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Tour operator insurance: 5 considerations to protect your business

When starting a new tour business, one of the most vital steps is protecting your assets. To do so, you will need liability insurance.

While liability insurance is essential, as a new tour operator you may be wondering what you need coverage for and how much it will cost.

In this post, we’ll dive into the ins and outs of liability insurance as well as what you should consider.

Disclaimer – Before we dive in, this post is designed to be a general primer into liability insurance for tour operators. For specific details and questions about different policies, we recommend reaching out to your insurance agent or lawyer.

• What is tour operator insurance?

What types of insurance do I need for my tour business?

How much does liability insurance cost, the 6 most popular types of liability insurance, how to vet tour operator insurance providers, additional best practices for protecting your business, what is tour operator insurance .

Tour operator insurance is a specialized type of insurance designed to protect tour operators as well as travel agents that organize and sell travel packages. It typically covers risks associated with travel planning and execution, such as trip cancellations, delays, supplier failures, and liability issues. This insurance is important because it protects tour operators from significant financial losses and legal liabilities that can arise from unforeseen events or accidents during the tours they organize, ensuring business continuity and customer trust.

If you are thinking about starting or have recently launched a tour business, you may be wondering what to insure and if have enough insurance to cover all of your assets. Let’s get the nitty gritty insurance details out of the way so can focus on the joy of sharing an adventure you love with your guests.

Every business has a unique set of liabilities, so deciding which liability insurance you need comes down to asking yourself this:

What could possibly go wrong and how can I mitigate damage?

While brainstorming “worst-case scenarios” isn’t fun, isn’t it better to have a plan in place if something does go awry?

Here are some examples of potential questions to think through:

• Who will replace the kayak that fell off your rig while transporting the fleet?
• Who covers the emergency medical costs if a customer breaks his leg on your zipline tour and later files a lawsuit to recoup the money he is out from medical bills?
• What happens if one of your tour guides gets COVID-19 after being exposed on a tour?

Deciding what type of coverage you require when you first launch your business will allow you to focus more time on providing a great guest experience.

Keep in mind that most policies are for an entire year, even if your business is seasonal. This is a benefit since your equipment will be covered in the event of loss or damage during the off-season.

In addition, your state may have specific insurance required for your type of tour. For example, Washington state requires workers’ compensation through the Department of Labor and Industries. Additionally, they require minimum coverage for business vehicles of $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $10,000 property damage liability per accident.

The importance of carrying adequate liability insurance

Between 2007-2013, the canoeing industry suffered more fatalities than kayaking, rafting, and paddleboarding combined. Canoeing may seem like a safe enough activity, but this statistic proves that accidents do happen — and why emergency medical coverage is essential.

While a fatality is definitely the worst-case scenario, even a minor customer injury could lead to a personal injury settlement that is not only costly but time-consuming . One case could take years to settle.

Starting and maintaining a business is expensive enough. If you have a fleet of 20 canoes and they are stolen or catch fire, you are looking at a minimum of $5,000 to replace them. Liability insurance helps you eliminate that financial risk.

Your local insurance agency might be able to provide a basic policy that covers all your needs through one plan or with add-on riders. Still, tour businesses might need to have an additional policy through an agency that specializes in tour operations such as Excursion Insurance , CNA International , or XInsurance .

In addition, you should consider how much your assets (equipment and/or property) are worth. It is often better to consider a higher coverage amount that your business can grow into over being underinsured and potentially on the hook in the event something goes wrong.

The level of danger inherent in your business is also a factor. Adventurous activities will require comprehensive policies that cover emergency care and so on. For example, a kayak rental business or walking tour will have lower premiums than a scuba diving business or an axe-throwing venue.

Pro Tip: The average annual plan cost for $1 million in coverage for a tour operator is $350-$700.

There’s a wide variety of liability insurance types offering different levels of coverage depending on the businesses they protect.

Ask your insurance agent to customize your insurance policy or policy package to your specific needs.

1. General/business liability insurance

General/business liability is imperative.

This covers legal fees for customer injury and property loss.

The kayak that fell off your rig? This covers the replacement cost.

This insurance will also cover legal fees to sue for less likely events such as copyright infringement or slander from a competitor.

Perhaps most interesting right now, as many small businesses navigate uncertain times due to the pandemic, is that general/business liability insurance includes legal and relocation fees if your business is wrongfully evicted from a rented building or property.

Here are a few things to consider when looking for the best liability insurance provider:

• Adequate coverage: Ensure that the insurance policy provides sufficient coverage for the risks and liabilities specific to your tour or attraction operations. Assess the nature of your business activities, the number of participants, and the associated risks to determine the appropriate coverage limits.
• Comprehensive policy: Look for a comprehensive insurance policy that covers a wide range of risks, including bodily injury, property damage, personal injury, and advertising injury.
• Certificate of insurance: Request and keep updated certificates of insurance from any subcontractors or vendors you work with. This verifies that they have adequate liability coverage, protecting both parties in case of any incidents or accidents.

2. Auto liability insurance

If you provide transportation for your customers, auto liability will cover both owned and rented vehicles beyond the scope of personal auto policies.

Whether you are transporting paddleboarders to your favorite cove at sunrise in Florida or sunset in California, auto liability covers what you are accustomed to with your personal auto policy, only with higher weight restrictions and limits of liability.

When your business vehicles are insured, any employee may drive. This will allow you to take multiple vehicles (i.e. more customers) on each excursion or have one employee shuttle customers while the other remains on location.

Consider the following before choosing an auto liability insurance policy:

• Commercial auto policy: Look for a commercial auto insurance policy specifically designed for business vehicles. This type of policy provides coverage for accidents, injuries, property damage, and other liabilities that may arise from the use of vehicles in your tour and attraction operations.
• Hired and non-owned auto Coverage: If your business involves renting or using vehicles that you do not own, consider adding hired and non-owned auto coverage to your policy. This coverage extends liability protection to vehicles you rent or borrow for business purposes.
• Driver qualifications: Establish clear driver qualification standards. Ensure that your drivers meet the requirements for your auto liability insurance. This may include age restrictions, valid driver’s licenses, clean driving records, and any specific training or certification requirements.

3. Watercraft liability insurance

Whether the watercraft has a motor or not, this insurance is mandatory in most states for watercraft operators, so ensure it is covered in your general/business liability policy or an add-on rider.

This will cover emergency medical costs for customer injury specific to the watercraft as well as the loss of or damage to personal belongings.

Here are a few considerations to keep in mind as you research watercraft liability insurance:

• Vessel types: First, you’ll need to determine the types of vessels your company will use. Then, verify that your insurance policy covers that specific type of vessel, which can range from motorized boats, sailboats, personal watercraft, or paddle craft.
• Passenger capacity: Assess the passenger capacity of each boat and confirm that the insurance covers the maximum number of passengers allowed on board. Compliance with safety regulations regarding passenger limits is crucial to mitigate risks and ensure proper coverage.
• Waterway restrictions: Understand any restrictions imposed by the insurance provider regarding the waterways in which you can operate. Some policies may have navigational limits or exclusions for certain high-risk areas.

4. Professional liability insurance

Here is another one that you’ll want to add if it is not included in your general/business liability policy.

This is for the mistakes you didn’t mean to make or changes you couldn’t help but make.

Nicknamed the “errors and omissions policy,” professional liability covers the accidents made through typos or data left out of a tour description. It covers legal fees for cases of misrepresentation (the artisan lunch promised is fried Spam sandwiches) or violation of good faith (a loyalty program was shut down or not allowed to be used as promised).

Keep this in mind as you’re choosing your professional liability insurance:

• Retroactive date: Pay attention to the retroactive date mentioned in the policy. This is the date from which the policy coverage starts and typically excludes claims arising from incidents that occurred before that date. Ensure that the retroactive date aligns with your business’s start date or the date you first purchased the insurance.
• Claims-made policy: Professional liability insurance is typically written on a claims-made basis. This means that coverage is triggered by claims made and reported during the policy period. Understand the reporting requirements and ensure that you report any potential claims or incidents to your insurance provider in a timely manner.
• Professional associations: Consider joining professional associations relevant to the travel and tourism industry. Some associations offer access to group insurance plans or negotiated rates for professional liability coverage.

5. Employer liability insurance

Many states require businesses to apply for workers’ compensation through the Department of Labor . If your state does not provide this service at the government level, adding employer liability will protect your business during lawsuits launched by employees as well as pay for employee medical care, disability, and even funeral in the case of a death on the job.

Here’s what to consider when researching employer liability insurance:

• Workers’ compensation laws: Each jurisdiction may have specific rules regarding workers’ compensation coverage limits, eligibility criteria, claim filing procedures, and benefit entitlements. Complying with these laws is crucial to protect both your employees and your business.
• Employee classification: Properly classify your employees based on their job roles and associated risks. Different job categories may have different insurance requirements and premium rates.
• Return-to-work programs: Establish return-to-work programs that facilitate the smooth transition of injured employees back to work after recovering from a workplace injury or illness.

6. Business interruption liability

Seattle, Houston, and Austin shut down due to snow for a week? Impossible.

But then, in February 2021, it happened and interrupted thousands of travel plans.

For tour operators with business interruption insurance, customer refunds due to business closures and trip cancellations were taken care of by their insurance companies.

A natural disaster is an extreme example, but unforeseen events happen all the time.

A rained-out performance or a lightning storm forecast during a water event is more common. While bad weather won’t cause weeks of cancellations, it is money lost.

Here are some practical tips and considerations to keep in mind when it comes to business interruption liability insurance:

• Assessing risks and vulnerabilities: Take the time to assess the potential risks and vulnerabilities that could interrupt your business operations. Consider factors such as natural disasters, fires, power outages, supply chain disruptions, or unforeseen circumstances that could affect your ability to serve customers.
• Waiting period: Keep in mind that most policies have a waiting period before coverage kicks in, so plan accordingly to manage your finances during that time.
• Business continuity planning: Develop a comprehensive business continuity plan that outlines steps to be taken during and after a disruption. Having a well-thought-out plan in place can expedite the recovery process and potentially reduce the duration of business interruption.

Use the following tips to ensure you’re partnering with the right insurance providers:

• Reputation matters: Do your homework and dig into the reputation of potential insurance providers. Look for reviews, testimonials, and feedback from other tour and attraction operators. Don’t settle for a company that leaves a trail of disappointed customers in its wake. You deserve an insurance provider that’s got your back.
• Tailored to your industry: Seek providers that specialize in serving the unique needs of tour and attraction operators. They understand the ins and outs of your industry, the risks you face, and the coverage you require.
• Transparency is key: Nobody likes being kept in the dark, especially when it comes to insurance. Look for providers that are transparent and clear in their communication. You want an insurance partner who explains the terms, conditions, and coverage in a way that makes sense to you. No jargon, no confusion — just straightforward and honest communication.
• Customizable coverage: Your business is unique, so your insurance coverage should be too. Avoid providers that offer rigid, off-the-shelf policies. Instead, opt for those that offer customizable coverage to meet your specific needs. Whether it’s liability, property, or equipment coverage, you should have the freedom to tailor your policy to fit your business like a glove.
• Responsive customer service: In times of crisis, you need a responsive insurance provider who doesn’t leave you hanging. Look for companies that prioritize customer service and have a reputation for being there when you need them the most.
• Easy claims process: The last thing you need when filing a claim is a complicated and frustrating process. Look for insurance providers that have a streamlined and efficient claims process. You deserve an easy-to-navigate system that minimizes paperwork, reduces headaches, and gets you back on your feet as quickly as possible.
• Competitive pricing: We can’t forget about the bottom line. While pricing shouldn’t be the sole deciding factor, it does play a role. Seek out insurance providers that offer competitive pricing without compromising on coverage and service.
• Recommendations and referrals: Don’t be afraid to tap into your network and ask for recommendations. Reach out to fellow tour and attraction operators, industry associations, or trusted colleagues for their input. Personal referrals can provide valuable insights and help you find hidden gems in the insurance provider landscape.

Liability waivers are a simple way to further protect your business. Our post on Liability Waiver Best Practices gives a clear path to how you can use digital waivers to simultaneously protect your business as well as ways you can use this information in your marketing.

In addition, you should also have a cancellation policy, which should be available on your website and in your digital waiver. You should clearly state your terms for how and when guests can cancel a booking as well as your refund policy.

Finally, what emergency medical plans do you have in place? While keeping your first aid kits stocked is probably first on your list, other items to keep near – such as emergency blankets, survival tents, etc. – will depend on your type of tour and customer demographic. For example, if your business is based in Florida, you might want to have an evacuation plan in place for how to board up and secure your venue in case you have to evacuate due to a hurricane.

In sum, taking everything into account, liability insurance is as important of an investment as your equipment. Shopping around for an insurance company that is the perfect fit for your business is as important as shopping around for a vehicle and kayaks.

Writer Carla Vianna

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5 types of tour guide insurance all tour operator businesses need

By Rezdy — 10 Nov 2018

costs   legal   operations   tour operator

5 types of tour operator insurance and what to consider

Updated November 2021 – As a tour operator, you will be dealing with risks on a daily basis. On top of the typical risks that businesses face, you also face additional risks unique to the tour industry. Protecting your business with specific tour operator insurance will ensure you cover all your bases.

