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12 Best Travel Insurance Companies Of August 2024

Expert Reviewed

Updated: Aug 16, 2024, 3:59pm

Key Takeaways

• The best travel insurance companies are  PrimeCover,   Travel Insured International and WorldTrips , based on our analysis of 42 policies.
• Travel insurance policies can compensate you for unforeseen events that can happen before or during your trip. Examples include if you have to cancel your trip for a reason listed in the policy, experience a delay or get injured during your trip.
• Our analysis found the average cost of travel insurance is 6% of your insured trip cost.

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Via Forbes Advisor's Website

• Best Travel Medical Insurance
• Best “Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance
• Best Medical Insurance For Visitors
• Best Senior Travel Insurance

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• PrimeCover – Best for Evacuation
• Travel Insured International – Best for Non-Medical Evacuation
• WorldTrips – Great for Add-On Coverage
• TravelSafe – Best for Missed Connections
• Nationwide – Best for Policy Perks
• AIG – Best for Customization
• Seven Corners – Great for Medical & Evacuation
• AXA Assistance USA – Best for Baggage
• Generali Global Assistance – Great for Pre-Existing Medical Condition Coverage
• Travelex – Best for Families
• HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance – Best for Trip Interruption
• Nationwide – Great for Cruise Itinerary Change/Inconvenience

How We Chose the Best Travel Insurance

We assessed cost, travel medical and evacuation limits, baggage and trip delay benefits, the availability of cancellation and interruption upgrades, and more. Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the methodology for the ratings below.

• 42 travel insurance policies evaluated
• 1,596 coverage details analyzed
• 102 years of insurance experience on the editorial team

BEST FOR EVACUATION

Top-scoring plan

Average cost

Medical & evacuation limits per person

$250,000/$1 million

We recommend the Luxe policy because it has superior benefit limits for nearly all core coverage types. We were especially impressed with its generous evacuation coverage, short waiting periods for delays and wide range of optional benefits.

More:  PrimeCover Travel Insurance Review

• Provides “hospital of choice” in its medical evacuation coverage, meaning you choose the medical facility rather than being transported to the nearest adequate treatment center.
• Non-medical evacuation benefits of $100,000.
• Superior trip interruption reimbursement of 200%, which is twice as much as many competitors.
• You can buy a “cancel for any reason” upgrade within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, compared to 15 days for many other top-rated companies.
• Medical expense coverage of $250,000 per person is great, but some competitors provide $500,000.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Luxe policy.

Also included:

• Change benefits of $300 for changing original travel arrangements, such as transferring airlines.
• Itinerary change benefits of $500.
• Lost golf fee benefits of $500 and lost ski/snowboard fee benefits of $150.
• Rental property damage liability benefits of $1,500.
• Search and rescue benefits of $5,000.
• Sports equipment rental coverage of $1,000.
• Travel inconvenience coverage of $100 each for closed attractions and flight diversions.

Optional add-on coverage includes:

• AD&D flight-only choices of $100,000, $250,000 and $500,000.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade.
• Increased trip delay coverage choices of $4,000 or $7,000.
• “Interruption for any reason” upgrade.
• Rental car damage coverage of $50,000.

BEST FOR NON-MEDICAL EVACUATION

Travel insured international.

Worldwide Trip Protector

Average price

$100,000/$1 million

We recommend Travel Insured’s Worldwide Trip Protector policy because it offers robust benefits at the lowest average price among top-rated plans we analyzed. We also like its superior non-medical evacuation coverage.

More: Travel Insured International Travel Insurance Review

• “Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” upgrades available.
• Top-notch non-medical evacuation benefits of $150,000 per person.
• Good travel delay and baggage delay benefits kick in after just a three-hour delay.
• Medical coverage of $100,000 per person is on the low side compared to top competitors but might be enough for your needs.
• Missed connection benefits of $500 are low compared to top-rated competitors and for cruise and tours only.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Worldwide Trip Protector policy.

• Pet kennel benefits of up to $500 are included if you return home three hours or more later than your planned return date.

Optional add-ons offered:

• Rental car damage and theft coverage of up to $50,000.
• Event ticket protection pays up to $1,000 if you can’t attend for a reason covered by the policy.
• Travel inconvenience coverage allows you to recoup money for unforeseen circumstances, such as closed beaches and attractions, rainy weather, tarmac delays and more.
• Bed rest benefits pay up to $4,000 if a doctor requires you to stay on bed rest for at least 48 hours during your trip.

I have been working with Travel Insured for over 15 years, and have been using them almost exclusively. Typically, they have been quite responsive and pay their claims in a timely fashion.

– Stephanie Goldberg-Glazer, chief experience officer of Live Well, Travel Often

GREAT FOR ADD-ON COVERAGE

Atlas Journey Premier

We like the Atlas Journey Elevate plan for its wide choice of add-ons. These add-ons provide extra coverage for pets traveling with you, adventure sports, medical expenses, and more. We also like that this plan has a low average cost compared to competitors.

Another option is the Atlas Journey Escape plan, but this policy doesn’t offer the “interruption for any reason” upgrade and has lower travel medical benefits of $150,00 per person. Still, it hits all the marks for great benefits at a low price. It also offers lots of choices for add-on coverage.

More: WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review

• Very good travel delay benefits of $2,000 per person after only five hours.
• Good baggage insurance coverage of $2,500.
• Medical coverage limits of $150,000 aren’t as high compared to some top-rated competitors but you might find it’s sufficient.
• Baggage delay benefits have a 12-hour waiting period.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Atlas Journey Premier policy.

• Travel inconvenience benefits of $750 if your arrival home is delayed due to a transportation delay and you can’t work for at least two days, your flight lands at a different airport than scheduled, your passport is stolen and can’t be reissued, and more.
• “Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” coverage.
• Destination wedding coverage in case the wedding is canceled.
• Baggage insurance upgrade to $4,000 per person.
• Rental car theft and damage coverage of $50,000.
• Political or security evacuation benefits of $150,000 per person.
• Vacation rental accommodations coverage of $500 if unclean or overbooked.
• Adventure sports add-on to extend coverage to safaris, bungee jumping and more.
• Hunting and fishing coverage for equipment and cancellation due to government restrictions.
• School activities coverage if trip has to be canceled due a test, sporting event, etc.

WorldTrips offers a streamlined process for purchasing insurance online and filing claims. A user-friendly interface and efficient claims handling contribute to a positive customer experience and increased satisfaction.

– Joe Cronin , advisory board member

BEST FOR MISSED CONNECTIONS

Classic Plus Plan

TravelSafe’s Classic Plus plan stood out in our analysis for its superior missed connection benefits of $2,500. We also like the Classic Plus plan’s top-notch medical evacuation coverage of $1 million.

More: TravelSafe Travel Insurance Review

• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade available.
• Superior baggage loss coverage limits of $2,500.
• Great travel delay limits of $2,000 per person after a six-hour delay.
• $100,000 in medical benefits is on the low side compared to top competitors but might be sufficient for your needs.
• Baggage delay coverage is a little skimpy at $250 per person after a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Classic Plus policy.

• Itinerary change coverage of $250 per person if your travel supplier makes a change that forces you to lose non-refundable costs for missed activities.
• Reimburses $300 for fees if you have to redeposit frequent traveler awards for reasons covered by your trip cancellation insurance.
• Pet kennel coverage of $100 a day if your return home is delayed by 24 hours or more due to a reason covered in your policy.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage of 75% of lost trip costs.
• Accidental death and dismemberment for flights, up to $500,000 per person.
• Rental car damage and theft up to $35,000.
• Business equipment and sports equipment coverage of $1,000 if lost, stolen or damaged.

TravelSafe packs essential coverage into budget-friendly rates without skimping on key benefits, and its responsive claims handling preserves peace of mind.

– Timon van Basten, tour guide and founder of Travel Spain 24

BEST FOR POLICY PERKS

Cruise Luxury

$150,000/$1 million

Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury plan is one of our favorites because it has a treasure trove of benefits such as “interruption for any reason” and “cancel for work reasons” coverage. You can upgrade to “cancel for any reason” coverage. Some competitors offer none or one of those options. We also like its excellent missed connection benefit of $2,500 per person.

Note that you do not have to be going on a cruise to take advantage of this policy’s coverage.

More: Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

• “Interruption for any reason” benefit of $1,000 per person is included.
• Includes $25,000 per person in non-medical evacuation benefits for problems such as a natural disaster or security or political problem.
• Good travel delay benefits of $1,000 per person.
• Medical coverage of $150,000 per person is lower than most other top-rated plans but might be sufficient for your needs.
• 24-hour delay required for hurricane and weather coverage, compared to some competitor policies with only a 12-hour delay requirement.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Cruise Luxury policy.

• Inconvenience benefit of $250 per person if your cruise ship’s arrival at the next port of call is delayed for two or more hours due to mechanical breakdown or fire.
• “Interruption for any reason” up to $1,000.
• Coverage for extension of the school year, terrorism in an itinerary city, work-related emergency issues.
• Coverage if the CDC issues a health warning at your destination.

Optional add-on offered:

• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade that provides 75% reimbursement of insured trip cost if you cancel two or more days prior to your departure for a reason not listed in the base policy.

Count me in as a believer in Nationwide’s trusted track record in insurance. Their travel policies check all the boxes, especially for cruises. My only gripe is that some of their medical limits seem lower than other guys. But the rates are easy on the wallet.

– Tim Schmidt, travel expert, entrepreneur, published travel author and founder of All World

BEST FOR CUSTOMIZATION

Travel Guard Deluxe

The Travel Guard Deluxe plan impressed us with its optional pet, wedding, security, baggage, medical, adventures sports and travel inconvenience upgrades. These add-ons allow you to customize the policy to your needs. We also like that the policy includes benefits if, under certain conditions, you must start your trip earlier than planned—a feature not found in all policies.

More: AIG Travel Insurance Review

• Offers upgrades to meet the needs and budgets of many kinds of travelers.
• Includes $100,000 per person for security evacuation and superior medical evacuation coverage of $1 million per person.
• Provides up to $750 per person for “travel inconveniences” such as a flight delay to your return destination, runway delays and cruise diversions.
• Has good travel delay coverage of $1,000 per person, with a short waiting period of five hours.
• The Travel Guard Deluxe policy has robust coverage across the board but also a high average cost ($539) compared to other top-rated policies.
• Medical expense coverage of $100,000 per person is on the low side but might be adequate for your needs.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Travel Guard Deluxe policy.

• Travel inconvenience benefits of $750 total ($250 per problem) if you encounter issues such as closed attractions, cruise diversion, hotel infestation, hotel construction and more.
• Trip exchange benefits of 50% of your trip cost that pay the difference in price between your original reservation and the new one.
• Ancillary evacuation benefits up to $5,000 for expenses related to return of children, bedside visits, baggage return and more.
• Flight accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $100,000 per person.
• Rental vehicle damage coverage.
• “Name Your Family” upgrade allows you to add a person to your policy who will qualify for family member-related unforeseen events that can apply to claims for trip cancellation and interruption.
• Adventure Sports Bundle for adventure and extreme activities.
• Pet Bundle for boarding and medical expenses for illness or injury of dog or cat while traveling. Includes trip cancellation or trip interruption if your pet is in critical condition or dies within seven days before your departure.
• Wedding Bundle to cover trip cancellation due to wedding cancellation. Sorry cold-feeters: Coverage does not apply if you are the bride or groom.

The Travel Guard Preferred plan also earned 4.3 stars in our analysis. We recommend this policy if you’re looking for a lower price and don’t need the higher coverage amounts provided by the Deluxe plan. The Preferred plan provides $50,000 for medical expenses and $500,000 for medical evacuation benefits per person.

AIG’s TravelGuard offers an easy-to-use online platform for purchasing insurance and filing claims. A streamlined process minimizes hassle for customers, making it convenient to obtain coverage and receive reimbursement for eligible expenses.

GREAT FOR MEDICAL & EVACUATION COVERAGE

Seven corners.

Trip Protection Choice

$500,000/$1 million

We like Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Choice plan because it has superior travel medical expenses and evacuation benefits. It also provides great upgrade options and benefits across the board.

More: Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review

• “Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” upgrade available.
• Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person.
• Includes $20,000 for non-medical evacuation.
• Hurricane and weather coverage has a 48-hour delay, compared to some competitors that require only 12-hour delays.
• Average cost ($527) is only so-so compared to other top-rated policies we evaluated.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Trip Protection Choice policy.

• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $40,000 per person for qualifying common carrier events
• Change fee compensation of $300 per person if you have to change your flight or original travel arrangements due to qualifying events.
• Pet kennel benefits of $500 if your return home is delayed by six hours or more due to qualifying missed connection, interruption or delay problems.
• Frequent traveler coverage of $500 to pay for the cost to redeposit awards due to a trip cancellation caused by a reason listed in your policy.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage.
• “Interruption for any reason” coverage.
• Rental car damage coverage of $35,000.
• Sports & golf equipment rental coverage up to $5,000.
• Event ticket fee registration coverage of $15,000 if you can’t attend an event due to unforeseen reasons listed in trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

With over two decades of experience in the insurance industry, Seven Corners has built a reputation for reliability and customer service. Their track record of handling claims efficiently and providing support to customers in need adds to their credibility. Their Choice plan offers primary coverage, meaning they will pay all claims as if they are the primary insurer, so your claims will be processed faster.

