Insurance with Chase credit card

[snorkle lover]

We have never taken out travel insurance however with age creeping up and the

cost of our next cruise ( Explorer in April), I am thinking we might want to look into

it. Has anybody ever  used the insurance offered on the Chase CC? They sent me

the offered benefits but you almost need a law degree to understand it AND it is over

40 pages long. I do not think they offer medical ( free) in the event you get ill either 

prior to traveling or while traveling. Our health is fine now but you never know

what might happen and I doubt Medicare would be accepted in Europe 😫.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Carol From California]

13 minutes ago, snorkle lover said:

We have never taken out travel insurance however with age creeping up and the

cost of our next cruise ( Explorer in April), I am thinking we might want to look into

it. Has anybody ever  used the insurance offered on the Chase CC? They sent me

the offered benefits but you almost need a law degree to understand it AND it is over

40 pages long. I do not think they offer medical ( free) in the event you get ill either 

prior to traveling or while traveling. Our health is fine now but you never know

what might happen and I doubt Medicare would be accepted in Europe 😫.

Any advice would be appreciated.

I think you may be talking about the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. It gives you coverage ($10,000 per person). You only have to pay "some portion" of the trip on the card. There are numerous advantages to this card, one being the travel insurance. Pre-existing conditions are not covered, so if you have any you may want to think about other coverage. The annual fee is $450 but you get $300 annual travel credit so it actually is only $150/year. It's easy to rack up points/miles too, as you get 3x points on all travel and all restaurants. Read more here: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/chase-sapphire-reserve-review/

[forgap]

This may help as a summary in plain English:  https://www.chase.com/card-benefits/benefit-details/sapphire-trip-cancellation-trip-interruption-insurance-5000

 

in addition, I am always foggy about what constitutes a pre existing condition and the look back periods.  This is from the chase website:  

 

Pre-Existing Condition – illness, disease or Accidental injury of you, your Traveling Companion, your Immediate Family Member or the Immediate Family Member of the Traveling Companion, for which medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received within the 60-day period immediately prior to the purchase of a Covered Trip. The taking of prescription drugs or medication
for a controlled condition throughout this 60-day period will not be considered to be a treatment of illness or disease.  

Hope this helps.

[JMARINER]

The Credit card "insurance" benefit are extremely limited and in no way relied upon instead of good travel insurance.

 

Link to the full text. (Link)

 

J

 

[forgap]

11 minutes ago, JMARINER said:

The Credit card "insurance" benefit are extremely limited and in no way relied upon instead of good travel insurance.

 

Link to the full text. (Link)

 

J

 

Agreed as we are only talking about a cancellation benefit.   In the past we have used this plus GeoBlue for medical and evacuation.  Our next trip exceeds the maximum Chase cancellation benefit so we will purchase trip insurance for the excess amount.  This will then give us medical and evacuation.  We are also contemplating the yearly policy for Medjet as this will bring us back to the US Immediately rather than languishing in a hospital waiting to be well enough to travel. 

[Carol From California]

58 minutes ago, forgap said:

This may help as a summary in plain English:  https://www.chase.com/card-benefits/benefit-details/sapphire-trip-cancellation-trip-interruption-insurance-5000

 

in addition, I am always foggy about what constitutes a pre existing condition and the look back periods.  This is from the chase website:  

 

Pre-Existing Condition – illness, disease or Accidental injury of you, your Traveling Companion, your Immediate Family Member or the Immediate Family Member of the Traveling Companion, for which medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received within the 60-day period immediately prior to the purchase of a Covered Trip. The taking of prescription drugs or medication
for a controlled condition throughout this 60-day period will not be considered to be a treatment of illness or disease.  

Hope this helps.

There is a 60-day lookback period from when you purchase your cruise.  I think this means from when you first give your deposit. They are very helpful in answering questions, so call their toll-free number to ask. It also says that if you are taking a medication for a controlled condition during the 60-day period (for example high blood pressure), it is not considered treatment for an illness or disease. 

[Carol From California]

49 minutes ago, JMARINER said:

The Credit card "insurance" benefit are extremely limited and in no way relied upon instead of good travel insurance.

 

Link to the full text. (Link)

 

J

 

You provided a link to the benefits from the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card. It may be different from the Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits.  I've attached that brochure. 

Chase Sapphire Reserve Insurance.pdf

[Carol From California]

35 minutes ago, forgap said:

Agreed as we are only talking about a cancellation benefit.   In the past we have used this plus GeoBlue for medical and evacuation.  Our next trip exceeds the maximum Chase cancellation benefit so we will purchase trip insurance for the excess amount.  This will then give us medical and evacuation.  We are also contemplating the yearly policy for Medjet as this will bring us back to the US Immediately rather than languishing in a hospital waiting to be well enough to travel. 

