2017’s Best Credit Cards with Travel Insurance
2:40 PMPosted by: Alina Comoreanu
Illness and natural disasters disrupt 1 in 6 Americans’ travel plans. But only 22% of those affected have travel insurance. And given that travel insurance packages typically inflate the cost of a trip by 4% to 8%, it’s no surprise that most people are content rolling the dice.
Fortunately, the solution might already be in your wallet. Credit card travel insurance can reimburse cardholders in the event of cancelled trips, missed connections, lost or delayed luggage, or even death. But coverage amounts and restrictions vary widely based on the type of card you have, the company that issues it and the card network it’s affiliated with. So you don’t want to exclusively rely on plastic before looking into the details of your policy.
With that in mind, WalletHub compared the travel insurance coverage offered by 92 credit cards from the 10 largest issuers. Below, you can check out our findings as well as the methodology we used to rate each card. You can also check out our editors’ picks for the best overall travel credit cards .
Key Findings2017’s Best Credit Cards with Travel Insurance
| Type Of Insurance | Best Card(s) | Coverage Details | WalletHub Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Accident |  Chase Sapphire Reserve  Chase JP Morgan Reserve |
$1,000K in coverage offered and $100K full trip insurance. | 87.50%87.50% |
| Lost Luggage & Delayed Luggage |  Chase Sapphire Preferred Chase JP Morgan Reserve Citi Prestige Card |
Lost Luggage: $3K in coverageDelayed Luggage: $500 in coverage per trip | 92.90%87.50%85.25% |
| Trip Delay / Cancellation | Chase Sapphire Preferred |
Trip Cancellation: $10K in coverage per tripTrip Delay: $500 in coverage per ticket | 92.90% |
| Best Overall | Chase Sapphire Preferred |
Travel Accident: $500K in coverage offeredLost Luggage: $3K in coverageDelayed Luggage: $500 in coverage per tripTrip Cancellation: $10K in coverage per tripTrip Delay: $500 in coverage per ticket | 92.90% |
Market snapshot:
- 90% of cards offer travel accident insurance, providing an average of $397K in coverage.
- 38% of cards offer lost luggage insurance, with an average of $2.5K in coverage.
- 25% of cards offer delayed luggage insurance, with an average of $300 in coverage.
- 32% of cards offer trip cancellation insurance, providing an average of $3.2K in coverage.
- 6% of cards offer travel delay insurance, providing an average of $500 in coverage.
2017’s Best Business Credit Cards with Travel Insurance
| Type Of Insurance | Best Card(s) | Coverage Details | WalletHub Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Accident |  Chase Ink Business Preferred |
$500K in coverage k offered | 91.50% |
| Lost Luggage & Delayed Luggage | Chase Ink Business Preferred |
Lost Luggage: $3K in coverageDelayed Luggage: $500 in coverage per trip | 91.50% |
| Trip Delay / Cancellation | Chase Ink Business Preferred |
Trip Cancellation: $5K in coverage per tripTrip Delay: $500 in coverage per ticket | 91.50% |
| Best Overall | Chase Ink Business Preferred |
Travel Accident: $500K in coverage k offeredLost Luggage: $3K in coverageDelayed Luggage: $500 in coverage per tripTrip Cancellation: $5K in coverage per tripTrip Delay: $500 in coverage per ticket | 91.50% |
Market snapshot:
- 87% of cards offer travel accident insurance, providing an average of $265K in coverage.
- 65% of cards offer lost luggage insurance, with an average of $2.5K in coverage.
- 13% of cards offer delayed luggage insurance, with an average of $360 in coverage.
- 9% of cards offer trip cancellation insurance, providing an average of $3.2K in coverage.
