The best travel insurance credit cards in Canada for 2024 - MoneySense (2024)

If you’re planning to travel this summer, you’ll need travel insurance if you plan to go out of province. These days, many of the credit cards available include some kind of travel insurance. While that’s a great selling feature for these cards, savvy Canadians know that not all insurance is created equal. There are a few kinds of coverage you actuallyneedwhen travelling, like emergency medical and trip cancellation or interruption. Theft or baggage loss protection is a useful bonus, too.

As to whichtravel credit cardoffers the right combination of features for you, that will depend largely on the type of traveller you are and the perks you’re most likely to use. But first…

Travel insurance on credit cards: How does it work?

Every insurance package is tailored to a specific card and program but in general, the process is simple. You’ll usually have to book your travel on that credit card but different cards have different rules. For example, some say you need to book 100% of your trip on the card while others don’t have that stipulation. Read your documents to determine your responsibilities. Once you book, you’ll automatically have access to the included coverage. You don’t have to notify the credit card company that you’re traveling or call to activate the coverage. That said, we always recommend that you read the documentation from your credit card company.

Best no fee card for travel insurance

At a glance: If you want a travel insurance credit card without committing to an annual fee, check out the Rogers World Elite Mastercard. Not only does this no-fee card include valuable travel and rental car insurance with perks like free Boingo Wi-Fi and access to airport lounges, it’s also a cash back card. This means that for every $1 you spend on the card you’ll get back 1.5% (or 3% if it’s in U.S. currency). And, new members will get a $25 welcome bonus applied to their account as soon as they make their first purchase.

Best travel insurance card for lounge access

It would be hard to overstate the perks of lounge access. When you use this card for your travel expenses, you get just that: a worry-free haven.The Scotiabank Passport Travel Visa is a top-notch travel card in its own right, offering a solid suite of travel and car rental insurance coverage. Those under 65 get up to 25 days of travel medical insurance, which is impressive compared to other cards on this list. If you’re aged 65 or older though, you are only covered for three days. The card also boasts coverage for trip cancellation, flight delays, lost baggage, rental car collision/ damage, accident insurance and more.

Best travel credit card for medical insurance

At a glance: Canadians are privileged when it comes to healthcare, so it’s no surprise we want to travel with robust medical insurance. While many credit cards offer medical coverage of up to $1 million, the Ascend World EliteMastercarddoubles that , offering $5 million in coverage for up to 21 days of travel—on unlimited trips per year. You’ll also get travel accident insurance, which covers you and your spouse and dependants for up to $500,000 on passenger plans, busses, taxis, trains and cruise ships.

Another perk offered by the BMO Ascend: You get delayed and loss baggage insurance. So you’ll be reimbursed up to $500 per insured person if your bags are lost or damaged. And if your checked bags are delayed more than 6 hours, you’ll get $500 to purchase essentials, too.Coverage for you and your family to the tune of $5 million provides a lot of peace of mind, while a free lounge membership in Mastercard Travel Pass, provided by DragonPass, plus four free passesa year, gives you literal peace when travelling.Cardholders earn BMO Rewards points when using the card, which can be applied to travel, merchandise, cash redemption and even a contribution to a BMO investment account.

Best travel card for snowbirds and other seniors

At a glance: Canadians work hard all their lives, often with the idea that they’ll travel once in retirement or semi-retirement. The thing is, many insurance companies radically increase premiums or even refuse coverage to older applicants. Travellers with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard in their wallet have 15 days of emergency travel insurance included, even if they’re over 65 years old. The card’s inventive travel fee reimbursem*nts system can cover you for travel-related costs like airport parking, seat selection, and checked baggage fees.

Best for travel insurance for road trips

At a glance: Many travel credit cards focus on air travel but for the road trippers among us, we’ve selected the BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard. Cardmembers are covered by the BMO World Elite Total Travel and Medical Protection package, which includes collision damage waiver benefits on rental cars and eight days of out-of-province and out-of-country emergency medical benefits up to $5 million. Plus, it includes a free, basic membership in the Dominion Automobile Association and the benefits of its BMO Roadside Assistance Program.

Best travel credit card with trip cancellation insurance

At a glance: Trip cancellation insurance is more important than ever since the pandemic started. Our pick for the best travel insurance credit card with trip cancellation insurance is the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite, which offers up to $1,500 per person. This, along with the included medical insurance, common carrier travel accident protection, delayed or lost baggage coverage, and travel assistance, should help you rest easy as you plan your travel.

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