For example, what happens if you have to cancel your tours due to weather or insufficient numbers? or when a customer gets hurt while participating in your tour? These situations may vary in their rarity but the financial damages from these risks are always significant. Luckily, there are many types of insurance plans available to protect tour operators against risks.

With Bob’s Hypothetical Kayaking Tours as an example, we will cover the 5 most important insurance plans your tour needs.

1. Asset & revenue insurance

While the specifics will vary depending on the nature of your tour or activity, you’ll need to consider all areas. This refers to things like:

• Breakdown and damage of business assets (for example fires , burglary, general property, equipment breakdown). All Australian businesses have to ensure company vehicles for third-party injury liability. Your equipment and property investments are at great risk if you don’t insure them. TIP: Make sure to check your own federal or state laws to see what is legally required!
• Business interruption (any interruption to the business which stops the business from making money). This includes interruption through a key person’s illness or bad weather.

If Bob’s Kayaking office was to catch fire and nearly everything was destroyed, Bob would lose money on bookings that would have to be canceled, rent that still needed to be paid, wages that are still payable to his staff, and all of the other regular expenses. A claim on asset & revenue insurance will pay for the expenses of the business while they are unable to operate due to an insurable loss.

2. Public liability insurance

Let’s say Bob can’t catch a break and one of his tour participants loses their phone, laptop, jewelry, and glasses while having the time of their life on his exhilarating kayaking experiences. Public liability insurance will free Bob from any responsibility of paying back the stolen/lost items. Tip: Learn how to write a liability release form here!

While public liability insurance is a very costly form of tour operator insurance (the standard cover is $10M), most agents will refuse to resell your tour unless your tour has one. Remember that if you work with a third-party contractor, you need to make sure that they have public liability insurance in place as well.

3. Workers compensation insurance

Bob can’t manage his kayak operation all by himself! He needs accountants to manage his numbers, tour leaders to run the tours, and maintenance staff to take care of the kayaks. Many tours, such as Bob’s, involve a lot of physical activity on a daily basis. Even employees who work in Bob’s Kayaking office can trip on a cord and hurt themselves.

By having workers compensation insurance in place, you’re protecting your business against costly compensation claims as a result of a workplace accident or illness. Workers compensation has to be taken out for all employees of a Pty Ltd company, including company directors and business owners.

However, business owners aren’t covered by workers compensation if they are a sole trader or a partnership. In this case, you can opt for income protection in the case of accidents and illnesses so you don’t lose revenue while you recover.

4. Commercial Crime Insurance 

As much as Bob values all his staff and employees, sometimes there’s going to be a bad egg. This may be shocking, but theft and misdeed by employees are actually more common than you may think it is. A report published by Embroker states that a shocking 75% of employees admit to stealing at least once from their employers. It is for this reason that Bob should have commercial crime insurance in place as one of his tour operator insurances .

In the event of theft or misdeeds actioned by one of Bob’s staff, commercial crime insurance will cover any losses. This can include missing assets or money misspent on non-work-related purchases

5. Errors and Omissions Insurance

Running a kayak business is very demanding and Bob deals with a variety of customers every day. Making mistakes is inevitable, however, certain hiccups can result in severe damages and ruin Bob’s business reputation. Not only that, but the time spent on recovering and fixing a mistake is time-consuming. 

Errors & Omission Insurance (EOI) will protect Bob’s business from claims that may arise due to mistakes or failure to meet certain criteria of a signed contract. With an E&O Insurance in place, Bob will be covered for any financial losses from the result of errors and omissions. E&O Insurance also covers Bob from any settlement or additional costs related to the mistakes that may arise.

In most cases, EOI is often one of the required forms of business insurance many organizations will need to have in place. This tour operator insurance cost is highly recommended to protect your tour operator business from inevitable human errors.

Where to look for Tourism Insurance

With the 5 types of tour operator insurance covered above, it’s important to do your research prior to signing up with an insurance company. Without the right level of cover, you may be out of pocket after a claim. So it’s critical that you choose the correct tour operator insurance plan and an insurance company that fits well with your tour operator business. 

You can begin your search by:

• Getting quotes from those specializing in tourism insurance
• Asking others in the industry for recommendations
• Contacting your local tourism organization and ask them for recommendations

Once you’ve gathered this information, pick your top three companies from the list and compare their offerings. It’s important to find a policy that’s right for your business, so make sure to do proper research and shop around instead of jumping signing up with the first tour operator insurance company you see.

If you enjoyed this article – 3 types of insurance all tour operators need – then follow the Rezdy blog . There are a lot of marketing tools and resources designed with businesses like yours in mind.

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Liability Insurance for Guided Tour Companies

Protecting guided tour companies on land, sea or air.

New York City has always been a center of attraction — last year was no exception. In 2017, the City welcomed a record 62.8 million visitors in 2017, an increase of 2.3 million tourists over 2016. Of those, 49.7 million were domestic and 13.1 million were international visitors . That’s great news for the Big Apple, and equally good news for guided tour companies that show these visitors a good time. Take the famous Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise around Manhattan Island, or the hop-on, hop-off, open-air bus tours, or walking tours — not to mention the new guided bike and Segway tours. 

Of course, Washington, DC, Chicago, Las Vegas, and other major cities have their fair share of guided tours — whether by land, water or helicopter. After all, there’s a lot to see in this great country of ours. What do these guided tours have in common? The potential for great profits — and risk. 

Guided Tour Risks

What are some of the most common risks associated with guided tours?

Baggage loss can be an inconvenience at best and dangerous at worst if your clients are carrying important information or medication in their luggage. Transportation malfunctions are also a risk to consider.

Consider the helicopter crash that killed four people on a Grand Canyon helicopter tour. In one case in 2018, five British tourists died during a helicopter tour after the pilot lost control of the aircraft thanks to a violent gust of wind. Or the city sightseeing, the open-air tour bus that careened out of control in San Francisco a few years ago and injured four. 

You may also run into unexpected health issues or — depending on your location and the destination of your tour — a lack of proper accommodation, leaving you out in the cold. Finally, there is always the risk of stolen personal items. While no one will care about a t-shirt or a pair of shoes, if their money or passport goes missing, it can be a massive problem. 

How to Decrease Guided Tour Risks

What can you do to decrease these risks on your guided tours?

Make sure you provide information about the area you’re traveling to in advance. We all love the idea of booking a trip or a tour on a whim, but it is essential that your clients know what they’re getting into before they pay for their tour. On your end, you also need to understand your travelers’ specific needs before they join the tour. You don’t need to be invasive with your questions but you do need to know anything that could potentially put them at risk during the tour. 

Encourage your travelers to take health measures before they arrive. This could be as simple as taking Dramamine if they’re prone to motion sickness or as complex as necessary vaccinations before they arrive if they’re traveling from a different country.

Finally, you’ll need to obtain guided tour insurance to protect both you and your clients in the event of an incident.

If you’re offering guided tours, you should always be prepared for the unexpected. One of the best ways to do that is to obtain guided tour insurance. Danger is inherent in every tour, but it doesn’t have to put a damper on your business. Learn more about guided tour insurance options from XINSURANCE for your business and what insurance tour operators need. 

XINSURANCE is powered by Evolution Insurance Brokers , an insurance brokerage. XINSURANCE provides customized specialty insurance solutions for ever-changing risks and liability issues, including property and casualty insurance — and Tour Operator Liability Insurance for Guided Tour Companies. We’ll even defend you in the event you are named in an incident, claim or lawsuit.

XINSURANCE provides an all-in-one approach that allows business owners to have broader coverage, up to $20 million limits with higher limits available through reinsurance partners, flexible underwriting, risk management expertise, extraordinary claims results, and a partnership approach.

With XINSURANCE, guided tour companies can rest assured they’ll be around to welcome millions of more visitors to their great city. Contact XINSURANCE today to see how we can help you protect your business as well as your clients moving forward.

Get A Quote Today!

You can start the quote process by filling out the form at the top of this page . Once you are finished, we will have an underwriter contact you about the quote request and discuss your insurance needs. Get started today!

Last updated on March 10, 2021.

Rick J. Lindsey hails from Salt Lake City, Utah. He began working in the mailroom of his father’s Salt Lake City insurance firm, getting his introduction to the business that became his lifelong career. Rick J. Lindsey quickly rose through the ranks while working in nearly every imaginable insurance industry job. As an entrepreneur, specialty lines underwriter, claims specialist, risk manager, and a licensed surplus lines broker, Rick J. Lindsey is highly skilled in all levels of leadership and execution. As he progressed on his career path, Rick J. Lindsey discovered an urgent need for insurers willing to write policies for high-risk individuals and businesses. He was frequently frustrated that he could not provide the liability protection these entities desperately needed to safeguard their assets. He also formed the belief that insurance companies acted too quickly to settle frivolous claims. Rick J. Lindsey decided to try a different approach. He started an insurance company and became the newly formed entity’s CEO. This opportunity has enabled Rick J. Lindsey to fill a void in the market and provide a valuable service to businesses, individuals, and insurance agents who write high-risk business. XINSURANCE also specializes in helping individuals and businesses who live a lifestyle or participate in activities that make them difficult for traditional carriers to insure. If you’ve been denied, non-renewed, or canceled coverage, don’t give up quite yet. Chances are XINSURANCE can help.

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Insurance solutions for tour operators and travel agents.

Start your journey with us today. call us on 0800 062 2028, start your journey today., travel agents & tour operators' liability insurance.

This can include tour operators’ liability insurance, including liabilities arising from The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.

With over 30 years’ experience as an independent insurance broker for travel agents and tour operators, we can arrange competitively priced insurance for any business, from small, single-proprietor firms to large UK companies.

We specialise in travel businesses

Because we specialise in insurance for travel companies, we know just how complex your risks can be. Over the years, we’ve developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by tour companies and travel agencies , and can advise you about the types and you may need to protect your business.

Relationships with travel underwriters

Thanks to our long-standing experience arranging insurance for travel agents and tour operators, we’ve developed strong relationships with some of the leading travel underwriters. As a result, we can arrange wide-ranging and competitive insurance solutions for both travel agents and tour operators – suitable for your business.

Insurance for travel businesses can include travel agent’s and/or tour operator’s liability insurance, scheduled airline failure insurance (SAFI insurance), travel bonds (ATOL, ABTA, CPT, IATA, Airline), public liability & employer's liability insurance and product liability cover. It can also include cyber liability insurance, directors’ & officers’ liability cover, supplier failure credit insurance and office/shop/commercial combined insurance.

Travel Agents & Tour Operators Insurance

• 30+ years specialising in insurance for travel agencies & tour operators
• Helpful advice about the type & level of insurance you need
• Cover your liabilities under The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992
• Long-standing relationships with travel underwriters

We can arrange insurance which covers liabilities to the public and employees, as well as cover for claims arising from errors/omissions in client bookings. And our insurance for tour operators covers legal liabilities arising from The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 (including liability for suppliers’ actions). For further information please contact us.

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Travel Liability Insurance and Risk Management for Travel Agencies and Tour Operators

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Adventure Travel Liability Insurance Questions and Answers

Tourism Tim Warren Lives Adventure…

Are you are a tour operator, travel agent, hotelier, resort, lodge and have questions on travel liability insurance and risk management, especially in adventure travel, you need to listen to this important episode of Travel Business Success Podcast.

Click on player bar below to listen or download the MP3 audio for free.

Tourism Tim Warren interviews Rick McKinley with Alameda Associates who specializes helping travel providers and vendors get liability insurance and has lots of experience in the adventure travel and active sports.

Also read below for updated 2016 travel liability insurance coverage specifically for tour operators and travel agents, including adventure travel tour operators, lodges, etc.

Top travel liability insurance and hospitality risk management topics include:, 1 ) where can i find liability insurance for my travel agency \ tour operations, 2) what’s does it cover •    levels of coverage: •    cost, 3) what are the basics you need for travel liability insurance.

•    General liability insurance •    Non owned and hired auto -important •    Physical and sexual abuse •    Worldwide coverage •    Bodily injury •    Errors and omissions ( $ back from client) •    Volunteer workers comp •    Accidental death and dismemberment

4) TRAVEL LIABILITY INSURANCE SUPPLIERS:

• CNA international
• Travel Safe Insurance
• Lexington – AIrisk.com

5) WHAT’S DOES IT NOT COVER?

•    Definitions in policy •    Endorsements

6) WHAT SHOULD I DO TO FIND OUT WHAT MY CURRENT POLICY COVERS AND DOES NOT COVER?

7) what can i do proactively to reduce my chances of having a travel liability insurance claim.

Have in contracts:

• Hold harmless/ disclaimer statements
• Limit liability
• Medical release form for treatment
• Vendors insurance – naming suppliers as additional insured
• Vendor selection process
• Hold activity provider harmless – indemnity provision

6)  CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLANS

• Risk management policies, procedures and STAFF TRAINING

  Rick McKinley Contact:

Voice: (510) 522-2090 email: [email protected] www.alamedaassociatesins.com

Adventure Tour Operator & Travel Agent Insurance Program from Zurich Insurance Co.