- 9% of cards offer travel delay insurance, providing an average of $500 in coverage.
| Example Of An Average Policy | Best Policy | |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Up | No sign up or product registration required | No sign up or product registration required |
| Travel Accident Insurance | $100,000 for death and dismemberment. If primary cardholder and authorized users, spouse / domestic partner are killed in a common carrier accident while traveling — or lose a limb, sight, speech or hearing — the benefit may offer some financial assistance. | $500,000 for death and dismemberment. If primary cardholder and authorized users, spouse / domestic partner, dependent children (under 24), legal guardians or wards, siblings or siblings-in-law, parents or parents-in-law, grandparents or grandchildren, aunts or uncles, nieces or nephews are killed in a common carrier accident while traveling or during your vacation — or lose a limb, sight, speech or hearing — the benefit may offer some financial assistance. |
| Luggage Insurance | $1,750 for lost luggage and $0 for delayed luggage.If your checked or carry-on luggage is permanently lost, stolen or damaged by the common carrier, benefit may refund the purchase price of the missing items or the cost to repair the damaged items. | $3,000 for lost luggage and $500 for delayed luggage.If your checked or carry-on luggage is permanently lost, stolen or damaged by the common carrier, the benefit may refund the purchase price of the missing items or the cost to repair the damaged items. If your checked baggage is delayed on a trip, the benefit may reimburse the cost of necessary personal and business items until your baggage arrives. |
| Extra Travel Insurance | None | Up to $10,000 per trip if your trip gets canceled or cut short.Up to $500 if your trip is delayed by 12+ hours. If your trip is cancelled or interrupted because of personal matters, illness, travel related or weather, you may be reimbursed for the cost. |
| Travel Emergency Assistance | Help with lost/stolen luggage and travel documents. Referrals to local physicians, attorneys, embassies and cash advance services. | Help with lost/stolen luggage and travel documents. Referrals to local physicians, attorneys, embassies and cash advance services. |
| Claims Process | Submit Proof of Loss, which must describe both the Accident and the Injury, and the extent and type of loss (medical records, and death certificate, proof of payment method for the Common Carrier). | Submit Proof of Loss, which must describe both the Accident and the Injury, and the extent and type of loss (medical records, and death certificate, proof of payment method for the Common Carrier). |
| Example Card Offering This Type of Policy | AmEx Green Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred |
Personal Cards
| Overall | Card Name | Luggage Insurance | Travel Accident Insurance | Eligibility, Cost & Extra Coverage | Overall Score (weighted average) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sapphire Preferred (Chase) | 90% | 100% | 88% | 92.90% |
| T - 2 | JP Morgan Reserve (Chase) | 90% | 100% | 70% | 87.50% |
| T - 2 | Sapphire Reserve (Chase) | 90% | 100% | 70% | 87.50% |
| 4 | ThankYou Premier Card (Citi) | 76% | 95% | 86% | 85.75% |
| 5 | Prestige Card (Citi) | 90% | 95% | 68% | 85.25% |
| T - 6 | Home Rebate Visa Signature (Wells Fargo) | 55% | 96% | 98% | 82.10% |
