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Nationwide Travel Insurance Review — Is It Worth It?

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Why Purchase Travel Insurance

Travel insurance and the covid-19 virus, single-trip plans, cruise plans, annual/multi-trip insurance policies, how to obtain a quote, nationwide vs. credit card travel insurance, nationwide vs. other travel insurance companies, how to file a claim with nationwide travel insurance, final thoughts.

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If you’re looking at travel insurance policies, you may feel overwhelmed by the seemingly endless number of options. Some of the names of insurance providers will sound familiar; others you’ve likely never heard of. If you’re wondering about the first step for narrowing down your options, choosing a well-known name like Nationwide could be a good start.

Nationwide began in Ohio as Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, selling its first policy (automobile insurance) in 1926. Thus, the company has nearly a century of insurance experience. It’s a household name at this point, meaning you can trust that it knows how to process claims should you need to submit one and isn’t likely to give you the headaches of a company that just started and needs to work out a few kinks. Nationwide and its subsidiaries have “Superior” financial ratings from A.M. Best. ¹

Now that we’ve established Nationwide as a quality travel insurance provider, let’s see if what it provides works for your trip and your budget.

Travel insurance , as with other types of insurance, protects your investment (read: money) from loss because of unforeseen circumstances. The more money that’s at risk, the more it makes sense to protect it with an insurance policy.

Travel insurance can protect more than your money, though. It can provide medical coverage in case of an accident or illness while you’re away from home.

The following are some of the reasons you may want to buy travel insurance:

• Your existing healthcare coverage won’t cover you at your destination or for some of the activities you’ll be doing.
• Your trip involves costly, nonrefundable deposits or prepayments that you would lose if the trip were canceled at the last minute .
• Health care at your intended destination may not be sufficient, and you might need evacuation (which is costly) if you become ill or injured.
• Your trip involves multiple destinations or forms of transportation, creating additional chances for a missed connection or delay.

Travel insurance isn’t always necessary. However, getting a travel insurance policy is smart if you’ve invested significant money or are worried about medical coverage during your trip.

As nearly all destinations worldwide have been affected by COVID-19, Nationwide says canceling a trip for “ general concerns related to potential COVID-19 exposure is not generally covered under our travel protection plans.”

However, specific plan terms and reasons for trip cancellation/delay will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for every claim. That’s because certain elements of your travel insurance plan “may provide coverage if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, are under quarantine or are traveling to a destination that is currently under a CDC travel restriction.”

Rather than canceling a trip, postponing it due to COVID-19 is another option. Your plan may be extended to cover your new trip dates if your travel is no more than 18 months from the original dates and if you pay the difference in fare (if any) for the adjusted plan.

Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage , added at the time you purchased your plan, may provide certain benefits if you cancel a trip due to COVID-19 concerns. However, this may not result in a 100% refund for all losses you incur. Nationwide says CFAR means “you may be covered for a percentage of the loss in the form of a credit or refund based on the terms of your specific plan.”

A few other situations are worth considering as well:

• If you test positive or are sick because of COVID-19, proof of this and a doctor’s note stating you’re medically unable to travel (or proof of quarantine requirements) should be sufficient for trip cancellation coverage.
• If your plan includes medical expense coverage, this benefit should apply if you become sick with COVID-19 during a trip.
• If you are forced to quarantine, your plan should remain in effect until the quarantine ends. And trip cancellation, interruption, or medical expense benefits should apply.

Types of Policies Available With Nationwide

Nationwide offers 3 main tips of travel insurance plans: single-trip, cruise, and multi-trip.

There are 2 types of single-trip plans : Essential and Prime . The Prime Plan has higher coverage limits in nearly every category. Note which coverage types are secondary in the following comparison.

There are 3 types of plans available for cruisers : Universal , Choice , and Luxury . In addition to typical travel insurance inclusions, these plans have coverage for altered itineraries and even missed shore excursions due to altered itineraries.

There are 3 types of annual insurance policies available: Pro, Plus, and Pro Deluxe. Interestingly, only the Plus plan includes an option for trip cancellation . The other 2 plans don’t offer this.

These plans include a $7 nonrefundable processing fee and aren’t available to residents of AK, CA, MT, or SC, or those 81+ years old. Plans must start in or include a stop in the U.S. and must be 30 days or less in duration.

To get a quote, head to the Nationwide travel insurance page and click on Get started .

The next page will ask you what type of plan you need.

Once you choose a plan type, you’ll provide information about the traveler(s) age(s), state of residence, and total trip cost . You’ll also include a date for the initial deposit and intended final payment date for your trip. For cruise and single-trip plans, you’ll also include a destination and dates of travel. Cruise trips also ask what line you’re sailing with.

The next page will show available plan options and let you compare them for coverage maximums and inclusions.

If you click on the text for a coverage amount in the chart, a pop-up window shows details. Here’s the description for the optional add-on for Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage.

Once you choose a plan, click on Buy this plan at the top, near the cost. On the next page, you’ll need to agree to certain disclosures and provide the names, birth dates, and contact information for the insured travelers.

If the detailed traveler information you provide doesn’t match what you originally included when obtaining the quote, the price may change. If that happens, you’ll see a message stating so at the top of the final payment page.

On this final page, you’ll provide your billing address and credit card number to complete the payment.

How Nationwide Compares — Summary

It’s possible that you have a  credit card with travel insurance . This type of coverage may be sufficient for small, simple, or inexpensive trips, but it doesn’t offer everything that a comprehensive travel insurance policy covers when it comes to more complex itineraries.

For comparison, we’ll put Nationwide’s best policy side-by-side with 2 premium credit cards with robust insurance coverage:  The Platinum Card ®  from American Express  and the  Chase Sapphire Reserve ® . Before we get started, note that enrollment may be required for some of the Amex benefits described below.

And while you’ll pay to get a separate travel insurance policy, there’s no fee for the insurance perks built into these credit cards. They come as part of the cards’ annual fees.

At first glance, it looks like these credit cards provide robust coverage. However, some of these coverage items are secondary, meaning you’d need to deal with other insurance providers first, such as your homeowner’s insurance or personal vehicle insurance, and then deal with your credit card’s insurance provider for any expenses not yet reimbursed or to cover the deductible on other policies. Having your car insurance rates go up because of a claim related to your vacation could be frustrating. Travel insurance policies, as primary coverage, mean you would deal with the travel insurance provider first.

Nationwide’s Prime Plan provides more robust travel insurance coverage in several key areas : trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical, and emergency evacuation.

To compare Nationwide to other travel insurance companies, we obtained a quote for a couple, ages 38 and 36, traveling to Mexico for a 1-week trip that costs $2,000 (with the original payment made today). Note that the costs you see for a policy can vary, based on factors like age, trip cost, number of people covered, and where you reside.

We started our search with Squaremouth , a travel insurance comparison website analyzing numerous policies to help you find the right one. We listed a departure date 3 months in advance, an original deposit date the same day, and the state of residence as Arizona.

All 3 plans include COVID-19 coverage and 100% trip cancellation coverage. Nationwide’s travel insurance Prime Plan had the middle cost of the 3 options, yet it includes the best trip interruption level (200%, rather than 150% or 125% for the others). Nationwide also has the best coverage for financial default: 10 days wait, rather than 14 with Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice and no coverage with Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance Standard.

Lastly, Nationwide has better coverage than Seven Corners for hurricane and weather, but the best coverage includes delays of “any time” with Generali — which also has the cheapest plan.

You can file a Nationwide claim online . Under File a personal insurance claim , find the button for File a claim .

The next page outlines the process for filing a claim, including the basic information you’ll provide, uploading documents, and then reviewing before submission.

Nationwide is a household name in insurance, and it offers multiple types of travel insurance to cater to different needs. While it doesn’t offer extreme sports-focused plans or numerous additional add-ons to customize everything you want, plans cover most of what you’re looking for when choosing a single-trip, multi-trip, or cruise-focused plan.

Within each plan type, you can choose different levels to save money with common coverage amounts or pay more to increase the maximum payout limits. This can be handy if you’re traveling to remote areas, have an increased risk of injury or illness during your trip, or have expensive items in your luggage.

Travel insurance options can feel countless. Ensure you check multiple plan types and coverage levels — as well as competing insurance companies — to find the plan that fits your needs and your budget.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the Amex Platinum card, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit  americanexpress.com/benefitsguide  for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the premium global assist hotline benefit of the Amex Platinum card, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by premium global assist hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, card members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

For the trip delay insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, the maximum benefit amount for trip cancellation and interruption insurance is $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Does nationwide travel insurance cover cruises.

Nationwide has cruise-specific plans. These are single-trip plans and cover things like itinerary changes and suspension of services, plus other issues you may encounter.

Is there an age limit for the Nationwide FlexPlus travel insurance?

FlexPlus is available for U.K. residents only. If anyone on the plan is 70 or older, you’ll need to purchase an age extension.

Does Nationwide travel insurance cover flight delays or missed connections?

Yes, it can. Depending on the policy, coverage amounts will vary.

Does Nationwide travel insurance cover skiing or trekking?

The Prime Plan can cover adventure sports.

When do I need to buy Nationwide travel insurance?

You can purchase plans up to the day before your departure. However, options for coverage diminish as time passes from your original trip deposit. Read our guide to find out more on when to buy travel insurance .

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About Ryan Smith

Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and now plans to let his wife choose their destinations. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publications including AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, and Forbes Advisor.

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Nationwide Travel Insurance Review: Is it Worth The Cost?

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Table of Contents

What does Nationwide travel insurance cover?

What does nationwide travel insurance cost, what isn’t covered by nationwide travel insurance, can you buy a nationwide plan online, is nationwide travel insurance worth it.

Are you considering purchasing travel insurance for your next vacation? It could be a good idea, especially in an era of overbooked flights, travel delays and lost luggage. Insurance company Nationwide can sell you travel insurance, which will cover you in the event that things stray from the plan. 

Let’s take a look at Nationwide travel insurance, the policies available and the benefits that they provide. 

Nationwide offers two different travel insurance plans for its customers: an Essential option and a Prime version. As the name implies, Prime provides more coverage and is more expensive. 