Chase Sapphire Reserve does have air evacuation coverage but it is limited to $100,000. I also have an American Express Platinum card which has no limit. You don't even have to pay for any portion of the trip with the American Express card to receive the benefit. See below....cut and pasted from article I read online.

 

The Platinum Card from American Express

In my opinion, the most generous emergency evacuation insurance lies in the Platinum family of cards. There’s no cost cap; benefits are extended to immediate family and children under 23 or under 26 if enrolled full-time in school; and you don’t even have to use the card to pay for the trip. You must be on a trip less than 90 days in length and at least 100 miles away from your residence. A Premium Global Assist (PGA) administrator must coordinate everything in order to not incur any cost. The benefit will also pay economy airfare for a minor under 16 to be returned home if left unattended, pay for an escort to accompany that minor if required to get them home, and get a family member to the place of treatment if hospitalization of more than 10 consecutive days is expected.

Other American Express cards offer access to the Premium Global Assist Hotline, however anything they coordinate will be at your expense. Make sure you read the Amex benefits guide for your card carefully.

Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card

If at least a portion of your or an immediate family member’s trip was paid for with either of these cards, you’re eligible for up to $100,000 in emergency medical evacuation. (Note that the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card is no longer open for applications.) Your covered trip must be between five and 60 days, and be at least 100 miles from your residence. If you are hospitalized for more than eight days, the benefit administrator can arrange for a relative or friend to fly round-trip in economy to your location. You can also be reimbursed for the cost of an economy ticket home, if your original ticket cannot be used. In a worst-case situation, the benefit also pays up to $1,000 for the repatriation of your remains.

Bottom Line

I’d be perfectly happy to go through a lifetime of travels and never have to worry about either of these policies. That said, researching for this post has driven me to make sure my Amex Platinum is always in my wallet when I travel to provide peace of mind if I need to get to a hospital. Benefit guides are updated regularly, so make sure you don’t toss them in the trash when updates show up in the mail and read the online guides for the latest terms and conditions.

[PSU]

I can attest that the Chase card which insures for $10,000 a person is a great benefit. Three years ago, I was very ill and had to cancel two cruises. Chase reimbursed (with the proper documentation) the total cost of the two cruises.

In addition to the Chase insurance, we have a yearly medical policy which handles evacuations.

[Carol From California]

6 minutes ago, PSU said:

I can attest that the Chase card which insures for $10,000 a person is a great benefit. Three years ago, I was very ill and had to cancel two cruises. Chase reimbursed (with the proper documentation) the total cost of the two cruises.

In addition to the Chase insurance, we have a yearly medical policy which handles evacuations.

I know someone else who received the full benefit for having to cancel a cruise. He actually has BOTH Chase cards (Reserve and Preferred) so that the benefit amount is higher ($10,000 each per card).  So that gave him $40,000 coverage and he received a full payout for having to cancel the cruise. I have had two medical claims (one for me and one for my husband) because we had to visit the ship doctor and we received reimbursement.  There was a $50 deductible. This is way better than having to pay for travel insurance, and with the Am Ex Platinum card we have coverage for air evacuation with no limit. 

[forgap]

I just checked our Delta Platinum AmEx and we have access to Global Assist but we are responsible for payment for services provided by a third party.  I assume there is a difference between global assist and premium global assist.  Bottom line, check benefits for your specific card!  

[FlyerTalker]

So far, Chase has not made significant cutbacks in their insurance coverages.  However, both Citi and Barclays have done huge cuts.

 

There have been changes to both Chase and Amex coverage plans, and there are significant differences between cards from the same issuer.

 

Thus, it is impossible to answer the OP's question -- they don't mention what Chase card they carry and they only ask about "insurance", not specific coverage areas.

 

The only answer - read the fine print, read it again and caveat emptor.

[Carol From California]

19 minutes ago, forgap said:

I just checked our Delta Platinum AmEx and we have access to Global Assist but we are responsible for payment for services provided by a third party.  I assume there is a difference between global assist and premium global assist.  Bottom line, check benefits for your specific card!  

Here are the Global Assist benefits for the American Express Platinum card.  I have the regular Platinum card, not the Delta card.