Types of Risks

Adventure Tour Operators; Travel Agencies; Tour Operators;  Student Tour Operators; Independent Contractors (Travel Agents); Corporate Meeting Planners, Destination Management Companies

Appetite:  All sizes of risks; travel and tour arrangements can be worldwide no territory restrictions;

Ineligible risks:  Outfitters & Guides; Spring Break Student Tour Operators; Party or Wedding Planners

Geography:  Nationwide

Adventure Travel Liability Insurance Coverage Highlights

Coverage offered:

• General Liability
• Professional Liability (Including Bodily Injury, Property Damage, and E&O coverage)

Coverage limits:  Up to $5,000,000/$5,000,000 for qualifying companies

Admitted or non-admitted paper:  Admitted in all 50 states, except non-admitted for NY Tour Operators, and Student & Adventure Tour Operators

Additional Travel Liability Insurance Program Highlights

• Program Administrator has more than 30 years experience in this industry
• Worldwide territory
• Occurrence form
• In-house underwriting and claims handling

Click Here for More Information on Zurich Insurance Company for Liability Insurance for Adventure Tour Operators and Travel Agents

Click triangle below to listen to travel business success podcast on travel liability insurance, what are your top travel liability insurance and risk management questions please post them below and we will provide you guidance to help your travel business succeed., comments (16).

I work with a tour operations company. We have an upcoming tour for a high school choir group. For the school district, the tour falls under the category of a “field trip” and consequently they now require us to have a commercial liability insurance policy for $2Million and to be have the district’s name added as an insured. They also want us to be responsible for any medical expenses incurred as a result of injury to its employees, volunteers and/or representatives. We do not currently have any business insurance. It is my thinking that this type of commercial liability policy that is being requested does not apply to our industry. I am aware of general liability policies and errors and omissions. Is there any policy for our business that would better meet the requirements of the school district?

I am English, my wife is Indonesian. We are setting up a Tour Operator business in Indonesia.It will be licenced in Indonesia. We need Liability Insurance. We have Drafted Proposed Terms & Conditions which we can send you. Can you advise if you would cover us? Many thanks.

Like to help Tim, but I do not provide any sort of insurance for travel companies.

When you are ready to create awareness for your tour operation website, drive traffic and convert them into sales, then our articles, course and tele-seminars will help you succeed

This was a great podcast. It helped me sort out a lot of my questions — thanks!

I would like to check your services for my 2 web site: 1. http://www.itsvietnam.com as a B2B web 2. http://www.itsvietnam.com.vn as a B2C web Thanks a lot

Thanks Thuy Tran for your interest in improving both your Vietnamese travel websites.

I can help then you increase inquiries and sales. Not only on your websites, but on your trade show stand marketing too.

Both websites need help to improve the “credibility” / sales aspect and the search engine ranking info to improve traffic.

You need to start with by creating a “travel website that Sells”. Neither of the websites communicate your years of experience quickly or clearly. Neither of your websites quickly show guest or travel social media endorsements or reviews Your B2C site lacks critical Meta Data you must have to get ranking in the search engines. There is many more quick and easy improvements that will increase results fast…

I can provide consulting on how to improve both sites results and coach you in the implementation of the improvements. And the work we do on your websites, you can use on your trade show ( and all your) marketing too.

Both will radically improve your inquiries, sales while LOWERING your marketing costs.

And my services will cost you less then exhibiting at WTM and yield a higher return on investment. Please email me direct @ [email protected] to set discuss your needs and my services.

To your success, Tourism Tim Warren

Hey Rick !!

I loved your Talk show about the Travel agents Liability. I am a Travel agent in Ladakh, India. We are specialized in Adventure and culture tours in the Himalayas . I am planning to have it registered here in the United states (Outbound). I would like some additional information from you. I have been a Adventure tour guide in the Himalayas for almost 12 years and never had a single disaster or unsatisfied client. What i am concerned about, is the US laws that are a little more complicated. Most agents in India do not provide any Liabilities. We advice clients to have travel insurance for themselves. When its a hardcore adventure activities like an expedition, We make sure they are covered by their insurance and on the other hand make then sign a waiver about the risks involved and that they are aware there are no liabilities towards the company. However, that never seemed the right solution to me because we don’t want the Travelers to feel like ” we like saving our own a**) we do need to have them in the comfort zone and trust the Agent. Despite this I still feel there are many reasons they can still sue us for. I would like to is there a way we can insure each tour and are there any agents who cover our liabilities this way. I personally feel this might be more economical over the annual fees we pay the insurance company. I also feel this will help protect smaller Travel agents whose turnover are small compared to the ones who makes Half a million and more.

I have the terms and condition detailed on the website you can check it out. For the time being my website is off the server because of a Domain transfer dispute. it will be up in another week hopefully. Please check http://www.amazinghimalayas.com I am keen to hear you talk on the above topic or have your personal opinion. Looking forward to hear from you

Thank you in Advance. Sonam Amazing Himalayas – Rewarding Adventures

Thanks Sonam for your accolades on my tour operator /travel agent liability insurance interview. It is important. But getting US liability insurance for a foreign operator is near impossible – especially in the high adventure tours you provide.

What I think is more important to book more adventure tours – besides being totally committed to safety as reflected in your good safety record – is to communicate your safety and experience throughout your adventure tour website.

Adventure travel shoppers want to know you are safety conscious and experienced. And they need to know this super fast on your tour website. Or they are gone. Usually forever…

Testimonials are great, but do not bury them at the bottom of the page. And since you have been in business for almost 12 years, you have had many 100’s if not 1000’s of happy clients haven’t you?

This needs to be reflected on every page of your tour website. I call this a “Defining / Credibility Statement. It communicates in about 3 seconds that you are professional, experienced and can be trusted. Learn more about this super important, proven tour sales strategy here .

Let me know your thoughts.

I love adventure travel. it is my heritage and how I got into helping tour operators like you grow your business.

To your awesome success, Tourism Tim

I use your videos, website and info when I teach a travel marketing class! Excellent stuff!

Question: what is the best type of insurance to cover a tour broker business? Someone who sells eco-heritage tours on a local basis working with independent guides who take folks on river paddling trips, historical walking tours, nature walks, etc. (no overnights) Guides must have their own insurance to cover themselves and their own property.

Recommendations??

Thanks Cynthia for your kind words. So glad my travel marketing blog and videos is helpful to you and your class.

Where are you teaching travel marketing? What other topics would be helpful to you and your classes? Anything I can do to help, let me know.

I’ll do some more research, but Berkeley and http://www.stratumins.com/travelagentinsurance.htm both may have policies that work for you. Let me know what you find out. Looks like I need to update my interviews on this topic 🙂

what is a rough estimate for liability insurance for an adventure travel start up?

I am not an insurance agent so I don’t know current pricing or policies. But what I do know is that liability insurance for an adventure travel business can be hard and expensive to get. Key elements the insurance companies look at to determine if they will issue a policy and cost are: your business location, size, activities, how long in business, price point, domestic or international travel, etc.

One of the top adventure travel tour operator and travel agent liability insurance providers is Zurich Insurance Company I am not sure their current offerings worldwide, but this is a good place to start.

What type of adventure travel business are you starting Jacob and where?

Please keep me posted on what you discover on your adventure travel business liability insurance research.

TO your success, Tourism Tim PPS Thanks for using the “Social sharing” buttons to share and “Like” my site. 🙂

Great info ! I came across this article as i am looking for info about insuring our tour company .

Just found the article and contributions on it so helpful .

Thank you for your helpful information on this site! I’m a small business Tour Operator (small groups) in the State of NY (US to Mexico). Who might be my best provider and what policies should I make sure to include? Thank you for your guidance! Dr. Pascoe.

Thanks S Pascoe for your accolades on my podcast and website, and your good question on tour operator business & liability insurance. Let do some vendor updates and get back to you with more details

But here’s some tour operator type of insurance to get:

1. Assets & revenue: Specifics will vary depending on the nature of your tour or activity, you need to take all areas into consideration. Breakdown and damage of business assets: (fires, burglary, general property, equipment breakdown, through a key person’s illness or bad weather.) Business interruption (any interruption to the business which stops the business from making money, while you still have bills to pay).

2. Liability: frees you from responsibility if someone gets hurt or their belongings are stolen while on your tour.

3. People: You are legally required to take out workers compensation insurance for your employees. Independent contractors are a different story.

What have you found so far? Any feedback or insights you can share helps us all.

Best, Tourism Tim

6 Types of Insurance Every Tour Operator Needs

If you're in the business of providing tours, then you need to have insurance. It's that simple. But not all insurance is created equal, and there are a few specific types that are essential for tour operators.

In this blog post, we'll discuss the six most important types of insurance, and we'll explain why each one is important. So if you're looking to start a tour company or you're just curious about what type of insurance you should be carrying, read on!

What kind of insurance do tour operators need?

Thinking about starting a tour business? Well, you may have heard that insurance is essential, but what type of policy do you need? Let us unravel the mystery for you.

Every tour operator business has unique needs that should be taken into account when selecting an insurance policy. But there are some general types of coverage you'll want to make sure you have.

Deciding which one, however, is up to you and your provider. To help you, ask yourself:

What possible risks may arise and how can I best prepare to protect against them?

Anticipate potential risks that could emerge to be prepared for any possible outcomes. For example:

• Who covers the risk of property damage, liability, or other risks associated with taking people on tours?
• What if a customer breaks his leg on your zipline tours or gets food poisoning from your restaurant tour? Who will cover the emergency medical costs?
• What happens if one of your tour guides gets injured while leading the tour or gets COVID-19?

Knowing the answers to these questions is crucial for making sure your tour business is properly covered.

Furthermore, each country may have unique requirements depending on the tour activities you offer. So be sure to research your options and make an informed decision about the kind of coverage that best suits your needs, even small businesses.

Now that you know why insurance is important to protect your business, let's take a look at what type of policies you should consider.

6 Types of Insurance for Tour Operators

1. general/business liability insurance   .

Without a doubt, tour businesses must acquire this type of insurance for their protection. It covers legal costs if someone sues your business for personal injury, bodily injury, property damage, slander and libel, copyright infringement, and more.

For example, your tour driver could get into an accident that damages property or injures someone. If that happens, then general liability insurance will help cover the costs associated with the damages.

Without this one, you're putting your business in a precarious position.

2. Professional liability insurance 

Also known as Errors and Omissions (E&O) liability insurance, this type of policy protects you against the risk of being sued for negligence.

For instance, if a customer on your tour gets food poisoning from a restaurant you recommended, then your business can be held liable for not providing accurate information. This will help cover the costs like medical bills of any legal action.

3. Commercial property insurance  

It doesn't matter where your business is located, property insurance should be considered a must-have. This third party property policy will help protect your physical assets from risks such as fire, theft, floods, and other natural disasters.

For example, if you operate by the beach, then you should probably invest in property insurance with coastal coverage.

4. Auto/transportation insurance  

If your tour operator business involves transportation (for example, a bus tour), then you must have auto insurance. This will cover any expenses related to the vehicle in case of an accident of your employees and clients.

For instance, your paddle-boarding tours require a truck to transport the equipment. If the driver gets into an accident while on tour, then this will help cover the damages.

Also, when you have this type of insurance, any employee may drive. This will allow you to rest assured that your staff is covered in case of an emergency.

5. Cyber liability insurance 

This type of liability insurance protects businesses from cyber attacks and other digital risks.

For example, if a hacker steals confidential customer data from your website or an employee accidentally sends sensitive payment information to the wrong person, then this will help cover the costs associated with recovering the data and restoring your reputation.

6. Business interruption insurance 

This policy will help secure your business from any unforeseen circumstances that could lead to a risk of financial loss.

For example, if your tour company is forced to temporarily close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, then this insurance will help cover the expenses incurred while your business is closed.

Tour businesses with a business interruption policy were able to recoup their customer refunds due to pandemic-related closures and cancellations thanks to the protection provided by their companies.

Additional best practices for protecting your business 

In addition to the six types of insurance discussed above, there are other steps you can take to protect your business.

• Make sure all employees have the proper training and certifications.
• Keep up with safety regulations, such as regular vehicle maintenance checks or pest control services.
• Understand the laws and regulations that apply to your industry.
• Create a crisis response plan and review it regularly.
• Stay ahead of the competition by monitoring their activities and trends in the industry.

Having a cancellation policy is also a must-have. This should even be readily available on your website so customers know what to expect in case they need to cancel their tour. Your terms should be clear and concise, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Finally, ensure you have emergency medical plans in place. For instance, if your tours are based in places where hurricanes or tropical storms are common, have a plan in place to evacuate quickly and safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does tour operator insurance cost.

The cost of insurance will vary depending on the type and amount of coverage needed. Generally, the more coverage you have, the higher your premium will be to protect your business.

How much is liability insurance for tour operator?

Liability insurance typically ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the type and amount of coverage needed.

Do tour guides and travel agents need insurance?

Yes, most travel agents and tour guides should have the appropriate insurance to protect themselves and their customers from liabilities and financial losses. Insurance can also provide peace of mind for both the tour guide and their customers.

Final Takeaways

Having the right insurance is an essential part of running a successful tour business.

With this comprehensive guide, you should now have a better understanding of the different types of insurance tour businesses need and how they can protect their business from liabilities and financial losses.

