How do I activate the Alterna Visa Infinite travel insurance?

Most benefits apply automatically once you hold the card, but the conditions differ by benefit. Emergency medical coverage is active while you travel, though you must call Desjardins assistance at 1-800-463-1623 before any treatment. For trip cancellation, interruption, and delay, the trip must be prepaid with the card for you, your spouse, or dependent children. For rental car coverage, decline the counter collision waiver and charge the full rental to the card. There is no separate registration step.

Who is covered under the Alterna Visa Infinite travel insurance?

Coverage extends to the primary cardholder, their spouse, and dependent children, when the trip is charged to the card. The limit that matters most is age on emergency medical: coverage lasts 60 days for travellers under 60, 31 days at 60 to 64, 10 days at 65 to 75, and 0 days at 76 and over. Older travellers, or anyone on a longer trip, need extended coverage from Desjardins for the days beyond the cap.

Does the Alterna Visa Infinite offer primary or secondary rental car coverage?

Primary. The Visa Infinite covers auto rental collision and loss damage as primary coverage, which means you claim directly with Assurant without first going through your personal auto insurer. It pays the vehicle's actual cash value plus loss of use and towing, for rentals up to 48 consecutive days. To use it, reserve and pay the full rental with the card and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver at the counter. Vehicles with an MSRP above $65,000 are excluded.

How do I file a claim with the Alterna Visa Infinite?

It depends on the benefit. For a medical emergency, call Desjardins assistance at 1-800-463-1623 (collect at +1-418-647-5299) before any treatment. For trip cancellation or interruption, file with Desjardins as soon as possible and keep proof of non-refundability and your card statement. For rental, purchase, warranty, or mobile claims, go through Assurant at cardbenefits.assurant.com or 1-855-255-4037, and for a rental incident notify them within 48 hours.

What does the Alterna Visa Infinite travel insurance NOT cover?

The biggest limit is the age cap on emergency medical: 10 days at 65 to 75 and nothing at 76 and over, so a longer trip past 65 needs extra coverage. Pre-existing conditions are excluded unless stable for the period before departure (3 months for travellers under 55, longer at older ages). Trip cancellation is capped at $2,000 per insured and covers only listed reasons. On the rental side, third-party liability, personal effects, vehicles over $65,000 MSRP, exotics and trucks are excluded. There is also no travel accident (AD&D) benefit.

Does the Alterna Visa Infinite cover emergency medical expenses abroad?

Yes, up to $5,000,000 per insured, underwritten by Desjardins. Your provincial health plan pays almost nothing outside Canada, so this is the benefit that matters most. Two conditions decide whether it works for you: you must call the assistance line before treatment, and coverage lasts only as long as the age-based day cap (60 days under 60, down to 10 days at 65 to 75, none at 76 and over). Coverage is excess of your provincial plan, so you may advance costs and claim afterward.

What types of vehicles are not covered by the Alterna Visa Infinite rental benefit?

The collision benefit excludes vehicles with a manufacturer's suggested retail price above $65,000, plus luxury and exotic cars, trucks and pickups, large vans (more than 8 occupants), campers and trailers, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, antiques, and leased vehicles. Standard cars, SUVs, and minivans are covered for rentals up to 48 consecutive days. Confirm your vehicle qualifies before you decline the counter waiver.

Is cell phone protection included with the Alterna Visa Infinite?

Yes, within limits. Mobile device insurance reimburses repair or replacement of a new phone or tablet up to $1,000, provided you charged the full purchase price to the card. A deductible of $25 to $100 applies based on the device price, with 2% depreciation for each month since purchase. You are limited to one claim per 12 months. Report loss or theft to your wireless carrier within 48 hours and file with Assurant within 14 days.

Is the Alterna Visa Infinite enough for travellers 65 and over?

For short trips, yes. For longer ones, no. Emergency medical is strong at $5,000,000, but it lasts only 10 days for travellers 65 to 75 and zero days at 76 and over. Anyone over 65 travelling longer than 10 days should buy extended coverage from Desjardins, or a standalone travel medical policy, for the rest of the trip. Under 65, the 60-day window covers most vacations comfortably.

