Chase Improving Credit Card Travel and Purchase Protection Benefits

In a generally consumer-friendly move, Chase has announced changes to the travel and purchase protection benefits on its consumer credit cards. The bank will also switch its card-based insurance benefits administrator and underwriter to Assurant, a Fortune 500 global business services company. These benefits are currently administered by eClaimsline.

Chase did not release an exhaustive list of cards impacted by these changes, but according to the bank, the update will go live on Oct. 1, 2024, and covers “all brand and co-brand Chase credit cards.”

Affected cardholders will receive a revised guide to benefits outlining the new coverages for their card by Aug. 15, 2024.

» MORE: How free travelers insurance through credit cards works

What’s changing?

Auto rental coverage

Coverage limits will change to $60,000 for eligible vehicles with a retail price of $125,000 or less. Currently, this coverage is up to the actual cash value of the rented vehicle. Cardholders will also now have 100 days to notify the benefit administrator of an accident, increased from 60 days.

Cards that will see this coverage revision include (but are not limited to) the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Freedom Flex®, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, World of Hyatt Credit Card and the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.

» MORE: The guide to Chase rental car insurance for travelers

Emergency evacuation and transportation

The service provider will now arrange and provide for emergency transportation for qualifying events. Currently, cardholders need to pay upfront and then file a reimbursement claim.

This benefit is offered on cards bearing the Visa Infinite logo, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the United Club℠ Infinite Card.

» MORE: The guide to Chase Sapphire Reserve’s travel insurance benefits

Travel and emergency assistance

This benefit is being added to “select products,” according to Chase, and provides legal and medical referrals and access to other travel and emergency assistance services. 

Examples of cards that will carry this coverage include the Chase Freedom Flex®, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and the World of Hyatt Credit Card.

Travel accident insurance

The coverage limit is increasing to $500,000 on “select products” that already offer this benefit but with a lower coverage limit.

Examples of cards that will carry this coverage include the World of Hyatt Credit Card and Chase Freedom Flex®.

Lost luggage reimbursement

This benefit is being added to “select products,” according to Chase, and provides reimbursement up to $3,000 per covered traveler per trip for the cost to repair or replace luggage and personal property that is lost or damaged during air travel.  

Examples of cards that will carry this coverage include the United℠ Explorer Card and the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card.

» MORE: The guide to baggage delay or loss insurance

Extended warranty protection

The terms of this benefit are changing to $10,000 per claim and a maximum of $50,000 per year. Previously, those same coverage limits applied to the lifetime of the account and did not reset each year. 

Chase has not released which cards will acquire this benefit.

» MORE: Chase purchase protection: What to know

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance

This benefit is being upgraded on the United Gateway℠ Card to cover additional family members and more qualifying reasons for submitting a claim.

» MORE: Does my Chase credit card have travel insurance?

More coverage when you need it

Consumer protections are one of the many reasons NerdWallet recommends shopping with a credit card. Increased coverage limits combined with an expanded list of cards that carry these benefits are a good thing for individual Chase cardholders. These perks can make it less stressful when things go wrong, especially when you’re away from home.