trip insurance yes or no

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Travel Insurance

Is travel insurance worth it in 2024?

Katy McWhirter

Heidi Gollub

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

Updated 8:43 a.m. UTC Jan. 24, 2024

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• Is travel insurance worth it? A comprehensive travel insurance policy can cover the cost of canceling or ending a trip early, lost or damaged luggage and emergency medical care.
• Travel insurance can be valuable when the upfront costs of your trip are nonrefundable.
• A travel insurance policy can be especially helpful overseas if your U.S. health insurance won’t cover emergency medical treatments abroad.
• A comprehensive travel insurance policy typically costs between 5% and 10% of the total price of your trip.

Compare the best travel insurance offers

Travel insured.

Via TravelInsurance.com’s website

Top-scoring plan

Worldwide Trip Protector

Covers COVID?

Medical & evacuation limits per person

$100,000/$1 million

Atlas Journey Preferred

Seven Corners

RoundTrip Basic

$500,000/$1 million

Learn more about what types of travel insurance coverage are available, when you may want to consider a travel insurance policy and how to purchase the best plan for your travel needs.  

What does travel insurance cover? 

Travel insurance covers a wide spectrum of issues that can go wrong, ranging from lost or delayed luggage to emergency medical evacuation. Buying a comprehensive plan can help you cover your bases and protect your finances should the unexpected occur before or during your trip. 

A comprehensive travel insurance policy will include several types of coverage, including:

• Trip cancellation insurance .
• Trip delay insurance .
• Trip interruption insurance .
• Travel medical insurance .
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance .
• Baggage insurance .

Coverage varies by company and by plan, so it’s important to carefully read your travel insurance policy to fully understand what is included and excluded. 

More: Best Travel Insurance Companies

Cancellations, delays and interruptions

Trip cancellation insurance .

This popular insurance covers 100% of the cost of prepaid and nonrefundable expenses you may miss out on if you have to cancel your trip, as long as you’re canceling for a reason listed in your policy. 

Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you if you miss your trip due to a covered issue, which could include: 

• Death, illness or injury to you, your traveling companion or a family member.
• Extreme weather and natural disasters.
• Flight cancellations .
• Legal obligations, like jury duty or a subpoena.
• Strikes that result in travel services not being able to operate.

Travel delay insurance

Travel delay coverage reimburses you for expenses that arise from delays in your trip, as long as the problem is included in your policy. Covered incidents typically include airplane mechanical failures and inclement weather, but may also cover instances of delays caused by stolen passports or traffic that causes you to miss your flight.

This coverage typically kicks in after a certain number of hours and offers a per-day maximum amount to help with meals, travel and accommodation. For example, if your flight was canceled and the next one doesn’t leave for 18 hours, your trip delay insurance may cover your dinner and a hotel room for the evening. 

Policies vary, with some providing benefits earlier than others. They also have caps, such as $500 per person, so make sure you understand these limits before buying coverage.

Trip interruption insurance

No one wants to end their trip early, but unexpected events like illness or injury can force you to do so. Trip interruption insurance will reimburse you for unused prepaid expenses such as flights, excursions, lodging and meals that will be lost if you need to head home early.  

Reasons covered by trip insurance typically include sudden injury or illness to you or your travel companion, the death of a family member back home or severe weather at your destination. 

Every policy differs and has exclusions, so carefully research to find the best option for your needs.

“Cancel for any reason” coverage

Travel cancellation insurance covers a bevy of trip issues, but what if you want to cancel for a reason not listed in your policy? “Cancel for any reason” coverage is a travel insurance add-on that typically provides up to 50% or 75% reimbursement if you cancel, regardless of the reason. 

So if the weather forecast is filled with rain or you’re no longer on speaking terms with your traveling companion, “cancel for any reason” lets you forgo travel without losing all of your money. 

The catch is that you typically need to cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure time, so you can’t cancel at the last minute.

Reimbursement amounts for prepaid and nonrefundable amounts vary, so review policies to find a policy limit that works for you.

Medical care and emergencies

Travel medical insurance.

If you’re injured or suffer from an unexpected or sudden medical condition or illness while traveling, travel medical insurance can help you pay for care. Covered expenses generally include X-rays, medicine, doctor visits and hospital bills, lab work and other related expenses you may incur. 

It’s important to consider this type of coverage if you are traveling abroad. Medicare does not provide coverage outside the country, and the same is true for many U.S.-based insurance plans. 

Not all medical expenses are covered by travel medical insurance. This type of coverage will not pay for routine care, and though plans may cover pre-existing conditions if you get a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver, each insurer handles them differently. Always review coverage and exclusions if you have a health condition and are looking for medical coverage abroad.  

You’re also unlikely to be covered if you sustain injuries while intoxicated or while engaging in high-risk activities, like mountain climbing or skydiving. Some travel insurance companies, such as Travelex, offer adventure sports upgrades that are worth considering if you’re planning an active vacation. 

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

Medical evacuation insurance will cover the cost to get you to the nearest adequate medical facility. It can also cover you if care needs to continue at home and you require medical transportation back to the States.  If you are traveling abroad, especially to a remote location, this type of insurance can save you tens of thousands of dollars if you have a medical emergency that requires transport. According to Travelex, the average medical evacuation can cost $25,000 within North America or $50,000 from Europe. 

Baggage insurance 

Baggage loss.

Baggage loss insurance may prove valuable if your luggage is damaged, lost or stolen while you’re on a trip. Items covered — and not covered — vary by travel insurance company. Baggage loss coverage only covers the depreciated value of your belongings, and policies may cap reimbursement or exclude coverage for some items. This type of coverage is typically secondary, so you may have to file a claim with your airline or homeowners insurance first.

Baggage delay 

Baggage delay coverage provides reimbursement for necessities you must buy when your bag is delayed for an extended period of time. The waiting period varies across policies, but coverage usually kicks in if your bag is delayed at least 8 or 12 hours after landing. This type of coverage sets a daily limit for replacing essential items, such as toiletries or clothing.

When to consider buying a travel insurance policy

For some vacations, you don’t need travel insurance. At other times, it’s critical to have coverage, especially if you’re making a substantial upfront investment in your vacation.

“If you’re traveling domestically, especially if you’re taking a road trip, you probably don’t need travel insurance,” said Melanie Musson, a travel insurance expert with Clearsurance, an online insurance comparison platform.

Megan Moncrief, chief marketing officer at Squaremouth, an online insurance site, recommends that trip-takers buy a policy in the following circumstances:

• You have prepaid a substantial amount for your trip and the costs are nonrefundable. A policy with trip cancellation can insure 100% of those expenses if you are unable to take the trip for a covered reason.
• If your health insurance policy does not extend coverage to your destination or imposes limits. A comprehensive travel policy will include medical benefits that can cover you in the event of an emergency.
• You have a concern that may lead you to cancel or delay your trip or return early, such as a sick or elderly family member, or you are traveling during the stormy season to a destination prone to hurricanes.
• The country you are traveling to requires travel insurance for all foreign travelers. A simple Google search will let you know if your target country requires travel insurance.

Of course, the chance of something going wrong probably isn’t very high. 

“As is the case with all lines of insurance, odds are you won’t make a claim, so you’ll pay premiums with no reward,” Musson said. “But, if you do make a claim, you’ll undoubtedly be glad you decided to purchase the coverage.”

Tip : The more you invest in your adventure, the more important it is to purchase travel insurance. 

When you may want to skip a travel insurance policy

You don’t always need travel insurance for your vacation. Moncrief cited common examples of when you can skip coverage:

• Trip cancellation coverage may be unnecessary if you’re not on the hook for nonrefundable expenses or if your credit card provides cancellation benefits as a perk.
• Emergency medical coverage is not always necessary if you are traveling domestically and your health insurance covers you while you’re away from home. It’s helpful to check with your health insurance provider to ensure your plan will cover you as you travel. 

Also, review your airline’s travel cancellation policies to see what you might pay to change or cancel your flight. Rules vary by airline. 

“For the most part, travelers should purchase insurance for their peace of mind,” said Naveen Dittakavi, founder and CEO at Next Vacay, an airfare search platform. “However, if you understand your rights as a passenger, it’s often not necessary to purchase expensive insurance, such as for trip cancellations.”

How to shop for travel insurance

Shopping for travel insurance can be quick and easy, provided you know what types of coverage you want. In some cases, you may be able to buy it at the time you purchase your airline tickets or book your vacation. However, it’s a good idea to review prices and plans offered by several travel insurance companies to find the most comprehensive plan for your needs. 

Here are some things to consider as you shop for travel insurance.

Consider your destination. If you’re traveling internationally, a policy that includes medical coverage can be a good choice, as your health insurance policy may not cover you outside of the country. Also factor in locational or seasonal concerns, such as hurricane season or civil unrest. 

Travel method. Some types of travel, like air or rail, are more prone to delays and cancellations than others. For instance, a flight itinerary may include multiple connections, putting you at greater risk for delays. 

