Travel Credit Card Insurance

[vettesale]

Speaking of travel insurance, I use a paid credit card marketed for travelers that includes travel insurance plus other travel related perks. I've never bought trip insurance like I see others here purchasing. Do I have a false sense of security thinking that the travel card will protect me in case of cancellations, medical emergencies, etc.? In their travel benefits all these are listed as covered but I've never had to use it. I did come real close once before a departing on a cruise. Royal stepped up and refunded me the fare at that time (pre-covid) so I cancelled the claim.

 

Thanks.

[Ken at the beach]

1 minute ago, vettesale said:

Do I have a false sense of security thinking that the travel card will protect me in case of cancellations, medical emergencies, etc.?

You are the only one that can tell that by carefully reading your policy.  Some cards are better than others and all can have very different terms in what they will cover.  Just as an example, for some cards you must pay the entire amount on the one card, on others it's just a portion.

[klfrodo]

I use the Chase Saphire Reserved which has great travel benefits, but still, these benefits have severe limitations which I'm not comfortable enough to self insure or risk what is not covered.

[rudeney]

You need to read your policy, but I have found that most "included" insurance on credit cards is not very good.  An example is with a friend who had a card with rental coverage.  When he needed to file a, he discovered that the credit card insurance was only "secondary" and he'd have to file first with his personal insurance, which did not cover rental cars unless rented in conjunction with another claim.  Since there was essentially no primary coverage, the card company declined to cover anything. 

 

After that, I found that AMEX offers a rider for primary coverage that costs $19.99 per rental (not day).  I had to use it once with an Enterprise car where a rock cracked the windshield.  The Enterprise agent told me I needed to pay estimated damages right then and there.  I called AMEX and they had me put the agent on the phone.  After a brief conversation, the agent told me it was all handled and to have a nice day.  

[Charles4515]

4 hours ago, rudeney said:

You need to read your policy, but I have found that most "included" insurance on credit cards is not very good.  An example is with a friend who had a card with rental coverage.  When he needed to file a, he discovered that the credit card insurance was only "secondary" and he'd have to file first with his personal insurance, which did not cover rental cars unless rented in conjunction with another claim.  Since there was essentially no primary coverage, the card company declined to cover anything. 

 

After that, I found that AMEX offers a rider for primary coverage that costs $19.99 per rental (not day).  I had to use it once with an Enterprise car where a rock cracked the windshield.  The Enterprise agent told me I needed to pay estimated damages right then and there.  I called AMEX and they had me put the agent on the phone.  After a brief conversation, the agent told me it was all handled and to have a nice day.  

Chase Saphire Reserve included rental car insurance is primary. That said I would never consider the Chase Reserve included insurance sufficent for a cruise. I use it for air travel but when I cruise I buy a cruise policy.

Edited July 1, 2022 by Charles4515

[CruisingHogFan]

I have not found a credit card insurance that is near good enough. My Amex platinum has good coverage for the cost of the the triode It’s the medical part that I’m interested in and always buy 3rd party with high medial limits. I can handle losing 5k-10k for the trip but have a medical emergency like a heart attack you could be out 100k plus without proper coverage. 

Edited July 1, 2022 by CruisingHogFan