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Travel Insurance

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Take the worry out of your travels with affordable flight or trip insurance.

Looking to plan the vacation of a lifetime or flying home for the holidays? Trip insurance and flight insurance can provide the peace of mind you need for your next journey. The GEICO Insurance Agency, with Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP), offers comprehensive travel insurance coverage, with prompt service and global assistance. Get an online travel insurance quote today and confidently protect your next adventure.

AirCare Flight Insurance

If you only need to protect your travel costs for a flight, AirCare may be what you need. With affordable coverage for both domestic and international flights, AirCare flight insurance helps you plan with peace of mind.

ExactCare Travel Insurance

If you want to cover your flight and other trip arrangement's ExtraCare can help. An ExactCare Travel Insurance policy can help with the unexpected like:

  • Trip Cancellations/Interruptions/Delays
  • Lost/Stolen travel documents
  • Unexpected medical expenses

What's the difference between flight insurance and travel insurance?

The main difference is that a flight insurance policy only covers your airfare. On the other hand, a travel insurance policy helps protect your flight as well as other parts of your trip. While you're planning your next trip, think about where you're going and what you'll be doing. Once you have that, it'll be easier to choose which policy works best for your trip.

What does a flight insurance policy cover?

AirCare Flight Insurance has a variety of benefits including emergency travel assistance, 24/7/365. Some common flight coverages are:

  • Airfare incase flights are cancelled or you miss a connection
  • Personal items like lost or delayed luggage
  • Flight delays in your departure (at the gate or on the tarmac)

AirCare Quote

What does a travel insurance policy cover?

ExactCare Travel Insurance provides all-in-one travel protection, with family friendly pricing and worldwide emergency travel assistance 24/7/365. Common things covered by travel insurance are:

  • Trip cancellation or interruption
  • Personal items like passports and luggage
  • Medical costs like hospital and doctor expenses, medical evacuations, and more

ExactCare quote

What is not covered by travel insurance?

Your coverage is based on the plan you choose. However, in general some things that aren't normally covered by travel insurance are:

  • Action and team sports, for example auto racing, pro sports travel, or other extreme sport activities
  • Travel to get medical care
  • Trip Cancellation because you changed your mind

For more information, please check your policy.

Is travel or trip insurance worth the cost?

Travel insurance can help protect your vacation or trips from unexpected things happening. You can travel without trip insurance but doing so brings greater risk if something goes wrong or you encounter unexpected delays. Flight insurance or trip insurance coverage can include things like flight cancellation, lost luggage, trip cancellation, emergency medical transportation, and more. Learn more about travel insurance and why you should get a travel insurance quote today!

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance typically costs 5 to 10 percent of your total trip cost, though that can be influenced by several things.

  • The cost of the trip
  • The length of your trip and destination
  • The amount of coverage selected
  • The number of travelers covered under the policy

Worldwide service and claims information.

It's easy to manage your travel insurance..

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) has made it easy to manage your travel insurance. You can:

Is travel insurance worth it?

Yes. Things happen that are out of your control. Whether it's your flight being cancelled or delayed to a family emergency. Life happens and that's how travel insurance can help. Plan for the unexpected with a travel insurance policy so you can rest easy knowing you're covered.

Travel Insurance: Get the answers you're looking for.

  • What travel insurance plans are available? BHTB offers AirCare (flight only) and 3 main plans: ExactCare Value, ExactCare, and ExactCare Extra. ExactCare Value provides great traveling insurance coverage for budget minded travelers. You can rest easy knowing you're covered for things like trip cancellation, trip interruption, and medical expenses. The main difference is the maximum amount that will be covered. ExactCare and ExactCare Extra's insurance cover the same things as ExactCare Value and add coverage for missed connections and accidental death & dismemberment. The overall amount covered is also increased for each plan respectively.
  • Can I get trip insurance for an extended overseas stay? Yes. We can help you with getting insurance for overseas. Please visit our overseas insurance page for information about all the options we have for you!
  • Is there travel insurance that can cover my vehicle while traveling to Mexico? Your US auto insurance policy won't cover your vehicle when you drive into Mexico. We're here to help you find the Mexico car insurance you need to insure your car.
  • Tips for saving money on your next vacation. No one wants to overpay things. We're here to help. Check out our 5 ways to save your money on your next family vacation.
  • Where you're going
  • Number of days you're traveling
  • Cost of your overall trip
  • Coverage you pick
  • Number of people covered under your policy

If you choose to get a rate quote or service your policy online, you will be taken to the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection website which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, not GEICO. Any information that you provide directly to Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company on its website is subject to the privacy policy posted on their website, which you should read before proceeding. GEICO assumes no responsibility for their privacy practices or your use of their website.

ExactCare is provided through Berkshire Hathaway Global Insurance Services, LLC. ExactCare and AirCare are underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company. Both coverages are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.

Benefits may vary by jurisdiction. Please contact a representative to confirm availability.

Please note:

The above is meant as general information and as general policy descriptions to help you understand the different types of coverages. These descriptions do not refer to any specific contract of insurance and they do not modify any definitions, exclusions or any other provision expressly stated in any contracts of insurance. We encourage you to speak to your insurance representative and to read your policy contract to fully understand your coverages.

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The best travel insurance policies and providers

Katie Genter

It's easy to dismiss the value of travel insurance until you need it.

Many travelers have strong opinions about whether you should buy travel insurance . However, the purpose of this post isn't to determine whether it's worth investing in. Instead, it compares some of the top travel insurance providers and policies so you can determine which travel insurance option is best for you.

Of course, as the coronavirus remains an ongoing concern, it's important to understand whether travel insurance covers pandemics. Some policies will cover you if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and have proof of illness from a doctor. Others will take coverage a step further, covering additional types of pandemic-related expenses and cancellations.

Know, though, that every policy will have exclusions and restrictions that may limit coverage. For example, fear of travel is generally not a covered reason for invoking trip cancellation or interruption coverage, while specific stipulations may apply to elevated travel warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Interested in travel insurance? Visit InsureMyTrip.com to shop for plans that may fit your travel needs.

So, before buying a specific policy, you must understand the full terms and any special notices the insurer has about COVID-19. You may even want to buy the optional cancel for any reason add-on that's available for some comprehensive policies. While you'll pay more for that protection, it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still get some of your costs back. Note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has other eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

In this guide, we'll review several policies from top travel insurance providers so you have a better understanding of your options before picking the policy and provider that best address your wants and needs.

The best travel insurance providers

To put together this list of the best travel insurance providers, a number of details were considered: favorable ratings from TPG Lounge members, the availability of details about policies and the claims process online, positive online ratings and the ability to purchase policies in most U.S. states. You can also search for options from these (and other) providers through an insurance comparison site like InsureMyTrip .

When comparing insurance providers, I priced out a single-trip policy for each provider for a $2,000, one-week vacation to Istanbul . I used my actual age and state of residence when obtaining quotes. As a result, you may see a different price — or even additional policies due to regulations for travel insurance varying from state to state — when getting a quote.

AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard receives many positive reviews from readers in the TPG Lounge who have filed claims with the company. AIG offers three plans online, which you can compare side by side, and the ability to examine sample policies. Here are three plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

flight travel insurance coverage

AIG Travel Guard also offers an annual travel plan. This plan is priced at $259 per year for one Florida resident.

Additionally, AIG Travel Guard offers several other policies, including a single-trip policy without trip cancellation protection . See AIG Travel Guard's COVID-19 notification and COVID-19 advisory for current details regarding COVID-19 coverage.

Preexisting conditions

Typically, AIG Travel Guard wouldn't cover you for any loss or expense due to a preexisting medical condition that existed within 180 days of the coverage effective date. However, AIG Travel Guard may waive the preexisting medical condition exclusion on some plans if you meet the following conditions:

  • You purchase the plan within 15 days of your initial trip payment.
  • The amount of coverage you purchase equals all trip costs at the time of purchase. You must update your coverage to insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements that you add to your trip within 15 days of paying the travel supplier for these additional arrangements.
  • You must be medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.

Standout features

  • The Deluxe and Preferred plans allow you to purchase an upgrade that lets you cancel your trip for any reason. However, reimbursement under this coverage will not exceed 50% or 75% of your covered trip cost.
  • You can include one child (age 17 and younger) with each paying adult for no additional cost on most single-trip plans.
  • Other optional upgrades, including an adventure sports bundle, a baggage bundle, an inconvenience bundle, a pet bundle, a security bundle and a wedding bundle, are available on some policies. So, an AIG Travel Guard plan may be a good choice if you know you want extra coverage in specific areas.

Purchase your policy here: AIG Travel Guard .

Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz is one of the most highly regarded providers in the TPG Lounge, and many readers found the claim process reasonable. Allianz offers many plans, including the following single-trip plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

flight travel insurance coverage

If you travel frequently, it may make sense to purchase an annual multi-trip policy. For this plan, all of the maximum coverage amounts in the table below are per trip (except for the trip cancellation and trip interruption amounts, which are an aggregate limit per policy). Trips typically must last no more than 45 days, although some plans may cover trips of up to 90 days.

flight travel insurance coverage

See Allianz's coverage alert for current information on COVID-19 coverage.

Most Allianz travel insurance plans may cover preexisting medical conditions if you meet particular requirements. For the OneTrip Premier, Prime and Basic plans, the requirements are as follows:

  • You purchased the policy within 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit.
  • You were a U.S. resident when you purchased the policy.
  • You were medically able to travel when you purchased the policy.
  • On the policy purchase date, you insured the total, nonrefundable cost of your trip (including arrangements that will become nonrefundable or subject to cancellation penalties before your departure date). If you incur additional nonrefundable trip expenses after purchasing this policy, you must insure them within 14 days of their purchase.
  • Allianz offers reasonably priced annual policies for independent travelers and families who take multiple trips lasting up to 45 days (or 90 days for select plans) per year.
  • Some Allianz plans provide the option of receiving a flat reimbursement amount without receipts for trip delay and baggage delay claims. Of course, you can also submit receipts to get up to the maximum refund.
  • For emergency transportation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Allianz, and Allianz must then make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, most Allianz policies provide an option if you cannot contact the company: Allianz will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Allianz Travel Insurance .

American Express Travel Insurance

American Express Travel Insurance offers four different package plans and a build-your-own coverage option. You don't have to be an American Express cardholder to purchase this insurance. Here are the four package options for my sample weeklong trip to Turkey. Unlike some other providers, Amex won't ask for your travel destination on the initial quote (but will when you purchase the plan).

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Amex's build-your-own coverage plan is unique because you can purchase just the coverage you need. For most types of protection, you can even select the coverage amount that works best for you.

flight travel insurance coverage

The prices for the packages and the build-your-own plan don't increase for longer trips — as long as the trip cost remains constant. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit is only available for your first 60 days of travel.

Typically, Amex won't cover any loss you incur because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. However, Amex may waive its preexisting-condition exclusion if you meet both of the following requirements:

  • You must be medically able to travel at the time you pay the policy premium.
  • You pay the policy premium within 14 days of making the first covered trip deposit.
  • Amex's build-your-own coverage option allows you to only purchase — and pay for — the coverage you need.
  • Coverage on long trips doesn't cost more than coverage for short trips, making this policy ideal for extended getaways. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit only covers your first 60 days of travel.
  • American Express Travel Insurance can protect travel expenses you purchase with Amex Membership Rewards points in the Pay with Points program (as well as travel expenses bought with cash, debit or credit). However, travel expenses bought with other types of points and miles aren't covered.

Purchase your policy here: American Express Travel Insurance .

GeoBlue is different from most other providers described in this piece because it only provides medical coverage while you're traveling internationally and does not offer benefits to protect the cost of your trip. There are many different policies. Some require you to have primary health insurance in the U.S. (although it doesn't need to be provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield), but all of them only offer coverage while traveling outside the U.S.

Two single-trip plans are available if you're traveling for six months or less. The Voyager Choice policy provides coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger and already have a U.S. health insurance policy.

flight travel insurance coverage

The Voyager Essential policy provides coverage (including medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger, regardless of whether they have primary health insurance.

flight travel insurance coverage

In addition to these options, two multi-trip plans cover trips of up to 70 days each for one year. Both policies provide coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for preexisting conditions) to travelers with primary health insurance.

flight travel insurance coverage

Be sure to check out GeoBlue's COVID-19 notices before buying a plan.

