The Best Credit Cards With Travel Insurance for 2025

Whether you’re travelling to a neighbouring province, sailing on a cruise, or headed to a country on the other side of the world, having travel insurance is vital as it can protect you from a medical emergency, trip delays, or even a rental car accident.

Many people don’t realize that some of the best travel insurance credit cards in Canada provide you with enough coverage that another policy isn’t required. Whether you are a frequent traveller or planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip, understanding the various options can help you make an informed decision that best suits your travel needs.

National Bank World Elite Mastercard travel insurance

• Emergency Medical Insurance – $5,000,000 – 60 days under age 55, 31 days for ages 55 – 64, 15 days for 65 – 75
• Trip Cancellation – $2,500 per person
• Trip Interruption – $5,000 per person
• Flight Delay Insurance $500 per person – 4 hours 
• Baggage Delay Insurance $500 per person – 6 hours 
• Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance – $1,000 per person
• Car Rental Theft Damage Insurance – $65,000 – 48 days

The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the best travel insurance credit card in Canada. When you consider the number of days covered, especially for those aged 55+, there’s no real comparison. All the other included travel insurance is also quite generous.

The earning rate is 5 points per $1 spent on groceries and restaurants (up to $2,500 per month, then 2 points per $1 spent), 2 points on gas, electric vehicle charging, recurring bills and à la carte Travel, and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.

The annual fee is $150, but you also get an annual $150 travel credit. This is a great choice for anyone looking for comprehensive travel and insurance and for those based out of YUL since you get unlimited access to the National Bank VIP lounge at the YUL International terminal.

American Express Platinum Card travel insurance

• Emergency Medical Insurance – $5,000,000 – 15 days under age 65
• Trip Cancellation – $2,500 per person / $5,000 total
• Trip Interruption – $2,500 per person / $5,000 total
• Flight Delay Insurance $1,000 per person – 4 hours 
• Baggage Delay Insurance $1,000 per person – 6 hours 
• Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance – $1,000 combined per occurrence
• Car Rental Theft Damage Insurance – $85,000 – 48 days
• Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance – $1,000 per occurrence

Although the American Express Platinum Card comes with just 15 days of coverage for travel medical insurance, it does have one of the highest maximum payouts of $5,000,000. I like that this card provides up to $2,500 in trip interruption per person. This is relevant as many other cards only offer $1,000. That may not sound like much of a difference, but considering the cost of hotels, $1,000 doesn’t go very far.

What really makes this card stand out for travellers is the included benefits. The primary cardholder and one guest get unlimited airport lounge access via the American Express Global Lounge Collection. In addition, you get hotel status upgrades at Marriott and Hilton.

The annual fee of $799 will turn some people off, but you get an annual travel credit of $200, a yearly dining credit of $200, unlimited lounge access, and a massive signup bonus of American Express Membership Rewards points (when using a referral link) which will appeal to frequent travellers. 

American Express Membership Rewards are highly valuable as you can transfer them to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio and Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1.2 ratio.

RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card travel insurance

• Emergency Medical Insurance – Unlimited – 15 days under age 65, 3 days for 65+
• Trip Cancellation – $1,500 per person / $5,000 total
• Trip Interruption – $5,000 per person / $25,000 total
• Flight Delay Insurance $250 per person – 4 hours 
• Baggage Delay/Lost Insurance $500 per person – 4 hours 
• Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance – $1,000 combined per occurrence
• Car Rental Theft Damage Insurance – $65,000 – 48 days
• Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance – $2,500 per occurrence

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card is unique because it offers unlimited travel medical insurance. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll ever need that much coverage, but it’s a good benefit. What’s also interesting about this card is that the trip interruption insurance is quite high at $5,000 per person and $25,000 total. Again, it’s unlikely you’ll ever need to make a claim that high, but it’s worth mentioning. However, the flight delay and baggage insurance is relatively low. 

The good thing about the RBC Avion Visa Infinite credit card is that it typically has a generous welcome bonus, and the annual fee is often waived for the first year. That said, the earning rate is not the best at 1.25 Avion points per $1 spent on travel and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.

RBC Avion is one of the better travel rewards programs, as you can transfer your points to WestJet Rewards or British Airways Avios.

American Express Gold Rewards Card travel insurance

• Emergency Medical Insurance – $5,000,000 – 15 days under age 65
• Trip Cancellation – $1,500 per person / $3,000 total
• Trip Interruption – $5,000 per person / $6,000 total
• Flight Delay Insurance $500 per person – 4 hours 
• Baggage Delay Insurance $500 – 6 hours 
• Lost or Stolen Baggage Insurance – $500
• Car Rental Theft Damage Insurance – $85,000 – 48 days
• Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance – $500 per occurrence

The American Express Gold Rewards Card is a mid-tier travel rewards card from American Express. The travel insurance is better than the American Express Cobalt, but not as good as the Platinum Card.

