Best Credit Card for Travel Insurance in India: Features and Fees

Many travel optimised credit cards in India offer travel insurance to customers for added peace of mind when overseas. Depending on the insurance policy you may find you can access support in the event of travel cancellation or disruption, medical care, or accidental death coverage. Details vary widely, so comparing available policies and cover is essential.

In this guide we’ll look at which credit card has the best travel insurance for different customer needs. We'll also introduce you to the Wise Travel card, which allows you to hold 40+ currencies in on card and spend without any forex markups or hidden fees.

How does credit card travel insurance work?

Many credit cards offer some form of travel insurance as an extra perk to their cardholders. Insurance may be basic, covering only things like lost bags or documents - but some policies also have medical insurance, accidental death cover, and fairly comprehensive support for travel disruptions and delays.

Different cards have very different insurance options, and in most cases there are extra eligibility requirements to activate your policy. You may need to charge your travel to the card, or use your card a certain number of times before you can claim, for example. It’s crucial you check the details carefully as you may decide you need to top up your credit card travel insurance with a standalone policy of your own as well.

Things to look out for in choosing a credit card for travel insurance

Choosing a travel insurance credit card will take some research - including looking at the insurance policy offered, the card fees and other features you may unlock. Here are a few things to think about:

• Eligibility - Cards may have minimum income requirements, age and residency rules
• Annual fees - Many travel insurance credit cards are premium products which can have a high annual fee. You’ll need to check the fees offset the benefits you’ll be able to unlock
• Insurance qualification - Look at how to activate your insurance which may require a minimum spend, or you may have to charge your trip to the card
• Insurance limits and exclusions - Check your insurance covers the things that matter to you - not all include medical support or evacuation for example, which can be important
• Foreign transaction fees - Finally check the costs for using your card in a foreign country or currency. Foreign transaction fees can be as high as 3.5% and are added every time you travel or spend online with a foreign retailer.

Compare top credit cards in India with travel insurance

Here’s a side by side summary of our picks for the best credit card for travel insurance from a selection of major Indian banks.

*Details correct at time of research - 10th February 2026

IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

Best for: No annual fee card with complimentary ‘cancel for any reason’ insurance on flights and hotel stays

The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card has reward earning opportunities and offers cardholders who book flights and hotels with the card the option of some cancellation insurance. Terms apply, including hotel type and timing of/reason for cancellation.

Main features and fees:

• No annual fee and no joining fee to pay
• Foreign transaction fee of 1.99%
• 3x rewards up to 20,000 INR monthly spending, then 10x rewards, 1x rewards on utilities and insurance, 10x rewards during your birthday period
• Complimentary airport and railway lounge access

Insurance prerequisites: 1 card transaction in the month preceding the policy beginning, policy runs until May 2026. Travel must be booked using your IDFC card and cancelled 24 hours before the trip begins. Other eligibility rules may also apply.

IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card travel insurance coverage

Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card

Best for: Generous insurance across medical, accidental death in the air and travel inconvenience

The Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card offers a broad sweep of insurance options which can have sublimits and eligibility requirements if you need to make a claim. Depending on how you use your card you may get medical and travel inconvenience cover as well as accidental death insurance in the event you’re involved in an air accident.

Main features and fees:

• 5,000 INR joining and annual fee to pay
• Low foreign transaction fee at 2%
• 5 reward points on 150 INR spend, which can be redeemed 1 to 1 for cash
• Complimentary lounge access 4 per quarter domestic access, and 1 per month international subject to meeting minimum spend

Insurance prerequisites: POS/e-commerce transaction of minimum 499 INR required in the 30 days prior to claim, flight bookings must be paid for using your card

Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card travel insurance coverage

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

Best for: Complimentary golf rounds, with medical, accidental death and travel inconvenience insurance as part of your package

Your ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card lets you play golf for free anything up to 4 times a month based on your spending, and also has lounge access and other travel perks. You’ll get good insurance cover as part of your annual fee, but it’s worth noting the higher join cost, and the foreign transaction fee which is fairly steep at 3.5%.

