Trip delay insurance
If your trip is severely delayed, you could be reimbursed for reasonable purchases. This could include:
- Accommodations
- Meals
- Medications
- Toiletries
Most policies require your trip to be delayed a minimum of six hours. The delay also needs to be because of your carrier -- not you. For example, a delay caused by a technical malfunction on a commercial airplane is covered. A flat tire on your way to the airport probably isn't. This coverage typically maxes out around $500.
Auto rental collision damage waiver
This is similar to the insurance they offer you at the rental car agency, though it may be a bit more limited. It reimburses for damages or theft of an eligible rental car caused in a covered event. There are two forms of this coverage:
- Primary coverage: Primary rental car coverage applies before your personal auto insurance kicks in.
- Secondary coverage: Secondary rental car coverage only applies after your personal auto insurance has been exhausted.
You need to turn down the coverage from the rental agency to be eligible. Certain kinds of cars, like luxury or sports cars, may be excluded.
Baggage delay insurance
If you arrived but your baggage didn't, you could get reimbursed for certain essential items, such as:
- Clothing
- Phone/laptop chargers
- Toiletries
Expensive items, like hearing aids, jewelry, and electronics, usually don't qualify for reimbursement. This benefit tends to max out around $100 a day.
Your luggage usually needs to be delayed for a minimum of six hours. Your coverage can reset each day, up to a maximum number of days.
Lost luggage reimbursement
You could be redeemed when your baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen while in the possession of a common carrier. Keep in mind this doesn't apply to things you simply forget or leave behind.
This coverage applies to your bags as well as the stuff inside them. Both your carry-on and checked baggage can qualify. Coverage typically caps out around $1,000 to $3,000 per bag. Certain electronics and jewelry may have specific maximum payments.
Travel accident insurance
This coverage pays out in the case of accidental loss of life, dismemberment, and/or loss of sight. It typically covers you and any immediate family members traveling with you. You won't be covered if you're injured or killed doing something illegal or as the result of a war. Coverage limits depend on the specific incident.
Emergency evacuation and transportation
You could be reimbursed if you need to be evacuated from your destination in an emergency. This most often applies to emergency medical transportation as recommended by a physician.
Credit cards with travel insurance
If you want a card with travel insurance, you'll likely wind up with a Chase or American Express card. These issuers have the most cards with some type of travel insurance, even if it's just baggage coverage. These two issuers are also home to many of the top travel rewards cards, including some of the most popular hotel and airline credit cards.
That's not to say you can't find a card with travel insurance outside these two issuers -- you can. They're just few and far between. In most cases, the card will likely sport a Visa Infinite logo, or at least Visa Signature. You can check out your card's benefits documents to see if it offers any kind of travel insurance.