The welcome bonus on this card is typically worth between 40,000 – 60,000 American Express Membership Rewards Points, but it’s typically broken up into monthly awards based on meeting a minimum spending requirement. The earning rate is respectable at 2 points per $1 spent on travel, gas, groceries, and drugstores. All other purchases earn you 1 point per $1 spent.

The American Express Gold Rewards Card serves frequent travellers with its annual $100 travel credit and four complimentary visits per calendar year to Plaza Premium Lounges. Plaza Premium has lounges in most Canadian airports, so it won’t be hard to use them all up. The annual is $250, but the perks included are easily worth more than that.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card travel insurance

• Emergency Medical Insurance – $2,000,000 – 25 days / 3 days if you’re 65 or older
• Trip Cancellation – $1,500 per person / $10,000 total
• Trip Interruption – $2,500 per person / $10,000 total
• Flight Delay Insurance $500 per person – 4 hours 
• Baggage Delay/Lost Insurance $1,000 – 4 hours 
• Car Rental Theft Damage Insurance – $65,000 – 48 days
• Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance – $1,000 per occurrence

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card is an appealing option for travellers since it’s arguably the best all-around travel rewards credit card. The travel insurance is pretty good since you get 25 days if you’re under the age of 65. Additionally, you only need to charge 75% of your trip costs to get your trip cancellation and insurance coverage.

Other travel benefits include six complimentary lounge visits per year via the Visa Airport Companion Program and no foreign exchange fees. In fact, this is the only credit card in Canada that has good travel insurance and no foreign exchange fees.

The annual fee of $150 is reasonable, and the earning rate is respectable. Scene+ points are flexible too, since you can redeem your points on any travel purchase charged to your card.

BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard travel insurance

• Emergency Medical Insurance – $5,000,000 – 21 days if under 65
• Trip Cancellation – $1,500 per person / $5,000 total
• Trip Interruption – $2,000 per person / $10,000 total
• Flight Delay Insurance – $500 per person – 6 hours 
• Baggage Delay/Lost Insurance – $500 per person, up to $1,000 – 6 hours 
• Car Rental Theft Damage Insurance – $65,000 – 48 days
• Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance – $1,000 per occurrence

The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard is popular for travellers seeking insurance benefits. It offers unlimited trips per year with coverage for journeys up to 21 days if you’re under 65. The card provides coverage up to $5 million for eligible medical expenses. This makes it a strong contender for frequent travellers.

You could argue that this is the best credit card with travel insurance since you only need to charge a part of your ticket to your card for your insurance to apply. That’s right; according to the fine print, you could even charge just $1 of your travel expenses to your card, and your insurance would be valid. Note that this doesn’t apply to car rental damage, where you need to charge the entire rental amount to your card for the insurance to apply.

Because of this clause, the BMO World Elite Mastercard is a great choice for those who often book flights on reward miles and still want a comprehensive travel insurance package. Oh, it helps that this card waives the annual fee for the first year (one of the few credit cards with travel insurance that does this), and the sign up bonus is usually quite good.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card travel insurance

• Emergency Medical Insurance – $5,000,000 – 31 days, 4 days if you’re 65+
• Trip Cancellation – $2,500 per person / $5,000 total
• Trip Interruption – $5,000 per person / $25,000 total
• Flight Delay Insurance $1,000 – 4 hours 
• Baggage Delay/Lost Insurance – $500 per person, up to $2,500 – 4 hours
• Car Rental Theft Damage Insurance – $85,000 – 48 days
• Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance – $2,500 per occurrence

The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card is a premium travel credit card with a hefty $599 annual fee. That said, you get some incredible Air Canada benefits, such as Maple Leaf Lounge access, free checked bags, and zone 2 boarding. For many people, these benefits are worth the annual fee.

As for the travel insurance, it’s quite generous overall. Interestingly enough, if you dive into the included trip interruption insurance details, you’ll learn that you can claim up to $250 a day in hotels. This is relevant as many other cards, including some premium cards, only cover $100 a day.

Using the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, you earn Aeroplan points on everyday purchases, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and even hotels. If you fly Air Canada frequently, this card is an excellent candidate for your wallet.

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card travel insurance

• Emergency Medical Insurance – $5,000,000 – 15 days, 3 days if you’re 65+
• Trip Cancellation – $1,500 per person / $5,000 total
• Trip Interruption – $2,000 per person / $25,000 total
• Flight Delay Insurance $500 – 4 hours 
• Baggage Delay/Lost Insurance – $500 per person – 6 hours
• Car Rental Theft Damage Insurance – $65,000 – 48 days
• Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance – $2,500 per occurrence

With the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite Card, you get flexibility and perks suited for frequent travellers. This card allows you to earn Aventura points on everyday purchases, which you can redeem for travel expenses and more. 