Most GeoBlue policies explicitly cover sudden recurrences of preexisting conditions for medical services and medical evacuation.

  • GeoBlue can be an excellent option if you're mainly concerned about the medical side of travel insurance.
  • GeoBlue provides single-trip, multi-trip and long-term medical travel insurance policies for many different types of travel.

Purchase your policy here: GeoBlue .

IMG offers various travel medical insurance policies for travelers, as well as comprehensive travel insurance policies. For a single trip of 90 days or less, there are five policy types available for vacation or holiday travelers. Although you must enter your gender, males and females received the same quote for my one-week search.

flight travel insurance coverage

You can purchase an annual multi-trip travel medical insurance plan. Some only cover trips lasting up to 30 or 45 days, but others provide coverage for longer trips.

flight travel insurance coverage

See IMG's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Most plans may cover preexisting conditions under set parameters or up to specific amounts. For example, the iTravelInsured Travel LX travel insurance plan shown above may cover preexisting conditions if you purchase the insurance within 24 hours of making the final payment for your trip.

For the travel medical insurance plans shown above, preexisting conditions are covered for travelers younger than 70. However, coverage is capped based on your age and whether you have a primary health insurance policy.

  • Some annual multi-trip plans are modestly priced.
  • iTravelInsured Travel LX may offer optional cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason coverage, if eligible.

Purchase your policy here: IMG .

Travelex Insurance

Travelex offers three single-trip plans: Travel Basic, Travel Select and Travel America. However, only the Travel Basic and Travel Select plans would be applicable for my trip to Turkey.

flight travel insurance coverage

See Travelex's COVID-19 coverage statement for coronavirus-specific information.

Typically, Travelex won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 60 days of the coverage effective date. However, the Travel Select plan may offer a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, the insured traveler must meet all the following conditions:

  • You purchase the plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment.
  • The amount of coverage purchased equals all prepaid, nonrefundable payments or deposits applicable to the trip at the time of purchase. Additionally, you must insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements added to the same trip within 15 days of payment or deposit.
  • All insured individuals are medically able to travel when they pay the plan cost.
  • The trip cost does not exceed the maximum trip cost limit under trip cancellation as shown in the schedule per person (only applicable to trip cancellation, interruption and delay).
  • Travelex's Travel Select policy can cover trips lasting up to 364 days, which is longer than many single-trip policies.
  • Neither Travelex policy requires receipts for trip and baggage delay expenses less than $25.
  • For emergency evacuation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Travelex and have Travelex make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, both Travelex policies provide an option if you cannot contact Travelex: Travelex will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Travelex Insurance .

Seven Corners

Seven Corners offers a wide variety of policies. Here are the policies that are most applicable to travelers on a single international trip.

flight travel insurance coverage

Seven Corners also offers many other types of travel insurance, including an annual multi-trip plan. You can choose coverage for trips of up to 30, 45 or 60 days when purchasing an annual multi-trip plan.

flight travel insurance coverage

See Seven Corner's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Typically, Seven Corners won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition. However, the RoundTrip Choice plan offers a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, you must meet all of the following conditions:

  • You buy this plan within 20 days of making your initial trip payment or deposit.
  • You or your travel companion are medically able and not disabled from travel when you pay for this plan or upgrade your plan.
  • You update the coverage to include the additional cost of subsequent travel arrangements within 15 days of paying your travel supplier for them.
  • Seven Corners offers the ability to purchase optional sports and golf equipment coverage. If purchased, this extra insurance will reimburse you for the cost of renting sports or golf equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed by a common carrier for six or more hours. However, Seven Corners must authorize the expenses in advance.
  • You can add cancel for any reason coverage or trip interruption for any reason coverage to RoundTrip plans. Although some other providers offer cancel for any reason coverage, trip interruption for any reason coverage is less common.
  • Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice policy offers a political or security evacuation benefit that will transport you to the nearest safe place or your residence under specific conditions. You can also add optional event ticket registration fee protection to the RoundTrip Choice policy.

Purchase your policy here: Seven Corners .

World Nomads

World Nomads is popular with younger, active travelers because of its flexibility and adventure-activities coverage on the Explorer plan. Unlike many policies offered by other providers, you don't need to estimate prepaid costs when purchasing the insurance to have access to trip interruption and cancellation insurance.

World Nomads offers two single-trip plans.

flight travel insurance coverage

World Nomads has a page dedicated to coronavirus coverage , so be sure to view it before buying a policy.

World Nomads won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition (except emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains) that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. Unlike many other providers, World Nomads doesn't offer a waiver.

  • World Nomads' policies cover more adventure sports than most providers, so activities such as bungee jumping are included. The Explorer policy covers almost any adventure sport, including skydiving, stunt flying and caving. So, if you partake in adventure sports while traveling, the Explorer policy may be a good fit.
  • World Nomads' policies provide nonmedical evacuation coverage for transportation expenses if there is civil or political unrest in the country you are visiting. The coverage may also transport you home if there is an eligible natural disaster or a government expels you.

Purchase your policy here: World Nomads .

Other options for buying travel insurance

flight travel insurance coverage

This guide details the policies of eight providers with the information available at the time of publication. There are many options when it comes to travel insurance, though. To compare different policies quickly, you can use a travel insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to search. Just note that these search engines won't show every policy and every provider, and you should still research the provided policies to ensure the coverage fits your trip and needs.

You can also purchase a plan through various membership associations, such as USAA, AAA or Costco. Typically, these organizations partner with a specific provider, so if you are a member of any of these associations, you may want to compare the policies offered through the organization with other policies to get the best coverage for your trip.

Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

Is travel insurance worth getting?

Whether you should purchase travel insurance is a personal decision. Suppose you use a credit card that provides travel insurance for most of your expenses and have medical insurance that provides adequate coverage abroad. In that case, you may be covered enough on most trips to forgo purchasing travel insurance.

However, suppose your medical insurance won't cover you at your destination and you can't comfortably cover a sizable medical evacuation bill or last-minute flight home . In that case, you should consider purchasing travel insurance. If you travel frequently, buying an annual multi-trip policy may be worth it.

What is the best COVID-19 travel insurance?

flight travel insurance coverage

There are various aspects to keep in mind in the age of COVID-19. Consider booking travel plans that are fully refundable or have modest change or cancellation fees so you don't need to worry about whether your policy will cover trip cancellation. This is important since many standard comprehensive insurance policies won't reimburse your insured expenses in the event of cancellation if it's related to the fear of traveling due to COVID-19.

However, if you book a nonrefundable trip and want to maintain the ability to get reimbursed (up to 75% of your insured costs) if you choose to cancel, you should consider buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy and then adding optional cancel for any reason protection. Just note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

Providers will often require CFAR purchasers insure the entire dollar amount of their travels to receive the coverage. Also, many CFAR policies mandate that you must cancel your plans and notify all travel suppliers at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Likewise, if your primary health insurance won't cover you while on your trip, it's essential to consider whether medical expenses related to COVID-19 treatment are covered. You may also want to consider a MedJet medical transport membership if your trip is to a covered destination for coronavirus-related evacuation.

Ultimately, the best pandemic travel insurance policy will depend on your trip details, travel concerns and your willingness to self-insure. Just be sure to thoroughly read and understand any terms or exclusions before purchasing.

What are the different types of travel insurance?

flight travel insurance coverage

Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or rely on the protections offered by select credit cards, you may have access to the following types of coverage:

  • Baggage delay protection may reimburse for essential items and clothing when a common carrier (such as an airline) fails to deliver your checked bag within a set time of your arrival at a destination. Typically, you may be reimbursed up to a particular amount per incident or per day.
  • Lost/damaged baggage protection may provide reimbursement to replace lost or damaged luggage and items inside that luggage. However, valuables and electronics usually have a relatively low maximum benefit.
  • Trip delay reimbursement may provide reimbursement for necessary items, food, lodging and sometimes transportation when you're delayed for a substantial time while traveling on a common carrier such as an airline. This insurance may be beneficial if weather issues (or other covered reasons for which the airline usually won't provide compensation) delay you.
  • Trip cancellation and interruption protection may provide reimbursement if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason, such as a death in your family or jury duty.
  • Medical evacuation insurance can arrange and pay for medical evacuation if deemed necessary by the insurance provider and a medical professional. This coverage can be particularly valuable if you're traveling to a region with subpar medical facilities.
  • Travel accident insurance may provide a payment to you or your beneficiary in the case of your death or dismemberment.
  • Emergency medical insurance may provide payment or reimburse you if you must seek medical care while traveling. Some plans only cover emergency medical care, but some also cover other types of medical care. You may need to pay a deductible or copay.
  • Rental car coverage may provide a collision damage waiver when renting a car. This waiver may reimburse for collision damage or theft up to a set amount. Some policies also cover loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company and towing charges to take the vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility. You generally need to decline the rental company's collision damage waiver or similar provision to be covered.

Should I buy travel health insurance?

flight travel insurance coverage

If you purchase travel with credit cards that provide various trip protections, you may not see much need for additional travel insurance. However, you may still wonder whether you should buy travel medical insurance.

If your primary health insurance covers you on your trip, you may not need travel health insurance. Your domestic policy may not cover you outside the U.S., though, so it's worth calling the number on your health insurance card if you have coverage questions. If your primary health insurance wouldn't cover you, it's likely worth purchasing travel medical insurance. After all, as you can see above, travel medical insurance is often very modestly priced.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance costs depend on various factors, including the provider, the type of coverage, your trip cost, your destination, your age, your residency and how many travelers you want to insure. That said, a standard travel insurance plan will generally set you back somewhere between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. However, this can get lower for more basic protections or become even higher if you include add-ons like cancel for any reason protection.

The best way to determine how much travel insurance will cost is to price out your trip with a few providers discussed in the guide. Or, visit an insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to quickly compare options across multiple providers.

When and how to get travel insurance

flight travel insurance coverage

For the most robust selection of available travel insurance benefits — including time-sensitive add-ons like CFAR protection and waivers of preexisting conditions for eligible travelers — you should ideally purchase travel insurance on the same day you make your first payment toward your trip.

However, many plans may still offer a preexisting conditions waiver for those who qualify if you buy your travel insurance within 14 to 21 days of your first trip expense or deposit (this time frame may vary by provider). If you don't need a preexisting conditions waiver or aren't interested in CFAR coverage, you can purchase travel insurance once your departure date nears.

You must purchase coverage before it's needed. Some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have departed, but comprehensive plans that include medical coverage must be purchased before departing.

Additionally, you can't buy any medical coverage once you require medical attention. The same applies to all travel insurance coverage. Once you recognize the need, it's too late to protect your trip.

Once you've shopped around and decided upon the best travel insurance plan for your trip, you should be able to complete your purchase online. You'll usually be able to download your insurance card and the complete policy shortly after the transaction is complete.

Related: 7 times your credit card's travel insurance might not cover you

Bottom line

Not all travel insurance policies and providers are equal. Before buying a plan, read and understand the policy documents. By doing so, you can choose a plan that's appropriate for you and your trip — including the features that matter most to you.

For example, if you plan to go skiing or rock climbing, make sure the policy you buy doesn't contain exclusions for these activities. Likewise, if you're making two back-to-back trips during which you'll be returning home for a short time in between, be sure the plan doesn't terminate coverage at the end of your first trip.

If you're looking to cover a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition, select a policy with a preexisting condition waiver and fulfill the requirements for the waiver. After all, buying insurance won't help if your policy doesn't cover your losses.

Disclaimer : This information is provided by IMT Services, LLC ( InsureMyTrip.com ), a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 5119217) and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. IMT's services are only available in states where it is licensed to do business and the products provided through InsureMyTrip.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not create or modify any insurance policy terms in any way. For more information, please visit www.insuremytrip.com .

U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

12 Best Travel Insurance Companies of February 2024

According to our analysis of more than 50 travel insurance companies and hundreds of different travel insurance plans, the best travel insurance company is Travelex Insurance Services. In our best travel insurance ratings, we take into account traveler reviews, credit ratings and industry awards. The best travel insurance companies offer robust coverage and excellent customer service, and many offer customizable add-ons.

