A credit card travel insurance claim is usually lost on a date rather than on a fact. The incident is covered, the receipts exist, and the file is declined because the insurer was told too late. Every certificate sets that deadline and they are not the same.
Every figure below was read from the issuer’s certificate of insurance, which is linked on each row. This page reports what those documents say. It does not rank the cards and it is not insurance advice.
Do you have to activate the coverage first?
No. Of the 55 cards whose certificates address it, not one requires you to activate, register or enrol the coverage before you travel. It is in force because you hold the card.
That is worth stating plainly because the belief that coverage must be switched on is common and it is not true of any card here. What the certificates do require is that the trip be paid for in a particular way, which is a different condition entirely and one that varies a great deal. That is a separate question, and on a points booking it is the one that decides whether you are covered at all.
How long do you have to report a claim?
This is the number to know before you need it. Across the 54 cards stating a deadline it runs 30 days on 21, 45 days on 10, 90 days on 23, a threefold spread. The clock starts at the incident, not when you return home and not when the bill arrives.
The proof-of-loss window is a second, separate deadline: 90 days on all 46. Reporting on time does not extend it. The right sequence is to call the assistance line first, get a file number, then send documents.
| Card | Report within | Proof of loss within | What the certificate qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve CardAmerican Express · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | Travel Accident Insurance requires written notice within 30 days of the covered Loss; Car Rental Theft and Damage and Purchase Protection claims must be reported within 48 hours |
| American Express Aeroplan CardAmerican Express · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | Flight and Baggage Delay & Hotel Burglary and Lost or Stolen Baggage. Car Rental and Purchase Protection require reporting within 48 hours, Buyer’s Assurance within 45 days, Travel Accident within 30 days |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve CardAmerican Express · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | Travel Accident Insurance under Chubb requires written notice of claim within 30 days after the occurrence |
| American Express Business Edge CardAmerican Express · certificate | 45 days | 90 days | Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan; car rental and purchase protection claims must additionally be reported by phone within 48 hours |
| American Express Business Gold Rewards CardAmerican Express · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | Car Rental Theft and Damage requires reporting within 48 hours; Purchase Protection written notice within 45 days; Travel Accident written notice within 30 days |
| American Express Business Platinum CardAmerican Express · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | Travel Accident Insurance requires written notice within 30 days after the loss; Car Rental Theft and Damage claims must be reported within 48 hours |
| American Express Cobalt CardAmerican Express · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | emergency medical, flight and baggage delay, hotel burglary and lost baggage; travel accident states 30 days and car rental 48 hours |
| American Express Gold Rewards CardAmerican Express · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | applies to the Belair-underwritten coverages; the Chubb Travel Accident certificate requires written notice within 30 days, and car rental theft or damage must be reported within 48 hours |
| American Express Platinum CardAmerican Express · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | emergency medical, trip cancellation and interruption, flight and baggage delay, hotel burglary and lost or stolen baggage; car rental theft and damage, Buyer’s Assurance and Purchase Protection require 45 days and travel accident requires 30 days |
| Marriott Bonvoy American Express CardAmerican Express · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | Flight and Baggage Delay & Hotel Burglary and Lost or Stolen Baggage certificates; Travel Accident requires 30 days; Car Rental and Purchase Protection require reporting within 48 hours |
| Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express CardAmerican Express · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | Flight and Baggage Delay & Hotel Burglary and Lost or Stolen Baggage; Car Rental Theft and Damage and Purchase Protection require reporting within 48 hours; Buyer’s Assurance within 45 days; Travel Accident written notice within 30 days |
| BMO Ascend World Elite MastercardBMO · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | — |
| BMO eclipse rise VisaBMO · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | certificate states the 30-day notice generally; product summary states it for Quebec residents |
| BMO eclipse Visa InfiniteBMO · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | written notice of a claim to the Operations Centre |
| BMO eclipse Visa Infinite PrivilegeBMO · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | written notice from the date the claim arises |
