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Cost of Travel Insurance

• Factors Influencing Cost
• Top Companies
• How To Save
• How To Choose

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How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

Average costs and how travel insurance premiums are set

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Travel insurance can protect your financial investment in a trip by offering reimbursement if your travel plans are canceled or interrupted due to covered reasons, as well as providing emergency medical care and other benefits. Generally speaking, you can expect travel insurance to cost between 4% and 10% of your total prepaid, non-refundable trip cost. Younger travelers will usually pay less for comparable coverage than older travelers. Benefits also vary by plan, and you’ll pay more for comprehensive coverage with higher limits. 

We’ll cover the cost of travel insurance from six popular companies, the factors influencing the cost of travel insurance, and the best companies to consider. 

Compare travel insurance quotes on TravelInsurance.com .

The cost of travel insurance varies based on your age, trip cost, and the company and plan you select. To give you an idea of what you might pay for a travel insurance plan, we collected quotes for two ages and trip costs for an eight-day trip to Costa Rica booked the day of the query and departing from Florida in three months. Quotes are per traveler and do not include optional upgrades. 

Emergency medical coverage in a travel insurance policy is often secondary to your primary health insurance. This means you must first file a claim with your primary insurance company to determine how much your travel insurance policy will cover.

Other Companies to Consider

• InsureMyTrip
• World Nomads
• GeoBlue (medical only)

Factors Influencing Travel Insurance Costs

When purchasing travel insurance, your trip length may impact which policies you can get, and the timing of your purchase might impact whether pre-existing medical conditions are covered—but these factors don’t typically impact your premium. Your destination also doesn’t influence your premium. Costa Rica travel insurance will cost the same as travel insurance for a trip to Europe, provided all other factors are equal. Instead, the cost of travel insurance is based on the following factors. 

Travel insurance is more expensive for people who are older, since they’re at a greater risk of having medical problems. Travel insurance companies charge a higher premium to account for that risk. However, even if you’re traveling in retirement, you probably can find low-cost travel insurance that meets your needs. 

Premiums are also calculated based on your total trip cost. Since it costs more to reimburse a $10,000 canceled trip than a $1,000 trip, insurance companies charge higher premiums for more expensive trips. 

The higher your coverage limits and the more benefits you add (e.g., cancel for any reason , adventure sports coverage, pet medical), the more expensive your premium will be. Companies often present a selection of plans at different tiers or benefit levels. 

Top Travel Insurance Companies

• Travelex : Travelex offers plans with trip interruption coverage of up to 150% and emergency evacuation coverage of up to $500,000. Optional upgrades include adventure sports coverage, cancel-for-any-reason coverage , pet medical, pet return, and additional medical coverage of $50,000 for medical expenses and $500,000 of medical evacuation coverage. Travelex policies are underwritten by two reliable companies, Berkshire Hathaway and Zurich Insurance Group, which earn an A++ (Superior) and A+ (Superior) AM Best financial strength rating, respectively.
• Allianz Travel Insurance : Allianz offers a variety of single and multi-trip plans, and you can opt to buy medical coverage or travel cancellation coverage separately. The company offers high coverage limits, and most plans include epidemic coverage for COVID-19. Cancel anytime coverage and rental car coverage are available as optional upgrades. Also, the two underwriters for Allianz, Jefferson Insurance Company and BCS Insurance Company, earned financial strength ratings of A+ (Superior) and A- (Excellent) from AM Best.
• HTH Travel Insurance : HTH offers short and long-term medical plans along with full trip protection plans. Plans offer high medical coverage limits, with at least $75,000 in emergency medical coverage, and reimburse up to 200% of the trip cost due to interruption. All plans also include at least $500 in trip-delay coverage and $250 in missed-connection coverage. Plans are underwritten by Nationwide, which has an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best. Also, more than 90% of customers on travel insurance marketplace InsureMyTrip recommend the coverage.  
• Nationwide : Nationwide offers single- and multi-trip plans along with a package designed for cruises. Plans are comprehensive, covering at least $75,000 in emergency medical and reimbursement for up to 200% of the trip cost due to interruption, depending on the plan. Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) and rental car coverage are available as add-ons, and COVID-19 diagnosis may be covered as part of your trip-cancellation coverage. Nationwide has an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating with AM Best. 
• Seven Corners : Seven Corners’ offerings include travel medical, trip insurance, and annual plans. Trip insurance plans offer at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, but the basic plan doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. Add-ons include rental car coverage and optional cancel-for-any-reason and interrupt-for-any-reason coverage. COVID-19 diagnoses are treated the same as other illnesses that trigger coverage. Trip interruption and cancellation policies are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance (USFI), which has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best. Travel medical policies are underwritten by USFI if you live in Colorado, Maryland, New York, and South Dakota, and either Lloyd’s of London or Crum & Forster SPC if you live in other states.
• Travel Guard by AIG : Travel Guard offers some of the cheapest premiums we could find, especially for young people, but medical limits on the basic plan may not be sufficient. COVID-19 is treated like other illnesses under the plan. The company offers few upgrades, but rental car coverage is available. AIG has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating with AM Best.

How To Save Money on Travel Insurance Costs

• Don’t pay for coverage you don’t need : Check what’s covered by your credit card, health insurance, homeowners insurance, and, in some cases, car insurance, and try to get a policy that fills in the gaps.
• Compare premiums across companies : While the cheapest plan isn’t necessarily the best, some companies may offer better rates than others for the same coverage. For example, some companies are more affordable for older travelers. It’s a good idea to compare quotes for the coverage you need. 
• Consider an annual plan : If you travel frequently, you may save money by purchasing an annual plan. But you should compare a plan’s benefits and make sure you’re getting more bang for your buck vs. a trip-based plan. Also, keep in mind that annual plans may not be available in all states. 
• Avoid cancel-for-any-reason coverage if possible : You might think you can rest easier with cancel-for-any-reason coverage, but these policies typically cost significantly more and often provide inferior coverage. You should avoid this coverage type unless it’s necessary for your trip. 

How To Choose the Best Travel Insurance

Decide which coverage types are important to you.

Travel insurance is a package of coverages that may include some or all of the following:

• Travel cancellation and interruption : Provides reimbursement if your trip is canceled or interrupted for certain reasons, like an injury or unforeseen natural disaster
• Travel medical coverage : Provides temporary health insurance if you become sick or injured while traveling
• Emergency medical evacuation : Pays to evacuate you to the closest adequate medical facility if necessary
• Accidental death & dismemberment : Pays a sum to you if you lose a limb or to your beneficiaries if you die in an accident
• Baggage loss or damage : Reimburses you for lost or damaged baggage and personal items
• Cancel-for-any-reason coverage : Allows you to cancel in any circumstance and receive partial reimbursement, but it’s more costly. 

Some travel insurance packages may also include extras like car rental coverage, baggage delay, pet medical, and missed connection coverage. Most travel insurance plans also include some form of travel assistance. Decide which coverages you want, then check to see what’s already covered by your credit card and your existing insurance policies before purchasing a travel insurance plan. 

Evaluate Company Ratings

In the process of comparing companies, you’ll want to consider more than just the price of the policy and the coverage offered. You should also check that the insurer has an A- (Excellent) financial strength grade or better from AM Best , and evaluate customer reviews from third-party companies like TrustPilot, ConsumerAffairs, and the BBB. 

Compare Premiums

Depending on your age and trip cost, some travel insurance companies may offer a lower premium than others. That’s why it’s important to compare quotes. You can collect quotes directly from each insurance company’s website, or you can use an insurance aggregator site that allows you to view quotes from a handful of companies with just one application. 

