One of our readers, Lisa, told us how she helps people get the right insurance coverage for their trips for free, including knowing whether your credit card coverage will cover you the way you plan it to! 😬 In talking to her and the experience she had once, we thought this would be great info for our readers. We hope this helps you better understand insurance coverage. Here’s her story:

 

I’m Lisa, the traveler and educator behind @chasingmemories.co and chasingmemories.co. I help families handle the not-so-glamorous side of travel—delays, lost luggage, and mishaps—so they can travel confidently and focus on chasing memories.

A huge shoutout to Points Talk Squad for teaching me the points-and-miles secrets that let my family of five explore the world—it’s been life-changing. Free flights? Yes please. Hotel upgrades? Absolutely. But in 2017, an accident on our “dream trip” taught me that free travel isn’t risk-free.

 

When My “Covered” Trip Wasn’t Actually Covered

In London, my three-year-old daughter fell and broke her arm. I thought I’d done everything right—premium card, “emergency coverage” from my health insurance, and hey, the UK has free healthcare . . . right? Wrong.

We had to pay in full before leaving the hospital. Our credit card’s “travel insurance” didn’t include medical coverage, and our U.S. insurer denied the claim for international coding differences. We paid thousands out of pocket. That moment changed everything. Since then, I’ve made it my mission to help others avoid the same mistake.

 

What Your Credit Card Coverage Really Means

Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card come with surprisingly strong protections—as long as you understand the fine print. And they don’t make it easy for you to find or understand the policy that comes with your card.

Car Rental Coverage (CDW)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® protects against up to $60,000 in theft or damage, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card bump that to $75,000. Both Sapphire cards offer primary coverage, meaning you don’t have to go through your personal auto insurance first. The exclusions? To qualify, you’ll need to decline the rental agency’s coverage, and note that benefits vary by country. Some places—like Ireland—require you to buy local insurance regardless of your card, meaning your card won’t cover you anymore.

 

Trip Delay Coverage

If your trip is delayed, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® kicks in after 12 hours, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card trigger at 6 hours, reimbursing up to $500 per ticket for hotels, meals, and essentials. Want even faster protection? Many stand-alone travel insurance plans start coverage at just 3 hours—which, as any parent knows, is right about when the snack crisis begins.

 

Trip Cancellation & Interruption

Both Sapphire cards cover up to $10,000 per traveler (or $20,000 total per trip) if you need to cancel or cut your journey short for a covered reason, such as illness or severe weather. But check your card because not all cards offer this great coverage. Follow
the rules for this because this is a winning perk!

 

Baggage Protection

Delayed luggage? You’ll receive $100 per day (for up to five days) once the delay exceeds six hours. Lost luggage? You’re covered for up to $3,000 per person. And here’s a bonus most travelers don’t realize: under airline passenger-rights regulations, airlines themselves may owe you up to $3,800 for delayed or lost baggage—no insurance policy needed. You just have to know your rights (which happens to be one of my favorite topics to teach).

These card perks are useful, but they don’t provide complete protection. Why? Most of these cards don’t offer any medical coverage, and if they do, the amounts are very small.

 

 

Why Medical Coverage Matters

Even a sprained ankle abroad can be pricey. U.S. health insurance rarely pays overseas, and medical evacuations can reach $50,000–$100,000+. That’s where true travel insurance steps in—and it doesn’t have to blow your budget.

 

The Budget-Friendly Secret: The $0 Trip-Cost Policy

Travel insurance pricing depends on age and trip cost. If you booked your trip with points and miles, your out-of-pocket costs are tiny—so your premium can be too.

Here’s the deal: buy a stand-alone travel-insurance plan and set your trip cost to $0. You’ll skip trip-cancellation coverage (your credit card already provides that) but keep everything that really matters:

• Emergency medical (often up to $1M)
• Emergency evacuation & repatriation
• Trip delay (sometimes starting at 3 hours)
• Baggage & personal-item protection
• 24/7 global assistance
• Most families pay under $80 for this setup—credit card for cancellations, $0 policy for
  medical and evacuation. Maximum protection, minimal cost.

 

How to Stack Them Smartly

Book flights or taxes with your travel card to activate its cancellation/interruption benefits. Read your Guide to Benefits—it’s your rulebook for what’s covered and what’s not. Add a $0-trip-cost policy for medical, evacuation, and short delays, or include any non-refundable costs you’d want reimbursed if plans change. Think of it as double-dipping rewards—but for peace of mind.

 

Choose Your Provider Wisely

Not all insurers are created equal. Some make claims easy; others make you wish you hadn’t filed. Even within one company, coverage levels differ—so know what you’re buying. If comparing policies feels overwhelming, I get it—I used to feel that way too. That’s why I offer free virtual consultations to help you find coverage that fits your trip and your budget—so you can focus on the fun part. I only recommend and personally use providers I trust to show up when travelers need them most.

You can see my vetted recommendations, sign up for a free consultation, and read side-by-side breakdowns of popular credit-card insurance terms on my website chasingmemories.co. Because saving money on travel is great—but protecting those memories once you’re out there? That’s priceless.

Love, Lisa – your new bestie for when travel doesn’t go as planned. Find me on Instagram → @chasingmemories.co.

 

⚠️ Important Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not insurance advice, legal advice, or a guarantee of coverage.

• Every credit card and insurance policy has unique terms, conditions, and exclusions.
• Always review your own Guide to Benefits and policy documents directly from your issuer or provider.
• Coverage details—including eligibility, benefit limits, and claims—may change at any time.
• No guarantee is made that this information is complete, current, or applicable to your specific situation. The author and website assume no responsibility or liability for any loss or claim arising from reliance on this content.

 

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