BEST FOR BAGGAGE

Axa assistance usa.

Platinum Plan

AXA’s Platinum plan is among our favorites because it hits all the high points for coverage that you’ll want if you’re looking for top-notch protection, including excellent baggage benefits of $3,000 per person. Excellent medical and non-medical evacuation benefits are another reason we like the Platinum plan.

More: AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Review

• Generous medical and evacuation limits, plus $100,000 per person in non-medical evacuation—among the highest for plans we analyzed.
• Coverage for lost ski days, lost golf rounds and sports equipment rental.
• Travel delay and baggage coverage kicks in only after a 12-hour delay.
• The average cost for the Platinum plan is only so-so compared to other top-rated plans, although you do get robust coverage for the money.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Platinum policy.

• “Cancel for any reason” coverage
• Lost ski days
• Lost golf rounds

AXA Assistance USA impresses with its strong global reach and access to an extensive network of medical providers. This is particularly valuable in travel insurance, where emergencies can occur in any part of the world. Their attention to detail in crafting policies that include benefits for trip cancellations and interruptions adds a layer of security that reaffirms their strengths in protecting travelers against a wide array of potential issues.

– John Crist, founder of Prestizia Insurance

GREAT FOR PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION COVERAGE

Generali global assistance.

Generali’s Premium policy stood out in our analysis for its generous window for pre-existing condition coverage. Travelers with pre-existing conditions can get coverage as long as you buy a Premium policy up to or within 24 hours of your final trip deposit. Competitors often have a deadline of 10 to 20 days after making your first trip deposit .

We also like the policy’s excellent trip interruption insurance and superior medical evacuation benefits of $1 million per person.

More: Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance Review

• Excellent trip interruption coverage of up to 175% of your trip costs.
• Very good baggage loss coverage at $2,000 per person.
• If you want “cancel for any reason” coverage you must buy it within 24 hours of making your initial trip deposit, compared to 10 to 20 days from top competitors.
• This plan’s “cancel for any reason” coverage will reimburse you for only 60% of lost trip costs; most competitors provide 75%.
• Baggage delay benefits kick in only after a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Premium policy.

• Rental car coverage for theft and damage of $25,000.
• Sporting equipment coverage of $2,000.
• Sporting equipment delay coverage of $500.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade that reimburses you 60% of your insured trip cost if you cancel at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure.

Generali Global Assistance excels in providing user-friendly services and efficient claims processing, which enhances customer experience significantly. Their policies are particularly valuable due to the inclusion of concierge services, which can be a lifesaver during unforeseen travel disruptions.

– Pradeep Guragain, co-founder of Magical Nepal

BEST FOR FAMILIES

Travelex insurance services.

Travel Select

$50,000/$500,000

We recommend Travelex’s Travel Select plan for families because it provides coverage for children at no extra cost (when accompanied by an adult covered by the policy). Its average price is also among the lowest among the companies we evaluated, making it an option to take a look at

More: Travelex Travel Insurance Review

• Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person after a 5-hour delay.
• Medical coverage of $50,000 per person is on the low side, but you can buy an upgrade to double it.
• Baggage delay coverage requires a 12-hour delay and has a low $200 per person limit.
• Missed connection benefits of $750 per person are lower than many other competitors.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Travel Select policy.

• Sporting and golf equipment delay benefits of $200 after 24 hours or more.

Optional add-ons & upgrades offered:

• Medical coverage upgrade to $100,000 per person.
• Medical evacuation upgrade to $1 million per person.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage of 75% (up to max of $7,500).
• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $200,000 per person for flights.
• Financial default coverage if your travel supplier goes out of business that provides 100% reimbursement of your insured trip cost.
• Car rental collision coverage of $35,000.
• Adventure sports upgrade to cover activities that would otherwise be excluded.

Travelex is a go-to for many of our clients due to its straightforward coverage options and ease of use. The company excels in offering plans that are simple to understand, which is great for first-time buyers of travel insurance. However, their basic plans might lack the depth of coverage seen with more premium offerings.

– Jim Campbell, independent travel agent and founder of Honeymoons.com

BEST FOR TRIP INTERRUPTION

Hth worldwide.

TripProtector Preferred Plan

We were impressed by TripProtector Preferred’s superior trip interruption benefits—200% of the trip cost. Most competitors provide 150%. Luxury-level benefits are another reason we recommend the TripProtector Preferred plan.

More: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Review

• Top-notch coverage limits for medical expenses and evacuation.
• Coverage for adventure sports—such as zip-lining, snowmobiling, whitewater rafting, and more—are included.
• Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person after a 6-hour delay.
• Higher average price ($602) compared to most companies we evaluated, but you’re buying robust benefits.
• Baggage delay coverage requires a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the TripProtector Preferred policy.

• Pet medical expense coverage of $250 if your dog or cat traveling with you gets injured or sick during your trip.
• Rental car coverage of $35,000 for damage and theft.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade available that provides 75% reimbursement of trip costs if you cancel at least two days prior to your scheduled departure.

My experience with HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance has been positive. While their policies may come at a slightly higher cost, the peace of mind and level of coverage they offer make it worth considering for travelers seeking comprehensive protection. HTH Worldwide stands out for its extensive coverage of medical emergencies, which is essential for international travel. Their policies are flexible, allowing travelers to customize coverage based on their specific requirements, and their worldwide assistance services ensure travelers have access to support wherever they are in the world.

– Kevin Mercier, travel expert and founder of Kevmrc.com

GREAT FOR CRUISE ITINERARY CHANGE/INCONVENIENCE

Cruise Choice

$100,000/$500,000

The Cruise Choice plan gets our attention for its compensation if you miss activities because your cruise ship changes its itinerary and for the inconvenience of delays to the next port of call. The Cruise Choice plan’s competitive price is another reason we recommend taking a look.

• Includes ”interruption for any reason” coverage of $500 if you buy policy within 14 days of trip deposit.
• Includes $25,000 per person in non-medical evacuation benefits.
• Provides benefits if your cruise ship has a fire or mechanical breakdown that delays arrival at the next port of call for two or more hours.
• Medical coverage of $100,000 per person is lower than most other top-rated plans but might be sufficient for your needs.
• 24-hour delay required for hurricane and weather coverage, compared to many competitors with shorter required times.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage not available.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Cruise Choice policy.

• Shipboard service disruption of $200 per person if your cruise ship has a fire or mechanical breakdown that delays the next port of call for 2 or more hours or changes the scheduled itinerary.
• Coverage for an extended school year, terrorism in an itinerary city and work-related emergency issues.

Nationwide stands out primarily for its versatility in coverage options catering to diverse travel needs—a vital advantage often overlooked by travelers until they face a mishap. They have built a robust system for handling claims efficiently, which I find crucial for travel insurance, where timely support can dramatically impact the customer experience.

Source: Forbes Advisor Research. Average costs are based on various trip costs, ages and number of travelers.

The average cost of travel insurance is 6% of your trip cost , based on our analysis. The cost of travel insurance is usually mainly based on the age of travelers and the trip cost being insured.

Here’s a look at the average travel insurance cost for a 30-year-old woman traveling from California to Mexico for a 14-day trip.

What Affects Travel Insurance Costs?

Unlike many other types of insurance, there are usually only a few factors that go into travel insurance pricing.

Trip Cost Being Insured

The more trip costs you insure, the higher your travel insurance cost. Your trip cost includes any prepaid, non-refundable expenses, such as airfare, hotel accommodations, tours, event tickets, excursions and theme park passes.

The traveler’s age is also taken into account in travel insurance pricing. That’s because older travelers tend to have a higher likelihood of filing medical claims.

The more protection you buy, the more you’ll pay. For instance, if you opt for a “cancel for any reason” upgrade and generous travel medical expense coverage, you’ll pay more.

Comprehensive travel insurance policies package together a number of valuable benefits. You can also buy policies that cover only trip cancellation or only medical expenses. With the wide variety of travel insurance plans available, you can find coverage levels that will fit your budget and trip needs. The core types of travel insurance include the following:

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Trip cancellation insurance  reimburses you 100% for money you lose in prepaid, non-refundable deposits if you have to cancel for a reason listed in the policy. Common reasons include unexpected illness, injury and family member sickness. This is different from the “cancel for any reason” travel insurance upgrade.

Travel Medical Insurance

Travel medical insurance pays for ambulance service, X-rays, lab work, medicine, doctor and hospital bills, and other medical expenses during your trip, up to policy limits. Accidents and health issues can arise unexpectedly, so this is important coverage for travelers going abroad, where your U.S. health plan may have limited global coverage or no coverage.

Case Study: Food Poisoning in London

I was excited to try a highly regarded restaurant while visiting London, but shortly after lunch, I experienced severe nausea and symptoms suggesting food poisoning. It got worse so quickly that I had to rush to the emergency room for medicine and IV fluids. Thankfully, my travel insurance came through. It covered 100% of the $822 in hospital charges and medication costs. The claim process was surprisingly smooth—I just submitted my records and receipts online. This experience made me realize just how essential travel insurance is!

– Katy D., New York

Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance

Emergency medical evacuation insurance pays up to the policy limits to get you to the nearest adequate medical facility. This can especially come in handy if you are in a remote location and need emergency transportation for medical care.

Travel Delay Insurance

Travel delay insurance compensates you for expenses for things like meals and lodging if you’re stuck somewhere due to a delay that’s covered by your travel insurance plan. Specified waiting period before benefits apply—for example, six or 12 hours—and also a per-day maximum limit and a total maximum per person.

Trip Interruption Insurance

If you have to cut your trip short because of a reason listed in the policy, trip interruption insurance reimburses you for the non-refundable parts of your trip that you miss. It can also pay for a last-minute one-way ticket home if you have an emergency.

Baggage Insurance

Baggage insurance reimburses you for lost, stolen or damaged belongings.  But note that reimbursement is for the depreciated value of your items, not the cost to buy new ones.

And baggage delay insurance lets you recoup expenses for necessities, such as clothes and toiletries, while you wait for your luggage. Policies usually require a certain time delay before baggage delay coverage kicks in, such as six hours.

“Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance

“Cancel for any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance is optional coverage that allows you to cancel your trip for any reason that’s not listed in your base policy and be partially reimbursed for non-refundable trip costs.

You generally must cancel at least 48 hours before your departure time. Reimbursement under a CFAR claim is usually 75% or 50% of your trip costs. CFAR adds an average of about 50% to an insurance plan’s cost, but might be worth it if you want the most flexibility for trip cancellation.

“Interruption For Any Reason” Travel Insurance

“Interruption for any reason” (IFAR) travel insurance is an optional upgrade that permits you to cut short a trip for any reason and get up to 75%  reimbursement for the non-refundable money you lose. You usually must be at least 48 hours into your trip to file a claim. It typically adds 3% to 10% to your travel insurance cost.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance is included in some policies. If an accident that’s covered by the policy kills or dismembers the policyholder during the trip, travel accident insurance pays out the specified amount.

It usually pays out a percentage of the maximum benefit, depending on the loss.

EXPERT TIPS

How to Buy Travel Insurance

Michelle Megna

Insurance Lead Editor

Insurance Managing Editor

Ashlee Valentine

Insurance Editor

Les Masterson

Begin Shopping Right After Your First Trip Deposit

It’s wise to buy travel insurance immediately after you make your first trip deposit. That way, you get the maximum length of time for cancellation coverage. Plus, you’ll qualify for time-sensitive benefits, such as CFAR and pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers

Start by Estimating the Non-Refundable Trip Cost

The non-refundable trip cost is the amount you want to insure for trip cancellation. If you’re unsure of what the total cost will be, estimate the amount and then update it later with the travel insurance company, as long as you do so before your departure date.

Buy Travel Medical Insurance for International Trips

If you’re traveling outside the U.S., make sure you buy a policy with ample travel medical and emergency medical evacuation insurance. It’s important because you may have little to no coverage under your U.S. health plan. Look for a policy where the medical insurance is primary, meaning the policy will pay out first, before any other health insurance you have.

Check for Delay and Missed Connection Coverage

If you’re flying to your destination, your itinerary could be derailed by weather, airplane mechanical issues or missed connections. If you’re worried about paying extra money due to a delay or missed connections, look for a policy that has a generous amount of travel and baggage delay coverage and missed connection insurance. You’ll also want to find a policy with a short waiting period for delay coverage, such as six hours.

Decide How Much Cancellation Flexibility You Want

If you have a lot of non-refundable expenses and can’t afford to lose your trip investment, consider buying a “cancel for any reason” upgrade. You never know what life will bring, and unfortunately it might bring a reason to cancel a trip that’s not covered by the base policy. Having CFAR coverage ensures you can get partial reimbursement for any oddball problems that crop up.

You likely don’t need travel insurance if:

• Your airfare and hotel costs are refundable.
• You can afford to lose the money you spent on non-refundable trip costs.
• You’re not traveling internationally.
• You’re not traveling to a remote area with limited healthcare facilities.
• Your destination is not prone to hurricanes and severe weather.
• You have a direct flight.
• You’re not worried about losing your trip investment if you need to cancel or cut a trip short.
• Your credit card travel insurance provides adequate coverage for your trip.

A new rule going into effect in October 2024 requires airlines to provide automatic cash refunds to passengers when their domestic flights are canceled or delayed by three hours or more. Given this, I think you may want to skip travel insurance if you have a direct flight within the U.S. and you don’t have large prepaid deposits on accommodations and tours.

