Best Travel Insurance Credit Cards In Canada For October 2025
Get the most comprehensive travel insurance coverage with these credit cards.
The overall best travel insurance credit card is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege as it comes with an extensive insurance package and a list of luxurious travel perks. Along with travel accident, trip interruption, trip cancellation, and emergency medical insurance, cardholders can also enjoy complimentary hotel upgrades, concierge services, and more.
Here, you'll find in-depth reviews of this and other top credit cards in Canada with extensive travel insurance packages.
Key Takeaways
- The best travel insurance credit card in Canada is the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege, which balances generous insurance coverage with high-value travel rewards.
- The most comprehensive travel insurance credit card is the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard, which offers 14 types of insurance.
- Travel insurance credit cards can cover emergency medical expenses, rental car damages, lost or stolen belongings, and more.
- Travel insurance credit cards provide peace of mind at the cost of increased annual fees and income requirements.
The best travel insurance credit cards compared
Travel insurance credit cards can cover your expenses at home or abroad, whether your journey is cancelled, interrupted, or inconvenienced by lost or stolen luggage. Of course, it’s also nice to earn valuable travel rewards and enjoy special perks (like no foreign transaction fees) while you’re vacationing.
The top credit cards for travel insurance in Canada offer competitive rewards, $250 – $500,000 worth of coverage, and at least 10 of the 17 types of credit card insurance:
| Credit card | Best for | Annual fee | Types of coverage | Est. coverage value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | Luxury travellers | $399 | 12/17 | $653 |
| Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card | Seniors | $399 | 12/17 | $650 |
| National Bank World Elite Mastercard | Rewards | $150 | 10/17 | $534 |
| BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard | Maximum coverage | $120 | 14/17 | $528 |
Everybody wants bang for their buck, but the best type of bang (and how many bucks you can spend) varies per person. Depending on your priorities, the best travel insurance credit card for you may be the one with the:
- Highest average rate of return: The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege leads the pack with 2.91% returns, followed by the National Bank World Elite Mastercard (2.3%), the Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card (2%), and the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard (1.35%).
- Highest estimated credit card benefits value: The Scotiabank Amex Platinum includes airport lounge access, but the RBC Avion VIP’s priority airline services and Visa Infinite Privilege perks and benefits put it ahead. Neither of the other cards offers more than $300 worth of extras.
- Highest estimated credit card insurance value: The Avion VIP and Scotiabank Amex Platinum both hover around the $650 mark, but the BMO and National Bank cards offer $500 insurance packages for a fraction of the annual fees.
- Highest welcome bonus value: The RBC Avion VIP takes first place with $1,751, and the Scotiabank Amex Platinum trails far behind with $600. The National Bank World Elite Mastercard provides a modest $415, but National Bank offers nothing to new customers.
- Lowest annual fee: The most rewarding cards are the most expensive, and the RBC Avion VIP and Scotiabank Amex Platinum are tied for the highest annual fees ($399), followed by the National Bank at $150. While there’s no true no fee credit card on this list, BMO will waive the annual fee on its AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard if you have a Premium Chequing account.
Remember: These snapshots aren’t the whole story. For example, the Scotiabank Amex Platinum Card offers excellent returns, but its usage is limited. Do a little research and weigh the pros and cons before committing to a travel insurance credit card.
1. Best travel insurance credit card in Canada
Pros:
- 12 types of insurance
- 3 cents off per litre at Petro-Canada
- 2–for-1 Friday ski lift passes at participating resorts
- Points worth up to 2.33 cents each
- Bonus points and discounts at DoorDash, Hertz, Petro-Canada, and Rexall
- Flexible rewards
- Visa Infinite Privilege benefits
Cons:
- $150,000 personal or $200,000 household income requirement
- $99 additional card fee
- Low points value if not using the Air Travel Redemption chart
Most valuable coverage: Emergency medical (31 days)
Who it’s for: Adventurous luxury travellers
Given its high annual fee and income requirements, the fact that the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege only earns 1.25 points per $1 spent on all purchases might seem disappointing. But remember: RBC Rewards points are worth up to 2.33 cents each, and you’ve got double the standard emergency medical coverage with this card.
In fact, this card has the highest average rate of return of all the others on this list.
In addition, you'll enjoy Visa Infinite Privilege perks such as complimentary hotel upgrades, concierge services, and access to exclusive events. There’s plenty more we could say, but trust us: the RBC VIP more than earns its reputation as a top-tier premium credit card.