Review Policy Limits and Exclusions

When comparing premiums, look at the policy details and compare limits and exclusions. For example, some insurance companies won’t reimburse you if your trip is delayed, and some may exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. Additionally, medical coverage may exclude injuries from certain activities, like scuba diving. 

Consider Endorsements

Some insurers offer commonly excluded coverages as endorsements to your travel insurance plan for an additional premium or as an included feature in certain packages. Pay attention to what’s available if you’re looking for an extra layer of protection. For example, while travel insurance plans commonly exclude pandemics and epidemics, most plans from Allianz include an epidemic coverage endorsement that will cover cancellation, interruption, medical care, and more in the event of a COVID-19 diagnosis. 

Buy As Soon As Possible

To get coverage for pre-existing conditions, you typically need to buy travel insurance soon after purchasing your trip or making a deposit on the trip. Furthermore, travel insurance typically only provides coverage for unforeseen circumstances, so if you wait until a weather event has been announced to buy coverage, that weather event may not be covered. The sooner you buy travel insurance after purchasing your trip, the fewer exclusions you’ll have to worry about. 

What Is Travel Insurance?

The term “travel insurance” typically refers to a package of coverages that helps protect against a variety of things that can go wrong before and during your trip. The best travel insurance will reimburse you for the total cost of your trip if it gets canceled or interrupted for certain reasons, like an injury or the death of a family member. It also provides temporary major medical coverage and emergency evacuation coverage should you become injured or ill while traveling. Many plans also offer additional benefits or optional endorsements, such as cancel-for-any-reason coverage.

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

It’s up to you. You’ll need to weigh the risks of forgoing travel insurance against the cost of a policy. You may have sufficient coverage from a travel credit card or other insurance policies that make travel insurance coverage unnecessary. However, if you’ve purchased an expensive vacation that’s nonrefundable, or if your health insurance plan won’t cover you where you’re traveling, then travel insurance is likely worth it.

How to Get Travel Insurance

If you’re looking to buy travel insurance , a good place to start is with company reviews. Then get travel insurance quotes to compare costs and coverage. Almost all travel insurance companies allow you to buy coverage instantly online, and it’s best to pay for the coverage as soon as possible after you book your trip.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

While coverages vary from one plan to the next, most travel insurance policies cover trip cancellation and interruption, short-term major medical coverage, emergency evacuation, and lost or damaged baggage. Most also offer additional benefits, such as cancel-for-any-reason coverage , pet medical, and adventure sports coverage.

InsureMyTrip. “ How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost? ”

Insuremytrip. “ Travel Insurance Reviews HTH Worldwide .”

DC Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking. “ Taking a Trip? Information About Travel Insurance You Should Know Before You Hit the Road .”

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The Average Cost of Travel Insurance – Facts & Statistics [2023 Data Study]

Alex Miller

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4 Quick Statistics on Travel Insurance

What is travel insurance, types of travel insurance, what factors influence cost, how to pick a travel insurance plan, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans have changed the way they travel and the way they book their travel experience. Booking without travel insurance may have been something you did pre-COVID-19, but is not a risk many are willing to take now.

Booking a travel experience is an investment; you want to protect that investment by spending a little extra on travel insurance. With travel hitting pre-pandemic levels, there was a 235% increase in travel insurance claims in 2022 compared to the same period in 2019, according to Squaremouth , a travel insurance review site. 

Travel insurance will not only protect you from changes and cancellations before your trip but also from any unexpected incidents that could happen during your trip. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about travel insurance , from prices to what impacts premiums, different types of policies, and how to find a carrier. 

• $303.58 was the average travel insurance premium between August 2022 and August 2023.¹
• Travel insurance typically costs 5% to 10% of your total trip cost.
• At age 35, the average premium for travel insurance sits at about $122. ²
• Travel insurance gets more expensive with age. The average cost for a 95-year-old is $415.²

You can think of travel insurance as a version of health insurance for your booked trip. Travel insurance is insurance meant to help protect you from things that could go wrong while traveling , such as lost luggage, flight delays that lead to missed connecting flights, and even illnesses. Some policies will even cover flight accidents, rental car coverage, and more. What your travel insurance covers will depend on the type of plan you buy and how much you want to spend. 

Travel insurance is not a one-size-fits-all plan. There are varying levels of insurance that will depend on many different factors. The 2 main travel insurance types are Comprehensive and Travel Medical Plans .

If you are traveling for a long period of time or to a place where you feel like you may need a more specialized plan, some insurers do offer plans that entail protections such as:

• Medical Evacuation: Medical evacuation insurance will cover the cost and coordination of emergency transportation to the nearest adequate treatment center if you become seriously ill or injured while traveling and require immediate care. It can also pay for you to be transported back to a hospital back in the U.S. 
• Accidental Death : Accidental death travel insurance plans are very similar to life insurance policies. When purchasing an accidental death insurance plan, you would name a beneficiary at the time of purchase, and in the event of your death while traveling, that person would receive the benefit. 
• Flight Accident Coverage: Flight accident insurance covers accidents that may happen when flying on a commercial flight, such as death and dismemberment. 

Talk to your travel insurance provider to confirm everything you want and need is covered by the plan you chose. It is also good to confirm in the fine print what is not covered.

Hot Tip: Our introductory guide to travel insurance covers policies, common exclusions, and more so that you can get the maximum benefit from it!

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

Just like car insurance and health insurance, the cost of travel insurance will vary depending on multiple factors, and in general, you can plan to spend between 5% to 10% of the total trip cost for a comprehensive policy with trip cancellation.

An AdvisorSmith study of 50+ policies in late 2021 found that the  average cost of travel insurance in the U.S. was $95. The survey breaks down the average cost of travel insurance by the level of coverage your policy might fall into:

• Basic coverage — $93
• Middle-tier coverage — $111
• Comprehensive coverage — $137

However, a more recent study of Squaremouth  data observed later in the pandemic indicates that policy costs are rising. The average overall cost for a travel insurance premium purchased on Squaremouth between August 2022 and August 2023 was $303.58.

There are 5 main factors that will determine the cost of your travel insurance policy:

• Total trip cost
• Age of travelers
• Policy type
• Length of travel
• Total coverage amounts

When looking at the cost of travel insurance by age, you can see major shifts in the pricing. According to Value Penguin , the average cost of travel insurance from ages 1 to 30 hovers around $104 to $107 for the premium , but when you start to get above the age of 30 is where you have a spike in prices. At age 35, the average premium sits at about $122, but that price drastically increases for age 95, with an average premium of $415. 

So how do you know what the right plan is for you? Picking a travel insurance plan will depend on a few different factors and what you are looking to protect, but a few tips for picking a plan are below:

• Think about your main concerns when traveling. Getting hurt, losing luggage, or missing a flight? These will all help you pick a plan that is right for you.
• Think about the financial risk of your travels. If something happened, could you cover the cost?
• Check to see if any parts of your trip are refundable.
• Take a look at what kind of coverage your credit cards offer .
• Check what kind of coverage your health insurance has for traveling.
• Get quotes from multiple travel insurance providers to find the best rates.
• Read all disclosure statements before buying a policy.

Bottom Line: Learn how to find the best travel insurance policy for your situation in our ultimate guide to buying the best travel insurance .

With travel back in full swing and airlines struggling to keep up with demand , make sure to protect your trip with a travel insurance plan. Whether you are planning a weekend trip out of your home state, going on a beach vacation in Mexico, or backpacking around Europe, there is a travel insurance plan that will allow you to travel stress-free.  Read our guide to find some of the cheapest travel insurance policies currently available.