| BMO Rewards Business MastercardBMO · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | written notice from the date the claim arises; trip cancellation, interruption or delay must also be reported to the Operations Centre within forty-eight (48) hours of the incident date |
| BMO VIPorter MastercardBMO · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | written notice to the Operations Centre |
| BMO VIPorter World Elite MastercardBMO · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | — |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Business PlusCIBC · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | written notice under Common Carrier Accident and under Flight Delay and Baggage; 48 hours under Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage and 45 days under Purchase Security and Extended Protection |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa InfiniteCIBC · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | written notice of loss; 45 days under Purchase Security and Extended Protection, 14 days under Mobile Device, 48 hours under Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite PrivilegeCIBC · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | written notice within 90 days of the loss for most coverages; 45 days for Purchase Security and Extended Protection, 14 days for Mobile Device, and 48 hours for Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage |
| CIBC Aventura Gold VisaCIBC · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | common carrier accident, flight delay and baggage, and mobile device certificates; car rental claims must be reported within 48 hours; purchase security within 45 days; mobile device call within 14 days |
| CIBC Aventura Visa InfiniteCIBC · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | emergency medical claim submission; trip cancellation/interruption requires a call on the day the covered reason occurs or the next business day; car rental within 48 hours; purchase security within 45 days; mobile device within 14 days; common carrier accident and flight delay and baggage written notice within 90 days |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite PrivilegeCIBC · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | written notice within 90 days under Common Carrier Accident, Flight Delay and Baggage and Mobile Device; emergency medical: call Global Excel before treatment and submit within 90 days of service; trip cancellation: call on the day the cause occurs or the next business day; car rental: report within 48 hours; purchase security: notice within 45 days; mobile device: call within 14 days of loss |
| National Bank World Elite MastercardNational Bank · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | emergency medical care claim form must be returned within 30 days of the event; the claim form for all other coverages is due within 90 days, and vehicle rental events must be reported to the assistance provider within 48 hours Full stops dropped by the PDF font were restored in anything quoted here. |
| Cathay World Elite® Mastercard® – powered by NeoNeo Financial · certificate | 30 days | — | notice of claim under the trip cancellation, flight delay, baggage and auto rental certificates must be given within forty-eight (48) hours |
| United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard®Neo Financial · certificate | 30 days | — | notice of claim under the trip cancellation, flight delay, baggage and auto rental certificates must be given within forty-eight (48) hours |
| More Rewards RBC VisaRBC · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | same deadline under both the Purchase Security & Extended Warranty and the Mobile Device certificates |
| More Rewards RBC Visa InfiniteRBC · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | same deadline stated in both the Purchase Security & Extended Warranty and Mobile Device certificates |
| RBC Avion Visa Business CardRBC · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | 48 hours for auto rental collision/loss damage waiver claims |
| RBC Avion Visa InfiniteRBC · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | auto rental collision claims must be reported within forty-eight (48) hours of the loss or damage |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite PrivilegeRBC · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver claims must be reported within forty-eight (48) hours of the loss or damage |
| RBC Avion Visa PlatinumRBC · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | auto rental collision claims must be reported within forty-eight (48) hours of the loss or damage |
| WestJet RBC MastercardRBC · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver claims must be reported within forty-eight (48) hours of the loss or damage |
| WestJet RBC World Elite MastercardRBC · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage Waiver claims must be reported within 48 hours of the loss or damage |
| WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard for BusinessRBC · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | auto rental loss or damage must be reported within forty-eight (48) hours |
| Rogers Red World Elite MastercardRogers Bank · certificate | 30 days | 90 days | written notice to Allianz Global Assistance from the date the claim arises |