What does the insurance on my Alterna Visa Infinite card actually cover?

Alterna Savings·CA$120/year·Visa Infinite·Desjardins Insurance (travel); American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida / Assurant (purchase, warranty, mobile, auto rental)

Pauline LauroreAuthor of HelloSafe's card insurance reviewsUpdated June 30, 20268 min read

3,9/5Independent review · verified June 2026

Travel Insurance

3,9

Car Rental

4,2

Protection

3,0

Our Verdict · Travel Insurance

Our take on travel insurance for the Alterna Savings Visa Infinite

Expert review · Pauline LauroreAuthor of HelloSafe's card insurance reviews

The Visa Infinite is a real travel card, not a token one. Emergency medical runs up to $5,000,000, underwritten by Desjardins, with 24/7 assistance you must call before any treatment. Trip cancellation covers $2,000 per insured for you, your spouse, and dependent children when the trip is charged to the card. The catch is age. Medical lasts 60 days under 60, drops to 31 days at 60 to 64, just 10 days at 65 to 75, and disappears at 76. If you are over 65 and travelling longer than 10 days, that $5,000,000 headline is the trap: buy extended coverage from Desjardins for the rest of the trip. Coverage is also excess of your provincial plan, so you advance costs and claim afterward.

What works on travel

Emergency medical up to $5,000,000 per insured, with 24/7 assistance
Trip cancellation $2,000 per insured (you, spouse, dependent children), top-up available
Interruption and early or delayed return covered with no dollar cap
60 days of medical coverage per trip for travellers under 60

Where travel breaks down

Medical drops to 10 days at 65 to 75 and to zero at 76 and over
Reimbursement model: you advance the hospital bill, then claim, with pre-authorization required
Pre-existing conditions must be stable before departure or they are excluded
No travel accident (AD&D) or hotel theft benefit

Our methodology

Every score is derived from official bank documents: terms and conditions, benefit guides, and claim procedures. No commercial relationship influences our ratings.

Travel Insurance · 11 guarantees

What does Alterna Savings Visa Infinite Travel Insurance actually cover?

The trip must be prepaid with the card for you, your spouse, or your dependent children.

You book a trip, charge it to the card, then break an ankle a week before departure. Trip cancellation reimburses up to $2,000 per insured for the non-refundable, prepaid portion charged to the card.

What's covered

Up to $2,000 per insured
Covers you, your spouse, and dependent children
Top-up available above $2,000 (see the certificate)

What's not covered

Pre-existing conditions not stable before booking
Events known at the time of booking
Reasons not listed in the certificate

Day cap by age: 60 days under 60, 31 days at 60 to 64, 10 days at 65 to 75, 0 days at 76 and over. Over 65 on a longer trip, buy extended coverage from Desjardins.

You end up in a US emergency room and the bill climbs past $40,000. Emergency health care covers eligible medical expenses up to $5,000,000, but you must call Desjardins assistance before treatment, and coverage is excess of your provincial plan.

What's covered

Up to $5,000,000 in eligible expenses
24/7 assistance (call before treatment)
60 days per trip for travellers under 60

What's not covered

Trips longer than the age-based day limit
Travellers 76 and over (0 days, extended coverage required)
Pre-existing conditions not stable for the period before departure

Pre-authorization through the assistance line is required.

If you need an air ambulance home or a transfer to the nearest suitable hospital, the emergency medical benefit arranges and pays for it, within the $5,000,000 limit. Call Desjardins assistance first; they coordinate and pay providers directly where possible.

What's covered

Medical evacuation and repatriation within the medical limit
Arranged through Desjardins 24/7 assistance
Repatriation of remains covered

What's not covered

Transport arranged without prior approval from assistance
Expenses beyond the $5,000,000 medical maximum

Interruption sits inside the Trip Cancellation coverage, not a separate benefit.

A family emergency cuts your trip short. The early or delayed return portion of trip cancellation coverage pays the extra transport home, with no dollar cap stated in the certificate.

