Are you planning a dream vacation or a business trip? Have you invested time and money into booking flights, hotels, and activities? What if unexpected events force you to cancel your trip? Trip cancellations can be stressful and costly, but Chase trip cancellation insurance can provide financial protection and peace of mind.
Chase Trip Cancellation Insurance
Chase trip cancellation insurance is a benefit provided to certain Chase credit cardholders, offering coverage for non-refundable travel expenses if a trip is canceled or interrupted for covered reasons. This insurance can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in lost airfare, hotel bookings, and other prepaid travel expenses. It is especially useful when sudden emergencies such as illness, injury, or severe weather make it impossible for you to proceed with your trip.
This feature is included with some of Chase’s premium credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve. The coverage kicks in when you use your eligible Chase card to pay for all or a portion of your travel expenses, giving you financial protection if your trip doesn’t go as planned.
What Does Chase Trip Cancellation Insurance Cover?
The coverage offered by Chase trip cancellation insurance is designed to protect travelers from unforeseen circumstances that force them to cancel or interrupt their trips. These covered reasons typically include:
- Illness or Injury: If you, a travel companion, or an immediate family member becomes seriously ill or injured before your trip, you are eligible to claim under Chase’s trip cancellation insurance. The illness or injury must be significant enough to prevent you from traveling.
- Death: In the unfortunate event of a death involving you, your travel companion, or a close family member, Chase trip cancellation insurance will cover your non-refundable travel expenses.
- Severe Weather: If a major weather event like a hurricane, blizzard, or flood prevents you from starting or continuing your trip, this will be covered by the insurance. It applies when the weather makes it impossible to travel or your destination is unsafe.
- Quarantine: If you or your traveling companion are placed under a mandatory quarantine before your trip, you can file a claim under trip cancellation insurance. This provision is particularly relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Jury Duty or Legal Obligations: If you are called for jury duty or a court subpoena requires your presence during the planned trip dates, you will be covered under Chase trip cancellation insurance.
- Job Loss: If you lose your job and can no longer afford to take your trip, the insurance may cover your trip cancellation costs. The job loss must be involuntary and permanent.
- Common Carrier Issues: If your airline, cruise line, or other common carrier goes out of business or cancels your trip due to reasons other than weather or your personal decisions, Chase trip cancellation insurance may cover your losses.
What is Not Covered?
While Chase trip cancellation insurance covers many unexpected events, there are some exclusions. You won’t be reimbursed for the following:
- Change of Plans: If you simply change your mind or no longer wish to travel, this will not be covered. The insurance is for unexpected, unavoidable cancellations.
- Pre-existing Medical Conditions: Unless otherwise stated, Chase trip cancellation insurance usually does not cover cancellations due to pre-existing medical conditions unless the condition worsens unexpectedly.
- Known Events: Once a major event (such as a storm or political unrest) is publicly announced, cancellations made after the announcement may not be covered.
- Unlisted Reasons: Any cancellation that does not fall under the list of covered reasons, such as missing a flight or failing to obtain the necessary visas, will not be covered by Chase trip cancellation insurance.
Who is Covered by Chase Trip Cancellation Insurance?
Chase trip cancellation insurance doesn’t just cover you; it may also extend to others depending on your travel circumstances. Here’s a breakdown of who is typically covered:
- The Cardholder: If you hold an eligible Chase credit card and use it to pay for your trip, you are covered.
- Your Traveling Companions: If you’re traveling with someone and you paid for their travel expenses with your Chase credit card, they are also covered by the insurance.
- Immediate Family Members: Coverage can extend to immediate family members such as your spouse, children, parents, or in-laws. Even if they aren’t traveling with you, events affecting them (such as illness or death) that lead to a trip cancellation may be covered.
It’s important to note that, for coverage to apply, the travel expenses must be paid using your Chase card or rewards points linked to the card (e.g., Chase Ultimate Rewards® points).
Which Trips Are Eligible for Chase Trip Cancellation Insurance?
To benefit from Chase trip cancellation insurance, your trip must meet specific eligibility requirements. These include:
- Payment with a Chase Card: You must pay for a portion or the entire cost of your trip using your eligible Chase credit card or with Chase Ultimate Rewards® points linked to that card.
- Prepaid, Non-Refundable Expenses: Only prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses are covered. For example, if your airline or hotel offers a refund or travel credit, trip cancellation insurance will not cover it. The policy will only reimburse you for expenses that you cannot get back.
- Trip Length: Most Chase trip cancellation insurance policies cover trips up to 60 days long. If your trip extends beyond this, you may need to seek additional coverage or a different policy.
- Distance: Typically, the trip must involve travel that is at least 100 miles from your home. This ensures that the insurance is used for significant travel events rather than local trips.
What Travel Expenses are Covered?
Eligible travel expenses under Chase trip cancellation insurance include:
- Flight tickets
- Hotel reservations
- Car rentals
- Cruise bookings
- Tours and excursions
As long as these expenses are prepaid and non-refundable, they can be covered if your trip is canceled for a covered reason.
How to File a Trip Cancellation Insurance Claim with Chase
If you find yourself needing to file a claim for Chase trip cancellation insurance, the process is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Contact the Claims Administrator
Begin by contacting the claims administrator for your Chase card. You must initiate your claim within a specified time frame, usually within 20 days of the cancellation or covered event. This can be done by calling the number on the back of your card or visiting the Chase benefits website.
Provide Necessary Documentation
The next step is to gather and submit the required documentation to support your claim. Depending on the reason for your trip cancellation, you may need to provide:
- A copy of your Chase credit card statement showing the travel expense.
- Receipts or proof of the prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses.
- A letter from the airline or travel provider confirming the non-refundable status of the trip.
- Documentation of the covered reason for cancellation (e.g., medical reports, death certificates, jury duty summons, etc.).
Submit Your Claim
Once you’ve gathered the necessary documents, submit them to the claims administrator for review. Claims are typically submitted online or via mail, depending on the instructions provided by Chase. It’s important to keep copies of all documents and communication for your records.
Wait for Review
After submission, your claim will be reviewed by Chase and their insurance provider. This process can take a few weeks, depending on the complexity of the claim and the completeness of your documentation.
Receive Reimbursement
If your claim is approved, Chase will issue a reimbursement for the eligible travel expenses. Reimbursement is typically paid by check or direct deposit, depending on your preference.
Conclusion
Chase trip cancellation insurance is a valuable benefit for cardholders, offering financial protection and peace of mind for unexpected trip cancellations. Whether it’s a sudden illness, severe weather, or an emergency involving a family member, having this insurance can save you from losing money on non-refundable travel expenses.
By understanding what the insurance covers, who is eligible, and how to file a claim, you can make the most of this valuable cardholder benefit and travel with greater confidence.