Main features and fees:

• 6,500 INR joining fee then 3,500 INR annual fee
• 3.5% foreign transaction fee
• Lounge access and golf privileges
• Concierge services

Insurance prerequisites: Card must have been used in the 60 days before any insurance event occurs, benefits for primary card holders only

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card travel insurance coverage

HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card

Best for: Strong travel and lifestyle benefits with medical and accidental death cover when you travel

The HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card has a range of welcome benefits and other perks you can activate by hitting spend thresholds. You can also get flight offers and five times more reward points while shopping on Myntra and Nykaa. Cards are backed by high value cover for some medical and air accident scenarios.

Main features and fees:

• 2,500 INR annual fee
• Foreign transaction charges of 3.5%
• Lounge benefits, Swiggy One and MMT Black Gold membership
• High reward earning opportunities with partner merchants and for online spend

Insurance prerequisites: Primary card holder only, international travel capped at 30 days. Terrorism is specifically excluded under the policy. Policy runs to 22nd July 2026

HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card travel insurance coverage

IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite

Best for: Solid insurance backing while accumulating Avios points for BA or Qatar usage

The IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite offers direct Avios point earning which you can then redeem with Qatar Airways Privilege Club or British Airways Executive Club. When you pay for your travel using your card you also get insurance which could cover air accident and medical support, as well as travel inconveniences such as lost or delayed baggage.

Main features and fees:

• 10,000 INR joining fee, followed by a 5,000 INR annual fee
• Foreign transaction fee of 1.5% in preferred destinations, 3.5% elsewhere
• Earn Avios points with high rewards in preferred destinations
• Redeem with British Airways or Qatar Airways depending on your preferences

Insurance prerequisites: Up to 65 years old, travel ticket must be booked through IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card

IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite travel insurance coverage

SBI Card Miles Elite

Best for: Low foreign transaction fee with strong travel inconvenience cover

The SBI Card Miles Elite is a premium card with a relatively high annual fee of 4,999 INR which offers ways to earn miles as you spend. You’re also covered with a fairly strong travel inconvenience policy for cancellations, delays, lost and damaged baggage, so you know you have help if anything goes wrong during your trip.

Main features and fees:

• 4,999 INR annual fee
• Foreign transaction fee of 1.99%
• Earn airmiles as you spend and with milestone bonus payments
• Get both domestic and international lounge access perks

Insurance prerequisites: Check the insurance cover document issued upon sign up, or ask the bank directly

SBI Card Miles Elite travel insurance coverage

Summary: Best Credit Card for travel insurance

Choosing the best credit card for travel insurance will require you to look carefully at the terms and conditions of any card you’re interested in to make sure it really suits your needs. Cards may have additional eligibility rules to activate insurance which are important to understand - and you may still decide you want to buy a private policy to top up the claim limits on your card. Use this guide to compare your options for a credit card with complimentary travel insurance and pick the right card for your unique needs.

Travelling abroad? Bring the Wise Travel card: Interbank rate for every coversion, with no forex markups or hidden fees

While credit cards offer perks like travel insurance, make sure your overseas spending doesn’t cost you extra through poor exchange rates or hidden fees. With no hidden markups, the Wise Travel card is a smart way to spend abroad. You'll always get the real interbank exchange rate for conversions across 40+ currencies. Wise's transparent, low pricing, plus no foreign transaction fees or forex markups, usually means you are getting the best value for your money.

The fully digital account opening and vKYC process allows you to sign up from the comfort of your home, and there are no annual or monthly fees either. Simply order your card, show proof of your travels, load your funds, and you're all set. Plus - card orders are currently free to Indian addresses (limited time launch offer, while stocks last)! A physical Wise card enables you to make secure chip and PIN payments and get some free ATM withdrawals while you're overseas. You can also instantly freeze or unfreeze your card in the app anytime for peace of mind.

Wherever your travels take you, the Wise Travel card is the only forex card you'll need to make spending internationally simpler and cheaper.

🚀 Get a free Wise Travel card

Sources:

1. IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card
2. IDFC insurance information
3. Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card
4. Standard Chartered credit card terms
5. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
6. ICICI card fees
7. HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card
8. HDFC card fees
9. HDFC Regalia insurance
10. IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite
11. IndusInd Bank card terms
12. SBI Card Miles Elite
13. SBI card terms