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/global-assist-hotline/faq.html

 

Here is what it says about Emergency Medical Transportation:

 

7. What is Emergency Medical Transportation Assistance?

 

In the event that you or another covered family member (your spouse or domestic partner, dependent up to age 23, or age 26 if full-time student traveling on the same itinerary as the CardMember) becomes injured or suffers an illness which is not pre-existing while traveling on a trip less than 90 days, the Premium Global Assist Hotline medical department will assess your medical needs and coordinate your transportation.

 

Emergency medical transportation may be provided at no cost to the Card Member or covered family member to the nearest appropriate medical facility as determined by the Premium Global Assist Hotline designated physician, from point of illness or injury, when the Card Member or covered family member is under the care of a local medical service provider or facility. In addition, the Premium Global Assist Hotline designated physician, in consultation with the local medical service provider or facility, must determine that such transport is medically necessary and advisable due to inadequacy of local facilities. The person needing transportation may need to complete a HIPAA Release, or provide authorization for next of kin to complete the release. Emergency transportation services in connection with the medical emergency may also be provided to a covered family member pursuant to the full Emergency Medical Transportation Assistance Terms and Conditions. Subject to additional important terms, conditions and exclusions. Please see full Terms and Conditions at americanexpress.com/GAterms.

[forgap]

As I suspected all AmEx platinum cards are not created equal!   Here is the verbiage.  Alas, delta AmEx platinum has global assist NOT premium global assist.  Read the fine print!

 

¹^. While Global Assist^® Hotline coordination and assistance services are offered at no additional charge from American Express, Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

^2. While Premium Global Assist^® Hotline coordination and assistance services are offered at no additional charge from American Express, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Premium Global Assist Hotline may provide emergency medical transportation assistance at no cost if approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline.

 

[Carol From California]

42 minutes ago, forgap said:

As I suspected all AmEx platinum cards are not created equal!   Here is the verbiage.  Alas, delta AmEx platinum has global assist NOT premium global assist.  Read the fine print!

 

¹^. While Global Assist^® Hotline coordination and assistance services are offered at no additional charge from American Express, Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

^2. While Premium Global Assist^® Hotline coordination and assistance services are offered at no additional charge from American Express, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Premium Global Assist Hotline may provide emergency medical transportation assistance at no cost if approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline.

 

I have the standard American Express Platinum card and it is covered with mine. I agree that you need to read the fine print.

[FlyerTalker]

One thing all of the Amex discussion is missing is that there are both Amex CREDIT cards and Amex CHARGE cards - which have a world of difference.  Even among the platinum CHARGE cards, there are differences between personal and business cards, as well as differences within the personal category.

 

Further note...even though the Delta card is called "Platinum", it is a CREDIT card and has FAR different (and fewer) benefits than the line of platinum CHARGE cards.

[Carol From California]

2 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

One thing all of the Amex discussion is missing is that there are both Amex CREDIT cards and Amex CHARGE cards - which have a world of difference.  Even among the platinum CHARGE cards, there are differences between personal and business cards, as well as differences within the personal category.

 

Further note...even though the Delta card is called "Platinum", it is a CREDIT card and has FAR different (and fewer) benefits than the line of platinum CHARGE cards.

This is the card I have and was referring to. https://card.americanexpress.com/d/platinum-

 

[SusieQft]

50 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

there are both Amex CREDIT cards and Amex CHARGE cards - which have a world of difference.

I have heard of CREDIT cards and DEBIT cards, and know the difference.  I have never heard of CHARGE cards as being different from CREDIT cards.  I went to the AmEx link that Carol provided, and I see that some of the cards include the word "Credit" in the name of the card and some don't (including Carol's Platinum Card).  I don't see any that include "Charge" in the name of the card.  Could you explain a little more exactly what you are talking about?

[FlyerTalker]

55 minutes ago, SusieQft said:

I have heard of CREDIT cards and DEBIT cards, and know the difference.  I have never heard of CHARGE cards as being different from CREDIT cards.  I went to the AmEx link that Carol provided, and I see that some of the cards include the word "Credit" in the name of the card and some don't (including Carol's Platinum Card).  I don't see any that include "Charge" in the name of the card.  Could you explain a little more exactly what you are talking about?

 

Sure.

 

A credit card is just that....you are extended credit and you can pay your bill in total, or you can carry a balance and then incur finance interest charges.  You have a credit limit that establishes how much you can "borrow" against (since your credit charges are, in effect, a loan that you either pay off or carry with interest).

 

A charge card is one where you charge purchases against your account, and the balance is to be paid off in full each month.  There is no "hard" limit on your credit, but is dependent on your charge and payment history (plus credit worthiness).  Amex will offer to some accounts the ability to "pay over time" - making it a bit of a hybrid.  However, the expectation is that the account is fully paid each month.  Amex and Diners Club and Carte Blanche were established as "charge" cards years ago, and have continued this policy.  Many department stores had their own "charge cards" where accounts were to be paid each month.  It was the development of BankAmericard (later Visa) that brought the concept of revolving credit lines to the charge card industry.