| Scotia Momentum for Business VisaScotiabank · certificate | 90 days | — | general provision applying to all benefits under the Certificate |
| Scotiabank Gold American ExpressScotiabank · certificate | 90 days | — | 14 days from the date of loss to contact the administrator for a Mobile Device claim; 48 hours for Trip Cancellation |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa InfiniteScotiabank · certificate | 90 days | — | General Provisions deadline; the same 90 days applies to Purchase Security, luggage, Trip Cancellation/Interruption and Flight Delay claims |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business CardScotiabank · certificate | 90 days | — | Purchase Security, Extended Warranty, Lost Luggage, Delayed Luggage and Hotel/Motel Burglary claims must be reported no later than 90 days from the date of loss; Trip Cancellation requires notice within 48 hours of the cause arising |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite PrivilegeScotiabank · certificate | 90 days | — | general provisions; written notice as soon as reasonably possible |
| Scotiabank Platinum American ExpressScotiabank · certificate | 90 days | — | general provisions; Trip Cancellation additionally requires notice to the administrator within forty-eight (48) hours of the covered cause arising, and Mobile Device within 14 days of loss |
| Tangerine Rewards World Elite MastercardTangerine · certificate | 90 days | 90 days | from the date of loss, under General Provisions and Statutory Conditions |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Business CardTD · certificate | 45 days | 90 days | 30 days for common carrier travel accident, 48 hours for auto rental collision or damage, immediately for travel medical and trip cancellation or interruption |
| TD Aeroplan Visa InfiniteTD · certificate | 45 days | 90 days | applies to delayed and lost baggage, flight or trip delay, purchase security and extended warranty, and hotel or motel burglary; travel accident and mobile device are 30 days, auto rental is 48 hours, travel medical and trip cancellation say immediately |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite PrivilegeTD · certificate | 45 days | 90 days | 45 days for Delayed and Lost Baggage, Flight/Trip Delay, Purchase Security and Extended Warranty, and Hotel/Motel Burglary; 30 days for Common Carrier Travel Accident and Mobile Device; 48 hours for Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage; immediately for Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption |
| TD Aeroplan Visa PlatinumTD · certificate | 45 days | 90 days | 45 days for delayed and lost baggage, flight/trip delay, purchase security and extended warranty, and hotel/motel burglary; 30 days for common carrier travel accident and mobile device; rental car damage or theft must be reported within 48 hours |
| TD Business Travel Visa CardTD · certificate | 45 days | 90 days | 45 days applies to flight/trip delay, delayed and lost baggage and purchase security claims; travel accident notice is 30 days; rental car damage must be reported within 48 hours; travel medical and trip cancellation must be reported immediately |
| TD First Class Travel Visa InfiniteTD · certificate | 45 days | 90 days | 45 days for delayed/lost baggage, flight/trip delay, hotel/motel burglary and purchase security; 30 days for common carrier travel accident and mobile device; 48 hours for auto rental and a medical emergency |
| TD Platinum Travel VisaTD · certificate | 45 days | 90 days | 45 days under the Delayed and Lost Baggage, Flight/Trip Delay, Purchase Security and Hotel/Motel Burglary certificates; 30 days under Common Carrier Travel Accident and Mobile Device; 48 hours under Auto Rental Collision/Loss Damage. Full stop restored where the issuer PDF omitted it. |
| TD Rewards VisaTD · certificate | 45 days | 90 days | Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Protection; the Mobile Device Insurance certificate requires contact no later than 30 days from the date of loss |
| Wealthsimple Visa InfiniteWealthsimple · certificate | 30 days | — | written notice; initial telephone notice within forty-eight (48) hours for Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Delayed and Lost Baggage and Flight Delay; forty-five (45) days for Purchase Security, Extended Warranty and Mobile Phone |
| Wealthsimple Visa Infinite PrivilegeWealthsimple · certificate | 45 days | — | Purchase Security, Extended Warranty and Mobile Phone Insurance; travel coverages require telephone notice within 48 hours and written notice within 30 days, and Auto Rental within 48 hours |
The last column matters more than it looks. Several certificates set different deadlines for different benefits on the same card, so a single figure in the second column can be the shortest of several rather than the only one.
Who is covered besides the cardholder?
49 of the 56 cards extend coverage to a spouse and dependent children. 7 cover the cardholder alone, which is the row that surprises people at the point of claim rather than at the point of application. Where dependants are covered the age cut-off is under 20 on 8, under 21 on 37, under 22 on 5, and most certificates raise it for a child in full-time study.
The definition of a spouse is set by the certificate, not by provincial family law, and the wording differs enough to matter. It is reproduced per card below.