Insurance included:
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
| Extended Warranty | 2 years |
| Purchase Protection | 120 days |
| Mobile Device | $1,500 |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 |
| Emergency Medical Term | 31 days |
| Emergency Medical over 65 | 7 days |
| Trip Cancellation | $2,500 |
| Trip Interruption | $5,000 |
| Flight Delay | $1,000 |
| Baggage Delay | $750 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | $2,500 |
| Hotel Burglary | $3,000 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.
2. Best travel insurance credit card for seniors
$175 GeniusCash + Up to 
GC: $175
Pros:
- 12 types of insurance
- Ten complimentary airport lounge passes per year
- 9.99% interest rate on purchases and cash advances
- No foreign transaction fee
- Points worth up to 1 cents each
- Automatic Gold status in Hertz #1 Club
- Amex Offers benefits
- Flexible rewards
- Only requires $12,000 of personal income
Cons:
- $99 additional card fee
- Lower acceptance for American Express
- Low earn rate
Most valuable coverage: Emergency medical over 65 (10 days)
Who it’s for: Seniors and/or shopaholics
It’s hard to find credit card travel insurance if you’re over 65 – and even harder to find a ten-day term. For comparison, the #1 card on our list offers seven days and #3 offers 15 days – if you can prove at least $80,000 of personal income.
Requiring only $12,000 of personal income, the Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card is a steal – especially when you consider its perks. Start your trip with a complimentary visit to a Plaza Premium or Priority Pass airport lounge, then shop to your heart’s content with no currency exchange rate fees and two Amex Rewards points per $1 spent on all purchases.
Insurance included:
Scotiabank American Express® Platinum Card
| Extended Warranty | 2 years |
| Purchase Protection | 120 days |
| Mobile Device | $1,000 |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 |
| Emergency Medical Term | 31 days |
| Emergency Medical over 65 | 10 days |
| Trip Cancellation | $2,500 |
| Trip Interruption | $5,000 |
| Flight Delay | $1,000 |
| Baggage Delay | $1,000 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | $1,000 |
| Hotel Burglary | $1,000 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.
3. Best travel insurance credit card for rewards
Pros:
- 10 types of insurance
- $150 annual travel credit
- Points worth up to 1 cents each
- Flexible rewards
- Unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montréal Trudeau Airport
- World Elite Mastercard benefits
Cons:
- $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income requirement
- Low point values if not spent on travel or National Bank banking plans
Most valuable coverage: Emergency medical (60 days)
Who it’s for: Québecers who like to dine out
If you need help saving up for (and staying safe on) your next vacation, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the rewards card for you. You’ll earn 5 À La Carte Rewards points per $1 spent on groceries and restaurants; 2 points per $1 spent on bills, EV charges, gas, and travel; and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
It may offer only 10 types of insurance, but that doesn’t make it any less valuable. Cardholders receive double the length of emergency medical coverage on most cards, along with six months of protection for eligible new purchases against damage or theft.
Insurance included:
National Bank World Elite Mastercard
| Extended Warranty | 2 years |
| Purchase Protection | 180 days |
| Mobile Device | $1,000 |
| Emergency Medical Term | 60 days |
| Emergency Medical over 65 | 15 days |
| Trip Cancellation | $2,500 |
| Trip Interruption | $5,000 |
| Flight Delay | $500 |
| Baggage Delay | $500 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | $1,000 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.
4. Best travel insurance credit card for maximum coverage
×1 Award winner GC: $150
1x Award winner Pros:
- 14 types of insurance
- $50 additional card fee
- 25% off one AIR MILES redemption flight per year
- 20% off Alamo and National car rentals and 5% off Enterprise
- 7% off Booking.com
- No annual fee with a BMO Premium Chequing account
- Points worth up to 12.7 cents each
- Up to 32 cents off per litre at Shell
- World Elite Mastercard benefits
Cons:
- $80,000 personal or $150,000 household income requirements
Most valuable coverage: Rental car accident ($200,000), personal effects ($1,000), and theft and damage
Who it’s for: Frequent flyers and car renters with a BMO account
The BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard is the only card to offer three types of rental car insurance – accident, personal effects, and theft and damage – if you use it to pay for everything. You’ll also get 3x the AIR MILES at participating partners; 2x the miles at grocery, liquor, and wholesale stores (including Costco); and 1 mile per $12 spent everywhere else.
AIR MILES are valuable, but the real appeal of this card is the World Elite Mastercard program. Cardholders enjoy concierge services, complimentary Wi-Fi through Boingo, and a complimentary DragonPass that allows you to visit over 1,400 airport lounges for just $32 USD each time.
