Do I Need Travel Insurance?
Answer 5 questions about your trip cost, destination, and risk factors. Get a personalized recommendation in under 2 minutes.
How much is your total trip cost?
Include flights, hotels, tours, and prepaid activities.
When Travel Insurance Makes Sense
Travel insurance is essentially a bet against Murphy's Law. Here's when it's worth it:
Good Reasons to Buy
- Expensive trip: $3,000+ with non-refundable bookings
- International travel: Especially remote areas
- Health concerns: Pre-existing conditions, older travelers
- Adventure activities: Skiing, diving, hiking
- Hurricane season: Caribbean, Florida trips
May Not Be Worth It
- Cheap domestic trips: Under $1,000
- Flexible bookings: Refundable hotels/flights
- Good credit card coverage: Already protected
- Low-risk destinations: Developed countries, short trips
- You can absorb the loss: Financially comfortable
What Travel Insurance Actually Covers
Trip Cancellation
Reimburses prepaid costs if you can't go (illness, death in family, job loss, etc.)
Medical Coverage
Pays for medical treatment abroad where your health insurance may not work
Emergency Evacuation
Covers transport to proper medical care - can cost $50,000-$100,000+ without insurance
Baggage Loss/Delay
Reimburses for lost items or essentials purchased during delays
Travel Delays
Covers meals, hotels when flights are significantly delayed
24/7 Assistance
Help line for emergencies - finding doctors, replacing documents, etc.
Check Your Credit Card First
Many credit cards include travel protection when you book with them. Check if yours covers:
| Coverage Type | Basic Cards | Premium Cards |
|---|---|---|
| Trip Cancellation | Rarely | Usually ($5,000-10,000) |
| Trip Delay | Sometimes | Yes ($300-500/day) |
| Lost Baggage | Sometimes | Yes ($2,500-3,000) |
| Medical Expenses | No | Usually No |
| Emergency Evacuation | No | Usually No |
Key insight: Credit cards often cover trip issues but NOT medical emergencies abroad. For international trips, you may still want a policy for medical/evacuation coverage.
Where to Compare & Buy
Squaremouth
Compare policies from many insurers. Good filtering tools. Zero complaint guarantee.
InsureMyTrip
Similar comparison site. Includes customer reviews. Anytime Advocate service.
Direct from Insurers
World Nomads (backpackers), Allianz, Travel Guard. Sometimes have exclusive deals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does travel insurance actually cover?
Most policies cover trip cancellation/interruption (reimbursement if you can't go), medical expenses abroad, emergency evacuation, lost/delayed baggage, and travel delays. Coverage varies significantly by policy - always read the specific terms.
When should I buy travel insurance?
Buy within 14-21 days of your first trip payment for the best benefits. This typically qualifies you for pre-existing condition coverage and "cancel for any reason" eligibility. You can buy later, but you'll miss some optional benefits.
Does my credit card already cover me?
Many premium cards (Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum) include trip cancellation, delay, and baggage coverage. However, most don't cover medical expenses or evacuation - potentially the biggest costs. Check your specific card's benefits guide.
What about pre-existing medical conditions?
Many policies exclude pre-existing conditions unless you buy within 14-21 days of your first trip payment and meet other criteria. Look for policies with a "pre-existing condition waiver" if this applies to you.
Is "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage worth it?
CFAR adds 40-50% to policy cost but lets you cancel for literally any reason and get 75% reimbursement. Worth it for expensive trips with unpredictable schedules, uncertain health, or when you're just not sure about going.
How much does travel insurance cost?
Typically 5-10% of your trip cost. A $3,000 trip might cost $150-300 to insure. Price varies by traveler age, destination, trip length, and coverage level. Compare quotes on Squaremouth or InsureMyTrip to find the best value.