qantas amex travel insurance policy

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Qantas travel insurance policies, 18/07/2023 • knowledge, information.

Who is the underwriter for Qantas Travel Insurance policies?

All Qantas Travel Insurance policies issued to Australian residents from 19 July 2023 are issued by AIG Australia Limited ABN 93 004 727 753, AFSL 381686 (“AIG”). Qantas Airways Limited is an authorised representative (AR 261363) of AIG.  Note: If you purchased your Qantas Travel Insurance policy before 19 July 2023, view the policy information .

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Other useful articles.

• Booking Travel Insurance online
• How do I earn Qantas Points when I purchase a Qantas Insurance travel insurance policy?
• Changing your existing travel insurance policy
• Domestic travel on international flights
• Qantas Travel Money

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Cookie List

Qantas Premier Credit Card

Who is the credit provider and issuer of Qantas Premier credit cards?

Why choose a Qantas Premier credit card?

How long does the application process take?

Can I transfer a balance from another credit card?

Who can apply for a Qantas Premier credit card?

Can I add an additional cardholder?

What’s the difference between the Qantas Premier Everyday, the Qantas Premier Platinum and the Qantas Premier Titanium card?

Can I have a Qantas Premier Platinum, Qantas Premier Titanium and Qantas Premier Everyday card?

How do I apply for a Qantas Premier credit card?

How do I remove an additional cardholder from my account?

How do I reduce the size of an image I need to upload?

Change my product

Can I still spend on my current credit card whilst my new one arrives?

Am I eligible for any sign up bonus Qantas Points when changing Qantas Premier credit cards?

What happens to any additional cardholders that are currently on my credit card?

How long will it take for a change of Qantas Premier credit card to be processed?

What will happen to any periodic payments I have set up on my card?

What will happen to the annual fees when my product change is approved?

What happens to the benefits on my card?

How can I change my Qantas Premier credit card account?

What happens to the statements from my old credit card?

Features and rewards

What travel insurance cover is included with my card?

What is ‘Get away interest free for 6 months’?

When will I receive my Lounge Invitations?

How many Qantas Premier Titanium flights discounts do I get a year?

Where can I use my Qantas Premier credit card?

Do bonus Status Credits expire?

How can I book a flight to earn bonus Status Credits?

How do I link my Lounge Invitations to a flight?

How many Qantas Points will I earn on purchases?

When will I receive my bonus Qantas Points?

What services are provided by the Qantas Premier Concierge?

How can I view the bonus Status Credits I’ve earned on my account?

Is there an interest-free period on my account?

What extended level of coverage does my Qantas Premier Titanium credit card provide?

If I cancel my booking, am I eligible for another Qantas Premier Titanium flight discount this year?

How do I make a travel insurance claim?

How can I use my Qantas Premier Titanium metal card for contactless payments?

What flights are eligible to earn bonus Status Credits?

Can I earn bonus Status Credits on Classic Reward bookings?

Which transactions will earn Qantas Points?

Can I use Points Plus Pay to book my flights and earn bonus Status Credits?

Do bonus Status Credits count towards Lifetime Membership tiers?

How long are my Lounge Invitations active for?

How do I claim any missing bonus Status Credits?

Can bonus Status Credit help me acquire or maintain Platinum One membership status?

How can I change my booking made using my Qantas Premier Titanium flight discount?

How do I order from Qantas Wine?

How do I sign up for my complimentary Qantas Wine Premium Membership from my Qantas Premier Titanium credit card?

How do I book discounted companion fares?

Can I book a multi-city flight using my Qantas Premier Titanium flight discount?

Where can I redeem my Lounge Invitations?

Can I share my Lounge Invitations with a person I’m travelling with?

How do I book a flight with my Qantas Premier Titanium flight discount?

My flight was cancelled, and I was moved to another flight, how do I claim my missing bonus Status Credits?

Complimentary Travel Insurance

Personal Baggage, Valuables, Money and Travel Documents

Trip Cancellation and Amendment

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

Other Questions

Eligibility for Cover under the policy

Overseas Medical Expenses

Rates and fees

What interest rates apply?

What fees apply and when are they charged?

Balance Transfers

How can I get the most out of my Balance Transfer?

If I have Balance Transfers at different rates, which one does my credit card payments get applied to first?

What is a Balance Transfer?

