If you’re a frequent traveler, you know how valuable travel insurance can be. Whether it’s for trip cancellations, delayed baggage, or unexpected medical expenses, having coverage can make all the difference. But does the popular Chase Sapphire Preferred® card offer the travel insurance perks you need? The answer is a resounding yes! With a range of protections that go beyond what most cards offer, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a top choice for savvy travelers.
In this blog, we’ll explore the top five travel insurance benefits this card offers, so you’ll know exactly what to expect before your next adventure.
1. Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
One of the most valuable perks of the Chase Sapphire Preferred is its trip cancellation and interruption insurance. Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes, your travel plans need to change unexpectedly. This benefit kicks in to help cover non-refundable expenses if your trip is canceled or cut short due to reasons like illness, severe weather, or other qualifying emergencies.
- Coverage Amount: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip.
- Covered Expenses: Non-refundable expenses, such as airfare, hotels, and tours.
Imagine booking a non-refundable ticket for a dream vacation only to fall ill right before the trip. With this coverage, you won’t have to worry about losing out financially on your pre-paid plans.
2. Baggage Delay Insurance
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination only to find your luggage didn’t make it. Luckily, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers baggage delay insurance to cover essential items you need while waiting for your bags to arrive.
- Coverage Amount: Up to $100 per day for a maximum of 5 days.
- What’s Covered: Purchases for essential items like toiletries and clothing.
For instance, if your bag is delayed for over six hours, you could be reimbursed for essential purchases. This means you can pick up what you need without worrying about extra costs until your luggage arrives.
3. Primary Rental Car Insurance
When renting a car, the Chase Sapphire Preferred has you covered with primary auto rental collision damage waiver (CDW). Unlike secondary insurance, which only pays after your personal insurance is used, primary insurance handles claims directly, potentially saving you from higher premiums or deductibles with your personal auto insurance.
- What’s Covered: Collision damage or theft of the rental car.
- Where It’s Valid: Domestic and international rentals.
Let’s say you’re renting a car on vacation, and it gets damaged. With the Sapphire Preferred, you can decline the rental agency’s costly insurance, knowing you’re already protected by your card.
4. Travel Accident Insurance
The travel accident insurance benefit is a peace-of-mind perk designed to cover you in the event of a serious accident while traveling.
- Coverage Amount: Up to $500,000 for accidental death or dismemberment.
- Where It Applies: Common carrier travel, such as flights, trains, buses, or cruises booked with your card.
This type of coverage is a rare but essential benefit for frequent travelers. While we hope it’s never needed, it’s reassuring to know you have substantial protection during your trips.
5. Emergency Evacuation and Medical Coverage
Traveling abroad can sometimes mean dealing with unexpected medical issues. With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you’re protected by emergency evacuation and medical coverage, a benefit that many standard credit cards lack.
- Coverage Amount: Up to $2,500 for medical emergencies or evacuations.
- Where It Applies: International travel when at least a portion of your trip was purchased with your card.
If you fall ill or require evacuation to a medical facility during your travels, this coverage can help cover the costs. Medical expenses abroad can add up fast, so having this safety net is invaluable for any traveler.
Understanding the Fine Print: Important Considerations
While the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers impressive travel insurance benefits, it’s essential to understand a few key details so you know exactly what’s covered and how to maximize these perks.
Covered Reasons for Trip Cancellations
The Chase Sapphire Preferred’s trip cancellation insurance is limited to specific “covered reasons.” This means not every situation qualifies for reimbursement. Common covered reasons include:
- Severe weather conditions that make travel impossible
- Illness or injury preventing you from traveling (must be documented by a medical professional)
- Legal obligations, such as jury duty or quarantine
- Death or severe illness of a close family member
Before assuming you’ll be reimbursed, read through the benefits guide or contact Chase to confirm what qualifies as a covered reason. Knowing these details will ensure that you fully understand your protections before booking any major trip.