 

Most all of Amex's "credit" cards are co-branded, such as their Delta portfolio (and previously their Costco cards).

 

If you see an Amex card that isn't labeled as a "credit" card, then you can assume it is a "charge" variety.

 

Hope that answers some questions.  And yes, the whole question of which particular card to both have and use (two very different concepts) can be VERY detailed and is quite dependent on your particular lifestyle choices.  Please don't just assume a recommendation will fit YOUR needs.   And as a point of reference/disclaimer, know that a number of blogs that deal with credit cards, including some that were linked in prior posts, receive substantial referral payments for cards acquired through their links.  This may also be influencing the "recommendations" you may find online.  Caveat emptor.

 

 

[flossie009]

8 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

And yes, the whole question of which particular card to both have and use (two very different concepts) can be VERY detailed and is quite dependent on your particular lifestyle choices.

................. and the country in which you are resident and where your bank or credit card company is located.
 

[worth mentioning since CruiseCritic is an international site]

[FlyerTalker]

6 hours ago, flossie009 said:

................. and the country in which you are resident and where your bank or credit card company is located.

 

Which are....lifestyle choices.  Aside from totalitarian regimes, you do have the ability to move elsewhere.

 

Now, is that something that is necessarily beneficial?  Nope - but you do have choice.  No gun to your head.

[ronrick1943]

Besides that it doesn't cover pre-existing conditions and like Carol of Ca stated Emergency medical transportation may be provided at no cost to the Card Member or covered family member to the nearest appropriate medical facility as determined by the Premium Global Assist Hotline designated physician,

That doesn't get you to a US hospital - just a nearer appropriate--the card company pick what's appropriate.  I prefer knowing what that I'm fully covered with a Travel Policy--costly yes, but well worth it when you need it.  Just an opinion.

[Carol From California]

12 minutes ago, ronrick1943 said:

Besides that it doesn't cover pre-existing conditions and like Carol of Ca stated Emergency medical transportation may be provided at no cost to the Card Member or covered family member to the nearest appropriate medical facility as determined by the Premium Global Assist Hotline designated physician,

That doesn't get you to a US hospital - just a nearer appropriate--the card company pick what's appropriate.  I prefer knowing what that I'm fully covered with a Travel Policy--costly yes, but well worth it when you need it.  Just an opinion.

Good point. If you want to be sure it's a US hospital then I would recommend you get the insurance elsewhere that does guaranty this.  Out of curiosity what do you pay for a policy like that?  Is it Medjet?  What it says about the Global Assist Program is highlighted below.  

 

A medical evacuation may be provided at no cost to the Card Member or covered family member from point of illness or injury (when the Card Member or covered family member is under the care of a local medical service provider or facility) to a more appropriate medical facility or to a hospital near the person’s home as determined by the Premium Global Assist Hotline designated physician. The Premium Global Assist Hotline designated physician, in consultation with the local medical service provider or facility, will determine whether such transport is medically necessary and advisable. The event must be within the first 90 days of the trip and cannot be a pre-existing condition. A pre-existing condition is any sickness, illness, or injury that has manifested itself, become acute, or was being treated in the 60 day period immediately prior to the start of a trip. The person needing evacuation may need to complete a medical information release as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (a “HIPAA Release”), or provide authorization for next of kin to complete the release. Emergency transportation services in connection with the medical emergency may also be provided to a covered family member pursuant to the full Emergency Medical Transportation Assistance Terms and Conditions at the end of this document. Subject to additional important terms, conditions and exclusions. Please see full Terms and Conditions at the end of this document.

 

[FlyerTalker]

All of this discussion proving:

 

1) You have to know what risks you want coverage against

2) You have to know the extent of the coverage you want

3) You have to research the coverages available to you, from multiple sources including credit cards

4) You have to make a cost/benefit evaluation to chose what works for you

 

The devil is in the details, otherwise known as "the fine print".

[RachelG]

I have both the Chase sapphire reserve and the Am Ex platinum.  I had considered cancelling the Am Ex but it has enough additional benefits for me to warrant the fee.  So I think we are pretty well covered as far as cancellation, trip interruption, and medical evacuation.  And my private health insurance covers medical care anywhere in the world.  My husband's medicare supplementary insurance does as well--I specifically checked this to be sure. Regular medicare would not, but the supplement will.