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Travelex Insurance Services »

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Allianz Travel Insurance »

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Seven Corners »

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World Nomads Travel Insurance »

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AXA Assistance USA »

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AIG Travel Guard »

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Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protec... »

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HTH Travel Insurance »

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Trawick International »

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Tin Leg »

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Nationwide Insurance »

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Insurance Companies.

Table of Contents

  • Rating Details
  • Allianz Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can help you protect the financial investment you made in your vacation if plans go awry. Find the best travel insurance for the type of trip(s) you're taking and the coverages that matter most to you – from interruptions and misplaced belongings to illness and injury.

  • Travelex Insurance Services: Best Overall
  • Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Cancel for Any Reason Add-on
  • Seven Corners: Best for 24/7 Support When Traveling
  • World Nomads Travel Insurance: Best for Adventure Travelers
  • AXA Assistance USA: Best for Coverage of Luggage and Personal Items
  • AIG Travel Guard: Best for Cruise Insurance
  • Generali Global Assistance: Best for Emergency Situations
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best for Flight Insurance
  • HTH Travel Insurance: Best for Groups
  • Trawick International: Best for Vacation Rental Insurance
  • Tin Leg: Best for Budget-Friendly Plans
  • Nationwide Insurance: Best for Last-Minute Travel Insurance

Best Travel Insurance Companies in Detail

Travelex ».

Customizable upgrades are available, including car rental coverage, additional medical insurance and adventure sports coverage

Medical and trip cancellation maximum are not as high as some other companies

  • 100% of the insured trip cost for trip cancellation; 150% for trip interruption
  • Up to $1,000 in coverage for lost, damaged or stolen bags and personal items; $200 for luggage delays
  • $750 in missed connection coverage
  • $50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
  • Up to $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

Distinguishing between the company's 10 travel insurance plans can be challenging

  • Up to $200,000 in trip cancellation coverage; $300,000 in trip interruption coverage
  • $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal effects; $600 for bag delays
  • Up to $1,600 for travel delays
  • Emergency medical coverage of up to $75,000
  • Epidemic coverage

Coverage for preexisting conditions

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

  • 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to between $30,000 and $100,000 depending on your state of residence); interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost 
  • Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $2,500; up to $600 for luggage delays
  • Trip delay and missed connection coverage worth up to $1,500
  • Emergency medical coverage worth up to between $250,000 and $500,000 (depending on where you live)

World Nomads »

Adventure sports are covered at no additional cost

Explorer plan only promises up to $10,000 in trip protection

  • $10,000 in trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage
  • $3,000 in protection for lost, damaged or stolen baggage, tech equipment and various travel gear
  • Up to $3,000 in trip delay costs
  • $100,000 in emergency medical coverage

All plans include missed connection coverage

Premiums are on the higher end compared to other providers

  • Trip cancellation protection for 100% of the trip cost; 150% for trip interruption
  • Up to $3,000 for baggage that's been lost, damaged or stolen; $600 in bag delay coverage
  • Trip delay coverage worth $1,250
  • $250,000 in emergency medical coverage

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

Information about policy coverage inclusions is not readily available without first obtaining a quote

  • Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of your trip's cost; trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
  • Up to $2,500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage; $500 related to luggage delays
  • Up to $1,000 in missed connection and trip delay coverage

Sporting equipment coverage is included in the company's mid-tier plan

Coverage for those with preexisting conditions is only available on the Premium plan

  • 100% reimbursement for trip cancellation; 175% reimbursement for trip interruption
  • $2,000 in coverage for loss of baggage per person
  • $1,000 per person in travel delay and missed connection coverage
  • $250,000 in medical and dental coverage per person

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection »

All plans include 24/7 travel assistance that can aid in finding or replacing lost luggage and assist with lost or stolen wallets, tickets and passports

Coverage for missed connections or accidental death and dismemberment is not part of the most basic plan

  • Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost; interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cost
  • $500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged bags and personal items; bag delay coverage worth $200
  • Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000; missed connection coverage worth up to $100
  • Medical coverage worth up to $50,000

Generous coverage at the mid-tier level

Preexisting conditions coverage is only available at mid- and high-tier plans

  • 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to $50,000); 200% trip interruption coverage
  • Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $400 in baggage delay coverage
  • Up to $2,000 in coverage for trip delays; $1,000 for missed connections
  • $500,000 in coverage per person for sickness and accidents

Generous coverage among the plans for trip cancellation and interruption

Determining the right plan may be overwhelming, with 15-plus options to choose from

  • 100% for trip cancellation (up to $100,000); 150% for trip interruption (up to $150,000)
  • Up to $2,500 for lost, damaged or stolen bags; up to $600 for luggage delays
  • Up to $3,000 for trip delays; $1,000 for missed connections
  • Up to $250,000 for emergency medical expenses

Variety of plans to choose from, including two budget-friendly policies and several more premium options

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

  • 100% trip cancellation protection; 150% trip interruption
  • $500 per person for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal items
  • Up to $2,000 per person in travel delay coverage ($150 per day); $100 per person for missed connections
  • $100,000 per person in emergency medical coverage, including issues related to COVID-19

Variety of plans to choose from

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

  • Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000; trip interruption coverage worth up to 200% of the trip cost (maximum of $60,000)
  • $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage; $600 for baggage delays
  • Up to $2,000 for trip delays; missed connection and itinerary change coverage of $500 each
  • $150,000 for emergency medical and dental issues

To help you better understand the costs associated with travel insurance, we requested quotes for a weeklong spring 2024 trip to Italy for a solo traveler, a couple and a family. These rates should help you get a rough estimate for about how much you can expect to spend on travel insurance. For additional details on specific coverage from each travel insurance plan and to input your trip information for a quote, see our comparison table below.

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

There are several types of travel insurance you'll want to evaluate before choosing the policy that's right for you. A few of the most popular types of travel insurance include:

COVID travel insurance Select insurance plans offer some or a combination of the following COVID-19-related protections: coverage for rapid or PCR testing; accommodations if you're required to quarantine during your trip if you test positive for coronavirus; health care; and trip cancellations due to you or a family member testing positive for COVID-19. Read more about the best COVID-19 travel insurance options .

Cancel for any reason insurance Cancel for any reason travel insurance works exactly how it sounds. This type of travel insurance lets you cancel your trip for any reason you want – even if your reason is that you simply decide you no longer want to go. Cancel for any reason travel insurance is typically an add-on you can purchase to go along with other types of travel insurance. For that reason, you will pay more to have this kind of coverage added to your policy.

Also note that this type of coverage typically only reimburses 50% to 80% of your nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses. You'll want to make sure you know exactly how much reimbursement you could qualify for before you invest in this type of policy. Compare the best cancel for any reason travel insurance options here .

International travel insurance Travel insurance is especially useful when traveling internationally, as it can provide medical coverage for emergencies (in some cases for COVID-19) when you're far from home. Depending which international travel insurance plan you choose, this type of travel insurance can also cover lost or delayed luggage, rental cars, travel interruptions or cancellations, and more.

Cheap travel insurance If you want travel insurance but don't want to spend a lot of money, there are plenty of cheap travel insurance options that will offer at least some protections (and peace of mind). These are typically called a company's basic or standard plan; many travel insurance companies even allow you to customize your coverage, spending as little or as much as you want. Explore your options for the cheapest travel insurance here .

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance Trip cancellation coverage can help you get reimbursement for prepaid travel expenses, such as your airfare and cruise fare, if your trip is ultimately canceled for a covered reason. Trip interruption insurance, on the other hand, kicks in to reimburse you if your trip is derailed after it starts. For instance, if you arrived at your destination and became gravely ill, it would cover the cost if you had to cut your trip short.

Trip delay insurance can help you qualify for reimbursement of any unexpected expenses you incur (think: lodging, transportation and food) in the event your trip is delayed for reasons beyond your control, such as your flight being canceled and rebooked for the next day. You will want to save your receipts to substantiate your claim if you have this coverage.

Lost, damaged, delayed or stolen bags or personal belongings Coverage for lost or stolen bags can come in handy if your checked luggage is lost by your airline or your luggage is delayed so long that you have to buy clothing and toiletries for your trip. (add text and link to checked luggage). This type of coverage can kick in to cover the cost to replace lost or stolen items you brought on your trip. It can also provide coverage for the baggage itself. It's even possible that your travel insurance policy will pay for your flight home if damages are caused to your residence and your belongings while you're away, forcing you to return home immediately.

Travel medical insurance If you find yourself sick or injured while you are on vacation, emergency medical coverage can pay for your medical expenses. With that in mind, however, you will need to find out whether the travel medical insurance you buy is primary or secondary. Where a primary policy can be used right away to cover medical bills incurred while you travel, secondary coverage only provides reimbursement after you have exhausted other medical policies you have.

You will also need to know how the travel medical coverage you purchase deals with any preexisting conditions you have, including whether you will have any coverage for preexisting conditions at all. Read more about the best travel medical insurance plans .

Evacuation insurance Imagine you break your leg while on the side of a mountain in some far-flung land without quality health care. Not only would you need travel medical insurance coverage in that case, but you would also need coverage for the exorbitant expense involved in getting you off the side of a mountain and flying you home where you can receive appropriate medical care.

Evacuation coverage can come in handy if you need it, but you will want to make sure any coverage you buy comes with incredibly high limits. According to Squaremouth, an emergency evacuation can easily cost $25,000 in North America and up to $50,000 in Europe, so the site typically suggests customers buy policies with $50,000 to $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.

Cruise insurance Travel delays; missed connections, tours or excursions; and cruise ship disablement (when a ship encounters a mechanical issue and is unable to continue on in the journey) are just a few examples why cruise insurance can be a useful protection if you've booked a cruise vacation. Learn more about the top cruise insurance plans here .

Credit card travel insurance It is not uncommon to find credit cards that include trip cancellation and interruption coverage , trip delay insurance, lost or delayed baggage coverage, travel accident insurance, and more. Cards that offer this coverage include popular options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card , the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and The Platinum Card from American Express . 

Note that owning a credit card with travel insurance protection is not enough for your coverage to count: To take advantage of credit card travel insurance, you must pay for prepaid travel expenses like your airfare, hotel stay or cruise with that specific credit card. Also, note that credit cards with travel insurance have their own list of exclusions to watch out for. Many also require cardholders to pay an annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel insurance works similarly to other types of insurance, except that travel insurance intends to cover unforeseeable events. In most cases, you will pay a flat fee for a policy that covers an individual trip and all its components – like airfare, your accommodations and any prepaid excursions. However, if you travel more than a few times per year, and especially if your trips are on the pricey side, you can also buy an annual travel insurance policy.

Benefits vary among travel insurance providers and policies, meaning some travel insurance plans cover more scenarios than others, and some offer higher coverage limits as well. For example, some travel insurance policies might only offer trip cancellation coverage worth up to $2,500 per traveler, while others offer the same benefit worth up to $100,000.

With this in mind, travel insurance works like other insurance plans in the sense that you can buy a basic level of coverage or full coverage that will reimburse you up to incredibly high limits. The choice is up to you, and you should decide based on how much coverage you think you need to feel secure.

However, you should keep in mind that travel insurance cannot cover every potential situation you encounter before or during a trip. Many travel insurance policies list an array of exclusions you should know about, like war or preexisting circumstances. Several policies also offer named peril coverage that only covers the situations specifically outlined in your policy.

Travel insurance may cost anywhere from $50 to $1,500 or more. The cost of travel insurance varies depending on the age of the travelers in your group, the total cost of your trip and other factors. Travel insurance for seniors is typically more costly due to the increased likelihood of health-related issues. The total cost of your trip will also help determine the cost of your travel insurance plan since more expensive trips require higher coverage limits.

Interestingly enough, the length of your trip and the destination you are visiting will not typically affect the cost of travel insurance coverage. Further, your health may not be part of the equation either, and travel insurance companies even refrain from asking health questions when you apply for a travel insurance quote. This doesn't mean that preexisting conditions will be covered, however, so you'll want to check the details.