| Card | Who is insured | Dependants | How the certificate defines a spouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve CardAmerican Express · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | clause b) covering a person who has lived in a marital relationship in the same household for at least one year is omitted; enumeration truncated at 40 words |
| American Express Aeroplan CardAmerican Express · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | truncated at 40 words; the certificate adds a second clause covering a person who has lived in a marital relationship in the same household for at least one year |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve CardAmerican Express · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | truncated at 40 words; the definition also covers a person who is not married but has lived in a marital relationship in the same household for at least one year and is publicly presented as that person’s spouse |
| American Express Business Edge CardAmerican Express · certificate | Cardholder only | — | — |
| American Express Business Gold Rewards CardAmerican Express · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | enumeration truncated at 40 words; clause b) also covers a person who has lived in a marital relationship in the same household for at least one year |
| American Express Business Platinum CardAmerican Express · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | clause a) of two; clause b) covers a one-year marital relationship and adding it exceeds the 40-word cap |
| American Express Cobalt CardAmerican Express · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | clause b), covering a marital relationship of at least one year in the same household, omitted to stay within the word limit |
| American Express Gold Rewards CardAmerican Express · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | first of two clauses; the second clause covers a person who has lived in a marital relationship in the same household for at least one year; truncated at 40 words |
| American Express Platinum CardAmerican Express · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | enumeration truncated at 40 words; clause b) also covers a person who is not married but has lived in a marital relationship in the same household for at least one year |
| Marriott Bonvoy American Express CardAmerican Express · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | first of two limbs of the Spouse definition; the second limb, covering a one-year marital relationship in the same household, was dropped at the 40-word cap |
| Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express CardAmerican Express · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | enumeration truncated at 40 words; clause (b) also covers a person who has lived in a marital relationship in the same household for at least one year and is publicly presented as that person’s spouse |
| BMO Ascend World Elite MastercardBMO · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 20 | definition truncated at the first clause; it continues to cover a person living with the primary cardholder in a conjugal relationship in the same household, and only one (1) spouse is recognized |
| BMO eclipse rise VisaBMO · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 20 | single sentence of 53 words in the certificate; no shorter whole-sentence form exists, so the 40-word cap could not be met |
| BMO eclipse Visa InfiniteBMO · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 20 | enumeration truncated at 40 words; the certificate adds that where there is no such person the definition covers a person living with the primary cardholder in a conjugal relationship in the same household |
| BMO eclipse Visa Infinite PrivilegeBMO · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 20 | truncated at the first clause; where there is no such person, a person who has been living with the primary cardholder in a conjugal relationship, resides in the same household and is publicly represented as the spouse |
| BMO Rewards Business MastercardBMO · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 20 | the definition is a single sentence of 49 words, above the 40-word guidance, and no shorter whole sentence exists; the certificate adds that the cardholder may have only one (1) spouse |
| BMO VIPorter MastercardBMO · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 20 | single sentence exceeds 40 words; truncated at 31 words, the clause continues "and who resides in the same household as the primary cardholder and is publicly represented as the spouse of the primary cardholder" |
| BMO VIPorter World Elite MastercardBMO · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 20 | clause truncated at the document’s own semicolon; the certificate continues with a conjugal-relationship alternative where there is no legally married spouse, and states the primary cardholder may have only one (1) spouse |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Business PlusCIBC · certificate | Cardholder only | under 21 | second clause of the definition omitted for length |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa InfiniteCIBC · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | first of two limbs of the definition; the common-law limb omitted for length |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite PrivilegeCIBC · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | enumeration truncated at 40 words; the definition also covers a person who has lived in a marital relationship in the same household for at least one year |
| CIBC Aventura Gold VisaCIBC · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | first limb only; second limb (a person who is not married but has lived in a marital relationship in the same household for at least one year, publicly presented as spouse) omitted for length |
| CIBC Aventura Visa InfiniteCIBC · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | truncated; second clause covers a person who is not married but has lived in a marital relationship in the same household for at least one year with another person who is publicly presented as that person’s spouse |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite PrivilegeCIBC · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | first of two definitions; enumeration truncated at 40 words; the second covers a person not married but living in a marital relationship in the same household for at least one year |
