the terms of travel insurance coverage on the card is very very narrow compared to the broader policies you can buy .
the card has only specific instances you can cancel and collect .
anything pre-existing gives you no coverage . that word pre-existing can mean a whole lot of stuff they don't have to pay on .
the rental car coverage can be a minefield .
while they cover loss of use most credit card companies also require a utilization report . that means if they have 5 ford focus unrented and you damaged one they will not pay .
these reports are considered proprietary information and the rental companies do not release the reports as they don't want competitor's to know what moves and what doesn't .
you can get stuck with the bill since the cards don't have to pay if the damages are severe enough nd they want to opt out of the coverage . .
Trip cancellation
Who is covered?
The cardholder, plus Spouse or Domestic Partner and their children, including adopted children or step-children; legal guardians or wards; siblings or siblings-in-law; parents or parents-in-law; grandparents or grandchildren; aunts or uncles; nieces or nephews on or before the trip departure date.
What is covered?
A trip that must be canceled before departure* for a covered reason, which is limited to accidental injury, death, or sickness experienced by the card holder or immediate family or traveling companions; severe weather; and for a few other reasons such as unavoidable jury duty. If the trip was arranged with points or miles, you'll be reimbursed with the same number of points or miles you used for the trip. Needless to say, some part of your airline fare must be charged to your Chase Sapphire card.*
What is not covered?
Trip cancellation insurance does not cover you if the airline cancels or changes your flight, unless the cause is severe weather. Pre-existing conditions are excluded. And if you've bought travel insurance elsewhere, you must make a claim on that policy first.
Trip interruption
Trip interruption insurance kicks in after you've departed on your travel and a covered reason "interrupts" your trip.
*What is covered?
Trips interrupted by injuries and sickness are covered unless a pre-existing condition, as is severe weather, but not much else.* Same $5000 in coverage, same immediate family. Your covered trip cannot exceed 60 days in duration.
What is not covered?
Most importantly for air travel, this part of the insurance does not "apply to any…loss caused by or resulting from, directly or indirectly…travel arrangements canceled or changed by [an airline], tour operator or travel agent unless the cancellation is the result of severe weather…" So a mechanical delay appears to be not covered, which is pretty limiting ("Trip Delay" coverage, below, helps a bit with mechanical delays). If the crew "times out" (has worked too many hours and can no longer fly), it's not covered. *Basically, there are about a dozen possible ways your trip could be interrupted besides severe weather that would fall through the cracks.
Trip Delay
Then there's trip delay insurance with this card, which is different apparently than trip interruption insurance. Stick with us now. This is when you've started your trip and your progress is delayed by a covered reason.
What is covered?
A trip that is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay due to equipment failure, weather and labor strikes only. At least some of your fare must be charged to your Sapphire card (many cards require the entire amount to be charged). This is excess coverage (if the airline pays for part of your hotel stay, Chase would pay the rest).*Trip delay insurance only applies to tound trip