¹ Squaremouth. (n.d.) Live Travel Insurance Data. https://www.squaremouth.com/live-data?date_range=last_365_days ² Moon, C. Average Cost of Travel Insurance: by Policy, Age and Insurer. ValuePenguin. https://www.valuepenguin.com/travel-insurance/average-cost-travel-insurance#Average-Cost-of-Travel-Insurance . Retrieved October 4, 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is travel insurance really worth it.

With the unpredictability of travel in 2022, investing in travel insurance is worth the extra money. Travel insurance could save you hundreds or even thousands on travel-related expenses.

What is not covered by travel insurance?

It is best to check with your provider on what is not covered by your plan. Typically, travel insurance plans do not cover things like a “change in mind” about traveling, lost tickets, weather that limits activities, etc.

How much should I plan to spend on travel insurance?

Travel insurance will cost about 5% to 10% of your total trip cost. Price will vary depending on things like age, length of trip, and total cost of trip.

Will my travel insurance cover COVID-19?

It is always best to check with your insurance provider, but most standard travel insurance plans will cover trip cancellation due to sickness. What it will not cover is the “fear” of traveling because of COVID-19.

Find out more with our guide to Travel Insurance With COVID-19 Coverage .

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The best travel insurance policies and providers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The best travel insurance providers

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

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

AIG Travel Guard

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

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

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

Preexisting conditions

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

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

Standout features

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

Purchase your policy here: AIG Travel Guard .

Allianz Travel Insurance

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

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

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

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

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

Purchase your policy here: Allianz Travel Insurance .

American Express Travel Insurance

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

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

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

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

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

Purchase your policy here: American Express Travel Insurance .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Purchase your policy here: GeoBlue .

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

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

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

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

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

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

Purchase your policy here: IMG .

Travelex Insurance

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

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

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

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

Purchase your policy here: Travelex Insurance .

Seven Corners

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

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

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

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

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

Purchase your policy here: Seven Corners .

World Nomads

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

World Nomads offers two single-trip plans.

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

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

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

Purchase your policy here: World Nomads .

Other options for buying travel insurance

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

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

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

Is travel insurance worth getting?

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

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

What is the best COVID-19 travel insurance?

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

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

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

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

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

What are the different types of travel insurance?

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

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

Should I buy travel health insurance?

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

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

How much does travel insurance cost?

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

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

When and how to get travel insurance

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bottom line

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

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

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

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

How Much Is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance costs vary widely, depending on your destination, the length of your trip, and the type of coverage you need..

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Taylor Mlam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator. When she’s not helping readers better save and spend money, she can be found teaching.

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Updated September 26, 2023

Table of contents

• Travel insurance
• Travel insurance cost
• Find cheap travel insurance
• Do you need it?

When you’re preparing for an exciting trip, the last things you want to think about are medical accidents, canceled plans, or lost luggage. It’s understandable. But if you consider what can go wrong before you travel, you can avoid stress during the trip. 

That’s where travel insurance can help, by protecting you from the worst-case scenarios so you can enjoy your trip in peace.

You may not necessarily need travel insurance for every trip, but it’s usually a good idea if you’re planning an expensive trip or you can’t afford the costs associated with unexpected changes.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance protects against unforeseen cancellations, delays, medical treatment, and other events that can occur during travel, including some natural disasters. For example, if you spend $4,000 on a cruise but end up canceling due to sickness, travel insurance can help pay for some or all of the travel costs so you can get some of your money back.

Paying for travel insurance might make sense if trip delays, flight cancellations, or international medical expenses are a financial risk you can’t afford. In some cases, the cost of your travel insurance can pay for itself. But you might not need it for a short or inexpensive trip.

Types of travel insurance

Travel insurance coverage can vary dramatically depending on your policy type, your coverage limits, and the cost of your trip, but comprehensive policies are the most common. Comprehensive policies typically include coverage for trip cancellations or delays, baggage loss, medical insurance, and a 24-hour phone line for assistance.

Here’s what each travel insurance policy covers, including the different aspects of comprehensive coverage.

Cancellation coverage

If certain events prevent you from going on your trip, this policy helps reimburse your travel costs. The coverage can also help reimburse you for the unused portion of the trip if you need to shorten your stay due to an emergency.

Delay coverage

This policy helps pay for expenses associated with trip delays, like hotel or lodging.

Baggage loss

If your luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged, this policy helps pay for replacement items.

Emergency medical insurance

If there’s a medical emergency during your trip, like a broken leg, medical coverage helps pay for medical care, including any emergency room visits. This coverage is also known as travel health insurance, and it can cover a variety of medical costs.

Accidental death

This policy is similar to life insurance and may not be necessary if you already have coverage. But if you or a family member dies on a trip, this policy helps pay for associated expenses.

How COVID-19 Travel Insurance Works

How much does travel insurance cost.

The price you pay for travel insurance depends on your destination, trip length, coverage amount, and age. Generally, you can expect this cost to fall between 4% and 8% of the total trip expense. [1] The cost of the trip helps the travel insurance company determine how much a claim might cost if something goes wrong. If your trip costs $3,000, you can expect your travel insurance to cost between $120 and $240. A trip that costs $10,000 will have insurance costs between $400 and $800.

Shopping around and comparing multiple policies from different insurers is the best way to secure a good deal on coverage. [2] Comparing quotes lets you determine whether you’re getting a reasonable rate. Make sure to understand the coverage details and read the fine print before you purchase a policy.

Here’s a deeper look at the factors that determine how much your coverage will cost.

Length of trip

The length of your trip affects how much you pay for travel insurance. Longer trips are typically more expensive to insure because a longer trip means there’s an increased likelihood that something will go wrong.

Destination

Your trip destination is another factor that influences the cost of travel insurance. Where you’re spending time throughout your trip affects how much it might cost for an insurance company to cover a claim. For example, coverage might be more expensive if you’re traveling to a remote site without access to medical care since you may need a policy with medical evacuation coverage. But you might pay less if your destination is a populated area located in the country where you live.

Age of policyholder

Older travelers typically pay more for travel insurance due to an increased likelihood that they’ll file a claim for medical care or cancel a trip due to medical conditions. Insurance companies try to minimize claims, and age is one factor that companies consider since it might indicate certain health conditions. Younger travelers tend to pay less, but that might not always be true since age is only one of many factors that insurers review.

How to find cheap travel insurance

The most effective way to save money on travel insurance is to compare quotes from multiple insurers, as coverage costs range from 4% to 8% of your travel expense.

For example, imagine you have a trip that costs $2,000, and your first insurance quote is $160, or 8% of the total costs. You may be able to halve the coverage price if you keep shopping and secure coverage for $80, or 4% of the total cost.

Booking early can also help you save money. Most travel companies offer the best rates and coverage options if you establish a policy within 15 days of paying your first deposit for the trip. [3]

Here are a couple other steps you can take to get the best deal on travel insurance:

Find the right coverage amount. Having adequate travel insurance is essential, but you want to find a balance between too much and too little coverage. For example, you may find that you don’t need 24-hour phone assistance and feel comfortable researching information independently. If that’s the case, skip the coverage and save money.

Check your current coverage. Certain credit cards offer travel protection for flights, hotels, and other expenses you pay for with the card. The coverage is often more limited than what you can find with an insurance policy. But if some aspects are covered, it can help lower your policy costs.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions? (2024)

Do you need travel insurance.

Travel insurance makes sense in some circumstances. One of the most important factors is whether or not cancellations, medical care, and other unforeseen travel expenses would cause you financial hardship. If so, it’s usually best to opt for travel insurance to protect your finances. But if not, you might be okay to skip the coverage. The only catch is that if you skip it, you must be comfortable paying out of pocket for expenses.

