ok to travel holiday insurance

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OK To Travel Review: Is This the Holiday Cover for You?

• Travel insurance specialist for pre-existing conditions
• No age limits on trips up to 3 months
• Competitive rates
• Post-surgery cover including recuperation holiday, home help, etc.
• Less appetite for severe medical conditions

Editor's Rating

The guidance on this site is based on our own analysis and is meant to help you identify options and narrow down your choices. We do not advise or tell you which product to buy; undertake your own due diligence before entering into any agreement. Read our full disclosure here .

Compare Cheap Travel Insurance

Protect your holiday today. Quick quotes from 20 insurers.

Note: OK to Travel is preparing the launch of some new products. We are keeping the below review up for historical purposes. For alternatives, you can get quotes from a panel of insurers by clicking the blue button above or visit O to Travel's parent company Freedom Insurance or Just Travel Cover.

OK To Travel is a specialist holiday insurance company that posts great customer experience reviews and competitive prices. They aim to cover most pre-existing medical conditions including Cancer, Heart Conditions, Diabetes, Stroke, Epilepsy and Mental Health Conditions. If your condition is very severe and OK To Travel cannot provide cover, you may have better luck with Fit2Travel or Free Spirit .

In This Review

• OK To Travel Travel Insurance Price Comparison
• OK To Travel Travel Insurance Policy Limits and Coverage Options

How does OK To Travel Compare to Competitors?

• OK To Travel Policy Wording and Claims

OK To Travel Insurance Review: What You Need to Know

As a medical-specialist travel insurance provider, OK To Travel will consider all medical conditions. It's quite easy to get a quote online, either from their website or from some comparison sites. As part of the quote process you’ll disclose your medical conditions and answer a series of multiple choice questions, such as past treatments, any upcoming, scheduled treatments and whether you had any hospital stays in the past year. You don’t need a doctor's certificate.

All plans include perks such as End Supplier Financial Failure and Catastrophe, plus additional medical-related expenses such as cover for:

• Recuperation holiday (£300 limit)
• UK medical exam (£750 limit)
• Kennal and cattery (£500 limit)
• Repatriation (£10,000,000 limit)

OK To Travel typically has quite good rates, although perhaps less so for severe conditions. As always, you'll have to see how the different providers price your specific profile and risks.

What if I have a severe medical condition? If you're struggling to find Annual travel insurance to cover your medical conditions at a reasonable price, you may want to consider a single trip policy instead. Since those with a severe medical condition are riskier to insure, travel insurance providers are more comfortable providing cover for a known trip over a limited time, as discussed in our article on top tips for travel insurance with medical conditions . It's also worth considering providers that might have more appetite for severe or terminal conditions, such as Fit2Travel or Free Spirit .

Over 65s: OK To Travel has no age restrictions for single trips up to 3 months or on annual multi-trip policies. For single trips lasting more than 92 days OK To Travel has an age limit of 75 years old, with a maximum trip length of 184 days.

Bottom Line: OK To Travel can typically provide travel insurance for most medical conditions, although those with a severe medical condition may be better served elsewhere. For most people, however, OK To Travel offers competitive rates for holiday insurance with cover for pre-existing conditions.

Covid Cover

OK to Travel covers a range of COVID-19 cover benefits such as cancellation, emergency medical expenses, denied boarding, accommodation closure, additional accommodation (room only) and travel expenses. However, there is no cancellation or curtailment cover on their Standard cover level.

Here's what you are covered for:

For the latest on their Covid cover, and a list of what is not covered, please see their COVID-19 Document, which can be found on their homepage .

How do OK To Travel Prices Compare?

According to our analysis for sample travellers, OK To Travel costs 4% to 20% less than average amongst medical-specialist travel insurers, depending on the condition and destination. To understand how OK To Travel's prices compare to competitors, we gathered prices for a 65-year-old holidaymaker going on a 2-week trip with various common medical conditions from Compare Cover.

As you can see below, holidaymakers pay a much lower rate for pre-existing medical conditions when travelling to Europe rather than Worldwide, due to the EHIC providing access to free or reduced-cost health care for Brits whilst on the continent.

While OK To Travel overall offered quite competitive rates for medical conditions, there was variation depending on the geography and condition. For example, OK To Travel didn't even offer cover for anxiety and depression for single trips to Europe, yet for travel Worldwide including America, they offered amongst the cheapest rates for the same condition.

Insurance quotes can vary significantly from day to day and according to each individual's details, so please just use this following data for general educational purposes only about the travel insurance market; your quotes may reflect a large degree of variation.