| T - 6 | Visa Signature (Wells Fargo) | 55% | 96% | 98% | 82.10% |
| T - 8 | Freedom Unlimited Card (Chase) | 55% | 91% | 100% | 81.10% |
| T - 8 | Freedom Visa Signature (Chase) | 55% | 91% | 100% | 81.10% |
| 10 | MERRILL+ Visa Signature Card (BofA) | 55% | 96% | 88% | 79.10% |
| 11 | Propel 365 (Wells Fargo) | 75% | 91% | 59% | 75.80% |
| T - 12 | Perks+ (US Bank) | 55% | 96% | 65% | 72.35% |
| T - 12 | Cash+ (US Bank) | 55% | 96% | 65% | 72.35% |
| 14 | VentureOne Rewards Visa Signature (Capital One) | 55% | 91% | 65% | 70.60% |
| 15 | FlexPerks Travel Rewards (US Bank) | 55% | 96% | 59% | 70.55% |
| T - 16 | Travel Rewards Visa Signature (BofA) | 55% | 90% | 65% | 70.25% |
| T - 16 | Cash Rewards Visa Signature (BofA) | 55% | 90% | 65% | 70.25% |
| T - 18 | Rewards American Express (USAA) | 28% | 96% | 88% | 69.65% |
| T - 18 | Rewards Visa Signature (USAA) | 28% | 96% | 88% | 69.65% |
| T - 18 | Cash Rewards Visa Signature (USAA) | 28% | 96% | 88% | 69.65% |
| T - 18 | Cashback Rewards Plus American Express (USAA) | 28% | 96% | 88% | 69.65% |
| T - 18 | Cash Rewards American Express (USAA) | 28% | 96% | 88% | 69.65% |
| T - 18 | Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature (USAA) | 28% | 96% | 88% | 69.65% |
| 24 | Arrival Plus (Barclaycard) | 28% | 96% | 83% | 68.30% |
| 25 | Classic Visa Platinum (USAA) | 28% | 96% | 82% | 67.85% |
| 26 | Venture Rewards Visa Signature (Capital One) | 55% | 91% | 53% | 67.00% |
| 27 | Propel (Wells Fargo) | 47% | 86% | 65% | 66.05% |
| 28 | Platinum Card (Amex) | 55% | 96% | 35% | 63.35% |
| T - 29 | Green Card (Amex) | 47% | 86% | 53% | 62.45% |
| T - 29 | EveryDay Preferred (Amex) | 47% | 86% | 53% | 62.45% |
| 31 | ThankYou Preferred Card (Citi) | Not offered | 90% | 98% | 60.75% |
| T - 32 | Premier Rewards Gold Card (Amex) | 47% | 91% | 41% | 60.60% |
| T - 32 | Gold Card (Amex) | 47% | 91% | 41% | 60.60% |
| T - 34 | Quicksilver Rewards World Elite Mastercard (Capital One) | 21% | 96% | 65% | 60.45% |
| T - 34 | Quicksilver Rewards Mastercard Platinum (Capital One) | 21% | 96% | 65% | 60.45% |
| T - 36 | Diamond Preferred (Citi) | Not offered | 90% | 95% | 60.00% |
| T - 36 | Double Cash (Citi) | Not offered | 90% | 95% | 60.00% |
| T - 36 | Simplicity (Citi) | Not offered | 90% | 95% | 60.00% |
| 39 | FlexPerks Gold (US Bank) | 40% | 96% | 38% | 59.00% |
| 40 | Rate Advantage Platinum Visa (USAA) | 28% | 91% | 58% | 58.9% |
| T - 41 | FlexPerks Select+ (US Bank) | Not offered | 91% | 65% | 51.35% |
| T - 41 | Blue Cash (Amex) | Not offered | 91% | 65% | 51.35% |
| T - 41 | EveryDay (Amex) | Not offered | 91% | 65% | 51.35% |
| T - 41 | Blue (Amex) | Not offered | 91% | 65% | 51.35% |
| T - 41 | "Blue Sky (Amex) | Not offered | 91% | 65% | 51.35% |
| T - 46 | Rewards Card (Wells Fargo) | Not offered | 86% | 70% | 51.10% |
| T - 46 | Home Rebate Card (Wells Fargo) | Not offered | 86% | 70% | 51.10% |
| T - 46 | Platinum (Wells Fargo) | Not offered | 86% | 70% | 51.10% |
| T - 46 | Cash Wise (Wells Fargo) | Not offered | 86% | 70% | 51.10% |
| T - 50 | Venture Rewards Visa Platinum (Capital One) | Not offered | 86% | 65% | 49.60% |
| T - 50 | Blue Cash Everyday(Amex) | Not offered | 86% | 65% | 49.60% |
| T - 50 | Plenti Credit Card (Amex) | Not offered | 86% | 65% | 49.60% |
| T - 50 | Visa Card (BofA) | Not offered | 86% | 65% | 49.6% |
| T - 50 | Platinum(Capital One) | Not offered | 86% | 65% | 49.60% |