| National Bank World Elite MastercardNational Bank · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | Second sentence of the definition omitted; clause truncated at 40 words. That sentence removes spouse status where the union is legally dissolved or the parties have lived separately for more than 3 months. Full stops dropped by the PDF font were restored in anything quoted here. |
| Cathay World Elite® Mastercard® – powered by NeoNeo Financial · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | complete definition with the lead-in "Spouse means" dropped; the single sentence runs to 44 words |
| United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard®Neo Financial · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | complete definition with the lead-in "Spouse means" dropped; the single sentence runs to 44 words |
| More Rewards RBC VisaRBC · certificate | Cardholder only | Not included | spouse is defined only inside the family member definition, which governs gifts of insured items; a spouse is not a covered person |
| More Rewards RBC Visa InfiniteRBC · certificate | Cardholder only | — | lead-in "Spouse means" dropped; spouse appears only inside the definition of family member, not as a covered person; src quote truncated at 25 words |
| RBC Avion Visa Business CardRBC · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | lead-in "Spouse means" dropped |
| RBC Avion Visa InfiniteRBC · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | — |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite PrivilegeRBC · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | — |
| RBC Avion Visa PlatinumRBC · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | lead-in "Spouse means" dropped |
| WestJet RBC MastercardRBC · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | — |
| WestJet RBC World Elite MastercardRBC · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | — |
| WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard for BusinessRBC · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | — |
| Rogers Red World Elite MastercardRogers Bank · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 20 | single sentence exceeds 40 words; clause continues 'and is publicly represented as the spouse of the primary cardholder' |
| Scotia Momentum for Business VisaScotiabank · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | — |
| Scotiabank Gold American ExpressScotiabank · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | — |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa InfiniteScotiabank · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | lead-in "Spouse means" dropped |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Business CardScotiabank · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | — |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite PrivilegeScotiabank · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | — |
| Scotiabank Platinum American ExpressScotiabank · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | — |
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit CardTangerine · certificate | Cardholder only | — | — |
| Tangerine Money-Back World MastercardTangerine · certificate | Cardholder only | — | — |
| Tangerine Rewards World Elite MastercardTangerine · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | lead-in "Spouse means" dropped |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Business CardTD · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 22 | quoted across two source extracts because the clause runs past the 25-word quote cap; wording taken from the Travel Medical Insurance Certificate |
| TD Aeroplan Visa InfiniteTD · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 22 | Travel Medical certificate wording; other certificates read "at least 1 continuous year in the same household and publicly refers to as their partner" |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite PrivilegeTD · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 22 | the Common Carrier Travel Accident, Delayed and Lost Baggage, Flight/Trip Delay and Purchase Security certificates use the same wording with Account Holder in place of Insured Person |
| TD Aeroplan Visa PlatinumTD · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | two bulleted alternatives joined in document order; lead-in "Spouse means:" and bullet markers dropped |
| TD Business Travel Visa CardTD · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 22 | two-item enumeration joined with a comma; bullet markers and the lead-in "Spouse means:" dropped |
| TD First Class Travel Visa InfiniteTD · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 22 | closing full stop restored; the source PDF converts it to U+FFFD |
| TD Platinum Travel VisaTD · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | two-item enumeration joined; bullet markers and the trailing "or" dropped. Full stop restored where the issuer PDF omitted it. |
| TD Rewards VisaTD · certificate | Cardholder only | — | verbatim from Section 2 of the Purchase Security and Extended Warranty Protection Certificate, lead-in "Spouse means:" and bullet markers dropped and the trailing "or" dropped; the quote carries the second limb only because of the 25-word quote cap, the first limb reads "the person who the Account Holder is legally married to"; Spouse is defined in that certificate but no coverage clause extends benefits to a Spouse |
| Wealthsimple Visa InfiniteWealthsimple · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | single-sentence definition recorded in full at 42 words; lead-in “Spouse” means dropped |
| Wealthsimple Visa Infinite PrivilegeWealthsimple · certificate | Cardholder, spouse and dependants | under 21 | clause runs to 42 words; recorded in full rather than cut mid-sentence |
Does the province you live in change anything?
On some cards, yes, and on a few it decides whether you have coverage at all. 44 certificates carry a province clause. Most describe how Quebec’s Civil Code governs the time limit for bringing an action, which is a procedural difference rather than a coverage one. But 5 of them state that the coverage or the card itself is not available to Quebec residents, which is a different matter entirely.
These are reproduced word for word rather than summarised. A clause about a limitation period and a clause withdrawing a product from a province look alike in a summary and are nothing alike in practice.