With the essential plan, you'll have benefits like trip cancellation or interruption, coverage for medical emergencies and a fixed fee for delayed/lost luggage. The prime plan includes missed connection reimbursement, and generally, a higher reimbursement amount per benefit.

» Learn more: Common myths about travel insurance and what it covers

To do a proper Nationwide travel insurance review, we input a search for a 28-year-old from Michigan traveling to France for three weeks on a $7,000 trip. 

A quick Nationwide travel insurance review shows that you’ll see quite a few more benefits associated with the Prime plan, though neither option is especially cheap. Coverage areas that are missing from the Essential plan include missed connection reimbursement, itinerary change reimbursement and 24-hour AD&D insurance, though this last one can be added on. 

The Essential plan also sees significant drops in the monetary reimbursement you can expect when things go awry. Despite being only 38% cheaper than the Prime plan, coverage is significantly stripped down. You can especially see this with baggage delay ($100 versus $600), lost baggage ($600 versus $2,000) and trip delay ($600 versus $2,000). Trip cancellation is basically the only coverage area that remains the same — 100% no matter which plan you choose.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Additional options and add-ons

No review of Nationwide travel insurance would be complete without mentioning add-ons. Your available options will differ based on the plan you choose.

As you can see, the available options and their costs can range quite a bit. If you’re looking for maximum coverage, it’s easy to more than double the cost of your original quote. 

The most expensive add-on is only available to Prime policyholders. Cancel For Any Reason insurance allows the ultimate in flexibility as it’ll refund you up to 75% in trip costs in the event you want to cancel your trip. 

Those opting for an Essential plan can also choose to purchase 24-hour AD&D coverage, which comes included with the Prime policy. Doing so includes flight-only coverage for Essential plans, though strangely that’s considered an add-on for Prime. 

Finally, rental car insurance is available regardless of which plan you pick, though you can receive more coverage with the higher-tier Prime policy. 

Many different travel credit cards provide complimentary trip insurance when you use your card to pay. Check these before purchasing travel insurance. 

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

As nice as it would be to purchase fully comprehensive travel insurance, the truth is that nearly all policies have exclusions of some kind. This may mean that your policy won’t cover instances of COVID-19 or the decision to jump out of a plane. 

Here are some general exclusions you can expect:

Accidental injury or sickness when traveling against the advice of a physician.

Participation in canyoning or canyoneering, extreme sports or bodily contact sports.

War or any act of war whether declared or not.

Exclusions vary based on the policy and where you live, so you’ll want to read your guide to benefits carefully to see what coverages apply to your policy. 

» Learn more: Is there travel insurance that covers COVID quarantine?

If this Nationwide essential travel insurance review has spurred you to make a decision, it’s simple to find a quote for yourself. You’ll need to navigate to Nationwide’s travel insurance page , where you’ll find a form asking for your personal information. 

In addition to single-trip coverage, Nationwide also provides multi-trip plans and plans focused on cruises.

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance?

Nationwide has been in operation since 1925 and is a well-established insurance provider. They offer a range of insurance policies including car, motorcycle, homeowners, pet, farm, life and travel insurance. Nationwide's travel insurance policies can be purchased for cruises , single trips or multi-trips.

Nationwide travel insurance plans have various benefits including trip cancellation, interruption or delay, financial default, missed connection, itinerary change, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR), medical emergencies, 24-hour accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), pre-existing conditions exclusion and waiver, and baggage delay. Each policy is different, so you'll want to ensure you read the fine print to know your coverage.

Nationwide's essential plan does not cover Cancel For Any Reason. However, for an additional cost, you can add CFAR to Nationwide's Prime plan. With that coverage, you will be eligible for reimbursement of up to 75% of nonrefundable trip costs. Note that this must be added on within 21 days of your first trip payment.

If you need to submit a claim, you'll first call the CBP Claims Department at 888-490-7606. A representative will provide a claim form and a list of documents to submit. Claims can then be submitted via U.S. mail, fax or through email. Assuming your claim is reimbursable, you'll receive payment via direct deposit or a check.

Nationwide has been in operation since 1925 and is a well-established insurance provider. They offer a range of insurance policies including car, motorcycle, homeowners, pet, farm, life and travel insurance. Nationwide's travel insurance policies can be purchased for

, single trips or multi-trips.

Are you looking for strong coverage over a wide range of incidents? Nationwide could be a good travel insurance option for you, but only if you’re willing to shell out for its more expensive policy. 

That being said, if you hold a travel credit card, odds are that you already have some form of complimentary travel insurance. You’ll want to check this first to see if those benefits are enough for your trip — if not, a Nationwide insurance policy could offer the coverage that you need. 

How to maximize your rewards

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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

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Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

B uying travel insurance coverage can protect you from unexpected expenses incurred during a trip. These include needing to cancel or interrupt your travel plans, lost luggage, emergency medical expenses and travel delays.

Nationwide travel insurance is among our top picks for the best travel insurance companies . It offers multi-trip plans, dedicated cruise travel coverage, pre-existing condition waivers and round-the-clock travel assistance.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review to learn about the pros and cons of doing business with this well-known travel insurer and decide if it’s the best option for you.

Best for cruise travel insurance

Nationwide is the best company we’ve found for cruise insurance. It offers dedicated cruise travel insurance plans covering unforeseen scenarios you may encounter during a cruise vacation, including itinerary changes and mechanical breakdowns.

Nationwide travel insurance pros and cons

Pre-existing conditions waiver available with most plans

24-hour travel assistance available

Offers cruise-specific plans

Cancel for any reason coverage is only available with premium plans

Offers few add-ons compared to other insurers

Travel insurance covers medical emergencies and other potentially expensive issues while you’re abroad. While it isn’t required for most destinations, like the best travel credit cards , it can provide peace of mind for a fraction of your total trip cost.

Here’s what you can expect from your Nationwide Travel Insurance plan.

Pros explained

Pre-existing conditions are a common travel insurance exclusion. If you developed symptoms of, were treated for or were diagnosed with a condition before purchasing coverage and then suffered a relapse during your trip, travel insurance will cover treatment for it only if you qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver upon purchasing the plan.

According to travel insurance broker Squaremouth, Nationwide offers pre-existing condition waivers on several of its plans. Travelers who purchase the Essential or Primer plans within 20 days of the initial trip deposit may qualify for the waiver, as are those who purchase the Choice Cruise or Luxury Cruise plans within 14 days of the initial deposit.

Note, however, that you must meet certain conditions for the waiver to be valid (including being medically approved to travel). And this benefit is not available on the Universal Cruise Plan.

Nationwide’s travel insurance plans offer comprehensive 24-hour emergency services, including emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, transportation post-stabilization and repatriation of mortal remains.

The company also provides travel support services, including medical monitoring, interpretation services and assistance with making emergency travel arrangements or replacing lost or stolen items such as medication or medical devices.

Compared to other travel insurance companies, Nationwide provides more expansive and customizable cruise insurance coverage. The company offers three plans tailored specifically for cruises: Choice, Universal and Luxury. Each covers cruise-specific travel-related setbacks such as medical evacuations, itinerary changes and missed connections.

Cruise-specific coverage includes:

• Cancellations due to weather or social unrest in an itinerary country
• Missed connections while you’re off the cruise ship
• Reimbursement for canceled prepaid excursions due to itinerary changes

Cons explained

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage allows policyholders to cancel their trip for reasons other than those listed as covered in their policy details. Standard canceling policies don’t include coverage for situations where travelers simply change their minds about their trip or have personal reasons for canceling. With CFAR coverage, however, they can cancel their trip for any reason whatsoever.

With Nationwide, CFAR Coverage is only available with the Prime and Luxury Cruise plans. If you opt for a lower plan tier, your customization options will be limited to rental car coverage.

Nationwide offers few options for policy customization beyond CFAR and rental car coverage. By contrast, other insurers provide coverage for pets, adventure sports and accidental death and dismemberment.

Nationwide travel insurance plans

Choosing the right travel insurance plan for your trip is crucial. Like the best travel rewards credit cards , the right plan can help you save money on your trip. However, the wrong plan could be an unnecessary expense.

Nationwide offers several travel insurance plans and some level of customization through standard add-ons. You can learn more about the details of each plan and get a quote on Nationwide’s website.

Below is a brief overview of the different travel insurance plans Nationwide offers.

Single-trip plans

You can buy single-trip insurance for a flat price and get coverage for the extent of your trip, whether a few days or a month. Nationwide offers two single-trip plans:

CFAR coverage is only available with Prime. This option costs extra and will cover 75% of non-refundable trip costs, provided you purchase it within 21 days of your initial trip payment and meet other specific requirements.

Multi-trip (annual) plan

Annual plans, also known as multi-trip travel insurance, are designed to cover multiple trips per year and are paid on an annual or monthly basis.

Nationwide’s Annual Travel Pro Plan has several trip cancellation benefit options from $1,250 to $10,000. Trip interruption coverage will depend on whatever tip cancellation option you select. Baggage and personal effects coverage is $500 per person/trip with a $200 per article limit and a $400 maximum for valuable goods.

As for medical coverage, the annual plan provides the following:

• $10,000 per person/trip (secondary) for emergency medical expenses
• $750 per person/trip for emergency dental expenses (included in medical coverage)
• $50,000 per person/trip for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains

This plan does not include CFAR coverage or a waiver of pre-existing conditions

Cruise plans

Nationwide’s cruise insurance differentiates the company from others in the industry. Cruise insurance covers every destination country, plus robust medical evacuation coverage. Nationwide offers three cruise insurance plans.

All three cruise plans offer a benefit that allows policyholders to cancel their travel plans due to work reasons. Additionally, the Choice and Luxury plans include a pre-existing condition waiver, provided you purchase insurance within 14 days of the initial trip deposit and meet certain conditions.

CFAR coverage is exclusively available with the Luxury plan. This option covers 75% of non-refundable trip costs. Please note that CFAR entails an additional cost and requires purchasing coverage within 14 days of the initial trip payment, along with meeting other conditions.

Nationwide travel insurance pricing

With Nationwide, travel insurance costs vary depending on the plan you select and factors such as:

• The number of travelers in your group
• Your age and the ages of your travel companions
• The total cost of your trip
• Add-ons and additional coverage you purchase

To get an accurate estimate of what you might pay for travel insurance with Nationwide, request a quick online quote on the company’s website or contact its 24/7 customer service helpline.