What's covered

Early or delayed return covered with no dollar limit
Delayed departure or missed connection up to $2,000
Default of a travel supplier up to $2,000

What's not covered

Pre-existing conditions not stable before departure
Reasons not listed in the certificate

This sits within the $2,000 trip cancellation coverage, not a separate meals-and-hotel delay benefit.

Your departing flight is delayed and you miss a connection. Trip cancellation coverage reimburses delayed departure or a missed connection up to $2,000 on a trip charged to the card.

What's covered

Delayed departure or missed connection up to $2,000
Applies to trips charged to the card

What's not covered

Delays known before booking
Costs beyond the $2,000 limit

Shares the $2,000 limit with delayed departure.

Miss a connection because your inbound flight ran late? Rebooking and related costs fall under the delayed departure or missed connection benefit, up to $2,000.

Part of the Trip Cancellation coverage.

If a covered emergency forces you home early, the early or delayed return benefit covers the extra transport cost, with no dollar cap in the certificate.

Keep receipts and get written confirmation of the delay from the carrier.

Your checked bag is late and you need a change of clothes and toiletries. Baggage coverage reimburses late delivery up to $500.

What's covered

Up to $500 for late delivery of baggage
Applies per trip per insured

What's not covered

Day limit by age: 60 days under 60, 31 at 60 to 64, 10 at 65 and over

Report the loss to the carrier or police and keep the written report.

A bag is stolen or destroyed in transit. Baggage coverage pays up to $1,000 for theft of or damage to your baggage.

What's covered

Up to $1,000 for theft or damage
Applies per trip per insured

What's not covered

Day limit by age (60/31/10 days)
Valuables and electronics may be sub-limited (see certificate)

No standalone travel accident (accidental death and dismemberment) benefit on this card.

No specific hotel burglary or in-room theft benefit. Theft of baggage is handled under baggage coverage instead.

We source benefits from official card guides, but PDFs are sometimes hard to obtain or update. Spotted something off?

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Coverage Radar

Where the Alterna Savings Visa Infinite wins, where it loses

Coverage snapshot for this tab — click any layer to highlight its scores.

Compare

Visa InfiniteThis card3.9/5?

$120/yr

With travel insuranceIdeal

Complete coverage · 5.0 / 5

Premium card avg.

$150 avg. annual fee

Click a layer to highlight its scores on the radar.

Side-by-side comparison

How the Alterna Savings Visa Infinite stacks up against the alternatives

Same 5 coverage dimensions, ranked head-to-head against the cards most Visa Infinite shoppers also consider.

Card	This card Visa Infinite Alterna Savings · $120/yr 3.9/5?	Rewards World Elite Mastercard BMO · $150/yr 4.3/5?	World Elite Mastercard ATB Financial · $120/yr 4.1/5?
Trip cancellation Per person, per trip cap	$2,000 / insured	$2,500 / person ($5,000 / account) $0 deductible	$1,000 / person (max $5,000 / trip)
Emergency medical Hospital bills abroad	$5,000,000 (age-tiered days)	$2,000,000 (under 65, first 21 days) First 21 days only	$2,000,000 / person · ≤22 days · under 65
Emergency evacuation Air ambulance + repatriation	Actual cost (within medical)	Actual cost (pre-authorization required) Pre-authorization required	Included (within medical)
Trip delay trigger Hours before benefits kick in	$2,000 (delayed departure)	$500 / account / trip (6h+ delay) Trigger: 6 hours	$500 / trip ($250/day, up to 2 days)
Trip interruption Covered amount	Unlimited (early/delayed return)	$2,000 / person Up to $2,000 / person	$1,000 / person (max $5,000 / trip)

StrongLimited / misleadingNot covered

Data verified against each card's Guide to Benefits, May 2026.

Travel emergency assistance (Canada and US)

1-800-463-1623

Travel assistance (collect, worldwide)

+1-418-647-5299

Benefit administrator: Travel insurance underwritten by Desjardins Insurance, 24/7 assistance via Desjardins. Purchase, warranty, mobile device, and auto rental underwritten by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida (Assurant), Collabria Group Policy CFS102017.

