Credit Card Travel Insurance Unwrapped: Trip Interruption

This is the first publication in our card travel insurance series for travel advisors. These publications provide a detailed perspective on every travel insurance component that is included on credit cards, and informs travel advisors about the most important aspects of the coverage.

Trip interruption insurance is one of the less understood elements, especially by travellers. So, let’s dive in!

What is trip interruption insurance?

Trip interruption insurance is a very important travel insurance piece. It protects travellers in case of an unexpected event that happens DURING the trip and, as a result, requires an unexpected trip interruption and a return home. Not every possible event is covered by this insurance, but it typically covers interruptions of a serious nature (death or sickness of an immediate family member, pregnancy complications, travel advisory, extraordinary weather conditions, etc.).

What aspects of trip interruption insurance are the most important?

Travel professionals must pay attention to the following three aspects of any trip interruption that comes with a credit card:

Coverage per insured person. Typical values are $6,000, $10,000, $20,000, and sometimes higher. This coverage is important for larger families, especially when travelling with children. The larger the family, the greater the financial loss from trip interruptions.
Aggregate amount per trip.Typical values are $6,000, $10,000, $20,000, and sometimes higher. This coverage is important for larger families, especially when travelling with children. The larger the family, the greater the financial loss from trip interruptions.
Persons covered. In many cases, this includes a spouse and dependent children and, sometimes, a travel companion. It is important to understand who exactly is covered by this insurance, and if needed, complement it through additional insurance.

What are common exclusions related to trip interruption insurance?

This travel insurance comes with a number of exclusions where pre-existing medical conditions (such as a heart or lung condition) come into play. Also, situations where a traveller might have been aware of potential issues are excluded, as are issues caused by the traveller (failure to appear at the airport, complications of known medical issues, birth of a child during a trip, intentional self-inflicted injuries, etc.)

Which credit cards offer trip interruption insurance?

Most banks have at least a few credit cards that include this coverage. Typically, it can be found in the higher categories of cards that require an annual fee. That being said, trip interruption limits vary widely. Most no-fee credit cards do not offer it.

Here is a list of select bank credit cards offering this coverage. More information about travel insurance coverage on nearly every major credit card can be found through our tool at TravelandCards.com

Bank	Select Individual Credit Cards
	Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card The Platinum Card from American Express
	Bank of America Premium Rewards Visa
	Chase Freedom Flex MasterCard Chase Freedom Student Visa Credit Card Chase Freedom Unlimited VISA Credit Card Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Credit Card Chase Sapphire Reserve Visa Credit Card Starbucks Rewards Visa Card from Chase United Club Infinite Visa Card from Chase United Explorer Visa Card from Chase United Gateway Visa Card from Chase United Quest Visa Card from Chase
	No cards with trip interruption insurance
	U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve VISA Infinite Card
	USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card USAA Preferred Cash Rewards VISA Signature Card USAA Rate Advantage VISA Platinum Card USAA Rewards American Express Card
	Hotels.com Rewards Visa Credit Card from Wells Fargo

Please note that this information reflects the individual, not business, credit cards on offer as of fall 2021.

What if a credit cards does not offer trip interruption insurance?

It is very important for travellers to have this type of coverage. We saw why during the pandemic when unexpected events drove high cancellations and trip interruptions.

Travel advisors can use our TravelAndCards tool to find out if their clients have trip interruption on their credit card, and if needed, offer additional coverage. This benefits both sides – travellers are well protected and have peace of mind, and travel advisors can differentiate their service by providing valuable advice while increasing their own travel insurance sales.