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Here are the best cheap travel insurance companies to protect your upcoming adventures

These travel insurance companies offer affordable interruption and medical coverage..

Travel insurance can be a valuable protection if your domestic or international trip doesn't quite go to plan. But, after booking flights, hotels, rental cars and experiences, you probably don't want to spend much more on your trip.  

Luckily, travel insurance isn't a huge expense, and some companies offer surprisingly affordable rates to insure your trip. CNBC Select gathered data on dozens of the top travel insurance companies and found several that stand out for their strong coverage at low prices.

Here are the best cheap travel insurance companies if you're looking to cover your upcoming adventures. (See our methodology for more information on how we made this list.)

Best cheap travel insurance  

• Best overall : Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection  
• Runner-up : World Nomads Travel Insurance
• Best for families : C&F Travel Insured International Travel Insurance  
• Best for cruises : Nationwide Travel Insurance

Best overall    

Berkshire hathaway travel protection.

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

Policy highlights

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

24/7 assistance available

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

Who's this for? Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection is ideal for those looking for strong coverage backed by a major insurer at a relatively affordable price point.

Standout benefits: This company offers travel insurance that's tailored to a variety of different modes of transportation and travel styles. It offers additional cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage and rental car collision coverage 

[ Jump to more details ]

Runner-up  

World nomads travel insurance.

World Nomads offers travel insurance for all sorts of travelers, from families to solo adventure travelers. Policies are underwritten by Nationwide and offer strong coverage of emergency accident and illness situations, as well as emergency evacuation scenarios.

• Affordable coverage for many travelers
• Coverage for adventure activities like scuba diving, bungee jumping and more
• Lower trip cancellation limits than other travel insurance we reviewed

Who's this for? World Nomads Travel Insurance is a good choice for travelers looking for affordable coverage. It's an especially strong option for those planning on adventure activities like scuba diving which can be excluded from some other travel insurance plans.  

Standout benefits: This travel insurance offers coverage for stolen gear or belongings, and high coverage limits for emergency medical insurance compared to some of the other plans we reviewed.  

Best for families 

C&f travel insured international travel insurance.

Travel Insurance from this company can include annual travel insurance plans as well as single-trip travel insurance. Optional coverages include cancel for any reason coverage and travel inconvenience coverage. Cruise insurance is available.

• Cruise coverage available
• Option to enhance your coverage with additional, optional coverages
• CFAR not available to New York residents

Who's this for? For families wanting to cover an upcoming trip or vacation, C&F Travel Insured International has two plans (in most states) that can help with everything from trip interruptions to missed tour or cruise connections.  

Standout benefits: C&F's policies are particularly family-friendly since children aged 17 and younger can be included for no extra cost when on the same plan as a paid adult. It also offers robust evacuation benefits.

Best for cruises  

Nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide's wide coverage for travel insurance allows many different types of travelers to find coverage that fits their needs. Three levels of cruise insurance coverage gives extra options to cruise passengers.

• 10-day review period on cruise insurance policies to make sure the plan meets your needs (not available in NY or WA)
• Most basic cruise plan doesn't offer CFAR coverage

Who's this for?  Those embarking on a cruise will find enhanced, cruise-specific coverage from Nationwide . It offers three unique levels of cruise-specific coverage that can help with things like mechanical breakdowns, itinerary changes, and other on-ship disruptions.  

Standout benefits: Nationwide also offers single trip insurance and annual trip insurance plans for those planning other types of vacations.  

More on our top cheap travel insurance companies 

Berkshire hathaway travel protection .

Berkshire Hathaway offers specialized coverage for many different types of travelers, from adventure-focused travelers planning on sky diving or scuba diving to luxury travel coverage. This company also offers tailored coverage for road, air and cruise travel. Claims can be paid as quickly as the same day.  

CFAR coverage available?   

24/7 assistance?  

[ Return to summary ]

World Nomads Travel Insurance 

World Nomads offers travel insurance coverage backed by Nationwide . It offers a 10-day review (provided that no claims have been filed) to help you make sure your coverage is what you want. The company also offers the opportunity to buy coverage when already abroad.  

C&F Travel Insured International 

C&F Travel Insured International has been offering travel insurance for 25 years. The company has a convenient mobile app for travelers for quick access to travel alerts and in-app claims. This travel insurance can be a good option for anyone booking with points or miles since plans offer up to $250 for penalty costs associated with returning points or miles to an account when a trip is canceled for a covered reason.  

Nationwide Travel Insurance 

Nationwide's travel insurance offers a variety of options for all types of travelers, including cruise travelers. It offers strong coverage for both interruption scenarios and medical situations. Customer service is available around the clock and around the world.  

What is travel insurance? 

Travel insurance is coverage designed to protect you while you're miles away from home. It can cover everything from travel inconveniences like lost luggage to serious medical emergencies while abroad.  

What does travel insurance cover? 

Travel insurance can cover injuries and illnesses while abroad where your typical medical insurance won't apply. It can also cover travel interruptions and delays , including lost luggage. While some credit cards offer travel insurance perks, a specific travel insurance policy could bolster that coverage.  

How much does travel insurance cost?  

Travel insurance generally costs about 4% to 10% of your trip's total cost, according to travel insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip . Costs vary based on the age of the travelers, how long you're traveling, and the types and limits of coverage.  

Is travel insurance worth it?  

While no one expects their trips to go awry, travel insurance can be a good backup for anything that does happen. Travel insurance is worth it because it can keep you from having to pick up the costs of medical bills or lost travel expenses if something goes wrong. Keep in mind though that several  top travel credit cards offer certain travel insurance benefits  so you may already have some coverage.

What's the best company for travel insurance?  

CNBC Select reviewed dozens of travel insurance companies and found that AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance and Travel Guard Travel Insurance stand out for their strong coverage, variety of choices and financial strength.  

Bottom line

Travel insurance can cover a variety of situations, from medical emergencies while abroad to lost luggage or delays. It generally costs between 5% and 10% of your trip's total non-refundable expenses and can save you significant money if something doesn't go to plan. However, it's important to shop around as some companies offer cheaper rates than others. Also, remember that you may already have some form of coverage if you hold certain premium credit cards .

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

Why trust CNBC Select?

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

Our methodology 

To determine the best cheap travel insurance companies,  CNBC Select  analyzed dozens of U.S. travel insurance companies that come with a wide variety of policies and offer coverage for a number of situations. 

When narrowing down the best travel insurance companies, we focused on the coverage available, including the number of plans available, 24/7 assistance availability and cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage availability. We also considered financial strength ratings from AM Best and Better Business Bureau ratings for customer satisfaction.

To consider costs, we gathered quotes from the top travel insurance companies for four sample trips, which included:

1. A two-person trip to Mexico:

• $2,000 per person, $4,000 total
• New York residents
• Travelers aged 35

2. A two-person trip to the United Kingdom:

• $3,000 per person, $6,000 total
• Travelers aged 65

3. A family of four's trip to the United Kingdom:

• $3,000 per person, $12,000 total
• Two travelers aged 35 with two children, ages 8 and 10

4. A cruise to Alaska for a family of four (including flights):

Sample quotes assumed that payments were made on the date of quoting.

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

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

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Cheapest Travel Insurance (May 2024)

Travel insurance typically costs between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. the cheapest travel insurer for total trip protection is nationwide..

Founder of personal finance site TomorrowsDollar.com

Candidate for CFP® certification

Stephanie is a DC-based freelance writer specializing in personal finance. Her work covers insurance, loans, real estate investing, retirement, and more.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Featured in

Licensed auto and home insurance agent

4+ years in content creation and marketing

As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.

Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Updated December 11, 2023

Table of contents

• Cost of insurance
• Find cheap insurance
• What’s covered

Travel isn’t cheap; unexpected expenses or plan changes can be very costly. Travel insurance provides financial protection if you cancel your trip, experience a delay, or get sick or injured while on your trip. [1]

Nationwide, Travel Insured, and Berkshire Hathaway offer some of the cheapest total trip protection policies. Some plans are more expensive than others and may not be suited for you, so it’s crucial to compare plans from multiple companies to find the best coverage. Here’s a look at some of the best travel insurance prices and what these insurers offer.

Where to find the cheapest insurer

The right travel insurance plan for you is one that protects your travel investment at the most affordable price. Here’s a look at some of the cheapest travel insurance policies and what each offers. The quotes below are for a $4,000 trip to Mexico for two 30-year-olds.

Travel Insurance International

Policies with Travel Insurance International ranged from $144 to $176, with many possible add-ons and additional coverage options. And if you change your mind about the travel insurance policy, you can cancel within two weeks and get a full refund. [2]

Baggage delay coverage kicks in after only three hours

14-day cancel period (full premium refund)

Event ticket reimbursement only applies to non-refundable registration fees

Many coverages only offered as optional riders (for an additional cost)

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway offers multiple policy options ranging from flight-only insurance to full trip protection, with robust coverage and an affordable price tag. Quotes ranged from $88 for flight-only coverage to $188 for premier trip insurance. [3]

Provides options to insure your entire trip or just the travel portion

Trip interruption reimbursement of up to 150% of your trip's total cost

Must provide email address to get a quote

Baggage delay reimbursement coverage kicks in after 24 hours

Nationwide is a top-rated all-lines insurance company in the U.S., offering everything from auto and home insurance to travel coverage. Trip insurance through Nationwide comes in two tiers, and quotes we received were $97 and $163, respectively. It provides travelers with trip, baggage, and medical protection while away from home. [4]

Baggage delay only needs to be 12 hours

10-day premium refund policy

Strict medical requirements for trip protection benefits (policy includes 60-day pre-existing condition clause)

No rental car collision or loss coverage

Through IMG, you can choose coverage that’s based on either medical insurance or travel insurance. Costs can vary dramatically depending on the type of coverage you choose (our quotes ranged from $19 to $271), but this gives you the flexibility to build a policy based on your travel protection preferences. [5]

Medical coverage limits as high as $8 million

Up to 36 months of continuous coverage

Longer requirement for delayed baggage coverage

Low emergency dental coverage

Travelex offers five types of travel insurance coverage, depending on whether you want comprehensive, post-departure, or flight-only coverage. Quotes ranged anywhere from $38 for flight insurance to $200 for total trip protection, with the option to pay more for upgrades like the ability to cancel for any reason or doubling your medical coverage limits. [6]

Strong consumer ratings

15-day free preview period (full refund offered)

Not available in all states

Doesn't offer excess trip interruption coverage (limited to 100% of trip cost)

How to find the cheapest travel insurance

Finding the most affordable travel insurance is a great way to protect your trip and your budget at the same time. Here are some tips to consider if you’re looking for the cheapest travel insurance:

Shop around

As with any insurance product, you’ll find the most affordable travel insurance coverage by getting quotes from multiple insurers. Luckily, most travel insurers provide online quotes in minutes after just a few questions. Be sure to read the limits, privacy policy, and options that each offers so you’re comparing apples to apples.

Decide what’s most important

What are you worried about most when it comes to your trip? What would be the most financially devastating? If you have a refundable trip and are only worried about medical coverage, your coverage needs differ from those of someone who wants a cancel for any reason (CFAR) policy.

Adjust your policy details

Many companies will allow you to adjust coverage options, such as your deductible and medical limits. By taking on more risk, you’ll usually reduce your overall cost, and vice versa.

Capitalize on other coverage you might have

Many credit cards offer trip delay and cancellation coverage, medical emergency coverage, and even lost or delayed baggage reimbursement. If you book your trip with one of these travel credit cards, you might not need as much trip insurance as travelers without those protections.

How Much Is Travel Insurance?

What travel insurance covers.

Vacations can be expensive, especially if you’re planning a long-distance trip, going to an exotic location, or traveling with a group. No matter how well you plan, your trip can easily be derailed by illness, injury, travel delays, or even a simple change of plans.

Travel insurance provides financial protection if and when your travel plans change, either before you depart or while you’re away from home. This coverage can also offer you financial reimbursement if you experience flight delays, lost baggage, and more. And if you get sick or hurt while traveling, it can provide you with the care you need, regardless of where.

A few different travel insurance coverages are available to choose from, depending on which insurer you buy your policy through and how much you’re willing to spend. You can typically choose coverage that provides one or more of the following:

Medical and dental care (especially important since your medical insurance policy typically won’t apply outside the U.S.), including medical evacuation back to the U.S.

Trip or baggage delay and interruption coverage

Trip cancellation coverage

Pet travel and fees

Accidental death or dismemberment

These policies may also be issued for a single trip, such as a planned cruise or vacation, or can provide you with blanket coverage for multiple trips over an extended period of time. For example, frequent travelers may want to buy a policy that covers them for 12 to 36 months.

What travel insurance doesn’t cover

Your travel insurance coverage will depend on the policy you purchase. If you buy a medical-based policy, you may not have coverage for things like lost luggage or pet kennel charges. And depending on the company and plan you choose, you might not have options like canceling your trip for any reason.

In general, though, travel insurance typically doesn’t protect you against losses related to:

Named tropical cyclones

Pre-existing medical conditions or known illnesses

Acts of war and terrorism

Epidemics and pandemics

Dangerous or high-risk activities

Cheap travel insurance FAQs

Below, you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about how to find the cheapest travel insurance for your next trip.

Which factors determine the cost of travel insurance?

The cost of your travel insurance depends on the type of coverage you buy (medical, cancel for any reason, trip interruption/delay), as well as the deductible, coverage limits, age of those covered, and optional features you choose. Your policy price will also be affected by your country of travel, travel dates, and the total cost of your trip.

What is the cheapest travel insurance?

The cheapest travel insurance plan is flight-only protection, which offers financial compensation if someone is killed or injured on a common airline. It may also offer protection against delays and lost bags, depending on which additional coverage options you choose.

What is the average cost of travel insurance?

On average, travel insurance costs between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. This price tag can be further affected by the coverage options you choose, the duration of your trip, and your destination.

Methodology

Quotes for this article were sourced directly from each insurance company’s website. The travel insurance plan costs are for two 30-year-olds traveling from the United States to Mexico with a trip cost of $4,000.

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What Does Cruise Insurance Cover?

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . " Travel Insurance ."
• Travel Insured International . " Travel Insurance ."
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection . " Travel Insurance ."
• Nationwide . " Travel Insurance ."
• International Medical Group . " Travel Insurance ."
• Travelex . " Travel Insurance ."

Stephanie is a DC-based freelance writer. She primarily covers personal finance topics such as insurance, loans, real estate investing, and retirement. Her work can be found on CBS, FOX Business, MSN, Yahoo! Finance, Business Insider, and more. When she isn't helping people plan for their financial futures, she is traveling, hiking with her kids, or writing for her own website, TomorrowsDollar.com. She can be reached on Twitter @stephcolestock

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Blueprint is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service focused on helping readers make smarter decisions. We receive compensation from the companies that advertise on Blueprint which may impact how and where products appear on this site. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Blueprint. Blueprint does not include all companies, products or offers that may be available to you within the market. A list of selected affiliate partners is available here .