– Michelle Megna, Lead Editor

Ask The Expert

We Answer Your Questions

Why do most travel insurance companies not include england as a choice for a quote.

– Susan G., Van Nuys, California

Many travel insurance companies do not list England as a destination choice in their online quote systems because they instead list the United Kingdom. That means you’ll have to scroll down the list of destinations to “United Kingdom” or type it into the search field.

Do I still need travel insurance if my airline is required to refund canceled flights?

– Anna P., Austin, Texas

Travel insurance still makes sense if you have a lot of non-refundable trip costs, such as excursions, accommodations and tours. It’s especially beneficial if you’re traveling internationally. It can help pay for medical expenses and evacuation if you get sick or injured during your trip.

Why do travel insurance companies need my state of residence when I get a quote?

– John T., Lewiston, Maine

Travel insurance regulations and laws vary by state, so insurers use that information to ensure the policy you buy is the one that’s approved in your state.

We researched and analyzed 42 policies to find the best travel insurance. When companies had more than one highly rated travel insurance policy we used the highest-scoring plan. Ratings are based on the following metrics.

Cost (25% of score): We analyzed the average cost for each travel insurance policy for trips to popular destinations:

• Couple, age 30 for a Mexico trip costing $3,000.
• Couple, age 40, for an Italy trip costing $6,000.
• Family of four for an Italy trip costing $15,000.
• Family of four for a France trip costing $15,000.
• Family of four for a U.K. trip costing $15,000.
• Couple, age 65, for an Italy trip costing $6,000.
• Couple, age 70, for a Mexico trip costing $3,000.

Missed connection coverage (10% of score): Travel insurance policies were awarded more points if they include missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more.

Medical expenses (10% of score): Travel insurance policies with travel medical expense benefits of $250,000 and up per person were given the highest points.

Medical evacuation (10% of score): Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 and up per person were given the highest points.

“Cancel for any reason” upgrade (10%): Travel insurance policies received points if “cancel for any reason” upgrades are offered. More points were awarded for “cancel for any reason” upgrades with reimbursement levels of 75%.

Baggage delay required waiting time (5%): Policies with baggage delay benefits kicking in at 12 hours or less were given points.

Cancel for work reasons (5%): Travel insurance plans that allow cancellations for work reasons were awarded points.

Hurricane and weather (5%): Policies received points if the required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage was 12 hours or less.

“Interruption for any reason” upgrade (5%): Policies were awarded points if they offered an “interruption for any reason” upgrade.

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver (5%): Points were given to policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions (if purchased within a required timeframe after the first trip deposit).

Travel delay required waiting time (5%): Policies with travel delay benefits kicking in after six hours or less were given points.

Trip interruption travel insurance (5%): Points were given if trip interruption reimbursement is 150% or higher.

Read more: How Forbes Advisor Rates Travel Insurance Companies

Editor’s note: While our parent company has an interest in PrimeCover, this review was subjected to our team’s standard rigorous editorial process, which remains independent of any influence from insurance companies, business relationships, affiliates or any other external parties.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of policy that reimburses you for money you lose from non-refundable deposits and payments when something goes wrong on your trip. These problems can range from lost baggage to flight delays to medical problems.

The more you’re spending on your trip, the more you likely need travel insurance. This is especially true for international trips and cruises, where travel problems become more expensive to solve.

What do I need for travel insurance?

The information you need to buy travel insurance includes the trip cost being insured, your age, your destination, length of trip and age. Buying travel insurance online is relatively easy. You don’t have to answer a lot of questions, and you can update your trip cost and itinerary later if plans change, as long as you do so before your departure.

Is there travel insurance for multiple trips?

While standard travel insurance plans are meant to cover one-time trips, frequent travelers should consider an annual travel insurance plan. These plans cover the same issues as a single-trip plan, such as trip cancellation and emergency medical situations. But they also offer the convenience of a one-time purchase for multiple trips.

What type of travel insurance do I need for my parents visiting me in the U.S.?

Travel insurance for parents visiting the U.S. is generally a travel medical insurance policy that helps pay medical costs if they get sick or injured during their visit. There are two main types of visitors medical insurance:

• Limited policies that have fixed benefits: These generally set a cap for what they’ll pay for each medical treatment that’s covered. You may need to pay a deductible for each medical illness or injury and then the policy will pay 100% after that, up to the cap. For example, coverage for an X-ray might be capped at $250.
• Comprehensive visitors insurance policies: These typically cost more but have more robust coverage and don’t put a cap on specific medical problems.

What’s not covered by travel insurance?

Problems not covered by travel insurance tend to be similar among policies. We recommend that you read a policy’s exclusions so you’re not caught by surprise later if you try to make a claim. Typical exclusions include:

• Injuries from high-risk activities such as scuba diving.
• Problems that happen because you were drunk or using drugs.
• Medical tourism, such as going abroad for a face lift or other elective procedure.
• Lost or stolen cash.

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Get Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best insurance companies and helpful information on how to find the best travel, auto, home, health, life, pet, and small business coverage for your needs.

Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.

Shayla Northcutt is the CEO and founder of Northcutt Travel Agency and a leading world travel expert. Her main expertise includes destination weddings, honeymoons, large group travel, family travel, world travel and travel insurance. Northcutt appears regularly on KHOU 11 and ABC 13 Eyewitness News, among other media outlets, providing guidance on travel insurance for consumers. Her first-hand knowledge of destinations and resorts makes her a leading travel professional. Northcutt is married to an amazing husband and is a mom to two boys, Cayman and Crockett. She found a passion in travel and exploration of all the things the world had to offer. Feeling such a strong connection to the travel industry, she decided to open Northcutt Travel Agency in 2017. Northcutt has visited different parts of Europe numerous times, and has visited over 350 resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean leading to detailed first-hand knowledge of the resorts. She has also sailed on multiple cruise lines, giving her experience with the cruise world as well. The other places Northcutt has visited, and now helps people plan, include Disney, Hawaii, Fiji, Australia, Thailand and all major cruise lines.

Home > General Travel > Travel Insurance When Already Traveling

How to Buy Travel Insurance When Already Traveling (5 Tips)

If you're already traveling and looking to cover your butt with travel insurance, this post will help you find the right plan for the right price—or, if Step 1 of the five steps below applies to you, you may not even need to buy anything!

Cover up your mistake.

Most would agree that not buying travel insurance is a mistake. It's cheap, whereas the potential medical costs if you get hurt abroad can be enormous.

But sometimes you forget. There are a lot more interesting things to think about when planning a trip, after all.

The bad news is that if this happens to you, lots of insurers don't want anything to do with you. You're too "high risk."

The good news is some companies are more flexible and will sell you travel insurance when already traveling. Or you may be covered already and not even know it.

To find the best plan, and not make your mistake even worse by buying an invalid plan (a common error), here are five steps to follow to find the best travel insurance when you're already traveling.

5 Steps to Get the Best Travel Insurance When Already Traveling

• Check You Don't Already Have Free Insurance
• Watch Out for the Following
• Pre-Departure vs. Post-Departure Insurance
• Buy the Best-Value Plan
• Put it in Your Wallet

Step 1: Check if You Already Have Free Insurance

Before hurrying to buy travel insurance, ask yourself:

Is your credit card's travel insurance already covering you?

For example, Kim and my credit card provides 31 days of travel insurance. If we're traveling for less than that, we don't need to buy anything. And if we're traveling for more than 31 days, we avoid double-paying by buying travel insurance plans that kick in the day our credit card insurance expires.

Step 2: Watch Out for the Following

• Do you have health insurance back home? Some travel insurers won't cover you or will significantly cut back their coverage if you don't have home country health insurance. And if you get badly injured, your travel insurer will likely bring you home for treatment. Once home, you're on the hook for all medical expenses whether you have home country insurance or not.
• What's not covered? Travel insurance policies generally don't cover pre-existing or on-going medical conditions, dangerous sports, and some high-risk countries.
• Are you going to the United States? Travel insurers charge significantly more for travel in the US because of astronomical health care costs there.
• Do you still have to pay if something bad happens? Some travel insurance policies have an excess or a deductible, which is the amount you need to contribute if you make a claim.
• How much coverage do you really need? The biggest expense you risk incurring when traveling is emergency air evacuation. It can cost as much as $250,000 if you're in the middle of nowhere and they need to bring you home.
• Age matters? Yes. Once you hit 40 years old, travel insurance rates tend to go up, and once you're over 65 years old it can be very difficult and extremely expensive to get coverage.

For more boring but important info on travel insurance, see our 8 Steps to Finding the Best Travel Insurance .

Step 3: Pre-Departure vs. Post-Departure Travel Insurance

Many people make the mistake of buying pre-departure travel insurance when already traveling. Those policies are void, so if something happens, they're screwed.

To avoid a similar screw-up, be mindful of these differences between pre-departure and post-departure travel insurance:

• Most travel insurers don't offer post-departure travel insurance. They only sell pre-departure travel insurance. Call the insurer to confirm before buying any policy if you're at all unsure.
• Travel insurance when already traveling is more expensive. The few companies that will sell you travel insurance when you're already traveling generally charge a premium because you're a higher risk to them than someone who buys a policy before leaving.
• Post-departure travel insurance isn't fully refundable. You can usually get a refund on travel insurance policies you buy before you leave, but not on policies you buy when already traveling.
• You can't get trip cancellation insurance if you're already traveling. Trip cancellation insurance refunds pre-paid, non-refundable expenses if you have to cancel a trip. But some companies like SafetyWing do offer trip interruption insurance, which covers a flight to your home country if your home residence gets destroyed, there's a death in the family, or you get injured and your physician deems it medically necessary for treatment and recovery.
• There's often a waiting period if you get travel insurance when already traveling. With some insurers, you have to wait (and play it safe) 48 to 72 hours before the policy kicks in.

Step 4: Buy the Best-Value Plan You Can Find

We scoured the web for the best already traveling travel insurance and found a new startup that blows the competition out of the water.

If you find something better let us know and we'll update this post.

$US1.32/day (under 40-year-old of any nationality not traveling to the US)

• Worldwide. Aside from very few exceptions (Cuba, Iran, and North Korea) everyone can buy it no matter their home country or where they're traveling.
• Flexible timing. Unlike other policies, which require you to buy insurance for your entire trip up front, you can buy four weeks (or less) and extend (or auto-renew) as needed.
• Unlimited coverage period. Great for long-term digital nomads like us because, unlike most travel insurance policies, you can extend every year for as long as you need.
• Travel coverage. Insurance includes trip interruption, travel delay, and checked luggage protection. Other low-cost travel insurance providers often don't.
• Kids are free. One 14-day to 10-year-old child is covered for each adult without added cost.
• No waiting period . You're covered as soon as you pay.
• It's getting better. SafetyWing has announced plans to increase their limits, get rid of the deductible, and offer extreme sports add-ons. They also plan to release a comprehensive health care package.

• Not the cheapest (as long as you remember to buy before you leave). For example, the travel insurance plan we're covered by as I write this in Spain is $1.12 a day, 15% cheaper than SafetyWing.
• Low maximum limit. SafetyWing's maximum is only $250,000 (and only $100,000 for emergency evacuation), which may not fully cover worst-case scenarios in far-off lands. The industry insiders I interviewed off-the-record for my travel insurance post recommend a maximum of at least $500,000.
• $250 deductible for non-urgent medical care. Many other companies have a $0 deductible, though you generally pay higher premiums for this benefit.
• No US travel flexibility. SafetyWing's doesn't cover non-Americans traveling through the US or on short layovers there. You have to get a new policy that includes the US to be insured (though a good credit card's travel insurance should cover you).
• Not customizable. SafetyWing keeps their insurance cheap by keeping it simple, but that also means you'll have to look elsewhere if you want insurance on things they don't cover like personal electronics, travel to Iran and North Korea, and some extreme sports.

Do your future self a favor and read the full policy (PDF).

Other Companies Selling Already Traveling Travel Insurance

Shop around and see if you can find a better deal than Safety Wing for already traveling travel insurance. (If you do, please let us know!)

Here are the most popular providers of travel insurance when already traveling.

• World Nomads . Starting from $US2.78/day. Yeah, super expensive . Bloggers love to recommend these guys because they pay high commissions. But World Nomads does have a great reputation in the industry and among past customers and offers extensive coverage for activities and countries SafetyWing doesn't.
• Globelink . Starting from $US1.57/day. For UK, EU and EEA residents only.
• True Traveler . Starting from $US1.78/day for European residents. They offer a wide variety of add-ons, options, and packages.

Step 5: Put it in Your Wallet

Keep insurance contact info in your wallet.

If something happens during your trip, you, your companion, or anyone who's caring for you will then know who to call to coordinate emergency travel arrangements, doctor referrals, or claims questions or other issues.

Hopefully, it's a waste of (less of) your money!

Enjoy an injury-free trip, so all that time and money you spent on finding travel insurance doesn't get put to use.

Let us know in the comments if you have any questions, feedback, or tips of your own about buying travel insurance when already traveling.

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Disclosure: Whenever possible, we use links that earn us a cut if you pay for stuff we recommend. It costs you nothing, so we'd be crazy not to. Read our affiliate policy .

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A Practical Guide to Buying Travel Insurance

Travel insurance could be the difference between a huge medical bill or a modest copay. use these tips to find the best policy for your trip..

