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Insurance for Rental Car Damage: Where to Get it and Things to Know

What happens if you get into an accident with your rental car while on your trip?

We’ll answer that question in just a moment, but first, let’s do one of those camera tricks you see on commercials and rewind from the accident to the moment where you had to choose whether to buy a protection plan that provides coverage for damage to your rental car .

Also read:  Top 5 Reasons to Get Travel Insurance

How to Get Damage Insurance Coverage for a Rental Car

So, you’re at the rental car counter, you’re presented with the loss-damage waiver form, and your pen hovers above the form before making a decision.

At this point, you’re thinking of your options, which are:

1. Accept the insurance from the rental car company

The knee-jerk reaction is to think that the insurance from the rental car agency is a rip-off, but it will likely get the job done -- protecting your wallet from those magic dents and scratches that always seem to appear between the time you pick up the car and the time you drive it out of the parking lot.

2. Buy a standalone rental car policy from a company

As more people rely on services like ZipCar for their auto-transportation needs, standalone rental car coverage has become more common. For trips where you don’t have a lot of prepaid travel expenses, this coverage can be a good choice.

3. Rely on your standard auto-insurance policy to cover you

If you're hoping a rental car accident won't impact your regular auto-insurance rates, anything other than your standard car insurance is a good choice.

4. Hope that your credit card has rental car coverage

Many travel credit cards include some level of rental car protection, but only if you used that card to pay for the car. And, the devil’s in the details -- be sure to read the fine print.

5. Remember that you got the Rental Car Damage coverage with your travel insurance plan *

Finally, there’s Rental Car Damage coverage through a travel insurance plan . This coverage is great if you have a lot of prepaid expenses – like airfares, hotels, and excursions – especially if you’re buying travel insurance anyway.

Rental Car Damage coverage can reimburse you up to $25,000 if your rental car is damaged through collision, theft, vandalism, natural disasters or any other cause beyond your control while you’re on your trip. The coverage is available as an extra-cost add-on with Generali's  Standard  ,  Preferred  plans and included with the  Premium plan .

Also read:  7 Questions to Ask to Find the Best Family Travel Insurance

Understand Your Rental Car Damage Insurance Coverage

With any rental car damage insurance, it’s important to see exactly what’s covered and at what level. It’s also helpful to be able to see what the policy covers far in advance – as in, not at the rental car counter. If you can get something from the rental car company 10 days or so in advance, great. If not, you may want to consider alternatives, like travel protection .

Finally, note that even though the car rental company may tell you that you have to buy their insurance, that’s not true. You don’t need their insurance to rent a car. However, a car rental company can refuse to rent a car to you if you don’t buy their insurance or supply adequate proof of insurance coverage.

Also read:  How Travel Insurance is Different from Car or Home Insurance

Does All Travel Insurance Include Rental Car Damage Coverage?

Keep in mind not all travel insurance has rental car damage coverage. Some companies may include this as an optional add-on or include it with other plans.  Generali Global Assistance offers travel protection plans with both options.

Does My Personal Car Insurance Cover Rental Cars?

Your personal car insurance might cover rental cars. Remember that it may only be for personal use, not for business purposes. You may need to purchase separate insurance when using a rental car for business. Also, any claims on your personal car insurance might increase your premiums for that insurance.

What Is Covered Under Travel Protection for Rental Car Damage?

Most travel protection plans that include rental car damage coverage may cover damage to the rental car because of collision, theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and more.

Generali Global Assistance’s plans specifically say their Rental Car Damage Coverage is good for “collision, theft, vandalism, windstorm, fire, hail, flood or any cause not in your control, or the car is stolen while in your possession and not recovered.”

And, not only are you insured, but so is your traveling companion, provided you   are both a licensed drivers, and are listed on the rental agreement. Also, in this case, Generali’s Rental Car Damage coverage is primary to other forms of insurance, so it will pay before any other insurance coverage you have.

There are also vehicles that cannot be covered by our plans. These include rentals of trucks, campers, trailers, motor bikes, motorcycles, off-road, all-terrain, or recreational vehicles, vehicles that are older than 20 years, vehicles that have not been manufactured in the past 10 years, vehicles that are rented for commercial purposes, and vehicles that have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of more than $75,000.

What Happens if Your Rental Car Gets Damaged?

Now, let’s return to that scenario we presented at the outset – you know, where you’re debating whether to buy a plan with rental car damage insurance coverage. Let’s say you decided to go with the Rental Car Damage coverage offered with the Generali Global Assistance plans, and you got into an accident, because... of course.

First, you’ll need to do the basics that you’d do with any car accident, like:

• Calling 911 or the equivalent;
• Filing a report with the police;
• Exchanging insurance information
• Calling for a tow truck, if you need one;
• Taking all your stuff out of the rental car; and
• Taking pictures of everything. It literally costs nothing to snap several dozen pictures of everything from insurance information to car damage to the tow truck’s license plate.