| Card | What the certificate says about province |
|---|---|
| American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve CardAmerican Express · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| American Express Aeroplan CardAmerican Express · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve CardAmerican Express · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| American Express Business Edge CardAmerican Express · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| American Express Business Gold Rewards CardAmerican Express · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| American Express Business Platinum CardAmerican Express · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| American Express Cobalt CardAmerican Express · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| American Express Gold Rewards CardAmerican Express · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| American Express Platinum CardAmerican Express · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| Marriott Bonvoy American Express CardAmerican Express · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express CardAmerican Express · certificate | For actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Civil Code of Quebec. |
| BMO Ascend World Elite MastercardBMO · certificate | For those actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Quebec Civil Code. |
| BMO eclipse rise VisaBMO · certificate | For those actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Quebec Civil Code. |
| BMO eclipse Visa InfiniteBMO · certificate | For those actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Quebec Civil Code. |
| BMO eclipse Visa Infinite PrivilegeBMO · certificate | For those actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Quebec Civil Code. |
| BMO Rewards Business MastercardBMO · certificate | For those actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Quebec Civil Code. |
| BMO VIPorter MastercardBMO · certificate | For those actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Quebec Civil Code. |
| BMO VIPorter World Elite MastercardBMO · certificate | For those actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Quebec Civil Code. |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Business PlusCIBC · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa InfiniteCIBC · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite PrivilegeCIBC · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| CIBC Aventura Gold VisaCIBC · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| CIBC Aventura Visa InfiniteCIBC · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite PrivilegeCIBC · certificate | Except in Quebec where the provisions set out under section 2496 of the Civil Code of Quebec shall apply, this insurance is strictly excess coverage and does not apply as contributing insurance. |
| National Bank World Elite MastercardNational Bank · certificate | Every action or proceeding against an insurer for the recovery of insurance money payable under the contract is absolutely barred unless commenced within 3 years. |
| Cathay World Elite® Mastercard® – powered by NeoNeo Financial · certificate | The Cathay World Elite® Mastercard is not available in Quebec. |
| United® MileagePlus® Neo World Elite® Mastercard®Neo Financial · certificate | Coverage is not available to residents of Quebec. |
| More Rewards RBC VisaRBC · certificate | For those actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Quebec Civil Code. |
| More Rewards RBC Visa InfiniteRBC · certificate | This product is not available to residents of Quebec. |
| RBC Avion Visa InfiniteRBC · certificate | For those actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Quebec Civil Code. |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite PrivilegeRBC · certificate | A legal guardian must complete the claim process on behalf of a covered person under the age of eighteen (18) who resides in Quebec or under the age of sixteen (16) who resides in the rest of Canada. |
| RBC Avion Visa PlatinumRBC · certificate | For those actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Quebec Civil Code. |
| WestJet RBC MastercardRBC · certificate | For those actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Quebec Civil Code. |
| WestJet RBC World Elite MastercardRBC · certificate | For those actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Quebec Civil Code. |
| WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard for BusinessRBC · certificate | A legal guardian must complete the claim process on behalf of a covered person under the age of eighteen (18) who resides in Quebec or under the age of sixteen (16) who resides in the rest of Canada. |
| Rogers Red World Elite MastercardRogers Bank · certificate | For those actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Quebec Civil Code. |
| TD Aeroplan Visa InfiniteTD · certificate | For actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Civil Code of Quebec. |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite PrivilegeTD · certificate | For actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Civil Code of Quebec. |
| TD Aeroplan Visa PlatinumTD · certificate | For actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Civil Code of Quebec. |
| TD First Class Travel Visa InfiniteTD · certificate | For actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Civil Code of Quebec. |
| TD Platinum Travel VisaTD · certificate | For actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Civil Code of Quebec. |
| TD Rewards VisaTD · certificate | For actions or proceedings governed by the laws of Quebec, the prescriptive period is set out in the Civil Code of Quebec. |
| Wealthsimple Visa InfiniteWealthsimple · certificate | Coverage is not available to residents of Quebec. |
| Wealthsimple Visa Infinite PrivilegeWealthsimple · certificate | Coverage is not available to residents of Quebec. |
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to activate credit card travel insurance?
No. Of the 55 cards whose certificates address it, not one require you to activate, register or enrol the coverage before travelling. It is in force because you hold the card. What the certificates do require is that the trip be paid for in a particular way, which is a different condition and one that varies a great deal by card.
How long do you have to make a credit card travel insurance claim?
It varies threefold and it is the single most important date in the certificate: 30 days on 21, 45 days on 10, 90 days on 23 of the 54 cards here. The clock runs from the incident, not from when you get home or when the bill arrives. Miss it and the insurer can decline a claim that would otherwise have been payable, so find your card's figure before you need it rather than after.
How long do you have to send proof of loss?
90 days on all 46 of the cards stating a separate proof-of-loss window. This is the deadline for the documents, and it is distinct from the deadline for telling the insurer a claim is coming. Reporting on time does not extend it.
Is your spouse covered by your credit card travel insurance?
Usually but not always. 49 of the 56 cards here extend coverage to a spouse and dependent children, and 7 cover the cardholder alone. Where dependants are covered, the age cut-off is under 20 on 8, under 21 on 37, under 22 on 5, commonly with a longer limit for a full-time student. The definition of a spouse is set by the certificate rather than by provincial family law, and it is quoted per card above.