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It’s far better to buy travel insurance and never use it than to not be covered in an emergency.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

For many, travel insurance seems like an unnecessary additional expense. But if you get stuck in a costly situation—a medical emergency, a canceled trip due to a pandemic , a stolen camera—it suddenly becomes a totally worthwhile investment that saves, not costs, you money.

This was the case for writer Chris Ciolli. After years of traveling without a safety net, she invested in travel insurance on a recent trip during which she was rushed to the hospital at 3 a.m. for a slew of just-in-case tests. She ended up with an underwhelming diagnosis of gastritis, but also a slow trickle of medical bills—a few hundred dollars here, a thousand there—that totaled nearly $6,000. Fortunately, her monthlong $185 World Nomads policy covered everything after an initial $80 copay.

But even if you understand the benefits and you’re committed to buying travel insurance, choosing the right policy for your needs—and even knowing what those needs are—can be tricky. To help you choose the best travel insurance for your trip, we’ve consulted a number of travel agents, insurance industry professionals, and lifelong travelers for advice. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know, from travel insurance reviews and comparisons to common questions answered, to pick the best policy for your next trip.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a plan, similar to health or auto insurance, that protects you from expenses incurred during unforeseen mishaps while traveling, such as lost luggage, trip cancellations, or medical emergencies.

Although your current homeowner’s, renter’s, auto, or health insurance may cover you for certain things while traveling, it usually doesn’t cover everything—especially on international trips. A good travel insurance plan will cover the gaps.

Where do you get travel insurance?

Some very basic forms of travel insurance are included if you booked your trip with a credit card such as World MasterCard, Capital One Venture Rewards, and Chase Ink and Sapphire cards. With these plans, you may be protected regarding some delay, luggage, and travel accident expenses, but the coverage is usually pretty basic.

You can also purchase it as an add-on while booking flights, cruises, or hotels. These plans are also limited and will only cover you in the event of an unavoidable cancellation due to events such as a natural disaster or a death in your family. “While it may seem less expensive, it may not cover all of the components of your trip,” says Andrew David Harris, vice president and COO of Harris Travel Service . While both of these are better than nothing, the most comprehensive and best travel insurance policies are sold by providers such as World Nomads, Allianz Global Assistance, Seven Corners, or TravelEx. You can purchase these plans through your travel agent, but it’s often less expensive to book directly with the travel insurance provider or through a comparison website, like SquareMouth .

What does travel insurance cover?

Every traveler and trip is different, which is reflected by the variety of travel insurance plans on the market. No matter what plan or provider you choose, below are some common things travel insurance covers. Experts agree that before you buy, you should absolutely look for specific exclusions in the fine print on potential policies. If you’re unsure about something, reach out. A good insurance company will be responsive and willing to clarify your questions.

Trip cancellation and interruption

Most travel insurance policies will include some form of trip cancellation and interruption coverage to reimburse you for nonrefundable expenses, like a prepaid hotel or plane ticket. Unless you add cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance to your plan, there will be a limited set of acceptable reasons to claim this. Illness, death of an immediate family member, and weather are commonly accepted reasons.

Trip delays and missed connections

Also common is reimbursement for additional expenses incurred if a trip is delayed and meets criteria set out by the provider. With World Nomads, your flight must be delayed by at least six hours to qualify.

Baggage and personal effects

Most plans will cover the cost of lost or damaged luggage and personal belongings as well as the cost of purchasing additional items if your luggage is delayed.

Emergency medical and dental care

This covers the cost of medical care when you get sick or have an accident in another country and usually includes medical evacuation. However, travel insurance isn’t a substitute for regular health insurance so nonemergency medical expenses (physicals, anything cosmetic, eye exams) aren’t covered. Childbirth isn’t covered either, even for pregnant travelers who go into labor prematurely.

Shannon O’Donnell, 2013 National Geographic Traveler of the Year and blogger at A Little Adrift , mentions another coverage gap travelers miss: “You’re only covered for what you’re licensed to do back home—if you don’t have a permit for a motorbike and you drive one in Southeast Asia, you might not be covered in an accident.”

Emergency medical evacuation

This covers the cost of an emergency transfer (in an ambulance or helicopter, for example) from an area with inadequate medical care to the nearest medical center with the services you need. It’s costlier but essential in isolated and politically unstable parts of the world.

Accidental death and dismemberment and repatriation

Experts say that “truckloads of coverage for hospital costs and medical repatriation home” are the most important things to look for. “The rest is just window dressing.” A lot of basic plans won’t include this in their coverage, but you can easily add this on with an upgrade to a more premium tier.

Concierge and 24/7 service

Daniel Durazo, director of Marketing and Communications for Allianz Global Assistance , says that “a good policy includes a 24/7 contact line for both medical and travel emergencies.”

Common travel insurance add-ons to consider

A basic plan is usually enough for most travelers, but it may not cover everything you need if you’re older, have pre-existing medical conditions, participate in sports while traveling, book an expensive trip, or travel with expensive gear (such as a high-end camera). If you fall into any of these categories, consider an add-on or upgrade.

Upgrade lost luggage, trip delay, and cancellation amounts

“Standard travel insurance levels cover more modest belongings and lodging,” advises Annette Stellhorn, president and Group Luxury Travel designer at Accent on Travel . If you’re traveling with expensive gear or spending a lot on your trip, consider upgrading to a tier that covers your costs adequately.

Additional coverage for adventure and high-risk travel

Stellhorn also notes that adventure and high-risk travel “require higher benefit amounts for medical evacuation, which can run more than $250,000.” And Judy Perl at Judy Perl Worldwide Travel says that “most insurance companies will not insure high-risk travel at all, with the exception of big companies like First Allied and Travelex .” Even fewer risky activities and sports may only be covered to a limit: that is, climbing to certain heights and diving to certain depths.

Most sports are covered up to a certain level of intensity; any higher and you may have to purchase a different tier of insurance. World Nomads, for example, will cover a slew of adventure travel activities and sports, but at an additional cost on top of its basic insurance.

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance

It’s important to read the fine print of any insurance plan because, even if it includes trip cancellation coverage, this often only kicks in under certain circumstances. As many travelers found out recently, trips canceled due to the recent coronavirus pandemic were not covered unless they had a CFAR add-on .

Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg, co-owner and copresident at Valerie Wilson Travel , explains that these plans “only cover 75 percent of trip expenses [and only] if travelers cancel their trips at least 48 hours in advance.”

Does travel insurance cover pandemics?

No. “Once actual events have unfolded, such as the coronavirus outbreak, they are considered known or foreseeable events and are no longer covered by most travel insurance policies,” says Afar’s Michelle Baran . The exception is if you chose to upgrade your plan to include a CFAR add-on.

What are the best travel insurance policies?

The best travel insurance policy will depend on you and your trip. You’ll want to make sure you have a plan that covers the cost of your entire trip and the activities you want to do and won’t leave you in the dark if you have preexisting conditions. The following are some of the best travel insurance partners to consider:

Best for: Older travelers and those with preexisting conditions.

While Allianz provides great travel insurance for any traveler, it’s especially appropriate for those with pre-existing conditions, since those are covered in every one of its plans. However, its basic coverage only covers up to $500 in lost or damaged baggage, so consider an upgrade if you’re traveling with more expensive equipment.

Get a quote: allianztravelinsurance.com

Best for: Medical coverage only

GeoBlue’s Voyager basic medical coverage is not a comprehensive travel insurance plan that covers a slew of scenarios; rather it provides travelers with basic medical travel insurance. The deductible is a high $500, but at $19 to $35 per trip, it’s an inexpensive way to protect yourself in case something catastrophic happens. If you’re adequately covered for travel mishaps like lost luggage or stolen goods by other insurance (like your credit card or homeowner’s insurance), this might be the plan for you.

Get a quote: geobluetravelinsurance.com

Best for: Traveling with kids

With TravelEx, travelers can choose between a basic or select travel insurance package with options to customize it according to their needs. Both plans cover standard things like trip cancellation and emergency medical services and are an all-around comprehensive option. However, its Travel Select plan also includes free coverage for any children under 17 traveling with you. For families, TravelEx Select is a great money-saving option.

Get a quote: travelexinsurance.com

How much does travel insurance cost?

Complete travel insurance packages can cost as little as $8 per day but vary depending on the length of the trip, destination(s), and the tier of travel insurance you choose. Some, but not all, travel insurance may also cost more for travelers with pre-existing conditions or older adults.

As a comparison, here are some examples of travel insurance costs for a 45-year-old traveler on a $5,000, one-week trip to Mexico:

• $138 for an explorer plan with World Nomads
• $179 for a basic plan with Allianz
• $248 for an essential plan with AIG
• $261 for a basic plan with Travelex

While some of these plans may seem expensive, keep in mind that if they provide you the coverage you need, they can be a huge money saver. Insurer World Nomads says that its average claim amount for 2017 was $1,634, and its most expensive claim—a medical evacuation of a child from Sitka, Alaska, to Seattle—was nearly $200,000. Suddenly, that $8 per day makes travel insurance worth it . But, as Michael Holtz, founder and CEO of the travel agency SmartFlyer , says, “People don’t think they need it until they need it.”

How do I buy travel insurance?

You should always buy travel insurance from an official, reputable provider or website, such as purchasing directly through the insurance provider, a travel agent, or a comparison website; these “offer a way to search, compare, and purchase from a wide array of plans,” says Stan Sandberg, cofounder of TravelInsurance.com .

Comparison sites to buy travel insurance include:

• Travelinsurance.com
• SquareMouth
• Insuremytrip

Sandberg strongly recommends consumers speak with a licensed agent when they are unsure about benefits. The website Elliott Report is another good resource and features a list of reputable travel insurance companies compiled by consumer advocate Christopher Elliott.

When to buy travel insurance

Generally, you should book your travel insurance as soon as you can after booking your flights and hotels. If you’re traveling to a destination affected by hurricanes , book sooner rather than later, because you can’t buy insurance to cover delays or cancellations related to a storm that already has a name.

People with preexisting conditions need to consider other factors. Most insurers will cover only expenses related to prior illnesses in very specific circumstances; travelers with preexisting conditions must book coverage within a specific time frame, usually between 14 and 21 days, following their initial trip reservation, and they must be medically able to travel on the date they purchase the insurance.

Your travel insurance policy period should be for the duration of your trip from door to door (no gaps or shortcuts, please) and cover you for every place you plan to visit, whether it’s in-state, out-of-state, or international. Some destinations are at higher risk than others, so insurers don’t offer the same coverage for the same price everywhere.

What does your existing insurance cover while traveling?

While your existing health, auto, renter’s, or homeowner’s insurance may cover a few things while you’re traveling, it likely doesn’t cover everything.

• Health insurance: Many U.S. health-care policies, including Medicare, don’t cover travelers on international trips. Some plans will cover you abroad, so check with your provider. If your health insurance only covers you domestically, both the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. State Department recommend purchasing medical travel insurance.
• Travel insurance: Credit cards can provide limited coverage of some delay, luggage, and travel accident expenses, as well as part of your rental car insurance.
• Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance: Home contents or rental insurance may cover some lost, stolen, or damaged valuables or even offer a reasonably priced floater policy (an add-on to your regular policy that covers easily moveable property) if you travel with expensive equipment.
• Auto insurance: Within the United States, your primary auto insurance will almost always cover rental vehicles. There are a few exceptions for domestic rentals, like if your current auto insurance has low coverage limits. International car rentals are a different story. In Mexico, for example, rental car insurance is mandatory , even if you have insurance at home. Always be sure to check local rules before you reserve a rental car.

Tips for filing claims and getting reimbursed

Unlike most domestic health insurance policies, travel insurance doesn’t typically have a deductible. Some inexpensive policies will require you to pay a small, nonrefundable, initial policy excess amount before further costs up to the benefit limit are covered. Many policies work on a reimbursement plan: You pay upfront, save your receipts, and file a claim, then after processing, your insurance company pays you back for covered expenses.

Most policies require you pay non-emergency expenses out of pocket and submit your claim for reimbursement afterward. In a non-life-threatening emergency, call your insurer for instruction if you’re able; it will make the claims process easier, and the insurer may be able to direct you to a hospital or medical center where your care can be billed directly to it.

Hannah Logan, of the blog Eat Sleep Breathe Travel , says this step is especially important because the small print on many policies “reads that calling the contact number [may be] a requirement for coverage.”

No matter what, document everything. Whether it’s lost baggage, a medical expense, or damage to your rental car, gather and keep anything that can help your claims case: your original rental car agreement, receipts, photos, medical paperwork, a copy of your boarding pass.

Buying travel insurance is a little like packing a suitcase: It can seem overwhelming at first, but eventually it becomes routine and a necessary part of every trip. Once it does, you can travel worry-free, secure in the knowledge that you’ve saved yourself from a possible $6,000 mistake.

This article originally appeared online in 2018; it was updated on June 19, 2020, and on May 15, 2024, to include current information.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

• Travel Advice
• General Information

Can I Buy Travel Insurance if I’m Already Traveling?

Last Updated: January 11, 2020 November 13, 2023

While it’s always best to purchase travel insurance as soon as possible, it’s fairly common for travelers to wait until the last minute to protect their trips. In general, most travel insurance policies are available for purchase up until the day before a traveler’s departure date.

But what about travelers that decide that want to purchase travel insurance after they’ve already departed for their trip? Squaremouth breaks down what options may still be available to those that wish to protect their trips while they’re traveling.