Your itinerary. Are you planning on prebooking a lot of tours or activities? Does your hotel allow late cancellations with full refunds? If your answer is yes to either, a trip cancellation policy will mitigate your risk of losing out on all those prepaid bookings. 

Policy flexibility. A standard travel insurance policy will typically limit coverage to specific scenarios. If your flight is canceled because of an airline strike, you’ll be able to recoup your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses. If the weather forecast at your beach destination is rainy with no chance of sun, you won’t be able to recoup your losses if you decide to cancel last minute.  If you want the flexibility to cancel for any reason, then consider buying “cancel for any reason” coverage. 

Check your credit card coverage. If you book your trip using a credit card, it may already include trip cancellation or interruption coverage, while others may include support for baggage issues and even medical expenses. If you’re looking for basic coverage, it’s worth checking your credit card benefits. That said, you cannot personalize credit card travel insurance, so your card benefits may not offer exactly what you need.

Whatever you do, always compare policies and insurers. Sites such as Squaremouth and CoverTrip allow travelers to compare policies from a variety of travel insurance companies to find the best coverage at the most reasonable prices. Users can also see reviews from verified users, making it easy to weed out any questionable companies. 

How to file a travel insurance claim

In the event that you need to file a claim, most insurers provide clear instructions on the steps required. Ensuring you follow the steps correctly can make the difference between a speedy or delayed resolution. 

Once you review your policy and claim instructions, gather the required documentation. This typically includes receipts, medical bills, police reports and similar paperwork. All of this information should be uploaded to the insurer’s secure portal and you should receive a receipt and confirmation number.

Pay close attention to the claim filing window, as some insurers provide as few as 20 days after the event to file your claim. If you have any questions or would like an update on your claim, stay in touch with your insurer. 

The bottom line 

Travel insurance can help travelers save thousands of dollars in specific situations, but most of the time covered issues do not arise and you are paying for an unused service.

The key is to think strategically about the trip itself, health conditions and the chance that you will need to cancel or interrupt your trip to return home quickly. 

If you’re traveling to the Bahamas during hurricane season, it’s likely not a bad idea to buy travel insurance. If you’re taking a domestic vacation during a normal weather season, you’re in reasonable health and a crisis won’t occur if your bag is a few hours late, you may decide to pass.

Is travel insurance worth it FAQs

Travel insurance covers a broad spectrum of travel-related issues, providing benefits for: 

• Trip cancellation.
• Travel delay.
• Trip interruption.
• Travel medical. 
• Emergency medical evacuation.
• Lost, stolen or damaged baggage.
• Delayed baggage.

Always review prospective policies, as coverage types and amounts vary. Pay special attention to any exclusions, as these could affect your ability to file a claim.

Travel insurance for international trips makes a lot of sense, especially when you consider how much more these excursions typically cost compared to domestic travel. If there’s an issue with your flight to Sydney, Australia, it will likely cost far more than if you were flying to a U.S. destination.

If nothing else, you may want to consider travel medical insurance since Medicare does not offer international coverage and many domestic health care policies provide little to no coverage abroad.

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.

Katy McWhirter has written professionally since 2012, garnering bylines in publications such as U.S. News & World Report, MoneyGeek, and Noodle. She is also the author of three historical biographies, including a forthcoming Spring 2023 publication. She lives in Louisville with her husband and three very bad cats.

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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Travel Insurance: Is It Worth It?

When Covid-19 hit, travel insurance didn’t help many travelers recover the cost of their canceled trips. What, then, were they paying for?

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By Elaine Glusac

Through the travel insurance broker InsureMyTrip.com, Suzanne Tow of New York City paid $270 to cover a $5,000 trip in May to Yosemite National Park. When the tour was canceled, Ms. Tow filed a claim with her insurer, and discovered, like so many other travelers, that travel insurance doesn’t cover cancellations because of a pandemic.

“They’re not risking a penny because they’re not paying a cent,” she said.

Americans spent nearly $3.8 billion on travel protection in 2018, the latest figure available, up about 41 percent from 2016, according to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association. Now, for those contemplating traveling in an increasingly uncertain world, the question of whether travel insurance is worth buying looms large. If insurance couldn’t help with that first wave of Covid-related travel cancellations, many irate travelers ask, what exactly were they paying for?

That’s a good question

“Travel insurance is a line of insurance we consistently hear problems about,” said Carmen Balber, the executive director of Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group. “It’s much less regulated than other lines of insurance and tends to include exclusions for things consumers believe they’re covered for.”

Though the rules vary by state, most standard policies sold in the United States provide predeparture cancellation and trip interruption for unforeseen problems that are specifically named, including job loss, an illness that prevents you from traveling or cuts a trip short, a death in the family, a missed flight connection that, in turn, leads to a missed cruise departure, and so on.

But there is a long list of exclusions that render the insurance void, including terrorist attacks, war and claims associated with psychological disorders, or risky adventure sports like skydiving.

When a threat becomes “foreseen” —— for example, once a brewing storm becomes a named hurricane, or a global health threat becomes a named pandemic — it is uninsurable, unless you bought the policy before the threat is named.

If you contracted Covid-19, which prevented you from traveling, and held travel insurance before the date the viral infection became a known threat, the insurance would have covered your cancellation. Allianz Global Assistance , the largest travel insurance company, uses Jan. 22 as the known date. Travel Guard , another major player, uses March 11, the date the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic.

But for travelers who canceled in the current Covid-19 crisis, these insurance companies pointed to their list of things that were covered — a death in the family, job loss, etc. — which did not include pandemics.

“Travel insurance is pitched as something simple, take it or leave it, but it’s a complex insurance policy and there’s all sorts of limitations,” said Birny Birnbaum, the executive director of the Center for Economic Justice, a nonprofit that advocates for equal access to economic opportunity. “You have to read 20 or 30 pages of policy to find out and understand what’s covered.”

The accumulation of unredeemable policies in the pandemic suggested an exploitive practice to Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi. In March, the Illinois Democrat and chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy opened a congressional investigation into profiteering by travel insurance companies.

“The burden should be on the insurance company and the brokers to make clear what they’re selling,” said Brendan M. Bridgeland, the director of the Center for Insurance Research, a consumer advocacy organization. “Because that’s where people are getting the idea that, ‘I buy this I’m protected,’ and that simply is not the case if you read the policy.”

Sorry, that’s excluded

Maurizio Howard of Parker, Colo., thought he was covered for his daughter’s school trip to the Dominican Republic because he paid $165 for travel insurance in the $2,955 trip fee. When the March 14 trip was canceled because of the pandemic, the operator, EF Tours, offered three options: Move the dates to the following year; accept a voucher for future travel that the family could resell; or take a refund, minus $1,000 in expenses that it did not enumerate.

That was within EF Tour’s rights, as outlined in the fine print of its trip contract. The company “retains the right to cancel, modify, or delay the tour as a result of … public health issues or quarantine or threats of public health issues…” Canceled tours would trigger a voucher for future travel minus a $95 nonrefundable deposit and “any additional nonrefundable fees.”

Because Mr. Howard feared that filing an insurance claim might hurt his chances of persuading the company to refund the trip, I asked his travel insurer if it would reimburse him the $1,000. Crum & Forster, the parent company of United States Fire Insurance Company, which underwrote the policy, responded via email that the booking terms are “a direct contractual arrangement between EF and their customer and is not related to the Travel Protection Plan.” In other words, no.

The upshot: The conditions under which you can claim trip cancellation benefits are not only narrow, but they don’t cover penalty fees imposed by tour companies.

So, I should buy ‘cancel for any reason,’ right?

Travelers who wanted to cancel trips as Covid-19 gathered steam, but before travel was shut off by governments across the globe, were often told that their travel insurance did not cover canceling out of fear — unless they had purchased a cancel for any reason insurance upgrade, or C.F.A.R.

With C.F.A.R., a traveler is able to back out any time until a few days before departure and get some money back, usually 50 to 75 percent. It’s more expensive than regular travel insurance and must be purchased within a short window after making the initial trip deposit, usually less than 21 days. Additionally, the policy only covers cancellations up to two or three days before the trip.

Using Travel Guard’s website, I priced insurance on a $10,000 trip to France. Its basic policy costs about $500 to insure. But to get C.F.A.R., I would have to take the “preferred” policy at about $554. Adding the C.F.A.R. option offering 50 percent back, cost $128, for a total of $682. If I canceled because of the pandemic, or for any other reason, I would only get $5,000 back, half of the insured amount. Less the premium, that’s $4,318 net.

Cancel for any reason, Mr. Birnbaum said, “is treated as insurance, but it’s not really. Insurance is protection against some fortuitous event.” This policy, he said, covers a decision that’s in your control — such as changing your mind about taking a trip — not a risk that’s out of your control, like a car accident.

