Does credit card travel insurance cover every ticket you buy?

Having used your credit card to purchase plane tickets for your family vacation, you find out that you will receive automatic travel insurance. But does this apply to every ticket holder?

We have a look at how automatic travel insurance works, and we find out who will be covered when you pay with your credit card.  

Tip: You can get a flexible credit facility through Mobicred. Find out more.  

How does automatic travel insurance work?

Travel insurance will cover any loss you may incur while travelling. For example, if you find out that your baggage has been lost, stolen, or damaged, your travel insurance will cover this cost. This means you will be reimbursed for the loss – the specifics of which will be found in your unique policy.

In general, travel insurance will also protect you against trip cancellation, medical emergencies, trip interruptions, medical evacuation, and delays. When you take out travel insurance, your policy will stipulate exactly what is covered and what is not.

According to Rudie Froneman, head of Card at African Bank, there are two main ways travel insurance is offered in the market:

• The cover is included as part of specific products or cards issued by an association (either Visa or Mastercard). This is usually limited to the premier- or affluent card products and is embedded in the offering.
• The cover is offered by a bank or financial institution. This is then a specific product that you can elect to subscribe to.

Froneman emphasises that automatic travel insurance is not included on all credit cards.

“You need to reach out to your bank and make sure it’s included in your particular credit card package – you cannot assume you have travel insurance if you have a credit card,” says Froneman.

Will every ticket holder be covered?

Froneman says that, in some instances, banks will offer a top-up benefit that covers additional people or insurable events. However, automatic travel insurance only applies to the cardholder.

“In the event that the top-up options are offered, cardholders will have to contact their bank to request the cover prior to buying the tickets and travelling,” says Froneman.

“Cardholders must ensure that they read the terms and conditions, and understand whether they are covered and, if so, which tickets are covered, and what they’re being covered for,” he explains.

If you’re planning a big trip with your loved ones, it may be worthwhile to take out travel insurance for everyone involved. This will ensure that your trip goes smoothly even if the unforeseen happens.

Before you book your vacation, find out how you can reduce your debt. Consider debt consolidation.