Types of OK To Travel Insurance Policies & Features

OK To Travel offers four tiers of travel insurance—Standard, Premier, Premier Extra (this is a new addition) and Premier Plus. All four plans get £10 million of emergency medical cover are available for Single Trips or as Annual, Multi-Trip policies.

OK To Travel Single Trip travel insurance covers trips up to 184 days abroad for those up to age 75; holidaymakers 75 years of age or more are limited to single trips of 92 days in length. There is no upper age limit of annual multi-trip policies. You may be able to extend the maximum trip duration for an extra charge, subject to the underwriter's approval. The following limits and plan details are consistent across policies purchased from the OK To Travel website and a comparison site.

OK To Travel Standard

OK To Travel's entry-level insurance offering, "Standard", is primarily medical-only holiday insurance, with no cover for cancellation/curtailment. You do, however, still get cover for personal baggage, catastrophe, end supplier failure and a host of health-related perks such as cover for loss of medication, mobility aids, home help in the UK and a recuperation holiday post emergency surgery abroad worth £750.

OK To Travel Premier

A lower mid-tier offering, "Premier", is practically identical to the Standard plan except that it also provides £1,000 of cancellation/curtailment cover in case you can't go on or you need to cut short your holiday due to an event like falling ill.

OK To Travel Premier Extra

Falling between Travel Premier and Travel Premier Plus, OK to travel has recently introduced another mid-tier offering, "Premier Extra". Not surprisingly, it covers a lot of the exact same things as the higher and lower tiers, with limits for cancellation, abandonment and curtailment in the middle, up to £3,000.

OK To Travel Premier Plus

The "Premier Plus" is their top-tier holiday insurance plan, with £5,000 of cancellation/curtailment cover. Policyholders also get higher limits for personal possessions.

Optional Extra Features

Those going on a skiing, cruise or golf holiday can buy extra cover to protect against events like lost equipment or inability to engage in your sport due to piste closure, adverse weather, etc. Note, you only get these covers if you pay an extra premium!

Winter Sports Cover

And if you're going on a cruise...

To better understand the value of OK To Travel travel insurance you need to look at it in the context of other available options. We compared it to other plans in the market so you can see which may be more suitable for you.

OK To Travel Insurance vs Fit2Travel Travel Insurance

Fit2Travel is another travel insurer specializing in offering cover to those with pre-existing medical conditions. Fit2Travel plans are also quite economical relative to others in the market for the level of cover and medical conditions, but you don't get perks like aftercare cover post hospitalization once you return home to the UK.

Bottom Line: If you want features like cover for aftercare (e.g., home help, cosmetic surgery, etc.) on your return home to the UK or a recuperation holiday post emergency surgery abroad, then OK To Travel might be more suitable for you, especially if OK To Travel prices are on par for your condition.

OK To Travel Insurance vs Free Spirit Travel Insurance

Another medical-specialist for those travelling with health conditions, Free Spirit also offers a host of optional extras like aftercare following hospitalisation abroad, which covers home help, cosmetic surgery, dental treatment, physiotherapy and UK convalescence. Prices are typically close to average, although can vary depending on the condition.

Bottom Line: Free Spirit provides slightly more robust aftercare once you return home to the UK (e.g., including physiotherapy) and more appetite for severe conditions, but OK To Travel might come in cheaper for your condition. It's worth checking both.

Other Useful Information: Claims and Policy Wording

To have your claim validated, you must contact OK To Travel's Travel Claim facilities 24-hour emergency service immediately on +44 (0) 203 829 6745 in the following circumstances:

• There is a medical emergency (e.g. you are hospitalised or have to return home early for medical reasons)
• You are not hospitalised, but wish to come home early for medical reasons
• You think your claim is likely to exceed £500

Further information such as non-emergency claims and claims forms can be found in the link below.

• OK To Travel Policy Wording
• OK To Travel Claims Information

Erin Yurday is the Founder and Editor of NimbleFins. Prior to NimbleFins, she worked as an investment professional and as the finance expert in Stanford University's Graduate School of Business case writing team. Read more on LinkedIn .

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9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of April 2024

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

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

HTH Travel Insurance »

Tin Leg »

AIG Travel Guard »

Nationwide Insurance »

Seven Corners »

Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

Why Trust Us

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

Table of Contents

• Travelex Insurance Services
• Allianz Travel Insurance

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

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

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

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

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

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

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

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

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

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

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

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

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

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

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

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

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

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

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

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

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

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

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

Generous emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage

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

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

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

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

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

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

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

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

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Should You Buy Travel Insurance for Holiday Travel?

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Holiday travel can be taxing even without the added stress of disruptions such as cancellations, flight delays or lost bags.

