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A few UK credit cards, usually premium or fee-paying ones, include travel insurance as a benefit. It can be useful, but it comes with conditions that are easy to overlook. Here’s what to check.

Which cards include travel insurance?

Travel insurance is more common on cards with annual or monthly fees, and on some premium and packaged accounts. Standard no-fee credit cards rarely include it. Check your card’s benefits guide or ask the provider. The cover may be provided by an insurer, and the details can change.

Conditions to look for

You may have to pay with the card. Some policies only apply if you paid for some or all of the trip using the card.
Who is covered. Just the cardholder, or also a partner and children? Do they need to travel with you?
Age limits. Many have upper age limits or extra restrictions.
Trip length. Often capped per trip, and limited to a number of trips.
Medical conditions. You may need to declare them, and cover may be limited or excluded. See pre-existing conditions.
Destinations. Check whether the USA and worldwide travel are included. See travel insurance for the USA.
Limits and excess. Medical, cancellation and baggage limits can be lower than a standalone policy.

Insurance isn’t the same as Section 75

Paying by credit card can also give you legal protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act for purchases between £100 and £30,000, if something goes wrong with a supplier. It’s not insurance, but it can help if a supplier fails or doesn’t deliver. See strikes and airline collapse. Check with your provider how it applies to your purchase.

When to Buy Separate Travel Insurance from Credit Card Cover

Some credit cards and packaged bank accounts include travel insurance as one of their benefits. This can be convenient because you may already have some protection without buying a separate policy for every holiday.

However, card-based travel insurance is not necessarily suitable for every traveller or every trip. There can be restrictions on age, trip length, destinations, medical conditions and activities. The level of cover can also vary significantly between providers.

Before relying on insurance included with your card or bank account, check exactly what is covered and whether it meets the needs of your particular trip.

When the card’s medical cover is too low

Medical expenses are one of the most important parts of travel insurance. This is especially true when travelling to destinations where healthcare can be extremely expensive.

Your credit card may provide medical cover, but the maximum limit may not be appropriate for your destination.

For example, a level of medical cover that appears sufficient for a relatively inexpensive destination may not provide the same level of reassurance when travelling to a country where hospital treatment can cost considerably more.

Check the medical expenses limit carefully rather than assuming that insurance automatically included with a card is comprehensive.

If the limit is too low for your destination, purchasing a standalone travel insurance policy may provide more suitable protection.

When you are older or have medical conditions

Age restrictions are another reason to consider separate travel insurance.

Some card-based policies have an upper age limit or may provide different levels of cover depending on your age. There may also be restrictions on the maximum duration of an individual trip.

Medical conditions can create additional complications.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, check whether the card insurance covers it and whether you are required to complete a medical screening process.

Do not assume that because travel insurance is included with your card, all existing medical conditions are automatically covered.

You should understand exactly what you need to disclose and whether the insurer has accepted the condition before travelling.

When you are travelling for longer

Credit card travel insurance may impose a maximum number of days for each trip.

This can be particularly important for backpackers, long holidays, extended visits to family or travellers who spend several months abroad.

For example, your card might provide travel insurance for trips up to a particular number of days. If your holiday exceeds that limit, you could find that the insurance stops applying after the permitted period.

Always check the maximum trip duration before relying on the cover.

If your planned trip is longer than the card’s permitted period, a separate travel insurance policy may be a better option.

When you are doing activities excluded by the policy

Standard card travel insurance may not automatically cover activities that involve a higher level of risk.

If your holiday includes skiing, snowboarding, scuba diving, climbing, certain water sports or other adventure activities, check the policy wording before taking part.

Some activities may be completely excluded, while others may require an additional premium or specific extension.

Do not assume that an activity is covered simply because it is a common holiday activity.

If your planned activities are excluded, you may need a specialist policy or additional cover.

See our guide to adventure sports travel insurance.

When you want to cover a partner or friends

Another potential limitation is who is actually insured.

The cardholder may receive travel insurance automatically, but the policy could have specific conditions regarding partners, spouses, children or other people travelling with them.

If you are travelling with a partner or friends, check whether everyone is covered and whether they have to meet particular eligibility requirements.

Friends travelling with you may not be covered simply because they are travelling as part of the same group.

If some members of your party are not covered, separate travel insurance may be necessary.

When you need additional extras

Your trip may also require cover that is not included in the standard card policy.

For example, you may want winter sports cover if you are going skiing or snowboarding. A cruise holiday may also require specific cruise-related protection depending on the circumstances and the policy.

Other optional benefits can include additional gadget cover, higher baggage limits or specific activity protection.

If the cover included with your card does not provide the benefits you need, compare it with standalone travel insurance before deciding which option offers the best protection.

How to check your credit card travel insurance

Before travelling, take some time to read the policy documentation.

Start with the policy summary because this should provide an overview of the main benefits, limits and exclusions. However, do not rely solely on the summary. Read the relevant sections of the full policy wording as well.

Check whether you need to meet any conditions to activate the insurance.

For example, some credit card travel insurance policies may require you to pay for flights, accommodation or another part of the trip using the card before cover applies.

You should also check whether there are requirements relating to residency, age, trip duration or the type of journey.

Keep your policy details accessible

If you decide to rely on card travel insurance, save the policy details before you leave the UK.

Keep the emergency assistance telephone number somewhere accessible, ideally both digitally and offline.

If something goes wrong abroad, you may need to contact the insurer before arranging medical treatment, changing your travel arrangements or making other major decisions.

Having the policy number and emergency contact details available can make the process easier.

Compare card cover with standalone travel insurance

Even if your credit card provides travel insurance, it is worth comparing the benefits with a standalone policy.

Look at the medical expenses limit, cancellation cover, baggage protection, excess, age restrictions, maximum trip length, pre-existing medical conditions and activity exclusions.

The card insurance may be perfectly adequate for your particular trip. However, if important areas of cover are missing or limited, paying for a separate policy could provide better protection.

See our guide to how to choose the best travel insurance.

If your insurance comes through a packaged bank account rather than a credit card, you can also read our guide to bank account travel insurance.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to check the actual policy rather than assuming that travel insurance included with a card or bank account automatically covers everything you need.

Frequently asked questions

Does my credit card include travel insurance?

Only some do, mainly premium or fee-paying cards. Check your card’s benefits guide.

Do I have to pay for the trip with the card?

Often yes, at least in part. Check the conditions for your card.

Is credit card travel insurance enough?

It can be a useful safety net, but limits and conditions are often tighter than a standalone policy.

Is Section 75 the same as insurance?

No. It’s legal protection for certain credit card purchases, separate from any insurance benefits.

Related travel insurance guides

This article is general information, not financial or insurance advice. Always read the policy documents before you buy.