Limits on Baggage Delay and Rental Car Insurance
When it comes to baggage delay coverage, you’ll want to remember that the $100-per-day reimbursement cap is for essentials only—meaning toiletries, basic clothing, and other necessities. For high-value items or luxuries, this coverage won’t apply. Additionally, baggage delay insurance only kicks in after a six-hour delay, so keep that in mind if you have a shorter delay.
For rental car insurance, the coverage applies to most standard vehicles, but luxury, antique, and exotic cars are often excluded. If you’re renting a sports car or a high-end SUV, it’s best to verify coverage directly with Chase before booking.
Filing a Claim: Key Steps
In case you need to file a claim, follow these simple steps to ensure a smooth process:
- Contact Chase Immediately: Reach out to the Chase Benefits Administrator as soon as you encounter a situation where you may need to use your travel insurance benefits.
- Keep Detailed Documentation: Retain all receipts, tickets, medical reports, and police reports (if applicable) related to your claim. Accurate and thorough documentation will help expedite your claim process.
- Submit Your Claim Promptly: Most claims have a specific window within which they must be filed (typically 60-90 days), so don’t wait too long.
By knowing the steps in advance, you can act quickly and reduce the stress of dealing with unexpected travel issues.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Right for You?
If you’re a frequent traveler looking for a credit card with built-in travel protections, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers significant value. While the annual fee is $95, the extensive travel insurance benefits alone can easily offset this cost, not to mention the card’s generous rewards for travel and dining purchases. Here’s a quick recap of who this card best suits:
- Adventurous Travelers: Those who travel frequently or book high-value trips will benefit most from the trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
- Road Trippers and Car Renters: If you regularly rent cars, the primary rental car insurance can save you from purchasing costly insurance through rental agencies.
- Occasional International Travelers: With its emergency evacuation and medical coverage, this card is ideal for international travelers needing extra security.
If these scenarios sound like your travel style, the Chase Sapphire Preferred may be an excellent choice for peace of mind while on the road.
Maximizing Rewards Alongside Travel Insurance Benefits
One of the standout perks of the Chase Sapphire Preferred is how well it combines travel insurance benefits with impressive rewards on travel and dining purchases. Here’s how you can make the most of your card while taking advantage of its travel protections:
- Earn Points on Every Purchase: With 2x points on travel and dining and 1x on all other purchases, you can quickly accumulate points to use toward flights, hotel stays, and more. Booking your flights, hotels, or rental cars directly with Chase gives you added travel protections and the opportunity to earn even more points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
- Redeem Points for Travel Through Chase Ultimate Rewards: Points go further when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, where they’re worth 25% more. This means your points cover more travel expenses, giving you a bit more breathing room for splurging on your next trip.
- Combine With Other Chase Cards: If you hold other Chase cards, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you can transfer points to your Sapphire Preferred account to maximize travel redemptions. This can help you reach your dream travel goals faster and stretch the benefits of the Sapphire Preferred even further.
- Pair Travel Protections with Smart Planning: With trip cancellation insurance and other protections, you have more flexibility to book confidently even when plans aren’t set in stone. And when you redeem points for travel, you’re also doubling down on savings by skipping cash payments for flights and hotels.
Is Chase Sapphire Preferred Your Perfect Travel Companion?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is packed with benefits, especially for those who love to travel but want added security for their plans. With solid travel insurance protections, no foreign transaction fees, and rewarding points on travel and dining, the Sapphire Preferred is built for travelers seeking convenience and peace of mind.
Whether you’re an international explorer or a road trip enthusiast, having travel insurance included in a reliable rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred makes planning and enjoying trips a breeze. Instead of stressing about unforeseen expenses, focus on creating memories while knowing your card has you covered.
So, the next time you’re planning a Southwest flight or a cross-country road trip, bring the Chase Sapphire Preferred along for a journey that’s rewarding and protected at every step. With its travel insurance benefits, you can explore more confidently—no extra travel insurance needed.