Last winter, Southwest Airlines' holiday travel meltdown left millions of travelers stranded and angry. Travelers were still filing for compensation for ruined trips weeks later. Consumer complaints against U.S. airlines to the Department of Transportation in February 2023 increased sixfold compared with February 2019, forcing the agency to temporarily stop reporting more data as it processes complaints.

Despite the chaos, holiday travel shows no signs of slowing down this year. About 50% of Americans plan to pay for flights or hotel stays this holiday season, according to a NerdWallet survey conducted by The Harris Poll in September among over 2,000 U.S. adults. They will be referred to as “2023 holiday travelers” going forward.

More than a third of 2023 holiday travelers (35%) say they will keep their usual holiday travel plans this year, regardless of expense. And given the rising cost of gas , a quarter (25%) of those traveling say they’re flying rather than driving.

If you're determined to get your dose of festive cheer, you may wonder if it's worth paying extra for travel insurance this year. The survey found that 21% of 2023 holiday travelers plan on buying or have already bought travel insurance for their holiday trips, up from 16% last year.

Is flying truly worse?

The post-pandemic travel surge is real. But has the flying experience honestly gotten worse? Let's take a look at the numbers.

The Department of Transportation releases reports on the performance of the 10 largest airlines and their marketing carriers. An analysis of data through June 2023 (which, it should be noted, doesn't capture the complete picture of summer travel) by the U.S. PIRG Education Fund found:

The number of airline passengers for the first half of 2023 increased by 11%, to 419.2 million, compared with 2022. That's almost back to 2019 pre-pandemic levels (419.7 million). 

On-time performance for flights in June fell to 71.3%, worse than a year ago. The on-time rate for the first half of 2023, at 76.5%, was slightly better than in 2022, but worse than in 2019.

Flights are fuller this year than they were before the pandemic. More than 419 million passengers traveled in both the first half of 2023 and the first half of 2019. There were, however, fewer flights operated in 2023 — nearly 3.5 million compared with nearly 3.9 million in 2019 — meaning the same number of travelers had fewer flight options.

The flight cancellation rate in June fell to 2.1%, better than a year ago. The cancellation rate for the first half of 2023, at 1.6%, was half of what it was in 2022 and better than in 2019. 

So, while travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, travelers have fewer flight options. Given those gloomy statistics, travel insurance is at least worth considering this year.

Insurance aside, one way to lower the risk of disrupted travel is by adjusting when or how you fly. Nearly 2 in 5 2023 holiday travelers (35%) in the NerdWallet survey plan to avoid busy travel days by extending the duration of their holiday trips.

» Learn more: The busiest days to fly during the winter holidays

What type of travel insurance should you get?

The type of insurance you should buy depends on a few factors, including:

Whether your trip is nonrefundable.

Where you're going.

If your credit card has built-in protection.

What your health coverage is at the destination.

Let's assume you're traveling domestically and already have health insurance coverage. Depending on your age and health, you may not have to pay extra for medical coverage. Note that only some travel insurance policies cover pre-existing conditions .

Some travel credit cards offer basic trip cancellation or interruption, baggage delay coverage and rental car coverage up to a certain dollar amount. If you think the options your credit card provides are good enough, you won’t need additional coverage.

If you don't have a credit card with built-in protection or the limits aren't high enough for you, look into buying a stand-alone travel insurance policy.

You can opt for the trip insurance your airline offers, buy it directly from an insurance provider or get it via an online travel agency such as Expedia . You can also compare quotes from travel insurance marketplaces you can find online. The cost of your policy will depend on the details of your trip.

Flying home for the holidays may not get any better this year, but having travel insurance could give you some comfort during your trip.

How to maximize your rewards

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

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

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

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

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

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-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℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Oops... did you travel without insurance? Get cover with our Left UK policy  

This holiday period will be different from any other, said Harding Bush, manager of security operations for Global Rescue, a provider of travel risk management services.

"More people are traveling," he said. "Airlines have staffing issues. And it's a challenge for them to handle the surge." 

Protect your family: Find the best life insurance policies of 2023

In other words, your holiday trips are more likely to be canceled or delayed than last year – and maybe ever before.

Check out  Elliott Confidential , the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!

Do you need travel insurance for your holiday trip? This is the time to find out. Travelers typically buy insurance to protect their expensive international trips. But since the pandemic, they're buying more policies than ever. Is holiday travel riskier this year? And what type of insurance should you buy?

Mitrovic just wanted to cover his luggage. The U.S. government caps your airline's liability for delayed baggage at $3,800 for domestic flights. But the claims process is difficult, and airlines exclude many items from coverage. He found a policy through Travelinsurance.com that covered his checked luggage for up to 75% of its current market value. 

Experts say Mitrovic did it right. He weighed the risks of holiday travel and then bought a policy that covered him.