What are the benefits of closing my other credit cards after a Balance Transfer?

How does a Balance Transfer work?

How does a Balance Transfer affect the interest charged on my account?

Managing your account

How do I report suspicious transactions?

How do I activate my card?

How can I pay bills with my card?

How do I decrease my credit limit?

How do I increase my credit limit?

How can I unsubscribe from marketing emails?

What should I do if my card is lost or stolen?

Why do I need to enter a password to access certain features?

How are my monthly repayments calculated?

How can I withdraw cash from my account?

Can I choose my own card PIN?

What format is the transactions file in?

How can I pay my credit card bill?

Where can I find my statements?

How can I manage my Qantas Premier account?

Will my replacement card have the same card number and PIN number?

How do I close my account?

How do I update my address or personal details?

How far back can I download my transactions?

How do I download my transactions?

How do I dispute a charge on my Premier credit card?

How are payments allocated if I have additional cardholders?

Cancelling a recurring payment

What is Apple Pay?

How does the Apple Pay experience compare to using my plastic card?

Which Qantas Premier products can be used with Apple Pay?

What do I need before I can start using Apple Pay?

Which devices are compatible with Apple Pay?

How do I set up my Qantas Premier card on Apple Pay?

How do I set my Qantas Premier card as the default card in Apple Pay?

Can I add the same card to more than one device using Apple Pay?

How do I remove my card from Apple Pay?

The card image I see in Apple Pay does not match my physical card. Is there an issue with my Apple Pay set up?

Can I add more than one card on Apple Pay?

Where can I use Apple Pay?

How do I make an in-store purchase with Apple Pay?

Do I need to have an active internet connection for Apple Pay to work?

Will I need to enter my card PIN?

Why was my request to add my card to Apple Pay declined?

How much of my credit card available limit can I access when using Apple Pay?

How can I reverse a transaction made using Apple Pay?

How do I return a purchase if I used Apple Pay to make the payment?

How can I keep track of purchases I’ve made with Apple Pay?

How do I dispute a purchase made with Apple Pay?

Can I use Apple Pay overseas?

Can I use Apple Pay at ATMs?

Is Apple Pay secure?

What is a Device Account Number?

What should I do if my device is lost or stolen?

Does Apple Pay have access to my credit card account?

If my device is formatted or jailbroken, will my Apple Pay information remain on it?

Will I continue to enjoy the features and benefits of my Qantas Premier credit card, including points earn, when I use it for payment with Apple Pay?

What should I do if I lose my card and I’m issued a replacement card?

What should I do if my card expires and I’m issued a renewed card?

Can I continue to use my physical card if I disable Apple Pay or remove my digital card from Apple Pay?

If I switch devices, do I need to set up my card in Apple Pay all over again?

If my device is formatted or jailbroken, will my Google Pay information remain on it?

What is Google Pay and Google Wallet?

Can I use Google Pay overseas?

Can I add more than one card to Google Wallet?

How do I make a purchase using my Qantas Premier Card in apps and websites?

How much of my credit card available limit can I access when using Google Pay?

How do I return a purchase if I used Google Pay to make the payment?

Can Additional Cardholders add their cards to Google Wallet?

Will I need to enter my card PIN with Google Pay?

How can I keep track of purchases I’ve made with Google Pay?

Can I add the same card to more than one device?

How do I remove my card from Google Wallet?

How do I make a purchase using my Qantas Premier card in-store?

Can I continue to use my physical card if I disable Google Pay or remove my digital card from Google Pay?

If I switch devices, do I need to set up my card in Google Pay again?

How do I reverse or dispute a Google Pay transaction?

Will I continue to enjoy the same features and benefits of my Qantas Premier credit card, including points earn, when I use it for payment with Google Pay?

Do I need to have an active internet connection for Google Pay to work?

Does Google Wallet or Google Pay have access to my credit card account?

What happens if there are fraudulent transactions made using Google Pay?

What should I do if I lose my card, or my card expires and I'm issued a replacement card?

What happens if my device is lost or stolen?

Why was my request to add my card to Google Wallet declined?

Whom can I talk to for further help with Google Pay?

Which Qantas Premier credit cards can be used with Google Pay?

How do I set my Qantas Premier Card as the default card in Google Wallet?

Where can I use Google Pay?

How do I set up Google Pay and add my Qantas Premier card?

Are Google Wallet and Google Pay secure?