Buying Travel Insurance While Traveling: Is It Possible?

Yes, it is possible to purchase travel insurance after you’ve departed for your trip. With that said, the process of buying a policy can be complex, and the options available may be limited.

Many travel insurance marketplaces, such as Squaremouth, will not allow travelers to purchase insurance if they have already left for their trip. However, travelers may be able to find policies directly from travel insurance providers .

To get coverage, we recommend reaching out to a travel insurance provider to discuss what options are available. The policies will likely include travel medical coverage for the remainder of your trip. Policies also likely won’t go into effect until the following day.

Are There Advantages to Buying a Policy Early?

Travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen events. The main advantage of buying early is an extended period of coverage between your purchase date and your trip. This is because once you buy a policy, you can be covered for any covered unexpected events that occur after the date of purchase. However, if you wait and something occurs that impacts your trip, it is too late to buy coverage for that event.

For example, if you have already purchased a policy with Trip Cancellation coverage for inclement weather, and a storm develops a week before your trip that forces you to cancel, you can be reimbursed for 100% of your prepaid and non-refundable trip costs. However, if the storm is named and then you try to buy a policy, you will not be covered for the storm.

June 1, 2020

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after

Ukraine; Belarus; Moldova; North Korea; Russia; Israel

This is a test environment. Please proceed to AllianzTravelInsurance.com and remove all bookmarks or references to this site.

Use this tool to calculate all purchases like ski-lift passes, show tickets, or even rental equipment.

Travel Insurance 101: How Travel Insurance Works

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a plan you purchase that protects you from certain financial risks and losses that can occur while traveling. These losses can be minor, like a delayed suitcase, or significant, like a last-minute trip cancellation or a medical emergency overseas.

In addition to financial protection, the other huge benefit of travel insurance is access to assistance services , wherever you are in the world. Our elite team of travel and medical experts can arrange medical treatment in an emergency, monitor your care, serve as interpreters, help you replace lost passports and so much more. Sometimes, they even save travelers’ lives.

A few things you should know about travel insurance:

• Benefits vary by plan. It’s important to choose a plan that fits your needs, your budget and your travel plans. Here are definitions of all available travel insurance benefits.
• Travel insurance can’t cover every possible situation. Allianz Travel Insurance is  named perils  travel insurance, which means it covers only the specific situations, events, and losses included in your plan documents, and only under the conditions we describe.
• Travel insurance is designed to cover  unforeseeable events —not things you could easily see coming, or things within your control. If, for example,  you wait to buy insurance for your beach trip until after a named hurricane is hustling toward your destination, your losses wouldn’t be covered.

How does travel insurance work?

In most scenarios, travel insurance reimburses you for your covered financial losses after you file a claim and the claim is approved. Filing a claim means submitting proof of your loss to Allianz Global Assistance, so that we can verify what happened and reimburse you for your covered losses. You can  file a claim online , or do it on your phone with the  Allyz ® TravelSmart app .

How does this work in real life? Let’s say you purchase the OneTrip Prime Plan , which includes trip cancellation benefits, to protect your upcoming cruise to Cozumel. Two days before departure, you experience a high fever and chest pain. Your doctor diagnoses bacterial pneumonia and advises you to cancel the trip. When you notify the cruise line, they tell you it’s too late to receive a refund.

Without travel insurance, you’d lose the money you spent on your vacation. Fortunately, a serious, disabling illness can be considered a covered reason for trip cancellation , which means you can be reimbursed for your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs. Once you’re feeling better, you gather the required documents—such as your airfare and cruise line receipts and information about any refunds you did or did not receive—and you file a claim . You can even choose to receive your reimbursement by direct deposit, to your debit card, or via check.

Sometimes, this process works a little differently. Travel insurance may pay your expenses upfront if you require emergency medical treatment or emergency transportation while traveling overseas. Or, with the  OneTrip Premier and OneTrip Prime plans, you may be eligible to receive a fixed payment of $100 per day for a covered travel delay or $100 for a covered baggage delay . No receipts for purchases are required; all you need is proof of your covered delay.

Many travelers are wondering: Can COVID-19 be considered a covered reason for trip cancellation? And can travel insurance help if you become seriously ill with COVID-19 while traveling? Most of our travel insurance plans now include epidemic-related covered reasons (benefits vary by plan and are not available in all jurisdictions). The Epidemic Coverage Endorsement adds covered reasons to select benefits for certain losses related to COVID-19 and any future epidemic. To see if your plan includes this endorsement and what it covers, please look for "Epidemic Coverage Endorsement" on your Declarations of Coverage or Letter of Confirmation. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Benefits may not cover the full cost of your loss. All benefits are subject to maximum limits of liability, which may in some cases be subject to sublimits and daily maximums.

> Learn more: Travel Insurance and COVID-19: The Epidemic Coverage Endorsement Explained

How to choose a travel insurance plan

There’s a wide range of Allianz Travel Insurance plans, each with different benefits and benefit limits. So how do you know which is best for you? To begin, get a quote for your upcoming trip. When you enter your age, trip costs and trip dates, we can recommend a few plans for you. Then, you can compare the costs and benefits of each.

If you’re a budget-conscious traveler who’s traveling in the U.S., you may like the OneTrip Cancellation Plus Plan . It includes trip cancellation, trip interruption and trip delay benefits.

If you want protection in case of medical emergencies overseas, but you have few pre-paid trip expenses, you may consider the OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan . This affordable plan includes emergency medical and emergency transportation benefits, as well as other post-departure benefits, but not trip cancellation/interruption.

If you want the reassurance of carrying substantial travel insurance benefits, the best fit may be the OneTrip Prime Plan . This plan also covers kids 17 and under for free when traveling with a parent or grandparent (not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents).

If you’re planning several trips in the next 12 months, consider annual travel insurance such as the AllTrips Prime Plan . It gives you affordable protection for a full year of travel, including benefits for trip cancellation and interruption; emergency medical care; lost/stolen or delayed baggage; and Rental Car Damage and theft protection (available to residents of most states).  

> Find the right travel insurance plan for you 

How to get the most from your travel insurance plan

Don’t wait too long to buy travel insurance! The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after you’ve completed your travel arrangements. The earlier you buy insurance, the bigger your coverage window. Also, you must buy your plan within 14 days of making your initial trip deposit in order to be eligible for the pre-existing medical condition benefit (not available on all plans).

Read your plan documents before you leave. If you're not completely satisfied with your plan, you have 15 days (or more, depending on your state of residence) to request a refund, provided you haven't started your trip or initiated a claim. Premiums are non-refundable after this period.

Call us when you need help. If you have questions about how travel insurance works, or how to file a claim, or which benefits you need, please contact us ! Our representatives are available 24/7. If you’re already traveling, and you’re facing a travel crisis or just need some advice, call our emergency assistance hotline .

> Read more about how we can help

Related Articles

• What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
• How Travel Insurance Covers Family Members
• Trip Delay, Trip Interruption and Trip Cancellation Insurance Explained

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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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Already Travelling Travel Insurance

Already left Home, or started your Trip? Forgotten to take cover? Travel insurance has run out? Get a quote and buy now with Globelink! Available for all UK and EU and  EEA residents including residents of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

Get your quote now Learn More

Already abroad?

Globelink will still get you covered.

If you have already started your trip, or are already abroad, travel insurance may not be so easy to find. So whether you have already travelled and forgotten to purchase travel insurance before leaving, or if your policy has expired, or will expire part way through your trip, you can still get cover at any time while you are travelling, with a Globelink Already Travelling Policy .

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: ALL policies provide Emergency Medical, Repatriation and Cancellation & Curtailment cover if you contract Coronavirus, provided you don’t travel against your Government’s travel instructions. Should you travel to a country in which your local Government, (for UK residents, the FCDO), advise against certain travel due to COVID, your Insurance will remain valid for insured events that are not COVID related. This is on condition there is no compulsory/legal Government restriction preventing travel. Read more about COVID Cover here . Always check your Government restrictions and those of the location you plan to visit before booking and travel.

Already Travelling cover is subject to the total period outside of your usual country of residence within the UK, or the EU  not exceeding 18 months for under 65's or 6 months for ages 66-74 years and also that no claims, or any incident likely to lead to a claim has previously occurred. For example, if you lost your camera yesterday, you can’t take out this insurance today and make a claim for it.

Important Information Relating to Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

In view of the type of insurance being provided, we will not accept claims arising from any pre-existing medical condition on the Already Travelling Policy, unless the medical condition falls within the No Screen Conditions .

There is an anti-fraud measure built in to our Already Travelling policy which means you cannot claim for anything for 2 days after you have taken out the policy. The only exception is if you have a serious medical emergency or are injured in an accident, which was witnessed and verified independently, then you are covered from the date of purchase.

Already travelling travel insurance policy key benefits

• 24/7 Medical Emergency Assistance service
• No hidden costs and low excess levels
• Over 60 Adventure Activities are covered for free
• Already Travelling policy is available for people aged up to 74
• Purchasing travel Insurance takes just a few minutes

So you relax in the knowledge that you can buy travel insurance even if you are already overseas. Get a free quote now and get covered!

Why Our Customers Love Us?

Average rating 4.5 / 5, from over 2323 reviews, 93% of our Customers rate their customer experience as Excellent or Great!

Website easy to navigate. Good cover, including many pre existing conditions for senior UK ex pats living permanently in Spain and at a competitive price

We have used Globelink for our travel insurance for many years. Always on hand to answer any queries and nothing is ever too much trouble. Many thanks we can book any holiday knowing that we are in safe hands.

Easy to understand website. Clear explanation of what you get. Even better when it comes to claim handling. Had to claim last year, simple and efficient.

I talked with one of your female employees. She was very helpful explaining the changes to my individual claim and gave me a very good offer. She was also very pleasant throughout our conversation. Thank you.

It’s very user friendly to renew yearly and I am happy to know that I will be entirely covered during my travels

Great company So easy to purchase. The lady I dealt with was so good and efficient.

Very easy to navigate website. Extreamly good cover as we are in our 60's and the premium was very good.

Really simple application process, with excellent prices given that we fall into the 71+ category. On telephoning to adjust the policy the staff could not have been more efficient or helpful. Would highly recommend

I was very impressed with the Globelink representative. Very helpful, nothing was to much trouble for him. A friend made a call for me, then I met him the following day, all done, After I had been searching the internet for quotes for over three weeks, which was very stressful as my vacation was getting very close Thank you

We have taken out Globelink International Travel Insurance (as expats living in Germany) for several years now. Easy online process. As yet we\'ve never had to make a claim but it gives us piece of mind when we are travelling that we have travel insurance covering us regardless of where we travel.

Globelink International Travel Insurance are the most competitive and safe travel insurance company to deal with. Their web site is easy to navigate and is supported by a helpful on line system. We have used them for travel in the USA, Caribbean, Greek Islands and the Mediterranean and every time their cost is better than other companies. My wife and I are Senior's so naturally we look to cover us both 100% and can always rely on Globelink to provide us with adequate travel insurance cover. Bill - Gloucestershire

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get travel insurance if you are already abroad.

If you are already abroad and have forgotten to take travel insurance or your travel insurance has run out, you can still get cover with an Already Travelling policy with Globelink.

How much does travel insurance if you are already abroad cost?

It depends where you are, your age and how long you are travelling for. Globelink travel insurance policy if you are already abroad costs from £ .

Get 20% OFF Covid Testing with any Travel insurance purchase

When Should You Buy Travel Insurance and When Does it Start?

• Apr 25, 2023

They say timing is everything — when swinging a baseball bat, taking a souffle out of the oven, meeting someone special. Buying travel insurance is no different. When travel insurance should be bought, when it starts, and how long it lasts are all important when you want to protect yourself and your trip. Here are your answers to some of your biggest questions.

When Should Travel Insurance Be Purchased?

Travel insurance covers many events that happen during your trip, but it can also offer protection for unexpected events before you leave, sometimes days, weeks, even months prior to departure. That’s why we say it’s best to purchase protection as soon as possible after your initial trip payment is received.

One benefit of travel insurance is the coverage available if your trip is cancelled for certain reasons. You can also purchase optional  Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR)  coverage in case you need to cancel for other reasons not covered in your trip protection plan. This could include a change in financial status or simply no longer wanting to travel.

You could wait to purchase protection, but as you can see, procrastinating may mean you miss being able to take advantage of certain benefits. Also, certain benefit options may be available only if you buy coverage within a specified number of days of the date your initial trip deposit is received.

CFAR coverage (and for a pre-existing medical condition waiver, if that applies), you typically have to buy your travel insurance within a specific time period. This varies by plan. Seven Corners Trip Protection plans require you to buy your plan within 20 days of the date your initial trip deposit is received. (Additional terms apply.) For example, if you paid your first trip deposit on February 1, you need to purchase your plan by February 21 to be reimbursed for a trip cancellation.

Equally important is the coverage travel insurance can provide during your trip. Trip insurance can cover unforeseen events such as lost or stolen baggage, and illness or injury. Of course, you’ll need this coverage once your travels begin. 

So, can you buy trip insurance at any time? Insurance must be purchased before you travel, and we always recommend buying it sooner rather than later. It’s best to give yourself time to review your plan document, ask questions, and make sure you’re choosing the best plan. This isn’t a time to feel rushed, especially if you’re new to travel insurance.

