Premium bank cards often come with built-in travel insurance. It sounds convenient: no separate policy to buy, and the cover is always with you. However, card-linked insurance is a standardised product with its own terms, limits and exclusions. In this article we look at the typical restrictions of such products in general - the exact conditions of your card always need to be checked individually.

How card-linked travel insurance works

Card-linked travel insurance is usually a group agreement between the card issuer and an insurance company. The cardholder is the insured person, but does not choose the terms of the contract: they are the same for every holder of that card type. This means the cover cannot be tailored to a specific trip - you cannot raise the limits, add active leisure or change the deductible.

It is also worth remembering that claims are handled by the insurer, not the card issuer. So the usual rules apply: collect documents, report the event on time and follow the terms of the policy. Before you travel, check how assistance abroad is organised - which number to call and whether support is available around the clock.

Typical restrictions to know about

  • Limits are often lower than in a standalone policy. The medical expenses limit in card insurance is often more modest than in a separately purchased policy, and for some risks, such as baggage or flight delay, the limits can be symbolic.
  • The condition that the trip is paid for with the card. Many such products only work if the tickets or the trip were fully or partly paid for with that card. If you paid with another card or by bank transfer, the cover may not apply.
  • Family and travel companions are not always included. Some products cover only the cardholder, others also cover a spouse and children, but with additional conditions. Never take this for granted.
  • Active leisure is often excluded. Skiing, diving, mountain hiking and other active sports are often not included in card insurance, or are included with significant restrictions.
  • Deductible. Some products include an own-risk amount that you cover yourself in the event of a loss. In a standalone policy the deductible can often be chosen or removed; in a card product this is usually not possible.
  • Trip length and age restrictions. The cover usually applies only for a set number of days from the start of the trip and may not apply to older travellers.

The EHIC card is not a substitute

Some travellers rely on the EHIC card as a supplement to card cover. The EHIC entitles you to emergency and necessary state-funded medical care in the EU and EEA countries and in Switzerland, but according to the Latvian National Health Service it does not cover patient co-payments or repatriation costs in the event of serious illness or death. Read more in our article about the EHIC card.

How to check your card's coverage

Before a trip, find and read your card's insurance terms - they are usually available from the card issuer or on its website. Pay attention to:

  • the medical expenses limit and whether repatriation is included;
  • the condition that the trip must be paid for with the card;
  • whether the cover extends to family and travel companions;
  • exclusions for active leisure and sports;
  • the size of the deductible and trip length restrictions.

When card cover may not be enough

If you are planning active leisure, travelling with your family, going to a country with expensive medical care or staying longer than the card terms allow, card insurance may prove insufficient. In such cases it is worth comparing the card cover with a standalone policy: travel insurance bought separately lets you choose the limits, add active leisure and include all your travel companions.

Conclusion: card insurance is a useful bonus, but not a universal solution. Read your card's terms before every trip and honestly assess whether they are enough for your route and plans. If in doubt, compare the cover with a standalone policy or ask a broker for advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does card insurance work if the trip was not paid for with the card? In many card insurance products the cover applies only if the trip or the tickets were fully or partly paid for with that card. Check this condition in your card's terms - if it is not met, the cover may not apply.
Does card insurance cover family and travel companions? Not always. Some products cover only the cardholder, others also cover a spouse and children with additional conditions. If you travel together, make sure all companions have sufficient cover, or buy a standalone policy for the whole family.
Is the EHIC card together with card insurance enough? The EHIC provides emergency and necessary state-funded medical care in the EU and EEA countries and in Switzerland, but it does not cover patient co-payments or repatriation costs. So the EHIC is a useful supplement, but not a substitute for proper travel insurance.
How can I find out what my card insurance includes? Request the full insurance terms from your card issuer or find them on its website. Pay attention to the limits, the deductible, the exclusions and the claims procedure. If anything is unclear, ask a broker for advice.