It's also worth noting that this card's $120 annual fee can be waived for those who also hold a BMO Premium Chequing Account.
Insurance included:
BMO AIR MILES®† World Elite®* Mastercard®*
| Extended Warranty | 1 year |
| Purchase Protection | 90 days |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 |
| Emergency Medical Term | 15 days |
| Trip Cancellation | $1,500 |
| Trip Interruption | $2,000 |
| Flight Delay | $500 |
| Baggage Delay | $200 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | $750 |
| Personal Effects | $750 |
| Hotel Burglary | $500 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
| Rental Car Accident | $200,000 |
| Rental Car Personal Effects | $1,000 |
Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.
How we get our rankings
We discovered the best credit cards for travel insurance in Canada by weighing 126 features in seven categories: acceptance, approval, fees, interest, insurance, perks, and rewards.
Naturally, insurance was our top priority, followed closely by rewards and fees. The creditcardGenius algorithm gave every card a score out of five, based on $2,000 of typical monthly spending.
Learn more about our Genius Rating methodology
Pros and cons of travel insurance credit cards
While travel insurance credit cards can be a lifesaver when you’re far from home, they're not a good fit for everyone. Before applying for a card, think about the pros and cons of these unique cards.
Benefits of travel insurance credit cards
- High earning rates, flexible rewards, and valuable travel redemptions
- Large welcome bonuses
- Shopping coverage (such as mobile device, purchase protection, and price protection insurance)
- Travel coverage (such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, and emergency medical insurance)
- Travel perks and upgrades (airport lounge access, early hotel check-in, priority security check-ins, etc.)
- No foreign transaction fees
- Discounts on hotels and experiences
- Access to exclusive dining and events
Downsides of travel insurance credit cards
- Complicated redemption process
- Frequent travelling (for the best rewards)
- High annual fees
- High credit score requirements
- High income requirements
- Doesn’t offer as much for everyday spending
How travel credit card insurance works
A travel insurance credit card provides the cardholder (and sometimes their spouse, dependent children, and/or car passengers) with insurance coverage during their travels out of the province or country.
To submit a claim, you must follow the instructions and terms and conditions outlined in your credit card’s insurance agreement. Not every injury, loss, theft, or purchase is covered, and even successful claims are usually limited to a specific dollar amount.
There are 17 types of credit card insurance available in Canada, each with its own benefits, exemptions, and limitations.
| Insurance coverage | Estimated value | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Theft and damage rental car insurance | $140 | Charges relating to the damage or theft of a rental car |
| Emergency medical coverage | $119 | Emergency medical attention and related expenses |
| Extended warranty | $78 | Repairs or the replacement of a defective item after the original manufacturer’s warranty has expired |
| Price protection | $72 | The difference between the current price of an item and what you paid for it before it went on sale |
| Mobile device | $53 | Accidentally damaged, lost, or stolen mobile devices (minus a deductible and depreciation) |
| Trip cancellation | $39 | The costs of your travel tickets if bereavement, illness, or other reasons force you to cancel your trip |
| Purchase protection | $38 | Damaged, lost, or stolen recent purchases |
| Trip interruption | $26 | The costs of returning home if an accident, death, or illness forces you to end your trip early |
| Personal effects | $23 | Personal belongings damaged, lost, or stolen while on vacation |
| Rental car accident | $19 | A lump sum payment if the passengers in a rental car suffer death or injury |
| Travel accident | $9 | A lump sum payment if you or your family suffer death or dismemberment while on vacation |
| Baggage delay | $8 | Clothes and other necessities if your luggage is delayed by the airline |
| Event tickets | $8 | The cost of your tickets if the event is cancelled or you can’t go |
| Flight delay | $6 | Food, lodging, and other necessities if your flight is delayed (may be combined with airline delay compensation) |
| Hotel burglary | $2 | Personal items stolen from your hotel room |
| Lost or stolen baggage | $2 | Lost or stolen airline luggage |
| Rental car personal effects | $2 | Personal items damaged in or stolen from a rental car |
Pro Tip: Click on the name of the insurance coverage in the left column to learn more about it.
Where can you use your travel insurance coverage?
The most common place you’ll use your travel insurance coverage is the airport, where insurance can cover trip cancellations or interruptions. Once you’ve arrived at your destination, you can use your travel insurance at rental car agencies, hotels, and even foreign hospitals – assuming your credit card includes these coverages.