Travel Insurance

Best travel insurance companies of May 2024

Amy Fontinelle

Heidi Gollub

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

Updated 6:28 a.m. UTC May 2, 2024

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WorldTrips is the best travel insurance company of 2024 , based on our in-depth analysis of travel insurance policies. Its Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier plans get 5 stars in our rating because of the extensive coverage they provide for the price. Both plans come with high limits for important benefits such as emergency medical and evacuation, travel delay and missed connections. WorldTrips travel insurance also offers a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver if you buy a plan within 21 days of making your first trip deposit.

Best travel insurance of 2024

Why trust our travel insurance experts

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

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

Travel insurance quotes comparison

Best travel insurance companies, best travel insurance.

Top travel insurance plans

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

If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel, WorldTrips has two top-rated travel insurance plans in our rating:

• Atlas Journey Preferred provides $100,000 per person in emergency medical benefits as secondary coverage, with the option to upgrade to primary coverage. Primary coverage means you don’t have to first file a medical claim with your health insurance company. Atlas Journey Preferred is also the best travel insurance for cruises with $1 million in coverage for emergency evacuation.
• Atlas Journey Premier costs more but gives you $150,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage. This plan is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority. It also has $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage.

Pros and cons

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

Customer reviews

WorldTrips has a rating of 4.27 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 411 reviews of policies purchased through the travel insurance comparison site since 2008.

Best travel insurance for emergency evacuation

Travel insured international.

Top travel insurance plan

If you’re traveling to a remote area, consider Travel Insured International’s Worldwide Trip Protector. It has the best travel insurance for emergency evacuation of travel insurance policies in our rating. This top travel insurance plan provides up to $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits.

• Only plan in our rating that offers $150,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
• Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
• Missed connection benefit of $500 per person is only available for cruises and tours.

Travel Insured International has a rating of 4.39 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 3,402 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Best travel insurance for missed connections

If you’re looking for good travel insurance for missed connections , it’s worth considering TravelSafe. Its Classic plan includes $2,500 in missed connection coverage for each person on the plan. Some travel insurance companies only provide missed connection coverage for cruises and tours, but TravelSafe doesn’t impose that restriction.

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

TravelSafe has a rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 1,506 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Best trip insurance for traveling with a pet

Go Ready Choice by Aegis has the most affordable travel insurance of the best-rated travel insurance companies in our rating. It’s also the best trip insurance for pet parents , with an optional Pet Bundle add-on that includes pet medical, pet kennel and pet return benefits.

• Cheapest of our best trip insurance plans.
• Optional pet bundle adds pet medical expense and pet return benefits.
• Low emergency medical and evacuation limits.
• Low missed connection benefit of $500 per person for cruises and tours only.
• Low baggage and personal items loss benefit of $500 per person.

Aegis has a rating of 4.06 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 1,111 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2013.

Best travel insurance for families

Top-scoring plan

Travelex Insurance Services has the best travel insurance for families because you can add kids aged 17 and younger to your Travel Select plan at no additional charge.

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• Robust travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Low emergency medical coverage of $50,000 per person.
• Non-medical evacuation is not included.
• Low baggage delay coverage of $200 requires a 12-hour delay.

Travelex has a rating of 4.43 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 2,048 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Best travel insurance for add-on coverage options

Travel Guard Preferred from AIG allows you to customize your policy with a host of available upgrades, making it the best traveler insurance for add-on options . These include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings.

There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million. This is a good option if you’re looking for foreign travel health insurance.

See our full AIG travel insurance review

• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
• Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Best travel insurance for cruise itinerary changes

Nationwide’s Cruise Choice plan is good travel insurance for cruises . It has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion.

Cruise Choice also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay when you’re taking a cruise or tour. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.

• Benefits for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
• Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.
• Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel medical coverage is secondary.
• Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
• No “cancel for any reason” upgrade available.

Nationwide has a rating of 4.02 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 570 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2018.

What is the best travel insurance?

The best travel insurance for international travel is sold by WorldTrips, according to our in-depth trip insurance comparison.

The best travel insurance plan for you will depend on the trip you are planning and the coverage areas that are most important to you.

• Best cruise travel insurance
• Best COVID travel insurance
• Best “Cancel for any reason” travel insurance
• Best senior travel insurance

Best travel insurance for cruises

The best cruise travel insurance is Atlas Journey Preferred sold by WorldTrips . This plan offers solid travel insurance for cruises for a low rate.

Via TravelInsurance.com’s website

Best travel insurance for COVID-19

The best COVID travel insurance is the Trip Protection Basic plan sold by Seven Corners . It is a relatively low cost travel insurance plan with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Best travel insurance for “cancel for any reason” 

The best “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance is Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Basic. Adding CFAR coverage to a RoundTrip Basic plan only increases the cost by about 40%, which is lower than other plans we analyzed. For the extra cost, you get coverage of 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, as long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Best travel insurance for seniors

The best senior travel insurance is the Gold plan sold by Tin Leg . It is an affordable travel insurance plan with travel medical primary coverage of $500,000 and a pre-existing conditions waiver if you insure the full amount of your trip within 14 days of your first trip deposit.

How much is travel insurance?

The average cost of travel insurance is 5% to 6% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs . 

How much you pay for travel insurance will depend on:

• The cost of your trip.
• Your destination.
• The length of your trip. 
• The ages of travelers being insured.
• Your state of residence.
• The travel insurance policy you choose.
• The total coverage amounts in your policy.
• Any travel insurance add-ons you select. 

Here are average travel insurance rates for a 30-year-old female who is insuring a 14-day trip to Mexico.

Looking to save? Discover cheap travel insurance options.

How much travel insurance should I buy?

Travel insurance companies typically offer several plans with varying maximum limits. The higher the coverage limits, the more you’ll pay for travel insurance. 

Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, recommends the following coverage limits for international travel: 

• Emergency medical coverage: At least $50,000. 
• Medical evacuation coverage: At least $100,000. 

If you’re going on a cruise, or to a remote location, Squaremouth recommends: 

• Emergency medical coverage: At least $100,000. 
• Medical evacuation coverage: At least $250,000.

When evaluating travel insurance plans, our team of insurance analysts considered the best medical travel insurance policies to have at least $250,000 in emergency medical coverage and at least $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage. 

When should I buy travel insurance?

The best time to buy travel insurance is within two weeks of making your first nonrefundable travel payment, whether it’s for a plane ticket, hotel stay, cruise or excursion. 

Travel insurance costs the same whether you buy it early or last minute, and buying it early has added benefits: 

• You may be able to add on “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , an upgrade that is typically only available for a limited time after you’ve started paying for your trip. 
• You may qualify for a pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver, meaning your pre-existing conditions will be covered by travel insurance. This waiver is generally added to your policy automatically, provided you buy the travel insurance within a certain window after your first trip deposit.
• You will be covered over a longer period of time for unforeseen events that could cause you to cancel your trip, such as medical emergencies, inclement weather and natural disasters. 

Expert tip: You can buy travel insurance up to the day before you leave on your trip, but waiting may cost you the opportunity to qualify for a pre-existing conditions exclusion waiver or to buy a “cancel for any reason” upgrade.

Where can I buy travel insurance?

You can buy a travel insurance plan:

• Online. Visit a travel insurance company’s website to buy a policy directly or use a comparison website like Squaremouth or Travelinsurance.com to see your options and compare plans. You may also be able to purchase travel insurance online through an airline, cruise, hotel, rental car company or other provider you book a ticket with.
• In person. A travel agent or insurance agent may be able to assist you in buying travel insurance.

Travel insurance trends in 2024

Americans are changing the way they travel and this includes buying travel insurance when they might have skipped it in the past. As spending on trips continues to rise , travelers have more to lose if their plans are disrupted. 

Based on travel insurance quote requests on the Squaremouth website last month, these are the main benefits travelers are looking for in a travel insurance policy.

*Source: Squaremouth.com. Travel insurance quote filter usage from March 24 to April 23, 2024.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance of 2024. For companies with more than one travel insurance plan, we shared information about the highest-scoring plan.

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

• $3,000, 8-day trip to Mexico for two travelers age 30.
• $3,000, 8-day trip to Mexico for two travelers age 70.
• $6,000, 17-day trip to Italy for two travelers age 40.
• $6,000, 17-day trip to Italy for two travelers age 65.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to Italy for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to France for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to the U.K. for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

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

Best travel insurance FAQs

According to our analysis, WorldTrips has the best trip insurance. Two of its plans — Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier — get 5 stars in our rating.

The best travel insurance policy for you will depend on what type of coverage you need. With so many different policies and carriers, the policy that was best for your friend’s trip to California might not be ideal for your trip to Japan. If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel, you may be willing to pay more for higher coverage levels.

A comprehensive travel insurance plan bundles several types of travel insurance coverage, each with its own limits. To ensure you have adequate financial protection for your trip, your travel insurance policy should include the following travel insurance coverages:

• Trip cancellation . With trip cancellation insurance , you’re covered if you need to call off your trip because of a reason listed in your policy, such as unexpected illness, injury or death of you, a family member or a travel companion, severe weather, jury duty and your travel supplier going out of business. 
• Travel delay. Once your trip has started, travel delay insurance reimburses you for unexpected expenses you incur after a minimum delay, such as five hours. It can cover needs like airport meals, transportation and even overnight accommodation. 
• Trip interruption. If you need to cut your trip early for a reason listed in your policy, trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for any prepaid, nonrefundable payments you’ll lose by leaving early. It can also pay for a last-minute one-way ticket home. 
• Travel medical . Emergency medical benefits are especially important if you need international health insurance for travel outside of the country. Your domestic health insurance may provide limited coverage once you leave the U.S. The best travel medical insurance pays for ambulance service, doctor visits, hospital stays, X-rays, lab work and prescription medication you may require while traveling. 
• Emergency medical evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote area, or planning excursions such as boating to an island, emergency medical evacuation coverage is a good idea. This coverage pays to transport you to the nearest adequate medical facility if you are injured or sick while traveling. 
• Baggage delay. After a certain waiting period, such as six or 12 hours, this coverage will reimburse you for necessities you need to buy to tide you over while you wait for your bag to arrive. Be sure to save your receipts and look at your coverage limit, as some caps are low, like $200. 
• Baggage loss. Baggage insurance can reimburse you if your bag never arrives, or if your personal belongings are stolen during your travels. Coverage limits apply here, as well as exclusions for certain items such as electronics.  

“Typically, travelers are expected to pay their expenses out of pocket, and then file a claim for reimbursement,” said James Clark, spokesperson for Squaremouth. “However, there are medical situations in which a provider may be required to pre-authorize payment to make sure the policyholder receives the treatment they need.”

According to Clark, “Providers can pre-authorize payment for medical care and emergency evacuations. With that said, every circumstance is unique, and providers will handle each situation on a case-by-case basis.”

Travel insurance covers your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs — as well as extra money you may need to spend due to unforeseen circumstances and emergencies — both before and during your trip.

Travel insurance coverage varies by plan, but in general travel insurance covers costs associated with these problems: 

• Bankruptcy of a travel insurance company, such as your airline or tour operator. 
• Dangerous weather conditions.
• Delayed and lost luggage.
• Illness or death in your family that requires you to stay home or cut your trip short.
• Illness that needs medical attention.
• Injury requiring medical evacuation.
• Jury duty. 
• Travel delays and missed connections.
• Theft of your personal belongings while traveling.
• Unexpected job loss. 

Travel insurance policies often exclude or limit “foreseeable” losses. Typical travel insurance exclusions include:

• Accidents or injuries caused by drinking or drug use.
• Canceling your trip because you changed your mind.
• Ending your trip early because you changed your mind.
• Losses caused by intentional self harm, including suicide.
• Losses due to war, civil disorder or riots.
• Medical tourism.
• Medical treatment for pre-existing conditions.
• Mental health care.
• Natural disasters that begin before you buy travel insurance.
• Non-medical evacuation.
• Normal pregnancy. 
• Medical treatment related to high-risk activities.
• Routine medical care, such as physicals or dental care.
• Search and rescue.

Your U.S. health insurance may provide little or no coverage in foreign countries. Check with your health insurance company to see if you have any global benefits and ask how they work. If your health care does extend across the border, the benefits it provides abroad may not be the same benefits it provides domestically. 

Medicare usually won’t pay for health care outside of the United States and its territories, so older travelers planning an international trip should look into the best senior travel insurance with robust medical benefits. 

The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after booking your trip and making a nonrefundable payment — in other words, as soon as you’re at risk of losing money. This way, you’ll know the total cost that you need to insure and you’ll have the longest window to take advantage of your policy’s benefits if something goes wrong.

You can’t wait until something goes wrong and then buy travel insurance to get reimbursed for your loss. Travel insurance only covers unexpected losses.

Travel insurance companies can decline to cover travel to certain countries. For example, you may find that some trip insurance companies don’t offer coverage to countries with a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory from the U.S. State Department. 

Travel insurance policies also frequently exclude certain risks that you’re more likely to encounter in Level 4 or Level 3 countries. For example, your policy may not cover losses related to declared or undeclared wars or acts of war or losses related to known or foreseeable conditions or events. 

Some credit cards , such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , offer benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement when you use your card to pay for your trip.

Ask your credit card issuer for your card’s benefits guide to see what coverage you may have. Keep in mind that it may not cover all the risks you want to protect against, such as the cost of international health care or emergency medical evacuation .

Business travel insurance makes sense if you are self-employed and paying for your own travel expenses, or if you are traveling internationally and want medical coverage abroad.

You might also consider buying travel insurance for a business trip if your company won’t cover extra expenses if your flight is delayed or you need to head home early.

Cruise travel insurance can help protect you financially if you need emergency medical care in a remote location, or if a delayed flight causes you to miss embarkation and you need to pay extra to catch up to your cruise.

Experts caution that travel insurance you buy through a cruise line may not be as comprehensive as plans you can buy directly from travel insurance companies.

Some travel insurance plans cover rental cars as an optional upgrade, for an additional cost. The 5-star rated travel insurance companies in our rating offer these optional rental car benefits:

• Travel Insured International — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000.
• WorldTrips — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000 with a $250 deductible. 

Travel insurance typically only covers a single trip, although your insured trip can have multiple destinations. 

If you’re looking to insure several trips in the same year, annual travel insurance may be a good option for you.

Travel insurance may be required, depending on the country you plan to visit. But it’s smart to consider buying a travel insurance policy for international travel, even when it is not required. A good travel insurance policy can protect you financially if you need emergency medical assistance when traveling, or if you need to cut your trip short and buy a last-minute plane ticket home because an immediate family member is ill. 

