Credit cards not only make shopping more convenient by allowing you to pay later, but they also often come with additional insurance to protect you from unexpected situations. However, few people carefully read the thick terms and conditions that are included when the card arrives, and if you do not understand the contents correctly, it may be completely useless in an emergency.

Here, we will explain in detail the ``three traps and precautions’’ that you should never overlook when it comes to credit card supplementary insurance.

⚠️ Point 1: Definitive difference between automatic attachment and usage attachment

This is the most common misconception and the most important one.

• Automatic coverage: Insurance will be applied automatically just by having the credit card (just putting it in your wallet).
• Usage incidental: Applicable only when paying for public transportation fares and tour fees up until the departure of the trip using the credit card.

In recent years, in response to the wave of cost reductions, many credit card companies have changed the terms and conditions of travel insurance from automatic insurance to usage-based insurance. There are many cases where cards that were automatically attached a few years ago have been changed to use-enabled cards without anyone noticing. Please always check the website for the latest applicable terms and conditions before departing on your trip.

⚠️ Point 2: Is the limit sufficient for the “injury/illness treatment” you use most?

When it comes to overseas travel insurance, the most frequently used insurance policy and the one that tends to be expensive is “illness or injury (injury/disease treatment)”. It’s easy to get caught up in the big numbers, such as the up to 20 million yen'' death benefit, but appendix treatment and fracture surgery alone can cost several million yen, and in some countries more than 10 million yen. Since it is not acceptable for a single card to have a limit of 1 million yen to 2 million yen for medical expenses, it is necessary to take measures such as having multiple cards and combining’’ the limits for treatment expenses, or covering the insufficient amount with a one-time overseas travel insurance policy.

⚠️ Point 3: Is there compensation for family members (family rider)?

Cards that come with a ``family rider’’ that covers not only yourself but also your accompanying family members (spouse and children) are extremely useful. However, family special provisions are often limited to some Gold Cards and above, and the compensation amount is also generally set lower than that of the primary cardholder. Make a list in advance of who will be covered, so you don’t panic because your child is not covered when they develop a fever.

Credit card insurance is a powerful talisman, but if you don’t know the conditions, it’s just a plastic card. Even this weekend, please take a close look at your coverage details from My Page.