways, taxis and more).
Point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
A competitive travel card that earns up to 3x Scene+ points on everyday purchases, and comes with six complimentary airport lounge visits and no foreign transaction fees. While you can earn accelerated points (3x) on travel purchases, they must be made through the Scene+ Travel platform, which may feel limiting for some users. Best for: Frequent travellers who shop regularly at Scene+ partner grocery stores, spend big abroad and are looking for airport lounge access.
Pros
- Free airport lounge membership and six free visits per year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Free Avis Preferred Plus membership.
Cons
- An above-average $150 annual fee for a travel card.
- Top earn rate (3x on groceries) only applies to Sobeys and its subsidiary stores.
- Must book through Scene+ Travel platform to earn 3x points on travel.
- Earn up to $1,250 in first year welcome offers, rewards and savings*, including up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points¹
- Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and participating Co-ops and more.
- Earn 2x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on other eligible grocery stores, dining, eligible entertainment purchases and eligible daily transit options (including rideshares, buses, subways, taxis and more).
- Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
- Earn additional benefits + up to 4X Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia.
- No Foreign Transaction Fee.
- 6 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access.
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance coverage.
- Visa Infinite* Concierge Services.
- Visa Infinite* Hotel Collection.
- Visa Infinite* Dining and Wine Country program.
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of Aug 4, 2026. Subject to change.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card includes travel emergency medical insurance for up to 25 days and $2-million in coverage.
It also offers trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, flight delay insurance, delayed and lost luggage insurance, hotel/motel burglary insurance, common carrier travel accident insurance and rental car collision/loss damage insurance.
View details
Points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery.* Spend cap applies.
Points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
Points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada.
Point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else.
Additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online.
A standout everyday earner with up to 5x points on a spectrum of everyday spending categories, including eats and drinks, streaming services, gas and more. Unusually robust travel insurance for a mid-tier card makes it a decent travel companion, too. Best for: Those who spend big on groceries, entertainment or transit and want a flexible rewards program.
Pros
- Includes 10 forms of insurance.
- Points can be transferred to other rewards programs, including Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy.
- Up to $60 in Instacart statement credits.
Cons
- No lounge access.
- The 5x earn rate is capped at $2,500 monthly — purchases above the cap drop to 1x.
- In your first year as a new Cobalt Cardmember, you can earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in net purchases on your Card. This could add up to 15,000 points in a year. That’s up to $150 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets.
- Earn 5x the points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery. Spend cap applies.
- Earn 3x the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
- Earn 2X the points on eligible ride shares, transit & gas in Canada.
- Earn 1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online.
- Earn 1X point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else.
- Enjoy access to hotel bookings, a room upgrade (when available), 12pm check-in and late check-out (when available), and up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities when charged to the room for a stay of 2 or more consecutive nights through The Hotel Collection from American Express Travel
- Transfer points 1:1 to several frequent flyer and other loyalty programs.
- Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
The American Express Cobalt Card comes with travel emergency medical insurance for up to 15 days and $5-million in coverage.
It also includes coverage for rental cars, flight delays, baggage delays and hotel burglaries but lacks trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
View details
Points on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more.
Points for every $1 you spend on dining & food delivery. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
Points for every $1 you spend at other eligible grocery stores.
Points for every $1 you spend in Canada on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
Points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas purchases.
Points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more.
Points for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services.
Point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases.
A well-rounded rewards earner that stands out for its top-tier rates in popular categories, like groceries and entertainment spending. Its waived foreign exchange fees and travel insurance will appeal to travellers, but there’s no complimentary airport lounge access, just discounted membership to Priority Pass. Best for: Travellers and families who spend big on groceries, restaurants and commuting and want to collect Scene+ points.
Pros
- Generous rewards rates of up to 6x Scene+ points.
- No FX fees.
- Priority Pass airport lounge membership discount.
Cons
- No complimentary airport lounge access.
