Chase, in my opinion, has some of the best insurance offerings around, especially on their higher-end cards. However, for those with less expensive (or even free) cards, Chase improves insurance coverages, boosting both covered amounts, services, and more.
If you want the best protections and coverages, you need to get a high-end credit card – especially for those of you who travel a lot. I always thought that was ironic, though, that so many travel cards out there come with protections that are an afterthought. That’s not really changing here, but it is nice that Chase improves insurance coverages on many of its cards.
Chase Improves Insurance Coverages
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you want cards Chase improves insurance coverages on. Information out there is a little convoluted, as is evident by the conversations I’ve been seeing on Reddit. For me, personally, I received the change notice for my Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Visa, though others have reported getting it for their Freedom Unlimited, Disney Visa, and the World of Hyatt Visa. The one thing people seem to agree on is that the super-premium cards, like the Sapphire Reserve, aren’t included.
Given the wide variety of cards seeing changes, you see may vary by product. However, tin the near future, here are the benefits you may enjoy:
- Auto Rental Coverage: covers up to $60,000 caused by theft or damage, for cars valued up to $125,000. Exotic cars and classic cars 20 years old or older aren’t eligible, and coverage is still secondary, but you’ll have 100 days to file your claim rather than just 60. In case you’re wondering, this benefit remains secondary.
- Emergency Evacuation and Transportation: cardholders will no longer have to pay up front for this under qualifying circumstances, as the benefit provider will arrange these services and pay on the cardholder’s behalf.
- Travel and Emergency Assistance: a concierge-like service that wasn’t typically available on lesser cards is now becoming available across more cards
- Travel Accident Insurance: coverage increases from $250,000 to $500,000
- Extended Warranty Protection: some cards are seeing this coverage changing from $50,000 per account to $50,000 per year. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case for my Southwest Priority card.
Why?
So, why are these changes occurring? I’m sure part of it has to do with customer feedback, especially with regards to the level of service rendered by the current benefits administrator, eClaimsline. It seems as if Chase has heard its cardholders dissatisfaction with the provider and is changing to Assurant. Hopefully, this will provide cardholders with a better experience. However, at minimum, it does mean an enhancement in certain benefits is on its way.
When
The above changes aren’t going into effect immediately. Rather, the new benefits administrator takes over on October 1, 2024. At that time, the claims website will change to chasecardbenefits.com.
Chase Improves Insurance Coverages, Final Thoughts
Many of these card benefits are ones that many (if not most) never have to use, and are those that you hope you’ll never find yourself in a situation in which you need to. However, if and when you do need them, they can keep a bad situation from spiraling into something worse. To me, this is especially true for benefits like trip delay and interruption insurance, even though that’s not what’s being added here. This type of coverage can cover a hotel room during irregular ops when the airline won’t. That’s why the Chase Sapphire cards are among the best, in my opinion.
At any rate, I’m glad to see that Chase improves insurance coverages. It shows that they’re listening to their cardholders and are committed to the benefits they offer, especially when the trend as of late has been for companies like Citi to remove benefits.