Which devices are compatible with Google Pay?

Instalment Plans

Can I change the term of my Instalment Plan?

How will my repayments be applied to my card?

Can I have more than one Instalment Plan?

How do I make the monthly instalment repayment?

Who can create an Instalment Plan on my card?

Does an Instalment Plan earn Qantas Points?

What happens if I return a purchase that was converted into a Statement Instalment Plan?

How do instalment plan(s) appear on my statement?

How can I track my instalment plan?

Can I pay more than my monthly instalment amount?

Why am I not eligible for a Cash Instalment Plan?

Is the instalment plan amount part of my existing credit limit?

When will I be charged my first monthly instalment?

Can I pay off my instalment plan early?

Will I be able to set up a Statement Instalment Plan if I have a direct debit set up?

What is a Statement Instalment Plan?

Will an instalment plan affect my interest-free days on my purchases?

Is there a fee to set up an instalment plan?

What happens if I miss paying the initial interest charge or monthly instalment repayment by the Payment Due Date?

Open Banking

What is Open Banking?

What information can be shared with Accredited Data Recipients (ADRs)?

How does data sharing work?

Can any institution request access to my data?

Where can I find out more about the Consumer Data Right legislation?

Financial difficulty

What if I’m finding it hard to meet my Qantas Premier credit card repayments?

Loss of a loved one

How can I tell which emails are genuine?

What do I do if I receive a suspicious phone call?

How does Qantas Money protect my Qantas Premier account?

How does Qantas Money protect my financial data?

How can I protect myself online?

What are some scams I need to be aware of?

Customer Support and Complaints

Accessibility and Disability Support - Qantas Premier credit card

Managing your cash flow during COVID-19

Family and Domestic Violence

Coronavirus update

How do I lodge a complaint relating to my Qantas Premier Credit Card?

Qantas Pay Card

Changes to Qantas Travel Money

Why is Qantas Travel Money changing to Qantas Pay?

Does my existing Qantas Travel Money card still work?

How do I join and get a Qantas Pay card?

How do I access my Qantas Travel Money account after 21 May?

Will I still earn points with Qantas Pay?

Can I use my Qantas Travel Money card as my Qantas Frequent Flyer membership card?

Can I activate my Qantas Travel Money replacement card after 21 May?

Can I activate my Qantas Travel Money card for the first time

What is changing for the Qantas Frequent Flyer membership card?

How can I access my Qantas Frequent Flyer number?

How can I access and set my Qantas Pay card PIN?

Does Qantas Pay have a digital card?

Can I schedule recurring currency loads from my nominated bank?

General information

Which currencies are available on Qantas Pay?

Who's eligible for Qantas Pay?

Is Qantas Pay a credit card or a debit card?

Does this mean that Qantas is now also a bank?

What are the benefits of Qantas Pay?

Apply and activate

How do I sign up for Qantas Pay

How do I activate my Qantas Pay card?

Will a credit check be conducted when I sign up for Qantas Pay?

Can I sign up for Qantas Pay if I have a foreign passport?

How do I use Qantas Pay?

What if the details on the Qantas Pay identity verification form are incorrect?

What if I don’t have an Australian Passport or an Australian Driver’s Licence?

What do I do if I’m unable to sign up for Qantas Pay online?

I’ve forgotten my Qantas Pay card PIN, how do I retrieve it?

What if my PIN is blocked at an ATM or in-store?

How do I set my Qantas Pay card pin?

Is my Qantas Pay card PIN different to my Qantas Frequent Flyer PIN?

How do I change my PIN?

Rates, fees and limits

What exchange rate applies to Qantas Pay?

What fees apply to Qantas Pay?

What limits apply to Qantas Pay?

Do fees apply if I don’t have the local currency on my card?

What should I do if my card is expired?

What happens if I make a purchase in a foreign currency and I don’t have enough money in that currency on my card?

Can I arrange a back-up or secondary card?

How do I cash out remaining funds on the Qantas Pay card?

How do I transfer between currencies on the Qantas Pay card?

What is a pre-authorisation?

Does the card come with Mastercard Contactless?

Do I get a line of credit or overdraft with Qantas Pay?

When to use

Where can I use Qantas Pay?

Can I use Qantas Pay if the local currency isn’t available?

Can I use my Qantas Pay card at a hotel or on a cruise?