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Unleashing the Power of User-Generated Content for Tourism Website

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Effective Strategies to Minimize No-Shows on Your Tour or Activity Business

Let's explore six essential tactics to minimize no-shows and cancellations on your tour and activity business.

Let's discuss the six most important types of insurance for tour operators, and we'll explain why each one is important.

• Excursion Insurance
• Testimonials

5 Commonly Asked Questions about Tour Operator Liability Insurance

1. Why is Tour Operator Liability Insurance Required?

Tour operators wishing to work with cruise lines are required by the cruise lines to have insurance, also called Excursion Insurance. This is a different type of insurance than the local insurance your business may need to comply with local insurance requirements, and is needed if you wish to contract your tours with, or be listed as a “recommend excursion” by cruise lines to their passengers.

Cruise lines will only accept tour operators demonstrating insurance coverage in the following areas: contingent general liability; vehicle general liability (when applicable); motorized and nonmotorized watercraft coverage (when applicable). Furthermore, this coverage must include  World-Wide Jurisdiction in order to protect passengers from any country, and the insurance provider needs to have received  A.M Best Rating of A- or better .

2. What Is the Difference between Tour Operator Liability Insurance and Excursion Insurance?

Tour Operator Liability Insurance, and Excursion Insurance are two terms describing the same type of insurance coverage and may be used interchangeably. There is no functional difference between Tour Operator Insurance and Excursion Insurance.

3. What Is Global Jurisdiction and Why Does It Matter?

Global Jurisdiction , or Worldwide Jurisdiction provides insurance coverage for personal injury and property damage liability claims filed from anywhere in the world.

Passengers of cruises come from a multitude of different countries throughout the world, each with different and complex liability laws. Cruise lines do not expect to be responsible for any injuries, property damage, or loss experienced by passengers while they are on a tour or excursion in port. Instead, this liability may fall to the tour operator.

Costs associated with a passenger injury that occurs during an in-port excursion can quickly become astronomical, and can include local medical expenses, food and lodging for the spouse or family members of the injured party, airlifting the injured person to a different hospital, and other transportation costs if a passenger is unable to return to the cruise.

In addition to global jurisdiction coverage being a prerequisite to a tour operator’s contracting with a cruise line, the minimum liability coverage required for the tour operator’s local laws may not provide adequate coverage for the costs associated with an injured passenger, who may file a claim upon returning home. A dependable insurance company will try to settle that claim out of court to avoid legal fees.  

4. What Does Tour Operator Liability Insurance Cover?

There are  three basic areas of coverage :

Contingent General Liability

Contingent General Liability, also called  Third Party or Public Liability , covers bodily injury and property damage to tourists in your care, custody and control while participating in an excursion tour. This insurance is mandatory for mitigating exposure for any tour operator dealing directly with the public. This includes every service from ziplines or river rafting tours, cultural walking tours or museum tours to vehicle and watercraft rentals.

Contingent Auto Liability

This coverage is excess auto liability coverage over and above your local compulsory automobile insurance and includes coverage for owned, hired and non-owned vehicles.

Contingent Watercraft Liability

Similar to the Contingent Auto Liability, this covers owned, hired and non-owned watercraft having a motor that carries passengers for hire.

Auto and watercraft liability protects the policyholder in the event of damage to the vehicle or injury, loss, and property damage suffered by tour participants if there is an accident, and associated medical expenses.

Insurance policies are usually customized to cover potential accidents based on the types of vehicles and watercraft as well as their function.

5. Is Excursion Insurance Expensive?

No, the cost of insurance is easily offset by  the increase in revenue derived from an increase in tour visitors.

Cruise lines are only willing to promote or contract with tour operators who meet their standards for minimum liability coverage, and cruise line passengers are unlikely to research on-shore activities not promoted by the cruise line. Thus, complying with cruise lines insurance policies is the best way to ensure your tour is promoted to passengers.

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Why You Need Tour Operator Liability Insurance For Your Excursion

Previous post, 3 easy steps to reducing your excursion insurance rates.

Tour Guide Insurance

Get an insurance policy by the hour, day, or month in 60 seconds.

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Why do I need Tour Guide Insurance?

As a professional tour operator, you’re tasked with knowing the ins and outs of your blank. We say “blank,” because you could be a tour company guiding people through a city’s downtown, elating taste buds on a wine tour, or growling and roaring with lions on a children’s jungle safari tour at a zoo. Knowing everything about your blank means being able to wax poetic about all the best facets of your blank. But it also means knowing all the worst parts about it too.

“Insurance” is our blank. We know the ins and outs of this industry and why tour guides absolutely need to protect themselves with general liability insurance and professional liability insurance .

Imagine, poor weather in the forecast threatens to cancel the tour. Without a cloud in the sky, and knowing how excited guests are for your tour, you decide to ignore the warning and continue without canceling. Near the end of the tour, a flash of rain douses the entire group. In an attempt to get to cover, two of your tour members collide and an ambulance needs to be called. Both parties conspire to hold you responsible for the medical bills and for negligence on continuing the tour despite the forecast.

It’s the simple factors, often outside of your control and done with the very best of intentions that can escalate to needing insurance. Our Tour Guide General Liability and Professional Liability Insurance was made with the worst-case scenario in mind.

Ensure you have Thimble’s Tour Guide Insurance and keep your business on the route to success.

Quick thinking insurance for small businesses.

What does Tour Guide Insurance cover?

Unforeseen circumstances or an accident shouldn’t spell the end of your business. Thimble’s Tour Guide Insurance is designed to protect tour guides from situations like the below:

Third-party, non-employee bodily injury

At the final stop on the wine tour, a particularly lively guest leans too far back in their chair. Unable to catch themself, they fall backward and catch the corner of the table directly behind them. The paramedic in the ambulance suspects it might be more than a concussion. The guest then expects you to cover any costs that arise from this.

Third-party property damage

Part of your city tour involves renting electric scooters. Though you’re an expert on two wheels, you’ve never dealt with a bee flying into your eye. Losing control, you steer right into a car, leaving a sizable dent. Unfortunately, this wasn’t “just a car;” it was a brand new Rolls Royce. The owner expects to be paid in full.

Defense costs

A family has booked your tour months in advance. They’re flying across the coast for a vacation and this tour has been the only thing their son has talked about. When an unexpected thunderstorm rolls through your city, you’re forced to cancel. The son is devastated, and the parents are especially litigious. Despite having no control of the weather, you need a lawyer, because they’re suing you for a breach of contract.

Errors & omissions

You’ve advertised a new tour for a while, with multiple tour guests waiting patiently for the expedition. Once you set out with your group, one of your clients decides that the excursion doesn’t live up to expectations. They then sue you for false advertising.

How much does Tour Guide Insurance cost?

Our Tour Guide Insurance policy rate reflects the risk factors that are related to your niche. Wine tour guides and museum tour guides, for example, need personalized coverages, and neither party wants to pay for anything they don’t need. That’s why we customize your policy rate to the location you work in, the size of your crew (if you have one), and the coverage limit required.

Thimble’s Tour Guide Insurance is on when you’re working and off when you’re not. Plus, you can add as many Additional Insureds as you’d like for free. That’s game-changing flexibility. That’s insurance done right. Get your free Tour Guide Insurance quote now.

Tour Guide Insurance FAQs

How quickly can I get a Certificate of Insurance?

Quicker than you can say “And if you’ll look to your left.” When you need Tour Guide Insurance, you can get a free insurance quote, and then purchase that policy all within 60 seconds. The COI (Certificate of Insurance) will be sent to your inbox immediately.

Did your friend ask you to cover for them while they’re on vacation? While you’ve never worked for their company before, you decide to accept the job. The manager in charge asks for your Certificate of Insurance. Thanks to Thimble, you can hop on the app and show them your COI within seconds.

With Thimble, you can schedule your coverage up to six months in advance, and if your friend’s plans end up changing, you can cancel your policy penalty-free up to an hour before the coverage was expected to begin. That’s fast and flexible insurance.

If any changes need to be made, consider them done. Add and modify your Additional Insureds at a moment’s notice, right through the Thimble app.

What are the Tour Guide Insurance policy limits?

There are two Tour Guide Insurance policy limits offered by Thimble: $1 million and $2 million. You can choose the one that protects your tour guide business best, depending on the risk factors you’re facing.

Are workplace injuries of my staff covered?

No. General Liability Insurance for tour guides only provides coverage when the injury happens to a third party. If you want to have three extra tour guides working for you, you may want to consider workers’ compensation coverage . In many states, you can only operate legally with workers’ comp in place.

Does Thimble’s Tour Guide Insurance cover damage to my equipment?

Also no. Thimble’s Tour Guide Insurance only provides this protection for third party damage. If you’ve purchased your own Segway to help maximize your efficiency, you may want to consider a commercial property policy to insure your gear.

How do I get Tour Guide Insurance with Thimble?

Getting Tour Guide Insurance has never been easier, thanks to Thimble. All you need is one minute and the Thimble app. Offer some details about your tour guide business, your ZIP code, and the length of your desired coverage (hourly, daily, or monthly), and we’ll send you a quote instantly. From there, click to purchase and you’ll receive your Certificate of Insurance instantly.

Quick-thinking insurance for fast-moving businesses.

Fewer questions. More options. Buy a policy online, in the app, or over the phone in minutes. Get to work before the other guys even call you back.

Any size. Every stage. Get coverage by the job, month, or year. Choose how you pay, then upgrade when business really takes off.

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Tour Operators and Travel Agents Insurance

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Tour Operators and Travel Agents

Please contact our specialist Tour Operators and Travel Agents team who will be delighted to assist with your enquiry.

The product has been established over 25 years following the Package Travel Regulations in 1992 and we continue to strive to provide insurance, and to articulate our knowledge of the risks within this sector, to best assist our brokers and their clients.

Considerations for brokers and their clients may include:

• Determine an accurate split of tour operating, travel agency and true single component sales
• Profile of:
• Destinations
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• Booking conditions with customers should have been legally reviewed. Care should be taken to ensure that booking conditions don't adversely change the legal liability position of the proposer; for example: inadvertently creating a 'package'
• Claims handling capabilities of the Insurer, for volume and complex claims.

Our risk appetite includes:

• Travel Agents
• Tour Operators
• Risks able to provide accurate and detailed profile and supplier information

Examples of risk profiles which are OUTSIDE of our appetite:

• Poor control of supplier and/or customer contract terms
• Exposures in sanctioned and other high risk locations
• High risk activities and some types and locations of domestic travel

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Tour Operators Insurance

Travel risk professionals has created a tour operators insurance policy designed to meet the liability and business risks of the largest tour operators and those agents who operate from a single location or home..

Tour Operator Insurance designed for you and your clients.

Our broking experts have many years Travel Industry and Insurance experience and know that not all agents have the same insurance requirements.

We take the time to thoroughly understand your business, processes, the tours you arrange for clients and where they are located, and how you get clients.

Through building that relationship with you, our modular Tour Operator policy then provides our brokers with the flexibility to design your insurance programme around the needs of your business.

The benefit to our clients is a policy that is tailored to your individual circumstances.

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For comprehensive tour operators insurance, what does tour operators insurance cover, speak to our insurance specialists about tour operator insurance.

If you’d like some Tour Operator Insurance help or a Tour Operator Liability Insurance quote, contact the Travel Risk Professionals team  today.  Our team of experienced specialists can give you all the help you need and can compare our markets to find you the cover you require.  Call  0203 705 3014 or start your  Tour Operator Liability Insurance quote  today.

24/7 Tour Operator Crisis Response & Brand Protection

Cyber insurance, directors’ and officers’ insurance, employers’ liability insurance (el insurance), management liability insurance, product liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance, public liability insurance, why use jensten, a specialist team dedicated to our travel industry clients, we are the trusted broker for 1,000+ clients, flexibility, tailored insurance to the needs of your business, talk to the experts.

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What is 24/7 Tour Operator Crisis Response & Brand Protection

Our core Tour Operator Insurance policy includes a crisis response service that activates when your clients are in need of support from an insured event.

What is an insured crisis event? Well, this can be any insured event where your customers find themselves in danger and need to help getting to safety and/or repatriation.

Insured events can include:

• Wrongful detention or kidnap.
• Accidental or traumatic death.
• Political evacuation.
• Disappearance of an insured person.
• Hijack of vehicle, aircraft, ship or train.
• Violent Crime.
• Food poisoning outbreak.
• Accommodation fire.
• Sinking of any sea or mechanically-propelled river vessel.
• Mid-air or landing crash of a mechanically propelled aircraft or a hot air balloon.
• Motor vehicle accident, necessitating hospital treatment.

This service, once initiated, means the right expert teams are deployed anywhere in the world to get your customers to safety.

Every Travel Operator is different, but we believe there is a core set of insurance covers that align to the risks within your professional services, and other insurance covers that align to the wider business risks that you face.

Insurance for your Professional Risks

• Travel Operator Liability.
• 24/7 Tour Operator Crisis Response and Brand Protection.
• Employers and Public Liability.
• Product Liability.
• Tour Operator Emergency Assistance.
• Professional Indemnity.
• Legal Expenses.

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• Cyber Insurance.
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• Directors & Officers Insurance.
• Financial Failure Insurance.
• Supplier Failure Insurance.
• Travel Bonds.
• Terrorism Liability.
• Key Person Cover.
• Travel Disruption Insurance.
• Business Travel Insurance.