Wondering if travel insurance is worth it? What travel insurance covers

Editor’s Note: This article contains updated information from previously published stories:

• Spirit Airlines scrubs 60% of its Wednesday flights, says cancellations will drop ‘in the days to come.’
• ‘Just a parade of incompetency’: Spirit Airlines passengers with ‘nightmare’ stories want more than apology, $50 vouchers
• ‘This is not our proudest moment’: Spirit Airlines CEO says more flight cancellations expected this weekend
• Hurricane Irma: Flight cancellations top 12,500; even more expected
• Is an annual travel insurance policy right for you?
• How 2020 and COVID-19 changed travel forever – and what that means for you
• COVID-19 or delta variant have you ready to scrap your trip? Here’s how to cancel like a pro
• Sunday: Snow is over, but flight cancellations top 12,000
• After nearly 13,000 Harvey cancellations, Irma is new threat to airline flights
• What’s the difference between travel insurance and trip ‘protection’?
• How to choose the right travel insurance for your next vacation
• Travel insurance can save the day
• Angry passengers brawl after Spirit cancels flights
• What to do when travel insurance doesn’t work
• How lockdowns, quarantines and COVID-19 testing will change summer travel in 2021
• Travelers will pay and worry more on summer vacation this year. But they won’t cancel
• How to find a hotel with COVID testing and quarantine facilities wherever you travel
• Yearning to travel in 2022? First, figure out your budget – then pick a destination
• Pro tips for surviving a long flight during a pandemic: Get the right mask, bring a pillow
• Want to steer clear of contracting COVID-19 on your next vacation? Follow these guidelines
• Post-pandemic travel: Is it OK to ask another passenger’s vaccine status or request they mask up?
• These days, forgetting these important travel items could cost you thousands of dollars
• International travel hacks: When to book flights and hotels, how to deal with COVID-19 rules
• Traveling post-coronavirus: How do you book your next trip when so much remains uncertain?
• The COVID-19 guide to holiday travel – and the case for why you shouldn’t go this year
• Should you travel during the holidays? Americans struggle with their decision
• ‘There’s still pent-up demand’: What you should know about fall travel
• Planning for life after coronavirus: When will we know it’s safe to travel again?
• ‘Busiest camping season’: Travelers choose outdoor recreation close to home amid COVID-19 pandemic
• Considering a camping trip this summer? Tips to make sure your gear is good to go
• RVing for the first time? 8 tips for newbies I wish I’d known during my first trip
• Five myths about travel agents
• Should I buy travel insurance?
• Is travel insurance stacked against you?
• Five myths about travel insurance and terrorism
• These eight things could get your travel insurance claims rejected
• There’s a good chance that your credit card already gives you some kind of travel insurance coverage
• How to avoid a hotel cancellation penalty
• Change fees and travel insurance continue to rise

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.

Amy Fontinelle has more than 15 years of experience helping people make informed decisions about their money, whether they’re refinancing a mortgage, buying insurance or choosing a credit card. As a freelance writer trained in journalism and specializing in personal finance, Amy digs into the details to explain the products and strategies that can help (or hurt) people seeking greater financial security and wealth. Her work has been published by Forbes Advisor, Capital One, MassMutual, Investopedia and many other outlets.

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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9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

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

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

HTH Travel Insurance »

Tin Leg »

AIG Travel Guard »

Nationwide Insurance »

Seven Corners »

Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

Why Trust Us

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

Table of Contents

• Travelex Insurance Services
• Allianz Travel Insurance

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

• Travelex Insurance Services: Best Overall
• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Trip Interruptions
• HTH Travel Insurance: Best for Groups
• Tin Leg: Best Cost
• AIG Travel Guard: Best for Families
• Nationwide Insurance: Best for Last-Minute Travel Insurance
• Seven Corners: Best for 24/7 Support When Traveling
• Generali Global Assistance: Best for Medical Emergencies
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best for Specialized Coverage

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

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

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

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

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

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

Generous coverage at the mid- and high-tier levels, and great group discounts

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

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

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

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

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

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

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

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

Variety of plans to choose from and coverage available up to a day before you leave on your trip

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

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

Customer service available 24/7 via text, Whatsapp, email and phone

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

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

Generous emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage

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

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

In addition to single-trip plans, company offers specific road trip, adventure travel, flight and cruise insurance coverage

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

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

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

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

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

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• Best overall
• Best for trip cancellation
• Best for reputation
• How we reviewed cheap travel insurance

Best Cheap Travel Insurance of May 2024

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

In an ever-evolving world, emergency medical and evacuation travel insurance coverage is essential, especially if you're traveling internationally. However, sports equipment coverage, pet protection, and cancel for any reason coverage are among the increasingly popular coverage options that are changing the way we travel. We've gathered the best cheap travel insurance plans to help you protect your trip while on a budget.

Our top picks for the best cheap travel insurance

• Best overall: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance
• Best for trip cancellation: Aegis General Travel Insurance
• Best value: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Best for reputation: Trawick International Travel Insurance

How we rate the best cheap travel insurance »

Compare the Top Affordable Travel Insurance

The best travel insurance meets your needs at a price you're willing to pay. Sometimes, you're just not willing to pay that much. The following companies offer decent coverage for low prices. To determine which companies made this list, we compared quotes across the travel insurance industry for the same trip, making a note of which companies offered particularly good coverage in certain areas and which companies were well reviewed.

Here are the best affordable travel insurance companies picked by Business Insider editors in 2024.

Best overall: HTH Worldwide

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Reasonable premiums
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR coverage available with some plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical emergency and evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc not available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited reviews with complaints about claims not being paid
• Trip cancellation of up to $5,000 with the Economy plan and up to $50,000 with the Preferred plan
• Cancel for any reason insurance and missed connection insurance available with the Preferred plan
• Baggage delay insurance starting after 24 or 12 hours depending on the plan

The HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Economy plan offers the most comprehensive coverage across major categories of all the providers in this guide.

You'll have some peace of mind with up to $75,000 of financial protection for eligible medical emergencies, and up to $500,000 per person for medical evacuation costs. For more everyday expenses, you can also relax with baggage loss and delay, trip interruption, cancellation and delay coverage that will help you recoup many, if not all, of your costs.

However, this plan falls short on missed connection benefits and accidental death coverage, both of which are not available under most circumstances (missed connection coverage only applies to cruises, and will only cover up to $500 per person after a three-hour delay).

Read our HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best for trip cancellation: Aegis Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a CFAR upgrade add-on on certain plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Comprehensive insurance plans include generous coverage for baggage loss, plus protection from hurricane and other intense weather-related issues
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Competitive pricing
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Online complaints about claims not being paid and non-responsiveness
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not all more expensive plans include CFAR coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Dropping rating with AM Best
• Annual and multi-trip plans available
• All plans include pandemic coverage for COVID-19
• Coverage for weather-related delays, cancellations and other incidents

The Aegis General Travel Insurance Trip Cancellation Plan is exactly that: a cost-effective plan that offers protection in the event that your trip is canceled for a covered reason. The plan we priced out for our hypothetical trip cost just 1.16% of our total travel expenses — a very small amount of money to pay for the guarantee of our money back in the right circumstances.

The benefit is that this plan can supplement other coverage you already have, or give you a little bit of protection for a trip where you might not otherwise have opted for insurance altogether. On the downside, you won't get any protection for medical emergencies, trip interruption or delays or lost bags from this plan.

Read our Aegis Travel Insurance review here.

Best value: Nationwide

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

Nationwide Travel Insurance  is a well-rounded alternative to HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Economy. This plan offers solid protection for both travel-related snafus as well as situations that might call for emergency medical and evacuation, making it a good choice for trips where you have cause to worry about potential interruptions or delays. However, it does not offer protection for missed connections or accidental death.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here

Best for reputation: Trawick

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Useful for adventurous travelers headed to higher-risk destinations
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable plans with varying levels of coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 10-day free look option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage loss replacement policy
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some policies allow a CFAR add-on
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million medical evacuation coverage limit
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage and trip delay coverages don’t kick in until after the 12-hour mark
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. International student policies available for temporary stints abroad
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Complaints about claims not being paid or involving an intermediary to resolve claims

Trawick International travel insurance offers plans customized to diverse travelers' needs. We look at coverage options, claims processing, pricing, and other important factors for savvy travelers.

• Travel medical insurance
• Trip protection and cancellation
• International student insurance
• Visitor medical insurance (for traveling to the US)

The Trawick International Travel Insurance Safe Travels Explorer plan has been purchased by more than 36,000 travelers since 2020, and it has great reviews to boot. And no wonder: Trawick offers generous trip delay coverage of up to $2,000 per person, although hopefully you won't need to reach that reimbursement amount because the daily limit is $150.

You'll also be able to rely on a $200 reimbursement per person for lost baggage - one of the higher amounts amongst these affordable plans, although this amount pales in comparison to the baggage loss coverage offered through the best travel credit cards .

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review here.

Types of Affordable Travel Insurance

Comprehensive coverage.

This type of insurance offers extensive protection, covering everything from medical issues to trip cancellations. While it's more expensive up front, it can save you a lot in the long run.

Medical-Only Coverage

As the name suggests, this policy focuses solely on medical emergencies, making it a cost-effective option for travelers who are primarily concerned about health-related expenses.

Evacuation and Repatriation

In extreme cases where you need to be evacuated due to a medical emergency or a natural disaster, this coverage ensures that you can return home safely without incurring huge costs.

Benefits of Opting for Cheap Travel Insurance

Cost savings.

Cheap travel insurance can significantly reduce your travel expenses, ensuring that you're not overpaying for coverage you might not need.

Adequate Coverage for Less

Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's lacking. Many affordable policies offer substantial coverage, giving you peace of mind without breaking the bank.

How to Pick The Best Cheap Travel Insurance Plan for You

No single travel insurance plan will meet the needs of every single traveler. By nature, we are diverse and evolving meaning travel insurance should be equally so. Travel insurance for a week-long trip to a big city shouldn't be the same as the coverage for a backpacking expedition in the mountains. A splurge to purchase comprehensive insurance coverage may also be worth it for international ventures or other large expenditures.

In most cases, the cost difference between a basic and comprehensive travel insurance plan isn't as significant as you might think. Regardless, it's generally a good idea to choose a trusted travel insurance provider known for exceptional customer service and coverage. (For this roundup, we looked at traveler reviews shared through the travel agency SquareMouth .)

• Assessing Your Travel Needs: Consider the nature of your trip, the destination, and your own personal needs when choosing a policy. This ensures that you're not over-insured or underinsured.
• Comparing Different Policies: Don't settle for the first policy you find. Compare different options, looking at their coverage and prices, to find the best fit for your budget and needs.
• Reading the Fine Print: Always read the terms and conditions carefully to understand what's covered, what's not, and the process for making a claim.

How We Reviewed Cheap Travel Insurance

To determine the best insurance plan for travelers on a budget, we evaluated dozens of products using a hypothetical trip to Australia for a single traveler, age 26, with a total cost of $2,500 for flight, hotel and other incidentals. We then compiled the plans that covered the essentials at the lowest costs.

Of note: All of these plans include COVID-related medical coverage and 24-hour assistance, and pay at least 100% of your trip cost for eligible trip cancellations. None include rental car coverage.

The four winning plans cost between $29 to $74 — significantly below the average cost of comprehensive travel insurance , which can range between 4%-8% of total travel expenses, according to the US Travel Insurance Association. But these affordable plans also come with comparably low ceilings for various aspects of coverage such as emergency medical, trip cancellation, or delay — and do not include rental car or " cancel for any reason" (CFAR) protection . So if you think you might need these benefits, it may well be worth upgrading to a comprehensive travel insurance plan for a few more dollars, just for the peace of mind.

Convenience and Flexibility

Each of the plans in this list include 24-hour assistance worldwide from reputable insurance providers. And despite being on the lower end of insurance plans, each of these options includes refunds for up to 100% of your total trip cost for eligible reasons. Each of these plans also includes medical coverage for COVID-related issues that may arise during your travels, which may come in handy as the pandemic continues to evolve worldwide.

Sufficient Coverage in Essential Categories

The cheapest travel insurance plan will rarely cover every scenario that could go awry on your trip. However, each of these plans can at least help you get your money back in the event that your travel is canceled for an eligible reason, and most of them include travel medical insurance if you incur emergency medical bills while traveling. We also factor in what travelers are most concerned about now. 

You can read more about how Business Insider rates insurance here.

Best Cheap Travel Insurance FAQs

You can reduce the cost of travel insurance by opting for simpler coverage or choosing higher deductibles on travel medical insurance. You can also consider annual travel insurance , which will save you money in the long run if you take multiple trips over one year.

Yes, many affordable policies offer comprehensive coverage suitable for international travel. It's crucial to compare policies and understand your needs. You can find our guide on the best international travel insurance here.

Travel insurance is relatively cheap because it only covers you for a set period of time, and depending on your plan, the level of coverage you get may not be particularly high. However, even with high coverage limits and extras like cancel for any reason coverage , travel insurance is relatively affordable. 

The average cost of travel insurance is 4%-8% of your trip's cost. This usually translates into a premium between $89 to $399. That said, many companies offer premiums far below average costs.

When shopping for travel insurance, consider the type of trip you're planning. If you're planning leisurely excursions in a big city, you may not need as much emergency medical coverage as you would if you're planning a serious hiking expedition in the mountains. A good plan should include trip cancellation, some emergency medical protection, and 24-hour assistance at a minimum.

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

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

**Enrollment required.

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5 Best Cheap Travel Insurance in 2024 (plus DISCOUNTS)

Home | Travel | 5 Best Cheap Travel Insurance in 2024 (plus DISCOUNTS)

If you’re taking a trip and looking for the best cheap travel insurance , you’ve come to the right place. Travel insurance may not be the most exciting topic, but it’s an essential part of planning a trip , so make sure you don’t leave home without it!

Besides, you can find affordable travel insurance for all types of budgets, so rest assured that you can get great coverage without spending a lot of money. In this guide, I’ll share the 5 cheapest international travel insurance companies to help you find the perfect fit for your trip needs.

5 Best cheap travel insurance in 2024

I will say upfront that we use Heymondo for all our trips. It’s one of the best travel insurance companies out there, offering tons of coverage and competitive prices. Plus, Heymondo is the only provider that pays your medical expenses upfront , so you don’t have to pay out of pocket and file a claim for reimbursement. Plus, you can get a 5% Heymondo discount just for being a Capture the Atlas reader.

5% OFF your travel insurance

Of course, there are other great options, such as SafetyWing , a cheap travel medical insurance that’s perfect for those on a tight budget who don’t mind having a deductible. Keep reading to see all the best options, compare prices, and see what inexpensive travel insurance should include.

Top 5 cheap travel insurance companies in 2024

In this guide, you’ll find the 5 best cheap travel insurance companies of 2024, so I’m sure you’ll find an option that’s perfect for you. To sum up, these are my top 5 recommendations:

• Heymondo , the best cheap travel insurance company
• SafetyWing , the best medical-only cheap travel insurance
• IMG , the best budget travel insurance for seniors
• Trawick International , a cheap travel insurance for pre-existing conditions
• Travelex , a cheap travel insurance for families

Keep reading to learn more about each company, including its prices, coverage limits, and other benefits, as well as a chart comparing the cheapest travel insurance policies.