Nationwide financial stability

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company is an established insurer with an A+ (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best. This rating indicates the company’s strong ability to meet its financial obligations, particularly in terms of paying out claims.

Nationwide accessibility

Because Nationwide is such a large company, its insurance plans are widely available. The company also takes steps to be as accessible as possible.

Availability

Nationwide Travel Insurance is available in all 50 states. However, policies can vary from state to state. Coverage for itinerary changes, for example, may include those caused by fires, mechanical issues, illnesses and more, depending on the state where you buy your plan.

Contact information

Nationwide allows policyholders to get a quote and file a claim online. The company also offers a 24/7 worldwide travel assistance line: 1-877-970-9059.

You can call the helpline to ask about your coverage or get help finding a network provider. If you want to pay for your Nationwide travel insurance, you can do it through your account or as a guest online.

Nationwide Travel Insurance doesn’t have a public email address, but you can fill out a form on the contact page of Nationwide’s website to send an email.

User experience

Most Nationwide Travel Insurance reviews report an intuitive user experience. The website is easy to navigate and provides clear directions to compare plans, file a claim or make payments. Customer reviews report quick response times and helpful customer service agents.

Nationwide travel insurance customer satisfaction

While Nationwide gets mixed reviews on third-party review platforms, consumers should remember it’s a large insurance company, and most public customer complaints aren’t specific to its travel insurance plans.

Nationwide is rated 1.15/5 stars on BBB.org. Again, that score doesn’t necessarily reflect the experience of Nationwide’s travel insurance customers. However, some customers have reported difficulty filing claims for other insurance products.

Nationwide travel insurance FAQs

How can travelers file a travel insurance claim with nationwide, does nationwide offer a "cancel for any reason" upgrade, is nationwide travel insurance worth it, how we evaluated nationwide travel insurance.

We evaluated Nationwide Travel Insurance for this review by comparing it to other top insurance providers. Some critical features we considered include:

• Variety of plans offered
• Add-on coverage options
• Accessibility
• Customer reviews and complaints
• Coverage limits
• Inclusion of pre-existing condition waivers

Summary of Money’s Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

If you’ve booked an expensive trip and covered non-refundable trip expenses ahead of time, travel insurance could give you peace of mind knowing you can be reimbursed for cancellations and other unforeseen events.

Nationwide offers comprehensive coverage through single-trip, multi-trip and cruise plans. The company might be the best insurance provider for you if you want multiple options for cruise insurance. With the right coverage, you can be protected against cruise-specific setbacks such as itinerary changes and non-emergency evacuations.

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Nationwide Travel Insurance: The Complete Guide

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About Nationwide Travel Insurance

Already one of the biggest names in insurance, Nationwide Travel Insurance is one part of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. As a whole, the Columbus, Ohio-based insurance giant started in 1925 , when the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation incorporated the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. The insurer officially changed its name to Nationwide in 1955, after expanding service to 32 states and the District of Columbia. Today, Nationwide offers more than just insurance – their divisions include a bank, a financial services company, a farmland insurance company and even a pet insurance brand.

Compared to other companies, Nationwide is a relatively new travel insurance provider. The company began offering their travel insurance products on InsureMyTrip.com in 2015, and expanded to Squaremouth.com in 2018. Currently, the insurance company focuses on three types of products: cruise travel insurance , single trip travel insurance, and annual travel insurance .

How is Nationwide Travel Insurance rated?

As one of America’s oldest insurance companies, Nationwide has a solid reputation for their financial stability and commitment to policy holders. All travel insurance policies are underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, which has an A+ Superior rating from A.M. Best in the financial size category of $2 billion or greater. The company also holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau , with a composite customer review score of one star (out of five).

In the travel insurance marketplaces, InsureMyTrip.com gives Nationwide an average score of 4.5 stars (out of five) for their cruise travel insurance and single trip travel insurance products. At Squaremouth.com , Nationwide has earned a rating of 4.04 out of five stars, and has sold over 5,783 policies since January 2018.

What travel insurance products are available from Nationwide?

Nationwide Travel Insurance primarily focuses on three travel insurance products: cruise trip insurance , single trip insurance , and annual trip insurance . The company also offers two student education plans, which are available through InsureMyTrip.com : Academic Explorer All Inclusive Domestic and Academic Explorer All Inclusive International.

Please note: all schedules of benefits are subject to change. For the most up-to-date coverage information, contact Nationwide Travel Insurance.

Nationwide Cruise Travel Insurance

Universal Cruise Plan: Nationwide is among the few travel insurance companies to provide an independent cruise-only travel insurance plan. At the lowest end, the Universal Cruise Plan covers many of the basic situations that can go wrong while embarked at sea.

• Like traditional travel insurance plans, the Universal Cruise Plan covers a maximum trip cancellation benefit of 100 percent of non-refundable trip costs and a trip interruption maximum benefit of 125 percent of non-refundable trip costs. Covered reasons for trip cancellation or trip interruption include weather, extension of a school operating session, work-related issues, or an act of terrorism in the itinerary city. 
• This plan differs from a traditional travel insurance plan by offering an Interruption for Any Reason benefit, which reimburses transportation change costs up to $250. Missed connections that cause a delay of over three hours or trip delays of over six hours are also covered, with a maximum benefit of $500 for each type of incident.
• Should you get ill or injured on the ship, this plan offers up to $75,000 of both emergency accident and sickness medical expense coverage. It is important to note that this is secondary coverage, not primary coverage. This means that all other insurance, including policies from a credit card  must be depleted  before the Nationwide insurance plan will cover claims. The plan also offers up to $750 of emergency dental expense coverage and up to $250,000 of emergency medical evacuation coverage.
• If your bags are delayed or lost , Nationwide’s Universal Cruise Plan can help. If your bags are delayed by more than eight hours, the baggage delay benefit will cover up to $250 in qualifying expenses. If your luggage is outright lost or stolen, the insurance plan offers a maximum of $1,500 in payouts, including a maximum of $600 for special items and a $300 per article limit.
• Finally, unplanned itinerary changes are also covered under this plan. If a port of call is changed prior to departure, this plan offers a maximum of $500 in coverage. If a covered issue impacts your cruise experience, like a fire or mechanical issue, you could qualify for up to $100 in coverage. These two specific benefits are not available to residents of Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Washington state.
• As a third-party travel insurance plan covering a cruise, Nationwide’s Universal Cruise Plan is a frugal purchase with lots of benefits. For a 34-year-old male traveling on a $1,500 four-day cruise from North Carolina sailing to the Bahamas, we were quoted a price of $51.45, but your insurance quote and benefits may vary based on age, location, trip price, trip length, cruise line and destination.
• See the sample certificate of coverage

Choice Cruise Plan: While the Choice Cruise Plan introduces new benefits, including the pre-existing condition waiver, non-medical evacuation and accidental death and dismemberment coverage, the primary advantage over the basic Universal Cruise Plan is the higher maximum benefits.

• For those concerned about a pre-existing condition , this plan offers a waiver if it is purchased prior to the final trip payment and all eligibility requirements are met. The additional accidental death and dismemberment benefit offers up to $25,000 of coverage in the event of an emergency causing the loss of life or limb. If a non-medical evacuation from the ship is required, this plan offers a maximum of $25,000 of coverage.
• Like the Universal Cruise Plan, the Choice Cruise Plan offers a maximum of 100 percent trip cancellation coverage of non-refundable trip costs. The plan also offers a 150 percent maximum of non-refundable trip costs for trip interruption, an increase of 25 percent. The plan may pay up to $500 towards transportation change cost reimbursement under the interruption for any reason benefit, if eligibility requirements are met.
• If you miss a connection which causes a delay of more than three hours, the plan offers up to $1,500 in coverage for lost events or costs incurred. If your trip is delayed by over six hours, the trip delay benefits can reimburse up to $750 of incidental costs.
• Emergency accident and sickness medical expense benefits are increased to a maximum of $100,000 of secondary coverage, meaning other insurance plans must be exhausted before this plan will pay for coverage. Emergency medical evacuation coverage is increased to a maximum of $500,000, and emergency dental expense is a maximum of $750.
• For those concerned about their luggage getting lost or stolen, this plan offers increased maximums from the Universal Cruise Plan. If baggage is delayed by eight hours or more, this plan offers a maximum baggage delay reimbursement of $500 towards incidental costs. Baggage that is lost or stolen is covered to a maximum of $2,500, with a special item maximum of $600 and a limit of $300 per article. The plan also offers itinerary change coverage: a maximum of $750 for ports of call change prior to departure, $200 maximum for fire, mechanical, or other covered issue affecting your cruise experience after departure and $500 maximum for an itinerary change after departure that causes you to miss a pre-paid shore excursion . Again, changes to the ports of call and cruise experience impact coverage are not available to residents of Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Washington state.
• The Choice Cruise Plan is also the first to offer the Cancel for Any Reason benefit , which allows travelers to recover up to 70 percent of non-refundable trip costs if you decide not to take your cruise after all. The Cancel For Any Reason option is an additional purchase, priced based on your quoted rate.
• Compared to the Universal Cruise Plan, the Choice Cruise plan is equally as economic as the lower plan but with more benefits. When we quoted the same trip above for the Choice Cruise Plan, we saw only an 8 percent price increase for more maximum allowances. At the price point, it could make more sense to purchase the Choice Cruise Plan to ensure you get a higher level of coverage for almost the same price.

Luxury Cruise Plan: If you are planning an expensive, once-in-a-lifetime cruise, then you may definitely want to consider the Luxury Cruise Plan.

