Which credit cards offer purchase protection?
This article was last updated Jan 29, 2019. Terms and conditions may have changed. For the most accurate information, please consult the issuer website.
When you buy an expensive item such as a laptop, the last thing you want to worry about is if it gets stolen or damaged. The costs involved to repair or replace it can be costly, especially if it isn’t covered by a warranty or insurance. However, select credit cards may provide coverage in these situations via purchase protection. This benefit comes at no additional cost and can be a cost-efficient and helpful alternative to purchasing individual insurance for items.
If an item you bought becomes stolen or damaged, purchase protection may provide repair, replacement or reimbursement up to the cost of the item if you make the purchase on the card offering purchase protection. Just know, coverage is secondary to any existing insurance you have, such as homeowners insurance or warranties. The maximum coverage amounts and restrictions differ by card issuer, so you should familiarize yourself with the exact terms prior to filing a claim.
Here, we’ll review the purchase protection terms provided by major issuers, exclusions, and how to file a claim.
Purchase protection by issuer
Some card issuers cut back on purchase protection benefits last year, and some, like Discover, removed the benefit altogether. However, there are still some cards that offer this perk. If this is a benefit you’re interested in, consider cards from the issuers mentioned below. Just know, the protection differs by issuer and may change or be discontinued at anytime. Therefore, it’s not recommended to choose a card solely based on the prospect of purchase protection.
Here are the purchase protection terms for major card issuers:
| Issuer | Maximum coverage per item | Maximum coverage per calendar year per account | Return window |
| American Express | $1,000
$10,000 for select cardholders (The Platinum Card® from American Express, Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express, American Express® Gold Card, and The American Express® Gold Card for Ameriprise Financial) |
$50,000 | Within 90 days of purchase |
| Bank of America | $500
$10,000 for Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Visa® credit card and Merrill-branded cardholders |
Not specified | Within 90 days of purchase |
| Barclays | $1,000 | $50,000 | Within 90 days of purchase and only available on World and World Elite cards |
| Capital One | $500 for Visa Signature cards
$10,000 for Visa Professional and Business cards |
$50,000 | Within 90 days of purchase and only available on Visa Signature, Professional and Business cards |
| Chase | $500
$10,000 for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, United-branded cards, and business cards |
$50,000 | Within 120 days of purchase |
| Citi | $1,000 for core cards (Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer)
$10,000 for travel cards (Citi Premier℠ Card) and elite cards (Citi Prestige® Credit Card*) |
$50,000 | Within 90 days of purchase |
Popular American Express cards with purchase protection:
Popular Bank of America cards with purchase protection:
Popular Barclays card with purchase protection:
Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite Mastercard®
Popular Capital One cards with purchase protection:
Popular Chase cards with purchase protection:
Popular Citi cards with purchase protection:
What are the exclusions?
In addition to setting maximum coverage amounts and return windows, shipping and handling costs are typically excluded from reimbursement. And, purchase protection doesn’t cover everything you buy with your card. However, many items that are excluded aren’t things you’d typically return, such as animals and living plants.
Here are the common items that don’t qualify for purchase protection:
- Motorized vehicles (cars, boats, motorcycles) and their attached parts (including tires)
- Collectible, one-of-a-kind, custom-built, and limited edition items (antiques, coins, furs, art, sports memorabilia, stamps, for example)
- Computer software
- Cash (including rare or precious coins), gift cards, checks, promissory notes or any other financial document that represents money
- Items that can spoil or are consumable and need to be replaced after they have been used for a period of time (food, fuel, batteries, medications, beauty products or personal care products)
- Animals
- Living plants
- Permanent household fixtures
- Items rented, leased or borrowed
- Business fixtures (air conditioners, refrigerators, heaters)
- Hospital, medical and dental equipment and devices
In addition to excluded items, certain types of damage are often excluded:
- Normal wear and tear
- Fraud, abuse or illegal activity
- Item not reasonably secured
- Product defect
How to file a claim
Purchase protection claims can be filed one of several ways: by calling your card issuer, submitting a claim form online, or mailing a claim form. When you file a claim, you’ll typically need your purchase receipt, proof of theft or damage, the damaged item (if applicable), and any additional documents your card issuer may request. Listed below are ways to get the process going with the major card issuers:
- American Express: 1-800-322-1277 or visit AmericanExpress.com/onlineclaim
- Bank of America: 1-800-Mastercard for Mastercards and 1-800-553-4820 for Visa cards
- Barclays: Visit MyCardBenefits.com or call 1-800-Mastercard
- Capital One: 1-800-VISA-911
- Chase: 1-888-320-9656 or visit eclaimsline.com
- Citi: 1-866-918-4670 or visit cardbenefits.citi.com
Can I keep the item after I file a claim?
Most likely not — if your item was damaged, your card issuer may require you to mail the eligible item to a warehouse where it’ll be inspected. In some cases, you may be reimbursed for the shipping cost to mail the item to the warehouse.
Read our guides on price protection, return protection and extended warranty protection.
*The information related to the Citi Prestige® Credit Card has been collected by CompareCards and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