Best cheap travel insurance price comparison

Before I get into details about each of these cheap travel insurance companies , I want to give you an overview of their prices and benefits. This chart will let you see each provider’s price per person, deductible, and coverage limits at a glance.

For this cheap travel insurance comparison , I used the example of a 30-year-old traveler from Canada who was going to Costa Rica for one week with a trip cost of $2,500. I also chose the most affordable plan for each company:

As you can see, Heymondo and SafetyWing are the two cheapest international travel insurance options. While Heymondo costs more, it also offers much higher coverage limits than SafetyWing, which is why it’s our favorite. It’s also the only provider that pays your medical expenses upfront , so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.

IMG Global, Trawick International, and Travelex offer similar coverage in some categories, but they also cost more. I recommend reading about each company below so you can determine which one best suits your needs .

1. Heymondo , the best cheap travel insurance company

Heymondo is one of the best cheap travel insurance companies overall, offering a high amount of coverage at a great price. With Heymondo, you’ll have comprehensive travel and medical-related benefits, including emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation insurance , and baggage loss.

There is also a $0 deductible for single-trip and annual multi-trip insurance, and the deductible for long-stay travel insurance is just $250 per claim. Best of all, they’re the only company that pays your medical bills upfront , so you don’t have to pay any medical bills and file a claim later to get a reimbursement.

Heymondo was also one of the first providers to include COVID coverage in its policies, which set the bar for other insurers. Moreover, the 24/7 traveler assistance app is another testament to Heymondo’s dedication and customer service. You can use it to get in touch with a team of doctors for advice and recommendations for the nearest clinic or hospital.

For all these reasons, we’ve been traveling with this insurer for 5 years, and we have a detailed Heymondo insurance review that you can read for more information. Overall, it’s the best value for money, and for just a bit more, you can upgrade your coverage to include adventure sports, cruises, and electronics.

Right now, we have the annual multi-trip policy from Heymondo, which is the cheapest international travel insurance for frequent travelers. If you decide to purchase from Heymondo, don’t forget to take advantage of our 5% Heymondo discount code by using our link .

2. SafetyWing , the best medical-only cheap travel insurance

Another affordable travel insurance to look into is SafetyWing . Their Nomad Insurance plan offers excellent, budget-friendly medical coverage with some travel-related benefits like baggage loss.

One of the most unique things about SafetyWing is that you can get coverage in your home country for 30 days after you’ve been abroad for 90 days, so it’s a good deal if you want supplementary protection for any medical issues. Moreover, this is a good, cheap travel insurance for families since it offers free coverage for up to two kids under the age of 10.

Keep in mind that while SafetyWing has cheap travel medical insurance , it focuses mostly on health-related benefits like emergency medical expenses and COVID coverage. That said, if you’re fine with having medical-only insurance for travel , it’s one of the best deals.

Another drawback of SafetyWing is that it has a $250 deductible per claim, so you’ll have to pay $250 toward your medical bills before the company will cover the rest. If you don’t want a deductible, Heymondo is a good alternative.

3. IMG Global , the best budget travel insurance for seniors

If you’re looking for travel insurance for seniors , then IMG Global is one of the best options. Finding budget-friendly travel insurance for seniors can be super tricky, but IMG Global has a plan specifically designed for travelers 65 and older.

The GlobeHopper Senior Single Trip plan offers travel and medical-related benefits and the option to choose a maximum coverage limit of $50,000, $100,000, $500,000, or $1,000,000. It’s also one of the few cheap travel insurances for pre-existing medical conditions , so it’s ideal for older travelers. While there aren’t as many travel-related benefits with this plan, it does offer lots of flexibility, as customers can choose a deductible of $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, or $2,500.

And for other travelers, IMG Global’s iTravelInsured Travel Lite plan is a good deal, with a $0 deductible and a good amount of coverage in all travel and medical-related categories. This includes emergency medical, evacuation, and trip cancellation/interruption benefits. In fact, its trip cancellation covers a wide range of reasons, including work transfers, job loss, passport/visa theft, natural disasters, and injury/illness.

However, this plan is among the most expensive options we found, so if you’re looking for cheaper single-trip travel insurance , I recommend Heymondo .

4. Trawick International , an affordable travel insurance for pre-existing conditions

Trawick International is another cheap travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions , so if that’s something you’re looking for, I suggest getting a quote.

The company’s Safe Travels Explorer Plus plan is just a few dollars more than the Safe Travels Explorer plan, so it’s worth shelling out a bit more for its comprehensive coverage. This includes emergency medical expenses, repatriation, trip cancellation, baggage loss, and more, plus a $0 deductible. You can even add cancel for any reason travel insurance to your policy.

While Trawick International offers travel insurance for pre-existing conditions , you must purchase your plan within 7 days of the initial trip deposit date to enjoy this benefit. Also, it’s worth noting that the medical expenses coverage is on the lower end, at $250,000. If you don’t have a pre-existing medical condition and want higher medical coverage, you can get about five times more protection by going with Heymondo .

5. Travelex , a cheap travel insurance for families

Finally, Travelex is another cheap travel insurance company and a great option if you’re looking for domestic travel insurance for the USA . Travelex’s plans are affordably priced and offer comprehensive protection, including coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

You can choose from the Travel Basic or Travel Select plan, although we recommend the latter, especially if you have a pre-existing condition or want a higher amount of coverage. That said, make sure to purchase your policy within 15 days of your initial trip payment so you receive a Pre-existing Medical Condition Exclusive Waiver.

Additionally, Travelex is a good option to consider if you want cheap family travel insurance since kids under 17 are included for free. Plus, you can upgrade your coverage to include things like rental cars, Cancel for Any Reason, and extra medical coverage.

Travelex’s benefits include coverage for baggage loss, trip cancellation, trip interruption, and evacuation and repatriation. While it also offers emergency medical expenses coverage, the limits are quite low, especially considering the price.

Also, for Canadian residents, there is a medical-only plan, which could be a good option if you’re looking for cheap medical-only travel insurance .

What does cheap international travel insurance cover?

When looking for the best deals on travel insurance , remember to check the policies carefully so you understand what’s included. Some cheap travel medical insurance plans include higher amounts of coverage compared to others with similar prices, so it gets a bit tricky.

Below, you’ll find the most important things to consider when browsing affordable travel insurance .

Emergency medical coverage

First, emergency medical expense coverage is one of the most crucial aspects of any cheap travel health insurance . You want to be covered for any unexpected costs that arise from an injury or illness while abroad. Emergency medical coverage includes things like hospitalizations, doctor-prescribed tests, treatments, and even dental procedures.

Emergency medical coverage with cheap travel insurance

Again, this is one of the most important benefits to look for, even if you want inexpensive travel insurance . It’s worth paying a bit more for a high amount of coverage, especially if you’re shopping around for travel insurance for the USA , where healthcare costs are through the roof.

Medical evacuation & repatriation

Another thing to look for when browsing the cheapest holiday insurance is medical evacuation and repatriation. The costs for these services are super expensive, so having this type of coverage is essential.

With medical evacuation and repatriation protection, you’ll be covered if you need to be transported from a remote area to a hospital or from your travel destination to your home country due to a serious injury or illness. It’s easy to overlook this benefit but should something happen and you don’t have this coverage, it could result in a huge financial loss.

Medical evacuation & repatriation coverage

Should an emergency arise, you don’t want to delay getting proper medical care, so having this type of coverage is very important!

Covid-related coverage

As I mentioned, Heymondo was one of the first providers to cover COVID-19 the same as any other illness, and many other insurance companies soon followed suit. While the height of the pandemic is over, it’s still worth having COVID coverage.

Besides, most cheap international travel insurance includes this type of coverage, so it won’t increase the price of your policy. If you do happen to contract COVID during your trip, you’ll be covered for the medical and travel-related expenses.

The exact terms and conditions depend on the company, but most insurers cover travelers for COVID testing, treatment, and quarantine.

Trip cancellation (and trip interruption)

Another thing you’ll want your plan to include is some type of trip cancellation coverage. This usually covers reasons like illness, inclement weather, strikes, and jury duty. However, you should always double-check your policy since providers vary on what they will and won’t cover.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits

Also, be aware that cheap travel insurance typically doesn’t include Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) but may offer it as an add-on. You can check our guide on the best cancel for any reason travel insurance for more information.

Along the same lines, trip interruption coverage will reimburse you if you need to cut your trip short due to a serious illness, injury, or the death of a family member. When buying cheap travel insurance , check to see if this benefit is included and what exactly falls under this category.

Lost or stolen baggage & delays

Lastly, baggage loss is something that even the most affordable travel insurance plans should cover. Anyone who has traveled knows that there is always the risk of your luggage getting lost, damaged, or delayed, so having this type of coverage is a good idea.

Under this benefit, you’ll receive a reimbursement so you can buy new toiletries, clothes, and other essentials if something happens to your luggage. The amount depends on the particular plan you choose.

What’s not covered by cheap travel insurance?

Now that you know the most important things to look for when shopping for travel insurance on a budget , let’s talk about what’s not covered. While cheap travel insurance can definitely offer comprehensive coverage, some policies only cover medical-related expenses, so you won’t be covered for travel-related issues.

Others exclude certain things like coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, natural disasters, and fear of travel. Again, it’s crucial that you look over your policy carefully so you know exactly what you’re getting.

Tips for buying travel insurance on a budget

Getting cheap international travel insurance isn’t just a matter of purchasing the least expensive policy you see. To get the best bang for your buck, keep these tips in mind:

• Pay attention to the policy limits to make sure you’re getting the best deal on travel insurance . While you might find lots of plans with low prices, that doesn’t mean they all offer the same amount of coverage.
• Buy at the right time . It’s better to purchase a policy as soon as you book your vacation so you know the exact price of your trip (this makes the claims process easier). Also, if you buy your policy just after booking your trip, you will have more benefits regarding the cancellation coverage.
• Shop around and compare cheap travel insurance policies from different providers.
• Only buy what you need and decline any unnecessary extras. For example, if you just need medical coverage, you don’t need to bother with things like trip cancellation and baggage loss coverage.
• If you travel more than three times a year, consider getting annual multi-trip insurance , which will save you money in the long run.
• Check to see if your credit card has travel insurance benefits . Some cards offer protection for trip cancellation or delayed/lost baggage (I’ll touch on this later).

By keeping these tips in mind, you can find cheap travel insurance for any type of trip.

Medical-only vs. cheap travel insurance

As you’re shopping for low-cost travel insurance , you’ll probably come across medical-only travel insurance . While they’re both affordable options, they aren’t the same, so it’s important to know the difference.

Cheap international travel insurance includes both medical and travel-related coverage. This means that you’ll be covered for health emergencies like sicknesses and injuries, as well as trip cancellation and baggage loss.

On the other hand, medical-only travel insurance will only apply to medical-related scenarios, and the coverage limits tend to be a lot higher. Of course, this really comes in handy when you’re traveling to countries where healthcare is exceedingly high, like the United States or Japan.

For our trips, we like to have insurance that covers medical and travel-related situations, which is why we always go with Heymondo travel insurance plans. This way, we’re covered for medical emergencies, trip delays, lost baggage, evacuation, repatriation, and more.

Is getting affordable travel insurance worth it?

Without a doubt, travel insurance is worth it , always! When you travel as much as us, you realize that anything can happen while you’re abroad, so it’s always a good idea to be prepared. We’ve had several scary experiences and mishaps, and if it weren’t for our annual travel insurance from Heymondo , we would’ve been stuck with huge headaches and financial losses.

Here are just a few examples of times when we’ve had to rely on our insurance:

• We had our most traumatic experience in the Peruvian Amazon when our boat capsized and tossed all of the passengers and their bags into the river . We were carried away by the water for about 15 minutes before we were able to get rescued and climb back on land. While Dan and I didn’t need medical attention, we lost a lot of equipment, including a couple of laptops and cameras, several lenses, two hard drives, and our passports. Fortunately, we were able to contact Heymondo via their 24/7 app, and they helped us connect with the Spanish embassy to return to Spain for new passports. Plus, our policy included $750 dollars each for Dan and me to cover our lost equipment.
• A less dramatic but still terrifying incident occurred in Alaska when Dan’s drone hit a tree and fell on me, cutting up my hand . I got freaked out by all the blood, and, in a rush, we drove to the nearest hospital for medical care. If we had contacted Heymondo first, they would’ve arranged the medical payments in advance, but since we forgot to, we had to pay the $3,000 bill upfront. Heymondo quickly reimbursed us, of course, but imagine if we hadn’t had trip insurance!
• In Ecuador, Dan got a stomach sickness that led to a hospital visit. Luckily, with our cheap holiday insurance , we were covered for this emergency medical expense.

So yes, getting insurance is totally worth it! Best of all, there are affordable travel insurance plans out there, as you’ve seen in this guide, so there’s no reason not to get it.

Credit cards with cheap travel insurance benefits

The last thing I want to touch on involves getting cheap travel insurance with one of the best credit cards for travel . While not all cards have this benefit, some offer trip cancellation protection or reimbursement for lost or delayed baggage.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is one option that offers cardholders coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, as well as baggage loss/delay coverage. So, if you’re thinking about buying cheap travel insurance that mostly covers medical-related expenses, you might want to look into a credit card with travel-related benefits.

That said, I still recommend investing in a good travel insurance policy, especially if you’re a frequent traveler. You can find the best deals on travel insurance by looking into any of the providers I mentioned in this guide.

FAQs – Cheap travel insurance

To end this guide, I’m sharing the answers to the most common questions about affordable travel insurance :

What is the best affordable travel insurance?

In my opinion, Heymondo has the best cheap travel insurance on the market, although it’s also worth looking at SafetyWing , IMG Global , Trawick International , and Travelex .

How much does travel insurance cost?

You can buy cheap travel insurance for under $10 per week, although the amount of coverage varies.

What are the different types of budget travel insurance?

You can find cheap medical-only travel insurance or affordable insurance with travel and medical-related coverage.

The best cheap travel insurance covers emergency medical expenses, repatriation, baggage loss/delay, and trip cancellation.

What’s not covered by cheap travel medical insurance?

Some budget travel insurance policies won’t cover pre-existing conditions or travelers over a certain age.

When should I get travel insurance if I’m on a budget?

You should purchase your travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday.

Is buying cheap travel insurance worth it?

Yes, even if it’s a cheaper travel medical insurance , it’s still worth getting. This way, you’re covered in case anything goes wrong during your trip, so you can focus on enjoying yourself.

I hope this guide helps you find the best affordable trip insurance for your needs. Don’t forget that you can save money on a Heymondo policy by using our link .

If you have any other questions about budget travel insurance , feel free to leave me a comment below. I’d be happy to help you out.

Until then, have a great trip, and don’t leave home without travel insurance!

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Factors Influencing the Cost of Travel Insurance

Cheapest travel insurance by company, how to save money on travel insurance, the bottom line.

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How to Get the Cheapest Travel Insurance

Learn how to make travel insurance affordable.