As an example, a few sample trip insurance quotes for a married couple who are both 40 and live in New York City are below:

  • Travel insurance for an eight-day trip to Florida with a purchase price of $3,500 might run about $85 to $385.
  • Travel insurance for an eight-day trip to Mexico with a purchase price of $5,000 could cost anywhere from $120 to $415.
  • Travel insurance for an eight-day trip to the United Kingdom with a purchase price of $7,500 may cost around $185 to $575.

The price of the plan you select will depend on how much coverage you want. Keep in mind, there are plenty of companies that offer affordable travel insurance plans if your main priority is getting a policy at a budget-friendly price. See the U.S. News list of the Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies .

The best time to buy travel insurance is normally within a few weeks of booking your trip since you may qualify for lower pricing if you book early. Keep in mind, some travel insurance providers allow you to purchase plans until the day before you depart.

Many times, you are given the option to purchase travel insurance when you book your airfare, accommodations or vacation package. Travel insurance and travel protection are frequently offered as add-ons for your trip, meaning you can pay for your vacation and some level of travel insurance at the same time.

However, many people choose to wait to buy travel insurance until after their entire vacation is booked and paid for. This helps travelers tally up all the underlying costs associated with a trip, and then choose their travel insurance provider and the level of coverage they want.

Figuring out where to buy travel insurance may be confusing but you can easily research and purchase travel insurance online these days. Some consumers prefer to shop around with a specific provider, such as Allianz or World Nomads, but you can also shop and compare policies with a travel insurance platform. Popular options include:

  • TravelInsurance.com: TravelInsurance.com offers travel insurance options from more than a dozen vetted insurance providers. Users can read reviews on the various travel insurance providers to find out more about previous travelers' experiences with them. Squaremouth: With Squaremouth, you can enter your trip details and compare more than 90 travel insurance plans from 20-plus providers.
  • InsureMyTrip: InsureMyTrip works similarly, letting you shop around and compare plans from more than 20 travel insurance providers in one place. InsureMyTrip also offers several guarantees, including a Best Price Guarantee, a Best Plan Guarantee and a Money-Back Guarantee that promises a full refund if you decide you no longer need the plan you purchased.

Protect your trip: Search, compare and buy the best travel insurance plans for the lowest price. Get a quote .

When you need to file a travel insurance claim, you should plan on explaining to your provider what happened to your trip and why you think your policy applies. If you planned to go on a Caribbean cruise, but your husband fell gravely ill the night before you were set to depart, you would need to explain that situation to your travel insurance company. Information you should share with your provider includes the details of why you're making a claim, who was involved and the exact circumstances of your loss.

Documentation is important, and your travel insurance provider will ask for proof of what happened. Required documentation for travel insurance typically includes any proof of a delay, receipts, copies of medical bills and more.

Most travel insurance companies let you file a claim using an online form, but some also allow you to file a claim by phone or via fax. Some travel insurance providers, such as Allianz and Travel Insured International, offer their own mobile apps you can use to buy policies and upload information or documents that substantiate your claim. In any case, you will need to provide the company with proof of your claim and the circumstances that caused it.

If your claim is initially denied, you may also need to answer some questions or submit some additional information that can highlight why you do, in fact, qualify.

Whatever you do, be honest and forthcoming with all the information in your claim. Also, be willing to provide more information or answer any questions when asked.

Travel insurance claims typically take four to six weeks to process once you file with your insurance company. However, with various flight delays and cancellations due to things like extreme weather and pilot shortages, more travelers have begun purchasing travel insurance, encountering trip issues and having to submit claims. The higher volume of claims submitted has resulted in slower turnaround times at some insurance companies.

The longer you take to file your travel insurance claim after a loss, the longer you will be waiting for reimbursement. Also note that, with many travel insurance providers, there is a time limit on how long you can submit claims after a trip. For example, with Allianz Travel Insurance, World Nomads Travel Insurance and Travelex Insurance Services, you have 90 days from the date of your loss to file a claim.

You may be able to expedite the claim if you provide all the required information upfront, whereas the process could drag on longer than it needs to if you delay filing a claim or the company has to follow up with you to get more information.

Travel insurance is never required, and only you can decide whether or not it's right for you. Check out Is Travel Insurance Worth It? to see some common situations where it does (and doesn't) make sense.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning content creator who has been writing about travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world, and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. In fact, she has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states, in their family media business.

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Compare and Buy Travel Insurance

Standard single trip policies.

  • The most popular and comprehensive travel insurance coverage
  • Provide medical, cancellation, and delay benefits, among others
  • Designed to cover trips up to 90 days

Annual / Multi Trip Policies

  • Built for travelers taking multiple trips in a 12-month period
  • Include generous travel medical insurance benefits
  • Cover other concerns, like delays and luggage

Cruise Insurance Policies

  • High medical benefits built specifically for cruisers
  • Offer protection for cruise duration, on land and at sea
  • Trip cost coverage for cruise cancellations

Adventure & Sports Policies

  • Essential for travelers partaking in high-risk activities
  • Includes protection for sports equipment and fees
  • Strong cancellation and medical coverage

Compare Plans From the Best Providers

The best travel insurance plans offer much more beyond trip protection. When searching for a policy, consider everything from coverage to cost.

The best policies are comprehensive, typically including the following benefits:

Cancellations: protects 100% of prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses.

Medical emergencies: refunds the cost of medical treatment and an evacuation, if necessary.

Travel delays: reimburses meal and hotel expenses if your flight is significantly delayed.

Luggage: covers the purchase of essential items and the cost of lost luggage.

Many policies may also include other more specific coverages, with benefits for accidental death and dismemberment, rental cars, pre-existing conditions, and identity theft, among others.

Affordability

While policies typically include many of the same benefits, some offer higher coverage amounts. Higher premiums don’t always mean more or better coverage, as premiums are calculated based on each provider’s target demographic. Always compare premiums to find a policy that includes the benefits you need for the lowest price.

Customer Support

From travel assistance services to filing a claim, the best plans are backed by insurance providers that offer a superior traveler experience - before, during, or after your trip.

All policies offered on Squaremouth include 24-Hour Assistance and are backed by financially stable insurance companies with an AM Best Rating of “Excellent” or higher.

Travel Insurance FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from travelers like you.

Who Needs Travel Insurance?

Travelers should consider buying insurance if they want to protect themselves financially from unforeseen events that may impact their travel plans. Many Americans and U.S. residents purchase travel insurance when planning international travel or high cost trips. Some destinations may require proof of travel insurance that lasts for the duration of your stay.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Comprehensive travel insurance is designed to cover common disruptions that may impact a trip. Most policies will provide coverage for trip cancellations , medical emergencies , travel delays , missed connections , and lost luggage . Travelers that experience financial loss as a result of a covered disruption may be eligible for reimbursement through their insurance policy.

How Much Does a Policy Usually Cost?

The cost of a policy depends on four primary factors: trip cost, traveler age, trip length, and coverage amounts. In general, a comprehensive policy with Trip Cancellation typically costs between 5% and 10% of the total trip cost. However, a policy without an insured trip cost will be significantly less expensive.

What Should I Look for When Comparing Travel Insurance?

There’s no one-size-fits-all policy when it comes to travel insurance. When comparing plans, you should consider the following:

  • Benefits: Travel insurance benefits outline what situations are covered under each plan. Make sure each plan you’re considering includes coverage for what’s important to you.
  • Coverage Limits: Plans will set limits to how much reimbursement you’re eligible for, and can vary significantly. Higher coverage limits can result in less out of pocket expenses in the event of a claim.
  • Exclusions: Travel insurance companies will list specific activities, equipment, and scenarios that are not covered by their plans in the event of a claim.
  • Premium: Higher priced insurance products do not always equate to better coverage. We recommend choosing the most affordable plan that offers the travel protection you need.
  • Provider Reputation: All providers on Squaremouth have been carefully vetted and offer best-in-class travel plans. Customers are also encouraged to share honest reviews about their experience before, during, and after their trips.

When is the Best Time to Buy a Policy?

The best time to buy depends on the coverage a traveler needs. Trip Cancellation policies can be purchased up until the day before they leave . However, only unforeseen events can be covered, so we recommend travelers who want cancellation benefits buy as soon as possible. Travelers who primarily want travel health insurance during their trip can buy anytime up until the day before they leave.

How Does Travel Insurance Work?

Trip insurance is designed to protect travelers in case something goes wrong that impacts their trip. This includes financial reimbursement if their trip is canceled before they depart, as well as medical benefits, travel delay coverage, and other benefits that can cover them while they are traveling.

Where Can I Buy Travel Insurance?

Travelers can purchase travel insurance directly from providers, through a comparison site like Squaremouth, or directly through a travel supplier when booking. Credit cards and travel agents are other sources to consider. Travel insurance prices are regulated by law, meaning the price of one specific policy must be the same regardless of where it is sold, whether it’s purchased from Squaremouth or directly from the provider.

Can I Get a Refund if My Trip is Canceled or Postponed?

A trip being canceled or disrupted is the main reason most travelers buy travel insurance. If you are forced to cancel your trip, travel insurance may refund your losses, as long as the reason for the cancellation is covered within your policy. Learn more about what can be covered and how to file a travel insurance claim .

Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover International Travel?

In many cases, primary health care plans, such as Medicare or a policy you have through your employer, are not accepted overseas. If you’re not covered, you may be responsible for unforeseen medical expenses if you get sick or injured while traveling.

To avoid costly out-of-pocket medical care expenses, many travelers opt for travel health insurance. Exclusions and coverage limits will vary from one plan to the next. Those traveling with pre-existing medical conditions should find plans that specifically include Pre-Existing Condition coverage.

flight travel insurance coverage

Key Travel Insurance Benefits

Why trust squaremouth.

Squaremouth has helped more than 3 million travelers find the best policy for their trip.

With more than two decades of experience helping customers select the best travel insurance, Squaremouth offers an industry-leading comparison engine that millions of travelers have used to protect their trip expenses. Our platform, enriched by customer reviews, displays unbiased results based on your specific trip details. Enter your trip information for instant travel insurance quotes, and if you run into any trouble, our award-winning customer service team is just a phone call away to help you find the right policy for the most affordable price.

  • 20+ years serving the travel community
  • Intuitive and user-friendly travel insurance comparison engine
  • Instant quotes from the best companies
  • Offer more plans and providers than competition
  • All policies backed by a Money Back Guarantee
  • Multi award-winning customer service team
  • 141,793 unbiased customer reviews and counting

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Our topic experts keep a constant pulse on the travel industry so we can provide the most current information and recommendations based on today's traveler needs.

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Plans can range in terms of cost and coverage, so it’s important to identify your specific needs before comparing options. Discover the different types of travel insurance policies you should consider for your upcoming trip.

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If you’re new to Squaremouth, this quick guide can help you identify your needs, start your first quote, and compare your results. If you need additional help, our customer service team is just a phone call away.

Squaremouth Customer Reviews

As of February 2024, Squaremouth has been reviewed by 49,700 customers on ResellerRatings.com and has an average rating of 5 stars.

I just went online to search for travel insurance and Squaremouth came up with the name of a company I used in the past. They compared several different companies and gave the prices. I could easily choose.

Sally from PA 01/16/2024

Easy to Use Site

"I'm able to easily and quickly compare multiple plans and select the one that meets my needs the best."

Adam from CA 01/15/2024

Positive Experience

"Very easy to read and to compare benefits from various companies. Easy to purchase. Thank you!"

Pamela from FL 01/12/2024

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"I haven't left for my trip yet but using Squaremouth was very easy. I loved seeing all the options out there!"

Gabriela from NC 01/11/2024

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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

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

ONE-TRIP PLANS

Safer travel starts with travel protection

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Confused about entry requirements for your destination? Our  interactive map shows current travel rules and restrictions for each destination, including info on COVID-19 testing, necessary travel documents and quarantine periods.

Find out how our  Epidemic Coverage Endorsement can protect your next trip from certain losses related to COVID-19.

Why do I need travel insurance?

Because sometimes..., you have to cancel a trip last-minute..

Travel insurance can reimburse you for your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs — including vacation rentals, car rentals, hotels and flights — if you have to cancel for a covered reason.

Travel delays leave you stranded.

Travel insurance can reimburse you for eligible meals, accommodation and transportation expenses during a covered delay.

You get sick or hurt when you're far from home.

