Citi Card Travel Insurance: What to Know - NerdWallet (2024)

Citi credit cards provide a host of benefits, including some generous points and miles earning opportunities (depending on the card you have).

But, when it comes to travel insurance, let’s just say it’s not necessarily Citi cards' strong suit.

Still, there are Citibank travel insurance benefits you should know about to ensure you use the right card when paying for your next trip. Here are the primary benefits associated with Citi card travel insurance.

Both cards provide rental car insurance.

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi also offers roadside assistance, worldwide travel accident insurance and a 24/7 concierge for travel and emergency assistance. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, on the other hand, offers baggage protection, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and trip delay protections.

If you use either of the two Citi credit cards listed above to pay for a car rental, Citi travel insurance will protect any damages to a rental car up to $50,000.

This amount will cover the cost of repairs or the cash value of the car, whichever is lower. It applies anywhere you rent a car — there are no geographic limitations — as long as the rental period is no longer than 31 days. Citibank travel insurance covers accidental damage, theft, vandalism or a natural disaster, and any necessary towing costs.

With secondary insurance, you need to rely on any other insurance coverage you have before Citi’s car rental insurance kicks in. Primary insurance, alternatively, will be the first line of coverage you have.

Coverage wouldn't apply if you rent the car to someone else or operate a rental car as a rideshare vehicle. It also only covers the car, not any personal injuries that might result from an accident.

There are several types of vehicles that are excluded from coverage. These include:

Roadside assistance

When driving in the U.S., roadside assistance is available for Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi cardholders by calling 866-918-4670.

Roadside assistance is valuable in the event of an accident, loss of fuel or other vehicle malfunction. Keep in mind that you would still have to pay for the assistance (like a tow truck, for example), but this benefit makes it easy to reach someone with one phone call.

Citi card provides access to similar assistance as a membership program like AAA. The difference is that AAA’s annual fee covers roadside assistance fees while Citi's coverage doesn't; it solely provides access to someone who can help you for a reduced rate.

Worldwide travel accident insurance

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi includes accident insurance, which covers the cardholder or family members if they are injured or killed when traveling on a common carrier (any vehicle that is licensed to carry passengers like a bus, plane, cruise ship or train).

You will need to have used the Citi card to cover the entire cost of the travel on that common carrier for the benefit to apply. The maximum coverage is $250,000.

Travel and emergency assistance

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi card provides access to a 24/7 concierge to help you with a disruption to your trip. This can include medical assistance, referrals to a doctor or legal help. It can also help if you need to adjust travel plans.

Just remember, you’ll be responsible for paying for any services used, but the call is toll-free.

Baggage protection

Only available for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, this luggage protection provides coverage if your checked bag is stolen, lost or damaged.

The insurance covers as much as $3,000 per person ($2,000 for New York residents), but only kicks in if you use the card or American AAdvantage miles to pay for the trip.

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

If a covered traveler has a medical emergency or dies, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® coverage can provide reimbursem*nt for up to $5,000 in eligible nonrefundable expenses.

You would need to use the card or American AAdvantage miles to pay for the trip.

Trip delay protection

Another benefit that’s reserved only for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is trip delay protection. This coverage kicks in if your trip is delayed by at least six hours, and offers reimbursem*nt for expenses incurred during the delay, up to $500 per trip.

This would include reasonable purchases like hotel stays, rental cars and meals.

Citibank travel insurance is available, but limited. It is only offered on two cards and isn't as comprehensive as other credit cards with travel insurance.

Both cards include rental car coverage, but beyond this, each has its own set of benefits. Depending on which one you hold, it may include coverage like trip delay protection or roadside assistance.

People hold Citi cards for many reasons, including the ability to earn transferable Citi ThankYou Points. But, the travel insurance benefits are somewhat limited. If you have a Citi card, review the travel insurance perks before you take off to understand your coverage.