My Chase Travel Insurance Claim Was Denied… Until It Wasn’t
You know those travel insurance claims that feel like they’re never going to get resolved? The ones you file, gather paperwork for, appeal, and then eventually just… forget about?
Well, this morning I opened my email and saw a message from Chase Travel Insurance (Virginia Surety) saying a claim from September was paid. I literally had to blink twice to make sure I was reading it right.
If you’re curious which cards I personally carry (including the Chase Sapphire Reserve that covered this mess), you can see everything in What’s In My Wallet.
Because this one? This was one of the most confusing claims I’ve ever filed.
If you’re new to Chase’s travel protections, I break down the benefits I actually use in my Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits Guide— including the travel insurance that saved me on this trip.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only share products and services I truly use and love. Thank you for supporting No Point Left Behind.
⭐ What Happened: A Multi‑Country Delay Mess
This trip had everything:
A delay leaving Athens, Greece
Getting stuck in Amsterdam because only one runway was open
Missing our connection in Atlanta
Weather‑related delays (so no airline support)
And to make it even more fun, I had booked the flights through Air France, but we actually flew Delta and KLM.
If you’ve ever tried to get documentation from multiple airlines for one itinerary… you already know where this is going.
⭐ The Documentation Nightmare
Chase needed a delay/cancellation letter. Simple, right?
Except:
Air France said Delta should write it
Delta said KLM should write it
KLM said Air France should write it
So I did what any travel hacker would do: I asked all three for letters and used the one that came the closest.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was the best I could get.
⭐ The Denial
A few weeks later, I got the email:
Denied.
Honestly? I wasn’t shocked. The documentation was messy, and the situation was complicated.
But I also knew the delay was legitimate, and the expenses were eligible. So I decided to appeal.
⭐ The Appeal I Filed… and Then Forgot About
Back in November, I gathered:
All the receipts
All three airline letters
Screenshots
Boarding passes
My explanation of the timeline
I submitted everything and fully expected a long wait.
And then? Nothing. Not a single update.
I completely forgot about the claim — until this morning.
⭐ The Surprise Approval
Eight months later, out of nowhere, I got the email:
“Your claim has been paid.”
No warning. No follow‑up questions. No additional documentation requests.
Just… approved.
And honestly? I’m grateful. This one was a mess from start to finish, and I wasn’t sure it would ever get resolved.
⭐ What I Would Do Differently Next Time
This experience taught me a few things I’ll absolutely do differently going forward:
Copy every single document before sending it. I had zero records left after submitting the appeal.
Save airline letters in multiple places. Especially when multiple carriers are involved.
Appeal if you believe the claim is valid. Denials aren’t always the end.
Expect long timelines. Some claims take months — especially appeals.
⭐ What You Should Do If You Ever Need to File a Claim
Here’s what I recommend for anyone who wants to be prepared:
Save every receipt
Screenshot delays as they happen
Request airline letters early
Keep your own digital folder
Don’t be afraid to appeal
If you want to understand how Chase travel insurance works in real life, I’ve documented several of our claims:
👉 Chase Travel Insurance Guide
More Real‑Life Claim Stories & Chase Travel Wins
Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance: What’s Actually Covered
Your full guide to Chase Sapphire Preferred + Reserve travel protections, written in plain English with real examples from your family’s trips.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Medical Claim: Las Vegas
A real medical reimbursement story that shows exactly how Chase handles emergency medical claims in the U.S.
Hyatt Regency Miami Review: Bonus Day
The unexpected “bonus day” Chase covered when your flights were delayed before a cruise — plus a full review of the Hyatt Regency Miami.
⭐ About the Author
Hi, I’m Julie — the creator of No Point Left Behind, where I teach families and retirees how to travel smarter using points, miles, and real‑life strategies that actually work. I’m a lifelong travel hacker, a mom, and the daughter of two retirees who are now my favorite travel‑hacking success story.
If you want more real‑life travel hacking tips, you can follow me on Facebook or join my Travel Hacking Moms Group — it’s the friendliest place on the internet to learn this stuff.