Claims & pre-authorizations

How to claim on the Visa Infinite

Medical emergency: call before treatment

Call Desjardins assistance at 1-800-463-1623, or collect at +1-418-647-5299, before any treatment so costs can be coordinated and, where possible, paid directly.

Trip cancellation or interruption: file as soon as it happens

Keep proof of non-refundability from each supplier, your card statement showing the trip charged to the card, and any medical documentation. Submit to Desjardins without delay.

Rental, purchase, warranty, or mobile: claim with Assurant

File at cardbenefits.assurant.com or call 1-855-255-4037. For a rental incident, notify Assurant within 48 hours and keep the rental agreement, repair bill, and a police report if damage exceeds $1,000.

Most benefits apply automatically once you hold the card, but the conditions differ by benefit. Emergency medical coverage is active while you travel, though you must call Desjardins assistance at 1-800-463-1623 before any treatment. For trip cancellation, interruption, and delay, the trip must be prepaid with the card for you, your spouse, or dependent children. For rental car coverage, decline the counter collision waiver and charge the full rental to the card. There is no separate registration step.
Coverage extends to the primary cardholder, their spouse, and dependent children, when the trip is charged to the card. The limit that matters most is age on emergency medical: coverage lasts 60 days for travellers under 60, 31 days at 60 to 64, 10 days at 65 to 75, and 0 days at 76 and over. Older travellers, or anyone on a longer trip, need extended coverage from Desjardins for the days beyond the cap.
Primary. The Visa Infinite covers auto rental collision and loss damage as primary coverage, which means you claim directly with Assurant without first going through your personal auto insurer. It pays the vehicle's actual cash value plus loss of use and towing, for rentals up to 48 consecutive days. To use it, reserve and pay the full rental with the card and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver at the counter. Vehicles with an MSRP above $65,000 are excluded.
It depends on the benefit. For a medical emergency, call Desjardins assistance at 1-800-463-1623 (collect at +1-418-647-5299) before any treatment. For trip cancellation or interruption, file with Desjardins as soon as possible and keep proof of non-refundability and your card statement. For rental, purchase, warranty, or mobile claims, go through Assurant at cardbenefits.assurant.com or 1-855-255-4037, and for a rental incident notify them within 48 hours.
The biggest limit is the age cap on emergency medical: 10 days at 65 to 75 and nothing at 76 and over, so a longer trip past 65 needs extra coverage. Pre-existing conditions are excluded unless stable for the period before departure (3 months for travellers under 55, longer at older ages). Trip cancellation is capped at $2,000 per insured and covers only listed reasons. On the rental side, third-party liability, personal effects, vehicles over $65,000 MSRP, exotics and trucks are excluded. There is also no travel accident (AD&D) benefit.
Yes, up to $5,000,000 per insured, underwritten by Desjardins. Your provincial health plan pays almost nothing outside Canada, so this is the benefit that matters most. Two conditions decide whether it works for you: you must call the assistance line before treatment, and coverage lasts only as long as the age-based day cap (60 days under 60, down to 10 days at 65 to 75, none at 76 and over). Coverage is excess of your provincial plan, so you may advance costs and claim afterward.
The collision benefit excludes vehicles with a manufacturer's suggested retail price above $65,000, plus luxury and exotic cars, trucks and pickups, large vans (more than 8 occupants), campers and trailers, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, antiques, and leased vehicles. Standard cars, SUVs, and minivans are covered for rentals up to 48 consecutive days. Confirm your vehicle qualifies before you decline the counter waiver.
Yes, within limits. Mobile device insurance reimburses repair or replacement of a new phone or tablet up to $1,000, provided you charged the full purchase price to the card. A deductible of $25 to $100 applies based on the device price, with 2% depreciation for each month since purchase. You are limited to one claim per 12 months. Report loss or theft to your wireless carrier within 48 hours and file with Assurant within 14 days.
For short trips, yes. For longer ones, no. Emergency medical is strong at $5,000,000, but it lasts only 10 days for travellers 65 to 75 and zero days at 76 and over. Anyone over 65 travelling longer than 10 days should buy extended coverage from Desjardins, or a standalone travel medical policy, for the rest of the trip. Under 65, the 60-day window covers most vacations comfortably.