At that point you should report the incident to your rental car company and then submit a claim to Generali to seek reimbursement for either the cost of repairs and rental charges imposed by the rental company while the car’s being repaired, or the car’s actual cash value, whichever is less.

Now that you know all the ways you can get rental car damage protection, be sure to consider travel protection for your next trip with a car rental.

Travel Resources

* Rental Car Damage coverage from Generali Global Assistance may not be accepted by all rental car companies and jurisdictions.

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Does travel insurance cover car hire excess?

You can get travel insurance with rental car excess cover, but normally you’ll need to take out a comprehensive policy or upgrade your cover with an add-on..

We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.

Learn how we maintain accuracy on our site.

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Travel insurance with rental car excess cover

What does travel insurance with rental car excess cover, travel insurance car rental excess vs waiving my excess, here's a list of travel insurers that cover car hire excess, compare travel insurance quotes with rental excess cover, how nicola avoided paying a $1,400 car rental excess, faqs about travel insurance and rental cars.

Many comprehensive travel insurance policies come with rental car excess cover . If you're involved in an incident and your rental company charges you an excess, you can claim this back with your travel insurance.

If something happens, the rental company will typically charge you the excess amount then you can get reimbursed by your travel insurer. Just make sure you get a copy of the receipt showing the excess amount charged by the rental company.

Rental vehicle excesses range from around $2,000-$8,000. Travel insurance policies differ in how much they cover you for though the minimum for most is $2,000. Some go further than others. For example, Southern Cross Travel Insurance can cover you for up to $10,000.

The car rental excess

If something happens and you need to pay the car rental excess, travel insurance can cover the costs. You can get overseas and domestic travel insurance rental car excess with most comprehensive policies. Some policies cover you for up to $10,000.

Transportation of the vehicle back to the car rental depot

If you suffer an injury or illness during your journey, you may not be in a fit condition to drive your rental car to the nearest depot. When this happens, some insurers will cover the cost of returning the car to the nearest depot, as long as you can obtain written confirmation from your medical adviser that you are unable to drive.

Medical expenses if you get into an accident

If you crash your car and need ambulance transportation, medical treatment, hospital accommodation and even repatriation to Australia, comprehensive travel insurance can cover the costs.

You won't receive any cover if you break an exclusion on your policy – for example, failing to follow the road rules in the country you're in.

Before you sign the rental agreement, car hire companies will offer the option to reduce your excess charge for a daily fee. This is often referred to as an excess waiver or excess reduction option.

Often you'll be able to reduce the excess to zero if you're willing to pay the additional amount. While this may sound like an attractive option, paying a daily fee to reduce your excess can actually work out to be quite costly. A travel insurance policy that includes car rental excess cover is usually a much more cost-effective way to take out financial protection as shown below.

We took a look at a list of our travel insurance partners and found these brands automatically include car rental excess insurance in their policies. If you're hiring a luxury car or just need a higher excess limit in general, consider choosing an option that allows you to increase your excess for an extra premium.

Note: Information last obtained on August 2022 and is subject to change. Make sure you understand the general conditions surrounding car rental excess cover for each policy. The cover amount is for an International trip (comprehensive policy) and domestic trip per single person. For a comprehensive list of the conditions of each policy, please read the product disclosure statement of the policy.

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"My policy cost $48... and it came with heaps of extra benefits"

"So, I decided to buy a domestic travel insurance policy, mostly for the rental car excess cover."

Nicola, who was Finder's commercial content editor, paid just $48.96 for her travel insurance policy, a domestic plan with InsureandGo to cover her 10-day break.

"At less than $50 for 10 days, the entire policy was cheaper than the insurance offered by the rental company and it came with heaps of extra benefits," added Nicola.

"Lo and behold, I ended up hitting a wallaby on our drive back from Cradle Mountain. I was devastated that I'd killed it and honestly didn't even give much thought to the cost – the damage seemed pretty minimal and I figured it would be a couple of hundred dollars at most."

"It was not. When we returned the car, I told them that I'd hit an animal and there were some small scratches on the bumper. I was immediately charged the excess of around $2,750. $1,475 of that was considered damage (the rental company charged additional fees including a claims fee and a charge for time off-road), and I was eventually refunded $909.

"As soon as I got home, I filed a claim with the travel insurer and they were great – far better to deal with than the rental company. There were no further shocks or surprises. I had an excess on the travel insurance of $100 but InsureandGo paid out $1,375 within a matter of days ."

What is rental car excess in travel insurance?

Rental car excess cover is included with many comprehensive travel insurance policies. It pays for the excess if your rental car is damaged, stolen or involved in an accident.

Does travel insurance cover motor vehicle accidents?

Travel insurance will indirectly cover you for the costs involved if there's damage or loss to your rental car.

When you hire a car, it usually comes with its own form of insurance called a loss damage waiver or the collision damage waiver. If you get into an accident and damage the car, you'll be charged an excess by the rental company and that's the amount your travel insurance should cover you for.