No, but if you have any employees having Employers’ Liability Insurance is a legal requirement.

If anything were to happen to your clients or a member of the public while you’re on tour, your business could be held liable. In July 2018, the rules protecting holidays organised by tour operators were extended to cover customers who booked other forms of combined travel, such as flight plus hotel or hotel plus car rental, as a deal on a website.  These bookings are viewed as a package and are protected by law, so you’re liable for booking errors concerning packages, and as the organiser, you are required to assist travellers in difficulty.

That depends on things like the size of your business, where you travel to, whether you have any employees, and how you travel.

Getting a quote is easy.  Call Jensten Insurance Brokers on  0203 705 3014, and the team will be happy to arrange a Tour Operator Insurance quote for you

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How to Find the Best Travel Insurance

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Table of Contents

What travel insurance covers

How much does travel insurance cost, types of travel insurance, how to get travel insurance, what to look for in travel insurance, best travel insurance comparison sites, which insurance company is best for travel insurance, when to skip travel insurance, travel insurance, recapped.

Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, emergencies, trip interruptions, baggage, rental cars and more.

Cost is affected by trip length, pre-existing medical conditions, depth of coverage, your age and add-ons.

You can get it through credit cards or third-party companies, & can shop on travel insurance comparison sites.

Before buying, evaluate risks, know existing coverage, obtain quotes online and review policy details warily.

Skip it if you buy flexible airfare and hotels, already have coverage or only book refundable activities.

Booking travel always carries some degree of uncertainty. Travel insurance provides a safety net so you can step out with confidence. You may not need travel insurance for inexpensive trips, but it can provide a sense of security when you prepay for pricey reservations, a big international trip or travel during cold and flu season, which can be unpredictable.

According to insurance comparison site Squaremouth, travelers in 2023 spent an average of $403 for comprehensive coverage, compared to $96 for medical-only policies. Comprehensive plans typically cost between 5% and 10% of the insured trip cost.

Since that price tag is no small amount, it helps to know how to shop smart for travel insurance. Here's how to find the right travel insurance plan for you and your next adventure.

Depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for, the chart below will help you determine what to look for when selecting a policy:

Depending on the policy, travel insurance reimburses you or offers services when something goes awry. There’s even coverage for the worst-case scenario: if you die in an accident while traveling. Accidental death coverage pays your beneficiary a lump sum in that case.

Before you buy, take a little time to get familiar with different types of travel insurance products, how it’s priced, and what it covers and excludes. If you’re traveling during these uncertain times, you’ll want to make sure that the policy you select covers coronavirus-related emergencies. Usually, the more thorough the coverage, the more it will cost.

Travel insurance costs vary depending on:

Length and cost of the trip: The longer and more expensive the trip, the higher the policy cost.

Cost of local health care: High health-care costs in your destination can drive up the price of trip insurance.

Medical conditions you want covered: Conditions you already have will increase the cost of travel insurance coverage.

Amount and breadth of coverage: The more risks a policy covers, the more it will cost.

Your age: Generally the older you are, the higher the price.

Any optional supplement you add to your policy : Cancel For Any Reason , Interrupt For Any Reason and more.

Keep these factors in mind when considering different travel insurance options.

You’ll find a wide selection of travel protection plans when you shop for a policy.

Typically, travel insurance is sold as a package, known as a comprehensive plan, which includes a variety of coverage.

Here are seven of the most common types of travel insurance:

Travel medical insurance

These plans provide health insurance while you’re away from home. Although in some ways these policies work like traditional health plans, generally you cannot use travel health insurance for routine medical events. For example, a routine medical checkup is usually not covered. In addition, these policies often include limitations on coverage and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Although most travel insurance plans cover many recreational activities, such as skiing and horseback riding, they often exclude adventure sports, such as skydiving or parasailing, or competition in organized sporting events. You may need to buy a special travel policy designed for adventure or competitive sports.

International travel insurance

Most likely, your U.S.-based medical insurance will not work while you’re traveling internationally, and Medicare does not provide any coverage once you leave the United States outside of a few very specific exemptions. If you plan on traveling abroad, purchasing travel medical insurance could make a lot of sense.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: Emergency coverage while you travel internationally

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay

Trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if the tour operator goes out of business or you have to cancel the trip for one of the covered reasons outlined in the policy, such as:

Your own illness.

The illness or death of a family member who’s not traveling with you.

Natural disasters.

Trip interruption insurance covers the nonrefundable cost of the unused portion of the trip if it is interrupted due to a reason outlined in the policy.

Trip delay coverage reimburses you for expenses such as lodging and meals if you’re delayed during a trip (e.g., your flight gets canceled due to weather ).

Many package policies cover all three. These policies are different from the cancellation waivers that cruise lines and tour operators offer, the Insurance Information Institute says. Waivers are cheap, ranging from $40 to $60, and often include restrictions. For example, according to the institute, waivers might not refund your money if you cancel immediately before departure. Waivers are technically not insurance policies.

Some companies offer additional layers of coverage at extra cost. “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage will reimburse a large part of the trip cost, no matter why you back out. And some companies let you pay extra to cover pre-existing conditions if you cancel for medical reasons.

Some insurers and comparison sites let you customize a policy by choosing types of coverage a la carte. For example, TravelInsurance.com is a comparison site that provides quotes from different providers.

Baggage and personal belongings

How does lost luggage insurance work? This coverage reimburses you for baggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged during the trip. Some plans also reimburse you for extra expenses if you experience a baggage delay for more than a certain period, such as 12 hours.

Your renters or homeowners insurance may cover personal belongings while you are traveling. It’s best to review your homeowners insurance policy to determine the level of coverage it provides so you do not end up paying for a benefit you already have.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Emergency medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation

This coverage pays medical expenses if you get sick or injured on a trip . Medical evacuation coverage pays for transporting you to the nearest hospital, and medical repatriation pays for flying you to your home country.

» Learn more: Can I get travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

24-hour assistance

This service is included with many package plans. The insurer provides a 24-hour hotline that you can call when you need help, such as booking a flight after a missed connection, finding lost luggage, or locating a doctor or lawyer.

Generally, travel insurance companies do not cover sports or any activity that can be deemed risky. If you’re thinking of incorporating adventurous activities into your vacation, choose a plan that includes adventure sports coverage.

Most travel insurers cover a wide array of services, but the specific options vary. Some plans include concierge services, providing help with restaurant referrals, tee time reservations and more. Many services also offer information before the trip, such as required vaccinations. The only way to know what’s included is to read the policy.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

This coverage pays a lump sum to your beneficiary, such as a family member, if you die in an accident while on the trip. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies also pay a portion of the sum to you if you lose a hand, foot, limb, eyesight, speech or hearing. Some plans apply only to accidental death in a plane.

This coverage may be duplicative if you already have sufficient life insurance, which pays out whether you die in an accident or from an illness. You may also already have accidental death and dismemberment insurance through work, so it's best to check your policies to ensure you’re not overpaying.

» Learn more: NerdWallet's guide to life insurance

Rental car coverage

Rental car insurance pays for repairing your rental car if it’s damaged in a wreck, by vandals or in a natural disaster. The coverage doesn't include liability insurance, which pays for damage to other vehicles or for the medical treatment of others if you cause an accident and are held responsible.

Ask your car insurance company whether your policy will cover you when renting cars on the trip. U.S. car insurance policies generally don’t cover you when driving in other countries, except Canada.

Car insurance requirements are complex because they vary among countries. You can usually purchase liability insurance from the rental car company. Learn about car insurance requirements by searching for auto insurance by country on the U.S. Embassy website .

» Learn more: Best credit cards for rental car coverage

A note about single vs. long-term policies

Single trip insurance plans are a great option for those going on a single trip for a specific length of time (e.g., a two-week vacation) and then returning home. The price of the policy is usually determined by the cost of the trip.

Long-term travel policies cover you for multiple trips, but there are limitations to how long you can be away from home, if you can return home during your travels and how many trips you can take. In addition, trip cancellation and interruption coverage is either not offered or capped at a dollar amount that can be significantly below the total cost of all the trips taken during the covered period.

Long-term travel insurance plans — often called 'multi-trip' or 'annual travel insurance' — are a suitable option for those who travel often and are satisfied with the amount of trip cancellation coverage for all the trips they take over the duration of the policy.

» Learn more: How annual (multi-trip) travel insurance works

Below, we include how to obtain travel insurance, along with the pros and cons of each option.

Some credit cards offer trip cancellation and rental car insurance if you use the card to book the trip or car.

When you book a trip with your credit card, depending on the card you use, you may already receive trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

» Learn more: 10 credit cards that provide travel insurance

Here are a handful of credit cards that offer varying levels of travel insurance coverage for purchases made with the card.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

Pros: Coverage is free.

Cons: You can’t customize the insurance to meet your needs. Most credit cards offer secondary car rental insurance, which pays for the costs not covered by your regular car insurance plan.

Travel agents and travel reservation sites

You can buy travel insurance when you book your flight, hotel and car rental.

Pros: Buying is as quick and easy as clicking “yes” when you book reservations. Coverage is inexpensive.

Cons: You can’t customize the coverage.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance vs. independent travel insurance

Travel insurance comparison sites

You can compare different policies and review quotes at once based on the trip search criteria you’ve input into the search form. Examples include marketplaces like Squaremouth or TravelInsurance.com.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs and compare policies and pricing in one place.

Cons: Comparing multiple policies takes time.

Travel insurance companies

You can purchase travel insurance directly from an insurance provider.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs. Many travel insurer websites also offer information to help you understand the coverage.

Cons: You’ll need to go to multiple websites to compare coverage and pricing.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies right now

Keep these tips in mind when you’re considering a trip insurance policy.

Evaluate the financial risks you face when traveling. Can you bear those costs yourself, or do you want insurance?

Examine what coverage you already have: Does your credit card offer travel insurance? Do you have renters or homeowners insurance to cover belongings? What is the deductible? Will your health plan cover you in all the locations where you travel?

Get quotes for trip insurance online. Choose a package of the benefits you need and compare prices for similar coverage among carriers.

Narrow your choices and then read the policy fine print to understand what’s covered, what’s excluded and the limits on coverage. You may find that the lowest-priced policy is too restrictive and that paying a little more gets you the coverage you need. Or you might find that the cheapest, most basic policy fits the bill.

If you don’t know which provider to go with, it makes sense to browse a list of plans on a travel insurance comparison site. These online marketplaces will often include plans from the best travel insurance companies along with customer reviews.

Squaremouth

Compare plans from more than 30 providers.

Over 86,000 customer reviews of insurers.

Under its Zero Complaint Guarantee, Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) will remove a provider if any customer complaint isn't resolved to its satisfaction.

Has a filter option to see policies that provide COVID-coverage.

TravelInsurance.com

Compare plans from 13 providers.

See good and poor customer ratings and reviews for each insurer when you receive quotes.

“Learning Center” includes travel insurance articles and travel tips, including important how-to information.

Quotes provided from each provider include a link to COVID-19 FAQs, making it easy for customers to review what’s covered or not.

InsureMyTrip

Compare plans from more than two dozen providers.

More than 70,000 customer reviews.

“Anytime Advocates” help customers navigate the claim process and will work on behalf of the customer to help with appealing a denied claim.

Includes a link to plans that offer COVID coverage.

Compare plans from 11 providers.

Search coverage by sporting activity, including ground, air and water sports.

Many types of plans available for students, visiting family members, new immigrants, those seeking COVID quarantine coverage and more.

Compare different insurance plans from 35 providers.

Over 5,600 customer reviews on Trustpilot, with an average 4.9 stars out of five.

Formerly known as AardvarkCompare, AARDY includes a “Travel Insurance 101” learning center to help customers understand various policies and benefits.

Quote search results page includes COVID-coverage highlighted in a different color to make it easier for customers to review related limits.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care, COVID coverage or a policy that includes extreme sports, these providers have you covered.

Our full analysis and more details about each organization can be found here: The Best Travel Insurance Companies Today .

Allianz Global Assistance .

Travel Guard by AIG .

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services .

Travel Insured International .

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Seven Corners .

AXA Assistance USA .

There are a few scenarios when spending extra on travel insurance doesn't really make sense, like:

You booked flexible airline tickets.

Your hotel room has a good cancellation policy.

It's already included in your credit card.

You haven't booked any nonrefundable activities.

» Learn more: When you don't need travel insurance

Yes, especially for nonrefundable trips and travel during the COVID-era. Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or have travel insurance from your credit card, you shouldn't travel without having some sort of travel protection in place to safeguard you and your trip. Travel insurance can protect you in case of an unexpected emergency such as a canceled flight due to weather, a medical event that requires hospitalization, lost luggage and more.

There are many good travel insurance policies out there and a policy that may be great for you may not be good for someone else. Selecting the best plan depends on what coverage you would like and your trip details.

For example, World Nomads offers a comprehensive travel insurance policy that has excellent coverage for adventure sports. Allianz provides coverage for trips of varying lengths of time through its single trip plans and multi-trip plans. Some providers offer add-on options like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance. If you’re not sure which plan to go with, consider looking at trip insurance comparison sites like Squaremouth or Insuremytrip.