Here are a few examples of when the benefits of travel insurance might make sense:

You can’t afford airfare home. If you need to shorten your trip due to unexpected medical treatment or another emergency, travel insurance can help pay for the new flight with no additional cost.

Your health insurance won’t provide coverage. Many health plans don’t extend to international travel. If that’s true for you, travel insurance can help fill the gap and ensure you can access medical facilities while traveling in a foreign country.

You can’t pay to replace items in your luggage. If your bag is lost or stolen, travel insurance can help cover the cost of replacing your items.

Travel insurance FAQs

Travel insurance can help protect you against financial loss and unforeseen expenses. The information presented here can help you determine if coverage makes sense for your circumstances and budget.

Is travel insurance worth it?

Travel insurance is worth it if unexpected travel expenses due to medical care or trip delays would cause you financial hardship. Coverage also makes sense if your trip is a significant investment. For example, if you’re planning a $10,000 trip around the world, travel insurance is a helpful way to protect your investment. But insurance might not be necessary if you’re going on a two-day road trip in the United States that costs $300.

Where are the cheapest places to travel?

The cheapest place to travel depends on where you live since staying close to home is often cheaper. Far-off destinations typically cost more to book, and those trips might be more expensive to insure. Popular travel destinations also cost less since the areas are ready for travelers, and the high volume of people helps decrease costs.

Does your credit card offer travel protection?

Your credit card might offer travel protection if you use the card to book your trip. It’s different from travel insurance since the coverage through your card is usually less. Still, it’s worth checking if your card offers protection.

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Taylor Milam-Samuel is a writer and credentialed educator who is fascinated by how people earn, save, and spend their money. When she's not researching financial terms and conditions, she can be found in the classroom teaching.

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How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

• Average cost of travel insurance
• Why are there different prices?
• Find out what it costs to insure your trip

If you’re asking yourself, “how much is travel insurance?”, then you’ve come to the right place. To give you an idea of what travel insurance might cost relative to your trip, we’ve put together some highlights for you. Read on to learn more about how much travel insurance costs, what travel insurance can do for you and decide for yourself if the price is worth it. 

Also read:  Is Travel Insurance Worth It? 3 Examples Where it Pays Off

What does travel insurance cost?

While travel insurance costs vary, the average is somewhere between 4-12% of your total trip cost *.

If you’re on the fence, then consider this: an emergency situation can cost tens of thousands of dollars, but the insurance plan might be a fraction of your trip cost . If you find yourself in this scenario, then it’s easy to justify the additional upfront expense for a travel insurance plan.

At Generali Global Assistance, we offer three different plans—Standard, Preferred and Premium—which we have laid out in a handy side-by-side comparison . Each plan has a different cost, but as you step up, you receive additional coverages and coverage limits. And, whether you’re purchasing by phone or online, it doesn’t matter; the price is the same.

Generali was selected as "Best Value" travel insurance  by Business Insider

How We Calculate Your Travel Insurance Price

When you enter your information into our quote form, have you wondered what happens behind the scenes to get you the right price for travel insurance?

It’s simple to get a quote to insure your trip. You only need to answer a handful of questions and an instant later we give you custom prices for your trip and the choice between three plans with different levels of protection. You can get the quote in an instant, but in the background we’re crunching numbers to make sure you get an accurate price for the coverage you need.

We’ve found the sweet spot to ask you the right questions to offer you the best price we can, while making the quote form easy to fill out. Consider this when shopping around: If a company is asking you too few questions, they may not be able to find the most accurate price for your travel situation.

Find out more about the factors that affect the price of a travel insurance quote 

Why the different costs? Coverage differences between plans

Before choosing a travel insurance plan, here’s a snapshot of some of the coverage differences for each plan:

•  Medical and Dental coverage  reimburses you for necessary medical, surgical and emergency dental care costs if you get sick or accidentally injured while on your covered trip. Coverage is in excess of your standard coverage , except where prohibited. It’s included in all three plans but the per person limits vary from $50,000 for Standard to $150,000 for Preferred and $250,000 for Premium.

• Trip Interruption is one of the most common reasons for making a travel insurance claim.  Trip Interruption coverage  provides reimbursement for unused, non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs if your trip is interrupted due to a covered event. Also, it provides reimbursement for additional transportation costs to return home or rejoin your group. Benefit limits vary by plan: 125% for Standard, 150% for Preferred and 175% for Premium.

Find out why you shouldn't just buy the cheapest travel insurance

• If you’re traveling with sports gear, then Sport Equipment Coverage is for you. It provides coverage for lost, stolen or damaged sporting equipment and is available with the Preferred plan up to $300 per person and Premium plan up to $500 per person, but not available in the Standard plan.

• If you have a  Pre-existing medical condition , you could still have coverage, but only through the  Premium plan . See if you meet the requirements and read the sample  Description of Coverage or Policy  for full details. Also, the Premium plan must be purchased prior to or within 24 hours of final trip payment.

Learn more about travel insurance: •  What is Travel Insurance? •  Travel Insurance Comparison: How to Choose the Right Plan •  Top 5 Reasons to Get Travel Insurance

For a relatively small amount of the total trip cost, you can purchase travel insurance that can help protect against common mishaps like Trip Interruption , Trip Cancellation and Trip Delay . Costs can add up quickly for emergency medical care or events like a cancelled flight due to adverse weather or lost or stolen baggage . As a general rule of thumb, if you’re investing more in your vacation than you can afford to lose, then consider travel insurance from a reputable provider such as Generali Global Assistance .

If you’re still asking yourself, “how much does travel insurance cost?”, then you can get right to the point—plug your trip details into our Get a Quote page and find out exactly how much travel insurance will cost for your trip. And, if you need help buying travel insurance online, check out our Step-by-Step Purchase Guide .

*Actual travel insurance cost will vary depending on trip details.

Travel Resources

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Average Cost of Travel Insurance in 2024

Alex is a MarketWatch Guides team writer that covers automotive and personal finance topics. She’s worked as a content writer for over a dozen car dealerships across the U.S. and as a contributor to several major auto news websites.

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

The average cost of a standard travel insurance policy is $221 , according to research conducted by the MarketWatch Guides team. However, the destination, number of travelers, trip price and more can affect the exact cost of a policy. For example, we found a 30-year-old taking a $5,000, two-week trip to the United Kingdom could pay anywhere from $88 to $176 for a standard travel insurance plan.

Key Takeaways The average cost of travel insurance is about 3% to 5% of a trip’s total value, according to quotes gathered by our research team across different travel insurance providers for various traveler profiles.  Factors such as total trip costs, coverage levels, travel destinations, traveler ages and trip payments can affect the price of a travel insurance policy. Travel insurance can be worth the cost and provide peace of mind if you must cancel your trip, experience a travel interruption, lose your baggage, experience a medical emergency or more.

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

Companies Reviewed

Quotes Collected

Rating Factors

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

Our research team gathered 1,519 quotes using seven unique traveler profiles to understand the average cost of travel insurance. Based on this research, you could pay between $14 and $765 for travel insurance . While this may seem like a wide price range, it’s important to understand that travel insurance is not a “one price fits all” purchase.

Travel insurance provides a range of protection before and during your trip. If you must cancel your vacation for reasons stated in your policy, travel insurance can reimburse you for nonrefundable expenses. It can also help cover medical care and evacuation costs in an emergency. One way to predict your travel insurance cost is to look at your trip cost — most insurance policies cost between 3% and 5% of your total trip cost.