Am I covered if I injure someone else or cause damage to their car?

Travel insurance policies typically include personal liability cover , but they do not offer protection if you injure someone else or damage someone else's property while driving a rental car .

You can get this cover through the compulsory liability motor vehicle insurance available from the rental company. Most travel insurers include a requirement for your car rental agreement to have third-party liability motor insurance.

Am I covered for medical expenses if I get into an accident?

Travel insurance provides cover for medical costs if you're injured in an accident overseas. If you crash your car and need ambulance transportation, medical treatment, hospital accommodation and even repatriation to Australia, your travel insurer will be able to cover the costs. You won't receive any cover if you break an exclusion on your policy, such as failing to follow the road rules in the country you're in, so make sure you're aware of the exclusions in your policy before you get behind the wheel.

Meet our travel expert Angus Kidman

Angus Kidman is the international editor-at-large at Finder. He's an award-winning journalist, avid travel enthusiast and passionate frequent flyer. Angus appears regularly on Sunrise, Today, The Project, Seven News and other TV and radio shows to share his expert tips.

Angus's top car hire excess tips

• Care hire excess isn't worth it in most cases. Look at what's included in your main travel insurance first.
• If you do want additional cover, a standalone policy bought separately from your car hire is generally always cheaper.
• Make sure you're comfortable with the excess - you'll have to pay that if there is any accident or damage caused.

Gary Ross Hunter

Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).

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Table of Contents

Does AmEx cover rental car insurance?

Amex cards that provide rental car insurance, what does amex rental car insurance cover, who is covered, how to file a claim with amex rental car insurance, amex car rental insurance, recapped.

Do you have an American Express card? Many AmEx cards include travel insurance, which can cover you in the event that an incident occurs. Among other benefits, AmEx provides complimentary rental car insurance on its cards, though the coverage level can vary depending on the card you hold.

Here's a look at AmEx car rental insurance, which cards have it and how it works.

Many AmEx cards include rental car insurance as a benefit. This applies to its most premium options, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express , as well as no-fee cards such as the Hilton Honors American Express Card . Terms apply.

Here are some of the AmEx cards that provide rental car insurance :

American Express® Gold Card .

Amex EveryDay® Credit Card .

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card .

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card .

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card .

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express .

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card .

Terms apply.

on American Express' website

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Coverage levels differ depending on which card you hold. If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express , for example, AmEx will reimburse up to $75,000 for damage or theft after a qualifying incident. Meanwhile, if you have the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card , you’ll receive $50,000 in coverage after an incident. Terms apply.

Note that AmEx car rental insurance is secondary, which means it’ll reimburse you only after all other insurance has paid out. This includes any personal insurance that you have. However, secondary insurance becomes primary if you don’t hold any other car insurance, even within the U.S.

» Learn more: Best credit cards for rental cars

Complimentary credit card rental insurance does a pretty good job when it comes to coverage, but keep in mind that what's covered depends on the card you hold.

Here’s what American Express rental car insurance generally covers for premium cards, such as the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card :

Theft of a covered rental car.

Physical damage to the vehicle.

Accidental death or dismemberment.

Accidental injury.

Car rental personal property coverage.

Loss-of-use charges as incurred by the agency.

Appraisal fees.

Reasonable towing charges.

Coverage for other cards is less comprehensive and includes:

Theft of the rental car.

Loss-of-use fees.

You’ll find this type of insurance on cards such as the American Express® Gold Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card . Terms apply.

To receive coverage for your rental vehicle, you’ll need to:

Pay for the full rental using your eligible AmEx card.

Decline the optional insurance coverages offered by the rental company — for higher-end cards, this means you’ll also need to decline insurance such as personal property coverage and personal accident insurance. Other cardholders simply need to decline the full collision damage waiver.

Note that you can still receive insurance if you’ve used your American Express Membership Rewards to pay for the car, but not if you used any other reward programs.

Rental car insurance is valid for rentals of up to 30 consecutive days only. Terms apply.

» Learn more: What your credit card rental car coverage doesn’t include

AmEx’s rental car insurance protects more than the cardholder. As defined in the guide to benefits, an eligible renter for collision insurance is a card member with an eligible card, their spouse or partner and any authorized drivers. For other types of insurance, such as accidental injury insurance, passengers of the vehicle are also covered. Terms apply.

There are two different ways to file a claim for an incident. The first is to head to AmEx’s online site and start your claim.

If you prefer talking to someone, report your claim by calling 800-338-1670. If you’re out of the country, call 303-273-6497 collect. You’ll want to report the incident within 30 days of the loss or as soon as reasonably possible.

Then, you'll need to submit proof of loss within 60 days. Expect to provide a variety of documentation, including:

An itemized repair estimate and itemized bill.

A copy of the rental agreement.

A copy of the charge slip for the vehicle.

A copy of your personal insurance or a notarized letter stating that you don’t have any.

Police report (if there is one).