When Does Travel Insurance Coverage Start?

Coverage for our Trip Protection plans starts at different times depending on specific benefits.

• Trip cancellation and CFAR: Your cancellation coverage begins the day after the date the payment for your plan is received.
• Trip delay: Coverage for delays begins after you’ve traveled 50 miles or more from your primary residence en route to join your trip.
• Accident and sickness coverage: This coverage included in your plan protects you if you incur medical expenses due to an accident or illness during your trip. This benefit is effective when you depart on your first travel arrangement for your trip. Your plan document will define what qualifies as a “travel arrangement. 

This plan is available only to U.S. residents. Review your plan document for details as requirements and benefits vary by state.

We’ve said it before, and we can’t say it enough: Don’t delay when finding the right protection.  Get a quote  today.

Important information  from the United States Fire Insurance Company

This website and various social media updates provided by Seven Corners contain content, information, articles, videos, and links to websites created by third parties. Seven Corners, its owners, and its employees neither endorse nor are responsible for the accuracy, timeliness, or reliability of any third-party information, statements, opinions, or advice and are not liable for any loss, harm, or damage caused by your reliance upon them. Use of such information or the linked websites is entirely at your risk. Concerns regarding this third-party content should be directed to the third party. Seek professional advice, as appropriate, regarding your use of such information and websites.

Because the information on this website and in Seven Corners’ blogs and other social media is written and compiled using knowledge and information available at a certain point in time, it may become outdated. For that reason, information, events, legal requirements, and product changes (including benefits, limitations, exclusions, and services) may not be up-to-date, complete, or accurate at the point in time it is being read. Again, use of such information is at your risk.

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When to Buy Travel Insurance

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Planning a trip involves a lot of moving parts, and while you want everything to go smoothly, the truth is that unexpected things can happen. In these cases, travel insurance can help make those issues easier to deal with — whether it’s by paying for your hospital bills in another country or reimbursing you for lost luggage.

However, the types of travel insurance that are available to you depend on when you purchase your policy. Let’s look at when to buy travel insurance, how late you can buy travel insurance and what different policies can offer.

The different types of travel insurance

There are many different kinds of travel insurance coverage depending on your needs. Here are some of the most common.

Trip cancellation insurance . Will reimburse nonrefundable costs when your trip is canceled due to a covered event. 

Trip interruption insurance . Pays costs incurred when a trip is cut short for a covered reason. 

Trip delay insurance . Provides financial assistance in case your flight is delayed beyond a certain amount of time.

Travel medical insurance . Covers medical costs for illness or accidents that arise during your travels.

Emergency evacuation insurance . Pays for the cost to evacuate you elsewhere (reasons can vary from medical to extreme weather).

Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance . Like life insurance, it provides a payout to a beneficiary in the event of death or dismemberment during travels. 

Baggage loss insurance . Will reimburse you if your bag is lost, stolen or damaged.

Rental car insurance . Provides insurance for collision and damage to a rental car.

Cancel for Any Reason insurance (CFAR). An optional add-on that covers a portion of nonrefundable costs if you choose to cancel your trip for any reason.   

» Learn more: What does travel insurance cover?

How early can you buy travel insurance?

Understanding when to get travel insurance can make a big difference in the policies you’re able to purchase. Typically, you can’t buy one before knowing some details about your trip.

While it’s possible to purchase a policy before you’ve booked your flights or made other travel plans, many insurers ask you for information about your trip to help you find the correct insurance. This means you’ll need to at least know where you’re going, when you’re going and the cost of your trip before purchasing travel insurance.

Multi-trip or annual travel insurance can cover you for a year with a single purchase. This is convenient if you travel frequently or take last-minute trips.

When to purchase travel insurance

So if you can’t buy travel insurance before doing some preliminary trip planning, you might be wondering “When should I buy travel insurance?” The answer to that is that it depends on what you want covered.

This is because not all types of coverage are available at all times. Two notable examples include CFAR insurance and pre-existing medical conditions.

CFAR insurance is a supplement to your existing policy that allows you to cancel your plans for any reason. Standard trip cancellation or interruption insurance requires that you cancel for a covered reason to receive reimbursement. Covered reasons may include sickness, death, job loss or financial insolvency, but CFAR insurance faces none of these limitations.

Many insurance companies only give you a short window to purchase a CFAR add-on. This will generally be within two to three weeks of your initial trip deposit, but the deadline varies by insurer so be sure to double-check if you’re interested in this type of coverage.

Likewise, many travel medical policies specifically exclude coverage of pre-existing health conditions — unless you take some additional steps in a timely manner. Some policies will cover acute re-occurrence of the pre-existing condition, provided you complete a waiver within a specific time period, usually within two weeks of your first trip payment.

» Learn more: Can I get travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

When is it too late to buy travel insurance?

It’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance sooner rather than later, especially if you’re interested in any time-sensitive add-ons. However, running late on buying insurance doesn’t mean that you’re out of luck.

While you’ll likely get better coverage if you buy a policy soon after making an initial payment on your trip, it’s still possible to buy a plan if your trip is days away — or if you’ve already departed. Typically, these plans may include things like trip interruption, emergency medical and baggage delay coverage, but they won’t provide trip cancellation or other pre-departure benefits.

Credit cards that offer travel insurance

It’s tempting to purchase a travel insurance policy when planning a trip, but before you do, you’ll want to do some research. Many travel credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance. To qualify, you’ll need to pay for your trip with your card. Keep in mind that different cards have different coverage limits.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, for example, is a premium travel credit card that provides a wide range of coverage:

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance. 

Baggage delay and lost luggage insurance. 

Emergency medical and evacuation insurance. 

Travel accident (AD&D) insurance. 

Rental car insurance. 

The coverage offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve® isn’t limited to just the cardholder; immediate family members are also included in this policy. They don’t even need to be traveling with the cardholder to receive coverage as long as the trip was charged to the card.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for travel insurance benefits

When should you buy travel insurance?

Purchasing travel insurance isn’t mandatory for a good vacation, but it can certainly come in handy if your plans go awry. While it’s possible to buy travel insurance up until just before — or even after — you depart, the best time to do so is shortly after you begin booking the trip. This allows you to provide the information required to buy a policy while also remaining eligible for time-sensitive add-ons and benefits like trip cancellation.

Before you purchase travel insurance, however, you’ll want to take a look at any travel credit cards you own to see what types of complimentary insurance they offer.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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What Is Travel Insurance and What Does It Cover?

with our partner, Faye

Sarah Horvath is a finance writer and researcher based in New York City. She specializes in writing about home warranties, insurance and home financial protection.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the best travel insurance companies

Travel insurance is a type of financial protection you can buy to reimburse a portion of prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if your trip gets interrupted or canceled. Travel insurance may cover medical bills incurred abroad, lost baggage, lost airline fare and more.

Read on to learn more about travel insurance and what it covers, and explore a few of our top-rated providers .

What Is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of insurance coverage that protects you from financial loss when you travel. Depending on the type of policy you purchase, travel insurance usually covers emergency situations such as trip cancellation or interruption, accidents, illnesses and trip delays . 

Since your primary health insurance is not applicable abroad, many travelers will purchase travel health insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses.

The cost of a travel insurance policy depends on the age of the travelers, duration of the trip, location of the trip, how much the trip costs, policy tier selected and more. If you’re planning a trip and you’ve made a significant investment that you can’t afford to lose, you might need travel insurance.

How Travel Insurance Works

Like most types of insurance, travel insurance works on a reimbursement model. You pay for your travel first and if you experience a covered loss, apply for a reimbursement with your insurance provider later. For this reason, it is important to understand what a plan does and does not cover and how it works before you buy a policy. 

Primary vs. Secondary Insurance Coverage

If you purchase a travel insurance policy to supplement your standard health insurance, it is important to determine which policy will serve as the primary insurance. If your travel insurance provides the primary medical coverage, it will act as the first source of payment for eligible medical expenses. So if you incur medical bills abroad, primary medical insurance will cover your expenses without requiring you first to file a claim with your standard health insurance.

If your travel insurance offers secondary medical coverage, it will only kick in after other applicable insurance policies. In most cases, you must file a claim with your standard health insurance provider first before filing one with your travel insurance provider. Your travel medical coverage would then cover any remaining eligible expenses not covered by your primary insurance.

If you do not have health insurance, having travel insurance with secondary medical coverage is likely not as beneficial. Travel insurance policies are usually more affordable than primary medical coverage, and because you do not have backup insurance, can act as immediate primary coverage. 

However, some policies offering secondary coverage outline a minimum health insurance requirement for claim validity. So, read all the terms of your proposed travel policy before purchasing.

Coverage Limits and Requirements

Travel insurance policies have financial caps or dollar limits on covered situations. For example, if your policy offers $150,000 in emergency medical expenses, your provider will pay out a maximum of $150,000 toward covered expenses. If your expenses exceed $150,000, you are responsible for the extra costs. 

For trip interruption and cancellation protection, insurers usually calculate coverage as a percentage of your total trip cost. So, if interruption benefits include 125% coverage reimbursement on a trip with a total value of $5,000, you can claim up to $6,250 in benefits. For reference, most travel insurance plans include 100% trip cancellation coverage and a minimum of 125% trip interruption coverage to compensate for extra charges such as unexpected flight changes.

In addition to knowing coverage limits, noting any policy use restrictions before buying a plan is good practice. Your provider will likely require you to document all expenses incurred when you file a claim, such as if you buy clothing and cosmetics to replace lost baggage . Most travel insurers also ask you to contact a representative to request authorization before using a medical evacuation benefit, even after being hospitalized.  

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Travel insurance is a holistic insurance that covers you in multiple areas. Let’s look at the most common coverages you’re likely to find on your travel insurance policy. 

Trip Cancellation and Interruption

Most travel insurance plans include trip cancellation and interruption coverage to reimburse prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if your trip is canceled or delayed for a reason outlined in your policy. Valid reasons for cancellation usually involve extreme personal or financial hardship, such as:

• An illness, injury or hospitalization that prevents you from traveling
• Death of a family member or travel companion 
• Legal obligations, such as jury duty
• Natural disasters
• Acts of terrorism or war 

Trip interruption coverage offers financial protection if you must return home earlier than originally planned. If a family member gets sick back home while you’re abroad, your trip interruption coverage may cover a sudden return flight and reimburse unused trip expenses.

Specific reasons that qualify the use of trip cancellation and interruption benefits vary by insurance company. If you want to extend your benefits to cover more situations, consider buying cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage , which lets you claim a partial reimbursement no matter why you cancel.

Baggage Loss or Delay

Benefits for lost or delayed baggage pay for the cost of belongings if an airline temporarily or permanently loses your luggage. However, baggage delay coverage usually has more limited benefits for temporary needs — such as clothing and toiletries — if a travel carrier sends your luggage to the wrong location. This coverage will also typically reimburse you for stolen belongings during a trip. 

To prove a loss or delay to your insurer, you usually need to provide documentation, such as receipts and a property irregularity report (PIR) from an airline. It is also important to note the financial limits on eligible claim items. For example, while most baggage loss policies cover jewelry, you may face a limitation of $100 or less for each lost piece of jewelry. You can also consider additional coverage riders for exceptionally high-value items, such as musical instruments and sporting equipment. 

Auto Rental Damage Coverage

If you plan to rent a vehicle while away, consider adding rental car coverage to your travel insurance policy. Travel insurance usually includes auto collision coverage, which usually pays for damage to a rental car. So if you total your rental car in an accident, collision insurance helps pay the cost of repairs.

Depending on your rental car provider and where you’re visiting, you may need liability coverage to drive legally. In the U.S., for example, each state sets liability requirements for drivers. Travel insurance with auto coverage usually does not supply the necessary liability insurance to drive, so consult with your rental car company to learn more about meeting local requirements.

Vacation Rental Coverage

Some insurance companies also have vacation rental coverage that pays for the cost of any damage done to a short-term rental property. For example, if you rent an Airbnb and your pet urinates on the carpet, the rental owner might charge you for the cost of cleaning or replacing the rug. Depending on your policy coverage, vacation rental insurance would cover this charge.

Travel insurers typically classify auto rental and vacation rental coverage as add-ons, meaning coverage is not included under most standard plans. If you select either add-on, your premium will increase. 

Emergency Evacuation and Transportation

If you’re visiting a remote area or taking a cruise , you might consider insurance to cover medical transportation. Emergency medical evacuation coverage can help you pay for the cost of transportation services if you are far from a local facility equipped to treat your injuries. 

Some policies also offer the ability to use emergency evacuation services because of civil unrest or a political emergency.

Travel Medical Insurance Coverage

Travel medical insurance helps cover medical bills you might incur while on a trip away from home. Many health insurance policies, including government-sponsored policies like Medicare , do not cover injuries and illnesses incurred abroad. A travel medical insurance plan can help you pay the medical bills if you need healthcare while traveling outside your primary health insurance plan’s service area. 

“Find out what, if anything, your domestic health insurance covers when you travel. Even if you do, it could be only for emergencies, and your health insurance company’s definition of an emergency might not be the same as yours. Because of this, we always recommend travel medical insurance for international travel.”