Mollie Fitzgerald, a travel adviser in Gibsonia, Pa., rarely recommends C.F.A.R. because it’s expensive — it can be 35 to 50 percent more than regular travel insurance, she said — and becomes more expensive the older you are, while only covering a maximum of 75 percent of the trip.

“Occasionally, a trial lawyer or someone like that whose calendar is fluid will request C.F.A.R., but it’s less than 1 percent of our insurance sales,” she wrote in an email.

But for many travelers, something is better than nothing. Edward Chan of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., spent $552 on an insurance policy with C.F.A.R. through Travel Insured International that offered 75 percent back on a $13,000 family cruise. During the pandemic, he canceled before the final payment was due and got his money back, except for a $1,000 nonrefundable fee.

Making an insurance claim through Travel Insured International, he got $750 of that fee back.

“So it was worth it for me to make the claim,” he wrote via Twitter, noting it took two hours on the phone with an agent two months after making the claim to get the refund approved.

The upshot: Cancel for any reason is a luxury option, that may be worth it to protect a large investment. But even then you only get a fraction back.

Airlines get into the game

Airlines also act as travel insurance brokers, offering coverage by third parties every time you buy a ticket online. During the transaction, most carriers have a mandatory yes or no question about buying insurance and then add the cost of the policy, if accepted, to the ticket price. Answering “yes,” Kathryn Franz of Marion, N.Y., bought two nonrefundable fares on Delta.com for a September trip to several national parks in Utah to celebrate her 70th birthday. She bought insurance on the $1,193 tickets with Allianz Global Assistance for $94.

Though the trip is still months away, Ms. Franz has decided she is not comfortable taking it. “Both my husband and I are in the ‘at risk’ demographic due to age, but he also has diminished lung capacity due to having been a smoker for so long,” she wrote in an email. “I feel it is prudent to cancel the trip to protect ourselves from risk.”

Checking her policy, she discovered she would not be covered if she canceled the flight because of the pandemic. (However, Delta later changed the couple’s itinerary, and offered a credit to use in future if they elected not to take the trip.)

“Concern over the potential to become ill is not a listed reason that would trigger coverage,” an Allianz spokesman, Daniel Durazo, wrote in an email.

Recently, American Airlines offered me a $25 insurance policy, marked “recommended,” on a $388 flight from Chicago to San Francisco. If I declined, I had to click: “No, I choose not to protect my $388.30 purchase and I understand by declining coverage I may be responsible for cancellation fees and delay expenses.”

The question injects anxiety into every ticket purchase, suggesting airlines have a financial interest in the sales. Allianz would not disclose the terms it has with the airlines. Several airlines didn’t respond to the inquiry.

“They thrust this product in front of you on every online ticket purchase,” said Shawn Guertin, of Barrington, R.I., who assumed the tickets he canceled on Hawaiian Airlines in March because of the coronavirus were covered by the insurance he bought at booking; Allianz denied the claim, writing in a letter, “Your plan excludes coverage for losses due to an epidemic.”

“Regardless of what the fine print says, at a minimum it’s a very deceptive business practice,” he said.

When buying any insurance, experts advise, ignore third parties — in this case, the airlines.

“You can purchase a policy for the same flight on your own and it will probably be cheaper,” Mr. Bridgeland said.

While I priced insurance on that San Francisco flight at Allianz for $20, it lacked some benefits in the $25 airline policy, making an exact comparison difficult.

In addition, most flight insurance includes benefits you often don’t need to pay for. In the case of lost, damaged or delayed baggage, the U.S. Department of Transportation makes the airline responsible for reimbursement up to a maximum of $3,500 on a domestic flight, typically more than travel insurance stipulates. Additionally, if an airline cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change, it owes you a refund regardless of insurance.

The upshot: Flight insurance, like travel insurance, is good under only a limited set of circumstances, such as job loss. Ignore the airline website hype.

If the trip is canceled, can I get my premium back?

Most travel insurance policies cover trip cancellation from the time of purchase to the day of departure for reasons like sickness or severe weather. They typically include a “free look” period after purchase, usually 10 to 15 days, during which time travelers can cancel for a full refund of the premium. After that, no dice.

When Royal Caribbean canceled Valerie Pedersen’s May cruise to Bermuda because of the pandemic, she was offered a refund. But Ms. Pedersen also wanted her $400 insurance premium back from Travel Guard insuring a trip that wasn’t to be.

Travel Guard offered Ms. Pedersen a rollover.

On April 13, the company wrote her that she was beyond the free-look stage that would trigger a refund of the premium. “It is our policy that all premium refund requests must be submitted within 15 days of the effective date of the policy, however, we are pleased to offer you a travel insurance credit voucher in the amount of $413.92,” it wrote.

“Pretty cheesy, I think, as I could use the actual cash now,” Ms. Pedersen said.

Offering rollovers has been the industry’s exception to its policy of no refunds after the free-look period. Decisions on how to handle policy refunds versus rollovers have varied in the pandemic. Allianz said it is allowing customers whose trips have been canceled because of Covid-19 by their travel operator — be it a cruise line, airline or tour company — to cancel their insurance and get a refund of the premium.

The upshot: Much depends on the policy, but the fact that insurance companies are reacting differently means it’s a good time to be the squeaky wheel and demand a refund.

So, who needs travel insurance?

In the pandemic, travelers learned they can insure themselves for unforeseeable but relatively routine disasters — like getting hurt in a car accident, needing emergency gall bladder surgery or losing a job — but not the ones that seemed like a sci-fi scenario two months ago.

One way to make sure your money is protected is to pay more for refundable airline tickets — as long as they’re not worth more than the fees to change them — and carefully read the fine print on tour, cruise and hotel cancellation and refund terms, as well as travel insurance policies.

“So many travel insurance policies are set up for consumers to lose,” said Ms. Balber of Consumer Watchdog, noting that policies including medical coverage abroad, where your own health insurance may not kick in, may be worthwhile. “But the devil is in the details and that is doubly true when it comes to travel insurance.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

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The 5 Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans of 2024

Allianz Travel Insurance »

AIG Travel Guard »

Seven Corners »

GeoBlue »

Trawick International »

Why Trust Us

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

Table of Contents

• Allianz Travel Insurance
• AIG Travel Guard

Buying travel insurance can be a smart move for most trips, but those who travel more than a few times a year should consider an annual travel insurance policy. Whether you regularly travel for business and/or take several vacations a year, annual travel insurance plans can help you get the coverage you need without having to price out and purchase protection every time you leave home.

If you find yourself in a situation where an annual plan makes sense, know that not all travel insurance companies offer this kind of coverage. You'll also want to consider the available annual travel insurance plans to see which options make sense for your travel style and the level of coverage you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Annual travel insurance plans all work in their own way, but the majority let travelers pay one annual premium for coverage that lasts for up to 364 days. These plans often limit the length of individual trips that are covered within the coverage year. Per-trip and annual limits on coverage can also apply.

In some cases, annual travel insurance plans require a deductible or coinsurance for certain types of coverage. If you're considering an annual travel insurance plan because you take multiple trips each year, make sure you read over the policy details and understand all coverage limits and trip limits that apply.

The cost of annual travel insurance typically varies based on factors like the age of the travelers applying, included benefits and coverage limits. You will want to shop around to compare plans across multiple providers using a platform like TravelInsurance.com or Squaremouth before you settle on a travel insurance policy.

To provide an example of the cost of annual travel insurance, U.S. News applied for a quote for two 40-year-old travelers seeking coverage for eight trips over a 12-month period. The Squaremouth travel insurance portal quoted policies with costs that range from $206 for the GeoBlue Trekker Essential plan to $610 for the Safe Travels Annual Deluxe plan by Trawick International.

Annual travel insurance can be worth it if you take multiple trips each year and want to make sure you always have coverage in place. After all, the alternative to having a multitrip policy is buying a new travel insurance plan for every vacation you take. That's not always feasible for frequent travelers who are always jetting off somewhere new – often at the last minute.

Just keep in mind that annual travel insurance plans tend to come with lower coverage limits than plans for single trips, and that you'll pay a premium for coverage that comes with comprehensive benefits and high limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation.

• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best Overall
• AIG Travel Guard: Best for Basic Coverage
• Seven Corners: Best for Medical
• GeoBlue: Best for Expats
• Trawick International: Best for the Cost

Tailor your annual travel insurance plan to your needs

Most plans include coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, medical expenses, and more

Lowest-tier plans (AllTrips Basic and AllTrips Prime) come with no or relatively low coverage limits for trip cancellation

Most annual plans (except for AllTrips Premier) do not cover trips longer than 45 days

• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to between $2,000 and $15,000
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to between $2,000 and $15,000
• Emergency medical coverage worth up to $50,000
• Up to $500,000 in emergency medical transportation coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for lost or damaged baggage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage delays
• Travel delay coverage worth up to $1,500 ($300 daily limit)
• Rental car coverage worth up to $45,000
• Up to $50,000 in travel accident coverage
• 24-hour hotline assistance and concierge service

Annual Travel Insurance Plan offers year-round travel insurance protection

Relatively high limits for medical expenses ($50,000) and emergency evacuation ($500,000)

No trip cancellation coverage and relatively low limit ($2,500) for trip interruption coverage

No coverage for preexisting medical conditions

• Up to $2,500 in coverage for trip interruption
• Up to $1,500 in coverage for trip delays of five-plus hours ($150 per day limit)
• Missed connection coverage worth up to $500
• Up to $2,500 in baggage insurance
• Baggage delay coverage worth up to $1,000 for delays of at least 12 hours.
• Up to $50,000 for emergency medical expenses ($500 for emergency dental sublimit)
• Up to $500,000 for emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains
• Up to $50,000 in accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Up to $100,000 in protection for security evacuation

Provides coverage worth up to $250,000 for emergency medical expenses

Tailor other included benefit levels to your needs

Coverage only applies to trips up to 40 days

Deductible up to $100 applies for emergency medical coverage and baggage and personal effects

• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to between $2,500 and $10,000
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cancellation limit
• Up to $2,000 in trip delay coverage ($200 daily limit)
• Up to $1,000 in protection for missed connections
• Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses ($50,000 in New Hampshire)
• $750 dental sublimit within emergency medical coverage
• Up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects
• Baggage delay coverage worth up to $1,000 ($100 daily limit)
• 24/7 travel assistance services

Get annual coverage for medical expenses and routine medical care

High limits for medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation

GeoBlue plans don't offer comprehensive travel protection

Deductibles and copays apply

• Ambulatory and therapeutic services
• Inpatient hospital services
• Emergency medical services
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Preventive and primary care

Choose among three tiers of annual travel protection

Option for basic protection with affordable premiums

No coverage for preexisting conditions

Maximum trip duration of 30 days per trip

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $2,500 maximum per year
• Trip interruption coverage up to $2,500 maximum per year
• $200 per trip for trip delays (up to $100 per day for delays of 12 hours or longer)
• Up to $500 in coverage per trip for baggage and personal effects
• Baggage delay coverage up to $100 per trip
• Up to $10,000 for emergency medical expenses per trip
• Up to $50,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage per trip
• Up to $10,000 in AD&D coverage
• 24-hour travel assistance services

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a travel expert who has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world. On a personal level, her family uses an annual travel insurance policy from Allianz. Johnson works alongside her husband, Greg – who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states – within their family media business and travel agency .

You might also be interested in:

The 5 Best Family Travel Insurance Plans

Holly Johnson

Explore the options to protect your family wherever you roam.

8 Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies Worth the Cost

U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering pricing data, expert recommendations and consumer reviews.

The 6 Best Vacation Rental Travel Insurance Plans

Protect your trip and give yourself peace of mind with the top options.

Is Travel Insurance Worth It? Yes, in These 3 Scenarios

These are the scenarios when travel insurance makes most sense.

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Money-Saving Strategies for Buying Travel Insurance

5 tips for navigating to the right choice for your trip, sharing is nice.

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If you're planning a summer vacation , thinking about what could go wrong is probably the last thing you want to do.

But travel insurance could come in handy if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to a medical emergency, a natural disaster, or another unforeseen event. And deciding whether you need it—and if so, what kind—means planning for the worst.

The first question is whether you need a policy at all. The answer? Not always, according to Jeffrey Miller, a travel law attorney and professor at Florida Atlantic University, who says that much depends on your personal situation as well as the type of trip.

"The millennial going to Las Vegas doesn't need travel insurance," he says. "But if you're in your 40s and have elderly parents who might fall ill and cause you to cut short your holiday, then yes, you should definitely get coverage." 

In general, it's probably prudent to protect any trip that's valued at more than a few thousand dollars. Beyond that, other factors to consider might be the age and health of the travelers and whether your itinerary takes you into remote or risky territory.

"Our No. 1 claim type is trip cancellation," says Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection vice president Carol Mueller. So bear in mind that you don't always need a Cadillac plan that covers everything from lost baggage to medical evacuation costs.

There are, of course, a multitude of plans to choose from, and you can narrow it down with the help of a travel agent or an online aggregator. Generally, policies fall into three categories—basic, midlevel, and premium—with coverage and prices rising accordingly.

Typically, premiums for comprehensive coverage range from 4 to 10 percent of the total tab of your trip. In recent years, however, travel insurers have come out with tailored policies at lower prices. For example, Berkshire Hathaway has a no-frills "Air Care" plan that just covers flight mishaps like delays or lost bags, starting at $26 for a simple round trip.

If you do decide you need to cover all bases, however, you might want a broad-based policy. Just bear in mind that it's important to know exactly what's covered.

Inquiries to travel insurance companies typically soar after high-profile events like acts of terrorism, or an outbreak of a disease like the  Zika virus.   For example, calls to insurers spiked after the recent grounding of the  Boeing 737 Max , according to the comparison site Insure My Trip. But as anxiety-provoking as events like these may be, under most travel insurance plans, they're not considered valid grounds to get a full refund if you cancel your trip.

Here, five guidelines to make sure you get what you need without overpaying.

Check Your Existing Insurance Coverage

You may already have some travel insurance as a perk of your credit card, but you'll need to check.

Some credit card issuers offer coverage for car rental damage, lost luggage , or trip cancellation, but any protection they do offer is likely to come with some limits on the ultimate payout. For rental cars, your personal auto insurance may cover you, too.

Nonetheless, if you have credit card coverage, you may be able to get by with a less expensive general trip protection plan. And when it comes to baggage , know that coverage from travel insurers is typically considered secondary, meaning it will pay only for anything in excess of what you're entitled to if you file a claim with your airline .

It's also worthwhile to look into your health insurance and whether it will cover you when you're on the road. Medicare, for example, won't help if you're not in the U.S., but other insurers might.

Aetna, for instance, covers policyholders on international trips, but the care is reimbursed as "out of network," which means higher out-of-pocket costs. And if you have an accident and need to be airlifted to a hospital, the costs of care can skyrocket .

If you're buying travel medical insurance, be aware, too, that some policies won't cover pre-existing conditions. Even when they do, they're often dependent on your purchasing the policy close to the date when you bought the trip. (Some have a "look back" clause that can search your health records for as long as a year prior.)

Comparison Shop

If your trip planning begins with booking an airplane ticket, you'll almost certainly be prompted to buy trip protection from the airline before you hit the purchase button. Don't rise to the bait, says Miller. "It's better to seek out all the options before you buy."  

Whether or not you buy through them, websites like InsureMyTrip and SquareMouth provide free quotes from multiple insurers and make it easy to filter search results by your customized needs.

In many states, travel agents who sell trip insurance are licensed for that purpose, and their knowledge and experience can also help narrow your choices appropriately. Whatever source you use, think carefully about what benefits you actually need before putting your money down.

Be Aware of Timing Provisions

Perhaps it's hurricane season, and you're having second thoughts about having paid in full for that upcoming beach holiday in the tropics. Can you take out an insurance policy to ease your worries?

You might be able to, but don't wait until a particular storm threatening your vacation is powerful enough to have been christened, advises Berkshire Hathaway's Mueller.

"When a hurricane is named, it is no longer an unknown event and no longer covered as a reason for cancellation" if you haven't already purchased the policy, she says. 

That's not the only timing factor to consider. A terrorist attack in your intended destination could be grounds to cancel under some policies with a terrorism clause. But usually that coverage applies only if you're traveling within 30 days of the event. If your trip is still six months away, the insurance won't pay out simply because you no longer want to go.

In general, you may be able to buy some types of trip protection up to 24 hours before your departure, but waiting until that point might mean you can get only basic coverage like baggage loss or damage protection and emergency medical coverage, according to Allianz Travel Insurance .

For more comprehensive coverage that includes benefits like a pre-existing medical condition waiver or protection if a trip is canceled because of a terrorist attack or an airline bankruptcy, a policy typically must be purchased within 14 days of making the initial trip deposit.  

Look Into Annual Plans

If you're taking more than two major trips per year, an annual plan could be a better deal than paying as you go with single-trip policies, according to Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com . Both types of plan can cover the same occurrences (trip cancellation, medical emergencies), but the year-long coverage could bring your pro-rated costs down. 

For example, insurance provider April Travel Protection recently launched a customizable annual plan that covers an unlimited number of trips per year, both in the U.S. and abroad. Customers can choose their level of coverage for trip cancellation or interruption, medical care, evacuation, and other events.

Prices start at $75 for those under 30, rising up to $179 for those 60 years or older. This policy isn't sold in all states, however, and the state of Washington doesn't permit annual plans of any type to be sold there. 

