Our guide to travel accident insurance

Quick insights

• Travel accident insurance may include coverage for accidental death and dismemberment and more during trips.
• There’s variation in what insurers call this coverage, so you may want to review the insurance details and make sure you know what you’re getting.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve^® Travel Accident Insurance comes with up to $1 million in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment.

An accident is the last thing you want to happen on a trip. Travel accident insurance could potentially help if things go wrong. The coverage may provide compensation if a covered accident occurs. It may be possible to get travel accident insurance with a travel rewards credit card.

Here’s a breakdown of what to know about travel accident insurance.

What is travel accident insurance?

Travel accident insurance may provide some financial protection against accidents that result in death or bodily harm while you’re traveling. “Travel accident insurance” is sometimes used as an umbrella term to refer to policies that offer accidental death and dismemberment coverage.

Some travelers may find that this coverage provides peace of mind and potentially limits liabilities during travel. You may be able to get this type of travel insurance through certain travel rewards credit cards or a travel insurance provider.

How travel accident insurance works

If you’re on a trip and suffer a covered loss, the first step is to file a claim. Then, your claim will be adjudicated according to the terms of the coverage, and a payment will be made if the claim is approved.

A policy may define a maximum benefit amount, which is a limit on how much you can be compensated. Some injuries may result in only a percentage of the maximum benefit amount being paid. Your benefit is usually paid to you or, in the event of loss of life, a beneficiary.

If you get travel insurance through a credit card as a complimentary cardmember benefit, typically you don’t need to activate the coverage. Paying the travel carrier’s (airline, cruise line, etc.) fare for yourself and family members with your credit card may be all you need to do to be eligible.

Travel accident insurance coverage and limitations

You may find that there’s variation in what’s included across travel accident insurance policies. It may be helpful to consult your policy or your credit card’s Guide to Benefits for detailed coverage information.

What’s covered

Some travel accident insurance policies offer coverage for accidental death and dismemberment. For policies like these, covered losses may include accidental loss of life, limb, sight, speech and hearing.

Your policy may specify different benefit amounts for while you’re traveling versus while you’re a passenger with a carrier. For example, you may get a maximum benefit amount of $500,000 through Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance, and it may be $100,000 for 24 Hour Travel Accident Insurance.

If you have emergency medical coverage, your policy may reimburse you for any medical costs up to the maximum benefit amount if you need care during your trip.

What’s not covered

These policies typically come with a list of exceptions. Injuries or losses may not be covered if an accident happens while you’re:

• Working on duty as a pilot or crew member
• Performing a professional sporting activity as an athlete
• Committing an illegal act
• Incarcerated
• Traveling between your regular place of employment and your residence
• Participating in a motorized vehicular race 
• Traveling on a rocket-propelled or rocket-launched aircraft
• Engaging in an intentionally self-inflicted injury
• Impacted by a war

Your coverage could potentially have different limitations, so you may wish to review your policy for exact details.

Choosing the right travel accident insurance for you

Because there’s a lack of consistency with how insurance providers refer to this coverage, it may be helpful to review the policy so that you feel confident you know what you’re getting. You might take note of any coverages, limitations and payouts, as well as whether your policy offers emergency medical coverage or death and dismemberment benefits.

If you get the coverage through your credit card, it still may be useful to look closely at the policy information to make sure it meets your needs. If what’s offered is not sufficient, you may wish to purchase additional coverage. Additionally, you might review any other travel insurance benefits that come with the card.

Chase travel credit cards that come with travel accident insurance

Chase Sapphire credit cards come with travel accidental death and dismemberment coverage.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^®: Chase Sapphire Preferred offers travel accidental death and dismemberment coverage up to $500,000.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®: Chase Sapphire Reserve offers travel accidental death and dismemberment coverage up to $1,000,000.

Chase Sapphire credit cards come with travel-friendly rewards, perks and more. If you’re searching for the right travel rewards card for you, it may be helpful to consider how the rewards and perks align with your spending habits.

Filing a claim with your Chase credit card travel insurance

The Benefit Administrator requires you submit a claim notice within 20 days of any accident or covered loss. Then you’ll have 90 days from the date of your loss to submit the required documentation.

Here are some examples of documents that you may need to provide:

• Filed claim
• Travel itinerary
• Police report confirming accident
• Credit card statement with charge for carrier’s fare
• Copy of death certificate

You may need to provide additional documentation if requested.

In summary

Travel accident insurance may offer you financial protection against accidents or losses that occur during travel. Because there’s variation in what this coverage includes and is called, you may wish to review the policy details carefully. If you’re a Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred cardmember, you get this coverage as a complimentary cardmember benefit.