– Angela Borden, Product Marketing Specialist at Seven Corners

Travel Insurance Additional Benefits

Some travel insurance providers offer benefits beyond the above-listed standard inclusions, such as:

• Document replacement: If you lose your passport or personal ID card while abroad, you may need to visit a local consulate for a replacement. Travel insurance with document replacement coverage can help you cover the associated cost.
• Flight departure delay: Some insurers, such as Berkshire Hathaway , give you a credit if your flight gets delayed by more than two hours. You can use the credit to pay for refreshments or entertainment, such as Wi-Fi, during a delay.
• Tarmac delay: Some companies provide a set benefit if your flight is stuck on the tarmac for a specific number of hours. 
• Other benefits : Some insurance providers include additional benefits, such as rental car coverage or identity theft coverage.

What’s Not Covered by Travel Insurance?

Each travel insurance company creates its own policy packages, meaning exclusions vary from company to company. You should assume that any services not listed in your contract are excluded from coverage. Some of the most common circumstances when you cannot use your travel insurance coverage include the following:

• Named storms : Most travel insurance policies cover sudden travel expenses resulting from unexpected natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tropical storms. However, your coverage won’t apply to losses caused by storms that were already named when you booked your insurance.
• Medical tourism : If you’re traveling abroad to seek medical treatments, there’s always the chance of complications increasing the cost of your services. Medical tourism expenses are not covered under travel insurance policies.
• Willing cancellation : Even if you purchase trip cancellation coverage, you cannot cancel your travel for any reason and still claim a refund. If you change your mind and don’t want to travel anymore, your travel insurance will not reimburse you for your expenses

Other standard exclusions include:

• Fear of flying
• Injuries incurred during extreme sports
• Preexisting conditions (on medical policies)
• Travel to high-risk destinations

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

The average cost of a travel insurance policy is $221, according to our research. However, the price you pay for travel insurance depends on several factors, including:

• Your total trip cost: The amount you pay for your trip will impact your travel insurance quote, with more expensive trips usually costing more to insure due to the risk of higher payouts.
• Destination: Some countries have more robust government and healthcare infrastructures than others. The quality and average cost of medical services in the country you’re visiting will typically influence your insurance cost.
• Length of your vacation: The longer the duration of your trip, the more you will typically pay for travel insurance.
• Your age: Older travelers usually pay more for travel insurance because insurance companies assume they are more likely to get hurt, sick or experience an accident, such as a fall, while abroad.

To help give you an idea of what you might pay for travel insurance, the MarketWatch Guide team gathered a series of quotes for several sample trips. Here is the pricing for popular plans with our recommended providers. 

What Is the Cheapest Travel Insurance?

After extensive review, our team found the average cost of a basic travel insurance policy is between $91 and $108 . The least expensive travel insurance companies are Nationwide, Trawick and Travelex according to our review. 

Read more about the cheapest travel insurance providers in our review. 

How Do I Get Travel Insurance?

Are you thinking about buying a travel insurance policy for your upcoming trip ? Here’s how to start comparing policies to get the coverage you need.

Check Current Coverage

If you’re primarily concerned about buying travel insurance for medical expenses and already have health insurance, travel insurance might not be a necessary expense. Employer-sponsored medical coverage, for example, will provide health care coverage anywhere you travel within the United States. Companies that provide ACA-compliant health insurance plans are also legally required to cover emergency services administered at any medical facility in the United States.

If you’re traveling internationally, your health plan will likely have exclusions or limitations on treatments you receive abroad. For example, most Medicare plans don’t offer coverage for international treatments. Contact your health insurance provider to learn what, if anything, your plan will cover abroad.

You might also have additional protections you’re unaware of. Some credit card companies offer limited coverage for airline baggage delays, and life insurance coverage for accidental death and dismemberment still applies abroad.

Assess all your household coverages and consult with the insurance providers you’re currently working with to see how much extra trip insurance you need.

Consider Individual Needs

The best travel protection for your upcoming trip will depend on what you’ve spent on the trip, where you’re going and how often you travel. You’ll also need to consider the types of coverage you might need, especially if you’re headed abroad. For example, if you have a chronic condition that requires regular medical care in professional settings, you should consider coverage for a medical evacuation.

Like every other type of insurance, no single travel insurance policy will cover all expenses you might incur. Coverage limits apply to every trip, with the upper limit as the maximum amount that your insurance will compensate you. The higher your coverage limit, the more you’ll pay for your travel insurance plan — but it’s essential to tell the truth about your trip cost to be sure that you have adequate coverage. 

You can often save money on your coverage by selecting a policy with a lower deductible .

Now that you understand the multiple travel insurance types available, it’s time to begin claiming free quotes from competing insurance providers. Though most travel insurance providers allow you to claim a quote online, you can also contact most companies’ representatives via phone or email if you prefer personal assistance.

Remember to get a free quote from multiple insurance providers before choosing the right policy.

How Do I Use My Travel Insurance?

If you’ve ever needed to file a claim with your car insurance or pet insurance provider, you’re already familiar with the process of filing a travel insurance claim. While you’ll need to cover any emergency expenses on your own at the time of service, you can file a claim with proof of your loss or expense to your insurance company. Your insurance company will then assess your claim to ensure that your situation is covered before reimbursing you according to your policy.

You’ll need to incur a travel cost or expense that’s specifically covered by your insurance policy to claim a reimbursement. Make sure you read the fine print on your insurance contract before signing up for coverage and save all receipts from your trip to maximize your benefits.

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

While some countries or visa requirements require travel insurance, many countries do not require U.S. travelers to purchase a policy as a condition of entry. You also do not need travel insurance to travel within the U.S. or visit Canada. 

Whether you should purchase travel insurance depends on your circumstances. Travel insurance is typically most valuable for expensive trips because you can recoup a higher value of expenses. In other words, reimbursement eligibility scales with vacation value. You may find insurance for low-cost trips tougher to justify financially — especially if part of the trip is refundable or you already have some insurance benefits through a travel credit card . 

Travel insurance is potentially of value if your regular health insurance is limited or you’re traveling to an area with a limited medical infrastructure. Getting sick or hurt abroad often comes at a high expense, especially if you require medical evacuation services to a hospital. Travel insurance that covers medical expenses and evacuations can help cover these costs, especially if your primary health insurance does not extend abroad.

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

If you’re preparing for a trip, is it worth purchasing travel insurance ? The answer to this question will vary depending on your unique circumstances. If you’re preparing for an expensive international vacation, it’s likely worth the money to insure your trip against cancellation. This is especially true for long-distance trips that require expensive airfare. 

You might also want to consider travel insurance if you have known medical conditions that might cause you to need last-minute trip adjustments. 

Even if you don’t think you’ll buy travel insurance, getting a free quote or two takes only a few minutes — coverage might be more affordable than you think.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance

Is it necessary to have travel insurance.

No law mandates purchasing travel insurance when you go abroad. However, you will be financially liable for any money lost due to travel delays or cancellations if you don’t have insurance. If you’ve prepaid for your upcoming trip, you should at least consider a trip cancellation coverage package to recoup a portion of your funds in an emergency.

What are the benefits of travel insurance?

Travel insurance benefits can include reimbursement for lost baggage, medical expenses and other costs incurred when you cancel a trip or encounter a delay. Travel insurance can give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you can recover a portion of the cost of your trip if something goes wrong or you have an emergency.

Where can I purchase travel insurance?

You can purchase travel insurance through independent insurance companies, many of which offer a range of insurance products. Some of the most well-known names in travel insurance include Allianz, Nationwide and AIG. If you booked your vacation through a travel agency, your agent might also be able to recommend and book travel insurance for your journey.

What is the difference between travel insurance and a medical plan?

Travel medical insurance is a limited type of health insurance coverage that can help you pay for treatments and emergency services you require abroad. While you likely have a medical plan in the form of health insurance through your employer, most insurance companies don’t extend benefits to international services. Travel insurance covers medical expenses like a domestic medical plan but allows you to file claims for specific services and treatments received abroad.

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides. com .

MarketWatch Guides may receive compensation from companies that appear on this page.
The compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear, but it does not influence the recommendations the editorial team provides. Not all companies, products, or offers were reviewed.

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Travel insurance

What does travel delay insurance cover?

Mandy Sleight

Alyce Meserve

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Heidi Gollub

Published 12:35 p.m. UTC Aug. 20, 2024

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• Travel delay coverage offers benefits for accommodations, communications, local transportation and meals when your trip is delayed for a covered reason.
• The required time before travel delay insurance kicks in will vary by policy, but it is usually between three and 12 consecutive hours.
• The typical travel delay coverage benefit ranges from $100 to $300 daily with a maximum limit of $100 to $5,000.

How does trip delay insurance work? 

Travel insurance can provide multiple benefits, including travel delay coverage. “Trip delay coverage can reimburse you for expenses incurred if you are delayed for a covered reason on your way to your destination, during your trip or on your way home,” said Angela Borden, product specialist at travel insurance provider Seven Corners.

Air carrier mechanical issues, inclement weather, mandatory quarantines, natural disasters and unannounced strikes are common reasons you might get reimbursed by trip delay coverage, said Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com.

The travel delay benefit amount will vary by insurance policy, and you must be delayed for a minimum number of hours to qualify. Coverage is typically between $100 and $300 per day, up to a maximum per trip of $100 to $5,000. It will kick in after you are delayed between three and 12 consecutive hours, depending on your travel insurance plan. 

“For example, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s ExactCare plan will provide up to $200 a day ($1,000 maximum) reimbursement for qualified expenses when a trip is delayed five or more hours,” said Carol Mueller, vice president of Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.

Lauren Gumport, vice president of communications and brand at Faye Travel Insurance said a Faye plan may reimburse up to $300 per day, or $4,500 per trip, after a delay of six hours or more.

As you can see, the features of a specific insurance policy will vary by provider and level of coverage. Premium plans typically have shorter delay waiting periods with higher reimbursement maximums than economy plans. Comparing travel insurance plans and providers can help you find the best travel insurance policy with the types of coverage and levels of compensation you need to cover your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses.

Does trip delay insurance differ from trip delay benefits on a credit card?

Many credit cards offer trip delay coverage as a benefit. However, the amount is usually lower than what a travel insurance policy covers . Most credit cards will only cover up to $500 per trip or ticket, and you must purchase your nonrefundable trip expenses using the same credit card to be eligible.

A credit card’s covered reason list may also be more restrictive than a travel insurance plan. Credit cards might require longer minimum delay time and fewer covered delay reasons. Although having trip delay benefits on an eligible card is nice, it may not be enough to cover the additional expenses you incur if you experience a flight delay.

What does trip delay insurance cover?

Although travel insurance plans vary in what they cover, trip delay insurance typically covers accommodations, communications, meals and local transportation. “Trip delay benefits can only reimburse you if the delay was triggered for a covered reason and if the delay was for the required length of time, both of which will be outlined in your plan,” said Borden.

Let’s say severe weather delays your flight for five hours and ultimately cancels it. The airline can get you and your traveling companions on another flight, but the next available flight isn’t until the following day. Now, you have additional costs for a hotel room, meals and a cab to and from the hotel. 

Because severe weather is listed as an acceptable reason in your travel insurance policy, making it a covered delay, your trip delay insurance can help. You’ll file a claim for reimbursement of the money you spent on your unplanned overnight stay up to the coverage limits. 

“Every policy and provider are different and will have a list of what is a covered reason for a delay. It is important to read through your policy before purchasing it — to be sure you know what is and is not covered,” said Suzanne Morrow, senior vice president for InsureMyTrip.

Expert tip: It’s important to note that trip delay insurance only covers reasonable additional expenses. So if you go to a high-end, expensive restaurant and stay at the most expensive hotel, you may only get partial reimbursement or none at all.

Trip delay vs. trip interruption insurance

Trip delay insurance covers certain delays that occur while traveling to your destination or while returning home at the end of your trip. Trip interruption insurance is another common benefit included in travel insurance policies that can help if you have to cut your trip short to return home early for a covered reason. This coverage can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses you lose by ending your trip early, plus the additional cost of a new, one-way, economy ticket home. 

Here are some common reasons you might use your trip interruption benefits:

• You or your traveling companion get sick or injured while traveling and can’t complete your trip.
• Severe weather causes your destination accommodations or home to become uninhabitable. 
• A death in the family causes you to cancel mid-trip and return home.

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How to file a trip delay insurance claim

If you experience a trip delay that exceeds the waiting period listed in your travel insurance policy, you should notify your insurer as soon as possible. 

Document and provide essential details, like:

• Names of airline representatives you spoke to.
• What they said and when/where you talked with them.
• The reason for the delay.
• Efforts you took to continue your trip, such as accepting an alternative itinerary. 

You’ll also need receipts for the additional reasonable expenses, proof of delay from the airline and the original itinerary.

Each insurance company may have a different process and conditions for filing claims, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the requirements before you leave.

Trip delay insurance FAQs

If you experience a delay en route to your destination or on the way home, trip delay insurance can reimburse you for extra expenses you incur, such as meals and a hotel. Typical covered reasons for trip delay benefits include common carrier delays caused by bad weather, mechanical failure and strike. Your travel insurance policy will list a waiting period, which is the number of hours you must be delayed before coverage begins, a daily limit and a maximum limit for coverage.

If you’re on your way to your destination, or on your way home at the end of your trip, and experience a covered delay such as a canceled flight due to severe weather, you may be eligible to file a trip delay claim. The waiting period for trip delay coverage to begin varies by travel insurance plan but is usually between three and 12 consecutive hours. Delay waiting period, covered reasons and coverage limits vary by insurer and specific insurance policy.