• Offering the highest level of coverage, the Luxury Cruise Plan increases all of the maximum coverage levels, helping you retain the most peace of mind on your trip.
• Like the Choice Cruise Plan, the Luxury Cruise Plan offers a maximum 100 percent trip cancellation benefit for non-refundable trip costs, as well as a maximum 150 percent trip interruption benefit for non-refundable trip costs. The interruption for any reason benefit is increased to $1,000 to cover transportation costs if eligibility requirements are met.
• If your trip is delayed by three hours or more from a missed connection, this insurance plan can cover up to $2,500 of costs. If your trip is otherwise delayed, the Luxury Cruise Plan can reimburse up to $1,000 in costs if you are delayed for more than six hours.
• Emergency accident and emergency sickness medical expenses are still secondary coverage, but provide a large safety net for cruise travelers. Should you fall ill or have an accident, this plan offers a maximum coverage limit of $150,000. If emergency medical evacuation is required, this plan can cover up to $1 million in costs. The emergency dental expense is also increased to a maximum of $750, but accidental death and dismemberment coverage still maxes out at $25,000.
• As with the Choice Cruise Plan, this travel insurance plan offers a $25,000 non-medical evacuation benefit, along with coverage for lost and stolen luggage or delayed baggage. The plan also includes a pre-existing condition waiver if your plan is purchased prior to final trip payment and all eligibility requirements are met.
• Using the same itinerary for the Universal Cruise Plan, this high-end plan is priced significantly higher than both lower plans. Compared to the Universal Cruise Plan, prepare to pay nearly 50 percent more for the best benefits offered on a cruise ship by Nationwide.

Nationwide Single-Trip Insurance

Essential Plan : Travelers who are not going to be on a cruise ship but still want a high level of protection may want to consider purchasing a Nationwide Single-Trip insurance plan instead. The Single-Trip Essential plan balances benefits with additional buy-ups in order to build the best protection for your trip.

• At the base level, this plans offers a maximum $10,000 benefit for trip cancellation, which will cover pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs if you are forced to cancel for a qualified reason. If your trip is interrupted early, this plan offers a reimbursement benefit of up to 125 percent of insured trip costs, with a maximum of $12,500. Should your trip be delayed for a covered reason by at least six hours, this plan offers a $150 per day trip delay benefit, with a maximum benefit of $600. Luggage delay benefits offer up to $100 of coverage for incidental costs if your luggage gets lost for more than 12 hours.
• If your bags are lost or stolen during your trip, the Single-Trip Essential Plan offers up to $600 of travel insurance benefits. Individual articles are limited to $250 maximum, while valuable items are capped at a combined total of $500.
• As a basic plan, Nationwide’s Single-Trip Essential Plan also offers coverage for emergency accidents and illness while abroad. The accident and sickness medical expense benefit offers up to $75,000 of secondary coverage, meaning all other collectible insurance must be paid up to its limits before this plan will pay benefits. Emergency dental coverage is capped to $500 and is included in the medical expense coverage, while emergency medical evacuation or repatriation of remains benefits are limited up to $250,000.
• Nationwide’s plan is unique in that it extends trip cancellation or trip interruption coverage due to an act of terrorism in an itinerary city. Should you decide to cancel your trip due to an act of terrorism, you may be able to receive benefit payments. If you buy your plan within 10 days of your initial trip deposit, you will also be covered for trip cancellation and interruption due to common carrier financial default and receive the pre-existing condition waiver benefit. Additional coverages you can purchase in this plan includes accidental death and dismemberment, accidental death during a flight, and rental car collision or loss coverage.
• When we requested a quote for a 34-year-old traveler going to Germany on a $1,500 trip, Nationwide priced our plan at $45.27, which is a competitive price for travel insurance. Your price will vary based on your age, destination, trip price, travel dates and any additional options you may choose.

Prime Plan : As the premier plan offered by Nationwide for a single trip, the Single-Trip Prime Plan offers the highest coverage levels and the most add-on options.

• Prime is the only single trip travel insurance plan to feature a Cancel for Any Reason benefit, along with add-ons for accidental death and dismemberment, flight-only accidental death and dismemberment and rental car collision/loss coverage.
• The trip cancellation benefit is increased to $30,000 and is limited to prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. If you decide to purchase additional Cancel for Any Reason coverage within 21 days of your initial trip payment, you can recover up to 75 percent of your non-refundable trip costs. Cancel for Any Reason benefits are not available to those in New Hampshire, New York, or Washington state.
• The trip interruption benefit is also increased to up to 200 percent of your non-refundable tour costs, with a maximum of $60,000. If your trip is delayed by at least six hours, you could also qualify for trip delay benefits of up to $250 per day. Trip delay is limited to a maximum benefit of $1,500. This plan also offers a missed connection or itinerary change benefit of up to $500.
• If your bags are delayed or lost, the Prime Plan may cover you. The baggage delay benefit can reimburse up to $600 of incidental expenses if you are delayed by 12 hours or more. If your bags are lost or stolen, the baggage and personal effects benefits offers maximum coverage of $2,000, including a $250 per article limit and $500 maximum for valuable items.
• As with the Essential Plan, the Nationwide Single-Trip Prime Plan offers emergency accidental and sickness medical expense coverage. In an emergency, this plan offers a maximum secondary benefit of $150,000 if all expenses are covered during your trip. Included in the medical expense coverage is a maximum emergency dental benefit of $750. If you need emergency medical evacuation or your remains must be repatriated, the maximum benefit is $1 million.
• By purchasing your plan within 21 days of your initial trip payment, you also qualify for two additional benefits: trip cancellation and trip delay due to financial default and the pre-existing condition waiver benefit. These two benefits can only be accessed through early purchase. If you might add additional costs to your trip later, still purchase your insurance early because you can always add more coverage later.
• Because this travel insurance plan offers a lot more coverage, it also comes with a higher price tag. When we priced out our trip, the cost was almost double that of the Essential Plan. 

What is excluded from Nationwide Travel Insurance?

All travel insurance plans have key exclusions. Before you file a claim, it’s important to know what situations are excluded from Nationwide plans. Exclusions on these plans include:

• War, Invasion, acts of foreign enemies, or civil war: If a war breaks out while in your destination country , don’t count on Nationwide Travel Insurance to pay out benefits. Any acts of war are specifically excluded from your travel insurance plan.
• Participation in underwater activities: Although deep sea diving and spelunking may sound tempting, injuries or death resulting from underwater activities are not covered under this plan. But recreational swimming is covered, so don’t be afraid to get in the water.
• Piloting an aircraft: Regardless of your status or experience as a pilot, operating an aircraft is not covered by Nationwide Travel Insurance plans. This includes actual piloting, learning to pilot, or acting as an aircraft crew member.
• Participation in hazardous activities or bodily contact sports: Much like other travel insurance plans , participating in activities such as rock climbing, hang gliding, rugby, or rodeo are not covered by Nationwide Travel Insurance. Nationwide Travel Insurance does not offer a hazardous activity add-on benefit, so you shouldn’t participate in hazardous activities while covered by these plans.
• Accidental injury or sickness when traveling against a doctor’s advice: If a doctor says you shouldn’t travel, it may be in your best interests to follow their advice. Should you get injured or ill, Nationwide Travel Insurance will not cover your treatment costs as a result.
• Confinement or treatment in a government hospital: Voluntary or not, receiving care in a government hospital is not covered under your travel insurance plan. But in some situations, the United States Government could seek claim payment for treatment.
• Pregnancy and childbirth: As with most travel insurance plans, pregnancy and childbirth is not covered. However, should you experience complications from either, those may be covered by your trip insurance.
• Services not shown as covered: Simply put: if it’s not on your travel insurance certificate of coverage, it isn’t covered.

Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of all exclusions. Before filing a claim, be sure to refer to your certificate of coverage to see all exclusions.

How do I file a claim with Nationwide Travel Insurance?

Nationwide Travel Insurance does not allow you to file a claim online, nor do they allow you to access the required claim forms online. Instead, if you need to file a claim, you must first contact Co-ordinated Benefit Plans, LLC, who processes the claims on behalf of Nationwide. The number you will call will depend on which plan you purchased and can be found on the Nationwide website .

When you call, a customer service agent will help determine if your situation may be covered under your plan and will forward claim forms you will need to return. When completing your claim, be sure to submit supporting documentation, including receipts, doctor’s reports, or time-stamped lost luggage claims with your common carrier. A claims adjuster will then determine if your situation qualifies for payment under the policy.

Some situations, like doctor or facility referrals, may be handled through Nationwide’s 24/7 travel assistance partner, On Call international. Contact phone numbers, both toll-free and collect, are available on Nationwide’s website. 

Who are Nationwide Travel Insurance products best for?

Hands down, Nationwide offers the best travel insurance products for those embarking on a cruise. Because of their specialized attention to the needs of cruise travelers, their three cruise insurance plans provide an increased level of care that many others can’t provide. If you are planning a cruise and are concerned about the worst that could happen, you should definitely consider Nationwide’s cruise insurance plans ahead of plans offered by the cruise lines.

The single trip plans are comparable to many other plans, but the costs do not necessarily equate to the level of coverage you are receiving. In addition, the medical coverage offered by the plans are secondary, which could be okay if you don’t have any other medical insurance available. Before you decide to purchase a single-trip plan, be sure to weigh all your options: filing an emergency medical claim may require you to exhaust any options available through credit cards or other sources first. 

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Nationwide overhauls packaged account terms for older travellers.

Nationwide Building Society is to lower the maximum age of traveller it will insure as part of its packaged bank account offering, with older holidaymakers having to pay more for cover.

Currently, the packaged bank account – FlexPlus, which costs £13 a month – includes a number of benefits for customers.

These include 3% in-credit interest, commission-free cash withdrawals abroad and worldwide family travel insurance for those aged up to 75.

If any member of the travelling party is aged 75 and over, an annual age extension must be bought, costing £50.

But Nationwide has confirmed that the age limit will be reduced to 70, so standard cover stops at the age of 69. Further, the age extension cost for over 70s wishing to be insured will rise from £50 to £65.

Both changes come into effect on Thursday 3 January 2019 and the move comes as Nationwide said it’s aligning to competitors’ offerings, and because the model was “unsustainable”.

Travel insurance age limits for packaged bank account holders

Research from business information site Defaqto revealed that Coutts & Co has no upper age limit as part of its travel insurance offering, while many others have a maximum age for travel insurance cover of 79.

However, it’s vital customers check their policy wording carefully and always declare any pre-existing medical conditions as the upper age limits for travel cover may not apply. In the worst case, customers may not be covered.

Defaqto also noted that customers of NatWest, RBS, and Nationwide who are above the age limit can choose to be medically screened, then quoted a premium for cover. Cover may be extended to older travellers, but there are no guarantees, and it it likely to cost extra.