Common travel insurance exclusions
Travel insurance covers a lot, but it won’t cover everything. Here are some situations where your insurance coverage may not be valid:
- Pre-existing medical conditions: Most credit card insurance won’t cover medical expenses related to pre-existing conditions before your trip – sometimes up to six months prior. If you have an ongoing health concern, review your insurance policy carefully and consider purchasing additional coverage.
- High-risk activities: While exciting, activities like skydiving and scuba diving may not be covered by credit card insurance. You may need separate coverage that is tailored to these risks.
- Insufficient documentation: All claims require documentation to be submitted within a specified time period for the claim to be processed. Keep all receipts, medical records, and other relevant documents and submit them as instructed by your issuer/provider. Failure to do so may result in the denial of your claim.
- Failure to charge travel to the card: For credit card insurance to apply, you must charge the full cost of your trip to it. If you pay for your trip using multiple methods of payment, you may not receive full coverage.
- Age restrictions: In emergency medical cases, age limits may apply to coverage. Confirm the details on your insurance certificate and purchase additional coverage before travel, if required.
- Acts of war or terrorism: Most credit card insurance policies exclude coverage for events related to war or terrorism. If you’re travelling to an area where this could be a risk, consider purchasing separate coverage.
How to choose the right travel insurance credit card
You probably know by now whether a travel insurance credit card is right for you, but there are five questions you should ask yourself before signing up:
- How do I prefer to travel? Start by reviewing all the details of your recent journeys and note what activities you did, whether you travelled alone, which countries you visited, which modes of transportation you used, and how long you travelled.
- Where do I want to go? Apply the same questions to your future travel plans and note your answers.
- What are my insurance needs? Using the information above, consider your financial situation, the riskiness of your travel habits, and how much coverage you’d need in a worst-case scenario. Select the cards that meet your needs.
- Which card won’t exclude me from coverage? Download and read the insurance agreements for your selected cards to see if your age or the length/location of your travels excludes you from coverage. Don’t forget to note any yearly or lifetime coverage limits.
- What rewards do I want? If you’re torn between two cards, choose the one that best rewards your existing spending habits and provides redemption offers you actually care about.
With a little research, you should be able to find a card with reliable and useful coverage for your next vacation.
Read the fine print
Once again, in case you missed it: always read the fine print! Understanding your credit card’s insurance agreement could be the difference between saving thousands of dollars and regretting your choice of vacation (or credit card).
We recommend annotating and highlighting your insurance agreement and keeping a few key notes in your wallet or phone, so you have all the essential details and phone numbers close at hand.
Real-life cases of credit card travel insurance
We turned to Reddit for some great examples of people using their credit card insurance while travelling.
This traveller’s trip was impacted by a train conductor strike, which caused them to miss or cancel several parts of their vacation:
Another user mentioned using their travel coverage for an issue with their rental car:
And this Redditor used their card’s medical coverage while abroad:
While all these examples prove that travel insurance comes in handy, another Redditor pointed out that it’s up to you to learn about your coverage.
FAQ
What are the most common travel insurance claims?
The most common travel insurance claims are for flight delays. However, claims for lost or delayed baggage, medical expenses, and trip cancellations are still very common. It's not unusual for a traveller to have to file multiple claims.
Are you automatically covered by your credit card insurance?
Yes, your credit card insurance will automatically apply to purchases you make with the credit card. For example, if you purchase a flight and pay with your card, the travel insurance offered by the card is valid for that purchase.
Is there a time limit to file a travel insurance claim?
Your card’s terms and conditions will provide the specific details, but generally, travel insurance time limits range from one week to 30 days. In any case, you can always call for immediate emergency assistance using your Canadian health card.
Are there age limits on travel insurance?
Most credit cards extend travel insurance to Canadians below the age of 65. Only a few cover travellers up to the age of 74, and even fewer extend to seniors over the age of 75.
Do I have travel insurance with my Visa credit card?
Few free and low-fee Visa Classic and Gold credit cards include travel insurance, but many Visa Platinum, Infinite, and Infinite Privilege cards do. To verify your travel coverage, contact your credit card issuer or review your card’s insurance agreement.
Editorial Disclaimer: The content here reflects the author's opinion alone. No bank, credit card issuer, rewards program, or other entity has reviewed, approved, or endorsed this content. For complete and updated product information please visit the product issuer's website. Our credit card scores and rankings are based on our Rating Methodology that takes into account 126+ features for each of 229 Canadian credit cards.