- Highest earn rate only applies to dollars spent at Sobeys and its subsidiary stores.
- Earn up to $950 in welcome offers, first year rewards and savings value and up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points.¹
- Earn 6x Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more
- Earn 5x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
- Earn 5x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.
- Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more
- Earn 3x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services
- Plus earn 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases
- Earn additional benefits + up to 4X Scene+ points for every dollar you spend on hotel bookings, car rentals, and things to do with Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia.
- No Foreign Transaction Fee
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance coverage
- AMEX Offers®
- AMEX Front of the Line®
- American Express Invites®
- Complimentary Concierge Services
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of July 2, 2026. Subject to change.
The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card is a popular card includes travel emergency medical insurance for up to 25 days and $1-million in coverage.
It also comes with trip cancellation/interruption insurance, flight delay insurance, delayed and lost luggage insurance, common carrier travel accident insurance, hotel burglary insurance and rental car collision/loss damage insurance.
View details
Points for every $1 you spend when you book travel through Expedia® For TD†.
Points for every $1 you spend on Groceries, Dining, and Public Transit†.
Points for every $1 you spend on Recurring Bill Payments and Streaming, Digital Gaming & Media†.
Points for every $1 you spend on other Purchases made using your Card†.
Avid Expedia users will get the most out of this card, with its top earn rate (8x TD points) on bookings made through the travel platform. An annual travel credit, airport lounge access and insurances round out this card as a solid pick for jetsetters. But the $139 may be too steep for some, and if you don’t use Expedia, the rewards may not be as fruitful. Best for: Frequent travellers and Expedia surfers who spend big on groceries, dining, and transit.
Pros
- $100 travel credit, annually.
- Airport lounge access and four free passes.
- Comprehensive travel insurance.
Cons
- Higher than average $139 annual fee for points card.
- Top earn rate (8x points) only applies to Expedia bookings.
- Earn up to $1,300 in value†, including up to 146,000 TD Rewards Points, receive an Annual Fee rebate for the first year† and additional travel benefits. Conditions Apply.
- Earn a welcome Bonus of 20,000 TD Rewards Points when you make your first Purchase with your Card†.
- Earn 126,000 TD Rewards Points when you spend $7,500 within 180 days of Account opening†.
- Get an Annual Fee Rebate for the first year†.
- Get an annual TD Travel Credit† of $100 when you book at Expedia® For TD.
- Earn a Birthday Bonus of up to 10,000 TD Rewards points†.
- Enjoy your time at the airport with global airport lounge access and 4 complimentary lounge visits with Visa Airport Companion Program (a value of up to $277)*.
- To receive the first-year annual fee rebate for the Primary Cardholder, you must activate your Card and make your first Purchase on the Account within the first 3 months after Account opening. To receive the Additional Cardholder(s) first-year annual fee rebate, you must add your Additional Cardholder(s) while the offer is in effect.
- Offer may be changed, withdrawn, or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise indicated.
- Earn 8 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend when you book travel through Expedia® For TD†.
- Earn 6 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on Groceries, Dining, and Public Transit†.
- Earn 4 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend on Recurring Bill Payments and Streaming, Digital Gaming & Media†.
- Earn 2 TD Rewards Points For every $1 you spend on other Purchases made using your Card† plus earn an annual Birthday Bonus† of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points.
- Earn more at Starbucks: Link your eligible Card to earn 50% more TD Rewards Points plus more Starbucks Stars. Redeem points for even more Stars. Conditions apply.
- No travel blackouts†, no seat restrictions† and no expiry† for your TD Rewards Points as long as your account is open and in good standing.
- Each year, you will receive one $100.00 TD Travel Credit on your first Eligible Travel Credit Purchase of $500.00 or more made with Expedia For TD and posted to the Account in a calendar year.
- Interest Rates: 21.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances.