Yes, you can. However, it's better to purchase it sooner rather than later, ideally right after booking your trip because the benefits begin as soon as you purchase a policy.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your trip cancellation benefits to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans offer trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and dental, medical evacuation, trip delay and lost luggage coverage. Many plans offer COVID coverage, but you’ll always want to check to ensure that the policy you choose provides that benefit if you’re traveling during these times. Some plans may also allow you to add features like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

However, the coverage provided by the credit cards is usually lower than if you purchased a standalone policy. Review the travel insurance benefits on your credit card and check that the limits are adequate before foregoing from purchasing a separate plan.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your

trip cancellation benefits

to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Platinum Card® from American Express

offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

Unpredictability is one of the mind-opening joys of travel, but travel insurance should contain no surprises. The time you spend to understand your options will be well worth the peace of mind as you embark on your next adventure.

Whether you’re seeking a single or a long-term policy, each travel insurance option offers different strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right policy depends on your trip needs, your budget and how important various benefits are to you.

Keep reading

If you want to dig in deeper to world of travel insurance, these resources will point you in the right direction.

What is travel insurance?

How much is travel insurance?

Is travel insurance worth it?

What does travel insurance cover?

Does travel insurance cover COVID?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Travel Insurance
• Best Travel Insurance Companies

11 Best Travel Insurance Companies Of May 2024

Expert Reviewed

Updated: May 1, 2024, 7:41am

We evaluated 39 policies and found that Travel Insured International, WorldTrips and Travel Safe are among the best travel insurance companies. We evaluated costs and a variety of coverage features to find the best options. See all our top picks.

Considering Travel Insurance?

Via Forbes Advisor's Website

• Best “Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance
• Cheapest Travel Insurance Plans
• Best Cruise Insurance

Summary: Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best for travel medical coverage, best for medical evacuation coverage, best for travel delays, best for baggage delays, what does travel insurance cover, what’s not covered by travel insurance, how much does travel insurance cost, what affects travel insurance costs, how to get travel insurance, do i need travel insurance, top travel destinations in may 2024, list of may 2024 top travel destinations, methodology, other travel insurance policies we rated, best travel insurance companies frequently asked questions (faqs), compare travel insurance quotes, compare & buy travel insurance, how we chose the best travel insurance.

We assessed cost, travel medical and evacuation limits, baggage and trip delay benefits, the availability of cancellation and interruption upgrades, and more. Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the methodology  for the ratings below.

• 39 travel insurance policies evaluated
• 1,482 coverage details analyzed
• 102 years of insurance experience on the editorial team

Our Picks For The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best for non-medical evacuation, travel insured international.

Top-scoring plan

Worldwide Trip Protector

Average price

Medical & evacuation limits per person

$100,000/$1 million

We recommend Travel Insured’s Worldwide Trip Protector policy because it offers robust benefits at the lowest average price among top-rated plans we analyzed. We also like its superior non-medical evacuation coverage.

• “Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” upgrades available.
• Top-notch non-medical evacuation benefits of $150,000 per person.
• Good travel delay and baggage delay benefits kick in after just a 3-hour delay.

More: Travel Insured International Travel Insurance Review

• Medical coverage of $100,000 per person is on the low side compared to top competitors but might be enough for your needs.
• Missed connection benefits of $500 are low compared to top-rated competitors and for cruise and tours only.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Worldwide Trip Protector policy.

Also included:

• Pet kennel benefits of up to $500 are included if you return home three hours or more later than your planned return date.

Optional add-ons offered:

• Rental car damage and theft coverage of up to $50,000.
• Event ticket protection pays up to $1,000 if you can’t attend for a reason covered by the policy.
• Travel inconvenience coverage allows you to recoup money for unforeseen circumstances, such as closed beaches and attractions, rainy weather, tarmac delays and more.
• Bed rest benefits pay up to $4,000 if a doctor requires you to stay on bed rest for at least 48 hours during your trip.

GREAT FOR ADD-ON COVERAGE

Atlas Journey Premier

Average cost

$150,000/$1 million

We like the Atlas Journey Premier plan for its wide choice of add-ons. These add-ons provide extra coverage for pets traveling with you, adventure sports, destination weddings, hunting and fishing equipment and more. We also like that this plan has a low average cost compared to competitors.

• Very good travel delay benefits of $2,000 per person after only 5 hours.
• Very good missed connection coverage of $2,000 per person after 3 hours.

Another option is the Atlas Journey Preferred plan, but this policy doesn’t offer the “interruption for any reason” upgrade and has lower travel medical benefits of $100,000 per person. Still, it hits all the marks for great benefits at a low price. It also offers lots of choices for add-on coverage.

More: WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review

• Medical coverage limits of $150,000 aren’t as high compared to some top-rated competitors but you might find it’s sufficient.
• Baggage delay benefits have a 12-hour waiting period.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Atlas Journey Premier policy.

• Travel inconvenience benefits of $750 if your arrival home is delayed due to a transportation delay and you can’t work for at least two days, your flight lands at a different airport than scheduled, your passport is stolen and can’t be reissued, and more.
• “Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” coverage.
• Destination wedding coverage in case the wedding is canceled.
• Baggage insurance upgrade to $4,000 per person.
• Rental car theft and damage coverage of $50,000.
• Political or security evacuation benefits of $150,000 per person.
• Vacation rental accommodations coverage of $500 if unclean or overbooked.
• Adventure sports add-on to extend coverage to safaris, bungee jumping and more.
• Hunting and fishing coverage for equipment and cancellation due to government restrictions.
• School activities coverage if trip has to be canceled due a test, sporting event, etc.

BEST FOR MISSED CONNECTIONS

Classic Plus Plan

TravelSafe’s Classic Plus plan stood out in our analysis for its superior missed connection benefits of $2,500. We also like the Classic Plus plan’s top-notch medical evacuation coverage of $1 million.

• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade available.
• Superior baggage loss coverage limits of $2,500.
• Great travel delay limits of $2,000 per person after a 6-hour delay.

More: TravelSafe Travel Insurance Review

• $100,000 in medical benefits is on the low side compared to top competitors but might be sufficient for your needs.
• Baggage delay coverage is a little skimpy at $250 per person after a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Classic Plus policy.

• Itinerary change coverage of $250 per person if your travel supplier makes a change that forces you to lose non-refundable costs for missed activities.
• Reimburses $300 for fees if you have to redeposit frequent traveler awards for reasons covered by your trip cancellation insurance.
• Pet kennel coverage of $100 a day if your return home is delayed by 24 hours or more due to a reason covered in your policy.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage of 75% of lost trip costs.
• Accidental death and dismemberment for flights, up to $500,000 per person.
• Rental car damage and theft up to $35,000.
• Business equipment and sports equipment coverage of $1,000 if lost, stolen or damaged.

BEST FOR POLICY PERKS

Cruise Luxury

Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury plan is one of our favorites because it has a treasure trove of benefits such as “interruption for any reason” and “cancel for work reasons” coverage. You can upgrade to “cancel for any reason” coverage. Some competitors offer none or one of those options. We also like its excellent missed connection benefit of $2,500 per person.

Note that you do not have to be going on a cruise to take advantage of this policy’s coverage.

• “Interruption for any reason” benefit of $1,000 per person is included.
• Includes $25,000 per person in non-medical evacuation benefits for problems such as a natural disaster or security or political problem.
• Good travel delay benefits of $1,000 per person.

More: Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

• Medical coverage of $150,000 per person is lower than most other top-rated plans but might be sufficient for your needs.
• 24-hour delay required for hurricane and weather coverage, compared to some competitor policies with only a 12-hour delay requirement.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Cruise Luxury policy.

• Inconvenience benefit of $250 per person if your cruise ship’s arrival at the next port of call is delayed for two or more hours due to mechanical breakdown or fire.
• “Interruption for any reason” up to $1,000.
• Coverage for extension of the school year, terrorism in an itinerary city, work-related emergency issues.
• Coverage if the CDC issues a health warning at your destination.

Optional add-on offered:

• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade that provides 75% reimbursement of insured trip cost if you cancel two or more days prior to your departure for a reason not listed in the base policy.

BEST FOR CUSTOMIZATION

Travel Guard Deluxe

The Travel Guard Deluxe plan impressed us with its optional pet, wedding, security, baggage, medical, adventures sports and travel inconvenience upgrades. These add-ons allow you to customize the policy to your needs. We also like that the policy includes benefits if, under certain conditions, you must start your trip earlier than planned—a feature not found in all policies.

• Offers upgrades to meet the needs and budgets of many kinds of travelers.
• Includes $100,000 per person for security evacuation and superior medical evacuation coverage of $1 million per person.
• Provides up to $750 per person for “travel inconveniences” such as a flight delay to your return destination, runway delays and cruise diversions.
• Has good travel delay coverage of $1,000 per person, with a short waiting period of 5 hours.

More: AIG Travel Insurance Review

• The Travel Guard Deluxe policy has robust coverage across the board but also a high average cost ($539) compared to other top-rated policies.
• Medical expense coverage of $100,000 per person is on the low side but might be adequate for your needs.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Travel Guard Deluxe policy.

• Travel inconvenience benefits of $750 total ($250 per problem) if you encounter issues such as closed attractions, cruise diversion, hotel infestation, hotel construction and more.
• Trip exchange benefits of 50% of your trip cost that pay the difference in price between your original reservation and the new one.
• Ancillary evacuation benefits up to $5,000 for expenses related to return of children, bedside visits, baggage return and more.
• Flight accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $100,000 per person.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade.
• Rental vehicle damage coverage.
• “Name Your Family” upgrade allows you to add a person to your policy who will qualify for family member-related unforeseen events that can apply to claims for trip cancellation and interruption.
• Adventure Sports Bundle for adventure and extreme activities.
• Pet Bundle for boarding and medical expenses for illness or injury of dog or cat while traveling. Includes trip cancellation or trip interruption if your pet is in critical condition or dies within seven days before your departure.
• Wedding Bundle to cover trip cancellation due to wedding cancellation. Sorry cold-feeters: Coverage does not apply if you are the bride or groom.

The Travel Guard Preferred plan also earned 4.3 stars in our analysis. We recommend this policy if you’re looking for a lower price and don’t need the higher coverage amounts provided by the Deluxe plan. The Preferred plan provides $50,000 for medical expenses and $500,000 for medical evacuation benefits per person.

GREAT FOR MEDICAL & EVACUATION COVERAGE

Seven corners.

Trip Protection Choice

$500,000/$1 million

We like Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Choice plan because it has superior travel medical expenses and evacuation benefits. It also provides great upgrade options and benefits across the board.

• “Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” upgrade available.
• Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person.
• Includes $20,000 for non-medical evacuation

More: Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review

• Hurricane and weather coverage has a 48-hour delay, compared to some competitors that require only 12-hour delays.
• Average cost ($527) is only so-so compared to other top-rated policies we evaluated.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Trip Protection Choice policy.

• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $40,000 per person for qualifying common carrier events
• Change fee compensation of $300 per person if you have to change your flight or original travel arrangements due to qualifying events.
• Pet kennel benefits of $500 if your return home is delayed by six hours or more due to qualifying missed connection, interruption or delay problems.
• Frequent traveler coverage of $500 to pay for the cost to redeposit awards due to a trip cancellation caused by a reason listed in your policy.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage.
• “Interruption for any reason” coverage.
• Rental car damage coverage of $35,000.
• Sports & golf equipment rental coverage up to $5,000.
• Event ticket fee registration coverage of $15,000 if you can’t attend an event due to unforeseen reasons listed in trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

BEST FOR BAGGAGE

Axa assistance usa.

Platinum Plan

$250,000/$1 million

AXA’s Platinum plan is among our favorites because it hits all the high points for coverage that you’ll want if you’re looking for top-notch protection, including excellent baggage benefits of $3,000 per person. Excellent medical and non-medical evacuation benefits are another reason we like the Platinum plan.

• Generous medical and evacuation limits, plus $100,000 per person in non-medical evacuation—among the highest for plans we analyzed.
• Coverage for lost ski days, lost golf rounds and sports equipment rental.

More: AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Review

• Travel delay and baggage coverage kicks in only after a 12-hour delay.
• The average cost for the Platinum plan is only so-so compared to other top-rated plans, although you do get robust coverage for the money.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Platinum policy.

• “Cancel for any reason” coverage
• Rental car damage coverage of $50,000.
• Lost ski days
• Lost golf rounds

GREAT FOR PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION COVERAGE

Generali global assistance.

Generali’s Premium policy stood out in our analysis for its generous window for pre-existing condition coverage. Travelers with pre-existing conditions can get coverage as long as you buy a Premium policy up to or within 24 hours of your final trip deposit. Competitors often have a deadline of 10 to 20 days after making your first trip deposit .

We also like the policy’s excellent trip interruption insurance and superior medical evacuation benefits of $1 million per person.

• Excellent trip interruption coverage of up to 175% of your trip costs.
• Very good baggage loss coverage at $2,000 per person.

More: Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance Review

• If you want “cancel for any reason” coverage you must buy it within 24 hours of making your initial trip deposit, compared to 10 to 20 days from top competitors.
• This plan’s “cancel for any reason” coverage will reimburse you for only 60% of lost trip costs; most competitors provide 75%.
• Baggage delay benefits kick in only after a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Premium policy.