A copy of your driver’s license.

Once AmEx has all your information and has processed your claim, they’ll pay out your benefits within 30 days. Terms apply.

Most AmEx cards come with some form of rental car insurance. This is true of both premium cards with high annual fees and lower-fee cards alike. However, the type of insurance and the level of coverage that you’ll receive varies based on your card. Terms apply.

To determine how the AmEx rental car benefits for your card work, you’ll want to check out its guide to benefits, where you’ll find information such as coverage limits and who is eligible for coverage.

To receive complimentary rental car insurance, you’ll need to pay for the full rental with your eligible card. You’ll also need to decline any insurance offered by the rental agency. Once that’s done, insurance is automatic and you can drive away knowing that you’re covered.

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

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Does my car insurance cover a car rental?

Your personal car insurance policy might apply to car rentals — but you need to read the fine print..

When you go to rent a car, you're always faced with the question of whether to buy car rental insurance coverage. Of course, it's nice to have financial protection in case something goes wrong, but is it worth the extra charge?

The truth is, if you already have car insurance, some of the coverage types might extend to a car rental. Below, CNBC Select breaks down when your car insurance can cover a car rental and when it's worth buying the extra insurance for the rental.

Using car insurance for a car rental

When your car insurance applies to a car rental.

• When you might still benefit from rental car insurance

Other ways to get car rental coverage

Bottom line.

Generally, car insurance follows the car, not the driver. However, there's one situation where this doesn't apply: when you're renting a car for personal use. If you have insurance on your car, it will typically extend to the rental.

If you're considering not purchasing additional insurance for the rental car, first check your existing policy and make sure it includes the following types of coverage:

• Liability : If you're at fault in an accident, this coverage should pay for others' property damage or personal injuries. Liability insurance is required by law so you most likely have this coverage.
• Collision and comprehensive : These two types of coverage pay for the damage to your car. Collision insurance provides coverage if your car has sustained damage in an accident with another vehicle or object. Comprehensive insurance pays in case of other types of damage, as well as theft. If you have a car loan on your vehicle, your lender probably requires that you have these two types of insurance in your policy.
• Personal injury protection (PIP) and medical payments (MedPay) : This type of coverage pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers, as well as losses you incur due to the accident, including lost wages, child care, funeral expenses and more. Unlike liability insurance, this coverage can kick in regardless of who's at fault. PIP and MedPay are mandatory in several states.

These types of coverage in your personal car insurance policy can apply to a car rental. You should consider them the bare minimum needed for you to responsibly decline the rental insurance.

When you still might benefit from rental car insurance

Even if your car insurance policy provides all the right types of coverage, it doesn't mean skipping rental car insurance is the best course of action. In certain circumstances, purchasing at least some coverage can be a good idea.

Consider the following scenarios:

• Your policy has low limits and/or high deductibles . This could lead to thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket payments if you get in an accident in a rental car, especially if the vehicle is on the expensive side.
• You're traveling abroad. Usually, U.S. insurers provide coverage anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. If you're renting a car in Mexico or elsewhere abroad, you'll likely be outside the coverage territory.
• You're using the rental car for business purposes. Most of the time, your personal auto insurance won't cover a rental you're using for business.

In these situations, purchasing rental car insurance might be a smart move. Depending on the type of coverage you choose, rental car insurance may offer the following protections:

• Liability coverage
• Personal accident coverage which pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers
• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) which covers you if the car is damaged or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) which also provides coverage if the car is stolen
• Personal effects coverage which pays if your personal belongings are stolen for the rental car

Your auto insurance isn't likely to cover your personal items if they're stolen from a rental car. However, your property insurance, such as renters , condo or homeowners insurance , might include this coverage. To make sure that's the case, check with your insurance agent.

Many rewards credit cards provide certain types of coverage for rental cars. To take advantage of your card's benefit, you need to pay the full rental cost with the card, be the primary renter and decline the car rental agency's CDW or LDW. Most cards come with secondary coverage which applies after your personal auto insurance policy. This means you'll have to file a claim with your insurer before submitting one with your card issuer.

Still, some cards offer primary coverage, meaning you can file a claim with your credit card company without going through your personal car insurance first. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card comes with primary car rental coverage for domestic and international car rentals. It can pay for any damage in case of a crash or theft, up to the vehicle's actual cash value . The card's annual fee is $95.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Enjoy benefits such as 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, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

Welcome bonus

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

Regular APR

21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers

Balance transfer fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Excellent/Good

Terms apply.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review .

The *Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium travel card (with an annual fee of $395) and includes primary car rental coverage with an auto rental collision damage waiver. It covers damage from a crash or theft, up to the car's actual cash value.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars, 5 Miles per dollar on flights when booked via Capital One Travel; unlimited 2X miles on all other eligible purchases

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

19.99% - 29.99% variable APR

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

Foreign transaction fees

See rates and fees . Terms apply.

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.