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Traveling is often expensive and comes with risks you don’t face at home. If you end up getting hurt, losing your luggage, or getting stuck overnight in the airport, the costs can add up quickly. 

Travel insurance offers a way to protect yourself from unexpected travel costs. It covers or reimburses a wide range of expenses so you don’t have to worry too much about the financial fallout of traveling mishaps. And, the good news is, it can be cheap!

Here’s a closer look at how to get the cheapest travel insurance and what else to consider when picking a policy.

As you shop around for travel insurance, you’ll find some of the best travel insurers have a range of policies and price points that include different levels of coverage types and amounts. Here’s a closer look at the common coverage types and how they work. 

Medical Coverage

A prominent feature of travel insurance is medical coverage that kicks in if you get hurt or sick while traveling. It can cover you up to a max limit that often ranges from $50,000 up to $5 million or more. 

Typically, the emergency accident and sickness coverage comes with a deductible and may also have a copay amount and coinsurance percentage . Insurers cover eligible costs after you pay your deductible and they subtract any copay or coinsurance you pay. 

After you pay your deductible, some travel insurance plans cover 100% of approved medical expenses up to your maximum limit.

Emergency Dental

Emergency dental can help to cover the costs of dental care while traveling. Providers will often outline maximum limits, the type of care that’s covered, and specific situations in which it’s covered. 

For example, Seven Corners’ basic plan includes $750 of coverage for emergency treatment if sound natural teeth are causing pain.  

Trip Cancellation, Delay, or Interruption

Some insurers offer trip cancellation, travel delay, and trip interruption coverage. Each of these coverage types typically stands alone and comes with its own respective maximum limit. 

• Trip cancellation: If you need to cancel a trip because of a covered event and can’t get a refund, this coverage can help you recoup your costs. Covered events may include situations such as you or a family member getting sick, injured, or dying before the trip. 
• Travel delay coverage: If you happen to encounter travel delays that result in the need to pay for reasonable expenses like accommodations and extra meals, travel delay coverage can help to reimburse you for the costs. Restrictions may apply, such as requiring you to be abroad or requiring a minimum delay length of 10 hours.  
• Trip interruption coverage: If you need to end a trip early due to extenuating circumstances (death of a family member, serious damage to your home, etc.), this coverage reimburses you for certain costs you’ll incur. For example, it may provide reimbursement if you have to book an earlier return flight.

Loss of Checked Baggage

Baggage and personal effects coverage reimburses you for lost baggage and personal items that you check with a common carrier. Insurers may provide limits per item and per occurrence. 

Baggage Delay

If your baggage ends up getting delayed, this coverage reimburses reasonable amounts you spend on additional clothing and other necessary personal items. It may also cover the cost of locating and retrieving your luggage. 

Insurers often set a maximum limit on the amount they’ll reimburse and may require your baggage to be lost for a minimum amount of time before you qualify (e.g. 24 hours).

Natural Disaster or Emergency Medical Evacuation 

Many insurers include coverage for emergency evacuations with maximums that are separate from your medical limits. However, companies vary in the amount that’s covered, the situations which warrant a covered evacuation (e.g. medical, non-medical, natural disaster), and who can be evacuated (e.g. policyholder, spouse, children). 

Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)

Accidental death and dismemberment coverage pays a benefit if you’re involved in an accident while on your trip that results in your death or the loss of one or more limbs. In the event of death, the insurer pays the plan’s benefit to your chosen beneficiary. Insurers will vary in the benefit amount they include for this coverage and their criteria for when a situation qualifies. 

Personal Liability 

If you are sued and found personally liable for injuries to another person or damage to another person’s property—due to an event that happened while on your trip—this coverage could help to cover the costs up to your plan’s limits. Insurers may or may not provide this coverage and will vary in their coverage limits. 

Adventure Activities

Many people participate in adventure activities while they’re on vacation. Adventure activities coverage is often an optional add-on that will ensure your medical coverage will still apply, even if you’re injured due to an adventurous activity like bungee jumping, riding a motor scooter, or parasailing. 

Which travel insurance is cheapest? Here’s a look at quotes from five reputable providers.

The above quotes are based on seven-day trips to Mexico and Canada. We chose the entry-level travel insurance plan for each provider and we requested $50,000 in medical coverage. Where a deductible option was present, we chose $250. Further, we requested quotes for 35- and 60-year-old travelers.

Beyond the medical maximum coverage limit, the insurers offered a variety of coverage types and amounts. For example, accidental death and dismemberment coverage varied from $10,000 up to $50,000 between the providers. Baggage delay, trip delay, trip interruption, and evacuation coverage varied. Some offered the above coverage types while others didn’t, and coverage amounts varied for those that did. So, when comparing travel insurance quotes, it’s essential to review what you get for the price. 

Compare the cheapest travel insurance quotes on SquareMouth .

If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, the best thing you can do is shop around. Most providers have a variety of plan tiers. So, figure out the minimum amount of coverage you need, and then browse the plan options to find the best overall value. Be sure to read the fine print. 

It may also be helpful to know that you can adjust your medical coverage and deductible amounts to impact your premium price. Lower coverage limits and higher deductibles will mean a lower premium. However, if you end up filing a claim, high deductibles and low coverage limits could put you in financial trouble.

In the end, if something happens, you might be able to save a significant amount by paying a few more dollars each month on your premium. 

If you’re going to live abroad, you’ll want to research best health insurance for expats instead of travel insurance because travel insurance isn’t designed for long-term coverage that extends beyond emergencies. 

What Is the Cheapest Travel Insurance and Who Offers It?

Of the insurers we compared, International Medical Group Inc. (IMG) offered the cheapest travel insurance plan for 35-year-olds while Trawick International offered the cheapest plan for 60-year-olds. However, most of the quotes were within a few dollars of each other, so it’s a good idea to shop around and compare more than just pricing. If you’re older than 60, check out the best travel insurance options for seniors .

Does Travel Insurance Cover 100% of the Trip?

Some travel insurance plans cover 100% (or more) of your trip costs in certain scenarios while others don’t. For example, Generali Global Assistance’s Standard plan covers up to 100% of a trip’s cost if you need to cancel and 125% if it’s interrupted. Seven Corners, on the other hand, lists a $2,500 max limit on trip interruption coverage for its basic plan. You’ll have to carefully review the benefits of the policies you’re considering to see if your trip costs are covered, how much is covered, and under what circumstances the coverage applies. 

How Much Does Travel Insurance Usually Cost?

The cost of travel insurance can vary greatly depending on your age, the company you choose, the coverage types you want, and the coverage amounts you need. Rates can start as low as $7 to $10 for 35-year-olds and around $27 for 60-year-olds, depending on the destination. Find out exactly how much it’ll cost you by getting quotes from a few of the best travel insurance companies of 2023 . 

Traveling is expensive and brings risks you might not anticipate. If you get injured, lose luggage or other property, or have to change your plans on short notice, the costs can start to spike. Travel insurance can protect you from unexpected costs.

The price of insurance varies based on how extensive your coverage is, where you're going and for how long, your age, and how much of a deductible you're willing to pay. Some of the companies with the cheapest rates include IMG Global, Seven Corners, and Trawick International.

Squaremouth. " Co-Insurance Coverage ."

Seven Corners. “ RoundTrip Travel Protection .”

Generali Global Assistance. “ View Travel Insurance Plan Documents ,” Enter date "3/16/2023" and "California." View Page 8.

Seven Corners. “ Seven Corners Travel Medical Insurance for Trips Excluding the USA ," Page 9.

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Top 7 Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies (May 2024)

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The cheapest travel insurance companies are Nationwide, Trawick and Travelex . According to our research, Nationwide’s average policy cost is $175 and Trawick and Travelex’s are $212 , each under the industry average of $221.

Using cost data from seven different traveler profiles, we found the average cost of basic travel insurance coverage for an international trip is between $108 and $298 . The price of travel insurance can vary widely between trips and is based on factors like your age and total travel expenses.

The 7 Best Cheap Travel Insurance Companies Worth The Cost

Here are our picks for the cheapest travel insurance companies, ranked by lowest average costs across various plan levels.

• Nationwide Travel Insurance : Cheapest travel insurance
• Trawick International Travel Insurance: Our pick for student travel insurance
• Travelex: Our pick for families
• Seven Corners: Our pick for international travelers
• AIG Travel Guard : Our pick for families
• Generali Global Assistance : Our pick for emergency assistance
• Faye : Our pick for an all-online experience

To determine the cheapest travel insurance plan options, Marketwatch Guides gathered sample quotes for all plan options offered by 24 travel insurance companies for eight trips with varying traveler ages, destinations, number of travelers and trip costs, which are outlined in our methodology. Total trip prices ranged from $1,800 to $8,000, with destinations to Mexico, England, France, Greece, Spain, Italy and Ireland.

The following table compares each company’s average plan cost, cheapest plan option and BBB rating.

How We Gathered Cost Data

Our team reviewed travel insurance companies in-depth to provide the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information available. While your policy price will vary based on your trip details, traveler ages, number of travelers, destination and more, we took the following steps when collecting data to get a full scope of industry pricing.

• 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico
• 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to London
• 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to London
• Family of 4 taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico
• 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to Paris, France
• 27-year-old taking a $1,800 trip to Athens, Greece
• 23-year-old taking a $4,000 trip to Europe (Italy, Spain, Ireland, Greece, longest time spent in Italy)
• 51-year-old taking a $2,000 vacation to Madrid, Spain
• Cost data by provider:  To figure out how the average cost for each provider, we collected sample quotes for all the insurance policies they offer. Then, we took the average of these estimates for each type of trip across all their policies to find out the provider’s average cost.
• Cost data by age:  We evaluated cost data for seven ages in increments of ten years starting at 20 years old. We collected 20 sample quotes for each age and averaged them to get the typical cost for that age group. Sample quotes were collected for a variety of policies, from medical-only to comprehensive travel insurance plans.
• One 30-year-old traveler
• A 30-year-old couple
• Two 30-year-old adults and one 5-year-old child
• Two 30-year-old adults, one 5-year-old child and one 7-year-old child
• Cost by trip price:  To get accurate pricing by trip price, we collected 20 quotes each for 11 differently priced trips. We started at a $1,000 trip and increased the trip price by $1,000 increments until $10,000, then collected quotes for a $15,000 trip. We averaged the 20 quotes for each trip.

We manually collected all cost information from each company’s respective website.  Learn more about our review standards .

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

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

Companies Reviewed

Quotes Collected

Rating Factors

Nationwide Travel Insurance

Pros and Cons

Why we chose nationwide.

Nationwide offers two standard travel insurance plans with up to 200% reimbursement for trip interruptions and up to $150,000 in medical expense coverage. However, baggage limits and medical evacuation coverages are higher, which is beneficial for travelers with independent international health insurance.

Nationwide also offers three unique tiers of cruise protection, with up to 200% reimbursement if your vacation is interrupted or an unavoidable delay causes you to miss your cruise. This can offer peace of mind if you’re flying out of state to a departure port — especially considering national increases in flight delays .

Coverage and Add-ons

Plans and Coverage

The chart below outlines Nationwide’s two single-trip travel insurance plans.

Add-On Options

You can add the following optional coverages to Nationwide’s cruise and single-trip travel insurance plans:

• Accidental death and dismemberment
• CFAR coverage
• Vendor financial default coverage
• Preexisting medical conditions waiver
• Rental car collision coverage

Trawick International

Why We Chose Trawick International Travel Insurance

If you’re an international student studying abroad in the U.S., you are usually required to maintain a certain level of medical and evacuation insurance as a term of your visa. Trawick Travel Insurance offers low-cost medical evacuation insurance that meets the minimum requirements for some of the most common student and academically-oriented visa types.

If you’re a student visiting the U.S. from another country, you may be required to maintain a certain level of medical evacuation coverage as a condition of your visa. Trawick Travel Insurance offers up to $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage as a standalone policy, meeting the insurance requirements of the J1, F1 and H1 visas. This policy is available to both students and faculty approved for select education-related visas and includes access to 24/7 assistance from a qualified, live nursing line.

If you’re a U.S. student traveling internationally, you might benefit from one of Trawick’s standard trip-cancellation insurance plans. Trawick sells a range of 10 individual plan options, varying in terms of coverage levels and benefits. CFAR coverage is available as an upgrade, and budget policy choices can be especially valuable for college students.

Coverage and Cost

If you’re an international student shopping for study-abroad coverage, Trawick offers one specific option: a medical evacuation and repatriation plan. The company offers 10 standard round-trip policies, ranging from its budget-friendly Safe Travels Explorer plan to its all-inclusive Safe Travels First Class. You can even create your own travel insurance plan with the customizable Safe Travels Flex policy — though most options have state-related limitations.

Trawick Travel Insurance currently offers the following add-ons for its roundtrip plan options:

• IFAR coverage
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
• Adventure activity coverage
• Rental car damage
• Rental property damage
• Trip delay coverage upgrades

Specific upgrades may vary by policy and destination. Some policies automatically include coverage that you must purchase as an add-on to other plans (like AD&D coverage).

Why We Chose Travelex

More expensive than Trawick by a few cents, Travelex earned a spot on our list because of its affordable pricing and decent coverage. Its basic travel insurance coverage can cost as low as $60 and includes all the standard protections you’ll find with more expensive providers. Travelex also offers higher-than-average baggage allowances, combining a competitive price point with extra coverage for travelers.

Travelex bills its travel insurance policies as flat-rate coverage, making your pricing more predictable. Plans also include access to 24/7 emergency assistance services, which can connect you with travel and legal assistance anywhere in the world.

Travelex offers the below travel insurance plans. The Travel Select and Travel America plans include coverage for sporting equipment delays, and Travel America offers medical emergency protection for your pet.

Travelex allows you to add the following coverage to your travel insurance:

• Adventure sports coverage
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) and medical benefit upgrades

Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Why We Chose Seven Corners

With six total policy options, Seven Corners offers many opportunities to customize your coverage and match protections with price. For example, Seven Corners offers a multi-trip plan that covers a single trip with more than one international destination. In addition, the company sells a medical travel plan for non-U.S. citizens to help cover emergency medical costs while traveling within the U.S.

Seven Corners offers a generous range of travel insurance plans suitable for international destinations around the globe. It offers two plans for international travel with cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage options and a range of medical-only options at reduced price points.

Seven Corners is one of the only travel insurance providers we’ve seen offer multi-trip coverage that protects you across multiple destinations. Overall, Seven Corners has six total policy options, and quotes most plans at lower-than-average premiums.

In addition to offering specialized plans, Seven Corners provides more generous baggage coverage than some other providers. You’ll be able to claim a reimbursement for a baggage delay after just 12 hours, which can offer peace of mind if you’re traveling to multiple international destinations in a single trip.

Seven Corners has two base plan options: Trip Protection Basic and Trip Protection Choice. These policies cover one-way and round-trip travel itineraries in the U.S. and abroad, with up to $100,000 in medical coverage and up to 100% in compensation for trip interruption on the most affordable plan.