Use the calculator below to get an estimate of your travel insurance policy cost:

Travel Insurance Cost by Total Trip Price

The main factor that affects travel insurance costs is the total price of your trip. The more your trip costs, the more a travel insurance company will need to reimburse you if you file a valid claim . For example, if you’re taking a $10,000 trip to Japan versus a $3,000 trip, you’ll likely pay more for a policy offering the same amount of coverage.

To better understand the cost of travel insurance by trip price, we gathered quotes from multiple providers for a 30-year-old traveler taking a two-week trip to the United Kingdom . The chart below outlines the average policy cost across those quotes for different trip values. 

Average Travel Insurance Cost by Age

Age is another factor that affects travel insurance costs. Generally, younger travelers may be less likely to file a claim than older travelers since they are often healthier and may not have pre-existing conditions. Due to the higher chance of travel insurance providers receiving a claim from older travelers , plan costs generally increase with age .

We gathered quotes from 20 different providers for a $4,000, two-week trip to the United Kingdom to learn more about how travel insurance costs increase by age. From this data, we found virtually no increase in policy costs for travelers aged 20 to 30 years. However, travelers aged 30 and up saw policy costs increase with age. Based on our research, an 80-year-old will pay 303% more than a 20-year-old for the same policy.

See the table below for a closer look at percent increases for policy costs based on age. 

Travel Insurance Cost by Number of Travelers

The number of travelers under a travel insurance policy can also affect the total cost.

While travel insurance prices increase slightly depending on the number of people, one policy for the entire group is likely cheaper than purchasing a solo policy for every traveler.

We gathered quotes for a $5,000, two-week trip to the United Kingdom for different groups of travelers and found that adding just one traveler to a plan can increase costs by 8.3% , on average. While this is the average increase across quotes from 20 different providers, your costs may differ, as we found plan cost ranges widely varied.

Our research team attributes this extensive cost range to the provider, chosen plan, and whether or not coverage includes children for free. Many providers, such as Travelex , offer plans for travelers 17 years and younger for no additional cost. 

See the table below for a closer look at travel insurance costs by number of travelers.

Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance Cost

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage is usually sold as a travel insurance add-on. A typical travel insurance plan includes standard trip cancellation coverage, which takes effect as long as the reason for cancellation is listed within your policy terms. With CFAR coverage, however, you can cancel your trip for a reason not typically covered by your provider. For example, while your policy may cover an unexpected cancelation due to severe weather, CFAR coverage would allow you to cancel because you no longer want to take the trip.

CFAR coverage typically reimburses 50% to 75% of your prepaid trip costs. However, note that many companies reserve CFAR coverage for comprehensive plans. Because CFAR coverage increases the risk taken on by the insurance provider, it can significantly raise the price you pay for coverage. Costs vary by insurance provider, so gathering quotes across different providers that offer this add-on can help you find coverage that fits your needs.

To better show you what CFAR coverage could cost when added to a policy, we gathered quotes for a 30-year-old traveler taking a two-week, $5,000 trip to the United Kingdom. 

Factors That Affect The Cost of Travel Insurance

Each travel insurance provider prices its policies using a specific formula and underwriting process. While travel insurance is not a “once price fits all” type of coverage, the primary factors influencing policy pricing were fairly consistent across the companies we’ve reviewed. Take a closer look at some of these factors in the sections below.

Most insurance providers offer 100% reimbursement for trip cancellation and 150% for trip interruptions. A general rule of thumb when purchasing a policy is the more expensive your trip is, the more expensive your premium will likely be. This is because your travel insurance provider would potentially need to pay more if you file a claim for a covered cancellation or interruption.

If you choose a travel insurance policy with multiple protections and higher coverage limits, you can typically expect to pay more for coverage. Extra coverages outside of standard offerings — such as car rental collision coverage or CFAR coverage — can increase your policy premium.

Destinations 

Some destinations, notably those in more remote areas, may have less robust medical infrastructures. This increases the likelihood of needing a medical evacuation in the event of an emergency. Because of this, you can likely expect to pay more for travel insurance to a remote destination.

Traveler Age

Older men and women may have medical conditions that impact travel plans, increasing the price of insurance. As previously stated, our research team found that an 80-year-old will pay 303% more than a 20-year-old for the exact same policy. If you’re an older traveler, you can anticipate more for a travel insurance policy.

Trip Payments

The date you paid for your travel can also affect your premium and the type of add-ons available. Buying a policy immediately after booking your trip could save you money and provide a greater protection window for trip cancellation benefits, which usually begin on your plan’s effective date. Alternatively, you can generally expect to pay more for coverage if you paid for your trip weeks or months before shopping for insurance. If you want CFAR coverage, providers may implement timelines for when you must purchase a policy. 

How To Save on Travel Insurance

If you’d like to insure your trip but want to keep policy costs low, we recommend shopping around and comparing travel insurance companies and available plans . Many providers allow you to customize your coverage to fit your needs, and one company may offer a similar plan that’s cheaper overall compared to other options.

Customization is another factor to consider when trying to save on travel insurance costs. While you shop, keep in mind what your travel itinerary entails. For example, you might opt out of emergency medical and evacuation coverage if you’re traveling domestically — especially if you have an active health insurance policy through a domestic healthcare provider.

In addition, you can save money by not overinsuring your trip. Consider your health, destination and trip cost when deciding which coverages you need. For instance, if you’re traveling to a remote area without a robust medical system, you may consider purchasing higher medical evacuation coverage than if traveling to an urban area with access to hospitals.  

While there are ways to lower travel insurance costs, cheaper coverage is not always better. 

“Choosing travel insurance to protect your trip, health and belongings is not usually the time to go bargain basement shopping,” said Angela Borden, a product marketing specialist at Seven Corners. “While any travel insurance is usually better than none, deciding to go with the cheapest plan you can find often comes back to haunt you in an emergency.”

Domestic vs. International Travel Insurance Costs

Typically, international travel can result in spending more on prepaid — and often non-refundable — trip costs. An international vacation can involve more than one flight, and if you choose non-refundable hotels or excursions, you could lose a large amount of money without a travel insurance plan. 

However, the more your prepaid expenses, the more your policy will cost you — meaning insurance for an international trip could cost you more than for domestic travel. In addition, many domestic healthcare plans will likely not cover medical care abroad . A plan with emergency medical and evacuation coverage is worth considering while traveling internationally, but it will cost you more than a travel insurance plan without this protection.

According to a Pollfish survey our team conducted in February 2024, 46% of the 1,000 U.S.-based respondents were traveling domestically within the U.S. the last time they bought a travel insurance policy. Many companies sell travel insurance for domestic vacations , which can offer less expensive coverage that’s better suited for this type of trip. For example, the Seven Corners Trip Protection USA plan provides trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage , forgoing emergency medical or air travel benefits. This may be ideal if you’re traveling by car and already have a domestic health insurance plan.

What To Consider Before Buying Travel Insurance

To ensure you select the best travel insurance policy for your individual needs, you can consider the following factors.

Coverage Needs

It is important to consider the type of protection you need while traveling. If your trip spans a few days, you may only need basic trip cancellation coverage , whereas a month-long trip may warrant additional medical coverage. Additionally, consider your health, as many domestic health insurance policies do not cover health care outside U.S. borders. Also, think about any add-on coverage you may need. If you foresee needing to cancel your trip for a reason not covered under policy terms, for example, you may want to invest in CFAR coverage.

Credit Card Travel Insurance

It’s worth calling your credit card company before purchasing a travel insurance plan to see if you already have benefits. Many credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, offer travel perks such as rental car coverage, trip cancellation protection, trip delay coverage and more. If you’re comfortable with the amount of coverage provided by your credit card, you can reconsider buying a separate travel insurance policy — saving you money you can put toward other travel expenses.

