Travel Insurance

What are the best solutions?

Everything depends on your profile, the type of trip, the destination, the duration, and the guarantees you are looking for. Here is a quick overview to help you choose:

• For a short tourist trip of less than 90 days, the insurance from your high-end or mid-range bank card (+ optional complementary insurance if necessary) remains a good alternative.
• You can also opt for one-time and specialized travel insurance if you wish.

Paying for a trip with a high-end (or mid-range) bank card may generate transaction fees of 3 to 5%. However, these fees give you access to the insurance coverage and advantages included in your card contract, which can be as economical—or even more advantageous—than subscribing to additional travel insurance. Before traveling abroad, it is essential to carefully check the guarantees associated with your bank card, depending on the type of stay: classic tourist trip, sports trip, or extreme adventure. This information will help you travel with peace of mind, knowing you have adequate coverage.

Payment by Bank Card

Introduction

When traveling abroad, an unexpected event can quickly turn a dream into a nightmare (accident, illness, serious incident…). Being financially covered in such situations is essential. That is why I looked into the often unknown advantages linked to payment by bank card. Today, the bank card is the most widely used means of payment, both daily and when traveling. Beyond its simplicity, it also offers valuable insurance and assistance guarantees. However, few cardholders know their real benefits and almost never claim the compensation they are entitled to. This small piece of plastic, billed between €7 and €60 per month depending on the range, can save you a lot of expenses in case of a problem. Granted, the procedures are sometimes long, but they are worth it. I therefore tried to clarify these rights and help you better understand the protections you automatically benefit from abroad through your bank card, hoping you never have to use them.

1/ Who can benefit from your Bank Card advantages?

Your Bank Card guarantees apply to the cardholder, as well as to:

• The spouse or civil partner (married or PACS),
• Single children under 25, provided they live under the same roof and are dependents for tax purposes.

2/ What does your Bank Card cover abroad?

To benefit from the insurance and assistance guarantees linked to your Bank Card when traveling abroad, it is mandatory to have paid all or part of the service concerned with this card:

• International flight ticket
• Tourist or business trip
• Car rental
• Accommodation (hotel, apartment, etc.)

Generally covered guarantees:

They vary depending on the card range (Visa Classic, Premier, Infinite, Mastercard Standard, Gold, Platinum, etc.) and the issuing bank. You may benefit from trip cancellation or interruption insurance (in case of illness, accident, death of a relative, dismissal, serious damage at home…) However, classic and standard bank cards offer no appropriate coverage.

• Baggage insurance (loss, theft, damage, delay)
• Flight/train delay insurance (covering waiting expenses, hotel, meals…)
• Foreign civil liability insurance (bodily or material damage caused to a third party)
• Travel accident or accidental death insurance (payment of a lump sum to beneficiaries)
• Medical assistance and repatriation (coverage of medical expenses abroad, medical transport, early return…)

Note: Reimbursement limits and conditions vary significantly depending on the card. Procedures must be initiated quickly (claim declaration, supporting documents, etc.). Some services are managed by an insurer partnered with the bank (AXA, Europ Assistance, Allianz…).

Good reflex before leaving: Ask your bank for a travel insurance certificate. Consult your card’s guarantee guide, available online or through your advisor.

Card ranges

Here is a ranking of bank card ranges based on their travel benefits, especially insurance, assistance, limits, and privileges abroad.

High-end: Excellent travel assistance, available worldwide. Expensive annual fee.

• Visa Infinite
• Mastercard World Elite
• American Express Platinum

Mid-range Premium: Very good coverage-to-fee ratio.

• Visa Premier
• Mastercard Gold
• American Express Gold

Classic: Very limited or sometimes no insurance.

• Visa Classic
• Mastercard Standard
• American Express Green

3/ Insurance guarantees with at least a Premium or Gold card

A1/ Trip cancellation or modification (Flight and stay)

If you paid for your trip with a Premium Bank Card (Visa Premier, Mastercard Gold, or equivalent), you benefit from cancellation/modification insurance under certain conditions.

Covered reasons

The card covers cancellation or modification fees if one of the following events occurs between the trip purchase and the departure date:

• Death of a first-degree relative (spouse, parent, child, sibling).
• Serious illness or accident of the insured or a close relative making the trip impossible.
• Economic dismissal or official dismissal procedure notification (the procedure date must be after the purchase and before departure).
  Severe material damage (fire, water damage, burglary…) affecting your home and requiring you to stay. This must occur between 10 and 1 day before departure.

Essential conditions

• The reason must be unforeseeable, involuntary, and unknown at the time of purchase.
• The trip must be paid fully or partially with the Premium/Gold card.
• Supporting documents will be required (medical certificate, home insurance statement, dismissal letter, etc.)

Reimbursement limit

• The maximum amount covered is €5,000 per year per card. This includes cancellation fees, modification fees, or penalties applied by airlines, hotels, or travel agencies. Note that this amount can be low if you paid two trips with the same card.

Examples of cases not covered

• Voluntary cancellation without a serious reason.
• Administrative problems (visa not obtained without official refusal, forgotten passport…).
• Illness known before booking.

Practical advice

• Keep the payment proof (bank statement, invoice).
• Request a travel insurance certificate before departure.
• Ask your bank for contract details (limits, exclusions, reporting deadlines).

A2 / How to get your plane ticket refunded?

If an event covered by your insurance occurs (illness, accident, death of a relative, etc.), here are the steps to request reimbursement of your airline ticket if you paid with a Visa Premium, Gold, or equivalent card:

Steps:

Contact your card’s insurance partner (listed in your card guarantee guide):

• Via your online customer space by submitting a claim,
• By phone, using the number on the back of your card.