Be Careful About CFAR Insurance

Every insurance policy has sits own specific rules about what triggers coverage. That's why you should be skeptical of "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) insurance, which sounds appealing but is pricey, frequently running 40 percent more than basic insurance. What's more, this coverage often pays out only from 50 percent to 75 percent of your total expenses vs. the full cost paid by regular travel insurance.

Some states, such as New York, may limit or prohibit sales of CFAR policies. (The New York Department of Financial Services explains that because insurance is intended to protect against unforeseen events, CFAR can't be considered real insurance since it allows the buyer to control the reasons for filing a claim.)

So keep in mind that trip insurance, like all other protection policies, is subject to state regulation, which can vary widely around the country. Check with your own state's regulator if you're concerned whether you can buy a particular type of coverage.

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For the Frequent Traveler: The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies

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GeoBlue Trekker Choice

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If you take multiple trips every year, insuring each one can be a hassle. There are forms to fill out, comparison shopping over and over again, and then remembering the policy documents for each specific trip. And then there’s the risk you might forget to take out travel insurance for one of your trips.

Plus, those costs add up. There must be a better way.

Enter annual travel insurance. Also known as multi-trip travel insurance, taking out an annual policy covers you for a whole year of travel. Not only is it simpler, it may be cheaper than taking out multiple single-trip policies. But is it right for you?

Annual travel insurance policies aren’t exactly the same as the trip insurance you’d buy for a weeklong holiday with your family. Here are the best annual travel insurance policies, what they do and don’t cover, and how to decide whether taking out a yearly policy might be right for you.

The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies

GeoBlue offers 2 Trekker plans for annual coverage, which are unique in several ways. These plans cover preexisting conditions, COVID-19, and all travel outside the U.S.

However, they don’t cover any trips inside the U.S. or provide any coverage for canceled, delayed, or interrupted trips. Instead, these are travel medical insurance plans . With the GeoBlue Trekker Choice plan , you’ll get higher maximum payouts in all categories and pay a lower deductible ($100). However, note that this is still secondary coverage .

You’ll get unlimited access to telemedicine and coverage for trips up to 70 days in length . Additionally, coverage is available up to age 95, which isn’t offered on most other policies.

The GeoBlue Trekker Essential plan offers the same pros and cons as the Choice plan. The main differences are the lower maximum payout values and the higher deductible ($200 instead of $100). You also won’t get the Choice plan’s lost baggage and personal effects coverage, which can provide up to $500 per trip. Again, this secondary medical insurance policy is only valid on trips outside the U.S.

Trawick International offers 2 annual plans, and the Safe Travels Annual Basic plan is more economical. You’ll have coverage for everything you expect in a trip insurance policy , such as 100% coverage for trip cancellation or interruption (up to a $2,500 annual maximum) and coverage for delays, lost luggage, delayed luggage, and even medical expenses. To make up for the lower cost of the plan, coverage limits are lower than what you’ll find elsewhere . However, if you want peace of mind while traveling, you can get it for a year and cover trips up to 30 days in length.

While Trawick International’s Safe Travels Annual Deluxe plan offers higher maximum coverage limits than the Basic plan, its maximum payouts for medical and evacuation benefits are lower than what you’ll find with competitors . Where this plan shines is in the coverage for change fees, lost deposits on tours, and coverage for lost items if an airline misplaces your luggage.

You’ll be covered for up to $300 per trip for prepaid excursions, up to 100% of your trip cost (with an annual maximum of $5,000) for trip cancellations or interruptions, and up to $150 per item and $750 per trip for personal effects. After signing up for a plan, you’ll also get a 10-day free look period.

If you want an annual plan with a low price tag , this could be what you’re looking for. The Allianz Travel AllTrips Basic plan covers you for unlimited trips up to 45 days each over the course of a year. Coverage includes emergency medical, emergency medical evacuation, baggage loss and delays, travel delays, rental car theft and damage, and travel accident coverage.

However, there’s a fair list of exclusions from this plan . That includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, missed connections, and change fees. As the name implies, you’ll get basic coverage at a basic price.

The Allianz Travel AllTrips Prime option covers 365 days of trips, though the maximum trip length is just 45 days. While you’ll get coverage for all the standard travel insurance benefits, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical, delays, and baggage mishaps, there are limits you should know about with this plan.

The travel accident coverage, which applies to death or the loss of a limb, maxes out at $25,000 per trip, baggage delay maxes out at $200, and baggage loss or damage maxes out at $1,000. The maximum coverage for emergency medical is $20,000, and costs can exceed that quickly in a true emergency.

However, this is a decent option if you want a fair amount of coverage across numerous categories without a high price tag.

For those worried about expensive business equipment or losing points and miles, this plan has you covered. On top of higher maximum payouts in categories such as trip cancellation, emergency medical transportation, or travel delays, you’ll also get rental car damage and theft coverage, change fee coverage, and reimbursement for renting business equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed during a trip.

Moreover, you can be reimbursed up to $500 to cover fees for reinstating your points and miles if a covered trip is canceled or interrupted. The Allianz Travel AllTrips Executive plan also provides coverage for preexisting medical conditions if you meet certain criteria and buy at least 14 days before the first trip.

Allianz also has a customizable AllTrips Premier plan , allowing you to choose between several payout tiers for trip cancellation and interruption. You’ll pay more when choosing higher maximums, but this allows you to choose exactly what you want in coverage and not pay for more than you need. Another positive is coverage for preexisting medical conditions if you meet certain criteria and buy your policy at least 14 days before your first trip.

You’ll also get rental car damage and theft coverage , $500,000 of emergency medical transportation coverage, $50,000 of emergency medical, and coverage for travel delay expenses after a delay of 6 hours or more. The baggage delay coverage is up to $2,000, but it requires a delay of 12 or more hours. The maximum trip length allowed is 90 days.

The AIG Travel Guard Annual Travel Insurance plan isn’t available to Washington state residents. Still, it provides coverage for trip interruption, trip delay, lost baggage, delayed baggage, and missed connections, as well as both medical and security evacuation, accidental death and dismemberment, and travel medical expenses. However, the coverage limit for dental is just $500, and the maximum coverage for travel medical expenses is just $50,000. Those are lower limits than other plans. Additionally, trip cancellation isn’t included.

However, Travel Guard has some strengths. Trip delay coverage applies for up to 10 days and requires a delay of just 5 hours, and the missed connection benefit applies after just 3 hours. You get a “free look” period of up to 15 days to cancel for a refund, so long as you haven’t started your trip or filed a claim. Maximum coverage for any particular trip is 90 days.

USI Affinity’s Voyager plan has a Silver and Gold option , and pricing is easy to determine from the chart. Simply find your age bracket and the associated cost. The key differences between the plans are in the higher maximum payouts for nearly every coverage type with the Gold plan, other than emergency dental and accidental death and dismemberment. However, the Gold plan also includes coverage types the Silver plan doesn’t: political and natural disaster evacuation, airline ticket change fees, and trip interruption. However, trip cancellation isn’t included with either plan .

The maximum trip length is 90 days, and coverage for Silver and Gold plans lasts for 364 days. An unlimited number of international and domestic trips are covered, and you’re covered for trips as little as 100 miles from home. That’s a lower requirement than most other plans (which tend to require 150 miles).

This plan is ideal for those who don’t live in the U.S., as other plans on this list are only available to U.S. residents and citizens. While the plan technically lasts for 364 days, Seven Corners’ Travel Medical Annual Multi-Trip plan is customizable. It lets you choose a maximum trip length of 30, 45, or 60 days and include or exclude coverage for the U.S. Note U.S. citizens and residents cannot add coverage for inside the U.S.

Seven Corners also provides coverage for travelers aged 14 to 75 years, though maximum payouts decrease in some categories for those aged 65 and older. If you receive medical care in the U.S., Seven Corners will pay 90% of the first $5,000 of covered expenses and 100% of the cost afterward. You’re covered 100% outside the U.S. Note that coverage doesn’t apply to your home country (which includes the U.S. if you’re a citizen, even if you live in another country) and isn’t available in Antarctica, Cuba, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Russia, Syria, or Ukraine.

We considered another plan. Here’s why this annual travel insurance policy didn’t make our “best of” list.

IMG Patriot Multi-Trip International : For trips inside the U.S., you may be on the hook for 20% of your medical expenses if you visit a provider outside IMG’s PPO network. Additionally, the maximum trip length is 30 days, and coverage limits are quite low in multiple categories. These include $50,000 for emergency medical evacuation and $10,000 for political evacuation, a maximum of $50 per item and $250 overall for lost luggage, a $100 maximum for dental treatment, and $25,000 for accidental death and dismemberment 24/7 coverage.

Annual travel policy plans vary considerably. Most provide secondary medical insurance, so you may need to submit to your other coverage (home healthcare plan, credit card insurance provider, etc.) first and then submit to your travel insurance provider for any remaining expenses or deductibles. If you won’t have other coverage, you may want to look for a plan that provides primary health coverage instead. Also, understand that most plans provide reimbursement, so you would pay out of pocket for overseas hospital visits and then submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement after the fact.