Note, however, that credit card rental insurance doesn't include liability coverage. You'll still need to purchase that through the rental company or go through your auto insurer.

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Car rental insurance offers financial protection when you're driving a rental vehicle — but you don't always have to purchase it through the rental agency. Check your auto insurance policy to see if it will cover the vehicle you want to rent. Your property insurance may also cover your personal items. Either way, it's best to get in touch with your insurance agent ahead of time and make changes to your policy if it makes sense.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every insurance guide is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of 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.

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*For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

• 5 hidden insurance fees to avoid Liz Knueven
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• How can I get homeowners insurance after nonrenewal? Liz Knueven

June 1, 2020

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Travel Insurance

Cheapest travel insurance of April 2024

Mandy Sleight

Heidi Gollub

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

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

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

Cheapest travel insurance of 2024

Why trust our travel insurance experts

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

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

Best cheap travel insurance

Top-scoring plans

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

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

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

Pros and cons

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

Cheap travel insurance for cruises

Travel insured.

Top-scoring plan

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

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

Best cheap travel insurance for families

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

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

Best cheap travel insurance for seniors

Evacuation limit per person

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

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

Best cheap travel insurance for add-on options

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

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

Best cheap travel insurance for missed connections

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

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

Cheapest travel insurance comparison

How much does the cheapest travel insurance cost?

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

Factors that determine travel insurance cost

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

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

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

Is buying the cheapest travel insurance a good idea?

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

For example, compare these two Travelex travel insurance plans:

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

Reasons to consider paying more for travel insurance 

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

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

How to find the cheapest travel insurance

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

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

Consider the following factors when comparing cheap travel insurance plans.

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

Is cheap travel insurance worth it?

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology

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

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

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

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

Cheapest travel insurance FAQs

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

Get the coverage you need: Best travel insurance of 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A Simplified Guide on When Visa Covers Rental Car Insurance

Does a visa cover rental car insurance? Yes, it covers whether your card is eligible.

When you book a rental car using your Visa card, you might get money back if something happens to the car.

If you have to fix or replace the car, Visa might cover the cost.

But you need to say no to the insurance the rental company offers you.

Visa will help pay for repairs or replacements if the car gets damaged in a crash or stolen.

They will also cover costs if someone deliberately damages the car or if the rental company charges you for not being able to rent out the car while it is being fixed.

This help works for most countries, including those in Latin America and the Caribbean.

But remember, it only applies when the authorized driver listed in the rental agreement is driving.

The time Visa covers you might change depending on what type of Visa card you have and where you live.

If you are not sure about how long you’re covered, you can call Visa or check their website.

If you are in Latin America or the Caribbean, call 1-303-967-1098.

For everyone else, call 1-303-967-1096.

You can also find more information on Visa’s website. 

Keep in mind that this is not an insurance policy.

It is just a service Visa offers to its cardholders.

The details might change, so it is a good idea to stay updated by contacting Visa or your bank.

Does Visa cover insurance?

Premium Visa cardholders receive special benefits, like buyer protection and an extended warranty.

These benefits are available if you have a Visa Infinite, Visa Signature, or Visa Platinum card.

They also offer travel insurance for Visa Infinite or Visa Signature cardholders when they book travel.

Buyer protection helps you feel secure when you shop online or in stores. It covers you if your purchases are stolen, accidentally damaged, or not delivered. This benefit is for items bought with your eligible Visa card.

An extended warranty gives you extra coverage for your purchases.

It extends the warranty period offered by the seller, protecting you from repair or replacement costs.

This benefit applies to items bought with your eligible Visa card, and it doubles the warranty period for up to a year.

To find out more about these benefits, you can visit Visa’s online portal.

A visa covered what?

Visa protects against fraud, loss, and theft, ensuring your peace of mind.

Our continual efforts focus on developing innovative security solutions and features to minimize the impact of fraud.

Technologies like chips & PINs have significantly reduced fraud rates, making transactions safer than ever before.

With Visa, you can pay conveniently and securely, whether it’s in person, online, over the phone, or by mail.

You can monitor your spending, manage your finances, and maintain control over your transactions.

Does my Visa card have travel insurance?

If you have a premium card, the answer is yes.

Traveling with Visa offers both comfort and safety through its insurance services.

Premium cardholders, including those with Visa Platinum, Visa Signature, Visa Infinite, Visa Platinum Business, and Visa Signature Business cards, automatically receive travel insurance benefits.

Additionally, certain cards also provide coverage for COVID-19-related incidents.

This comprehensive insurance package ensures that Visa cardholders can explore the world with confidence, knowing they are protected against unforeseen events during their travels.

Does Visa cover rental car insurance in Europe?

Yes, Visa typically provides coverage for accidental damage to rental cars in Europe.

To benefit from this coverage, you need to pay for the rental car using your Visa card and decline the collision damage waiver offered by the rental company.

However, the specific benefits available may differ based on the type of Visa card you possess, and coverage might not be available in all countries.