Seven Corners currently offers the following add-ons for its roundtrip plan options:

• Interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage
• Sports and golfing equipment coverage

AIG Travel Guard

Why We Chose AIG Travel Guard

While most travel insurance providers require you to purchase an add-on policy for children, AIG offers a complimentary plan for a minor with the purchase of coverage for an adult. Depending on the age of the child and your destination, choosing AIG as your travel insurance provider could help you save on policy costs if you’re traveling as a family.

Trying to buy travel insurance for a family doesn’t have to be overly expensive. With AIG Travel Guard’s Deluxe Plan, you can include complimentary coverage for one child aged 17 years or younger with the purchase of an adult plan. The policy also includes unique coverages for leisurely activities, such as benefits for lost golf tee times and sporting equipment rentals.

In addition to multi-person plans, AIG offers affordable travel insurance for individuals with up to $150,000 in medical expense coverage and up to 150% reimbursement for trip cancellations. All of AIG’s plans also include 24/7 emergency assistance over the phone.

AIG has three travel insurance plans, all of which include family coverage.

AIG Travel Guard allows you to customize your policy with the following add-ons:

• Preexisting conditions waiver
• Rental car collision damage

The company also offers coverage bundles that can be added to the Preferred and Deluxe plans:

• Adventure sports bundle:  Removes policy exclusions for adventure activities and extreme sports.
• Name Your Family™ bundle:  Allows you to add one person as a family member to take advantage of family-related unforeseen event coverage.
• Medical bundle:  Increases your policy’s medical benefits.
• Inconvenience bundle:  Payment for trip inconveniences such as closed attractions, rental home lockouts, hotel infestation, etc.
• Baggage bundle:  Increases your policy’s baggage benefits.
• Pet bundle:  Adds travel coverage related to your pet, including benefits for boarding and emergency medical bills.
• Security bundle:  Covers costs related to security evacuations and trip interruptions or cancellations due to riot or civil disorder.
• Wedding bundle:  Covers the costs if the wedding you are traveling to is canceled.

Generali Global Assistance

Why We Chose Generali Global Assistance

If you’re traveling to a country where the primary language spoken is not English, running into even a minor travel issue can cause stress and panic. Generali’s 24/7 emergency hotline offers multilingual support as needed, offering real-time assistance no matter the timezone. An emergency evacuation coverage limit of $1 million is also a generous protection that can make Generali a strong choice for those traveling to international destinations that are considered risky.

Generali Global Assistance earns a place on our list for its around-the-clock emergency support. Customers can access a 24/7 emergency hotline to speak with an expert if an issue arises while traveling, which can provide peace of mind if you’ve never traveled internationally or are traveling to a location where you do not speak the primary language.

Generali extends emergency evacuation coverage of up to $1 million and medical expense coverage of up to $250,000. Plans also feature identity theft protection, a common problem abroad that some travel insurance companies don’t consider.

Generali offers three plans with the below coverage levels. In addition, the Preferred and Premium plans offer reimbursement if you experience any delays when renting sporting equipment on your trip.

Generali offers the following coverage add-ons:

• CFAR upgrade

Why We Chose Faye

If you’re a digital native, you may enjoy how Faye leverages insurance tech to help you get a policy quickly and file a claim on the go. Benefitting from a digital underwriting process, Faye allows you to view policy options and start comparing quotes in seconds.

Launched in 2022 , Faye may be a newcomer to the travel insurance industry, but its seamless online experience has already earned the company hundreds of positive online customer reviews.

Faye features an all-online quote process with just a handful of questions, enrollment and claims-filing process. You can enroll in coverage and file claims directly through its mobile app, and even be reimbursed on approved claims to your phone’s Faye wallet. Faye also offers real-time alerts and 24/7 customer service before and during your trip.

We recommend Faye to travelers who want a quick, all-online experience that doesn’t require wading through complicated coverage options.

Coverage and Add-Ons

Faye offers one plan with several optional add-on options.

Optional Add-Ons 

• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) 
• Rental car damage or theft
• Adventure and extreme sports protection 
• Vacation rental damage protection

*Coverage limits and availability may vary by state of residence.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

After gathering quotes for various traveler profiles from top providers in the industry, our team found that travel insurance costs anywhere from $35 to $765 . However, the cheapest travel insurance companies on our list average $188 per trip . After averaging quotes across traveler profiles, we found that Nationwide offers the most affordable basic travel insurance coverage, with an average policy costing $132.

Note that the cost of a travel insurance policy will depend on factors like your destination, number of travelers, traveler ages, length of the trip and total trip cost. To help you better understand how these factors can affect your travel insurance costs, we’ve outlined several traveler profiles and the average cost of coverage for each in the table below.

*We calculated average plan costs by obtaining quotes from each provider in our review across all available plans.

Keep in mind that cheaper policies often mean lower coverage. Be sure to review the trip interruption and cancellation coverage percentages, baggage loss coverage, flight connection coverage, medical maximums, and medical evacuation maximums to find out if a low-cost plan is really worth it if you aren’t full covered. Search for policies with 100%+ cancellation and interruption coverage and offers over $500,000 in medical coverage. 

Factors That Affect Travel Insurance Cost

Travel insurance is not a one-size-fits-all plan. Several factors determine the cost of your travel insurance, which we’ve listed below.

• Age: Many travel insurance companies increase costs and coverage amounts with age. You should expect to pay more the older you are, as age often correlates with increased risk. However, typically prices are the same for travelers up to age 50 and increase from there.
• Plan type: There are many different types of travel insurance policies. The more protection you need, the more expensive your travel insurance will be. Some basic plans may only provide flight or medical protection, so those will be the cheapest. If your plan covers multiple means of travel (like flights, rental cars, a cruise, etc.) or more risk-prone sports (like rock climbing), you’ll pay more.
• Add-on coverages: Most plans allow you to add certain features without having to upgrade your entire plan. For example, you may be able to buy basic flight insurance for $30 and add CFAR coverage for an additional $30.
• Number of travelers: While you can buy a single policy for multiple travelers, each traveler will have their own premium, which increases the total cost of the travel insurance. However, many travel insurance companies offer group-rate discounts.
• Trip cost: The more expensive your trip, the more it would cost the travel insurance company to reimburse it. As such, your travel insurance premium will increase alongside your reported total trip cost.
• Trip length: Another no-brainer — the longer the trip, the more you’ll pay for travel insurance. Longer trips are not only more expensive but also increase the chances of something going wrong.
• Destination: Your travel insurance provider will take the risk factor of your trip destination into consideration when determining the cost of travel insurance. It’s less focused on crime statistics and more focused on the likelihood of danger. For example, if you’re embarking on a rural jungle adventure, you’ll probably have a more expensive travel insurance cost compared to staying in a populous city with a high crime rate.

How To Find Cheap Travel Insurance

Protecting your vacation with travel insurance does not have to break the bank. Consider these tips to find the best possible pricing on travel coverage for your upcoming trip.

Compare Travel Insurance Quotes

Every travel insurance company uses an in-house underwriting formula to determine how much you’ll pay for travel insurance. It’s possible to find the same level of travel insurance from five different travel insurance companies at five different price points.

The only way to know which travel insurance company has the most affordable coverage for your trip is to get a quote from multiple providers. We recommend getting a quote from at least three competing travel insurance companies before making your final choice. While getting a quote takes only a few minutes, it could end up saving you hundreds of dollars on insurance.

Determine the Right Amount of Coverage

Another way to save money on travel insurance is to opt for a policy with only the coverages that you need. For example, most travel insurance providers offer the option to add CFAR coverage, which entitles you to reimbursement for travel expenses no matter why you need to cancel your trip. While this add-on can be convenient, it is also expensive, and you can save a significant amount on coverage by opting out. Once you confirm your travel plans, you can avoid unnecessary expenses by purchasing only the coverage you need.

Check Credit Card and Employer Benefits

Before purchasing travel insurance, it can be helpful to call your credit card company to learn more about your benefits. Many credit cards, such as Chase Sapphire Preferred , come with built-in perks, including rental car coverage, trip cancellation protection, and travel accident insurance. If you’re able to claim these coverages through your credit card company, you won’t need to buy added coverage through a travel insurer, saving you money.

If you’re traveling for business, you can ask if you have any coverage through your employer. Some large employers that fund corporate travel regularly broker discounted group travel plans for their employees, allowing you to avoid buying your own coverage. Even if your employer only offers a limited travel plan, you may only need to fund supplemental coverage to enjoy full travel protection.

Weigh the Value vs. the Cost

As you compare policy options and collect quotes, take the time to understand the exact coverage levels included in each plan. Sometimes, cheap travel insurance is cheap for a reason — a low-priced plan may exclude circumstances you expect coverage for, limiting the usefulness of your policy.

After getting a quote from a travel insurance provider, make a note of important policy details. For example, if you’re opting for CFAR coverage, how much will you be reimbursed if you cancel your trip ? What types of medical conditions and injuries does your policy exclude? What is the maximum amount your insurance will pay if you miss a flight, must come home early or face another emergency? These important questions can help you compare policies and determine the value of your coverage.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

If you’ve never purchased it before, you might be wondering what travel insurance is and what it covers .

As we’ve seen by comparing companies and policies, travel insurance can cover a wide array of things. But some of the most basic coverages are as follows:

airplane Created with Sketch Beta. Trip cancellation protection: Compensates you for nonrefundable trip payments prepaid to your hotel, airline , cruise and other vendors if you’re forced to cancel your trip for a covered reason.

airplane Created with Sketch Beta. Trip interruption protection: Compensates you for nonrefundable trip expenses if you’re forced to leave your vacation early for a reason stated in your policy.

airplane Created with Sketch Beta. Baggage delay and loss: Compensates you for lost, stolen or delayed baggage costs .

airplane Created with Sketch Beta. Emergency medical expenses: This covers the cost of expenses if you’re injured, become ill or experience a medical issue on a trip. Some travel insurance plans also include coverage limits for dental costs.

Common Add-Ons

If you buy a cheap travel insurance plan, it will likely only protect you from the most basic issues. But if you pay a little extra, you can add on coverage for things you might be more likely to need, including:

• Cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) coverage: When you claim reimbursement through your travel insurance policy, you’ll need to prove why you’re canceling. With a CFAR upgrade, you can cancel your trip for any reason and still claim a percentage reimbursement on nonrefundable costs.
• Interrupt-for-any-reason (IFAR) coverage: IFAR coverage is similar to CFAR coverage except that it protects you starting 72 hours after your departure until the end of your trip. If you have to cut your trip short for any reason, IFAR will reimburse 75% of the total amount of coverage you purchased for any non-refundable travel arrangements.
• Collision coverage waiver: Extends your rental car coverage to include collision damage.
• Financial default: This type of coverage applies if your airline, resort or other trip vendor declares bankruptcy.
• Preexisting conditions waiver: Most standard travel insurance policies exclude health conditions if you show symptoms before buying travel insurance. An add-on allows you to extend your coverage to waive preexisting condition exclusions.

Is Cheap Travel Insurance Worth It?

When deciding if travel insurance is worth it , we recommend you consider your personal circumstances before making any decisions about a policy. For example, if you’ve purchased an expensive airline ticket — especially one with multiple layovers — you may decide to purchase travel insurance to protect your investment. Travel medical insurance policies can also provide peace of mind around a potential medical emergency abroad, for example, if you are traveling to a remote location.   

While many companies offer cheap travel insurance, not all policies are created equal. As you compare the best travel insurance plans, consider which coverages you can sacrifice to maintain valuable protections and save money. For example, if you have a health care policy that covers you abroad or a credit card that provides rental car coverage, you will not need a plan that includes these protections.

No matter what kind of travel insurance coverage you’re looking for, we recommend comparing premiums from at least three of our top travel insurance companies before deciding whether travel insurance is worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Travel Insurance

What is the cheapest travel insurance.

Our travel insurance comparison found that Nationwide offers some of the most affordable basic travel protection options for international travel insurance. However, we recommend getting a quote from each provider recommended above before you purchase travel insurance, as prices will vary based on the traveler, trip details, budget and destination.

What are the different types of cheap travel insurance?

There are multiple types of cheap travel insurance, including policies that include coverage for trip cancellation, trip delay and medical treatments issued abroad. Some travel insurance providers offer robust plans with various benefits, while others offer more affordable policies with limited benefits. The latter usually only allows you to cancel for a covered reason to receive a reimbursement for airfare , hotel costs and other nonrefundable expenses.

Do cheap travel insurance plans include COVID-19 coverage?

While travel restrictions have lifted immensely since 2021, COVID-19 concerns are still impacting travelers in 2023. According to a study from AAA , about 31% more Americans now choose to cover their trip costs with travel insurance compared to pre-pandemic.

Many of the companies we’ve reviewed in this guide offer some type of coverage for COVID-19, but it may be more limited in a basic plan. Now that COVID-19 has become less of a threat, many travel insurance policies treat it like any other illness under medical insurance. If you’re in a group at a higher risk of COVID-19 and believe a new strain might affect your travel plan, consider upgrading to CFAR insurance to extend your cancellation coverage to situations like fear of flying or illness.

What is the average cost of travel insurance?

You can expect to pay between 4% and 12% of your total trip cost for your international travel insurance, according to Generali Global Assistance . Actual costs will vary depending on trip details and the type of coverage you select.

What is the best type of travel insurance coverage?

The best travel insurance for your needs might vary depending on the specifics of your trip. For example, if you’re a student taking a budget trip to Mexico for spring break, Trawick’s low-cost basic plan might offer the most bang for your buck. If you’re planning a cruise, Nationwide’s cruise-specific coverage might provide peace of mind. We recommend getting at least three quotes from competing providers to be sure you’re getting the best coverage.

Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.

A.M. Best Disclaimer

Additional Travel Insurance Resources

• Best COVID-19 travel insurance companies
• Best cruise insurance plans
• Best travel insurance companies
• Best group travel insurance companies
• Health insurance for USA visitors
• Best senior travel insurance
• Best travel insurance for families
• Best student travel insurance plans
• Travel insurance for parents visiting USA
• Best travel medical insurance plans
• How much does travel insurance cost?

If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at [email protected] .

Other Travel Resources:

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

Maximize Coverage, Minimize Cost: The 4 Cheapest Travel Insurance Policies

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Best Cheap Travel Insurance for Young Travelers: Aegis Insurance

Best cheap travel insurance for families: worldtrips, best cheap multi-trip travel insurance: nationwide, best cheap cruise travel insurance: aegis insurance, best cheap travel insurance for seniors: seven corners travel insurance, is travel insurance worth it, travel insurance costs, types of travel insurance, how to get cheap travel insurance, final thoughts.

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If you’re trying to travel inexpensively, you might be hesitant to add the expense of travel insurance to your trip budget. But travel insurance — even low-cost travel insurance — can offer value far beyond its cost.

With coverage for unexpected incidents on your trip, such as delays, interruptions, or medical emergencies, travel insurance can give you a safety net when you’re far from home — without paying all that much. 