Claims Processes

We recommend you read up on how a provider handles its claims. Can you, as the policyholder, file a claim multiple ways? How quickly does the provider issue reimbursements? Note that some providers allow you to upload required claim documents online, whereas others require you to submit documents through the mail. We recommend speaking to insurance representatives directly to learn more. You can also browse customer reviews from third-party aggregators, such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot, to better understand how a provider handles claims.

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Not every traveler will need a travel insurance policy. Borden, quoted earlier, provides more insight: “There are times when travel insurance might not be worth it — the most common being if you don’t have many, if any, prepaid trip expenses.” She also points out that this could be the case if you’re staying with family and foregoing hotel expenses. “You don’t need to insure trip expenses if they’re already covered by someone else,” she added.

Is Travel Insurance Worth the Cost?

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation , one in five flights experienced a delay in 2023. Travel insurance can help provide coverage if you experience a delay — one of the many scenarios where a policy can be worth the cost. If you need to cancel your trip, experience a trip interruption, lose your baggage or experience a medical emergency abroad, travel insurance can help you recoup some prepaid, nonrefundable expenses. 

If you’re looking for peace of mind as you plan your trip, we recommend gathering quotes from multiple travel insurance providers to find coverage that suits your needs and your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost of Travel Insurance

Does travel insurance cover covid-19.

Yes, many travel insurance policies consider COVID-19 a covered reason for trip cancellation or delay. Note that providers cover trip interruptions and cancellations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on the condition that you were healthy when you purchased the policy.

Should I purchase “cancel for any reason” coverage?

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage allows you to cancel your trip even for reasons not listed in your insurance provider’s policy. If you are worried about illness or general travel or wish to have the flexibility of canceling, CFAR coverage may be worthwhile. Note that this add-on reimburses up to 75% of your trip costs, not the entire amount.

How much does travel insurance usually cost?

You can expect to pay $35 to $200 per trip, depending on the total trip cost and your age, among other factors. Based on quotes we pulled from five popular providers, the average cost of travel insurance for a $1,000 trip to Cancun, Mexico, for a 35-year-old male is $45.

Does travel insurance cover 100%?

Yes, trip cancellation coverage may cover 100% of your costs if you cancel your trip for a covered reason, such as illness, a family emergency or military deployment. If you purchased CFAR coverage, you can cancel for any reason but will only recoup around 50% to 75% of trip expenses.

What company offers the most affordable travel insurance?

In our review, we found that Travelex’s Basic policies were some of the most affordable on the market. Other affordable travel insurance providers include Nationwide and Faye, which specialize in streamlined online applications and issuance. We recommend getting a quote from each of our recommended providers before buying coverage to ensure you’re getting the best rates.

Additional Travel Insurance Resources

• Best Travel Insurance Companies of October 2023
• What Is Travel Insurance? (2023 Guide)
• 9 Best Travel Medical Insurance Companies of 2023
• Single-Trip Travel Insurance 2023
• The 9 Best Senior Travel Insurance Companies of 2023
• Travel Protection vs. Travel Insurance (2023)
• 6 Best Group Travel Insurance Companies of 2023
• Last Minute Travel Insurance: Guide for 2023
• Should You Buy Travel Insurance for Domestic Vacations in (2023)?
• Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions 2023 Guide

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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 Annual Travel Insurance in 2024

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

If you’re a frequent traveler, annual travel insurance may be something you’ve been considering. Unlike single-trip insurance, annual travel insurance plans can cover you for an entire year, no matter how often you’re on the road.

Let’s look at the best yearly travel insurance companies, why we choose them and the coverage you can expect.

Factors we considered when picking travel insurance companies

We used the following criteria when choosing which companies we thought were best:

Cost . Annual plans can be expensive — depending on the type of coverage you choose — so we wanted ensure that they stayed affordable. 

Types of coverage . Travel insurance for annual travelers can be limited in its coverage. We picked the ones with the broadest range of coverage for possible travel disruptions.

Coverage amounts . Annual trip insurance isn’t worth much if your limits are too low. Instead, we wanted plans with reasonable coverage amounts. 

Customizability . If your travels take you to different places, you’ll want the ability to customize your plan. The best annual travel insurance plans can provide this. 

» Learn more: What does travel insurance cover?

An overview of the best annual travel insurance

We gathered quotes from various travel insurance companies to determine the best annual travel insurance policies. In these examples, we used a year-long trip by a 22-year-old from Alabama. We indicated the main countries of travel as France and Malaysia, and when asked, put the total trip costs at $6,000.

The average cost for an annual travel insurance plan came out to $220. The plans ranged from $138-$386.

Let’s take a closer look at our top recommendations for annual travel insurance.

1. Allianz Travel

What makes Allianz travel insurance great:

Lower than average cost.

Provides health care and travel insurance benefits.

Includes rental car insurance up to $45,000. 

Here’s a snippet from our Allianz Travel insurance review :

“AllTrips Basic (annual plan) is suitable for those who would like emergency medical coverage while abroad but don't need trip cancellation and interruption benefits. The AllTrips Prime, Executive and Premier plans provide an entire year of comprehensive travel insurance benefits.

The Executive and Premier plans offer various levels of trip cancellation and interruption benefits. The Executive plan is specifically designed for business travelers since it offers protection for business equipment.”

2. Seven Corners

What makes Seven Corners great:

Offers up to $20,000 for acute coverage of pre-existing conditions. 

Includes up to $1 million for emergency medical evacuation. 

Optional add-on for adventure sport activities.

$0 deductible available. 

Here’s a snippet from our Seven Corners review :

“Seven Corners offers one annual policy called Travel Medical Annual Multi-Trip. The policy can be customized depending on how long you plan to be away from home for any one trip. You can travel as much as you like during the 364 days, so long as any one trip doesn’t exceed the option selected — 30, 45 or 60 days.”

What makes IMG great:

Good customizability with medical evacuations and sports coverage. 

Low $250 deductible.

Includes coverage for semi-private hospital rooms. 

Here’s a snippet from our IMG review:

“Some policies provide emergency medical evacuation coverage, while others skip this benefit entirely. This benefit may be more important to you if you travel to a remote location or engage in physical activity such as trekking.

More comprehensive plans may include other benefits such as assistance with acquiring a new passport, reimbursing reward mile redeposit fees or coverage for pre-existing conditions. If these are something you’re interested in, be sure to check that your policy includes these options.”

4. Trawick International

What makes Trawick International great:

100% coverage for trip cancellation and trip interruption. 

Emergency medical evacuation included. 

Trip delay reimbursement coverage. 

Here’s a snippet from our Trawick International review :

“Trawick International is a comprehensive travel insurance provider that offers trip delay and cancellation insurance, baggage delay coverage, medical coverage and medical evacuation, rental car damage protection, and even COVID-19 coverage among its various policies.

Trawick covers trips for worldwide destinations, including for foreign nationals coming to the U.S.”

What does travel insurance cover?

You’ll find a wide variety of coverage types offered by travel insurance policies. This is true whether you're purchasing a single-trip or annual travel insurance plan. Here are some common types you can expect to find:

Accidental death insurance .

Baggage delay and lost luggage insurance .

Cancel for Any Reason insurance .

Emergency evacuation insurance .

Medical insurance .

Rental car insurance .

Trip cancellation insurance .

Trip interruption insurance .

How to choose the best annual travel insurance policy

While we’ve highlighted some of the best annual travel insurance companies, the truth is that the best plan for you isn’t going to be the best plan for someone else. If you’re interested in buying annual travel insurance, you’ll want to collect a variety of quotes to see which policy best fits your needs.