It is advisable to contact Visa before renting a car abroad to confirm the coverage details for your particular situation.

Auto Rental Insurance

If you use a valid Visa card to reserve and pay for a rental car, you will be covered for accidental damages to the rental car for rental periods up to 31 days.

However, to qualify for this coverage, you must decline the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or any similar coverage offered by the auto rental company.

By using your Visa card to book and fully pay for the rental, you’re automatically covered by this insurance.

To access this coverage, you must decline the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW) or similar coverage offered by the car rental company in its rental agreement.

It is important to note that Visa does not directly provide insurance; it is provided by third parties.

For specific details about what’s covered and any limitations, please refer to the policy issued by the insurer.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article. Follow for more of our captivating articles, as sampled below:

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• What Are the Three Types of Long-Term Care Insurance? A Comprehensive Overview

Hello, I’m Nimrod, your trusted resource for demystifying auto insurance. With my background in insurance studies from the University of California, I’m here to simplify the complexities of insurance and empower you to make well-informed choices. Let’s embark on this journey through the world of auto insurance together.

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Does My Credit Card Cover Rental Car Insurance?

I f your next trip includes renting a car, you might worry about what could happen if you were to get into an accident or even just scratch the paint. By using the right credit card to pay for your rental, you could give yourself some financial protection and peace of mind.

What Is Rental Car Insurance?

There are four main types of rental car insurance, each covering a person or property who might be involved in an accident:

• Collision Damage Waiver covers damage related only to your rental car.
• Travel and emergency medical insurance may cover medical expenses for you as the driver.
• Liability insurance covers damages caused if you are found at fault for an accident. This could include medical expenses for your or another vehicle's passengers, damages to another vehicle, or damage to property.
• Personal Effects Coverage deals with any property stolen from your rental car.

Of these four types, the Collision Damage Waiver is most commonly offered as a credit card benefit.

What Is a Collision Damage Waiver?

The Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is a form of insurance that covers damage to the rental car while it is in your possession. This can include a scratch on the bumper, damage caused during a break-in or a more serious accident, regardless of who is at fault. Many credit cards offer a replacement for the rental company's CDW, and it is the most common type of rental benefit provided by credit cards.

This credit card benefit typically provides coverage for damage to a rental car up to a certain amount. It will usually exclude certain types of vehicles, and coverage may vary by country. The details are worth checking before relying on your card for insurance.

It is important to understand that the CDW only covers physical damage to the rental car. It does not cover medical or liability coverage.

Medical Expenses

If you find yourself in the hospital after a severe accident, you could require coverage for your medical expenses or risk having to pay out of pocket.

This type of benefit is less common, and will likely be found in mid range and premium cards . For example, The Chase Sapphire Reserve® 's Emergency Medical and Dental Benefit offers up to $2,500 in coverage, though this could prove inadequate if you do not have other insurance. This coverage only applies as excess above any other insurance you may have (e.g. through a separate travel insurance policy).

Even if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you may still want to purchase private travel insurance that covers medical expenses. These policies are typically much more robust than anything available through your credit card, with higher limits on the cost the insurance will pay and a broader range of conditions covered.

What Is Liability Coverage?

If you are judged to be at fault for an accident, you could be responsible for medical expenses for both your own passengers, passengers in another vehicle, damage to other vehicles and property damage. There is no credit card that we know of that offers liability coverage for rental cars. You may have access to liability coverage through the rental car company or through your home auto insurance policy.

Most rental car companies offer the ability to purchase add-on liability coverage, charged at a daily rate. This can be an expensive proposition, as coverage can cost on average $8 to $20 per day. It's worth considering carefully whether you need this coverage.

In most of Europe, liability coverage is required by law to be included in the price of the rental. This coverage is typically adequate to cover the damage that might be caused in an accident.

In Mexico, liability coverage is also required to be included in the price of the rental, but with a maximum limit of $50,000 pesos (around $2,700 USD) in property coverage and $100,000 pesos (around $5,300 USD) in personal injury protection. This coverage could prove inadequate, so it is worth considering upgrading.

If you have your own auto insurance at home, it may also extend to liability when driving a rental car in the United States. Typically, this coverage does not extend internationally. It is worth checking with your insurance agent before you leave for your trip, as your credit card will not provide protection against liability charges.

What Is Personal Effects Coverage?

Personal effects coverage provides insurance in the event your laptop, luggage phone or anything else of value is stolen from your car. Some credit cards offer protection for specific items, such as cell phone protection , but personal effects coverage will encapsulate everything in your rental car, which may include items not normally insured. It's worth checking your homeowner's or renter's insurance policies first, as they often provide protection against theft of belongings, even outside your home.

Primary vs Secondary Coverage: What's the Difference?

Rental car coverage can be either primary or secondary . Secondary coverage requires you to exhaust all other insurance options before making a claim. This could include your personal auto policy, any travel insurance you may have or the insurance you purchased from the rental car company. Primary coverage does not have this requirement.