Let’s explore how much travel insurance costs, how to get the best deal, and some of the best-priced travel insurance policies.

The 4 Best Cheap Travel Insurance Policies by Type

These travel insurance plans offer a good balance of cost and value. As comprehensive travel insurance, these policies cover unexpected travel costs such as trip cancellation, delays, and travel medical coverage . 

Consider some of your options for budget comprehensive travel insurance:

Young, single travelers have the best shot at cheap travel insurance. You only need to purchase coverage for yourself; your age is an advantage for medical coverage compared to older travelers. 

We quoted a 23-year-old traveler visiting Japan, and the cheapest comprehensive travel policy was the Go Ready Choice policy $29 from Aegis Insurance . Coverage includes trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, baggage loss or delay, missed connections, COVID-19, and medical emergencies and evacuations. You’re even covered if you’re laid off from work. Read our Go Ready travel insurance review for further details.

If you’re traveling as a family, getting a travel insurance policy that covers all your family members is best. For a family of 4 with parents in their 30s and 2 kids visiting Germany for 2 weeks, the WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred policy is $139 . 

This policy covers the entire family and offers travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage , trip cancellation and interruption, medical expenses, and medical evacuation. 

While the WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred policy isn’t the absolute cheapest family travel insurance, it is the cheapest comprehensive travel insurance plan for families. Lower-cost policies were missing key coverage, such as COVID-19, trip interruption, and medical evacuation.

Buying an annual travel insurance plan to cover multiple trips within a year can offer savings compared to buying a new policy each time. Nationwide’s Annual Travel Pro Plan covers all your travel for a year. 

For a 35-year-old traveler from Florida, the Nationwide Annual Travel Pro Plan is $59 . That offers loss and delay coverage for your baggage, trip delay, emergency medical coverage and evacuation, and 24-hour emergency assistance. However, it doesn’t cover trip cancellation or interruption.

For more comprehensive coverage, you can opt for trip cancellation and interruption coverage starting at a $1,250 limit, with a total policy cost of $145 for an entire year.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review for more information.

The Aegis Go Ready Choice policy is a good option for cruise travel insurance , offering trip cancellation and interruption coverage, medical emergencies and evacuation, and COVID-19 coverage. A single-trip policy for a 30-year-old from Florida traveling to Mexico is $30.27 .

Age is a major factor in travel insurance policy costs; seniors generally pay more for coverage than younger travelers. Still, it’s possible to get affordable travel insurance for seniors .

A Seven Corners Trip Protection Basic plan is $130 for a 75-year-old traveler from California visiting Mexico. It offers coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, medical emergencies and evacuation, and COVID-19.

If you’re looking for cheap travel insurance, you might consider not getting travel coverage at all. But if you have nonrefundable travel costs at risk, or your regular health insurance doesn’t offer coverage at your destination, it could be a costly mistake to skip out on travel insurance coverage. 

Forfeiting nonrefundable travel expenses if you need to cancel your trip could cost far more than a cheap travel insurance policy. And getting medical care, especially emergency medical treatment or evacuation, can be particularly expensive. Even a budget travel insurance policy can protect you from catastrophe when the unexpected happens on your travels.

A travel insurance policy could be as cheap as $30 for a single trip or $59 for multiple trips throughout the year, which is far less than you could lose from trip cancellation or unexpected medical expenses.

Expect to pay between 5% to 10% of your total trip cost for a comprehensive travel insurance premium. Generally, that’s about $250, though factors such as your age and destination affect how much you’ll pay for your premium. 

For example, a 35-year-old traveler pays an average of $122 for travel insurance, while a 95-year-old pays an average of $415.

The main factors influencing your travel insurance premium include:

• Policy type
• Total trip cost
• Total coverage amounts
• Travel length
• Traveler age

Learn more about travel insurance costs in our guide to the average cost of travel insurance .

Travel insurance usually covers all or most of the mishaps that can affect your travel . It can cover you whether you need to cancel your trip before leaving, if you head home early, or if you get emergency medical care at your destination. You can also get coverage for trip delays, lost or delayed baggage, rental car coverage, and more. 

But all travel insurance isn’t the same, and you can often customize plans to meet your needs . For example, if your bookings are refundable, you might not worry too much about trip cancellation and interruption coverage. However, you may still want medical coverage because your health insurance isn’t accepted at your destination. 

Generally, there are 2 types of travel insurance: comprehensive travel insurance and travel medical plans . Comprehensive travel insurance tends to cost more than travel medical plans because it offers more extensive coverage, though your actual cost depends on your chosen plan.

Comprehensive travel insurance often covers:

• Lost, stolen, or delayed baggage
• Medical emergencies
• Rental car damage
• Trip cancellation, interruption, and delays

Travel medical insurance often covers:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Medical evacuation
• Unexpected illness or injury

Comprehensive travel and medical insurance are available as single-trip or multi-trip policies . A single-trip policy covers just 1 trip, while a multi-trip policy covers all the trips you take within a defined period. It’s common to get a multi-trip policy for a full year, so these policies are often known as annual travel insurance policies .

With a travel insurance policy, you may be able to add optional coverages, including:

• Adventure sports
• Cancel for Any Reason or interruption for any reason
• Pet coverage
• Preexisting conditions

You can’t control all factors, such as your age, that influence the cost of your travel insurance policy, but there are a handful of things you can do to get the best deal on travel insurance:

• Buy Your Policy Soon After Booking: Purchasing your travel insurance policy right after you book your trip won’t necessarily be cheaper than buying it later. Still, you’ll have more policy options the sooner you book, and you’ll get more value out of your trip cancellation coverage because your nonrefundable bookings are protected once you get your policy.
• Compare Multiple Quotes: The more travel insurance plan options you can compare, the better. Get quotes from at least 3 travel insurance companies to compare your costs and coverage, and consider using a travel insurance comparison website such as Squaremouth , where you can enter your information once to get policy options from several travel insurance companies.
• Consider Your Needs: Having a good idea of what coverage you need can help you right-size your travel insurance policy. For example, you may just need basic coverage for domestic trips. In contrast, you might need more extensive emergency medical and evacuation coverage for traveling abroad to a destination with limited medical care.
• Choose a High Deductible: You’ll pay your deductible before your insurance coverage pays out. The higher your deductible, the more you’ll pay if you need to use your coverage, but your policy premium will be lower with a higher deductible.
• Choose Lower Coverage Limits: Be realistic about how much you might need your travel insurance to pay out. Do you really need $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage?
• Consider an Annual Travel Insurance Policy: If you plan to take multiple trips throughout the year, the cost of your premium might be lower if you buy a multi-trip policy rather than a new policy each time you travel.
• Check Your Credit Card Benefits: Credit cards may offer travel insurance protections as a cardholder benefit. These may include trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical care and evacuation, trip delay, lost or delayed baggage, and rental car damage.
• Look for Discounts: Travel insurance companies may offer discounts for students, seniors, or members of certain organizations such as AAA or AARP .

Adding the expense of travel insurance might give you pause if you’re seeking budget travel. But the value that cheap travel insurance can offer extends beyond its cost. Travel insurance, even low-cost travel insurance, can protect you against costly financial burdens and travel disruptions. 

Understanding your coverage needs, adjusting your deductibles and coverage limits, and shopping around for the best quote can go a long way to helping you secure the best deal on travel insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest travel insurance.

The cheapest travel insurance generally only covers medical emergencies. Known as travel medical insurance, this type of travel insurance policy is typically not comprehensive and doesn’t cover common travel insurance benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption. But it is often available at a very low price and can offer value if you’re concerned about emergency medical costs while traveling.

Is the cheapest travel insurance the best travel insurance?

The cheapest travel isn’t necessarily the best — or the worst. Travel insurance with good coverage may be low or moderately priced. It’s a good idea to compare coverage levels for policies within your budget to find the best travel insurance at any price.

Do cheap travel insurance plans include COVID-19 coverage?

Travel insurance policies frequently include COVID-19 coverage, including low-priced travel insurance. Still, you should always verify your coverage to know what’s covered and what’s not.

What are the different types of cheap travel insurance?

Travel insurance generally has 2 types: comprehensive and medical insurance. Within those types, you can choose to get a single-trip or multi-trip policy that covers you for multiple trips, usually over a year. These travel insurance policies may have additional coverage options, such as Cancel for Any Reason, preexisting condition, or adventure sports coverage for an extra cost.

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About Jessica Merritt

A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little cash as possible.

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Best Travel Insurance for Visiting the U.S.

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Table of Contents

Travel insurance basics

Best visitors insurance policies, for the lowest price: trawick international, for customizing options: worldtrips, for pre-existing conditions: worldtrips, for highest medical coverage limit: img, other options to consider, the bottom line.

Since health care can be expensive in the U.S., it’s important that visitors have insurance coverage, aka visitors insurance or travel medical insurance, in case something happens that requires medical attention mid-trip.

Whether you have coverage for travel in the U.S. depends on your health care plan in your home country. But if you don't, you'll need to buy a policy from a third-party insurance provider. Several companies sell this kind of visitor insurance, and each company and policy is a bit different. Let’s look at which is best for you.

First, a few basics about visitor insurance. Two kinds are available: travel medical insurance and trip insurance.

Travel medical insurance covers medical expenses that you may incur while traveling internationally, like a visit to the doctor, a trip to the hospital and medical evacuation and repatriation.

Trip insurance usually covers limited medical expenses like emergency care and can compensate you if your trip is delayed, you need to leave the trip early or you have to cancel the trip. It is designed to help you protect the investment you’re making as you prepare to travel.

Standard trip insurance might not cover a visit to the doctor unless it is an emergency.

It’s important to make sure any pre-existing conditions are covered if the visitor has any. Some policies exclude them.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

With so many kinds of visitors insurance policies, which is the best?

To make comparisons, we got quotes from several companies using Squaremouth , a website to search for different types of travel insurance in one place.

The parameters we set are for a 49-year-old citizen and resident of Spain traveling to the U.S. on May 1-31, 2024.

The quotes don't include cancellation coverage; these examples are for medical coverage only. To get a quote, the hypothetical deposit for the trip was paid on Feb. 15.

Since we’re looking for a policy that will cover medical care for visitors, there are several medical filters to select: emergency medical ($100,000 or more), medical evacuation ($100,000 or more) and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

The search came up with nine results ranging in price from $74.40 to $179.18.

The policy with the lowest cost was the Trawick International 's Safe Travels USA Cost Saver at $74.40.

Trawick policies use the FirstHealth PPO network.

The policy as quoted has a $250 deductible and includes $100,000 in emergency medical, $2 million in medical evacuation and $5,000 in interruption coverage. It has limited coverage for pre-existing conditions.

It is possible to change the deductible to as little as $0 or raise it to $5,000.

The same company has another policy, the Trawick International Safe Travels USA Comprehensive policy, that is better at covering pre-existing conditions and costs a little more — $89.59.

The general coverage is the same as the less expensive policy, and the Safe Travels USA Comprehensive option adds coverage for acute onset of a pre-existing condition. it is possible to change the deductible amount to $0 or go up to $5,000.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Some policies are sold as is, while others allow some flexibility depending on what is important to you.

The WorldTrips Atlas Premium America policy for $179.18 allows a lot of customization.

It was also the most expensive of the nine policies Squaremouth suggested.

It’s possible to customize the emergency medical coverage and pre-existing condition coverage and medical deductible. The policy also includes $15,000 in trip interruption coverage, the highest of any of the nine policies available.

If the traveler has a pre-existing condition, policies from WorldTrips Atlas America are your best bet. The WorldTrips Atlas America policy in our comparison costs $101.06.

The policy as quoted covers $100,000 in emergency medical care and $25,000 in medical evacuation for an unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing condition.

The deductible is also available for customization from $0 to $5,000.

The PPO network for Atlas America Insurance is United Healthcare.

The WorldTrips Atlas Premium America policy mentioned above is also good for pre-existing condition coverage.

While eight of the nine policies had $100,000 in secondary medical coverage, one had a limit of $2 million.

The IMG Patriot America Platinum policy has a premium of $172.36 along with a high medical evacuation limit of $2 million and interruption coverage of $10,000.

If $2 million in medical coverage is not enough, it’s possible to increase that amount to an $8 million policy limit.

It’s not possible to change the level of coverage for preexisting conditions from the high $1 million limit in emergency medical care and $25,000 in medical evacuation for an unexpected recurrence.

It is possible to change the deductible from $0 all the way up to $25,000.

Our comparison also included policies from two additional companies, Seven Corners and Global Underwriters .

Seven Corners had two policies come up in the results, the Seven Corners Travel Medical Basic for $98.27 and the Seven Corners Travel Medical Choice policy for $136.71. Both of the Seven Corners policies include coverage for hurricane and weather, and the less expensive policy covers acts of terrorism.

Having insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses for anyone visiting the U.S. can be a smart money move.

An illness or accident could cause financial problems for visitors because of potentially having to pay for full health care costs. When planning your travel, be sure to check your current health insurance to find out if it will cover you in the U.S.

For a monthlong stay in the U.S., the lowest-priced visitors insurance policy was around $75 (Trawick International Safe Travels USA Cost Saver) and the highest was about $180 (WorldTrips Atlas Premium America). That’s about $2.42 or $5.81 a day, depending on the policy.

How to maximize your rewards

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

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

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

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

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

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

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

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

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

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

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

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

June 1, 2020

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

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

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

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

What's the Best Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?

You may think that a pre-existing condition means anything you’re being treated for at the time you purchase your travel insurance. The definition is actually broader than that. Allianz Global Assistance defines a pre-existing medical condition as:

An injury, illness, or medical condition that, within the 120 days prior to and including the purchase date of your policy:

• Caused a person to seek medical examination, diagnosis, care, or treatment by a doctor;
• Presented symptoms; or
• Required a person to take medication prescribed by a doctor (unless the condition or symptoms are controlled by that prescription, and the prescription has not changed).

It’s important to know that the illness, injury, or medical condition does not need to be formally diagnosed in order to be considered a pre-existing medical condition.

Let’s consider a few scenarios:

• Sudden, debilitating pain in an arthritic knee forces you to cancel your planned trekking tour of Iceland. Because you consulted your doctor about knee twinges three months ago, it’s considered a pre-existing condition.
• While sightseeing in Shanghai, you suffer a mild heart attack. Because you were diagnosed with coronary heart disease three weeks before purchasing travel insurance, this is considered a pre-existing condition.
• You were diagnosed with lupus many years ago, but it’s been in remission. You feel pretty good when you book your cruise to Bermuda, except for some fatigue and a rash. Then the Caribbean sun triggers a serious lupus flare, sending you to the hospital. Because you had symptoms when you booked your trip, this is considered a pre-existing condition.

2. Travel insurance requirements for covering pre-existing medical conditions 

If you’re dealing with a pre-existing medical condition, that does not mean you can’t get travel insurance, or that you shouldn’t travel at all. You just have to read the insurance policy documents very carefully to make sure you meet all the requirements. As Conde Nast Traveler puts it , “it’s best not to make assumptions. Returning home in pain is bad enough. Don’t intensify it by unnecessarily paying thousands of dollars you could use on your next trip.”