This may mean opting for a plan that covers pre-existing conditions or one that specifically includes high-risk activities. Or, if you’re in a country where health care is notoriously expensive, you may want to choose a policy with higher maximums.

Many credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance .

Whatever the case, do your research first and review all the plan details before making your purchase.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

If you want to buy annual travel insurance

Annual travel insurance can be a great option if you’re often out of town. With such a wide range of policies available, selecting a plan that fits your needs is easy. We’ve done some of the work for you by choosing the best annual travel insurance companies, all of which made the top of the list for their cost, customizability, types of coverage and plan maximums.

Like any travel insurance policy, the cost of your plan is going to vary. Factors that may affect the cost of your annual travel insurance include your age, where you’re going, how long you’ll be traveling, your policy maximums and whether preexisting conditions are included.

Although not all travel insurance providers offer annual travel insurance, many of them do. We’ve gathered together the five best, including Allianz Travel, World Nomads, Seven Corners, IMG and Trawick International.

How to maximize your rewards

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

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

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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

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

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

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

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

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

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

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

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

June 1, 2020

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

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

Ukraine; Belarus; Moldova, Republic of; North Korea, Democratic People's Rep; Russia; Israel

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

How Do I Know How Much Travel Insurance to Buy?

Still can’t decide how much travel insurance you need? Give us a call! Our travel insurance advisers can explain each plan’s benefits and help you pick the right one for your trip.  

Related Articles

• 7 Reasons to Buy Yearly Travel Insurance
• What Factors Affect the Cost of Travel Insurance?
• Compare Travel Insurance: How to Pick the Perfect Plan

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

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

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Is travel insurance worth it?

The right policy can protect your wallet, your belongings and your peace of mind..

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

You might have planned your next vacation, but consider travel insurance before you start packing. A comprehensive policy can protect you if the unexpected happens before or during your trip.

"Travel insurance is often an overlooked investment until the unforeseen happens," says Beth Godlin, president of Aon Affinity Travel Practice . "It's designed to give travelers peace of mind and financial protection against travel risks."

A policy doesn't have to be expensive, according to Godlin, and it can add a layer of protection and security.

Getting travel insurance

How do i get travel insurance, what does travel insurance cover, how much does travel insurance cost.

• Bottom line

There are many options in the travel insurance marketplace: Aggregator site Squaremouth lets you get price quotes from different carriers and, because it receives a commission from the insurance companies on its site, users aren't charged any additional fees.

Allianz has both single-trip and annual plans, with a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy that reimburses up to 80% of prepaid, non-refundable expenses — more than most similar plans on the market.

In addition to trip cancellation, Allianz's popular OneTrip Prime plan includes travel interruption, emergency medical care and emergency transportation. Children 17 and under are covered for free when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

AIG's Travel Guard® plans are great if you need to customize your coverage: The mid-range Travel Guard Preferred plan pays out 100% for trip cancellation and 150% for trip interruption, with up to $50,000 in coverage for medical expenses and up to $500,000 for emergency evacuation. There's even a payout of up to $1,000 if you miss your connection.

Travel Guard® Travel Insurance

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

Policy highlights

Travel Guard offers a variety of plans to suit travel ranging from road trips to long cruises. For air travelers, Travel Guard can help assist with tracking baggage or covering lost or delayed baggage.

24/7 assistance available

If you're booking a trip with an aggregator site like Expedia , review the details of any travel policy that's offered. Plans are usually based on the elements of the trip (hotel, flight, rental car, etc.) and can differ every time you book.

Travel insurance typically costs between 4 and 10% of the overall price tag for your trip. The cost can vary:

• Plans with higher limits and more optional coverage cost more.
• A plan with a CFAR benefit can cost up to 40% more.
• Older travelers typically pay more because there's more of a likelihood of a claim being filed. 

Whichever plan you choose, read the fine print so you understand what you're paying for.

Travel insurance generally covers your expenses, your belongings and your well-being. When shopping for a policy, look for these benefits:

Trip cancellation

If your trip is canceled for a covered reason, a policy will often reimburse airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, tours, cruises and other prepaid, non-refundable expenses. Covered situations can include illness or injury, the death of a family member or traveling companion, job loss, military deployment and even unplanned jury duty, according to Allianz's Daniel Durazo.

Cancellations can also be covered if a natural disaster, severe weather or airline strike prevents your carrier from getting you to your destination for at least 24 hours.

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) plans provide a lot more flexibility and typically reimburse 50% to 75% of your expenses. But they can bump up the cost by about 40%, said Durazo, and policyholders are still usually required to cancel no later than 48 hours before their scheduled departure. 

Trip delay 

Should you experience a hiccup in your plans, your policy can provide some relief: Food, lodging and local transportation are usually covered if a delay is due to severe weather, airline maintenance or civil unrest.

"For a traveler to be eligible, they must be delayed for the minimum amount of time listed on their policy," Squaremouth spokesperson Megan Moncrief said. "Some policies are very lenient and provide benefits for any length delay, while others list a length requirement — usually somewhere between three to 12 hours."

Daily payout limits range from $150 to $250 per traveler, Moncrief said, while the total policy limit can be anywhere from $500 to $2,000. Save any receipts to submit with your reimbursement claim.

Don't miss: The best credit cards with trip delay insurance

Trip interruption

Should you need to cut your trip short due to illness or injury, or if there's a family emergency back home, your policy may reimburse non-refundable expenses you forfeited.

It may also cover the cost of a one-way economy airline ticket home.

Baggage loss

Airlines are required to compensate passengers luggage lost in transit, but a travel insurance policy may have a higher benefit limit, and cover you if your bags, passport or other possessions are lost, damaged or stolen once you've gotten to your destination., The Platinum plan from AXA Assistance USA has a $3,000 benefit limit for lost luggage, well beyond the $1,700 that airlines are required to cover on international flights. AXA has offices in more than 50 countries, with multilingual operators available 24 hours a day to help reschedule flights, book hotels and make other arrangements.

AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance

AXA Assistance USA offers several travel insurance policies that include travel interruption, trip cancellation, and the option of cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

Travel insurance doesn't cover every loss: Cash is not reimbursable and many policies won't reimburse for expensive jewelry or heirloom items. Read your policy carefully to see what is included.

Medical expenses and emergency evacuation

If you travel within the U.S., your health insurance should cover any illness or injury you sustain. If you're traveling abroad, though, your plan may provide little or no coverage. The right travel insurance should cover doctors' fees and hospital bills, Durazo said. 

The provider can also help coordinate care and ensure you're at a medical facility that's up to U.S. standards.

An emergency medical evacuation can be a major expense, costing anywhere from $15,000 to over $200,000, Durazo added.

If you've spent money on nonrefundable airline tickets, tours and hotels, you could be at a loss if something goes awry. Travel insurance covers numerous scenarios, from a medical emergency to a tropical storm. It could be particularly useful if:

• You've spent a lot on prepaid, non-refundable expenses
• You're traveling internationally where your health insurance won't apply
• You're traveling to a remote area
• Your flight involves multiple connections or destinations

"When deciding if travel insurance is right for you, ask yourself how much you could stand to lose if you had to cancel at the last minute," said Godlin.

If you're not as concerned about risk, your credit card may offer built-in travel protection if you book with that card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® , Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Card and the  *American Express® Gold Card all come with trip cancellation and interruption coverage, among other benefits.

*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.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025

Welcome bonus

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

Regular APR

22.49% - 29.49% variable

Balance transfer fee

5%, minimum $5

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Terms apply.

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

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

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

21.49% - 28.49% variable

Foreign transaction fees

Excellent/Good

American Express® Gold Card

4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Not applicable

See Pay Over Time APR

See rates and fees , terms apply.