Most rental car insurance offered through credit cards is secondary, though some premium cards offer primary coverage in certain situations. This is more valuable, as it allows you to immediately file a claim through your card.

Premium and travel-focused credit cards typically offer some amount of rental car coverage. All cards have several common requirements that need to be followed.

Requirements

Using your credit card's CDW typically has several requirements:

• Paying for your reservation in full with the card.
• Renting an eligible vehicle. Most credit cards exclude vehicles designed for commercial purposes, motorcycles, and luxury and exotic vehicles. Notably, Teslas may be excluded as well.
• Declining the rental car company's CDW at the counter. Accepting coverage through the rental company will typically nullify any coverage you might have available through your card.
• Specific countries may be excluded.

Because the CDW is a profitable add-on for the rental car company, they can often be aggressive in pitching this product to you. At the counter you should understand your card's coverage and stand firm in order to avoid getting ripped off .

How To Check if Your Card Offers Rental Car Insurance

Your card's benefit guide is the best place to check the details of what rental car coverage is offered. This guide was likely mailed to you when you first got the card, but should also be available online if you've misplaced the original copy.

How To Apply for Credit Cards With Rental Insurance

Many credit cards with travel insurance coverage provide some form of collision damage waiver protection. Some of the best options include those that provide primary collision damage waiver coverage for your rental car. Consider our best options below for your next rental.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides some of the strongest travel insurance benefits of any credit card. Its collision damage waiver is primary coverage, meaning you can file a claim directly without first exhausting other courage options.

When you pay for your rental car with your Sapphire Reserve and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver, you are covered for any damage to the rental car up to $75,000, worldwide.

Certain types of vehicles are not covered, including large trucks (pick-ups are covered), cargo vans, and vehicles that seat more than nine people including the driver. These exclusions will apply to relatively few people. With the CSR, you can be comfortable that most rental cars will be fully covered in the event of an accident.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card generally offers the same coverage as the Sapphire Reserve, with some additional exclusions and restrictions. Like its big brother, it provides valuable primary coverage.

With the Preferred, the maximum benefit is limited to the actual cash value of the rental car, and certain brands of electric, exotic or luxury cards are not covered. This is still more than adequate coverage for your vacation car rental. With a low annual fee of $95, it is one of the least expensive consumer cards to provide primary coverage for rental cars. For a no annual fee option, consider the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® . This card offers primary insurance and above average rewards on travel, making it a potential viable option for those looking to travel on a budget.

If you don't currently have a card that provides coverage for rental cars, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be your best choice for coverage. Depending on the rental agency, it could pay for its annual fee with just a week-long rental.

Capital One Venture X

Like the Chase cards above, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card provides primary coverage¹ for your next car rental. Like the Sapphire Reserve, it is a Visa Infinite card, and provides similar coverage. The maximum limit is $75,000 and exotic cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles are not covered. It specifically lists Jamaica, Northern Ireland, The Republic of Ireland, and Israel as the destinations where coverage does not apply.

Bottom Line

Premium cards offer some of the best coverage when renting a car. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the most cost-effective options with an annual fee of only $95, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X provide some of the strongest coverage available through a credit card. In the unfortunate event that you have an accident damaging your rental car, your card could provide thousands of dollars in benefits.

¹ For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Key benefits of travel medical insurance

• Travel medical insurance coverage
• Who needs medical travel insurance?

Choosing the right travel medical insurance

How to use travel medical insurance, is travel medical insurance right for your next trip, travel medical insurance: essential coverage for health and safety abroad.

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.

• Travel medical insurance covers unexpected emergency medical expenses while traveling.
• Travelers off to foreign countries or remote areas should strongly consider travel medical insurance.
• If you have to use your travel medical insurance, keep all documents related to your treatment.

Of all the delights associated with travel to far-flung locales, getting sick or injured while away from home is low on the savvy traveler's list. Beyond gut-wrenching anxiety, seeking medical treatment in a foreign country can be exceedingly inconvenient and expensive.

The peace of mind that comes with travel insurance for the many things that could ail you while abroad is priceless. As options for travel-related insurance abound, it's essential to research, read the fine print, and act according to the specifics of your itinerary, pocketbook, and other needs.

Travel insurance reimburses you for any unexpected medical expenses incurred while traveling. On domestic trips, travel medical insurance usually take a backseat to your health insurance. However, when traveling to a foreign country, where your primary health insurance can't cover you, travel medical insurance takes the wheel. This can be especially helpful in countries with high medical care costs, such as Scandinavian countries.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

Another benefit that often comes with travel medical insurance, emergency medical evacuation insurance covers you for any costs to transport you to an adequately equipped medical center. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is often paired with repatriation insurance, which covers costs associated with returning your remains to your home country if the worst happens. 

