What is credit card travel insurance?

Complimentary credit card travel insurance is a popular feature of some premium credit cards. It can provide cover for the cardholder when they are travelling domestically and/or internationally.

Complimentary travel insurance is not necessarily ‘free’. Credit card providers will usually charge an annual card fee to cover the cost. However, it could still be a cost-effective alternative to a standalone travel insurance policy.

It’s important to check what your credit card travel insurance covers and what you have to do to activate your policy before you travel. For example, you may need to pay for your flights or other travel expenses with your credit card to be eligible for cover.

What is covered by complimentary credit card travel insurance?

Coverage will depend on the credit card travel insurance policy. It could include cover for:

• Overseas medical expenses.
• Lost, damaged or stolen property.
• Cancelled or delayed flights.
• Accidental death.
• Legal liability (e.g. if you cause an accident during your trip and are required to pay compensation to other people).

What you are covered for, who’s covered, and the limits that apply, will depend on your policy, so it’s important to read your policy documents. Exclusions can also apply and policies may only cover trips of a certain length. There may also be an excess amount payable if you need to make a claim.

Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) for the insurance policy to understand what’s included and whether it’s suitable for your situation.

Complimentary credit card travel insurance may only be available to customers who have more premium credit cards, such as rewards or frequent flyer cards. Other credit cards may still include complimentary travel insurance, but for a more basic level of cover or a lower amount.

What types of credit card travel insurance are there?

Depending on the credit card you choose, some or all of the following types of insurance may be included.

Overseas travel insurance

This may cover the policyholder for a range of risks related to travelling overseas, such as:

• Costs incurred from cancellation or delay.
• Medical expenses
• Lost baggage and replacement of travel documents.
• Funeral, cremation or body repatriation costs. 

The policyholder may also have the option of adding additional cover to their policy for specific risks (e.g. skiing or cruise cover), which could come with additional fees. 

Domestic travel insurance or interstate flight inconvenience

This may cover the policyholder for some of the risks associated with interstate travel in Australia. Depending on the policy, covered risks may include:

• Delay or cancellation costs.
• Loss or damage to personal belongings
• Funeral expenses

Transit accident insurance

This kind of policy may cover accidental injury or death that occurs while the policyholder is boarding or travelling as a paying passenger on a plane, bus, train, ferry or eligible form of transport.

Car rental excess cover

Some policies may cover the policyholder for the cost of any excess they may need to pay to a rental car hire company in the event of an accident involving the rented vehicle. This cover is sometimes included as a benefit under a broader travel insurance policy or can be added separately.