For customers with a FlexAccount meeting the eligibility criteria (paying in £750 a month), they also receive free European travel insurance. Nationwide confirms the changes apply to these customers too.

A Nationwide spokesperson, said: “Nationwide was an outlier offering travel insurance cover up to age 75 as standard and we have had to reduce the maximum age to 70 in line with our competitors as it had become unsustainable. Most of our competitors that offer travel insurance as part of a package current account will cease cover at age 70 and do not offer an upgrade to extend cover into later life.

“FlexPlus is regularly rated as the most comprehensive packaged current account on the market. Following increases in the cost of insurance, the amount the Society charges for the age upgrade no longer covers the cost of providing the cover. The Society has absorbed these costs for as long as possible, but this is unsustainable, so we need to reflect the cost of providing the cover in the pricing.”

They added that from the end of the month, it will start notifying all customers about the change and will update its website accordingly.

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Travel insurance: how UK holidaymakers can get the best deal

It is vital to weigh up reducing the upfront cost of a policy against what is covered and any excess

Get a GHIC card

The UK global health insurance card ( GHIC ) allows holidaymakers to use state healthcare in European countries, so it is invaluable if you fall ill or are injured while abroad. It was introduced to replace the European health insurance card (Ehic) when the UK left the EU. If you still have one, there may be no need to replace it straight away – it will be valid until its expiry date.

But while the GHIC is there to help in an emergency, Graeme Trudgill, the executive director of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, says: “Don’t make the mistake of thinking this is an insurance policy, as it doesn’t provide comprehensive cover. It only provides limited emergency medical treatment and does not cover private facilities, repatriation or offer the wider cover for non-medical claims like a travel insurance policy does. You still need travel insurance to give you comprehensive travel cover.”

Are you already covered?

Before paying out for a travel policy, check whether cover is included in any of your existing financial products. Some packaged current accounts include travel insurance as one of the extras covered by a monthly fee.

For example, Nationwide’s FlexPlus account, costing £13 a month, includes worldwide family travel insurance, although there is a standard upper age limit of 70 for travel cover (for anyone aged 70-plus, you have to buy an age upgrade costing £65 a year).

Save with multi-trip cover

“Annual multi-trip cover is great for those travelling to multiple destinations over a 12-month period, and can be more cost-effective than buying multiple individual policies,” says Ceri McMillan at GoCompare’s travel insurance arm.

As an example, a search on the website TravelSupermarket showed that a standard single-trip policy covering a family of four during a two-week holiday in Spain, including gadget cover for up to £750, would cost £37.25 with Insure & Escape. A 12-month multi-trip policy offering the same level of cover for each holiday would cost £61.01 with the same firm.

One size doesn’t fit all

According to MoneySuperMarket, the most common claims on travel insurance relate to medical expenses abroad, cancellation of trips and lost, stolen or damaged baggage.

Fortunately, says Angela Dove at MoneySuperMarket: “Most policies cover cancellation, lost baggage and belongings, travel disruption, travel back to the UK if you have a medical emergency, and personal liability in cases where you have an accident and someone else is injured.”

However, there are significant variations between insurers and policies, so it is essential to read the small print to see what is covered and what isn’t.

If you plan to take part in sports or activities in particular, you need to check you are covered, Trudgill says. “Advise your insurance provider of any hazardous sports that you plan to undertake to check they are covered.”

Different insurers have different rules: for example, LV= includes activities such as paddleboarding, archery and hiking up to 2,500m in its standard policy.

Cost-cutting versus risks

One of the important differences between policies is the excess they charge – the amount of any loss you have to cover before the insurer starts to pay up.

“To help reduce the policy cost, you can opt to increase the excess you pay, or pick a lower amount of cover for your belongings,” Dove says.

But weighing up the savings against the risks is important. When we looked, the cheapest deal on TravelSupermarket for a single traveller taking a two-week break in Greece was £11.25 for Yourtravelcover.com’s “silver” policy.

However, the excess payable on a medical claim was £250. The same company’s “gold” policy cost £18.48 for the same trip but the excess for medical claims was a lot lower at £95.

Pay attention to the total amount covered in the event of cancellation, too. The Yourtravelcover.com silver policy provided cover of £1,300, while the gold policy went up to £3,000.

“Check that the value of your holiday is accurate so that you’re not paying for more cover than you need,” Dove says.

Travel light

“Avoid opting for additional add-ons if they aren’t needed,” McMillan says. “For instance, is it worth paying extra for gadget insurance, or could you leave expensive electronics at home, instead?”

If you add £1,000 of gadget cover to Yourtravelcover.com’s silver policy, the cost rises to £23.25, and there is an excess of £250 if you need to claim.

If you can’t leave them at home, check whether any items are already covered through your home insurance, mobile phone deal or bank account before ticking the gadget box.

Get the right medical cover

“Cover for medical expenses is one of the important protections people look for in a travel insurance policy, and can include not only the costs of any medical treatment but also compensation for lasting injuries, and even repatriation,” McMillan says.

“If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you can still buy travel insurance cover but it is important to declare these to your insurer before buying your policy, as this will affect the cost.”

And Dove adds another warning. “If you don’t declare a medical condition, any claim can be declined,” she says.

Comparison sites, such as Confused.com, ask you to answer yes or no to whether you have any pre-existing conditions and then lead you through a list of questions to ascertain the details.

If your search on a generic comparison site does not produce any travel insurance options, that does not necessarily mean you cannot be insured at all. The government personal finance website MoneyHelper and Biba’s site have directories of firms that specialise in providing cover for people with medical conditions.

Pay on plastic

Few travel policies insure you against the risk of the airline or holiday company going bust (known as scheduled airline failure or end supplier failure). Paying with a credit card offers some protection under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act: consumers who used a credit card to pay for goods or services costing more than £100 and less than £30,000 can hold the credit card company liable for a breach of contract by the seller.

The same protection does not apply to debit cards, though.

Know your flight compensation rights

Insurance is not the only way to get financial reparation when holiday plans go wrong. If your flight is delayed for more than three hours or cancelled, you may qualify for compensation. You can claim if your flight left from the UK, or from within the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, or if you were due to arrive in the UK or EU and were flying with a UK or EU airline.

The rules cover delays caused by understaffing, technical problems, or even bad weather that delayed a previous flight and had a knock-on effect on yours. However, if the problem was caused by “extraordinary circumstances”, which can include storms or air traffic control strikes, you are unlikely to qualify.

The amount you may be eligible for depends on things such as the length of the delay and the flight distance, as well as the amount of notice you were given before a cancellation. For flights cancelled with fewer than seven days’ notice, compensation ranges between £110 and £520 per passenger. You can claim directly through the airline. Beware of companies offering to make the claim on your behalf in return for a chunk of your payout.

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• Nationwide Cruise Insurance Review

On This Page

• Key takeaways

Is Nationwide cruise insurance legit?

• Bottom line Main highlights of Nationwide cruise insurance

Nationwide cruise insurance plans & coverage

Cost of nationwide cruise insurance plans, nationwide cruise insurance reviews from customers, is nationwide cruise insurance worth it, faq: nationwide cruise insurance, related topics.

Nationwide Cruise Insurance Review 2024: Is It Worth It?

• Nationwide is a well-established travel insurance company with nearly 100 years of experience .
• The provider offers three different cruise insurance plans to suit a range of travelers.
• All plans include medical insurance and coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, delays, baggage and missed connections .
• We found that Nationwide cruise insurance plans cost approximately $11 to $15 per day .
• Every Nationwide cruise plan includes a 10-day review period during which you can cancel for free (except in New York or Washington).
• Try using our online comparison tool to view multiple plans at once and find the best to suit your travel needs.

A cruise can be an expensive vacation, especially when you factor in the flights and hotels in port. Nationwide cruise insurance plans provide comprehensive coverage so you can get reimbursement for unexpected costs due to trip cancellations, delays or medical situations.

Which of Nationwide’s cruise-specific insurance plans is right for you? How much coverage should you get? 

In this guide, we’ll dive into the details and cover:

• Nationwide cruise insurance plans and coverage
• Add-on coverage options
• Average cost of Nationwide cruise insurance
• Basic plan includes high levels of protection
• Plans designed specifically for cruises
• A varied range of available plans
• Access to 24/7 travel assistance support team
• Only one plan offers cancel for any reason coverage

Yes — Nationwide cruise insurance is a legitimate product. The company has been in business since 1925 and is a reputable insurance provider. 

You can choose from multiple cruise policies based on your unique coverage needs. Each one is underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

In addition to cruise insurance and travel insurance, Nationwide offers a selection of pet, home, auto and farmland policies. The company also provides banking and financial services.

Industry experts have a high level of confidence in Nationwide. The company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau; A.M. Best ranks it as A+ Superior in the category of companies with a financial size of $2 billion or greater.

Let’s take a look at the main highlights, features and benefits you can access when you purchase cruise insurance from Nationwide.

Bottom line: Main highlights of Nationwide cruise insurance

Nationwide offers three travel insurance plans designed specifically for cruises. That way, you can choose the one that best suits your travel plans and budget. 

Even the base-level plan includes high levels of protection, which isn’t always the case for cruise insurance. Plus, you’ll get access to Nationwide’s 24/7 travel assistance support team if you need help before or after you sail.

When you buy cruise insurance from Nationwide, you can choose from one of three plans.

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company

Each one covers 100% of the trip cost if you need to cancel for a covered reason , which is a great way to protect your prepaid, nonrefundable deposits. All three plans also include coverage to help you recoup lost costs if your trip is interrupted. You can get reimbursed for 125% of the trip costs for the Universal plan and 150% for the Choice and Luxury plans.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these three options.

Cruise Universal:

This is Nationwide’s most basic cruise plan. It’s a good option for shorter cruises that are relatively close to home. You’ll get $75,000 in secondary medical coverage and $250,000 for medical evacuation coverage — that’s critical, especially if you have an emergency while the cruise ship is at sea. This policy doesn’t include coverage for pre-existing conditions or accidental death and dismemberment. When it comes to delays, the Nationwide Universal cruise insurance plan will give you up to $100 per day up to $500 per person. This coverage can help you pay for hotels, food and other costs.