| T - 50 | VentureOne Rewards Visa Platinum (Capital One) | Not offered | 86% | 65% | 49.60% |
| T - 56 | Travel Rewards Visa Platinum (BofA) | Not offered | 85% | 65% | 49.25% |
| T - 56 | Cash Rewards Visa Platinum (BofA) | Not offered | 85% | 65% | 49.25% |
| T - 56 | Better Balance Rewards (BofA) | Not offered | 85% | 65% | 49.25% |
| T - 56 | Mastercard (BofA) | Not offered | 85% | 65% | 49.25% |
| T - 60 | Discover It (Discover) | Not offered | 81% | 65% | 47.85% |
| T - 60 | Discover Miles (Discover) | Not offered | 81% | 65% | 47.85% |
| 62 | QuicksilverOne (Capital One) | Not offered | 86% | 59% | 47.80% |
| 63 | Blue Cash Preferred (Amex) | Not offered | 91% | 53% | 47.75% |
| 64 | Cash 365 (US Bank) | Not offered | 96% | 30% | 42.60% |
| T - 65 | Freedom Visa (Chase) | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | 0% |
| T - 65 | CashForward (Barclaycard) | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | 0% |
| T - 65 | Ring(Barclaycard) | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | 0% |
| T - 65 | Slate(Chase) | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | 0%" |
| T - 65 | Platinum Card (US Bank) | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | 0% |
Business Cards
| Rank | Credit Card Name | Luggage Insurance | Travel Accident Insurance | Eligibility, Cost & Extra Coverage | Overall Score (weighted average) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ink Business Preferred (Chase) | 90% | 96% | 88% | 91.50% |
| 2 | Ink Cash (Chase) | 83% | 96% | 70% | 83.65% |
| 3 | Business Elite Card (Wells Fargo) | 83% | 91% | 70% | 81.90% |
| 4 | Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard (Bofa) | 55% | 90% | 95% | 79.25% |
| T - 5 | Spark Cash Select (Capital One) | 55% | 91% | 65% | 70.60% |
| T - 5 | Spark Classic (Capital One) | 55% | 91% | 65% | 70.60% |
| T - 5 | Spark Miles Select (Capital One) | 55% | 91% | 65% | 70.60% |
| T - 8 | Spark Cash (Capital One) | 55% | 91% | 53% | 67.00% |
| T - 8 | Spark Miles (Capital One) | 55% | 91% | 53% | 67.00% |
| T - 10 | SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card (Amex) | 47% | 86% | 65% | 66.05% |
| T - 10 | Blue for Business (Amex) | 47% | 86% | 65% | 66.05% |
| 12 | Business Platinum (Amex) | 55% | 96% | 35% | 63.35% |
| 13 | Business Green Rewards (Amex) | 47% | 86% | 53% | 62.45% |
| 14 | Business Gold Rewards Card (Amex) | 47% | 86% | 41% | 58.85% |
| 15 | The Plum Card (Amex) | 47% | 86% | 35% | 57.05% |
| 16 | Business Platinum Credit Card (Wells Fargo) | Not offered | 91% | 70% | 52.85% |
| 17 | FlexPerks Business Edge Travel Rewards Card (U.S. Bank) | Not offered | 96% | 53% | 49.50% |
| T - 18 | Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard(BofA) | Not offered | 85% | 65% | 49.25% |
| T - 18 | Platinum Visa Business Card (BofA) | Not offered | 85% | 65% | 49.25% |
| T - 18 | Platinum Plus for Business (BofA) | Not offered | 85% | 65% | 49.25% |
| T - 21 | Business Edge Platinum (U.S. Bank) | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | 0% |
| T - 21 | Business Edge Cash Rewards World Elite (U.S. Bank) | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | 0% |
| T - 21 | Business Edge Select Rewards Card (U.S. Bank) | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | 0% |
Wallethub reviewed the online travel benefits policies for all of the credit cards available via the websites of the 10 largest credit card issuers by purchase volume, excluding student and co-branded cards.