Travel insurance can reimburse you for care following a covered medical emergency while traveling. We can even arrange and pay for a medical evacuation if needed.

Fender-benders are unavoidable.

Renting a car means taking on a big financial risk; even a tiny scrape can cost you hundreds. Low-priced rental car insurance lets you drive worry-free.

You need help in a hurry.

Whether you're planning a week-long road trip or a weekend getaway, you never know what might happen. Travel insurance gives you access to our 24-Hour Assistance hotline for expert, personalized support in a crisis.

Why go with Allianz Travel Insurance?

As a world leader in travel protection, we help more than 70 million people answer the call of adventure with confidence every year.

We're Protecting You

From protection for trip cancellation to medical bills abroad, our benefits are designed to help you explore reassured.

We're There For You

We've got your back with award-winning 24/7 assistance and a worldwide network of prescreened hospitals to help you get the right care.

We're Built For You

From our TravelSmart app to proactive SmartBenefits, we innovate for the way you travel today - and tomorrow.

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LATEST COVERAGE ALERTS

The events listed below are considered "known and foreseeable" for travel insurance purposes on the date listed next to the event. Please consult your policy for more information.

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Before your trip, download the Allianz TravelSmart® app to access your information and policy while traveling.

Get the app »

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

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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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How to Find the Best Travel Insurance

Elina Geller

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

What travel insurance covers

How much does travel insurance cost, types of travel insurance, how to get travel insurance, what to look for in travel insurance, best travel insurance comparison sites, which insurance company is best for travel insurance, when to skip travel insurance, travel insurance, recapped.

Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, emergencies, trip interruptions, baggage, rental cars and more.

Cost is affected by trip length, pre-existing medical conditions, depth of coverage, your age and add-ons.

You can get it through credit cards or third-party companies, & can shop on travel insurance comparison sites.

Before buying, evaluate risks, know existing coverage, obtain quotes online and review policy details warily.

Skip it if you buy flexible airfare and hotels, already have coverage or only book refundable activities.

Booking travel always carries some degree of uncertainty. Travel insurance provides a safety net so you can step out with confidence. You may not need travel insurance for inexpensive trips, but it can provide a sense of security when you prepay for pricey reservations, a big international trip or travel during cold and flu season, which can be unpredictable.

According to insurance comparison site Squaremouth, travelers in 2023 spent an average of $403 for comprehensive coverage, compared to $96 for medical-only policies. Comprehensive plans typically cost between 5% and 10% of the insured trip cost.

Since that price tag is no small amount, it helps to know how to shop smart for travel insurance. Here's how to find the right travel insurance plan for you and your next adventure.

Depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for, the chart below will help you determine what to look for when selecting a policy:

Depending on the policy, travel insurance reimburses you or offers services when something goes awry. There’s even coverage for the worst-case scenario: if you die in an accident while traveling. Accidental death coverage pays your beneficiary a lump sum in that case.

Before you buy, take a little time to get familiar with different types of travel insurance products, how it’s priced, and what it covers and excludes. If you’re traveling during these uncertain times, you’ll want to make sure that the policy you select covers coronavirus-related emergencies. Usually, the more thorough the coverage, the more it will cost.

Travel insurance costs vary depending on:

Length and cost of the trip: The longer and more expensive the trip, the higher the policy cost.

Cost of local health care: High health-care costs in your destination can drive up the price of trip insurance.

Medical conditions you want covered: Conditions you already have will increase the cost of travel insurance coverage.

Amount and breadth of coverage: The more risks a policy covers, the more it will cost.

Your age: Generally the older you are, the higher the price.

Any optional supplement you add to your policy : Cancel For Any Reason , Interrupt For Any Reason and more.

Keep these factors in mind when considering different travel insurance options.

You’ll find a wide selection of travel protection plans when you shop for a policy.

Typically, travel insurance is sold as a package, known as a comprehensive plan, which includes a variety of coverage.

Here are seven of the most common types of travel insurance:

Travel medical insurance

These plans provide health insurance while you’re away from home. Although in some ways these policies work like traditional health plans, generally you cannot use travel health insurance for routine medical events. For example, a routine medical checkup is usually not covered. In addition, these policies often include limitations on coverage and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Although most travel insurance plans cover many recreational activities, such as skiing and horseback riding, they often exclude adventure sports, such as skydiving or parasailing, or competition in organized sporting events. You may need to buy a special travel policy designed for adventure or competitive sports.

International travel insurance

Most likely, your U.S.-based medical insurance will not work while you’re traveling internationally, and Medicare does not provide any coverage once you leave the United States outside of a few very specific exemptions. If you plan on traveling abroad, purchasing travel medical insurance could make a lot of sense.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: Emergency coverage while you travel internationally

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay

Trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if the tour operator goes out of business or you have to cancel the trip for one of the covered reasons outlined in the policy, such as:

Your own illness.

The illness or death of a family member who’s not traveling with you.

Natural disasters.

Trip interruption insurance covers the nonrefundable cost of the unused portion of the trip if it is interrupted due to a reason outlined in the policy.

Trip delay coverage reimburses you for expenses such as lodging and meals if you’re delayed during a trip (e.g., your flight gets canceled due to weather ).

Many package policies cover all three. These policies are different from the cancellation waivers that cruise lines and tour operators offer, the Insurance Information Institute says. Waivers are cheap, ranging from $40 to $60, and often include restrictions. For example, according to the institute, waivers might not refund your money if you cancel immediately before departure. Waivers are technically not insurance policies.

Some companies offer additional layers of coverage at extra cost. “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage will reimburse a large part of the trip cost, no matter why you back out. And some companies let you pay extra to cover pre-existing conditions if you cancel for medical reasons.

Some insurers and comparison sites let you customize a policy by choosing types of coverage a la carte. For example, TravelInsurance.com is a comparison site that provides quotes from different providers.

Baggage and personal belongings

How does lost luggage insurance work? This coverage reimburses you for baggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged during the trip. Some plans also reimburse you for extra expenses if you experience a baggage delay for more than a certain period, such as 12 hours.

Your renters or homeowners insurance may cover personal belongings while you are traveling. It’s best to review your homeowners insurance policy to determine the level of coverage it provides so you do not end up paying for a benefit you already have.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Emergency medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation

This coverage pays medical expenses if you get sick or injured on a trip . Medical evacuation coverage pays for transporting you to the nearest hospital, and medical repatriation pays for flying you to your home country.

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

24-hour assistance

This service is included with many package plans. The insurer provides a 24-hour hotline that you can call when you need help, such as booking a flight after a missed connection, finding lost luggage, or locating a doctor or lawyer.

Generally, travel insurance companies do not cover sports or any activity that can be deemed risky. If you’re thinking of incorporating adventurous activities into your vacation, choose a plan that includes adventure sports coverage.

Most travel insurers cover a wide array of services, but the specific options vary. Some plans include concierge services, providing help with restaurant referrals, tee time reservations and more. Many services also offer information before the trip, such as required vaccinations. The only way to know what’s included is to read the policy.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

This coverage pays a lump sum to your beneficiary, such as a family member, if you die in an accident while on the trip. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies also pay a portion of the sum to you if you lose a hand, foot, limb, eyesight, speech or hearing. Some plans apply only to accidental death in a plane.

This coverage may be duplicative if you already have sufficient life insurance, which pays out whether you die in an accident or from an illness. You may also already have accidental death and dismemberment insurance through work, so it's best to check your policies to ensure you’re not overpaying.

» Learn more: NerdWallet's guide to life insurance

Rental car coverage

Rental car insurance pays for repairing your rental car if it’s damaged in a wreck, by vandals or in a natural disaster. The coverage doesn't include liability insurance, which pays for damage to other vehicles or for the medical treatment of others if you cause an accident and are held responsible.

Ask your car insurance company whether your policy will cover you when renting cars on the trip. U.S. car insurance policies generally don’t cover you when driving in other countries, except Canada.

Car insurance requirements are complex because they vary among countries. You can usually purchase liability insurance from the rental car company. Learn about car insurance requirements by searching for auto insurance by country on the U.S. Embassy website .

» Learn more: Best credit cards for rental car coverage

A note about single vs. long-term policies

Single trip insurance plans are a great option for those going on a single trip for a specific length of time (e.g., a two-week vacation) and then returning home. The price of the policy is usually determined by the cost of the trip.

Long-term travel policies cover you for multiple trips, but there are limitations to how long you can be away from home, if you can return home during your travels and how many trips you can take. In addition, trip cancellation and interruption coverage is either not offered or capped at a dollar amount that can be significantly below the total cost of all the trips taken during the covered period.

Long-term travel insurance plans — often called 'multi-trip' or 'annual travel insurance' — are a suitable option for those who travel often and are satisfied with the amount of trip cancellation coverage for all the trips they take over the duration of the policy.

» Learn more: How annual (multi-trip) travel insurance works

Below, we include how to obtain travel insurance, along with the pros and cons of each option.

Some credit cards offer trip cancellation and rental car insurance if you use the card to book the trip or car.

When you book a trip with your credit card, depending on the card you use, you may already receive trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

» Learn more: 10 credit cards that provide travel insurance

Here are a handful of credit cards with travel insurance benefits.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on American Express' website

Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

Pros: Coverage is free.

Cons: You can’t customize the insurance to meet your needs. Most credit cards offer secondary car rental insurance, which pays for the costs not covered by your regular car insurance plan.

Travel agents and travel reservation sites

You can buy travel insurance when you book your flight, hotel and car rental.

Pros: Buying is as quick and easy as clicking “yes” when you book reservations. Coverage is inexpensive.

Cons: You can’t customize the coverage.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance vs. independent travel insurance

Travel insurance comparison sites

You can compare different policies and review quotes at once based on the trip search criteria you’ve input into the search form. Examples include marketplaces like Squaremouth or TravelInsurance.com.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs and compare policies and pricing in one place.

Cons: Comparing multiple policies takes time.

Travel insurance companies

You can purchase travel insurance directly from an insurance provider.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs. Many travel insurer websites also offer information to help you understand the coverage.

Cons: You’ll need to go to multiple websites to compare coverage and pricing.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies right now

Keep these tips in mind when you’re considering a trip insurance policy.

Evaluate the financial risks you face when traveling. Can you bear those costs yourself, or do you want insurance?

Examine what coverage you already have: Does your credit card offer travel insurance? Do you have renters or homeowners insurance to cover belongings? What is the deductible? Will your health plan cover you in all the locations where you travel?

Get quotes for trip insurance online. Choose a package of the benefits you need and compare prices for similar coverage among carriers.

Narrow your choices and then read the policy fine print to understand what’s covered, what’s excluded and the limits on coverage. You may find that the lowest-priced policy is too restrictive and that paying a little more gets you the coverage you need. Or you might find that the cheapest, most basic policy fits the bill.

If you don’t know which provider to go with, it makes sense to browse a list of plans on a travel insurance comparison site. These online marketplaces will often include plans from the best travel insurance companies along with customer reviews.

Squaremouth

flight travel insurance coverage

Compare plans from more than 30 providers.

Over 86,000 customer reviews of insurers.

Under its Zero Complaint Guarantee, Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) will remove a provider if any customer complaint isn't resolved to its satisfaction.

Has a filter option to see policies that provide COVID-coverage.

TravelInsurance.com

flight travel insurance coverage

Compare plans from 13 providers.

See good and poor customer ratings and reviews for each insurer when you receive quotes.

“Learning Center” includes travel insurance articles and travel tips, including important how-to information.

Quotes provided from each provider include a link to COVID-19 FAQs, making it easy for customers to review what’s covered or not.

InsureMyTrip

flight travel insurance coverage

Compare plans from more than two dozen providers.

More than 70,000 customer reviews.

“Anytime Advocates” help customers navigate the claim process and will work on behalf of the customer to help with appealing a denied claim.

Includes a link to plans that offer COVID coverage.

flight travel insurance coverage

Compare plans from 11 providers.

Search coverage by sporting activity, including ground, air and water sports.

Many types of plans available for students, visiting family members, new immigrants, those seeking COVID quarantine coverage and more.

flight travel insurance coverage

Compare different insurance plans from 35 providers.

Over 5,600 customer reviews on Trustpilot, with an average 4.9 stars out of five.