Cruise Choice:

This midrange cruise insurance plan is a great option for longer cruises. It comes with $100,000 in travel medical insurance and $500,000 for medical evacuation , which is useful if you break a leg on shore excursion in Alaska and need to be airlifted to the nearest hospital. This policy also includes $25,000 for nonmedical evacuation. It can help you get home after a natural disaster, a political situation or a security problem. The Choice plan will cover your pre-existing conditions. However, you must buy the policy within 14 days of your first deposit. The policy also includes $25,000 for accidental death and dismemberment. Dealing with a delay? Cruise Choice gives you $150 per day up to $750 to cover the additional expenses. This higher limit can help you save money if you’re stuck in an expensive city, you need to book a new flight to meet the cruise or you lose out on prepaid accommodation bookings due to the delay.

Cruise Luxury:

When you’re traveling to a far-flung destination or taking a very long cruise, the Luxury plan can help protect your investment. It includes trip delay insurance of $200 per day up to $1,000, so you’re covered if you miss the cruise departure and need to catch up. You can also opt for cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage for additional peace of mind. The Nationwide Luxury cruise insurance plan is also ideal if you have health concerns. It covers pre-existing conditions as long as you purchase within 14 days of the first cruise payment. Plus, you’ll get $150,000 in medical coverage and $1,000,000 in medical evacuation . If you fall ill on a cruise to the Galapagos or Antarctica, this coverage ensures you’re not stuck with the cost of a medical flight back to the mainland. Like the Choice plan, this plan offers $25,000 for accidental death and dismemberment.

Here’s a comparison of the benefits and per-person coverage limits for each Nationwide cruise insurance plan.

Optional add-ons

If Nationwide’s base policies don’t provide all the coverage you need, it’s possible to buy extra coverage for an additional fee.

Here are two optional add-ons that Nationwide offers with its cruise insurance.

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage

When you purchase the Luxury Cruise plan from Nationwide, you have the option to buy CFAR coverage . If you cancel the trip for a reason that isn’t covered by the original policy, this add-on reimburses you for up to 75% of the cost of your trip. This can come in handy, considering the base policy excludes things like mental or emotional disorders (unless you’re hospitalized). With the CFAR add-on, you’ll be covered if you need to cancel the cruise due to a bout of depression or anxiety

Interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage

Need to leave your cruise early? The IFAR add-on reimburses you for costs that include lost payments and deposits and airfare to get home (minus any credits from the original ticket). Keep in mind that this coverage has limits — the Universal Cruise Plan will make reimbursements up to $250, the Choice Cruise plan covers up to $500, and the Luxury Cruise Plan reimburses you for up to $1,000. If you need to leave to take care of a work emergency on the second day of a $5,000 cruise, you’ll only be able to recover a small portion of the costs.

Things not covered by Nationwide cruise insurance

Nationwide’s cruise policies come with a list of exclusions, or things that aren’t covered. These situations can vary from policy to policy and even between coverage types — in other words, the exclusions for baggage delay insurance might be different from those for medical insurance.

It’s always important to read the fine print, but for reference, here’s a list of common Nationwide cruise insurance exclusions:

• Use of drugs or alcohol
• Extreme sports and contact sports, including hang gliding, canyoneering or scuba diving
• Underwater activities
• Participation in professional athletics as an athlete
• Flying or learning to fly a plane
• Intentional self-harm, including suicide and suicide attempts
• Mental and emotional disorders (unless you’re hospitalized)
• Nonemergency medical procedures
• Travel against the advice of a doctor
• War or invasion
• Treatment in a government hospital
• Pregnancy or childbirth, unless there are complications

In addition, Nationwide excludes anything not specifically listed as covered in your policy.

Based on our research, we found that Nationwide cruise insurance costs around $11 to $15 per day .

To give you a better idea of how much Nationwide cruise insurance costs, we got quotes for each of the three cruise insurance plans for five popular cruise destinations. We then took the average of each quote.

Average Cost of Nationwide Cruise Insurance

Bear in mind that the cost of cruise insurance depends on several factors, such as your age and the trip cost, so your premium will differ from those listed above. To find out how much you’ll pay for insurance, use our online comparison tool to get a quote .

Methodology for reaching these averages

We applied these details to our quotes:

• Total trip cost: $2,000
• Trip duration: 7 days
• Time of trip: August 2024
• State of residence: California
• Destinations:   Mexico , Bahamas , Dominican Republic , Spain and Italy

Nationwide has an overall rating of 4.01 out of 5 on Squaremouth. We read through hundreds of reviews to help you understand the overall attitudes toward the company’s policies. Bear in mind that these ratings come from all Nationwide travel insurance reviews, so they’re not all cruise-specific.

Here’s what reviewers are saying about Nationwide.

What customers like

Customers who are impressed with Nationwide travel insurance policies often mention:

• Helpful customer service
• Reasonable prices
• Easy to set up a policy

Here are a few comments from positive Nationwide cruise insurance reviews:

“We had to cancel our cruise because of COVID…the claim process was smooth and efficient.” - James

“Nationwide handled our trip interruption extremely well. The service provided by One Call International was thorough, and we were treated well.” - Gary

What customers don’t like

Unhappy Nationwide customers often mention:

• Slow response times for claims and customer service
• Excessive documentation requirements for claims
• Long claim process

Here are a few comments from negative reviews:

“Difficult claim process and no information back.” - Lauren

“They were impossible to reach by phone, and it took approximately 6 to 8 weeks to get a response via email.” - Flash

Yes, it’s definitely worth it to buy Nationwide cruise insurance. 

Cruises are expensive, and the company’s comprehensive policies can help protect you financially if you need to cancel or interrupt the trip. With cruise-specific plans for every budget and a few optional add-ons, it’s easy to find a plan that suits your finances and your itinerary. 

For basic coverage, the Universal Cruise plan is an affordable insurance option. Consider the Choice Cruise plan for mid-length cruises, and opt for the Luxury Cruise plan if you’re taking an expensive trip that sails to far-flung ports.

If you’re looking for cruise insurance with primary medical coverage or higher coverage limits for baggage and delays, you may want to go for another provider .

Who underwrites Nationwide cruise insurance?

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliated companies underwrite the provider’s cruise policies.

Do Nationwide cruise insurance plans cover COVID?

Nationwide cruise insurance covers COVID-19 , assuming it falls within the other terms of the policy. If you catch COVID-19 on board the ship, for example, your policy covers a doctor’s services, lab tests, hospitalization if necessary and medications. If you get sick before you leave, your trip cancellation insurance should cover lost costs up to the maximum benefit — however, you will likely need documentation from a doctor that says you shouldn’t travel because of the illness.

When should I buy Nationwide insurance for a cruise?

You should buy a Nationwide cruise insurance policy as soon as possible after making your first payment on the cruise. That way, you’ll be covered if something happens to cancel or interrupt your trip. Plus, some plans have time-sensitive benefits. If you have pre-existing medical conditions, you can get coverage under the Choice and Luxury plans — but only if you buy a policy within 14 days after you make the first deposit and opt to cover the whole cost of your trip.

How do I file a claim with Nationwide cruise insurance?

If you need to file a claim with Nationwide, you should always start by calling the Cruise Claims Administrator. They will ask about your issue and send you the correct forms and documentation requirements. At that point, you can submit all paperwork by email or standard mail.

Elizabeth Smith is an experienced travel and finance writer who specializes in topics including credit cards, travel insurance, and personal finance. Travel insurance, in particular, has both professional and personal significance for Smith. She’s traveled to 73 countries, and has extensive experience choosing and using various policies — she understands how valuable the right plan can be in an emergency, and loves to help readers find the perfect fit.

Smith comes to the world of finance from a scientific and technical background. She spent more than 10 years writing about engineering, science, and technology for universities and private companies. When she’s not writing or traveling, Smith can usually be found hiking or Nordic skiing.

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• published on 5/18/2022

Seniors: Are There Age Limits for Travel Insurance?

Making the most of your retirement to discover new things and travel the world: that's the plan shared by many baby boomers who are as dynamic as you are! But for your next holiday, you have decided not to take any risks and to take out travel insurance. Medical expenses, repatriation, loss of luggage . . . You want to be covered no matter what happens, and no matter what your age is. Is that really possible? Find out all about age limits for travel insurance.

Travel insurance : what are the age limits and why do they exist?

With many insurers, there is indeed an age limit after which it becomes impossible to take out travel insurance . In many cases, this limit is set at 70 years of age, or even 60 with some companies . In addition, as the age of the insured increases, the price of the travel insurance may also increase.

Why such policies? This is simply because from a certain age onwards, the risk factors are considered to increase as well . And risk means higher potential costs for the insurer.

Duration of travel: an additional factor

In addition to the age of the insured, the length of the trip may also be a factor. Thus, while some insurers agree to cover seniors, they may limit their policy in terms of time. Generally, the duration of this period does not exceed 3 months .

For shorter trips, insurers can make concessions; the rates may be lower and the age limits extended. However, after the age of 75, it generally becomes difficult to obtain insurance for travel abroad. Unless you take out a specialised insurance policy!

Travelling without travel insurance when you are a senior citizen: what are the consequences?

Going on holiday outside your country without travel insurance can have unfortunate consequences. If you fall ill or have an accident during your trip, paying for your medical expenses could be very expensive .

Do you live in the European Union? While in Europe you can use your European Health Insurance Card and be reimbursed (conditionally, and sometimes partially), outside the EU the situation is different. In countries like the United States or Canada, a simple medical procedure or a day in hospital may cost you several thousand euros .

APRIL International: travel insurance for seniors for your trips abroad

After your well-deserved retirement, it's time for you to enjoy and go travelling! But not in any which way.

At APRIL, we believe that everyone has a right to travel insurance tailored to their needs. With no age limit, we cover senior travellers on long stays, including at sea with our cruise insurance . Planning a holiday abroad with family or friends? Choose our group insurance !

Are you going abroad for a few weeks or months? Our My Travel Cover insurance may be available to you.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more details, and to get your free quote !