Can Qantas Pay be used for Qantas in-flight duty free purchases?

Can I use Qantas Pay to pay for flights at qantas.com?

Using overseas

Is there anything I need to do before I go overseas?

Do I press Cheque, Savings or Credit when I make a purchase or withdraw cash using Qantas Pay?

Can I view my Qantas Pay balances at overseas ATMs?

What should I do with my card when I return from overseas?

What will happen if the local currency isn’t available to load on Qantas Pay?

Should I pay in Australian dollars instead of the local currency when I’m overseas?

Are there any countries where the Qantas Pay Card won’t work?

I’m overseas and my Qantas Pay card isn’t working

Transactions

Why has a transaction declined when I have enough funds on the card to complete the purchase?

Why would an online transaction be declined if I have enough money to complete the purchase on the card?

How long do load transactions take to appear in my account?

Contact Information

Accessibility and Disability Support - Qantas Pay

What should I do if my card is lost, stolen or damaged?

How do I lodge a complaint relating to my Qantas Pay card?

Qantas Money App

Update my Qantas Money App

How to update my Qantas Money App?

Understanding your PINs and Passwords

Can I use my fingerprint to log in?

The app doesn’t recognise my fingerprint

What if I’ve forgotten my passcode?

How do I log out?

Managing your finances

Why use the Qantas Money app?

Connecting accounts

How do I delete an account?

What does ‘pending’ mean?

I can’t see my transactions

I can’t find my bank in the list

Can I transfer money using the app?

Is it OK to enter my online banking login details?

How do I add a new account with a connected financial institution?

What type of accounts can I connect?

Why is the transaction date different to the date I made the transaction?

When are my balances and transactions updated?

Transaction categories

How are my transactions categorised?

What happens to my categories if I delete an account?

Are my categories applied to past transactions?

Notifications

What are notifications?

What kind of notifications can I set up?

How do I receive notifications?

Is there a cost for receiving notifications?

How do I set up notifications?

Can I delete or change my notifications?

Will I receive notifications if I’m not connected to the internet (e.g. Wi-Fi, 4G, etc)?

Can I view notifications I’ve previously received?

Why do I need to turn on my App Notifications settings?

Why can I see a notification in my notification history that I didn’t receive?

I’ve received a notification, but can’t see it in my history?

Can I set my own Travel Money low balance alert amount?

Why can’t I find notifications in the app?

How can I make sure that I get access to all available notifications?

What happens when new types of notifications become available?

Contact details

How do I update my contact details?

What if I notice a suspicious transaction?

Qantas Points

Missing Qantas Points?

How can I use my Qantas Points?

How do I view my Qantas Points balance?

Card Offers

Card Linking

Can I link an additional card to Card Offers?

Can I use any card that I have added to my Qantas Money App for Card offers?

Can I link another card in addition to my Qantas Premier Card?

Can I link and earn points with a debit Mastercard® or Visa® card?

Why can't I see my Card Offers on the Qantas Money website?

Why am I not receiving any/many offers?

How long will my offers be valid for?

What are the terms and conditions of the offers?

Why am I receiving offers that don't seem well matched to me?

Can I share an offer with my partner/friend etc?

Why did my friend get an offer for a specific store and I did not?

Are offers applicable to both purchases in-store and online?

What retailers are included in the program?

Earning bonus Qantas Points

Why does it take up to 15 days to receive my points?

How can I check if I have successfully earned points on an offer?

Missing Points

How do I follow up on missing points from Card Offers?

What if I forget to use my linked card, can I still earn the points?

How can I opt out of Card Offers?

All Categories ​>​ ​Qantas Premier Credit Card ​ > ​ ​Complimentary Travel Insurance ​>​ Eligibility for Cover under the policy

The FAQs are a summary only; they are not an exhaustive list of the coverage, terms, conditions or exclusions in the policy. Limits apply and vary with each plan. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for further information about the terms, conditions, and exclusions of the policy.

How do I qualify for cover?

For Travel Insurance cover:

• you must be 79 or younger when making travel booking; and
• all travellers must be Australian residents; and
• an overseas trip and: - pay the full amount of the return fight or cruise for each covered person; 
• a domestic trip and: - spend $500 or more on accommodation; or - pay the full amount of the return flight or cruise for each covered person;

by charging the payment before the trip departure date to your Qantas Premier Card and/or use Qantas points earned on the Qantas Premier Card.