Formerly known as AardvarkCompare, AARDY includes a “Travel Insurance 101” learning center to help customers understand various policies and benefits.

Quote search results page includes COVID-coverage highlighted in a different color to make it easier for customers to review related limits.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care, COVID coverage or a policy that includes extreme sports, these providers have you covered.

Our full analysis and more details about each organization can be found here: The Best Travel Insurance Companies Today .

Allianz Global Assistance .

Travel Guard by AIG .

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services .

Travel Insured International .

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Seven Corners .

AXA Assistance USA .

There are a few scenarios when spending extra on travel insurance doesn't really make sense, like:

You booked flexible airline tickets.

Your hotel room has a good cancellation policy.

It's already included in your credit card.

You haven't booked any nonrefundable activities.

» Learn more: When you don't need travel insurance

Yes, especially for nonrefundable trips and travel during the COVID-era. Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or have travel insurance from your credit card, you shouldn't travel without having some sort of travel protection in place to safeguard you and your trip. Travel insurance can protect you in case of an unexpected emergency such as a canceled flight due to weather, a medical event that requires hospitalization, lost luggage and more.

There are many good travel insurance policies out there and a policy that may be great for you may not be good for someone else. Selecting the best plan depends on what coverage you would like and your trip details.

For example, World Nomads offers a comprehensive travel insurance policy that has excellent coverage for adventure sports. Allianz provides coverage for trips of varying lengths of time through its single trip plans and multi-trip plans. Some providers offer add-on options like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance. If you’re not sure which plan to go with, consider looking at trip insurance comparison sites like Squaremouth or Insuremytrip.

Yes, you can. However, it's better to purchase it sooner rather than later, ideally right after booking your trip because the benefits begin as soon as you purchase a policy.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your trip cancellation benefits to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans offer trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and dental, medical evacuation, trip delay and lost luggage coverage. Many plans offer COVID coverage, but you’ll always want to check to ensure that the policy you choose provides that benefit if you’re traveling during these times. Some plans may also allow you to add features like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

However, the coverage provided by the credit cards is usually lower than if you purchased a standalone policy. Review the travel insurance benefits on your credit card and check that the limits are adequate before foregoing from purchasing a separate plan.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your

trip cancellation benefits

to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Platinum Card® from American Express

offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

Unpredictability is one of the mind-opening joys of travel, but travel insurance should contain no surprises. The time you spend to understand your options will be well worth the peace of mind as you embark on your next adventure.

Whether you’re seeking a single or a long-term policy, each travel insurance option offers different strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right policy depends on your trip needs, your budget and how important various benefits are to you.

Keep reading

If you want to dig in deeper to world of travel insurance, these resources will point you in the right direction.

What is travel insurance? How much is travel insurance? Is travel insurance worth it? What does travel insurance cover? Does travel insurance cover COVID?

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

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

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit 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

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 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 Ultimate Rewards®.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 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 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

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.

30,000 Limited-time offer: Earn Companion Pass® good through 2/28/25 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Millions of travelers each year trust AIG's Travel Guard to cover their vacations

Travel insurance plans provide coverage for certain costs and losses associated with traveling. Travel Guard ® helps you navigate canceled flights, lost bags, sudden health emergencies, and much more—almost anywhere in the world. Whether you’re planning a two-day getaway, a cruise, an adventure vacation, or a month-long international holiday, our plans help cover travelers and their trip inverstments.

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Coverage available to residents of U.S. states and the District of Columbia only. These plans provide insurance coverage that only applies during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of each policy with your existing life, health, home, and automobile insurance policies, as well as any other coverage which you may already have or is available to you, including through other insurers, as a member of an organization, or through your credit card program(s). If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker. Coverage is offered by Travel Guard Group, Inc .(Travel Guard). California lic. no. 0B93606, 3300 Business Park Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54482,  www.travelguard.com.  CA DOI toll free number: 800-927-HELP.

This is only a brief description of the coverage(s) available. The policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. Insurance underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., a Pennsylvania insurance company, with its principal place of business at 1271 Ave of the Americas, Floor 41, New York, NY, 10020-1304. It is currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. NAIC No. 19445. Coverage may not be available in all states.

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These are the 4 best family travel insurance plans

Find coverage that fits your family's travel plans with these four companies..

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Family vacations are a special time, and ensuring they go smoothly is essential to making memories that will last forever. Travel insurance is one way to ensure that any bumps in the road can be smoothed over, from a lost bag to an injury abroad.

CNBC Select reviews the best travel insurance plans for families based on coverage, cost and plan variety. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best family travel insurance companies.)

Best family travel insurance  

  • Best for families with young children : Allianz   
  • Best for affordability : Faye   
  • Best for CFAR coverage : Travel Insured International  
  • Best for cruises : Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection  

Best for families with young children 

Allianz travel insurance.

The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

Policy highlights

10 travel insurance plans make it possible to customize your coverage. For families, Allianz's OneTrip Prime package covers children age 17 and younger when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

24/7 assistance available

  • Trip cancellation benefits can reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable trip payments if you have to cancel your trip for one of the covered reasons stated in your plan documents. 
  • Limited coverage for risky sports

Who's this for? Allianz is great for families with young children as its OneTrip Prime travel insurance policy offers free coverage for children ages 17 or under when traveling with a parent or grandparent. Though this benefit isn't available to Pennsylvania residents, it could help families with younger children lower the cost of their travel insurance coverage.  

Standout benefits:  Allianz's cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage has an enhanced version available that can cover up to 80% of trip expenses if you have to cancel for a reason that's not covered.  

[ Jump to more details ]  

Best for affordability 

Faye travel insurance.

Faye offers travel insurance with a convenient online buying experience and an app with real-time travel alerts. It's one simple plan includes coverage for common issues, like trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses and trip delay coverage. It also offers coverage for pre-existing medical conditions when plans are purchased within 14 days of an initial trip deposit.

  • Covers Covid like any other medical condition
  • CFAR is available for up to 75% of trip costs for an additional cost.
  • Additional coverage options like vacation rental damage coverage and pet care coverage.
  • Not all benefits are available in all states.

Who's this for?  Faye travel insurance stands out for families on a budget. Its policies start at just $4.64 per day (for 14 days) for domestic trips and $5.16 per day (for 14 days) for international trips. It's also great for those who want a completely digital experience and would rather manage a policy through an app than an agent or by phone.

Standout benefits:  Faye's intuitive interface makes it easy to get travel insurance coverage on your own time, and quotes are available entirely online. On top of the standard trip delay, cancellation and interruption coverage, you can purchase CFAR coverage, coverage for adventure and sports activities and a pet care add-on, which can cover illness or injury for your pet when traveling with you, or extra kenneling costs if your trip is delayed if you leave your pet at home.  

Best for CFAR coverage 

Travel insured international travel insurance.

Travel Insured International has two simple travel insurance plans — the Worldwide Trip Protector and Worldwide Trip Protector Gold. Its plans are affordable and offer the option of cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

  • Optional CFAR coverage and interruption for any reason coverage
  • Medical coverage can be lower than other options

Who's this for?  Travel Insured International could be a great fit for families looking for the flexibility of a CFAR addition to ensure they'll be covered for any reason they need to cancel. The company's wide variety of reasons for cancellation includes coverage for school year extensions with all plans.  

Standout benefits:  Travel Insured International's Worldwide Trip Protector can cover all children 17 and under for free when traveling with related adults.  

Best for cruises  

Berkshire hathaway travel protection.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has multiple plans to cover vacations from luxury travel to adventure travel. The brand's LuxuryCare offers the highest limits of travel insurance coverage offered by the company. Quotes and policies are available online.

  • Wide variety of policies available
  • Strong financial strength rating by AM Best
  • Cancel for any reason only provides reimbursement for up to 50% of non-refundable trip payments

Who's this for?  Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers cruise-specific packages for families setting sail on a cruise.  

Standout benefits:  Cruise plans include coverage for missed connections and unique challenges you could face on a cruise vacation, like cruise disablement and diversion. 

More on our top family travel insurance companies 

Allianz offers 10 different travel insurance policies for travelers and trips of all types, including single-trip and multi-trip coverage. It also offers quotes and claims online, making the experience simple.  

CFAR coverage available?  

Yes, up to 80% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs 

24/7 assistance?  

[ Return to summary ]  

While relatively new to the space, Faye's travel insurance plans combine affordability and easy access. Policies are backed by the United States Fire Insurance Company.  

Yes, up to 75% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs 

Travel Insured International 

Travel Insured International has been offering travel insurance for over 25 years. It has two tiers of coverage (available in most states) that can help you meet all your travel protection needs.  

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection 

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers several tiers of travel protection and insurance, including packages specifically designed for road trips and cruises. Its strong A++ financial strength rating also helps it stand out against the competition.  

Up to 50%, only available on LuxuryCare packages 

Does travel insurance cover family members?  

Generally, you can insure your whole family on one travel insurance plan, so you won't have to buy separate plans for every traveler. Your travel insurance plan will cover every person listed on the policy.  

Does travel insurance cover cancellation due to a death in the family? 

In many cases, travel insurance can help you recoup the cost of your vacation if you have to cancel due to a death in your family. However, you'll want to carefully read your policy's definition of a family member, as not everyone in your life could be included.  

Bottom line

A family vacation can be a big investment, so it's important to protect yourself in case anything goes awry. Having a travel insurance plan that's easy to access, provides 24/7 support and fits your specific travel concerns and budget can help ensure your trip will go smoothly.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Why trust CNBC Select? 

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every travel insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insurance products. To research the best travel insurance companies, we compiled over 100 data points on more than a dozen travel insurance companies. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel insurance companies. 

Our methodology  

To determine the best travel insurance companies, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of travel insurance companies and compared them based on various factors. 

While narrowing down the best travel insurance companies, we focused on the number of plans available, the availability of 24/7 assistance to access while traveling, coverage for Covid-19, the availability of cancel for any reason coverage, and financial strength (which measures a company's ability to pay on contracts) using A.M. Best ratings. We also considered family-friendly features, such as the inclusion of children on policies for free with parent's coverage, and reasons for cancellation, including school year extension as a reason for cancellation.  

Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for travel insurance companies are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the company's policies.  

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards , banking and money , and follow us on TikTok , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.  

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  • The average travel insurance premium this week is $297.12, down about 1.5% compared to last week.
  • For travel in the United States, the average premium is $90 to $398.
  • 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.

The average travel insurance premium this week is about the same compared to last week.

Travel insurance rates this week:

  • Average premium: $297.12
  • Average trip cost: $7,685.18
  • Average trip length: 15 Days

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.

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.

Get your free travel insurance quote with SquareMouth »

Travel Insurance Rate Tips

How much does travel insurance typically cost.

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.

How can I save money on travel insurance?

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.

Where are the cheapest places to buy travel insurance?

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.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

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  • What Does Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance Cover?

CFAR Travel Insurance Costs

Cfar travel insurance limits and exclusions, cfar travel insurance vs. trip cancellation insurance, should you add cfar to your travel insurance policy, the bottom line.

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What Is Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Insurance?

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Cancel for any reason (CFAR) is an optional benefit that you can add to some trip protection plans. Many standard trip insurance plans include a trip cancellation benefit that reimburses you for nonrefundable prepaid trip costs if you cancel your trip for a named peril that is covered by your protection plan.

If you add CFAR to your protection plan, you can get a reimbursement for nonrefundable prepaid trip costs if you decide to cancel your trip for any reason, not just those listed as a covered peril in the terms of your trip cancellation benefit.

  • Most comprehensive travel insurance plans include certain trip cancellation benefits.
  • Cancel for any reason (CFAR) is optional coverage that you can add to a standard travel insurance policy.
  • CFAR can increase the cost of your trip protection plan by 40% to 50%.
  • To purchase and use the CFAR benefit, you must comply with strict limitations and exclusions.

What Does Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance Cover?  

The trip cancellation benefit of most travel insurance plans will reimburse you up to 100% of nonrefundable prepaid trip costs if you cancel all or part of your trip for certain covered reasons, such as:

  • Loss of employment suffered by you or a traveling companion (restrictions may apply)
  • Serious illness or injury that inhibits you or a traveling companion
  • Serious illness or injury experienced by one of your family members
  • You enter into legal separation or divorce procedures prior to departure
  • Your travel destination is uninhabitable following a natural disaster or other catastrophe

CFAR benefits vary by insurer, but these plans typically reimburse you for 50% to 75% of prepaid trip costs if you cancel your trip for a reason not listed in your travel insurance policy’s trip cancellation terms.