The included travel insurance is standard for a mid-tier credit card. Admittedly, there are cards with better travel insurance, but this is a good option if you’re a CIBC customer.

On a positive note, the Visa Airport Companion Program membership provides four free airport lounge passes each year. The annual fee is $139, but it’s often waived for the first year.

Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard travel insurance

• Emergency Medical Insurance – $1,000,000  – 15 days under age 65, 3 days for 65+
• Trip Cancellation – $1,00 per person / $5,000 total
• Trip Interruption – $1,000 per person / $25,000 total
• Car Rental Theft Damage Insurance – $65,000 – 48 days

Of my list of the best travel insurance credit cards in Canada, the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is the only one with no annual fee. It also happens to be one of the best cash back credit cards in Canada. 

The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard gives you 3% cash back on purchases made in U.S. dollars and 2% cash back on everything else if you’re a Rogers, Fido or Shaw customer. However, if you redeem your cash back earned for a Rogers, Fido, or Shaw product or service, you get 1.5X more cash back. That means you could earn up to 4.5% cash back with this card. 

As for the travel benefits, it’s surprising to see trip cancellation and interruption insurance included with a no fee card, so this is a major win.

How credit card travel insurance works

Credit card travel insurance offers various forms of protection during your travels. Understanding the types of benefits, the duration they cover, and the conditions under which they apply is crucial for making the most of these insurance offerings.

Coverage benefits explained

Credit card travel insurance can provide various benefits. Emergency medical coverage covers hospital and physician fees, which is particularly important considering the high cost of healthcare in some countries.

Trip cancellation insurance reimburses non-refundable expenses when a trip can’t be completed. In contrast, trip/flight delay insurance covers additional costs incurred due to unforeseen delays, such as hotel stays and meals.

Additionally, some cards offer baggage loss or delay insurance. This helps replace items as you can purchase new stuff and get reimbursed. Rental car insurance is also frequently included, covering theft or damage but not liability. Each benefit has specific terms and limits, which are detailed in the certificate of insurance. You should review your policy to know exactly what you’re covered for.

Length of trip

The duration of coverage varies by credit card. Most cards cover 15 – 21 days, but you can get up to 31 days. That said, coverage for those 65+ is typically short at 3 days.

Some cards allow you to extend your coverage for an additional cost, but not all cards allow this. Going even a day without travel insurance is a risk, so get additional coverage even if you have to pay it.

When benefits apply

There are certain conditions for your benefits to apply. For example, you can only claim trip cancellation for a qualifying reason, such as death. You can’t just cancel your trip and expect a full refund because you changed your mind.

You need to wait four to six hours before you’re eligible to make purchases for some expanded travel benefits, such as trip delay and baggage delay insurance. If you are making purchases, be sure to save your receipts and documents showing the delay, as you’ll need them when making a claim later.

Eligibility requirements

As odd as it sounds, the eligibility requirements for each type of insurance can be different. For some of your policies to apply, you may need to charge a certain amount of travel costs to your card. This is another reason why you need to read the certificate of insurance.

Travel medical insurance

The good news about emergency travel medical insurance is that you get it no matter what. No purchases need to be charged to your card for you to be covered. That said, don’t forget that your policies have a length and age limit.

Extended travel insurance

Extended travel insurance is where things can get complicated. Some policies may state that you need to charge the full amount of your costs to your credit card, while others might only require 75% of your trip costs to be charged.

To further complicate things, it can vary depending on the type of insurance. For example, for car theft damage and hotel/motel burglary, you usually need to charge the full costs of those expenses to your card for your insurance to apply.

Bookings on rewards

When booking travel on points or miles, such as Aeroplan or RBC Avion Rewards, you must charge any remaining taxes or fees to a credit card that earns you the same points for your travel insurance to apply.

For example, if you booked on Aeroplan, you must pay any remaining balance with an Aeroplan credit card. 

However, if you decide to pay the taxes for that flight with the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, your insurance will not apply since you didn’t pay for the full flight with your card. 

There is one exception to this rule. If your credit card insurance says you need to charge any amount for your insurance to apply, then you’d still be covered. It’s crucial to understand these rules to fully benefit from your card’s travel insurance offerings.

How to make a credit card travel insurance claim

When using your credit card travel insurance, it’s crucial to follow the correct steps for making a claim. Understanding different procedures for when you are abroad and after you return home ensures you’re covered in unexpected situations.

Making a claim when abroad

If you encounter an issue while travelling, reporting it as soon as possible is important. Contact your credit card insurance provider as soon as possible and have your card details ready.

