Third-party travel coverage can offer travelers much higher medical benefit limits, as well as coverage for medical evacuation. (Credit: PX Media/AdobeStock)
Many folks book their vacations with credit cards in order to accumulate rewards and reap any benefits offered by the company, which sometimes includes travel insurance. While this coverage is certainly better than going without protection, it's imperative to delve into exactly what is included in that coverage before deciding whether to also purchase third-party travel insurance.
Complementary travel coverage will vary card-to-card, but some of the most common perks include:
- Coverage if a trip is interrupted because of a covered reason, like severe weather or an illness.
- Protection for flight delays that cause you to pay for lodging or extra meals.
- Reimbursement for essential items if your luggage is delayed.
- Coverage for damaged or lost luggage.
- Reimbursement for healthcare if you are sick or injured on your trip.
- Coverage in the event your rental car is stolen, or you are in an accident and another driver is responsible.
These coverages may not be comprehensive enough to fully cover your trip, though. Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, explains that there are three main areas where credit card-provided travel insurance may be lacking.
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Brittney Meredith-Miller
Brittney Meredith-Miller is assistant editor of PropertyCasualty360.com. She can be reached at [email protected].