For Rental Vehicle Excess cover:

• you must be 79 or younger when making rental vehicle booking; and
• an Australian resident; and
• you must have paid for the rental vehicle and the comprehensive insurance on the rental vehicle using your Qantas Premier Card.

For Card Purchase Cover and Buyers Advantage cover: (Qantas Premier Titanium Cards only)

• you must be an Australian resident; and
• purchase an eligible item using your Qantas Premier Titanium Card.

Who is covered under the policy?

• Qantas Premier Titanium card members and additional card members – including their spouse and dependent children.
• Qantas Premier Platinum and Everyday card members – including their spouse and dependent children.

Does the card member need to be on the trip for their spouse or dependent children to be covered?

Yes, the spouse and/or dependent children need to be travelling with:

• the Premier Titanium card member or additional card member on each part of the trip; or
• the Premier Platinum or Everyday card member on each part of the trip.

Will I be covered if my trip starts or ends outside of Australia?

No. Your trip must begin and end in Australia.

Is there a maximum age on the policy?

For Travel Insurance cover and Rental Vehicle Excess cover, you must be 79 years of age or younger when making the relevant travel booking or rental vehicle booking. .

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Overview of Travel Insurance Coverage

What does travel insurance cover, what does credit card travel insurance cover, what travel insurance coverage do you need to pay more for, choosing the right travel insurance, what does travel insurance cover frequently asked questions, understanding what travel insurance covers.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Chase Freedom Flex®. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

• Travel insurance is intended to cover risks and financial losses associated with traveling.
• Coverage can include trip cancellation, baggage protection, medical care, and emergency evacuation.
• When filing a claim, be specific and comprehensive in your documentation to ease the process.

Whether it's a trip across the world or a trip across the state, having travel insurance provides major relief if things go awry. Flight delays, lost baggage, illness, injuries, and other unforeseen events can disrupt even the best-laid plans. With a major disruption comes the potential for unanticipated expenses.

Travel insurance and the coverage it offers can help keep you protected and save you money in the long run.

Travel insurance policies protect travelers from financial losses should something go wrong during their trip. You can customize which coverages you want to include, and there are several to choose from.

"Common types of coverage include trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage protection, coverage for medical care if you get sick or hurt during your trip, and emergency medical evacuation," says Angela Borden, a travel insurance expert and product strategist for travel insurance company Seven Corners.

Travel insurance plans offer nonrefundable payments and other trip-related expenses. While monetary compensation is a primary benefit, there is another valuable perk of travel insurance. It can provide peace of mind.

Your specific travel insurance plan (and its terms and conditions) will determine the minutia and specifics of what is covered. As with most other forms of insurance, a general rule of thumb is the more you spend, the better your coverage.

"Travel insurance can be confusing, so it's best to research a reputable company that specializes in travel insurance and has a long history of successfully helping travelers all over the world," says Borden.

Trip cancellations and interruptions

A travel insurance policy can reimburse you for a prepaid, nonrefundable trip if it is canceled for a covered event, such as a natural disaster or a global pandemic.

Trip interruption insurance covers you if you're already on your trip and you get sick, there's a natural disaster, or something else happens. Make sure to check with your travel insurance providers to discuss any inclusions, coverage, and more.

Travel delays and missed connections

Travel delay insurance coverage provides reimbursement for any expenses you incur when you experience a delay in transit over a minimum time. Reimbursements can include hotels, airfare, food, and other related expenses.

Medical emergencies and evacuations

Typically, US healthcare plans are not accepted in other countries. So travel insurance with medical coverage can be particularly beneficial when you are abroad. Medical coverage can also help with locating doctors and healthcare facilities.

Medical transportation coverage will also pay for emergency evacuation expenses such as airlifts and medically-equipped flights back to the US. Out of pocket, these expenses can easily amount to tens of thousands of dollars. Certain plans may even transport you to a hospital of choice for care.

Travel insurance generally does not include coverage for pre-existing conditions. That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver, which we will talk about later.  

Baggage and personal belongings

Most airlines will reimburse travelers for lost or destroyed baggage, but be prepared for limitations. Travel insurance plans will typically cover stolen items, such as those stolen out of a hotel room. This may not include expensive jewelry, antiques, or heirloom items. Typically, airlines have a few days to recover your bag.

