Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card vs. Standard "traditional" Travel Insurance

I use Chase Sapphire Preferred for most of my travel bookings because of the reasons you named. That said, I still get travel insurance that covers medical issues and especially medivac coverage.

Hello,

In looking at the two policies you've listed, the coverage might seem superior with Chase. But you are comparing Apples to Oranges.

Allianz Trip Cancellation includes Pre-existing Condition coverage, while the Chase credit card does not.

If you choose the Allianz Premier Annual policy for two people, you can choose the dollar amount of your Trip Cancellation coverage, which will also include Pre-existing Conditions. The cost of the policy is indeed much more than a $95 credit card, but you will receive different coverage, which might be worth it. Or, as Mardee said, maybe utilize both a credit card that offers travel insurance plus an annual policy that covers Pre-existing Conditions, $50,000 Medical Coverage and $500,000 Emergency Transportation?

See Judy's recent experience that I've linked below:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tech-tips/positive-experience-with-allianz-travel-insurance

I think you are comparing apples and oranges.

Does Chase cover medical evacuation or medical repatriation? These are the things that can bankrupt people. Cancel a prepaid trip and you might lose 5K. If you are in a serious car accident and need to be medically repatriated back to the U.S., it can costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Good point on coverage for pre existing medical conditions. I was not aware of that, and it is obviously very important if you have one that could potentially derail a trip and want to be insured.

Yes, and if you read the "fine print" on what the insurance companies consider a pre-existing conditon, YIKES.

The other potential issue with relying entirely on a credit card for coverage, whether it's the Chase card or the Delta AMEX, you need to have paid for everything you want covered with the card.

So, if I decide to pay for a VRBO in Malaga with cash, too bad for me. Of course, the Allianz Annual Insurance Adjuster would require an appropriately legal written contract to prove I'd paid in cash.

Hi there, I was curious so I looked it up -

No Emergency Medical/Health Insurance: The Sapphire Preferred card does not include emergency medical or hospital coverage abroad. Rentals longer than 31 consecutive days or exotic/expensive vehicles over $125,000 MSRP are also excluded.

I like to break it down into categories - Trip interruption, medical, evacuation. So while it sounds great if you need it for an expensive cruise, tour, or non-refundable lodging, I would still buy a supplemental health insurance policy, if not also medical evacuation. If you're over 65, you likely have $50,000 medicare coverage overseas, but check details in your policy.

Most if not all major US airlines allow you to cancel your airfare, unless it's the most basic economy, and put the funds back into your account for up to one year, then you can re-book and use within another year. Good luck!

Like Mardee, I use my credit card to cover trip cancellation, delay, interruption,...

To keep the premium low, I purchase a separate medical travel insurance policy that does not require that I insure the full cost of the trip to qualify for the Pre-existing Conditions Waiver.

Question: does anyone use this particular chase card for car rental CDW? Seems like there might be a lot of friction at the rental counter with them insisting that you purchase their insurance “or else”. Has anyone used it to file a claim ?

We have a Chase Sapphire Reserve for travel (cancelation, etc). We used it this year for a trip that got canceled for medical reason and it worked out great. We use the rental car coverage when we’re in the United States. It’s will also work in foreign countries (and have used in the past with the right documentation) but now we just don’t want to have any hassles abroad (especially where we don’t speak the language) and would rather pay the extra.
We buy an annual policy through Alliance for medical and evacuation. Our medical insurance does not cover us outside the country.

Joe, you'll sometimes get the hard sell from the rental clerk when you deny their coverage. But, no problem with filing a claim. There's lots of accounts on Reddit, flyertalk and other forums of successful claims. There are some country exclusions. Chase can also provide you with a letter of coverage to present at the counter.