Kolkata: SBI Card has decided to abandon the practice of offering complimentary air accident insurance on several of credit cards. Close on the heels of the Ahmedabad plane crash, this move marks a major step in the policy of SBI cards. This feature is now available on several SBI cards including premium and co-branded cards. This shield spoke of offering a coverage of up to Rs 1 crore. The new decision will impact both SBI and partner bank cards.

According to reports, the withdrawal of the insurance cover will take place in two steps. From July 15, this feature will not be available on SBI Card ELITE and SBI Card PRIME. The nest step will become effective from August 11, when several co-branded cards will stop carrying this benefit. Some of these cards are UCO Bank SBI Card ELITE, Punjab & Sind Bank SBI Card PRIME etc.

List of the cards impacted

From July 15, 2025, the following SBI-branded cards will no longer offer complimentary air accident insurance:

SBI Card ELITE, SBI Card Miles ELITE, SBI Card Miles PRIME, SBI Card PRIME, SBI Card Pulse

From August 11, 2025, air accident insurance covers will stand withdrawn from the following co-branded credit cards:

UCO Bank SBI Card ELITE, Central Bank of India SBI Card ELITE, Punjab & Sind Bank SBI Card ELITE, Karur Vysya Bank SBI Card ELITE, Karur Vysya Bank SBI Signature Credit Card, Allahabad Bank SBI Card ELITE, UCO Bank SBI Card PRIME, Central Bank of India SBI Card PRIME, Punjab & Sind Bank SBI Card PRIME, Karur Vysya Bank SBI Card PRIME, Karur Vysya Bank SBI Platinum Credit Card, South Indian Bank SBI Card PRIME, South Indian Bank SBI Platinum Credit Card, Karnataka Bank SBI Card PRIME, Karnataka Bank SBI Platinum Credit Card, City Union Bank SBI Card PRIME, Allahabad Bank SBI Card PRIME, Union Bank of India SBI Platinum Credit Card, Oriental Bank of Commerce SBI VISA Platinum Credit Card, Federal Bank SBI Platinum Credit Card and Bank of Maharashtra SBI Platinum Credit Card.

Since SBI Card has not communicated any new benefit to replace the air accident coverage, those who used these cards could be considering other options. Perhaps they could scout for travel insurance plans for cover during air travel. Flight accident insurance is usually offered as a part of a travel insurance plan. It can also be purchased as an add on.