• Rental car coverage for theft and damage of $25,000.
• Sporting equipment coverage of $2,000.
• Sporting equipment delay coverage of $500.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade that reimburses you 60% of your insured trip cost if you cancel at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure.

BEST FOR FAMILIES

Travelex insurance services.

Travel Select

$50,000/$500,000

We recommend Travelex’s Travel Select plan for families because it provides coverage for children at no extra cost (when accompanied by an adult covered by the policy). Its average price is also among the lowest among the companies we evaluated, making it an option to take a look at

• Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person after a 5-hour delay.

More: Travelex Travel Insurance Review

• Medical coverage of $50,000 per person is on the low side, but you can buy an upgrade to double it.
• Baggage delay coverage requires a 12-hour delay and has a low $200 per person limit.
• Missed connection benefits of $750 per person are lower than many other competitors.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Travel Select policy.

• Sporting and golf equipment delay benefits of $200 after 24 hours or more.

Optional add-ons & upgrades offered:

• Medical coverage upgrade to $100,000 per person.
• Medical evacuation upgrade to $1 million per person.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage of 75% (up to max of $7,500).
• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $200,000 per person for flights.
• Financial default coverage if your travel supplier goes out of business that provides 100% reimbursement of your insured trip cost.
• Car rental collision coverage of $35,000.
• Adventure sports upgrade to cover activities that would otherwise be excluded.

BEST FOR TRIP INTERRUPTION

Hth worldwide.

TripProtector Preferred Plan

We were impressed by TripProtector Preferred’s superior trip interruption benefits—200% of the trip cost. Most competitors provide 150%. Luxury-level benefits are another reason we recommend the TripProtector Preferred plan.

• Top-notch coverage limits for medical expenses and evacuation.
• Coverage for adventure sports—such as zip-lining, snowmobiling, whitewater rafting, and more—are included.
• Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person after a 6-hour delay.

More: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Review

• Higher average price ($602) compared to most companies we evaluated, but you’re buying robust benefits.
• Baggage delay coverage requires a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the TripProtector Preferred policy.

• Pet medical expense coverage of $250 if your dog or cat traveling with you gets injured or sick during your trip.
• Rental car coverage of $35,000 for damage and theft.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade available that provides 75% reimbursement of trip costs if you cancel at least two days prior to your scheduled departure.

GREAT FOR CRUISE ITINERARY CHANGE/INCONVENIENCE

Cruise Choice

$100,000/$500,000

The Cruise Choice plan gets our attention for its compensation if you miss activities because your cruise ship changes its itinerary and for the inconvenience of delays to the next port of call. The Cruise Choice plan’s competitive price is another reason we recommend taking a look.

• Includes ”interruption for any reason” coverage of $500 if you buy policy within 14 days of trip deposit.
• Includes $25,000 per person in non-medical evacuation benefits.
• Provides benefits if your cruise ship has a fire or mechanical breakdown that delays arrival at the next port of call for two or more hours.
• Medical coverage of $100,000 per person is lower than most other top-rated plans but might be sufficient for your needs.
• 24-hour delay required for hurricane and weather coverage, compared to many competitors with shorter required times.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage not available.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Cruise Choice policy.

• Shipboard service disruption of $200 per person if your cruise ship has a fire or mechanical breakdown that delays the next port of call for 2 or more hours or changes the scheduled itinerary.
• Coverage for an extended school year, terrorism in an itinerary city and work-related emergency issues.

These policies offer the highest level of medical coverage among the plans that we judged to be the best.

These policies offer the highest level of emergency medical coverage among the plans in our top picks.

These policies offer the highest maximum coverage limits for travel delays among the plans that we judged to be the best.

Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury policy offers the highest maximum coverage for delayed baggage among the plans that were our top picks.

Comprehensive travel insurance policies package together a number of valuable benefits. You can also buy policies that cover only trip cancellation or only medical expenses. With the wide variety of travel insurance plans available, you can find coverage levels that will fit your budget and trip needs.

Problems not covered by travel insurance tend to be similar among policies. We recommend that you read a policy’s exclusions so you’re not caught by surprise later if you try to make a claim. Typical exclusions include:

• Injuries from high-risk activities such as scuba diving.
• Problems that happen because you were drunk or using drugs.
• Medical tourism such as going abroad for a face lift or other elective procedure.
• Lost or stolen cash.

The average cost of travel insurance is 6% of your trip cost , based on our analysis. The cost of travel insurance is usually mainly based on the age of travelers and the trip cost being insured.

Unlike many other types of insurance, there are usually only a few factors that go into travel insurance pricing.

You can buy travel insurance from a travel agent, website or a travel supplier like an airline or cruise company. We’ve bought travel insurance online and it’s relatively easy. In our experience you can purchase a policy online within a few minutes.

• Begin shopping for a policy right after you make your first trip deposit. It’s wise to buy travel insurance right after you make your first trip deposit. That way you get the maximum length of time for cancellation coverage. Plus, you’ll qualify for time-sensitive benefits, such as CFAR and pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers .
• Start by estimating your non-refundable trip cost. If you’re unsure of your trip cost, estimate the amount and then update it later with the travel insurance company, as long as it’s before your departure date.
• Get quotes online or through a travel insurance agent. To get a quote, you typically need the travelers’ ages (or dates of birth), destination, travel dates, and the trip cost being insured.
• Assess policy options and prices. You’ll usually be presented with a selection of policies at different price points, with the more expensive ones usually providing higher coverage levels. Look at the coverage limits for each line item so you know what you’re buying. Once you select a policy, you can buy it online.
• Review the policy. You usually have two weeks or so to further review the policy. If you change your mind, you can get a refund, as long as it’s during the specified review period.

Here are some reasons you may need travel insurance.

You’re Traveling Overseas and Your Health Plan Doesn’t Have Global Coverage

Many health plans lack robust global coverage, or impose high out-of-network deductibles for care outside the U.S. We suggest that you check your health plan details to see what it provides outside the U.S. Travel medical insurance fills the gap.

You’re Going to a Remote Area or Out to Sea

If you won’t be near any quality medical facilities, even a small injury could turn into a major medical event. Medical evacuation coverage will pay to medevac you to an adequate facility.

You’re Traveling to a Hurricane-Prone Destination

If you’re concerned about hurricanes or other severe weather affecting your travel plans, you’ll want to make sure to buy a travel insurance policy that has trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance for hurricanes and other weather events.

If your trip is interrupted or canceled due to severe weather, you can file a claim and be reimbursed 100% for prepaid, non-refundable deposits.

To be eligible to file a travel insurance claim because of a storm, you must have bought your policy before the storm was named. Also, generally one of the following requirements must be met:

• Your destination is under a hurricane warning.
• Your destination is uninhabitable due to severe weather.
• Your (common carrier) airline is delayed for a specified amount of time listed in your policy—for example, six hours.

You Want Emergency Backup

The 24/7 travel assistance lines that are included with travel insurance can assist you with finding a pharmacy, language translation, replacing a lost passport and much more.

You Will Lose a Lot of Money in Non-Refundable Deposits if You Cancel the Trip

You want trip cancellation coverage you’re worried about the money you will lose if you have to cancel the trip.

Trip cancellation will cover 100% of the prepaid money you’ll lose, as long as you cancel for a reason listed in the policy. Problems typically covered for trip cancellation insurance claims include sickness, injury, severe weather, natural disasters, jury duty and more.

Ask an expert

How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance Policy

Shayla Northcutt

Forbes Advisor board member

Michelle Megna

Insurance Lead Editor

Insurance Managing Editor

Les Masterson

Insurance Editor

Ashlee Valentine

Assess Your Needs, Read Reviews

Choosing the right travel insurance policy is like packing an essential item for your trip—you never know when you might need it. I recommend considering not only your travel plans, but also who you are traveling with and their circumstances as well as personal health requirements. That way you can find a policy that offers peace of mind, covering everything from lost luggage to unexpected medical emergencies. It’s also crucial to look into each insurer’s customer service reputation and the ease of their claims process, because if something does happen, you’ll want support that’s both reliable and accessible.

Purchase a Policy When You Book Your Trip

I strongly recommend buying travel insurance as soon as you book your trip. That way you get the maximum length of coverage for trip cancellation benefits. I don’t think many people realize that buying a policy shortly after you make your first deposit also makes you eligible to buy upgrades, such as “cancel for any reason” coverage, and to get other time-sensitive benefits, such as a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver.

Buy Travel Medical Insurance for International Trips

If you’re traveling outside of the U.S., I would make sure you buy a policy with ample travel medical and emergency medical evacuation insurance. It’s important because you may have little to no coverage under your U.S. health plan. Look for a policy where the medical insurance is primary, meaning the policy will pay out first, before any other health insurance you have.

Review Travel Delay and Missed Connection Benefits

If you’re flying to your destination, your itinerary could be derailed by weather, airplane mechanical issues or missed connections. If you’re  worried about paying extra money due to a delay or missed connections, I recommend that you look for a policy that has a generous amount of travel delay and missed connection insurance.

Determine If You Need Adventure Activities Coverage

If you plan to participate in extreme sports or adventure excursions, I suggest buying a plan that specifically covers these activities, as they’re often excluded. A travel insurance agent can help you pinpoint a policy that will cover your particular adventures.

Decide How Much Flexibility You Want

I like the idea of “cancel for any reason” travel insurance because you never know what life will bring, and unfortunately it might bring a reason to cancel a trip that’s not covered by the base policy. Having CFAR coverage ensures you can get partial reimbursement for any oddball problems that crop up.

Americans are ready to take trips abroad in May: 86% of travel insurance purchases for trips taking place May 1-31, 2024, are for international trips, based on our analysis of policy sales.

Italy is the top international destination for trips this month, followed by Great Britain and France. In addition:

• The average trip cost being insured for people traveling outside the U.S. in May is $6,339.
• The average trip cost being insured for folks traveling within the U.S. this month is $7,111.
• Americans traveling internationally are paying an average of $405 for their travel insurance policies for May trips and domestic travelers are paying an average of $228.

Average Trip Cost for Popular Destinations

Here’s how average trip costs for five popular destinations are trending over the next three months. Numbers reflect the average of non-refundable trip costs being insured.

• Italy. After a near-record high in April, spending on trips is dipping in May and June, but a significant spike is trending for July trips.
• France. Average trip costs are climbing in May and June, then dropping back down in July.
• Great Britain. Spending on trips is increasing in May and June, with a major uptick in July.
• Japan. Average costs for trips in May are on the rise, but falling in June and July.
• Mexico. Travelers are spending more on trips in May compared to April, but less in June and July.

Forbes Advisor researched and analyzed 39 policies to find the best travel insurance. When companies had more than one travel insurance policy we used the highest-scoring plan. Ratings are based on the following metrics.

Cost (25% of score): We analyzed the average cost for each travel insurance policy for trips to popular destinations:

• Couple, age 30 for a Mexico trip costing $3,000.
• Couple, age 40, for an Italy trip costing $6,000.
• Family of four for an Italy trip costing $15,000.
• Family of four for a France trip costing $15,000.
• Family of four for a U.K. trip costing $15,000.
• Couple, age 65, for an Italy trip costing $6,000.
• Couple, age 70, for a Mexico trip costing $3,000.

Missed connection coverage (10% of score): Travel insurance policies were awarded more points if they include missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more.

Medical expenses (10% of score): Travel insurance policies with travel medical expense benefits of $250,000 and up per person were given the highest points.

Medical evacuation (10% of score): Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 and up per person were given the highest points.

“Cancel for any reason” upgrade (10%): Travel insurance policies received points if “cancel for any reason” upgrades are offered. More points were awarded for “cancel for any reason” upgrades with reimbursement levels of 75%.

Baggage delay required waiting time (5%): Policies with baggage delay benefits kicking in at 12 hours or less were given points.

Cancel for work reasons (5%): Travel insurance plans that allow cancellations for work reasons were awarded points.

Hurricane and weather (5%): Policies received points if the required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage was 12 hours or less.

“Interruption for any reason” upgrade (5%): Policies were awarded points if they offered an “interruption for any reason” upgrade.

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver (5%): Points were given to policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions (if purchased within a required timeframe after the first trip deposit).

Travel delay required waiting time (5%): Policies with travel delay benefits kicking in after six hours or less were given points.

Trip interruption travel insurance (5%): Points were given if trip interruption reimbursement is 150% or higher.

While these policies were not among our winners, they may still be good options based on your travel needs. Many of these plans have lower coverage limits, which may be suitable depending on your trip.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of policy that reimburses you for money you lose from non-refundable deposits and payments when something goes wrong on your trip. These problems can range from lost baggage to flight delays to medical problems.

The more you’re spending on your trip, the more you likely need travel insurance. This is especially true for international trips and cruises, where travel problems become more expensive to solve.

What do I need for travel insurance?

The information you need to buy travel insurance includes the trip cost being insured, your age, your destination, length of trip and age. Buying travel insurance online is relatively easy. You don’t have to answer a lot of questions, and you can update your trip cost and itinerary later if plans change, as long as you do so before your departure.

Is there travel insurance for multiple trips?