We evaluated each offer in three overall categories, using the corresponding weights to obtain overall scores: Travel Accident Insurance (35%); Luggage Insurance (35%); Eligibility Cost & Extra Coverage (30%). These categories are comprised of 12 individual metrics, descriptions of which you can find below. For cards featuring multiple policies, we evaluated their average coverage details.
Where policies were incomplete or unclear, we contacted the issuers directly and requested clarification. All issuers responded to our questions and either confirmed the accuracy of our data or provided corrections, with the exception of Barclaycard.
The maximum score attainable for a card in this report is 100%.
Travel Accident Insurance1. What is Covered? - Worth 50%A) Death and Dismemberment – Worth 25%
- If death and dismemberment is covered = 25%
- If only death is covered = 15%
- If only dismemberment is covered = 10%
- If there is no benefit offered = No points (where applicable)
B) Modes of Travel Included – Worth 15%
- Airlines = 10%
- Buses= 2%
- Taxis / Airport Limousines = 1%
- Cruises / Boats = 1%
- Trains = 1%
- No benefit offered = No points (where applicable)
*Scores for this metric are cumulative, as more than one option may be available
C) Coverage Duration – Worth 10%
- Entire trip, from departure to return – door to door = 10%
- Departure to arrival in destination (both ways), plus auxiliary transportation (i.e. taxi, bus, train, etc.) = 6%
- Departure to arrival in destination (both ways)= 5%
- Length of stay at designated destination = 5%
- No benefit offered = No points (where applicable)
2. Amount Offered for Death / Accident Coverage - Worth 50%
- If the benefit amount is $300,000+ = 50%
- If the benefit amount is $200,000 - $299,999 = 45%
- If the benefit amount is $100,000 - $199,000 = 40%
- If the benefit amount is $0 - $99,999 = 25% points
- If there is no benefit offered = No points (where applicable)
Luggage Insurance1. What type of luggage does it cover? – Worth 15%
- If both carry-on and checked baggage is covered = 15%
- If only checked luggage is covered = 12%
- If there is no benefit offered = No points (where applicable)
2. Amount of coverage for delayed luggage - Worth 35%
- If the benefit amount is $400+ = 35%
- If the benefit amount is $200 - $399 = 28%
- If the benefit amount is up to $199 = 21%
- If no coverage is offered = No points (where applicable)
3. Amount of coverage for lost luggage - Worth 40%
- If the benefit amount is $2000+ = 40%
- If the benefit amount is between $1000 -$1999 = 32%
- If the benefit amount is between $500 - $999 = 28%
- If the benefit amount is up to $499 = 20%
- If no coverage is offered = No points (where applicable)
4. Offers hotel burglary coverage? - Worth 10%
- If the benefit is offered = 10%
- If the benefit is not offered = No points (where applicable)
Eligibility, Cost & Extra Coverage1. Who is covered? – Worth 25%
- Full family (includes immediate family plus nieces, uncles, siblings in law etc.) = 25%
- Immediate family (includes cardholder, spouse and dependable children) = 20%
- Cardholder only = 5%
- No coverage provided = No points (where applicable)
2. Is additional travel insurance coverage provided (e.g. coverage for delayed trips, cancelled trips and missed connections)? – Worth 30%
- If additional travel insurance coverage is provided = 30%
- If additional travel insurance coverage is not provided = No points (where applicable)
3. Activating the benefit – Worth 15%
- If no sign up is required and coverage is still provided when purchases are paid for using rewards = 15%
- If no sign up is required = 11.25%
- If coverage is still provided when purchases are paid for using rewards = 3.75%
- If there is no benefit offered = No points (where applicable)
4. Second year annual fee – Worth 30%
- If the annual fee of the card is $0 = 30%
- If the annual fee of the card is $1 - $49 = 24%
- If the annual fee of the card is $50 - $99 = 18%
- If the annual fee of the card is $100+ = 6%
- If the annual fee of the card is $200+ = No points (where applicable)
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