Whether your credit card is enough — and when it isn't
Written for US travellers: coverage limits for five US-issued premium cards, a situation-by-situation call on buying a standalone policy, and eight standalone providers with what each one is best at. Card benefits and provider terms change — confirm against the issuer's current benefits guide before you rely on a number here.
Trip Cancellation & Interruption
Reimburses non-refundable prepaid costs if you have to cancel or cut a trip short for a covered reason — illness, death of a family member, natural disaster, jury duty.
Typical cost4–10% of trip value
CFAR upgrade+50% of premium · reimburses 50–75%
Buy byWithin 14–21 days of first deposit
Emergency Medical
Covers hospital stays, ER visits, prescriptions, and imaging abroad. Critical because US health insurance (including Medicare) typically doesn't cover international care.
RecommendedAt least $100,000
Credit cards$0–$2,500 (not enough)
Real costA hospitalization abroad: $10,000–$50,000+
Medical Evacuation
Pays for emergency transport from a remote area or inadequate facility to a proper hospital — or home. The most expensive travel emergency by far if uninsured.
Recommended$250,000–$500,000
Real cost$100,000–$200,000+ uninsured
Best cardCSR/Preferred: $100,000 · Amex: uncapped
Baggage & Delay
Covers lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and reimbursement for essentials if bags are delayed. Trip delay coverage pays for hotel and meals when a flight delay strands you overnight.
Baggage$500–$3,000 per person
Trip delayKicks in after 6–12 hrs · $150–$500/day
CardsMost premium cards cover this well
When to Buy Standalone vs. Use Your Card
Allianz Travel
Best for annual / multi-trip plans
10 plan tiers from basic cancellation to comprehensive. AllTrips annual plans worth it if you take 3+ trips per year. 24-hr multilingual assistance and TravelSmart app.
allianztravelinsurance.com
Travel Guard (AIG)
Best CFAR option · generous free-look period
Strong Cancel For Any Reason upgrade. Transparent pricing and a free-look cancellation period if you change your mind after purchase. Good for expensive custom trips.
travelguard.com
World Nomads
Best for adventure travel
Covers 250+ adventure activities (skiing, scuba, trekking, motorbike) that most plans exclude. Buy or extend while already traveling. Popular with independent travelers.
worldnomads.com
BCBS Global Solutions
Best medical-only coverage · formerly GeoBlue
Medical-focused plans with a global network of vetted providers — often zero out-of-pocket with in-network care. GeoBlue rebranded to Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions in early 2026; same plans, same network, new name.
bcbsglobalsolutions.com
Travelex
Best for families — kids included free
One child 17 and under covered free per adult traveler on the Ultimate plan (child's trip cost must not exceed the adult's). Simple plan structure. Good baseline comprehensive coverage without complexity.
travelexinsurance.com
Seven Corners
Best for groups and mid-trip protection
Covers groups of 10+. Strong mid-trip interruption protection. Good medical limits and evacuation coverage. Works well for organized tours and group travel.
sevencorners.com
IMG (International Medical Group)
Best for long-term, expat & extended travel
35+ years in international insurance with 1M+ global providers. Covers vacationers, students, expats, and mission workers. The go-to for extended stays, relocations, and people living abroad long-term who need annual renewable international health coverage.
imglobal.com
AXA Assistance USA
Best for highest medical and evacuation limits
Explorer Select and Explorer Elite plans offer primary emergency medical coverage (up to $500,000) and medical evacuation (up to $1,000,000) — among the highest limits available from a major US insurer. Backed by AXA Group, one of the world's largest insurers, with 24/7 multilingual assistance and a global provider network. The right choice when maximum coverage limits matter more than price.
axatravelinsurance.com
Both sites let you enter your trip details and compare plans side by side by price, coverage limits, and customer ratings.
Buy within 14–21 days of first deposit to qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver and the widest CFAR eligibility window. The clock starts on the day you pay your first deposit, not when you book flights.
Read what "covered reason" means. Basic trip cancellation covers a specific list: illness, death, jury duty, severe weather. It does not cover changing your mind, work conflicts, or fear of flying. CFAR covers anything — at a higher premium.
You must pay with the card to activate card coverage. Charge at least the flights (or the full trip cost) to your premium card. Paying with points or a different card voids the protection.
Medicare and most US health plans stop at the border. If you're on Medicare, you have effectively zero international medical coverage. A standalone travel medical policy ($30–$60 for a short trip) fills that gap entirely.
Check the activity exclusions list. Skiing, diving, motorcycling, and trekking above certain altitudes are excluded from most standard plans. World Nomads covers these; most others don't without a rider.
Don't buy the cruise line's insurance. It's almost always more expensive and covers less than a comparable third-party plan. The one exception: cruise credit (vs. cash back) — some cruise line policies let you cancel for credit rather than cash.
CFAR has a hard cancel deadline. Most Cancel For Any Reason policies require you to cancel at least 48 hours before departure — some require 72 hours. If you wait until the night before to cancel, CFAR won't cover you. Check your exact window when you buy.