What Is Annual Travel Insurance?

Annual travel insurance covers you for many trips over the course of a year (or sometimes 364 days). Rather than needing to buy a travel insurance policy for each trip separately — which can add up — you can buy a single policy that covers all your trips for the next year. It’s important to understand the terms of these policies, though. Some may require buying coverage in advance, such as 14 days before your first trip, while that requirement normally doesn’t exist on single-trip travel insurance.

It’s also important to note which types of trips and destinations are covered by your policy — and which aren’t. Look for how far from home you must travel to be covered and whether domestic trips are included. Moreover, consider what benefits you’re looking for. These can vary from medical-only to all the bells and whistles, such as baggage delay and medical evacuation. Once you know the type of coverage you want, you can find a policy or policies that align with your needs, helping you narrow down your options to conduct a more effective comparison.

Annual travel insurance works as an umbrella policy, covering all your trips during the policy period. You don’t need to inform the policy provider about each trip’s start and stop dates or destinations. You simply buy a policy, and then you’re protected for every trip that meets the conditions while your policy is in effect. Some regions may be excluded from coverage, and you may be subject to a maximum trip length.

Trip length is an important element to pay attention to. Annual travel insurance doesn’t cover you for a year-long trip. It covers you for a year for many small trips within that time, typically up to 30 or 45 days per trip. If you’re looking for a plan to cover you during a year-long trip to another country, you should look for specialized plans for study abroad, mission work, or other situations that apply to you. Traveling full-time? You may need a policy geared toward digital nomads and backpackers.

You should buy your annual travel insurance policy as soon as you know you’ll have multiple trips in the next year and determine that the cost of insuring each alone would be higher than that of a single multi-trip plan. What’s the break-even point on that cost? It depends on the coverage you want.

Considering that single-trip plans can sometimes be found for $10, yet an annual trip is likely to cost $150 or more per adult, you’d need 15 trips to justify the annual policy. However, that’s not really an apples-to-apples comparison, as a $10 basic travel insurance policy won’t provide as much coverage as you’re likely to find on even the most basic of annual policies.

It’s also not just about the number of trips you take but the types of trips, the complexity of the trips, and money at risk in nonrefundable costs. The more of these you foresee in your next year of travels, the more likely an annual plan would be good for you.

We already highlighted that annual policies don’t cover traveling nonstop for a year due to their restrictions on the maximum trip length. Annual travel insurance policies also restrict how far you must travel for coverage to kick in. Driving to the next town over may be a trip in your kids’ eyes, but it’s probably not far enough for your travel insurance to kick in.

While coverage varies by policy, you’ll typically have coverage for sickness, accidental death and dismemberment, lost or delayed luggage, trip cancellation, and possibly injuries during skiing or snowboarding. However, it’s important to read the terms of each policy because coverage maximums and inclusions vary widely. Some policies only provide medical coverage, while others offer robust coverage across the board.

Each policy specifies a maximum trip length. How trips longer than that are treated can vary. Most policies won’t cover any expenses related to a trip longer than the maximum trip length. Suppose you take a trip of 41 days on a policy with a maximum of 40 days. In that case, claims for delayed luggage or medical expenses may be rejected when the claim evaluator asks for your trip confirmation details.

However, GeoBlue covers the first 70 days of any particular trip. If something goes wrong during that time, you’re covered. You’re on your own for anything that happens on days 71 or beyond. Still, you’re covered on those first 70 days, despite taking a longer trip.

If you foresee long trips in the future, make sure you understand these rules.

For some travelers, yes, annual travel insurance is worth it. For others, it’s not.

Annual travel insurance is worth it when it costs less than what you’d pay to insure each trip individually. It’s also worth it if you think you might forget to purchase some of those individual policies throughout the year and would prefer to be done with them for another 365 days.

However, annual travel insurance isn’t worth it if you only take a few trips a year, they’re mostly domestic, and you don’t have major nonrefundable expenses. If you’re traveling within the U.S. with your standard health insurance policy in effect and you have credit cards that provide trip insurance for delays or cancellations, that coverage may be sufficient.

Costs will vary by your home state, age, and number of people included in the policy. Here are the “starting at” costs for our best annual travel insurance policies, sorted from lowest to highest:

Yes and no. Using a credit card to pay for your trip can provide some built-in protections. However, you should be mindful of annual maximums on any policy. You may run into limitations such as a maximum of 2 claims per 12-month period or similar exclusions. If you take many trips, that could be an issue.

To better understand what is and isn’t covered, check out our complete guide to credit card insurance .

To choose the right policy, look beyond the cost alone. Rather than immediately choosing the cheapest policy, find the policy or policies that provide the coverage types you want with payout maximums that cover your travel plans for the next year — both confirmed bookings and likely plans.

Consider your coverage needs. Will you be carrying expensive items such as scuba equipment for a trip to the Galapagos or top-notch camera lenses for a bird-watching tour in Papua New Guinea? How many extreme sports will you participate in?

Conversely, how many “never heard of this airline before” flights will you take to get off the beaten path? These are flights where you may be worried about cancelations that lead to extra costs or a misplaced suitcase.

Consider the types of trips you’ll take and the up-front money at risk if something goes wrong or you get delayed, then look at which plans align with your travels. From there, choose the best plan that aligns best with your needs, which may or may not be the cheapest one.

As an annual travel policy holder myself, I promise you that having the right plan is important when you wind up in a remote hospital in Tanzania with malaria.

Annual travel insurance isn’t right for everyone. However, it makes sense for those who travel often and could save money by taking out a single policy instead of many separate policies. It also makes sense if you’d prefer to avoid filling out paperwork numerous times throughout the year for each trip.

Annual travel insurance policies aren’t great for those who tend to travel closer to home, don’t have major nonrefundable travel expenses, or need to customize coverage for each trip because their travels tend to vary. For example, you might need different coverage for a backcountry ski trip with friends versus a 2-hour drive with your family.

Look at what annual policies do and don’t cover and see if these align with your travel goals and needs. Then, consider the prices for the plans that align well with your situation. After taking an informed look, you should have a good idea of whether an annual policy is right for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is yearly travel insurance worth it.

For some, yes. For others, no. Annual travel insurance is worth it when the cost is less than what you’d pay to insure each trip separately or you would prefer to just sign up once then be done for a year. However, annual travel insurance isn’t worth it if you only take a few, mostly domestic, trips a year where your healthcare coverage works, and you don’t have major nonrefundable expenses.

How much does annual trip insurance cost?

Costs vary greatly depending on the type of coverage you want. Annual travel insurance plan costs range from $140 to $500 for a single person. If you take a lot of trips, the cost can be worth it over the course of a year, but each person’s situation is different.

When should I take out annual travel insurance?

You should buy your annual travel insurance policy as soon as you know you’ll have multiple trips in the next year and that the cost of insuring each alone would be higher than the cost of a single multi-trip plan. What’s the break-even point on that cost? It depends on the coverage you want. Look at the different types of coverage and your expected costs for insuring each trip separately, then see if it makes sense for you.

Does annual travel insurance automatically renew?

It varies by policy provider, but some companies have an auto-renew feature to ensure you don’t have gaps in coverage.

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About Ryan Smith

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

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How to Compare Travel Insurance Plans

Travel insurance is a great way to give you peace of mind when you travel – both in the United States and abroad.

With many different travel insurance providers and a vast number of travel insurance plans to choose from including flight insurance, cruise insurance and travel health insurance, it can be confusing to find the right travel insurance policy. At TripInsurance, we make it easy to find a travel insurance plan that works for your specific needs and circumstances.

With our travel insurance comparison tool, you can compare plans, including their features and prices, to find a plan that best fits your insurance coverage needs – at the lowest cost!

What is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance also known as trip insurance provides coverage when you travel in the US or abroad, and offsets all or some of the financial risks associated with travelling, such as unexpected medical expenses, accidents, lost or stolen baggage, and any trip delays or interruptions.

Unless you’re going on a short trip within the US that doesn’t require a non-refundable deposit, you probably need trip insurance. Trip insurance is a way to protect the financial investment in your trip and make sure you have adequate coverage if an unexpected medical issue or a travel-related issue on your trip. Just a single issue on your trip can cost you thousands of dollars, which makes travel insurance well worth the cost.

Getting travel insurance is especially important if you or a family member has a higher risk of a medical issue that could lead you to cancel or interrupt your trip. Some destinations and activities also come with a higher risk of injury, illness, natural disasters, and political unrest. Your unique circumstances and the type of trip will help you decide what travel insurance coverage works for you.

Whether you’re travelling for a change in scenery, adventure, relaxation, or something else, travel insurance lets you enjoy your trip rather than worrying about what could go wrong.

Compare The Best Travel Insurance Features

Travel insurance is often sold as a package, a comprehensive plan that offers a combination of coverage. Sometimes, insurance companies allow you to put together a custom travel insurance policy.