Follow their instructions.

They will inform you of:

• Required documents (payment proof, medical certificate, flight certificate, etc.)
• Deadlines (often 5–20 days after the event)
• Eligibility conditions

Send a complete file with all supporting documents to speed up processing. Remember: reimbursement is possible only if the ticket was fully or partially paid with your card. Terms vary by card type and bank (Visa, Mastercard, Amex…)

B/ Cases of theft, loss, or damage of checked baggage

Each checked baggage is insured by your card in case of theft or loss up to €800–€850 (with a deductible of ~€70). Valid only if the incident happened during public transport. If your baggage is missing or damaged, immediately file a complaint at the airport baggage service with your boarding pass and baggage tags. Complete the PIR (Property Irregularity Report). A search file will be created, and they will deliver the baggage to your hotel (at the airline’s expense).

During the absence, the airline must reimburse you €50 per day (for 1–5 days) for essential purchases (no luxury items). Upon return, send them a registered letter with original invoices. If after 6 days baggage is still missing, contact your card insurer for additional compensation up to €800–€850 (deductible ~€70).

After 14–21 days, baggage is considered lost by the airline. Compensation up to €1300–€1600 may be granted depending on Montreal or EU conventions.

For damaged baggage: file a claim at the airport baggage service, request a damage report (PIR), take clear photos.

Either:

• They offer a replacement suitcase.
• They cover repairs (written authorization recommended).
• They authorize you to buy a similar suitcase and reimburse it (with invoice).

In cases (b) and (c), submit a written claim within 7 days including: flight number, PIR, ticket copy, baggage tag, photos, and invoice. At the same time, you may claim compensation from your bank card insurer.

C/ Flight delay

In case of flight delay, you may be entitled to €250–€600 under EU regulation CE 261/2004 (even for flights from/to non-EU countries under certain conditions).

If:

• Your flight is 3+ hours late on arrival.
• The flight departs from the EU or arrives in the EU with a European airline.
• The delay is not due to extraordinary circumstances.

The airline must provide meals, drinks, hotel (if needed), and transport during the wait.

How to claim compensation?

Send a written claim with your boarding pass, booking proof, and evidence of arrival time. If the airline refuses or does not reply, contact DGAC or the ECC.

Your bank card?

Some cards (Visa Premier, Gold…) offer fixed compensation for long delays (e.g., 4h) and reimburse meals/hotel. Claim within 15 days.

D/ Civil liability insurance

Civil liability (CL) insurance included with your card may cover you, your spouse, and children abroad, but not always automatically. (Deductible ~€100)

What is civil liability?

It covers damage caused to others (material or bodily) during your trip.

Is it included?

High-end cards usually include foreign CL with guaranteed amounts of €1,525,000–€2,000,000 for stays under 90 days. It excludes risky sports, intentional acts, and professional activities. Your home insurance may also include CL abroad for temporary stays.

How to use CL?

Contact your card insurer within 5–15 days and provide:

• Proof of incident (photos, testimonies…)
• Proof of payment with the card
• Invoices or repair quotes

E/ Accidental death/disability benefit

This benefit protects the insured and beneficiaries in case of a serious accident while traveling on public transport (plane, train, boat…). Paid only if the trip was paid with the card.

Who is covered?

The cardholder, spouse, and dependent children under 25 traveling together. Benefit amount ranges from €300,000 to €1,000,000 depending on the card.

When does it apply?

Only during public transport accidents. Excludes illnesses, suicide, extreme sports, intentional acts, etc.

Procedure

Contact card assistance, provide transport ticket, medical certificate, and payment proof. Beneficiaries receive the lump sum.

F/ Repatriation, medical expenses, hospitalization

One of the most useful guarantees included with Premium/Gold/Amex cards.

Covers:

• Medical emergencies abroad (accident or unforeseen illness)
• Repatriation
• Hospitalization
• Early return
• Body transport in case of death
• Visit of a relative

Card limits

• Visa Premier / Gold Mastercard: up to €155,000
• American Express Gold / Platinum: up to €1,000,000

Conditions

• Trip must be paid fully or partially with the card
• Trip must last less than 90 days
• Accident/illness must be sudden and unpredictable
• Beneficiaries must travel together

What to do?

• Call medical assistance immediately. Do not incur major expenses without prior approval.
• Assistance coordinates medical follow-up and repatriation.

Documents to carry

• Insurance notice copy
• 24/7 assistance number
• Payment proof
• Medical documents

G/ Legal assistance abroad

This legal assistance guarantee may be included in high-end cards.

Covers:

• Lawyer fees
• Bail advance up to €15,000
• Legal costs (€3,000–€8,000)
• 24/7 legal guidance

Conditions

• Trip must be paid with the card
• Trip under 90 days
• Beneficiaries must travel together
• Contact assistance immediately

Exclusions

• Fines and penalties
• Intentional acts
• Professional disputes
• Cases in your home country

Procedure

• Call the assistance service and provide your card number and police/legal documents.

Conclusion

I hope this overview has helped you better understand the main guarantees you can benefit from abroad thanks to your bank card. For more precise and personalized information, contact your banking advisor.

He can provide:

• Your insurance membership number
• The emergency contact number from abroad

Your home insurance may also offer international coverage (especially civil liability). However, note that duplicate coverage is not recognized, and only one insurer will be selected to handle the claim.

Finally, if you book a trip with Gloria Perú Voyages, we will assist you throughout your stay in choosing the right insurance and handling all administrative steps to ensure your rights are fully applied.

Thank you for your trust. We remain at your disposal for further information.

See you soon for a stress-free trip!