Certain Allianz Global Assistance plans can include pre-existing medical condition coverage as long as you:

• Your policy was purchased within the time frame specified in your plan (usually 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit.) In other words, don’t dawdle! Buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, so you don’t forget.
• Are a U.S. resident.
• Make sure you’re medically able to travel on the day you purchase the plan. Don’t assume you’re cleared to travel just because you feel OK that day. If you’re living with a chronic condition, or if you’ve recently had surgery or cancer treatment, it’s wise to get written approval to travel from your doctor.
• On the policy purchase date, insure the full non-refundable cost of your trip with Allianz Global Assistance — including trip arrangements that will become non-refundable or subject to cancellation penalties between the policy purchase date and the departure date. Make sure you include your airfare, hotel reservations, tour bookings and any other nonrefundable costs when you’re insuring your trip. If you incur additional non-refundable trip expenses after you purchase your policy, you must insure them with us within 14 days of their purchase. If you do not, those expenses will still be subject to the pre-existing medical condition exclusion.

3. What’s excluded from travel insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions

While most pre-existing conditions are covered by Allianz Global Assistance travel insurance, there are a few exceptions. Mental and nervous health disorders and normal pregnancy aren’t covered, for instance. If you want to make sure your particular condition is covered, speak with an insurance specialist before you buy.

Also, check the cap on trip costs. For the OneTrip Prime Plan , for instance, the total cost of your trip must be no more than $50,000 per person.

Why Allianz Global Assistance offers the best travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions 

If you have any kind of chronic health problem, travel insurance can save your vacation — or even your life. The best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions is the OneTrip Prime Plan from Allianz Global Assistance, which includes abundant coverage for covered emergency medical expenses overseas (up to $50,000). You also get emergency medical transportation benefits up to $500,000 to travel to the nearest appropriate medical facility or to return home. This is huge, especially if you suffer from a serious condition that might require advanced treatment. The OneTrip Premier Plan doubles these amounts.

Travel insurance from Allianz Global Assistance also can include trip cancellation and interruption benefits to reimburse you for non-refundable trip payments, in case you have to cancel your travel because of your covered pre-existing medical condition or another covered reason. You also get personalized, one-on-one help in emergencies from our hotline staff. Every day they help travelers who are suffering medical emergencies, lost documents, travel delays and other crises, all around the globe. But, our hotline experts say, the toughest thing they deal with is having to tell a customer who’s seriously ill that their pre-existing medical condition's not covered. That’s why it’s so important to follow the rules and meet the requirements.

Have questions about how to choose the best travel insurance for your covered pre-existing medical condition? Call our travel insurance advisers anytime at 1-866-884-3556. Travel happy!

Related Articles

• Trip Cancellation Insurance: Covered Reasons Explained
• When Does Travel Insurance Cover Existing Medical Conditions?
• Travel Insurance 101: Covered Illnesses

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• Annual Travel Insurance
• Cruise Insurance
• Domestic Travel Insurance
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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

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

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Compare cheap  travel insurance quotes in Canada. 

Compare travel insurance quotes.

Get the best rates on travel insurance.

Finding the best rates on travel insurance is easy at LowestRates.ca. We'll bring you the cheapest rates on travel insurance from all the top providers in your area.

What is travel insurance?

You’ve spent months planning for your big getaway vacation – everything from flight tickets to hotel stays have been booked. As soon as you land, however, you find that the airline lost your luggage. Losing valuable belongings and the hassle of getting new ones can put a damper on your much-awaited trip, and the loss that you incur may be a couple of hundred dollars. But you can rest assured that your insurance company will reimburse you for it if you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy.

However, the stakes could be higher. Not only does travel insurance cover you for lost or delayed baggage, but also prevents you from paying out-of-pocket for expensive health care in a foreign country. An accidental fall can lead to a dislocated shoulder or worse, a medical emergency like a stroke.

Travel insurance includes:

Medical expenses: This includes emergencies that arise during your trip. The insurer will cover hospital bills, diagnostic tests, and medication for something as minor as a fractured ankle to an emergency evacuation. It also includes ambulance costs, being airlifted out of a remote location, or repatriation back to Canada.

Baggage delay or loss of personal items: The insurance provider covers the cost of delayed baggage or damaged personal items.

Trip cancellation or interruption: This coverage reimburses you for costs if you cancel your trip or cut it short. For instance, falling ill before your trip or death of a family member back home. This coverage is usually not offered in standard travel insurance policies and can be purchased as an add-on.

Trip delay: If your flight has been delayed, this coverage reimburses you for accommodation and meal expenses. Depending on the terms of the policy, a minimum amount (six to 12 hours) of delay is required to be eligible for this coverage.

Travel insurance policies do not cover:

Pre-existing health conditions.

Routine dental or medical appointments.

Cosmetic procedures.

High-risk activities like adventure sports.

Destinations that the Canadian travel advisory lists as “Avoid non-essential travel” and “Avoid all travel,” because of the risk involved.

As a prerequisite to entry or obtaining a visa, some countries – Bhutan, Qatar, and the Schengen visa required for Europe, for example – mandate purchasing travel insurance.

The Canadian government advises all travellers to purchase travel insurance. Not only for international trips, but even within Canada, as provincial healthcare may not be sufficient to cover gaps in coverage.

Whether you are travelling for work or pleasure, are a snowbird or a digital nomad, a frequent flyer or going on your first trip, consider travel insurance as an investment in your safety. While it may not seem necessary, it’s there to protect you and provide peace of mind while abroad.

You should ideally, purchase travel insurance ahead of your trip. However, don’t just opt for the first insurance provider that you stumble across. When shopping for travel insurance, be sure to determine the type of coverage you require, policy coverage limits, inclusions and exclusions, and the policy deductible.

At LowestRates.ca, all you have to do is enter a few details about yourself and your trip, and we will find the cheapest travel insurance rates from a wide range of insurance companies.

But don’t just take it from us.

Its worth taking some time to read through the terms of the policy to make sure you are getting the lowest travel insurance quote that is best suited to your needs.

Types of travel insurance plans

In the world of insurance, there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all.’ The good news is that you can customize your travel insurance policy and opt for coverage that is best suited to your needs. 

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance doesn’t have to be expensive.

We used our travel insurance quoter to find out the cost of travel insurance. The best rate per trip for:

non-smoking,

40-year-old male traveller

on a 10-day trip to the United States

with no pre-existing health conditions,

$5 million in coverage,

and a $0 deductible

While travel insurance quotes will vary depending on the coverage one opts for, insurers use certain factors to calculate the rate. These include:

The number of people the travel insurance policy will cover

The duration of the trip

The total cost of the trip

Amount of coverage required

Amount of deductible

When compared to the hefty bills that you would be paying out-of-pocket if something one runs into a medical emergency in the US, about 30 bucks is a small amount to pay.

One way to make sure you’re getting the lowest rate available for your coverage requirements is to compare travel insurance quotes across various providers. A quick three-minute exercise can save you hundreds of dollars that you would otherwise potentially shell out on travel insurance.

Why you’ll love using LowestRates.ca to find cheap travel insurance quotes.

Travel insurance doesn’t have to be expensive. Find the cheapest insurance rates from a wide range of insurance companies.

Our travel insurance quoter is 100% free to use. So, finding the best travel insurance quotes won’t cost you a dime.

At LowestRates.ca, we bring you the top travel insurance providers – all competing for your business on a level-playing field.

Your personal information will never be given to a third-party. We only ask for the details we need to find you the best travel insurance quotes.

There are perks to shopping for travel insurance with us. On top of getting the best rates, the process is quick – it only takes 3 minutes. And did we mention it’s free?

Comprehensive

One or two quotes won’t do. Get multiple travel insurance quotes from all the top insurers in your area.

No rocket science here – just provide us with a few quick details about yourself and type of travel you intend on doing and leave the hard part to us.

Finding the lowest rates on travel doesn’t take long. Actually, it only takes 3 minutes. All you need to do is provide a few details about yourself and your trip.

Travel Insurance checklist

Before purchasing travel insurance, it’s important to understand what coverage you will be receiving. Be sure to read the fine print or speak with your insurance provider to understand what may and may not be covered.

Here’s a quick checklist that can help you with the travel insurance purchase process.

What does the travel insurance policy cover?

What are the exclusions of the travel insurance policy?

What are the limitations on the policy? For instance, if opting for multi-trip insurance, what are the number of days that you will be covered for on one particular trip?

How much is the deductible on the travel insurance plan?

What are the limits on medical emergencies?

Can I extend my insurance coverage from abroad if I extend my trip?

If travelling within Canada, what is covered under my provincial health plan? And what is not covered?

Inquire about add-ons to your policy – can I get a rider or endorsement for adventure sports?

What if I have a pre-existing health condition? Does that mean I am not eligible for travel insurance?

What if someone covered under my policy has a pre-existing health issue?

Do I have to fill out a health questionnaire?

What if an epidemic breaks out in the destination? Will the plan provide coverage?

What if the government of Canada issues a travel advisory while I am in the destination? Will my travel insurance plan provide coverage?

Will the plan cover repatriation costs?

Does the insurance company offer worldwide emergency assistance 24-hours and 7 days a week? How can I reach the company if there is a medical emergency? Who do I call? Are there translation services for providers in the country you are travelling to?

How do I file a claim? Is the claims process easy and straightforward?

Does the plan have direct billing, or do I have to pay for bills upfront?

Your travel insurance questions, answered.

Why do i need travel insurance.

International travel is fun and exciting, but it can also be unpredictable.

Often times you’re operating in a different culture, in a different language, and with a different medical system. Whether it’s damaged luggage or a serious health emergency, travel insurance can help keep you safe if things go wrong while you’re away from home.

Travel insurance is likely the last thing on your mind while you’re mapping out your getaway, but medical emergencies and logistical snafus can happen anywhere. So, it’s a good idea to buy a policy that covers you. We’ll help you compare offers from Canada’s leading travel insurance providers and bring you the cheapest travel insurance possible.

Why compare with LowestRates.ca?

We bring you the best rates from the top travel insurance providers. Simply provide a few, quick details about you and your trip, then click ‘Compare’ to see the best travel insurance quotes available. And just like that, you have the cheapest rate for your travel insurance coverage requirements.

I’ve already left for my vacation. Can I still purchase travel insurance coverage?

The short answer is probably not. Most insurance companies will not allow you to purchase coverage for your vacation while you’re on said vacation.

But who decides when a vacation officially begins, anyway? If you’re travelling by plane, for instance, some insurers might say your vacation begins when you’ve gone through customs. For others, it might begin as soon as you check-in at the airport.

There’s no universal standard, so it may be worth a quick call to your insurance provider to clarify.

Most companies will let you purchase insurance up until the day before your departure – you may even be able to purchase it on the day of (in your Uber, on the way to the terminal). If you’ve already left your home province, a smattering of insurers offer after-departure insurance. But this kind of policy typically comes with a heavy list of conditions, and it can be pricey.

Generally speaking, don’t leave insurance-buying until the last minute. But if you do, call your insurer and see what they can offer you. Better late than never.

Do I need travel insurance to travel between provinces in Canada?

Yes, you need travel insurance for trips within Canada.

Why? Because while you are covered under your home province’s health care plan when you travel out of province, your coverage will be limited. Every provincial health care system is different, and the cost of medical procedures varies by province. That means if you require health care while travelling within Canada, your existing coverage will only pay the equivalent of what that medical service would cost in your home province.

For example, an Ontarian who requires emergency surgery in British Columbia will only be covered for what that surgery costs in Ontario, and you may be forced to pay thousands of dollars more to make up the difference.

Your provincial plan also does not cover the following services while you’re out-of-province: Prescription drugs Dental emergencies Medical transportation back home Emergency air or ground transportation While some provinces have billing agreements, not all of them do. That’s why it’s important to stay covered even inside Canada. Travel insurance is an affordable alternative to the costs you could incur if you experience a medical emergency.

Your provincial plan also does not cover the following services while you’re out-of-province:

Prescription drugs

Dental emergencies

Medical transportation back home

Emergency air or ground transportation

While some provinces have billing agreements, not all of them do. That’s why it’s important to stay covered even inside Canada. Travel insurance is an affordable alternative to the costs you could incur if you experience a medical emergency.

If I have personal property stolen while I'm travelling, will my travel insurance policy cover it?

The simple answer is yes: your property is covered by your insurance policy, but only up to a certain dollar amount. Even within the same policy, coverage can vary depending on the item. For example, the amount of coverage that a policy extends to electronics might be different than the coverage you’ll get for sports equipment

Keep in mind that there are often specific items that insurance companies won’t cover. Make sure to check what these items are with your insurance provider.

If you didn’t get travel insurance and your items are stolen, it becomes more challenging, but not impossible, to get reimbursed. If your belongings were stolen at a hotel, and it can be proven that the hotel was at fault, the establishment will compensate you up to a certain amount. If items are missing from your checked-in luggage after a flight, most airlines will allow you to file a claim with them.

What types of travel insurance are available?

All inclusive travel insurance.

A comprehensive policy that offers emergency medical coverage plus insurance against logistical problems, like lost or stolen baggage, trip cancellations, and travel interruptions. Since all inclusive insurance has the most extensive coverage, premiums tend to be higher than for other travel policies.

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

This insurance reimburses you for your flight and travel expenses if you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason. Some policies also pay benefits for food and lodging costs if your trip is interrupted or delayed. Those policies may even cover you if your tour operator suddenly files for bankruptcy.

Single trip insurance

Emergency medical coverage for one trip, which you can take any time within a 365-day period.

Multi-trip insurance

Emergency medical coverage for any number of trips taken within 1 year. Also known as annual travel insurance.

Top-up insurance

Purchased by travellers who already have insurance for a portion, but not for the entire duration, of their trip. Top-up insurance takes effect after the original coverage lapses.

After-departure insurance

Few insurance companies offer insurance that covers you when you’ve already left for vacation. Why? It raises a lot of red flags for risk-averse insurers whose priority is to guard against fraudulent claims — medical costs in foreign countries can be expensive. For your application to be accepted, you must not have seen a doctor since departing, you must not be showing symptoms of illness, and you must be covered under a provincial health insurance plan.

Shaistha Khan

About the Author

Shaistha Khan is a freelance writer in the personal finance space. She is a journalist, writer, and communications specialist with 12 years of experience across the oil and gas, business and professional development, and travel and tourism industries. She has lived in Saudi Arabia for nearly three decades, and reported on some of the first-ever events in the country. She has also reported from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, India, and Houston, USA. Her work has been published in BBC Travel, USA Today, Al Jazeera, Teen Vogue, Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet, Vogue Arabia, and several in-flight magazines. She has also worked with tourism boards and hotel chains on sponsored content.

She holds a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) and a diploma in Public Relations and Reputation Management.

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