While standard travel insurance plans are meant to cover one-time trips, frequent travelers should consider an annual travel insurance plan. These plans cover the same issues as a single-trip plan, such as trip cancellation and emergency medical situations. But they also offer the convenience of a one-time purchase for multiple trips.

What type of travel insurance do I need for my parents visiting me in the U.S.?

Travel insurance for parents visiting the U.S. is generally a travel medical insurance policy that helps pay medical costs if they get sick or injured during their visit. There are two main types of visitors medical insurance:

• Limited policies that have fixed benefits: These generally set a cap for what they’ll pay for each medical treatment that’s covered. You may need to pay a deductible for each medical illness or injury and then the policy will pay 100% after that, up to the cap. For example, coverage for an X-ray might be capped at $250.
• Comprehensive visitors insurance policies: These typically cost more but have more robust coverage and don’t put a cap on specific medical problems.

Next Up In Travel Insurance

• Best “Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance Of May 2024
• Best Cruise Insurance Plans Of May 2024
• Best Covid-19 Travel Insurance Plans Of 2024
• Best Senior Travel Insurance Of 2024
• The 5 Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies Of May 2024
• Travel Insurance for Parents Visiting the U.S.

Get Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best insurance companies and helpful information on how to find the best travel, auto, home, health, life, pet, and small business coverage for your needs.

Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.

Shayla Northcutt is the CEO and founder of Northcutt Travel Agency and a leading world travel expert. Her main expertise includes destination weddings, honeymoons, large group travel, family travel, world travel and travel insurance. Northcutt appears regularly on KHOU 11 and ABC 13 Eyewitness News, among other media outlets, providing guidance on travel insurance for consumers. Her first-hand knowledge of destinations and resorts makes her a leading travel professional. Northcutt is married to an amazing husband and is a mom to two boys, Cayman and Crockett. She found a passion in travel and exploration of all the things the world had to offer. Feeling such a strong connection to the travel industry, she decided to open Northcutt Travel Agency in 2017. Northcutt has visited different parts of Europe numerous times, and has visited over 350 resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean leading to detailed first-hand knowledge of the resorts. She has also sailed on multiple cruise lines, giving her experience with the cruise world as well. The other places Northcutt has visited, and now helps people plan, include Disney, Hawaii, Fiji, Australia, Thailand and all major cruise lines.

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AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Review 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.

Travel insurance is important because it can help cover the cost of unexpected medical expenses while you're traveling. It can also reimburse you for lost or stolen baggage, canceled flights, and other unforeseeable problems that may occur while you're away from home.

Simply put, there's a lot to consider.

But not all policies are created equal, and you must understand what you're covered for before you purchase a policy. This article will look in-depth at AXA Assistance USA travel insurance. We'll discuss the costs, coverage limits, exclusions, and more to help you make an informed decision about whether or not this particular travel insurance provider is right for you.

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

Introduction to AXA Travel Insurance

AXA Assistance USA is among the best travel insurance companies . It covers the fundamentals of travel insurance, with coverage for trip cancellations, medical expenses, and emergency medical/non-medical evacuation. With three plans, AXA also offers coverage for travelers with various budgets.

It's worth noting that many important add-ons aren't available for AXA's cheapest Silver plan, such as pre-existing condition coverage, rental car add-ons, and Schengen travel insurance. Cancel for any reason coverage is also only available for AXA's most expensive Platinum plan. 

Coverage Options Offered by AXA 

AXA Assistance USA offers three levels of coverage: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each plan comes with different protections and varying coverage limits, with the Silver being the most basic option and Platinum offering the most premium coverage.

Some policies might even include added coverage free of charge, such as a waiver for pre-existing conditions , which is free for Gold and Platinum plans as long as you purchase your plan within 14 days of your trip deposit.

Specialized Coverage Options

The plan you purchase will determine which add-ons are available. For example, those with a Platinum plan can add CFAR (cancel for any reason) coverage , allowing you to receive a full refund if you cancel your trip within 14 days of making the initial deposit.

Or, if you want extra protection for your rental car, depending on your AXA plan, you might be able to add a collision damage waiver (CDW). Policyholders with Gold plans can add $35,000 CDW, and those with Platinum plans can include $50,000 CDW.

If you're traveling within the Schengen Territory, which is made up of 27 European countries, you may eligible for Schengen Travel Insurance, which covers you in all 27 countries. This option is only available for Gold and Platinum travelers and coverage lasts up to 90 days.

AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Cost

The premium you pay will depend on various factors, including the age of the travelers, destination, and total trip costs. The average cost of travel insurance is 4% to 8% of your travel costs.

After inputting some personal information, such as your age and state of residence, along with your trip details, like travel dates, destination, and trip costs, you'll get an instant quote for the plans available for your trip. And from there, it's easy to compare each option based on your coverage needs and budget.

Now let's look at a few examples to estimate AXA's coverage costs.

As of 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a week-long, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following  AXA travel insurance quotes:

• AXA Silver: $83
• AXA Gold: $107
• AXA Platinum: $127

Premiums for AXA plans are between 2.7% and 4.2% of the trip's cost, well below the average cost of travel insurance. It's also relatively cheap compared to many of its competitors

AXA provides the following quotes for a 30-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for two weeks on a $4,000 trip:

• AXA Silver: $109
• AXA Gold: $128
• AXA Platinum: $153

Once again, premiums forAXA plans are between 3.6% and 3.8%, below the average cost for travel insurance.

A 65-year-old couple looking to escape New York for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following AXA quotes:

• AXA Silver: $392
• AXA Gold: $462
• AXA Platinum: $550

Premiums for AXA plans are between 6.5% and 9.2%, which is roughly in line with the average cost for travel insurance. This is to be expected, as travel insurance is often more expensive for older travelers.

How to Purchase and Manage Your AXA Policy

The process of purchasing an AXA policy is simple. After obtaining your quote, you'll need to decide which of AXA's three plans you want to buy. When you pay for your plan, be prepared to provide additional personal information, like your birthday, phone number, and address. 

Once you finalize your purchase, you'll have a 10-day free look period, in which you can cancel your policy and get your money back. 

How to File a Claim with AXA Travel Insurance

To file a claim with AXA Assistance USA, head to the claims forms online to find the appropriate form. Once you've filled out your form and gathered the required documentation, you can email them to [email protected] or send them by mail to:

AXA Assistance USA

On Behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies

P.O. Box 26222

Tampa, FL 33623

If you need assistance when filing claims, AXA's claims office can be reached at 1-888-957-5015 (within the U.S.) and 1-727-450-8794 (outside the U.S.). Office hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ET on Thursdays and 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ET on all other weekdays. 

AXA Customer Service Reviews

AXA's U.S. branch has few reviews on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau — just over 20 between the two sites. Its UK branch has over 1,100 reviews, most of which are overwhelmingly negative. However, the quality of AXA Travel Insurance UK isn't necessarily indicative of its U.S. coverage. 

In fact, on SquareMouth, where the majority of AXA U.S.'s reviews, reviews are generally positive. It received an average of 4.22 stars out of five across over 900 reviews. Customers reported that adjusting an AXA policy was easy and the customer service team was responsive. However, reviews on the claims process was more mixed, with spotty communication and long wait times. 

See how AXA travel insurance compares to top travel insurance providers.

AXA Assistance USA vs. AIG Travel Guard

When comparing AXA to Travel Guard , we'll look at the coverage levels from their mid-tier plans, the Silver plan and Travel Guard Preferred plan, respectively.

With Travel Guard Preferred plan, you'll get:

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $150,000
• Trip interruption coverage up to $225,000
• Emergency medical coverage of $50,000
• Coverage for baggage loss, theft, or damage up to $1,000
• Travel delay coverage of up to $800

Comparing those Travel Guard coverages with AXA's Silver plan, you'll see that AXA's coverage limits are a bit higher. With AXA's Silver plan you'll get $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, for example. And the baggage loss coverage limit is up to $1,500.

If you're looking for greater coverage limits, AXA makes the most sense in this scenario. But premiums will also vary based on factors like the traveler's age, trip destination, and trip cost. So you'll have to run your own numbers to make a final decision.

Read our AIG Travel Insurance review here.

AXA Assistance USA vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz Travel Insurance provides single-trip and multi-trip insurance for travelers who want to go abroad for an extended period of time. And, like with all insurance, the various plans have varying degrees of coverage.

Allianz Travel Insurance's most popular single-trip option is the OneTrip Prime plan, which offers:

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $100,000
• Trip interruption coverage up to $150,000
• Emergency medical coverage for $50,000
• Coverage for baggage loss, theft or damage up to $1,000
• Travel delay coverage up to $800

Looking at AXA's mid-tier Silver plan, you'll see that, again, AXA offers more coverage for emergency medical and baggage loss, theft, or damage than Allianz Travel Insurance. That said, if cost is an essential factor for you, you'll have to get quotes using your personal trip information to make an informed decision.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

AXA Assistance USA vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance

Already have a great travel credit card, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum? Some of the standard coverages, such as rental car insurance, may be included in the card you already have. It's a good idea to research the terms of your credit card's travel protection before purchasing a separate travel insurance policy.

If you're driving to your destination and don't have any non-refundable trip expenses, the coverage from your credit card may be enough. Another time it might work is if you have health insurance covering you while abroad and you're in good health without worrying about possible medical costs.

It's essential to remember that credit card coverage is usually secondary. This means you'll have to file a claim with the other applicable insurance before filing a claim with your credit card company.

Read our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance here.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed AXA Assistance USA

We researched AXA by evaluating its travel insurance plans compared to other plans from the top travel insurance companies. The aspects we looked at included, but were not limited to, different coverage options, claims limits, what is covered, available add-ons, and extra services for policy holders.

What's important when choosing a policy isn't just the price — it's making sure you're getting adequate coverage that meets your needs without breaking the bank. Filing a claim should also be easy and stress-free if you ever have to use your policy.

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

AXA Assistance USA FAQs

If you're diagnosed with COVID-19 before a trip and need to cancel, AXA may cover your expenses. Additionally, a COVID-19 diagnosis during a trip may be covered under AXA's medical expense, trip interruption, and trip delay benefits. Be sure to review your policy to ensure coverage details. 

While you may extend your coverage in certain circumstances, such as extended hospitalization, and update your travel dates prior to your departure, you can't extend AXA travel insurance plans while you're traveling. 

AXA's Gold and Platinum plan cover pre-existing medical conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 14 days of your initial trip deposit. AXA's Silver plan does not cover pre-existing conditions and has a 60-day look-back period. 

You can download AXA claims forms on its website and email them to [email protected].

AXA isn't the most flexible travel insurance company and isn't great at specializing, but it offers comprehensive general coverage. Its prices aren't significantly more expensive or cheaper than its competitors. 

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Travel | Travel Troubleshooter: My trip to Iraq was…

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Travel | travel troubleshooter: my trip to iraq was canceled, so why can’t i get my $7,590 back.

I filed a claim with AIG Travel Guard, but it denied my claim. I also disputed the charge on my credit card, but my credit card company sided with MIR Corporation. I’m very frustrated by this and hope that you might be able to help me recover this money.

— Diane Gottlieb, Chicago

ANSWER: It doesn’t seem fair for a tour operator to cancel a trip and not offer a refund. But the terms of your tour say otherwise. They allow MIR Corporation to keep your money and issue a voucher for a future tour, which is exactly what they did.

Let’s break this one down. MIR Corporation specializes in tours of “under-explored destinations” (those are its words) like Mongolia, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan. The paper trail between you and the company shows that it warned you of the risks of traveling to Iraq and urged you to buy travel insurance. It also clearly disclosed its terms, which were that it offers an expiring voucher when it cancels a tour.

A representative explained the reason why MIR Corporation has this policy. The tour operator had already paid its vendors and could not get a refund. But the arrangements between a tour operator and its vendors are none of your concern. The only thing that matters is the agreement you have with the tour operator.

MIR Corporation did the right thing by recommending travel insurance. But the policy you bought through AIG Travel Guard, which MIR Corporation helped facilitate, did not cover a cancellation by the tour operator. You could have bought a “cancel for any reason” policy, although it was considerably more expensive. This would have given you a refund between 50% and 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs.

MIR Corporation also did the right thing by canceling. The U.S. Department of State had issued a warning against travel to Iraq. You wouldn’t want to be there during an armed conflict.

Your case is a reminder to always read the contract when you sign up for a tour, or any other travel product for that matter. It’s also a reminder to read the fine print in your travel insurance. Your policy did not offer “100% coverage” for a cancellation, as you stated. Rather, it was a policy with a named exclusion that did not include a cancellation for security concerns.

But there were special circumstances. MIR Corporation’s voucher had to be used within two years and was only valid for its Iraq tours. At the time you contacted me, it didn’t look like there would be tours to Iraq for a while, so there was a good chance that your voucher would expire before you could use it. Also, you are 78 years old, and you suggested that you might not feel up to a tour of Iraq within the next two years.

You reached out to my advocacy team for help, and I contacted MIR Corporation on your behalf. The company agreed to offer a credit to any of its destinations for two years, and you accepted its offer.

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at [email protected] or get help by contacting him at elliottadvocacy.org/help/ . (c) 2024 Christopher Elliott Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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