- Go Places on Points: Your Points are worth more when you redeem through Expedia® For TD: Search over a million flights, hotels, packages and more! When you’re ready to book, you can redeem† your TD Rewards Points towards your travel purchase right away.
- Travel Medical Insurance†: Up to $2 million of coverage for the first 21 days. If you or your spouse is aged 65 or older, you are covered for the first 4 days of your trip. Additional top-up coverage is available.
- To be eligible, $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
- †Terms and conditions apply.
- The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button.
The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card offers travel medical insurance for up to 21 days and $2-million.
It also offers flight/trip delay insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, common carrier travel accident insurance, delayed and lost baggage insurance, hotel burglary insurance, and auto rental collision/loss damage insurance.
How to compare travel insurance benefits
BACK TO TOPFirst, decide what types of insurance coverage are most important to you. That makes it easier to compare cards, since there are so many kinds of credit card insurance.
But most people don’t get credit cards just for the insurance. What other perks does the card offer that you’d enjoy or make use of?
Next, compare the annual fees on the cards you're considering. The best insurance tends to come with premium credit cards, and if you don’t optimize those cards’ perks, it’s probably cheaper to get a separate travel insurance policy.
» MORE: When is an annual fee worth it?
Questions to ask when comparing credit card travel insurance:
Getting the answers to these questions will help you choose the right card. You can find them in the insurance policy documentation online or by contacting the credit card company directly.
What forms of travel insurance do you provide?
What do I need to do to qualify? (For example, do I need to pay for the trip in full with the card?)
Does it cover travel partners, such as friends or dependents?
What are the limitations and exceptions?
What is the maximum amount of coverage?
What is the maximum length of trip covered?
For a medical emergency, are pre-existing medical conditions covered? Does age affect coverage?
What insurance company is this policy with, and what is their contact information?
What do I do in the event of a claim?
And here are some additional questions for car rental insurance:
What countries am I covered to drive in?
What is the maximum rental period covered?
What kind of vehicles are covered, and what is the maximum value?
What types of coverage are offered? (For example, collision/loss/damage, personal accident, third party liability.)
What is the deductible?
Who is insured to drive? (For example, only the cardholder may be covered.)
Are there age restrictions?
Are there any types of roads that I can’t drive on?
» MORE: Do you need credit card roadside assistance?
How to compare travel insurance benefits
BACK TO TOPTake time to read over your card’s travel insurance claims process in advance, when you’re at home and calm. Knowing what you need to do in the event of a claim will help you later, during an inevitably stressful time.
Be prompt (and know your policy number)
In some cases, you need to file paperwork within a certain number of days, or the claim can be denied. And for travel medical insurance, you need to call the insurance company as soon as reasonably possible and follow the policy’s notification rules. If you need urgent medical care, get treatment first.
Thus, you’ll need your insurance policy number and contact information on you at all times. Write it down on a slip of paper and keep it in your wallet (in case your phone is lost or damaged in an accident).
Know what you packed
For lost baggage and burglary claims, you may need to prove what items you owned and how much they cost, for which you’ll need original receipts and/or photos of you using those items.
Receipts are also required for trip cancellation, flight delay, and other forms of insurance involving reimbursement.
Be persistent
Scrutinize offered reimbursements and advocate for your rights. It’s not uncommon to have to appeal insurance claims or correct mistakes made by the adjustor.
The only way to do this is to keep copies of everything and take meticulous notes through the claims process, and be prepared to escalate the matter if the insurance company doesn’t initially accept or reimburse your entire claim.
If the reason you can’t catch your connecting flight home is because the airline unexpectedly shut down — it happens! — contact the airline directly to figure out the best course of action before filing a claim with your credit card issuer.
Article highlights:
Credit card travel insurance can cover medical emergencies, trip interruptions, rental cars and more.
Coverage may not be enough for longer trips, bigger groups and those over age 65.
Supplementary coverage is available to those who need it.
Know what to do in the event you need to make a claim
DIVE EVEN DEEPER
Shannon Terrell