In most cases, the travel insurance provider will want to get the details of the claim before any charges are made. This can be beneficial as often, the medical providers can bill your insurance provider directly, which means no out-of-pocket expenses for you.

Contacting your insurance provider is also helpful, as they can provide you with assistance. For example, they can find a partner medical centre that can treat your injury.

In all situations, you should gather all necessary information related to the incident. This includes any medical reports, police statements, and receipts. Most providers require prompt notification, typically within 48 hours of the event.

Document everything thoroughly. Photograph damaged items, save emails, and write detailed descriptions of incidents. This will help when filing your claim and ensure nothing is overlooked.

Making a claim after returning home

Once you’re back in Canada, double-check the documents you collected during your trip. Most claims are now made online, and accurate records improve your chances of approval. 

Include copies of all supporting documents like receipts, flight delay reasons, tickets, boarding passes, and correspondence. Original documents should stay with you, while duplicates go with your claim. 

When filing online, you should get a claim reference number pretty quickly. Be prepared to provide additional information or clarification if requested, even if it seems repetitive. Keep track of all interactions in case you need this information down the line.

Once your claim has been assessed, you’ll receive a cheque for any eligible expenses. The entire process can take four to ten weeks.

Tips for choosing the best travel insurance credit card

When selecting a credit card with travel insurance, consider the extent of the coverage offered. Some cards provide comprehensive insurance, including trip cancellation, baggage delay, and hotel/motel burglary, while others don’t.

Check for any exclusions or limitations in the insurance policy. Cards often have conditions that may affect coverage, such as age limits or trip duration caps.

Evaluate the card’s annual fee. A higher fee typically means you get more extensive coverage and better rewards. Compare this to a lower-fee card to determine which offers the best value for your travel needs.

Examine additional perks like airport lounge access, free baggage, or status upgrades, which can enhance your travel experience.

Determine if foreign exchange fees are important to you. If you’re going to be spending a lot, those fees can add up. It might be a good idea to consider a card with no foreign transaction fees and good travel insurance.

Is a separate travel insurance policy better?

When considering travel insurance, you may wonder if credit card travel insurance is good enough or if getting a standalone product from an insurance provider such as TuGo or Manulife would be better. Generally, standalone products are better.

A key benefit of separate travel insurance is comprehensive coverage. Standalone policies often typically provide higher limits for trip cancellation and medical expenses, which might surpass the coverage offered by travel credit cards. 

More importantly, the underwriting for standalone policies is done at the time of application. That’s where you answer questions about your medical history. With credit card travel insurance, the underwriting is done at the time of the claim, which could leave reasons for the insurance provider to deny your claim.

Credit card travel insurance is convenient and free. However, standalone policies may offer more flexibility. You can customize coverage to your specific needs, whether by extending coverage duration or adding options like extreme sports protection.

Standalone travel insurance can also cover gaps in your credit card’s policy. For instance, if your credit card covers 3 days of travel for seniors, but your trip lasts longer, a separate policy can fill the void. This ensures you aren’t vulnerable to unexpected costs during your travels.

In deciding whether a separate policy is ideal, assess your travel habits and specific coverage needs. Evaluate factors such as trip frequency, duration, and potential risks. Credit card travel insurance is likely enough if you’re young and healthy. However, once you get to age 55 where credit card travel insurance isn’t as good, or you start to have health issues, a standalone policy is the way to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top travel insurance coverage options offered by Canadian credit cards?

Canadian credit cards often offer options like emergency medical coverage, trip interruption insurance, lost baggage insurance, and flight delay insurance. 

How can senior travellers over 65 find the best travel insurance credit cards in Canada?

For senior travellers, some cards offer tailored coverage. The National Bank World Elite Mastercard, for example, provides emergency medical insurance for trips up to 15 days for seniors over 65. That said, it’s usually better for seniors to purchase a standalone policy.

Which Canadian credit cards offer trip cancellation insurance as a benefit?

Trip cancellation insurance is a common feature in many premium cards, such as the American Express Gold Reward Card, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, and the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege. This benefit covers non-refundable trip expenses if you cancel due to covered reasons, such as illness or emergencies.

Is credit card travel insurance or a separate travel insurance policy better?

Credit card insurance is convenient and often cost-effective if you travel frequently. However, standalone travel insurance policies can offer more comprehensive coverage and may be a better fit if you have specific needs, are a senior, or are planning extended trips. 

Are there any credit cards in Canada that provide travel insurance without an annual fee?

While most cards with comprehensive travel insurance benefits charge an annual fee, some may waive the fee for the first year or have a yearly fee. That said, the travel insurance included on cards with no annual fee is usually limited.