In the meantime, you can make a claim to pay for items like certain toiletries and other items you need to pick up. If your bag is truly lost or you don't get it for an extended period, you can file a true lost baggage claim.

A major perk on several travel credit cards is embedded credit card travel insurance . Typically, you will need to use the specific card for the transaction (at least with partial payment) for travel coverage to kick in.

Each card has specific rules on what exactly is covered. But one of the industry leaders is the $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. Here's a snapshot of what is covered with this specific card:

• Baggage delay: up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days if a passenger carrier delays your baggage by more than six hours.
• Lost and damaged baggage: up to $3,000 per passenger per trip, but only up to $500 per passenger for jewelry and watches and up to $500 per passenger for cameras and other electronic equipment.
• Trip delay reimbursement: up to $500 per ticket if you're delayed more than six hours or require an overnight stay.
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection: up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses.
• Medical evacuation benefit: up to $100,000 for necessary emergency evacuation and transportation when on a trip of five to 60 days and traveling more than 100 miles from home.
• Travel accident insurance: accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $100,000 (up to $1,000,000 for common carrier travel).
• Emergency medical and dental benefits: up to $2,500 for medical expenses (subject to a $50 deductible) when on a trip arranged by a travel agency and traveling more than 100 miles from home.
• Rental car coverage: primary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision up to $75,000 on rentals of 31 days or fewer

More protections are included with cards with an annual fee, but there are exceptions. The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex, for instance, includes up to $1,500 per person (and up to $6,000 per trip) in trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.

However, there are some differences between credit card travel coverage and obtaining coverage from a third party.

"Credit card coverage does not typically provide travel medical benefits," Borden says. "For protection if you get sick or hurt while traveling, you'll want a travel insurance plan with medical coverage."

Whether you get your travel insurance in a standalone policy or through a credit card, it's important to review your plan details carefully. In either case, there may be exclusions and other requirements such as deadlines when filing a claim, Borden notes.

Knowing what travel insurance doesn't cover is as important as knowing what it does cover.

"Travelers should understand that travel insurance benefits come into play only if a covered reason occurs," Borden says. Most standard travel insurance plans won't reimburse you for the following:

Cancel for any reason (CFAR)

Cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance covers a trip cancellation for any reason, not just a covered event. your standard benefits won't kick in unless it's a covered event. For instance, you'll be reimbursed simply for changing your mind about taking a trip.

That said, CFAR travel insurance is not without its downsides. For one, it's more expensive than traditional insurance, and most CFAR policies will only reimburse you for a percentage of your travel expenses. Additionally, CFAR policies aren't available for annual travel insurance . 

You can find our guide to the best CFAR travel insurance here.

Foreseen weather events

Sudden storms or unforeseen weather events are typically covered by standard travel insurance plans. There are exceptions to be aware of. For example, an anticipated and named hurricane will not be covered.

Medical tourism

If you're going to travel internationally for a medical procedure or doctor's visit, your travel insurance plan will not cover the procedure itself. Most medical travel plans also won't cover you if something goes wrong with your procedure.

Pre-existing conditions and pregnancy

Those with specific pre-existing conditions, such as someone with diabetes and needing more insulin, will not be covered by most plans. In addition, pregnancy-related expenses will likely not be covered under most plans.

That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver for stable conditions. In order to obtain a wavier, you will need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time frame from when you booked your trip, usually two to three weeks, depending on your policy.

Extreme sports and activities

Accidents occurring while participating in extreme sports like skydiving and paragliding will typically not be covered under most plans. However, many plans offer the ability to upgrade to a higher-priced version with extended coverage.

Navigating claims and assistance

When a trip goes awry, the first thing you should do is document everything and be as specific as possible with documentation. This will make the claims process easier, as you can substantiate and quantify your financial losses due to the delay.

For example, your flight home has been delayed long enough to be covered under your policy, you'll want to keep any receipts from purchases made while waiting. For instances where your luggage is lost, you will need to file a report with local authorities and document all the items you packed.

Cancellation protection also requires meticulous attention to detail. If you're too sick to fly, you may need to see a doctor to prove your eligibility. If an airline cancels a flight, you'll also need to document any refunds you received as travel insurance isn't going to reimburse you for money you've already gotten back. 

