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Going on a trip? Find the best travel credit card with insurance coverage.
Canadian credit cards with travel insurance
Finding the right travel insurance for your trip can be a challenge but we can help. If you’re trying to determine which credit card contains the best travel insurance, it depends largely on understanding your travel coverage needs. We've broken down the best credit cards for travel insurance, so you can easily pick the best one for your personal travel needs.
Please note that, travel insurance offered through credit cards only applies to purchases booked on that credit card. So, if you're booking a trip, use your travel credit card to purchase tickets and stays, to ensure that your trip is covered by the card's travel insurance benefits.
Top Travel Insurance Credit Cards in Canada
| Category | Best Credit Card | Annual Fee |
| Best Overall Travel Insurance Credit Card | TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card | $139 (first year rebate†) |
| Best Cash Back Travel Insurance Credit Card | BMO CashBack World Elite* Mastercard* | $120 (first year waived) |
Best Overall Travel Insurance Credit Card - TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card
If you’re a frequent traveller and you’re looking for a credit card that can offer you the most comprehensive insurance coverage, the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card is the card for you.
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Best Cash Back Card - BMO CashBack World Elite* Mastercard*
When searching for a credit card that includes great travel insurance, you may notice that the best coverage is offered with cards earning you rewards points. However, for those who prefer cash back, the BMO Cashback World Elite* Mastercard* is a great option.
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Where you can use your travel insurance and coverage types
Are you looking for a specific type of travel insurance coverage with your credit card? Here are the best credit cards with travel insurance to cover you for:
- Pre-Arrival/At Airport: When your trip is interrupted right at the beginning, you can lose the money you spent on purchasing tickets and accommodation or even worse, also incur additional food and accommodation costs during the interruption. With a travel credit card that comes with insurance coverage like trip cancellation and trip interruption, you can file a claim if such issues occur and reduce your loss.
- At Destination: When you are at a foreign destination, you’ll want to be covered for any events that will result in the loss of personal property. Using a credit card that comes with personal effects, burglary and rental car insurance coverage can help you prepare for such situations.
- Medical: Falling sick during a trip is the worst feeling and dealing with sudden medical bills on top of that can be quite stressful. If your travel credit card comes with emergency medical and accident coverage, you’ll be covered for medical treatment when you’re away from home.
Pre-Arrival/At Airport Coverages
| Pre-Arrival/At Airport Coverages | Best Credit Card | Coverage Amount |
| Best Cancellation and Interruption | TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
| $1,500 (Cancellation) $5,000 (Interruption) |
| Best Baggage Delay | Scotiabank PassportTM Visa Infinite* Card | $1,000 |
| Best Lost/Stolen Baggage | Scotiabank PassportTM Visa Infinite* Card | $1,000 |
At Destination Coverages
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| At Destination Coverages | Best Credit Card | Coverage Amount |
| Best Hotel Burglary | TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | $2,500 |
| Best Rental Car Insurance | BMO CashBack World Elite* Mastercard* | $2,000 |
| Best Personal Effects | BMO Ascend World Elite* Mastercard* | $2,000 |
Medical Coverages
| Medical Coverages | Best Credit Card | Coverage Amount |
| Best Emergency Medical Coverage | Scotiabank PassportTM Visa Infinite* Card | 25 Days (3 days Over 65) |
| Best Emergency Medical Coverage for Seniors | TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
| 4 Days |
| Best Travel Accident | Scotiabank PassportTM Visa Infinite* Card | $500,000 |
Different types of credit card travel insurance
When we think of travel insurance, we tend to think of emergency medical travel insurance, but that’s just one of the many types of travel insurance available. Each type of travel insurance has its purpose, and some cards may cover one or two types, but not the others.