With so many travel insurance features to choose from, what is the best way to go about comparing travel insurance plans?

When comparing travel insurance, you’ll need to keep in mind what your specific needs are, your destination and type of trip, and weighing the risks you’re willing to take with your travel insurance budget. You should also check whether you have existing travel insurance coverage, maybe on your credit card or through your health insurance plan, and what is covered under those existing plans.

Travel Arrangements – Trip Cancellation, Travel Interruptions & Delays

Travel arrangements coverage can include all aspects of travelling from cancellations before your departure to delays and interruptions while travelling to your destination. Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for any pre-paid, non-refundable expenses if you have to cancel your trip due to illness or death or natural disasters. If your tour operator or cruise line goes out of business, trip cancellation would be able to cover the deposit or other pre-paid expenses in connection with your vacation. Trip interruption coverage can reimburse you for the non-refundable, unused portion of your trip if it gets interrupted. Trip interruptions can happen due to an emergency evacuation after a natural disaster, political unrest, yours or a family member’s medical issue. Travel delay coverage pays for any expenses in connection with a delay or missed connection, such as hotel rooms and meals. Tips for Comparing Trip Cancellation Coverage:

• Compare the conditions of when the insurance companies cover cancellations, delays and interruptions. Some companies cover cancellations if there has been a recent terrorist attack or an outbreak of a disease at your destination, but others don’t.
• Some insurance companies offer all-encompassing trip cancellation policies at an extra cost, so you can cancel for any reason and still get imbursed. You will often need to buy this extra coverage within a certain time period after making the initial trip deposit.
• Note that trip cancellation insurance is different from cancellation waivers sometimes offered by cruise or tour operators, which are much more limited in their coverage.
• Compare the maximum daily limits and trip costs that can be reimbursed in the policies.

Medical Insurance

Medical travel insurance covers emergency medical expenses if you fall ill or get into an accident while you’re on your trip. Emergency dental, emergency medical evacuation (transport to the nearest hospital), and medical repatriation (transportation to your home). Even if you have health insurance, your existing insurance might not give adequate medical coverage on your trip. Another benefit of buying medical travel insurance is that you typically don’t have to pay deductibles. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is similar to life insurance and pays a lump sum to your family or other beneficiaries if you die in an accident during your trip. Some policies will also pay out a sum if you become disabled as a result of an accident during your trip. Other insurance plans only apply to accidental death in the plane – remember to check the details of the insurance plans you’re considering. Major medical insurance is coverage if you will be away on your trip for several months or more and need medical care while you’re away. Check with your health insurance to see how you’re covered for international travel, the limits, deductions, co-payments, and other conditions that may apply that affect the overall costs. Tips for Comparing Medical Coverage:

• If relevant for you, check to see if the policy covers pre-existing conditions. Also, note that death due to a pre-existing medical condition is usually not covered by accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Note that Medicare and Medicaid do not provide coverage outside the US
• Check coverage and limits for big-ticket medical expenses such as medical emergency evacuation.
• Look for a plan where the insurance provider makes payments directly to the hospital or medical service provider, so you don’t have to foot a large medical bill.
• If you are planning on taking part in any sport and adventure activities, such as skydiving, skiing, or an organized sporting event, check to see if you need additional medical travel insurance coverage.
• If you’re bringing pets on your trip, consider buying a plan that covers pet medical expenses.

Activity Coverage

Some travel insurance plans cover damage to your rental car, your hotel room or other accommodation, and accidents and damages in connection with any sports activities. For younger or active travellers, activity coverage is an excellent option to ensure you have the right coverage for all the fun things you plan to do on your trip. Not only does sports coverage cover medical expenses if you get injured while taking part in organized sporting events and adventure sports such as skydiving, but your sports equipment is typically also covered. Depending on the specific activities you’re planning to do, check the insurance coverage. Tips for Comparing Activity Coverage:

• Check whether your car insurance covers rental cars for the country you’re travelling to. US car insurance companies usually don’t cover rental cars outside the USA and Canada.
• If you are renting a car, check with them in advance about what their insurance options are, so you don’t have to rush through the policy in the airport or rental office.

Baggage and Personal Belongings

Travel insurance coverage for baggage and personal belongings will reimburse you if your baggage is damaged, stolen, or lost during your trip. Some policies also cover expenses in connection with a baggage delay, but there is often a minimum delay time required before this type of coverage applies. Tips for Comparing Baggage Coverage:

• Check each policy to determine the reimbursement limit. There is typically a limit to how much you can be reimbursed per person, item, and type of item. This limit is especially important if you’re travelling with valuable items such as jewellery and cameras.
• Check your renters or home insurance to see if you have any coverage for personal items. Note what the deductible (the amount you have to pay before the insurance kicks in) is for claims.

Additional Services

Many travel insurance plans offer additional services that can make a big difference in your travel insurance experience. Before you buy travel insurance for your next trip, check that the travel insurance company offers 24-hour travel assistance for issues during your trip. 24-hour assistance is especially important for international travel where the time difference might make it difficult to get in touch with the insurance company during regular office hours. The 24-hour travel insurance might include services such as help with replacing lost prescription medicine, coordinating care in a medical emergency, language interpretation services, and help with replacing passports and other travel documents. Some travel insurance plans also include concierge services that can help connect you with local experiences and services such as providing restaurant recommendations, book tickets and make reservations for local entertainment or sporting events, and other assistance services. Tips for Comparing Additional Coverage:

• Some travel insurance plans also provide helpful support and information before you go on your trip, such as information on vaccinations, visas, or travel health.
• If you are going on a business trip or are working while travelling, some plans also provide business assistance services.

Compare Travel Insurance Companies

Comparing travel insurance plans is, of course, the key to finding good travel insurance, but don’t forget to consider the travel insurance company itself. You want to make sure you choose a travel insurance company that is reputable and has great customer service, a good track record for handling claims, and can help you before, during, and after your trip. To find an insurance provider you can trust, look for reviews and accreditations to gauge how the travel insurance company stacks up. Tips for Comparing Travel Insurance Companies:

• Look at reviews and testimonials on the website and other review websites.
• Make sure the company is accredited with the Better Business Bureau and what its BBB rating is.
• Look for the word ‘insurance’ rather than ‘travel protection’ and ‘travel assistance’. If the company is not an actual insurance provider, it is not subject to the same regulation.

Compare Travel Insurance Quicker and Easier

Buying travel insurance shouldn’t be an afterthought to your travel planning. Finding the best insurance plan for your trip depends on your specific trip and circumstances. It is worth it to spend some time researching and comparing the different trip insurance plan options, so you can travel confidently, knowing you are prepared for any unexpected issue. Travel Insurance is the best way to protect the financial investment in your trip. It’s best to start looking for travel insurance sooner rather than later. The best time to buy travel insurance is right after making the first deposit for your trip. TripInsurance makes it easy to compare the many different travel insurance plans and details of plan features. We have done the legwork on researching travel insurance plans to save you both time and money. This way, you can find the best plan at the best price that matches your specific travel insurance needs. TripInsurance is there to help you both before, during, and after your trip!

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Travel Insurance-Yes or No?

Travel Insurance-Why do I need It?

Travel insurance is an essential aspect of any trip, and it is as important as a passport. The benefits of Travel Insurance are financial protection against unforeseen events that may occur during your trip, such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and other unexpected situations. Without travel insurance, you or your family could suffer financially if things go wrong. Most countries won’t provide you with free care or subsidize the cost of your care, and healthcare overseas can be very expensive. Therefore, it is crucial to have travel insurance that covers medical assistance.

What is covered by Travel Insurance?

In addition to medical coverage, travel insurance can also help you avoid hefty bills that come your way if an unexpected incident or illness strikes during your trip. It can provide coverage for trip cancellations, delays, and interruptions due to unforeseen events such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or other emergencies. Travel insurance can also cover lost or stolen luggage and personal belongings. It’s important to note that some international travel insurance policy providers may cover COVID-19-related claims. However, most standard policies won’t cover you for ‘Do not travel’ destinations.  Therefore, it’s essential to check with the friendly staff at Travel Deal Finders of your travel insurance provider before purchasing a policy

Travel insurance will cover you when you travel in more ways than one. Travel Deal Finders has researched all of the benefits of travel insurance and handpicked the best “value for money” travel insurance plans to help you travel with peace of mind.

From cover for unforeseen overseas medical emergencies and repatriation costs to certain COVID-19 scenarios and lost luggage, our plans can protect you from a variety of out-of-pocket expenses.

Is travel insurance worth it?

While you never hope to need it, travel insurance can offer peace of mind when travelling overseas and within Australia. Your policy could end up saving you tens of thousands of dollars if the worst were to happen, which helps make your travel insurance worth it.

Recently, two travelers  racked up medical bills of $900,000 when they had a car accident in California. Luckily, their policy covered these expenses so they could focus on what mattered – recovering.