Travelers with trip delay insurance can claim necessary expenses, like lodging, food and transportation, that occur because of a covered trip delay. For instance, if winter weather grounded flights for 15 hours. Your trip delay benefits may reimburse you for a night at a hotel, a cab to and from the airport and meals that you had to pay for out of pocket because of the delay. 

Want to protect your next trip? What does travel insurance cover?

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.

Alyce Meserve is an experienced insurance, personal finance and travel writer. Alyce is a licensed insurance professional in life, health and property and casualty, and holds an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from Duke University.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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• What is travel insurance?
• Average cost
• When to buy travel insurance
• Average cost by age
• What does travel insurance cover?

Travel Insurance Cost: Average Travel Insurance Prices in 2024

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• The average travel insurance premium this week is $297.42, down about 0.38% compared to last week.
• For travel in the United States, the average premium is $175 to $350.
• Travel insurance protects against delayed baggage, trip cancellation, and more.

The average cost of travel insurance fluctuates throughout the year, based on demand and whether or not school's in session. Also keep in mind that where you're traveling and how many people are taking the trip will affect your exact premium.

Understanding Travel Insurance

Travel insurance plans can cover both domestic and international travel. It could protect against something as familiar as delayed baggage (experts estimate 85% of lost luggage is returned to its owner within 48 hours) or as complicated as trip cancellation.

The benefits and limitations of travel insurance vary based on the company and plan. Above all else, this insurance coverage offers peace of mind.

Some credit cards offer a limited amount of travel insurance annually. If you need clarification on what your credit card offers, contact your provider to verify. These plans are great for cancellations and interruptions but may not cover more costly losses associated with unexpected medical expenses or emergency evacuations.

Individual travel insurance plans include this and much more. Travel insurance protects travelers from the unexpected when away from home.

Average Cost of Travel Insurance by Destination

Some countries are naturally more expensive travel destinations due to higher flight and lodging costs, which could increase travel insurance costs. Travel insurance will generally cost 5% to 10% of your total trip price, according to SquareMouth travel insurance .

Here's how the prices stack up:

Source: SquareMouth

How Far in Advance to Purchase Travel Insurance

According to an AAA travel survey , 88% of travelers say that reimbursement after a trip cancellation is the most valuable benefit of trip insurance.

According to data gathered by SquareMouth in the last six months, travelers tend to purchase trip cancellation travel insurance 53 days before their trip. Meanwhile, travelers without trip cancellation insurance will buy a policy approximately 16 days before their trip. Regardless of when you buy, cancellation protection can kick in to protect you against the unexpected.

Average Cost of Travel Insurance by Age

A traveler's age is a significant factor in determining the cost of travel insurance. The older a traveler is, the higher travel insurance premiums are. For instance, a senior traveler may need more insurance for health-related emergencies than a millennial.

When calculating your travel insurance premium, travel insurance providers consider the likelihood of a medical emergency.

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Travel Insurance Rate Tips

Travel insurance rates through most providers fall between 4% and 8% of the total trip cost. Like the cost of flights, cruises, etc., rates may vary substantially based on the season, your original location, your destination, and other factors. This week, the average cost of a policy was close to $300.

To save money on travel insurance, tailor your policy to your specific needs and avoid unnecessary extras. You should also shop around to compare quotes from multiple insurers. Opting for an annual plan if you're a frequent traveler, checking existing coverages from other insurance policies or credit card benefits, and choosing a policy with a higher deductible can significantly lower your premiums. Always read the fine print to understand your coverage fully, ensuring you don't pay for redundant or irrelevant features.

To find affordable travel insurance, consider using online comparison websites like SquareMouth or InsureMyTrip to see rates from various providers. Other ways to save include purchasing directly from insurance companies, exploring package deals from travel agencies or airlines, utilizing included coverage from credit card benefits, and checking for discounts through membership organizations such as AAA or AARP.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Travel Tips: A Guide for Kidney Patients

For many patients who are on dialysis or have had a kidney transplant, the ability to travel is important to their self-esteem and lifestyle. Working patients may need to attend business meetings or conferences. Older patients may have dreamed of traveling during their retirement. A family event such as a wedding, graduation or family reunion may require travel away from home. At times, emergencies such as illness or a death in the family may require travel.

Is it possible for kidney patients to travel?

Yes, most patients who receive dialysis or have had a kidney transplant can travel safely and continue their treatment while away from home. Of course, you should always consult your doctor before planning to travel. Most doctors encourage travel if the patient's health is stable. Traveling can give a big boost to a patient's morale and sense of well-being.

How should hemodialysis patients begin to plan a trip?

Many dialysis centers have a staff member who is experienced in arranging dialysis treatments away from home (transient dialysis). Some centers will assist patients in making their own arrangements. Ask your social worker or primary nurse if there is such a person at your center.

It is important to start planning at least six to eight weeks in advance. More time should be allowed for popular vacation spots or travel during holidays. Be flexible about the dates for your trip as space in dialysis units may be limited. If you would prefer to have your treatments on specific days and at specific times, let the center know in advance. The unit may not always be able to honor your request, however, because space is limited.

You or your patient travel coordinator may need to contact more than one center in order to find a center that can provide dialysis for you. Check with the center as soon as you arrive to confirm your appointment. You may also want to visit the center and meet the staff so you will feel more comfortable. Before doing this, however, make an appointment with the social worker or nurse manager of the dialysis center you plan to visit.

How will I find a center to dialyze at?

If you plan to visit friends or family out of town, they may be able to give you the name and address of the dialysis center nearest them. Resource publications are available at your center listing dialysis centers around the world that are willing to accept transient dialysis patients. Your social worker or the patient travel coordinator at your center will be able to assist you.

What if I need to travel in an emergency?

Many dialysis centers make every effort to accommodate patients in the event of an emergency such as illness or death of a family member. Dialysis records can be faxed ahead, or you can hand carry them with you.

What information will my transient dialysis center need to safely provide dialysis for me?

Most dialysis centers require the following information in order to assess your health and plan for your treatments with them:

• the dates you need dialysis treatment
• your name, address, etc.
• medical history and recent physical exam reports
• recent lab results
• recent chest x-ray
• your dialysis prescription and 3 to 5 recent treatment records
• dialysis access type
• special needs or dialysis requirements
• information about your general health
• insurance information
• where you will be staying in the area
• a list of the medications you take during treatment and at home.

This information will be sent to your destination center for review. It is important for the doctor and transient center to know as much about you as possible in order to care for your needs while visiting their center. In addition to mailing your records to the center, you should hand carry a copy with you.

How can I be sure about the quality of care I will be getting away from my regular center?

You may want to ask the following questions when making your arrangements for hemodialysis during your trip:

• Does the center reuse dialyzers?
• Does the center reuse bloodlines?
• What is the average treatment length of dialysis at the center?
• Can they provide the treatment time your doctor has prescribed?
• What are the hours and days of operation? Traveling patients often are placed on an evening shift, which could end as early as 7:30 p.m. or as late as 2:00 a.m.
• What types of dialyzers are used?
• Can you use the same type of dialyzer you use at your home center?
• What types of dialysis machine does the center have (conventional, high flux capability)?
• Does the center routinely provide lidocaine?
• Are patients permitted to eat or drink while on dialysis?
• Is an ice machine available for patients?
• Is public transportation available to get to the center?
• How many patients are assigned to each nurse or patient care technician?
• Can you get all the medications you get at your home center during dialysis?

What if I get sick while I am visiting another center?

Don't overdo it! Be realistic when planning activities. Allow enough time to enjoy sightseeing outings and activities without becoming overtired. Also, be sure to watch your diet and fluid intake. Before you begin your trip, you will most likely have a doctor assigned to you by your transient dialysis center. Find out how to contact the doctor when you first arrive. If you do become ill, call the dialysis center or doctor as instructed.

It is possible that a transient patient may require hospitalization. If this should happen to you, your transient doctor is prepared for this possibility and will care for you during your hospital stay. He or she will probably talk to your regular doctor to coordinate your care. You may feel more comfortable to know if this coordination has taken place. Being hospitalized while away from home can be a stressful experience for any patient, and it certainly can change your travel plans. Preparing ahead for this possibility can help make the experience less stressful. The following suggestions may be helpful:

• Make sure your family knows your travel plans.
• Make sure you have important phone numbers with such names as your regular doctor, dialysis center, etc. Have a copy of your medical records with you while traveling.
• Make sure anyone who is traveling with you knows where you keep your records and what your medical needs are.
• Make sure to bring enough of the medications you need to take to last for the entire trip, with enough extra to deal with possible emergencies such as lost luggage or a spill. Also carry written prescriptions just in case.

Is home hemodialysis possible on a trip?

Yes, although most home hemodialysis patients make arrangements for in-center treatments while traveling. Patients who wish to continue doing their own treatment while traveling should check with their dialysis care team about whether they can do home dialysis away from home. Some patients travel with their machines, supplies and portable water treatment equipment. An example would be people who have dialyzed in campsites equipped with hook-ups for electricity.

Even if you do your own treatment, it is important to know where the closest dialysis center is where you could go for assistance. Let the center know when you will be in the area, and ask if they would be willing to provide medical assistance if needed. Carry complete medical information with you. Remember that most dialysis and equipment companies have toll-free numbers for assistance 24 hours a day. Carry these numbers with you.

What should peritoneal dialysis patients know about traveling?

Traveling is often easier for peritoneal dialysis patients because they are not dependent on the availability of a dialysis unit. Peritoneal dialysis patients still need to plan ahead and arrange for back-up medical care for their trips, as do hemodialysis patients. Typically, this would mean contacting a dialysis center in the area where you will be and asking if they would be available should a problem arise. The center may request a copy of your medical records in advance. In any case, you should always carry a copy of your records with you as well.

CAPD patients should carry enough supplies for the length of the trip, plus some extra supplies in case of problems. It may also be possible to arrange for delivery of supplies to your destination for longer stays. Make sure these supplies have arrived before you leave on your trip. CAPD patients also need to plan for adequate clean space where they may do their exchanges while traveling.

APD patients who plan to travel for one week or longer can arrange for supplies to be delivered to their destination. Smaller cycler machines are now available, which are easy to carry on airplanes and to use in hotel rooms, campers, etc.

Is it possible to travel if you are active on a transplant waiting list?

Yes. Simply inform your transplant coordinator about your travel plans. The coordinator will help you decide whether to be "on hold" during the trip or whether you would be able to return within a reasonable amount of time if a kidney became available. Arrange to be contacted in the event a kidney becomes available.

What should diabetic patients know about traveling?

Since the unexpected may happen during a trip and meals may be delayed, you should carry glucose tablets and appropriate snacks, such as low-potassium juice boxes or hard candy, to treat low blood sugar. It's a good idea to travel with a "brown-bag" lunch or a packaged nutritional supplement in case of delays. Managing your diabetes can be made simpler by having insulin, syringes and blood glucose monitoring supplies handy.

Will my insurance cover treatment during travel?

If Medicare is your primary insurance coverage, Medicare will pay for 80 percent of your treatment costs within the U.S. and its territories. You will be responsible for the remaining 20 percent not covered by Medicare. If you have secondary insurance, it may cover this 20 percent. However, you may have to pay this 20 percent "up front" and bill your insurance later. Check with the transient center about their policy on this. Most state Medicaid programs will not pay for treatment outside of your home state.

If you have commercial insurance as your primary insurance, you may need to request a letter from your insurance company stating they will pay for your treatment at the transient dialysis center. Some commercial insurance will pay for dialysis outside of the U.S. Transient dialysis centers will often call and verify this coverage themselves. Be sure to allow enough planning time to make these arrangements.

A doctor's fee may also be charged by the transient dialysis center. Be sure to ask what portion of this charge will be your responsibility.

Further information

Where can I get more information?

Following is a list of other resources you may find helpful:

• Easy Access to National Parks, by Sierra Club Books, available at bookstores or order from the Sierra Club at 1-800-935-1056.
• Management of Diabetes During Intercontinental Travel, available free from The Diabetic Traveler, P.O.. Box 8223 RW, Stamford, CT 06905; (203) 327-5832.
• "The List," a comprehensive list of international dialysis centers accepting transient patients. Available from Dialysis & Transplantation, 7628 Densmore Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406-2088. (Most dialysis centers have a copy.)
• Also available are companies that specialize in vacation and travel planning for dialysis patients, such as cruises, foreign travel, and wilderness travel. Camps are available for dialysis and transplant patients (both adults and children). Contact your local National Kidney Foundation office for more information and a directory of camps. Your health care team can also give you more information about these options.

Don't forget!

• Hand carry essential medical information, your medicines and other medical supplies in case of the unexpected, such as lost luggage.
• Bring enough of your medications to last for your entire trip, with enough extra to deal with possible emergencies. Also carry written prescriptions just in case.
• If you need extra assistance boarding a plane or train, inform personnel when you check in so they can give you special instructions.
• If you are planning to travel by plane or train, make arrangements for any special meals such as low-salt, low-fat or diabetic, at the time you make your reservations.
• When making a hotel reservation, you can request a first-floor room or a handicapped-accessible room, if stairs or distances are a problem.
• If you use a travel agent, tell the agent about any special needs you may have, such as special meals, accessible rooms, and assistance while changing planes. The agent can also advise you about special considerations regarding safe transport of dialysis supplies while traveling to foreign countries.

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