Part of the benefit of CFAR insurance is the reduced paperwork necessary to file a claim. You'll still need to document your nonrefundable losses, but you won't have to substantiate why you're canceling a trip.

Each plan should be personalized to meet the insured party's needs. Some travelers prefer to stick to the bare minimum (flight cancellation benefits through the airline). Others want a comprehensive plan with every coverage possible. Before you buy anything, set your destination. Are there any travel restrictions or changes pending? Does your destination country require emergency or other medical coverage?

If the destination airport is known for lost or delayed luggage, travelers should keep important items in carry-ons. Lost or delayed luggage coverage protects insured parties in the event of a significant delay or total loss.

Second, check current credit card travel benefits to avoid redundancies. Savvy travelers don't need to pay for the same coverage twice.

Finally, consider your individual needs. Do you have a chronic medical condition, or do you feel safe with emergency-only medical coverage? Keep in mind, this does not include coverage for cosmetic surgery or other medical tourism. Do you have a budget limit for travel insurance? Asking and answering these important questions will help every traveler find the right product.

Most travel insurance plans are simple, and Business Insider's guide to the best travel insurance companies outlines our top picks. Remember, read your policy and its specifics closely to ensure it includes the items you need coverage for.

No one likes to dwell on how a trip might not go as planned before even leaving. However, at its core, travel insurance provides peace of mind as you go about your trip. While the upfront cost may seem significant, when you compare it to the potential expenses of a canceled flight, emergency evacuation, or a hefty medical bill, it's a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.

Coverage for pandemics vary from policy to policy. Some travel insurance companies have specific provisions for pandemic-related cancellations, while others may exclude them entirely.

Sports injuries are often covered under travel insurance, but high-risk or adventure sports might require additional coverage or a special policy.

Travel advisories have different effects on your travel insurance depending on your policy. Traveling to a country already under travel advisory may invalidate your coverage, but if you're already traveling when a travel advisory is announced, you may be covered.

Travel insurance usually covers the cost of emergency medical evacuations to the nearest suitable medical facility, and sometimes back to your home country, if necessary.

Many travel insurance policies provide coverage for the cost of replacing lost or stolen passports during a trip.

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Can You Buy Travel Insurance for Road Trips?

After spending seven years in the U.S. Air Force as an Arabic linguist, Carissa is now a freelance writer using points and miles to fund a four-year (and counting!) adventure. She previously worked as a reporter for The Points Guy. Her writing has since been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, and The Balance. When she's not flying, you'll usually find her in a Priority Pass lounge somewhere, sipping tea and cursing slow Wi-Fi.

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Table of Contents

How road trip insurance works

How to choose between road trip travel insurance companies, best plans for road trip travel insurance, other tips for road trip travel insurance, top cards with travel insurance for road trips, road trip travel insurance recapped.

There’s nothing quite like breezing down a highway with the windows down, the wind in your hair and a cooler full of sodas in the back seat. Whether you’re traveling alone or enjoying a road trip with friends or family, you’ll want to be sure that you’re covered with travel protections on your drive. This is as true whether you're embarking on a classic American road trip — like U.S. Route 66 — are or braving the roadways in a foreign country, in your own car or a rented vehicle.

Let’s take a look at road trip travel insurance, how it works and the best plans for auto travel insurance to suit your needs.

Road trips aren't immune to disruptions, and road trip insurance works similarly to travel insurance . Most plans require purchase before your trip begins and cover your prepaid expenses.

For rental cars

Not all third-party travel insurance policies automatically include coverage for a rental vehicle. Seek out plans that provide rental car insurance specifically — or book your car with a credit card that offers these specific protections .

Rental car travel insurance policies generally protect against damage to the rental vehicle only. Causes not within your control, such as collision, theft, vandalism, windstorm, fire, hail or flood damage are typically covered.

Because of the limited scope of rental car insurance, know that you may be on the hook if you’re liable for damage to other vehicles or if there’s bodily injury.

When picking up your rental car, you will likely be offered the insurance sold by the rental car company at the counter, typically called a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). You can decline this protection if you have sufficient coverage elsewhere (e.g., via a third-party policy or a credit card).

For your personal vehicle

Getting road trip insurance for your own vehicle isn't as common as travel insurance for rental cars , but it can still be a valuable consideration depending on your situation. For instance, access to roadside assistance can provide peace of mind if you are driving for long stretches in rural areas.