These benefits are for worst-case scenarios, but they might be more necessary depending on the type of trips you take. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is helpful if you're planning on traveling to a remote location or if you're traveling on a cruise as sea to land evacuations can be costly. Some of the best travel insurance companies also offer non-medical evacuations as part of an adventure sports insurance package.

It's also worth mentioning that emergency medical evacuation insurance is required for international students studying in the US on a J Visa. 

Types of coverage offered by travel medical insurance

The exact terms of your coverage will vary depending on your insurer, but you can expect most travel medical insurance policies to offer the following coverages.

• Hospital room and board
• Inpatient/outpatient hospital services
• Prescription Drugs
• COVID-19 treatment
• Emergency room services
• Urgent care visits
• Local ambulance
• Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
• Dental coverage (accident/sudden relief of pain)
• Medical care due to terrorist attack
• Emergency medical evacuation 
• Repatriation of mortal remains
• Accidental death and dismemberment

Travel medical insurance and pre-existing conditions

Many travel insurance providers will cover pre-existing conditions as long as certain conditions are met. For one, travelers need to purchase their travel insurance within a certain time frame from when they placed a deposit on their trip, usually two to three weeks. 

Additionally, travel insurance companies usually only cover stable medical conditions, which are conditions that don't need additional medical treatment, diagnosis, or medications.

Who needs travel medical insurance?

Even the best-laid travel plans can go awry. As such, it pays to consider your potential healthcare needs before taking off, even if you are generally healthy. Even if well-managed, preexisting conditions like diabetes or asthma can make a medical backup plan even more vital.

Having what you need to refill prescriptions or get other care if you get stuck somewhere other than home could be essential to your health and well-being. That's without counting all the accidents and illnesses that can hit us when away from home.

Individuals traveling for extended periods (more than six months) or engaging in high-risk activities (think scuba diving or parasailing) should also consider a solid medical travel plan. Both scenarios increase the likelihood that medical attention, whether routine or emergency, could be needed.

In the case of travel via the friendly seas, it's also worth considering cruise trip medical travel insurance . Routine care will be available onboard. But anything beyond that will require transportation to the nearest land mass (and could quickly become extremely expensive, especially if you're in another country).

Like other types of insurance, medical travel insurance rates are calculated based on various factors. Failing to disclose a preexisting health condition could result in a lapse of coverage right when you need it, as insurers can cancel your policy if you withhold material information. So honesty is always the best policy.

Even the best-laid travel plans can go awry. As such, it pays to consider your potential healthcare needs before taking off, even if you are generally healthy. Making the right choice when shopping for travel medical insurance can mean the difference between a minor hiccup in your travels and a financial nightmare. 

When a travel insurance company comes up with a quote for your policy, they take a few factors into consideration, such as your age, your destination, and the duration of your trip. You should do the same when assessing a travel insurance company. 

For example, older travelers who are more susceptible to injury may benefit from travel medical insurance (though your premiums will be higher). If you're traveling for extended periods throughout one calendar year, you should look into an annual travel medical insurance plan . If you're engaging in high-risk activities (think scuba diving or parasailing), you should seek a plan that includes coverage for injuries sustained in adventure sports.

Travel medical insurance isn't just for peace of mind. If you travel often enough, there's a good chance you'll eventually experience an incident where medical treatment is necessary.

Before you submit your claim, you should take some time to understand your policy. Your travel medical insurance is either primary (you can submit claims directly to your travel medical insurance provider) or secondary (you must first submit claims to your primary insurance provider). In the case of secondary travel medical insurance, a refusal notice from your primary insurance provider, even if it does not cover medical claims outside the US, is often required as evidence of protocol.

On that note, you should be sure to document every step of your medical treatment. You should keep any receipts for filled prescriptions, hospital bills, and anything else documenting your medical emergency.

As many people have found out the hard way, reading the fine print is vital. Most travel insurance policies will reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you fall ill with a severe condition, including illnesses like COVID-19. 

Still on the fence about whether or not medical travel insurance is worth it ? It's worth noting that many travel insurance plans also include medical protections, so you can also protect against trip cancellations and other unexpected developments while obtaining travel medical insurance.

While short, domestic trips may not warrant travel medical insurance, it may be a good idea to insure longer, international trips. You should also consider travel medical insurance for trips to remote areas, where a medical evacuation may be expensive, and more physically tasking trips.

While shopping for travel medical insurance may not be fun, a little advance leg work can let you relax on your trip and give you peace of mind. After all, that is the point of a vacation. 

Medical travel insurance frequently asked questions

Trip insurance covers any unexpected financial losses while traveling, such as the cost of replacing lost luggage, trip interruptions, and unexpected medical expenses. Travel medical insurance just covers those medical expenses without the trip interruption or cancellation insurance.

Travel insurance companies usually offer adventure sports as add-on coverage or a separate plan entirely. You'll likely pay more for a policy with adventure sports coverage. 

Many travel medical insurance policies now include coverage for COVID-19 related medical expenses and treat it like any other illness. However, you should double-check your policy to ensure that is the case.

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

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

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