For example, let’s say you pay a nonrefundable deposit for a cruise, but you decide not to go on the voyage after reading negative reviews about the cruise line. Your trip cancellation benefit would not offer a reimbursement, but your CFAR coverage would.

Common reasons to use the CFAR benefit can include:

  • Change in itinerary
  • Concern over the state of the economy
  • Family problems or personal issues
  • Financial hardship such as a bankruptcy or reduction in salary
  • Health concerns such as a viral outbreak on a cruise ship or at a travel destination
  • Political unrest in your destination
  • Preexisting health condition that impedes your mobility
  • Safety concerns about your destination
  • Work obligations
  • You change your mind about traveling

CFAR has strict eligibility criteria. You must purchase CFAR coverage within a certain period, typically within 15 days of making your initial trip deposit. Your prepaid trip arrangements must be insured when you make the purchase.

You must cancel your trip within the timeframe allowed by the policy, usually no later than 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Travel insurance policies that include trip cancellation typically cost 5% to 10% of your total trip costs. Adding CFAR will increase the cost of your trip protection plan by 40% to 50%.

We surveyed eight travel insurance companies and found that CFAR costs an average of $222. The study was based on a 28-year-old Florida resident, traveling to Costa Rica for 10 days, with a total trip cost of $3,500.

Bear in mind that costs can vary widely by insurer. In our study, we found premiums as low as $121 and as high as $315. Before buying a trip protection plan, shop around to compare coverages and rates .

It’s important to understand all CFAR requirements and restrictions before you purchase the coverage. Common CFAR exclusions and limitations include:

  • Availability : Some travel insurance providers do not sell CFAR coverage.
  • Coverage requirement : Typically, CFAR policies require you to insure 100% of your prepaid trip costs. For instance, you cannot insure your airfare costs, but exclude hotel deposits.
  • Travel insurance policy requirement : You can add CFAR to a trip protection plan, but you cannot buy the coverage as a standalone policy.
  • Purchase time limit : Typically, you must add CFAR coverage within 10 to 21 days of making your first trip deposit.
  • Trip reimbursement limits : CFAR only reimburses up to 50% to 75% of your nonrefundable prepaid trip costs.
  • Trip cancellation time limit : Most CFAR policies require you to cancel your trip no later than 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure.
  • No trip interruption benefit : CFAR coverage only pays when you cancel your entire trip before departure. It will not reimburse prepaid costs for mid-trip interruptions that require you to return home earlier than scheduled.

Many comprehensive travel insurance plans include a trip cancellation benefit. This benefit offers up to 100% reimbursement of nonrefundable prepaid costs if you cancel your trip for a covered reason. For example, you might decide to cancel your trip if a family member dies, or if your destination experiences a natural disaster.

CFAR is optional coverage, which you can add to your standard travel insurance policy for an additional cost . You can use your CFAR benefit if you decide to cancel your trip for a reason not specified in the terms of your trip cancellation coverage. For instance, if you’ve recently experienced unexpected financial difficulties and cannot afford your trip, you can cancel it and receive a 50% to 75% reimbursement of prepaid costs through your CFAR coverage.

Some travel insurance companies offer multiple trip protection plans with varying levels of financial protection. Although some insurers do not provide CFAR coverage, some offer product upgrades that feature benefits equal to or better than CFAR protection.

Before buying a policy, explore the benefits, limits, and exclusions of each plan before deciding which one best fits your needs.

Travel plans can change at a moment’s notice, making CFAR a valuable benefit, particularly for high-cost trips. To understand the value of the CFAR benefit, look no further than the daily news. Events such as viral outbreaks, violence, social unrest, and natural disasters occur without warning, wreaking havoc on communities.

Although the trip cancellation benefit of most trip protection plans enables you to cancel a trip for certain clearly defined reasons, CFAR gives you the option to abandon your travel plans based on your own circumstances.

Can I Get CFAR Insurance After I Pay for My Trip?

Yes. Most travel insurance companies allow you to add cancel for any reason (CFAR) to your travel insurance policy within a specific timeframe, typically 10 to 21 days after you make your first trip deposit.

Is There a Time Limit on Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance?

To use your CFAR benefit, you must cancel within a period specified in the coverage terms. Most CFAR policies require you to cancel no less than 48 hours before your departure time, but some policies impose a 72-hour time limit.

Does Free Cancellation Mean Full Refund?

Although trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for up to 100% of your prepaid nonrefundable trip costs, CFAR only reimburses up to 50% to 75% of these costs. CFAR is an optional coverage that will increase the cost of your travel insurance policy. But it could save you thousands of dollars if you decide to cancel your trip for a reason not covered by the trip cancellation benefit.

What Is the Difference Between Trip Cancellation Insurance and Trip Insurance?

Trip cancellation is a common benefit of many comprehensive travel insurance policies. It reimburses you up to 100% of your prepaid nonrefundable trip expenses if you must cancel for a reason specifically covered by the policy, such as a death in your family.

CFAR is an optional coverage that you can add to a comprehensive travel insurance policy. This type of coverage enables you to cancel your trip for a reason not specified in your trip cancellation coverage. For instance, you might cancel a trip if the weather is bad in your travel destination. CFAR pays only a portion of your prepaid nonrefundable trip costs, usually 50% to 75%.

Travel insurance is a valuable investment when you’re heading off on an expensive vacation. Although the trip cancellation benefit of most trip protection plans enables you to recoup costs when canceling your trip for specific reasons, it doesn’t give you the option to cancel on your own terms.

CFAR coverage expands your trip protection by reimbursing you for a percentage of your trip costs if you decide to cancel for reasons not allowed by your trip cancellation coverage. However, CFAR is a pricey add-on coverage, so it’s not necessarily the best option for all travelers or all itineraries.

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How to find the best travel insurance for your spring 2024 trip.

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Spring break 2024 might be dangerous. Here's how to protect yourself.

The State Department poured a bucket of cold water on spring break 2024 when it recently issued warnings for several popular spring destinations.

It also got everyone to start thinking about travel insurance, which could protect you if something goes wrong on your trip.

"Spring breakers tend to see the world through rose-tinted glasses," says Weronika Popiolek, a spokeswoman for Insured Nomads . "Their excursions are fueled by adrenaline—and the last thing on their minds is the fine print of an insurance policy. That can be a costly mistake."

The government advisories are an important wake-up call, say experts. This year, ​​the traditional March and April getaways are a truly global event, according to Tim Dodge, vice president of marketing at Arch RoamRight .

"We're seeing a higher volume of travel with top international destinations including Europe—specifically Greece, Italy, U.K., France, Spain and Portugal, as well as Mexico, the Caribbean, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, and South America," he says. "Cruises with multiple destinations are also quickly growing in popularity."

In other words, travelers are going everywhere—and anything can happen. But is spring break travel dangerous this year? How is it different from past years? And when do you need insurance?

Let's find out.

Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best covid travel insurance plans.

Travel is risky, particularly during the 2024 spring break season.

Is Spring Break 2024 Dangerous?

In a sense, spring break has never been entirely safe, at least when compared to other types of vacations. No matter where you go, people tend to get a little raucous.

“Asking a security professional where to go for spring break is like asking a doctor what cigarette is safe to smoke,” says Harding Bush, associate director for security operations at Global Rescue , a provider of security and travel risk management services. “Spring break is the perfect storm of a high-risk age group, international travel, crime, alcohol and predators."

But this year it feels a little different. Among the recent warnings:

  • Ecuador got hit with a State Department advisory because of the risk of civil unrest, crime, and kidnapping. That could be an issue if you have a Galápagos cruise or are headed to Quito.
  • The government also warned Americans to avoid the Bahamas , where violent crimes , such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in tourist areas. Nassau is a popular stop for cruise ships this spring break.
  • And the U.S. urged Americans to reconsider traveling to Jamaica , where it noted the homicide rate is highest in the Western Hemisphere. Jamaica is home to some of the most famous all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean.

"Many travelers are under the belief that tourist areas are protected and safe," says Joan Rupar, area senior vice president at Gallagher , an insurance brokerage and risk management firm. "Vacation deals promoting all-inclusive experiences look exciting and risk-free."

But that’s not necessarily true, she says.

You should be thinking of protecting yourself—and travel insurance is one way to do that.

Spring break is different this year. Here's how.

How Is The 2024 Spring Break Season Different?

Experts say it's not just the travel warnings that set spring break 2024 apart. There are other distinguishing features.

It's crowded. "The 2024 spring break season is witnessing an unprecedented resurgence in travel, surpassing pre-COVID levels for the first time," says Deanna Caffrey, director of Redpoint Resolutions . Many industry watchers are worried that the influx of travelers could lead to overcrowded destinations and the potential for increased travel delays.

It's expensive. "The biggest difference facing spring break travelers this year is cost," says Stan Sandberg, co-founder of travel insurance site TravelInsurance.com . He says airfare and accommodation costs continue to rise this year. Based on a recent study of TravelInsurance.com's customers, the overall spring break trip cost this year is 12% higher than last year. And the average cost per person per day is up almost 15% over last year's spring break. Sandberg says with the rising costs of travel, it's even more important to consider trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, which can reimburse your nonrefundable trip costs when unexpected travel hazards disrupt your trip.

It's unpredictable. It's an El Niño year, which means the weather will be a little wacky. You could get freak snowstorms on the East Coast or rain in the Caribbean and Mexico, which could potentially affect your spring trip. "Some meteorologists are predicting cool and possibly stormy weather in popular spring break regions this year," says James Nuttall, general manager of Insubuy . He adds that it's important to remember that unless you purchase "cancel for any reason" travel insurance, deciding to stay home because of bad weather is not a valid reason for trip cancellation.

It could be prone to delays. That's especially true if you're flying. Airlines are not quite out of the woods when it comes to some of the operational challenges during the pandemic, say travel insurance experts. "While airlines addressed some of these travel challenges in 2022, there still are staffing shortages that may be exacerbated by increased volumes of travelers during spring break 2024," says Scott Adamski, head of global product development at AIG Travel.

So there's really something for everyone this spring break, says Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA .

“Spring break travel provides the opportunity to experience both big crowds and inclement weather,” he says.

You may need insurance if you are traveling this spring.

Do You Need Insurance For Your 2024 Spring Break Vacation?

I asked Beth Godlin, president of Aon Affinity Travel Practice , how how to decide if you need travel insurance this spring break. She recommends keeping three things in mind.

1. Can you afford to lose the value of your vacation?

"Check your flight, cruise or tour cancellation policies and determine what money you’re comfortable with losing if you had to cancel at the last minute," says Godlin.

2. What kind of protection do you need at your destination?

For example, if you’re on a motorcycle tour on a desert island and need a medical evacuation, travel protection may be especially valuable to you.

3. What kind of problems are you likely to encounter?

"If your family travels often, you know that delays are common due to things like weather events and mechanical issues," she says. "For this reason, I suggest finding a travel protection plan that includes trip delay benefits that can help offset additional costs due to a delay, including meals, lodging or transportation."

What else should a good spring break travel insurance policy include? Look for one with supplemental medical benefits if you’re traveling internationally. Medical coverage for international travel can vary. Most domestic health insurance plans provide partial or no coverage while traveling overseas.

"If your family is adventurous and you find yourself cliff jumping, mountain climbing, jet skiing or ziplining, be sure to check for any exclusions related to those activities in your travel protection," she adds.

You can still buy travel insurance for your 2024 spring break vacation.

Can You Still Buy Travel Insurance For Spring Break Now?

Yes, you can.

"It is definitely not too late to get travel insurance for spring break," says Bailey Foster, vice president of trip insurance at Trawick International . "In fact, a travel insurance plan can be purchased up until the day before you depart so you have coverage while you are traveling."

Some restrictions may apply. For example, your policy may not cover a pre-existing medical condition if you purchase it closer to departure. But all of the essential protections will still be there.