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Travel Insurance

Cheapest travel insurance of April 2024

Mandy Sleight

Heidi Gollub

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

Updated 9:52 a.m. UTC April 11, 2024

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WorldTrips is the best cheap travel insurance company of 2024 based on our in-depth analysis of the cheapest travel insurance plans. Its Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier plans offer affordable travel insurance with high limits for emergency medical and evacuation benefits bundled with good coverage for trip delays, travel inconvenience and missed connections.

Cheapest travel insurance of 2024

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our team of travel insurance experts analyzes hundreds of insurance products and thousands of data points to help you find the best travel insurance for your next trip. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content . You can read more about our methodology below.

• 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
• 567 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact-checking.

Best cheap travel insurance

Top-scoring plans

Average cost, medical limit per person, medical evacuation limit per person, why it’s the best.

WorldTrips tops our rating of the cheapest travel insurance with two plans:

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheaper travel insurance plan of the two, with $100,000 per person in emergency medical benefits as secondary coverage and an optional upgrade to primary coverage. It’s also our pick for the best travel insurance for cruises .
• Atlas Journey Premier costs a little more but gives you $150,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage . This is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority.

Pros and cons

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheapest of our 5-star travel insurance plans.
• Atlas Journey Premier offers $150,000 in primary medical coverage.
• Both plans have top-notch $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Each plan offers travel inconvenience coverage of $750 per person.
• 12 optional upgrades, including destination wedding and rental car damage and theft.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Cheap travel insurance for cruises

Travel insured.

Top-scoring plan

Travel Insured offers cheap travel insurance for cruises and its Worldwide Trip Protector plan gets 4 stars in our rating of the best cruise travel insurance .

• Worldwide Trip Protector offers $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and a rare $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits, which means you won’t have to file medical claims with your health insurance first.
• Cheap trip insurance for cruises.
• Offers a rare $150,000 for non-medical evacuation.
• $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
• Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
• Missed connection benefit of $500 per person only available for cruises and tours.

Best cheap travel insurance for families

Travelex has the best cheap travel insurance for families because kids age 17 are covered by your policy for free when they’re traveling with you.

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• $2,000 travel delay coverage per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Only $50,000 per person emergency medical coverage.
• Baggage delay coverage is only $200 and requires a 12-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for seniors

Evacuation limit per person

Nationwide has the best cheap travel insurance for seniors — its Prime plan gets 4 stars in our best senior travel insurance rating. However, Nationwide’s Cruise Choice plan ranks higher in our best cheap travel insurance rating.

• Cruise Choice has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion. It also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay, for cruises or tours. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.
• Coverage for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
• Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel medical coverage is secondary.
• Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
• No “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) upgrade available.
• Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person is only for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for add-on options

AIG offers the best cheap travel insurance for add-on options because the Travel Guard Preferred plan allows you to customize your policy with a host of optional upgrades.

• Travel Guard Preferred upgrades include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings. There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million.
• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your affordable travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
• Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Best cheap travel insurance for missed connections

TravelSafe has the best cheap travel insurance for missed connections because coverage is not limited to cruises and tours, as it is with many policies.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
• Most expensive of the best cheap travel insurance plans.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage available.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

Cheapest travel insurance comparison

How much does the cheapest travel insurance cost?

The cheapest travel insurance in our rating is $334. This is for a WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred travel insurance plan, based on the average of seven quotes for travelers of various ages to international destinations with a range of trip values.  

Factors that determine travel insurance cost

There are several factors that determine the cost of travel insurance, including:

• Age and number of travelers being insured.
• Trip length.
• Total trip cost.
• The travel insurance plan you choose.
• The travel insurance company.
• Any add-ons, features or upgraded benefits you include in the travel insurance plan.

Expert tip: “In general, travelers can expect to pay anywhere from 4% to 10% of their total prepaid, non-refundable trip costs,” said Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip.

Is buying the cheapest travel insurance a good idea?

Choosing cheaper travel insurance without paying attention to what a plan covers and excludes could leave you underinsured for your trip. Comparing travel insurance plans side-by-side can help ensure you get enough coverage to protect yourself financially in an emergency for the best price. 

For example, compare these two Travelex travel insurance plans:

• Travel Basic is cheaper but it only provides up to $15,000 for emergency medical expense coverage. You’ll also have to pay extra for coverage for children.
• Travel Select will cost you a bit more but it covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses and includes coverage for kids aged 17 and younger traveling with you. It also offers upgrades such additional medical coverage, “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage and an adventure sports rider that may be a good fit for your trip.

Reasons to consider paying more for travel insurance 

Make sure you understand what you’re giving up if you buy the cheapest travel insurance. Here are a few reasons you may consider paying a little extra for better coverage. 

• Emergency medical. The best travel medical insurance offers primary coverage for emergency medical benefits. Travel insurance with primary coverage can cost more than secondary coverage but will save you from having to file a claim with your health insurance company before filing a travel insurance claim.
• Emergency evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote location or planning a boat excursion on your trip, look at travel insurance with a high medical evacuation insurance limit. If you are injured while traveling, transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility could cost in the tens to hundreds of thousands. It may make sense to pay more for travel insurance with robust emergency evacuation coverage. 
• Flexibility. To maximize your trip flexibility, you might consider upgrading your travel insurance to “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage . This will increase the cost of your travel insurance but allow you to cancel your trip for any reason — not just those listed in your policy. The catch is that you’ll need to cancel at least 48 hours before your trip and will only be reimbursed 50% or 75% of your trip expenses, depending on the plan. 
• Upgrades. Many travel insurance plans have optional extras like car rental collision and adventure sports (which may otherwise be excluded from coverage). These will cost you extra but may give you the coverage you need. 

How to find the cheapest travel insurance

The best way to find the cheapest travel insurance is to determine what you’re looking for in a travel insurance policy and compare plans that meet your needs.

 “Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every trip is different, and every traveler has different needs, wants and concerns. This is why comparison is key,” said Morrow.

Consider the following factors when comparing cheap travel insurance plans.

• How often you’re traveling. A single-trip policy may be the most cost-effective if you’re only going on a single trip this year. But a multi-trip travel insurance plan may be cheaper if you’re going on multiple international trips throughout the year. Annual travel insurance policies cover you for a whole year as long as each trip doesn’t exceed a certain number of days, usually 30 to 90 days. 
• Credit card has travel insurance benefits. The best credit cards offer perks and benefits, and many offer travel insurance-specific benefits. The coverage types and benefit limits can vary, and you must put the entire trip cost on the credit card to use the coverage. If your trip costs more than the coverage limit on your card, you can supplement the rest with a cheaper travel insurance plan.
• The coverage you need. When looking for the best travel insurance option at the most affordable price, only buy extras and upgrades you really need. A basic plan may only provide up to $500 in baggage insurance, but if you only plan to take $300 worth of clothes and accessories, you don’t need to pay more for higher coverage limits.

Is cheap travel insurance worth it?

Cheap travel insurance can be worth it, as long as you understand the plan limitations and exclusions. Taking the time to read your policy, especially the fine print, well before your trip can ensure there won’t be any surprises about what’s covered once your journey begins.

“If a traveler is looking for coverage for travel delays, cancellations, interruptions, medical and baggage — a comprehensive travel insurance policy will provide the most bang for their buck,” said Morrow. But if you’re on a tight budget and are only worried about emergency medical care and evacuation coverage while traveling abroad, stand-alone options are cheaper.

Before buying travel insurance, you should also consider what your health insurance will cover. 

“Most domestic health insurance plans, including Medicare, will not cover medical bills abroad,” said Morrow. Even if you’re staying stateside, you may find value in an affordable travel insurance plan with medical coverage if you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). 

A cheap travel insurance plan is better than none at all if you end up in a situation that would have covered some or all of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance . From those top-scoring travel insurance plans, we chose the most affordable for our rating of the cheapest travel insurance.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

• Cost: 40 points. We scored the average cost of each travel insurance policy for a variety of trips and traveler profiles.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

Cheapest travel insurance FAQs

When buying travel insurance, cheapest is not always the best. The most affordable travel insurance plans typically offer fewer coverages with lower policy limits and few or no optional upgrades. Add up your total nonrefundable trip costs and compare travel insurance plans and available features that cover your travel expenses. This strategy can help you find the cheapest travel insurance policy that best protects you from financial loss if an unforeseen circumstance arises.

Get the coverage you need: Best travel insurance of 2024

According to our analysis, WorldTrips , Travel Insured International and Travelex offer the best cheap travel insurance. Policy coverage types and limits can vary by each travel insurance provider, so the best way to get the cheapest travel insurance plan is to compare several policies and companies to find the right fit for your budget.

A good rate for travel insurance depends on your budget and coverage needs. The most comprehensive travel insurance plan is usually not the cheapest. But cheap trip insurance may not have enough coverage or the types of coverage you want. Comparing different levels of coverage and how much they cost can help you find the best cheap insurance for travel. 

The average cost of travel insurance is between 5% to 6% of your total travel expenses for one trip, according to our analysis of rates. However, you may find cheaper travel insurance if you opt for a plan with fewer benefits or lower coverage limits. How much you pay for travel insurance will also depend on the number of travelers covered, their ages, the length of the trip and any upgrades you add to your plan.

Travel insurance covers nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs — up to the policy coverage limits — when your trip is interrupted or canceled for a covered reason outlined in your plan documents. Even the cheapest travel insurance policies usually provide coverage for:

• Medical emergencies.
• Trip delays.
• Trip interruption.
• Trip cancellation.
• Lost, stolen or damaged luggage.

However, if you’re looking to save on travel insurance, you can shop for a policy that only has travel medical insurance and does not include benefits for trip cancellation .

Even when you buy cheap travel insurance, you can often use upgrade options to customize your policy to meet your specific needs. 

Some common travel insurance add-ons you may want to consider include:

• Rental car damage coverage. 
• Medical bundle.
• Security bundle.
• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Adventure sports bundle.
• Pet bundle.
• Wedding bundle.
• “Cancel for work reasons” coverage.
• “Interruption for any reason” (IFAR) coverage.
• “Cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage .

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

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

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

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

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• Best for Senior Pets
• Best for Customization
• Best for Bundling
• Best for Preexisting Conditions
• Best for Alternative Therapy
• Best for Exotic Pets
• Best for Unlimited Coverage

How We Rate Pet Insurance

Best cheap pet insurance companies of april 2024.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Many pet owners may be reluctant add the cost of pet insurance to their monthly budget. However, most pet owners will experience at least one pet emergency and spend between $2,000 to $4,000, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). While the most comprehensive pet insurance may be out of your budget, there are cheap pet insurance options available that will give you peace of mind without breaking the bank.

Best Cheap Pet Insurance Companies of 2024

Best price: pets best pet insurance, best for senior pets: figo pet insurance, best for customization: spot pet insurance.

Best for Bundling: Best for Bundling: Lemonade Pet Insurance

Best for Preexisting Conditions: ASPCA Pet Insurance

Best for alternative therapy: healthy paws pet insurance, best for exotic pets: nationwide pet insurance, best for unlimited coverage: trupanion pet insurance.

If you're looking for pet insurance at a cheap rate, Pets Best Pet Insurance has some of the lowest prices in the industry. You can go to any licensed veterinarian. However, it should be noted that in Insider's staff experiences with Pets Best policies, the reimbursement rate is also applied to your deductible.

So if you had a $500 deductible with 90% reimbursement, a $500 claim would leave you with another $50 left on your deductible, with charges applied based on the 90% reimbursement rate. This is not unusual, but it should factor into your budget and policy choices.

Pets Best offers three types of plans: accident-only, accident and illness, and a wellness plan. With highly customizable options, you can further lower your rate. Plus, the insurer doesn't have an age gap on pet insurance.

Unfortunately, if you're looking for alternative treatments like herbal and holistic treatments, consider searching elsewhere.

• Annual coverage options: $5,000, unlimited
• Reimbursement options: 70%, 80%, 90%
• Deductible options: $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
• Average monthly cost: Dogs - $20; Cats - $12

Read our Pets Best Pet Insurance review here.

Many pet insurance providers will only insure pets younger than 14. Insurers may put an age cap on eligibility because pets, like humans, tend to develop health conditions as they age. However, Figo Pet Insurance will insure your furry friend, regardless of age. Whatever plan you consider, understand pet insurance companies will not cover preexisting conditions . For dogs or cats with a history of allergies, cancer, diabetes, or other conditions, this would still leave pet parents on the hook for related bills if diagnosed before buying your plan.

Figo offers three plans: the Essential plan, the Preferred plan, and the Unlimited plan. This insurer provides ample coverage choices to customize your policy based on your pet's needs and your budget.

Unfortunately, Figo doesn't sell a basic, accident-only plan, which is generally cheaper than an accident-illness or wellness program. Additionally, while it reimburses you, you must pay your vet bills upfront. Many pet parents resolve this issue using services like CareCredit, which can be paid off after completing the claim. If you're interested in Figo, we recommend Costco members go through the retail giant's partnership with Figo as you get 15% off standard premiums.

• Annual coverage options: $5,000, $10,000, unlimited
• Reimbursement options: 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
• Deductible options: $100, $250, $500, $750
• Average monthly cost: Dogs - $26; Cats - $14

Read our Figo Pet Insurance review here.

With Spot Pet Insurance , you have nine annual coverage limits, three reimbursement, and five deductible options. This insurer offers an excellent range of policy coverages to mix and match as you choose. Of course, your monthly premiums will vary accordingly.

Spot pet insurance also offers an accident-only and accident-illness plan. The company as a wider range of pet coverage that many competitors lack, like prescription food and behavioral modification. Based on our research at the time of this guide, Spot doesn't sell wellness plans. However, you can add the gold and platinum preventative care plan to supplement your policy.

• Annual coverage options: $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, unlimited
• Deductible options: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
• Average monthly cost: Dogs - $28; Cats - $14

Read our Spot Pet Insurance review here.

Best for Bundling: Lemonade Pet Insurance

Lemonade Pet Insurance is a relatively new pet insurance company. Aside from pet insurance, it also offers home, car, and renters insurance (which received high marks for customer satisfaction). So you can bundle your pet insurance with other products for 10% additional savings.

If you're a tech-savvy shopper, you may appreciate Lemonade's highly-rated mobile app and user-friendly digital platform. You could purchase a policy, manage your claims, and access your insurance ID at the touch of your fingertip. Unfortunately, Lemonade is not available in all states yet. So be sure to check and see if Lemonade is available to you. But with up to $100,000 in annual coverage, Lemonade covers most significant health events for pets.

• Annual coverage options: $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000
• Deductible options: $100, $250, $500
• Average monthly cost: Dogs - $28; Cats- $14

Read our Lemonade Pet Insurance review here.

Unfortunately, all pet insurance providers exclude preexisting conditions from coverage. This is because pet insurance companies have to mediate risk to keep premiums low for everyone. However, several companies will cover preexisting conditions if your pet has been symptom- and treatment-free for some time. ASPCA Pet Insurance is one of those providers.

ASPCA pet insurance will cover curable preexisting conditions if your cat, dog, and even horses if your pet has been symptom-free for over 180 days (excluding ligament and knee conditions).

With ASPCA pet insurance, you choose an accident-only, accident and illness, and preventative care plan. ASPCA pet insurance's comprehensive programs cover alternative therapies, behavioral issues, and congenital and hereditary conditions. The provider even covers pet microchipping. When going through the quoting process online, we were told we must speak to a live representative to obtain a quote for unlimited annual coverage.

• Annual coverage options: $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000
• Average monthly cost: Dogs - $33; Cats - $17

Read our ASPCA Pet Insurance review here.

Only a few providers offer alternative medicine if you prefer to take the holistic and herbal route when seeking treatment for your pet. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance offers a comprehensive list of non-invasive forms of therapy, including acupuncture, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, laser therapy, and massage care, as long as a licensed veterinarian provides the treatment.

The trade-off, however, is Healthy Paws won't cover preventative and wellness care. Its site specifies Healthy Paws believes wellness costs can be planned for. For example, you expect to do a yearly exam and get updated vaccines, and even if you save a little bit each month, you can plan accordingly. However, accidents and severe chronic illnesses are difficult to plan for, and costs are frequently unreasonable. So Healthy Paws focuses on the most significant area of need it sees.

• Annual coverage options: Unlimited
• Reimbursement options: 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%
• Deductible options: $50, $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
• Average monthly cost: Dogs - $37; Cats - $18

Read our Healthy Paws Pet Insurance review here.

Finding cheap pet insurance may be challenging if you have an exotic pet like a bird, rabbit, or reptile. Nationwide Pet Insurance is currently the only pet insurance company to offer wide-reaching coverage for many exotic pets. Other companies offer "discount plans," much like human prescription discount plans. However, you'd have to work with specific vets, and coverage would be specific to the treatment provided.

Nationwide pet insurance offers three pet insurance plans:

• Major Medical (accident and illness plan)
• Whole Pet (more comprehensive accident and illness plan)
• A wellness plan

Nationwide offers various conditions in its plans. However, the coverage is set. Nationwide's sample accident and illness policy broke down many potential diagnoses with primary and secondary diagnoses allowances. Ultimately, each buyer will receive a policy breakdown. However, Nationwide is a more expensive pet insurance provider with limited flexibility.

• Annual coverage options: Per condition
• Reimbursement options: 50%, 70%, 90%
• Deductible options: $250
• Average monthly cost: Dogs - $35; Cats - $14

Read our Nationwide Pet Insurance review here.

Trupanion Pet Insurance is one of the pricier insurers on this list. Also, it offers a limited selection of policy options. However, if you're looking for a plan with unlimited coverage, Trupanion may be your winner. Unfortunately, we've all heard of the unexpected accident or illness in an otherwise healthy pet calling for emergency care.

Some emergency surgeries can easily surpass $20,000, and you might be on the hook for follow-up care, rehab, and even further surgeries. These are the times when unlimited care could be the saving grace to save your furry friend.

Trupanion offers deductibles ranging from $0 to $1,000. What's unique about this insurer is you'll only have to pay the deductible once per condition. For example, say your pet develops an illness requiring ongoing treatment. While most insurers will need you to pay a deductible yearly, you'll only have to pay your deductible once when the condition appears, potentially saving you money. This is handy for chronic conditions like allergies, diabetes, and cancer.

• Reimbursement options: 90%
• Deductible options: $0 to $1000
• Average monthly cost: Dogs - $50; Cats - $22

Read our Trupanion Pet Insurance review here.

We review a company based on several benchmarks and compare it against the industry standard.

• Affordability: We consider an insurer cheap if it meets or is below the industry average premiums. We also compare the prices against its competitors.
• Policy customization: We look at the breadth of an insurer's policy options. Policy options include the number of annual coverages, deductibles, and reimbursement options. The price is not the only determining factor if you compare a $50 for unlimited coverage with 80% reimbursement with a $10 policy with a $5,000 annual cap.
• Waiting period: A waiting period is the time between purchasing a policy and when coverage kicks in. The average waiting period for accident coverage is three days, and fourteen days for illness coverage. However, waiting periods for genetic conditions and serious illnesses could last a year.
• Types of policies available: The best pet insurance companies typically offer three types of plans: accident-only, accident-illness, and wellness plans. We look through an insurer's website to determine if it sells some variation of those three plans.
• Exclusions: Pets come in all shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, insurance companies will exclude some pets from coverage, like older pets or even those with curable preexisting conditions.
• Company offerings: We look at the extensiveness of a company's policies. Some insurers offer coverage for microchipping, alternative medicine, and other unique conditions.

We go into further detail in our insurance rating methodology .

Which dog breed qualifies for the cheapest pet insurance?

Small, spayed, female mixed-breed dogs are the cheapest to insure, according to North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).

How much is a reasonable deductible for pet insurance?

Consider your needs before choosing a deductible. Choosing a high deductible may lower your monthly premiums. However, to start your coverage as soon as possible, consider choosing a low deductible, like $100 to $500.

When should you use pet insurance?

You'll decide what coverage you're willing to pay for upfront. However, whenever you have a qualifying claim, you should file a claim with your pet insurance provider. Insurance providers may have a time limit on claims, and you have to fulfill your annual deductible before full coverage will kick in.

What is the cheapest pet insurance?

Pets Best pet insurance costs an average of $20 for dogs and $12 for cats, the lowest prices among its competitors. Prices will vary based on your pet's age and breed. 

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

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

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