Finally, road tripping doesn’t end at driving a car. Other trip protections you may consider including in a travel insurance policy include medical evacuation, trip cancellation insurance, trip interruption coverage and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance . This is true whether you opt to drive your own vehicle or rent one for your trip.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

With several travel insurance companies out there, it can be difficult to narrow down the one you really need. Before buying, always get quotes from multiple businesses.

This is because coverage levels and prices can vary dramatically. Insurance aggregators such as InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) allow you to generate multiple quotes at once, plus they include filters for sorting so you can find the right policy for you.

Here are a few things to consider when looking for road trip insurance:

Whether you’re renting a car.

Where you're traveling.

Whether you already have car insurance. 

What types of coverage you’re interested in.

If you’re also planning on flying, cruising or using a ferry. 

How long you’ll be gone.

The cost of the plan.

To figure out the best road travel insurance, we combed a variety of insurance providers to check out their offerings.

Our quotes were built using a hypothetical 37-year-old from California taking a road trip throughout the United States. The total trip time was 15 days, and the total trip cost was $2,700. Here were the top contenders.

IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel SE plan came out significantly cheaper than competitors’ plans at just $100.43. This includes primary rental car coverage and a whole host of trip protections.

$40,000 in rental car coverage — $5,000 more than similar plans.

$250,000 in primary emergency medical coverage . 

Pre-existing conditions covered. 

Rental car coverage is only for collision, theft or damage to the vehicle.

$40,000 rental car coverage maximum. 

AD&D doesn’t cover strokes or any cardiac events.

HTH Worldwide

HTH Worldwide is another top option for travel insurance for car trips. Coming in at $185.29, the TripProtector Preferred plan provides up to $35,000 for rental car coverage, as well as other unique coverage options.

Covers additional kennel fees for your pet if you’re delayed. 

Includes $500,000 in primary emergency medical coverage.

Offers up to $200 to reinstate frequent traveler rewards, which is handy if you booked hotels on points for your trip.

Max of $35,000 in rental car coverage.

Repatriation of remains covers just $25,000.

Coverage excludes trucks, campers, motor bikes, recreational vehicles and exotic vehicles (defined as antique, limited production or collectible car or any other private passenger vehicle with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price over $75,000).

» Learn more: Is Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance worth it?

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services

USI Affinity’s Diamond plan rang in at $187, just a little more than HTH Worldwide’s plan. While it includes rental car insurance, the limit is quite low, making this a better option for those who are driving their own vehicles.

Travel delay starting at six hours.

$1 million limit for medical evacuation and repatriation. 

$50,000 limit for 24-hour AD&D. 

$1,000 rental car insurance maximum.

$100 deductible for rental car insurance. 

Maximum trip length of 30 days. 

AXA Assistance USA

AXA Assistance USA is our final recommendation due to its nonmedical evacuation policy, which will transport you to safety during a natural disaster or time of political or civil unrest. This can be especially important if you plan on driving somewhere remote with unknown weather conditions. The total for AXA’s Gold plan came in at $215.

$50,000 in nonmedical evacuation. 

$35,000 in rental car coverage. 

Includes coverage for sporting equipment. 

Minimum 12-hour travel delay before benefits kick in.

$25,000 limit for 24-hour AD&D.

Max of $35,000 in rental car coverage. 

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

We’ve gathered a few other tips for road trip travel insurance for you, so be sure to consider these before purchasing a policy:

Check out your own auto insurance policy. Within the U.S., your personal policy will usually also cover you when you drive a rental car.

Consider getting a travel credit card. Many travel credit cards include complimentary travel insurance as a benefit.

Secondary policies pay out after other options have been exhausted, but if you don’t have primary coverage, they automatically become primary. Keep this in mind when comparing plans. 

Waive the rental company's insurance and pay for your car with one these travel cards to get complimentary insurance on your rental and more:

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Primary rental car coverage: Up to the cash value of most rental vehicles.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Primary rental car coverage: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Secondary rental car coverage: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

It’s important to ensure that you’re covered when you’re traveling, whether that’s by airplane, trains or automobiles. Depending on where you’re going, you may already have coverage — but do your due diligence and check first.

If not, consider getting a travel insurance policy that’ll cover your road trip, both for peace of mind and safety when you’re away from home.

American Express travel insurance disclosures

Insurance Benefit: Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

85,000 Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.