Read our American Express® Gold Card review .

Research your card's travel benefits before making any purchases related to your trip.

Policies vary, but most comprehensive travel insurance plans cover travel cancellation and interruption, baggage loss, medical care and emergency transportation.

While the price for coverage varies, most policies cost between 4% and 10% of the trip's prepaid, non-refundable expenses.

When should I get travel insurance?

It's best to take out a policy within days of making your reservations.

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?

If you contract COVID-19 before or on your trip, it may be covered by your policy's trip cancellation/interruption benefit . You'll likely have to confirm your test results with a diagnosis from a healthcare provider.

Bottom line 

Travel can be a wonderful experience, but it involves a lot of time, planning and money. Missing a single connection can have a cascade effect that impacts your flight, hotel room, dinner reservations and more. A good travel insurance policy can provide peace of mind so you can focus on your vacation.

Compare and find the best life insurance

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

Meet our experts

At CNBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority. For this story, we interviewed Beth Godlin, president of Aon, which provides custom travel insurance for tour operators, cruise lines, travel websites and others. We also spoke with former Squaremouth Megan Moncrief and Allianz communications director Daniel Durazo.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every insurance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors . While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

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

For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card , click here .

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How Much Travel Insurance Do I Need?

The amount you need will depend on your trip and risk tolerance

Types of Travel Insurance

• Factors That Could Influence Insurance Needs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

MStudioImages / Getty Images

Do you have a big vacation or work trip coming up? Traveling often involves a sizable expense for booking flights, hotels, activities, and more. But what if all doesn’t go as planned?

Travel insurance helps protect you against losses due to trip cancellations, the costs of medical care at your destination, if needed, and more. However, the amount of coverage you need will depend on a variety of factors. Learn more about travel insurance and how to determine how much to purchase.

Key Takeaways

• Travel insurance helps to reimburse you for prepaid expenses if your trip is canceled, delayed, or interrupted.
• Travel insurance also can help cover the costs associated with emergency medical or dental care, lost luggage, a damaged rental car, and more.
• The amount of travel insurance you need depends on factors like how far or long you’re traveling, the overall cost of the trip, and your risk tolerance.

What does travel insurance include? Here’s a closer look at the common types of coverage offered by travel insurance companies:  

Trip Cancellation Coverage

If you plan a trip then have to cancel it because of a covered reason (such as a family member becoming ill or passing away), this insurance will reimburse you for your prepaid travel expenses.

Travel Disruption Coverage

Travel disruption coverage will cover qualifying prepaid travel expenses you lose due to a disruption, such as a flight being canceled or rescheduled.

Travel Interruption Coverage

If your trip is cut short because of an incident covered in your policy—such as bad weather, terrorism, jury duty, or a sick family member—you will be reimbursed for the qualifying prepaid expenses you didn’t get to enjoy.

Travel Medical/Health Insurance

Travel medical and health insurance will reimburse you for medical and emergency dental expenses you incur due to an injury or illness while traveling. The best policies will make payments directly to hospitals so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.

Medical Evacuation Coverage

If you need to be taken to a hospital outside of your vacation destination or back home, this coverage will provide you with medical evacuation transportation, which can otherwise cost more than $100,000.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage

If you happen to pass away or lose a limb while traveling, this coverage will help to cover the associated costs. It is often split up based on when the incident happens, such as during a flight, traveling on public transportation, or at any other time during your trip.

Rental Car Damage Coverage

If you plan on renting a vehicle while traveling, this coverage will reimburse you if you damage or total the vehicle and have to pay for it. While it covers property damage, it doesn’t offer liability.

Lost Luggage Coverage

Everyone hates losing luggage when flying. Baggage loss coverage will reimburse you if your personal items are lost, stolen, or damaged by an airline. Some policies even compensate you if the luggage is just delayed.

While these are the major types of travel insurance available, coverage types, limits, exclusions, and other terms can vary by provider. Be sure to read the fine print to fully understand what circumstances and amounts are covered.

Factors That Could Influence Travel Insurance Needs

With an understanding of travel insurance and the various types available, how do you decide how much you need for an upcoming trip? Like any insurance coverage, it will be a risk-benefit analysis.

Start by reviewing each coverage type and consider whether it is something you should have. For example, when considering trip cancellation, disruption, and interruption coverage, it may depend on how expensive the trip is, if anyone going has health issues, and current events at the destination. If you think there’s a higher-than-average chance you will need to cancel, and it’s an expensive trip you couldn’t rebook out of pocket, this coverage would likely be worth it. 

Some insurers may also offer a “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) policy at a higher price (often 40% to 60% higher than standard rates) that removes many of the exclusions that commonly come with regular travel cancellation coverage.

On the medical insurance front, if you’re going overseas and plan to partake in hiking and other active adventures, you may want the medical coverage and evacuation in place, just in case. It may also be a wise investment for those with health conditions that put them at a higher risk. If you are traveling with expensive belongings or equipment, lost luggage coverage could be a smart investment .

Some may want coverage for peace of mind, while others may find it necessary in some situations but not others. However, before buying travel insurance, make sure you don’t already have the same coverage from another source. For example, check the airline’s cancellation and delay policies, see if your credit card offers travel insurance benefits, and contact your health/dental insurance provider to see if they will cover you while out of town.

How does travel insurance work?

Travel insurance helps to protect you against various incidents that could cause you to lose money while preparing for a trip and traveling. For example, if you book a flight to a hotel in Hawaii but have to cancel because your significant other becomes very sick, travel cancellation coverage could reimburse you for the amount you paid to book the trip. You could rebook it later when everyone is well.

It can also help to cover a variety of other costs, such as medical care while on vacation, reimbursement for lost luggage, and even costs associated with death or dismemberment . Once you sign up, you will pay your premium to gain coverage. Upon a qualifying situation, you can file a claim with your insurer. Once approved, you’ll receive the settlement amount as per your policy.

What credit cards offer free travel insurance?

Various travel credit cards offer travel insurance, which may mean you don’t need to get an independent travel insurance policy. For example, both the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offer coverage for trip cancellation, delay, or interruption, lost or delayed baggage, and an auto rental collision damage waiver.

The Platinum Card from American Express provides trip cancellation and delay coverage along with car rental loss and damage insurance. Your best bet for finding credit cards with travel insurance is to browse travel rewards credit cards’ benefits.

How much does travel insurance cost?

On average, the cost of travel insurance will range from 4% to 10% of your trip’s price. For example, if your trip costs $10,000, your travel insurance will likely run anywhere between $400 and $1,000. However, the cost can go much higher for premium coverage or CFAR policies that have fewer exclusions.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. " Travel Insurance ."

Minnesota Department of Commerce. " Travel Insurance ."

New York State. " Insurance Circular Letter No. 4 (2020) ."

Mass.gov. " Travel Insurance ."

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

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• The average travel insurance premium this week is $293.94, about the same as last week.
• For travel in the United States, the average premium is $91 to $410.
• Travel insurance protects against delayed baggage, trip cancellation, and more.

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

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

Travel insurance rates this week:

• Average premium: $293.94
• Average trip cost: $6,853.10
• Average trip length: 16 Days

Understanding Travel Insurance

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

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

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

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

Average Cost of Travel Insurance by Destination

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

Here's how the prices stack up:

Source: SquareMouth

How Far in Advance to Purchase Travel Insurance

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

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

Average Cost of Travel Insurance by Age

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

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

Get your free travel insurance quote with SquareMouth »

Travel Insurance Rate Tips

How much does travel insurance typically cost.

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

How can I save money on travel insurance?

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

Where are the cheapest places to buy travel insurance?

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

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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 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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