Could you afford to keep travelling without travel insurance if this happened to you?

Unforeseen illnesses, natural disasters and accidents can derail a well-planned holiday at any moment. It’s important to have a travel insurance policy that can protect you from the financial burden if something unfortunate happens. To make your Travel Insurance more affordable, Travel Deal Finders is offering upto 25% discount for all policies issued in September.

Absolutely! We know each traveller and each trip is different, so we offer several additional options for you to upgrade your cover. From Snow Sports Cover and Adventure Activities Cover to Motorcycle/Moped Riding Cover, you can include one or more optional upgrades to suit your travel plans. You can also choose to add trip cancellation cover or to increase your luggage item limits with a Cover-More travel insurance policy.

What should I know before buying travel insurance?

Before you compare plans and get a quote, we recommend you:

• Finalise your travel dates and destinations. You’ll need to know your trip details, such as where you’re going and how long you’ll be away for, so you can arrange a travel insurance policy that protects your whole trip.
• Read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Get to know the travel insurance plan you’re considering buying so you can make an informed decision. Familiarise yourself with any terms, conditions and exclusions that are listed in the PDS to avoid disappointment.
• Ask questions. Chat to our friendly customer service team if you have any questions about what our policy does – and does not – cover. You can reach us via the Live Chat pop-up on our website during Australian business hours.
• Get a quote for travel insurance and compare plans. Generate a travel insurance quote online and see what options are available to you based on your travel plans.
• Travel with peace of mind. Once you’ve arranged travel insurance to protect your trip, you can start counting down the days until your departure!

Where can I learn more about travel insurance?

Have a look around our website if you’d like more details about our travel insurance coverage. It’s also important to read the relevant  Product Disclosure Statement  so you’re aware what is – and is not – covered by the policy.

If you have any questions and would like to speak to someone, give our customer service team a call on 1300 72 88 22.

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Travel Insurance: Yes or No?

Travelers caught in Icelandic volcano delays may have been wishing they purchased a travel insurance policy, but hindsight is 20/20. Running out and purchasing insurance now might not make sense in your situation.

Travelers who were on their way to Europe last month may have wished they had thought to buy trip cancellation/interruption travel insurance policy, as the eruption of the Iceland volcano stranded many for days. As the ban on air travel wore on, travelers ran up unanticipated bills for lodging, meals, and other necessities of life, like Internet access. A trip cancellation/interruption policy, the most common type of travel insurance sold, probably would have covered many of those costs.

Thanks a lot, Eyjafjallajokull

Like many insurance policies, however, travel insurance can vary widely as to what it does and doesn’t cover, so it pays to read the fine print before you buy. In general, most policies will cover the cost of nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses if you cancel a trip because of illness, injury, or a death in the family. In addition, the policy might also pay for expenses linked to travel delays, like the ones caused by the Iceland volcano.

Here’s where the policy’s terms can get sticky. On many policies, travel delay coverage doesn’t start until you’ve been delayed for a minimum length of time, which can range from six to 24 hours. The policy may also have a pier diem limit on coverage along with an overall maximum. The policy may limit coverage to specific perils, so you should carefully check any exclusions before you buy.

Tiger attack? I'm sorry, ma'am, but we just don't cover that type of delay

Many of those stranded by the Iceland volcano eruption were on short trips, which, according to travel consultants, generally aren’t worth the extra expense of travel insurance. But for those who are paying up front for a cruise or for a trip with an extensive itinerary, the protection can be well worth the cost. For more information on travel insurance and to comparison shop for a policy, go to InsureMyTrip.com .

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Travel Insurance--Yes or No?

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What is all your opinions on travel insurance? In the past, when I've gone overseas with my parents I never worried about it but since this is my first overseas trip as an "adult" I'm curious. Do most of them cover trip cancellation for any reason or would I have to be sick? Are there much difference between the various companies? It would be for both my boyfriend and I. I have medical insurance in the U.S. would that cover overseas? Maybe I should check the last one with my insurance company.

Sorry a mouthful but thanks for any help given!

I'd certainly contact your health insurance provider and make sure they will cover you while abroad. I don't know what the odds are that a provider will not cover you, but you should call them anyhow.

Most travel insurance policies must b booked at the same time that you book your air & hotel reservations. Most usually only cover cancelleation for serious medical emergency and illness. Even then, since you are not married, most will only cover cancellation for the nhured or ill party, and not BOTH of you. By all means, check with the various travel insurance carriers (and READ THE FINE PRINT CAREFULLY)...but I suspect that for the costs and coverages, you will probably decide against it.

I'm British so it is kind of difficult for me to comment fully on US Insurance, but IME it is highly unlikely that your US medical insurer will cover you for medical costs in Europe .

Unfortunately with travel insurance you must look at "worst case scenario". If you needed to be flown home and were critically ill, you would need an air ambulance (not just a stretcher on a commercial airline ) . You would be looking at costs upward of $30,000. That isnt even taking into account medical bills accrued whilst you were hospitalised in France .

Ok thats the unpleasant medical stuff covered :)

As for cancellation most cover for reasons such as sickness, but dont cover for reasons such as "disinclination to travel" or work related reasons.

The only tip I can give is to check out the policy information for each and in the case of insurance it is vital to be aware that cheapest absolutely is not necessarily the best.

Your credit card may have travel insurance included, but do check that "emergency repatriation" (that means flying you home if you are extremely sick) is covered. Its also worth checking for cover for lost or stolen cash/jewellery etc and also for liability.

HTH if I can help any further , please ask.

midorigal: Actually, you needn't purchase the travel insurance at the time you purchase your travel arrangements. In fact, you have a few days (at least with Travel Guard) to "add on" the insurance. Also, unlike what KDKSAIL (it's "Kevin", isn't it?) states, purchasing the insurance together, as long as you are both departing from the same point of exodus, does allow for the "party" to be covered...... ............................................................................................. In terms of an opinion about whether or not to purchase the insurance, I would suggest that you DO. I have traveled extensively, and each time I have purchase the insurance. Have I ever used it? Not a single time..... Would I travel without it? Not on your life (or mine .... which is why I purchase it).

>>>***Most travel insurance policies*** must be booked at the same time that you book your air & hotel reservations. ***Most usually only cover*** cancelleation for serious medical emergency and illness. Even then, since you are not married, most will only cover cancellation for the injured or ill party, and not BOTH of you. By all means, ***check with the various travel insurance carriers (and READ THE FINE PRINT CAREFULLY***)...<<<

I am not a travel insurance expert---nor have I ever played one on stage or screen---but the variations in various travel insurance policies' coverages are BROAD and SIGNIFICANT. The "..exceptions..' to coverage in most can be FATAL. So the original advice is still valid..."....READ THE FINE PRINT CAREFULLY...". Not all policies are equal...nor do all policies provide the same coverages.

Advice from others is also valid...check with your individual health insurance carriers to find out if they cover any treatments anywhere outside of the US. Very few (if any) cover medi-vacuation. Estimates of tens-of-thousands of dollars for this are NOT an exaggeration. The advice about checking with you credit card issuers for any emergency medical costs is also a good idea. Some types of cards offer some coverages...but even if they do, conditions and coverages tend to be strictly limited.

very sound advice, Kevin.

Just another thought or two, if either of you has a pre-existing medical condition you MUST let your travel insurance company know about this. If you did have an accident or become sick whilst overseas and the company discovered that you had recently been treated by a physician - even unrelated illness - they can render your policy null and void.

If you tell them about any conditions you have, they usually "weight" your policy - ie they charge you more, and sometimes specify that the policy will not cover you for bills arising from that condtion whilst overseas.

Its a very false economy to NOT purchase travel insurance IMO.

Also fichtre is correct, if one of your party needs to cancel for reasons of sickness, then the insurer will cover everyone who is travelling with you. You and your b/f both need insurance but if either of you is unable to travel FOR A REASON COVERED BY THE INSURER then they will refund the both of you, you do no need to be married.

Were you more interested is getting insurance for your airline /hotel reservations should you have to cancel your trip? We do not get that type of insurance........just take the chance that everything will go off as we plan. Some airlines will refund your money if someone in your party has to be in the hospital, so you might check that out, which did happen once to us and we had no problem getting our ticket prices refunded...Dont know if they still do that. Do keep checking, ask everyone you make a reservation with, and as suggested, read the fine print. Not likely anything will happen to you, but as said better safe than sorry maybe. Have a happy holiday.................Bea

Thank you so much everyone!! I guess I still have a lot of homework to do! I've read some of the insurance policies but yes the FINE PRINT can be really confusing. I'll definitely call my insurance company and see what if any coverage I'll have. I mainly want it if the trip have to be cancelled due to terrorism (something my boyfriend's worried about). I guess I just thought better safe than sorry though I don't remember cancelling any trips in the past!!

Thanks again and Happy Holidays everyone!

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