What's the time limit to get all the coverage? It depends. If you have a Travel Guard policy, for example, you must purchase your insurance plan within 15 days of making your initial deposit on your trip. If you do, then a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver may be included in your travel insurance plan.

What Are The Best Spring Break Travel Insurance Policies?

That really depends on where you're going and what you need.

  • If you're traveling somewhere with your family, you might want to consider travel insurance like Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s (BHTP) ExactCare policy . It's a comprehensive policy that covers two children aged 17 and under for each adult on the policy. ExactCare also covers nonrefundable vacation rentals and theme park deposits, in addition to traditional vacation expenses such as flights and hotel or resort deposits, if the family must cancel its spring break vacation for a covered reason.
  • A plan like Trawick International's Safe Travels Protect will cover trip cancellation, travel delay, baggage delay, and emergency medical. If you're traveling with kids, Safe Travels Protect even offers even lower rates for children under age 18.
  • Redpoint Travel Protection has policies that cover trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and travel delays. But if you have a taste for adventure, you might also want to check out its comprehensive Ripcord plans , which offer everything from $100,000 of primary medical expense coverage to political, security and natural disaster evacuation.
  • You may be able to get high-risk spring break activities included in your policy. There's a misconception that you need a policy add-on for many regular sports. Before paying for supplemental coverage, check your policy. For example, Faye Travel Insurance includes activities such as kitesurfing, boating, wakeboarding, regular skiing and regular snowboarding in its base policies.

If there's one thing travel insurance experts agree on, it's that you need to make sure you have adequate medical coverage. That's especially true for international trips, where your health insurance is unlikely to work. Even if you're in excellent health, accidents happen.

"During spring break, in particular, we often hear stories about college students traveling internationally with a group of friends and ending up in the hospital with a broken arm, and needing to pay out of pocket for the medical bills," says Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizens Insurance .

Cronin says many international travelers assume travel medical insurance is expensive. But it can cost as little as $1 a day and can prevent a financial disaster if you end up in the hospital during your trip.

And while we're on the topic of medical coverage, don't forget medical evacuation. If you’re going somewhere with poor or no hospital facilities, you might want to consider an air medical transport membership like Medjet.

"Insurance medevac only gets you to the nearest acceptable hospital," says Laura Heidt, insurance desk manager at Brownell Travel . And if you need a non-medically necessary transfer, you could spend anywhere from $45,000 to $200,000 on medical transportation.

So be sure to research and buy the appropriate insurance coverage for your trip, because you don't want to go on spring break—and end up spring broke.

Christopher Elliott

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Credit Cards

Chase Sapphire travel insurance benefits 2024

Stella Shon

Robin Saks Frankel

Robin Saks Frankel

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

Updated 10:57 a.m. UTC Nov. 14, 2023

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The Chase Sapphire suite of cards are some of the best credit cards for travel available. In addition to excellent rewards and redemption opportunities, they also offer a catalog of travel insurance benefits that can be paramount in the event of an emergency.

Whether your flight is canceled or your rental car gets a flat tire, you can tap into the complimentary benefits that come with ownership of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . In this guide, we’ll take a comprehensive look at these coverages and limitations, as well as the steps to file a claim.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome bonus.

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 Ultimate Rewards®.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

  • Flexible points that can be transferred to 14 travel partners or redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards® at 1.25 cents each.
  • $50 annual statement credit toward Ultimate Rewards hotel bookings.
  • Valuable travel protections.
  • $95 annual fee.
  • Category bonuses are limited and not competitive against other travel cards.
  • Transfer partner list is limited compared to programs like Amex Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou.

Card Details

  • 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 Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC

Chase Sapphire travel insurance overview

Chase is one of the most generous issuers when it comes to offering travel insurance benefits, particularly for its travel-focused Sapphire cards. The $95-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the $550-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Reserve offer high coverage limits and industry-leading reimbursement terms, surpassing most other travel credit cards.

What Chase Sapphire travel insurance covers

To qualify for any of these complimentary protections, you must use your Chase Sapphire card to pay for a portion or all of your travel expenses, like your flight, hotel or rental car. Depending on the coverage, your immediate family members may also qualify for reimbursement — even if you’re not traveling with them.

Thinking about adding an authorized user to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card? Here are the benefits of adding a family member or trusted friend to your Sapphire Preferred .

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

If you need to cancel your trip or it’s interrupted due to an unforeseen circumstance, the Chase Sapphire cardholder and immediate family members can receive up to $10,000 per person and up to $20,000 total per eligible trip in reimbursement. 

If your claim is approved, trip cancellation and interruption insurance will provide reimbursement for non-refundable travel expenses, including flights, accommodations, excursions, and cruises. If you paid your travel expenses with Chase Ultimate Rewards® points , Chase will reimburse you at a rate of 1 cent per point.

For this benefit, your immediate family members do not have to be traveling with you as the primary cardholder, although you will have needed to pay for at least some of their travel expenses to qualify. Here are some examples of situations where trip cancellation and interruption insurance may kick in:  

  • Accidental injury, illness or death.
  • Severe weather.
  • Change in military orders for you or your spouse.
  • Jury duty. 
  • Permanent residence or travel accommodations become uninhabitable.
  • Organized public transportation strike.

Trip delay reimbursement

Next time you’re stuck in a rolling delay by a common carrier, you and your family members can be covered for reasonable expenses like meals, lodging and toiletries with trip delay reimbursement. 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred provides up to $500 in reimbursement for each ticket when you are delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay. The Chase Sapphire Reserve provides the same coverage limits, but offers reimbursement for delays of six hours or more (or requires an overnight stay).

Baggage delay insurance

If you don’t receive your baggage for more than six hours, you can receive up to $100 per day — for a maximum of five days total. Baggage delay insurance will reimburse you to help purchase essential items that you may need in your bag, like clothing, toiletries, chargers, and more. This coverage applies to you and immediate family members that are impacted by delayed or misdirected baggage. 

Lost luggage reimbursement

On a similar note, if your luggage is lost by the common carrier altogether, this coverage can help to recoup some of those costs with your carry-on or checked bag. 

With either Chase Sapphire card, you can receive up to $3,000 per covered person per trip. It’s worth noting that within this coverage, there’s a $500 limit for jewelry and watches, as well as another $500 limit for cameras and other electronic equipment. 

Primary rental car insurance

When renting an eligible car for up to 31 days, Chase provides primary rental car insurance that covers theft and damage. The coverage limits are slightly different between the Chase Sapphire cards. While the more premium Chase Sapphire Reserve provides up to $75,000 in coverage, the Chase Sapphire Preferred provides reimbursement “up to the actual cash value of most rented cars”.

In either case, you’ll need to pay for the entire car rental with your Chase Sapphire card and decline the rental car company’s collision damage waiver as “accepting this coverage will cancel out your benefit”.

Roadside assistance

Chase offers a complimentary roadside assistance referral program for Sapphire Reserve cardholders that’s available 24/7 within the U.S. and Canada. Whether you’re driving your own car or a rental vehicle, cardholders can contact the Cross Country Motor Club at 1-866-7978 for towing, jump starts, fuel delivery and more. You can receive up to $50 in reimbursement for up to four service events per year.

On the other hand, Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders can reach out to a pay-per-use roadside dispatch program, available 24/7 within the U.S by calling 1-800-847-2869. Cardholders are required to pay for all services rendered at a pre-negotiated fee. 

Travel and emergency assistance services

The Chase Sapphire cards offer travel and emergency assistance services to the primary cardholder, as well as spouse and dependent children under the age of 22, even if they’re not traveling with you at the moment. 

Travel and emergency assistance services can provide medical or legal referrals, or transportation coordination 24/7, but like roadside dispatch, the cardholder is financially responsible for any services rendered. 

What Chase Sapphire travel insurance doesn’t cover

While each coverage comes with specific details outlined within each benefits guide, here’s an overview of some noteworthy exclusions: 

  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance does not cover a change in plans or financial circumstances; pre-existing conditions; travel during civil unrest or war; failure to obtain necessary travel documents; and more.
  • Trip delay reimbursement does not cover delays due to a covered hazard made public or prepaid expenses related to your covered trip.
  • Baggage delay insurance does not cover prosthetic devices; any loss resulting from war or civil unrest; money and securities; and more.
  • Lost luggage reimbursement does not cover items that have been removed from carry-on luggage by you or inadvertently left behind; money and securities; and more.
  • Primary rental car insurance does not cover rentals over 31 days; as well as high-value vehicles (Chase Sapphire Preferred); antique vehicles; cargo vans; motorcycles or mopeds; limousines; and more.

Additional coverage by the Chase Sapphire Reserve

While the Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a costly $550 annual fee, this premium travel card offers a leg up on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , providing a few additional benefits when traveling:

  • Emergency evacuation and transportation: This benefit can cover up to $100,000 in necessary emergency travel evacuation and transportation services for you, your spouse, and eligible dependent children as a result of injury or sickness. 
  • Emergency medical and dental benefit: You can receive up to $2,500 for emergency treatment and medical expenses for accidental injury or illness, subject to a $50 deductible. 
  • Travel accident insurance: You can receive reimbursement for accidental death, dismemberment, or a combination of loss of speech, sight or hearing, up to $1 million when traveling on a common carrier, or up to $100,000 during your trip. While the Sapphire Preferred also offers this benefit, the common carrier coverage amount is lower. 

How Chase Sapphire travel insurance works

Each coverage has specific terms and criteria you’ll need to meet before filing a claim with supporting documentation. For example, you can qualify for trip cancellation and interruption insurance by paying a portion of your travels with a Chase Sapphire card, while primary auto collision damage waiver requires you to pay for your entire rental with the card. 

Once you submit your claim and it’s approved by the benefits administrator, you can receive reimbursement up to the coverage limits stated. If you’re interested in learning more about each coverage, you’ll want to review the benefits guide for the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve to see a full list of limitations. 

How to claim your Chase Sapphire travel insurance

If you’re ready to file a claim, you’ll need to provide your documentation within the deadlines below or “as soon as reasonably possible” by calling the Benefits Administrator or starting your claim online via www.eclaimsline.com .  

  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Start your claim within 20 days of the cancellation or interruption; then, fill out a form and provide documentation within 90 days.
  • Trip delay reimbursement: Start your claim within 60 days of the incident; then, fill out a form and provide documentation within 100 days.
  • Baggage delay insurance: Start your claim within 20 days of the delay; then, fill out a form and provide documentation within 90 days. 
  • Lost luggage reimbursement: Start your claim within 20 days of the incident; then, fill out a form and provide documentation within 90 days.
  • Primary rental car insurance: Start your claim within 100 days of the incident; then, submit the documentation within 120 to 365 days. 
  • Emergency evacuation and transportation (Chase Sapphire Reserve only): Call the Benefits Administrator immediately; then submit a claim and documentation within 180 days.
  • Emergency medical and dental benefit (Chase Sapphire Reserve only): Call the Benefits Administrator within 90 days of receiving medical care; then submit a claim and documentation within 180 days.
  • Travel accident insurance: Call the Benefits Administrator within 20 days of the incident; then submit a claim and documentation within 90 days. 

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve: What’s the difference?

While the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a bit more well-rounded travel coverages, we’ll also compare the rest of the Reserve card’s benefits to the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s travel benefits .  

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

You can file a claim anytime by visiting www.eclaimsline.com . Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders can call 1-888-320-9961 (within the U.S.) or 1-804-673-1691 (international), while Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can call 1-888-675-1461 (within the U.S.) or 1-804-281-5772 (international). 

The Chase Sapphire cards only offer insurance for qualifying travel and not for events. 

As long as you pay a portion or all of your travel expenses with your Chase Sapphire card, you are eligible to receive complimentary travel insurance with the coverage limits stated above. 

Chase Sapphire cards won’t provide reimbursement for missed flights, unless the situation meets the terms of trip cancellation and interruption insurance or trip delay reimbursement for situations that are outside of your control. 

It’s not required to notify Chase prior to traveling, but you can set up a travel alert on your card if you’re traveling outside of your state or country over the phone, online, through a mobile app or in person.

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.

Stella Shon

Stella Shon is a freelance writer that connects the dots between personal finance and travel. Her work has appeared in The Points Guy, ValuePenguin and MoneyUnder30, and she's been interviewed by The New York Times, CNBC and more.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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