Always carefully review your credit card and travel insurance policies to ensure you fully understand the depth of your coverage and any existing limitations.
| Type of credit card travel insurance | What it covers | Tips: |
|---|---|---|
| Trip Interruption Insurance | Reimburses you for select expenses in the event unforeseen circumstances interrupt your trip, such as the death of a loved one forcing you to come home early. | Review your policy in detail to understand exactly what you’re covered for. |
| Trip Cancellation Insurance | Reimburses you for select expenses in the event unforeseen circumstances prevent you from going on your trip, such as falling ill or obtaining an injury. | Read the fine print to understand your policy’s limitations. |
| Travel Medical Protection | Covers emergency medical expenses and related costs incurred abroad. | Check your credit card limit as you may with to purchase additional coverage. |
| Travel Medical for Seniors | Provides emergency medical coverage for seniors travelling abroad. | Coverage may depend on your state of health. |
| Car Rental | Provides car insurance for damages, theft, or loss of use when you pay for a rental car with your credit card. | Note: this does not typically provide third party liability coverage or damages you cause to someone else or their property. |
| Flight Delay | Reimburses you for expenses such as meals, accommodation and other expenses accrued as a result of significant flight delays. | These expenses must be purchased on your credit card. |
| Baggage Delay | Covers expenses for necessary items you need to purchase in the event your baggage is delayed or lost. | These expenses must be purchased on your credit card. |
| Common Carrier Accident | Covers you in the event an accident causes disability or loss of life accrued while travelling on a certified common carrier such as a plane, train, boat or bus. | These excursions must have been booked on your credit card. Other limitations may apply. |
Top up travel insurance
If your cards do not have the type of coverage you're looking for, you can purchase top up travel insurance to ensure you have everything you need.
Frequently asked questions about credit card travel insurance
Is credit card travel insurance enough?
That depends on your credit card, the type of travel insurance coverages it offers, and the limitations of that coverage and its coverage amounts. Typically, higher end and more luxurious credit cards offer more robust coverage than the standard amounts available through common credit cards. Always read your credit card travel insurance coverage carefully, and if it is insufficient be sure to purchase additional travel insurance independently before you travel.
For example, your credit card may offer travel trip cancellation insurance but not emergency medical, or vice versa. In this case, you may only need to purchase coverage for the type of travel insurance not covered by your credit card.
When reviewing your credit card’s travel coverage, be sure to consider:
- The card’s coverage limitations and deductibles
- If coverage extends to your family, or is exclusive to you. If not, can you add your family?
- If it covers pre-existing medical conditions
- If your credit card company offers 24/7 customer service
- If the credit card travel insurance has adequate coverage
- If you’re eligible for the travel insurance your credit card covers
Do you have to buy travel insurance before booking?
No, you don’t need to buy travel insurance before booking, but you do need to purchase a policy prior to departure.
What travel purchases does my credit card cover?
For your credit card to cover eligible travel purchase, you must have made those purchases on that card. For example, if your credit card covers trip cancellation insurance, that trip must have been purchased on that credit card. Other limitations may apply.
Rates, product information and reward estimates are subject to change at any time and do not constitute financial advice. This post was not sponsored. Rates.ca may receive a referral fee from our partners or affiliate links featured on the site; however, our editorial choices are objective and free from bias. The opinions expressed in this article are purely those of Rates.ca; thus, the credit card issuers and partners are not responsible for any editorials or reviews that may appear. Please visit the associated brand’s website for complete and current terms and conditions on any product or service mentioned. The information in this article is accurate as of the date of this posting, January 31, 2025. Read our full disclaimer.
Best credit cards in other categories
- All the Best Credit Cards in Canada
- Best Overall Rewards Credit Card
- Best No-Fee Cash Back Credit Card
- Best No-Fee Travel Credit Card
- Best Overall Travel Credit Card
- Best Overall Cash Back Credit Card
- Best Low Interest Credit Card
- Best Secured Credit Card for Building Credit
- Best Credit Card for Young Professionals
- Best Student Credit Card
- Best Credit Card for Earning Travel Points
- Best Credit Card With No Foreign Transaction Fees for Long Stay Travellers
- Best Family Credit Card for Gas and Groceries
- Best Credit Card for Staying at Home and Ordering In
- Best No-Frills Cash Back Credit Card
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