Get organized, don't be afraid to follow up: How to make your travel insurance claim go faster

What demanding customers want: 'Travelers have sky-high expectations for the trips'

"When it comes to travel insurance, there's no one-size-fits-all policy," said Daniel Durazo, a spokesman for Allianz Partners USA. "It's all about your individual specific needs and concerns about where you're traveling to and what financial investments you'd like to protect."

Those concerns can range from minor inconveniences, like a delayed suitcase, to major issues, like last-minute trip cancellation or medical emergency.

Do you need travel insurance for your holiday trip?

The conventional wisdom is that a travel insurance policy is unnecessary for quick domestic trips – the kind most often taken during the holidays. That's because insurance only covers prepaid, nonrefundable trip components. So driving to your aunt's for a holiday weekend is most likely not insurable.

But for other trips, you may need a policy. Usually, people consider insurance when they're spending more than $2,000 on their trip. But insurance can also cover unanticipated expenses, like a flight cancellation.

What happens if your checked bag is lost?  What if it's delayed? Here's what you're owed, what to do.

"The cost of last-minute flights can be 10 times higher than the initial purchase," said Manny Fernandez, vice president of Global Operations at CAP Travel Assistance. "Having peace of mind for trip interruption or cancellation is important as trips are being canceled more frequently."

Dan Skilken, president of TripInsurance.com, said if the holiday season is a replay of this summer, insured travelers will have an edge. Consider weather delays. Airlines don't have any obligation to help travelers. "There is no reason to spend the night in the airport, since the cost of your delay is covered," he said.

Weighing the risks of holiday travel

Holiday travel is also more dangerous than it has been in past years, according to experts. Geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe, Israel and Asia are making travel to those areas riskier, said John Gobbels, chief operating officer for the air medical transport and travel security company Medjet.

But also consider what you will be doing at that destination. A beach vacation in Mexico might be less risky than heliskiing in Canada.

"When choosing your travel insurance, you need to consider several factors such as whether you're traveling domestically or internationally, your trip cost, if you're doing adventure sport and if you're bringing your own gear," said Christina Tunnah, general manager for the Americas at World Nomads. 

Travel insurance companies now allow you to customize your policies. Sites like InsureMyTrip.com and battleface.com allow you to add or remove coverages until you have the exact policy you need. For details on the best policy, check out my free guide to buying the best travel insurance.

Story continues below.

What should you look for when choosing insurance for your holiday trip?

During the holidays, the two big coverage areas for travelers are medical and trip cancellation, said Pallavi Sadekar, head of operations at VisitorGuard.com. 

"Medical insurance, especially HMO plans, may not cover you for medical emergencies for trips outside the country," she said. "Travel insurance can protect you if you become ill or have any injury." 

She said trip cancellation plans can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs when you have to cancel for a covered reason. That way, you get your money back and you can book your vacation for another day.

That's what Harry Wenkert is looking for when he buys a travel insurance policy for his holiday trip. "The coverage that we are most interested in is medical services, medical evacuation and trip cancellation," said Wenkert, a retired pharmaceutical industry marketer from Pittsburgh. He's headed to the Canadian Rockies later this year and he already has his policy picked out. 

Is travel insurance worth it?: What to know before you book your next trip

What type of travel insurance should you get for your holiday trip?

A regular travel insurance policy will cover you for the duration of your trip. If you think you might have to cancel, you might also consider a "cancel for any reason" policy, which allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and recover 50% to 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses.

But for Mark Beales, a retired mortgage banker from Mill Creek, Washington, the uncertainty of the last two years led to a New Year's resolution to buy travel insurance.

A friend was visiting her relatives in Canada for the holidays. She didn't buy travel insurance. "She fell and ended up in the hospital and then a rehab center," he recalled. Then she had to pay for medical transportation back to the States. 

"The cost was ridiculously high and wasn't covered by Medicare since it occurred in Canada," Beales recalled. "So our friends paid out of pocket for those costs."

He resolved never to be without travel insurance. So instead of purchasing a policy for every trip, he decided to get an annual travel insurance policy. 

You may not need travel insurance for your next trip. But for this upcoming holiday travel season, you should probably consider it.

Avoid these travel insurance mistakes

Chris Carnicelli, CEO of Generali Global Assistance, said travel insurance can be a smart purchase for your next trip, but many travelers make mistakes when buying their coverage. "It’s still a foreign concept for many," he said. "The most valuable piece of advice that I can give to travelers is to do a little research and avoid making assumptions about who and what is covered."

► Don't wait to buy insurance:  "It's a good idea to get suitable trip insurance well before your travels," said Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO of VisitorsCoverage, an insurance marketplace. For example, for some policies, you must buy travel insurance within 14 days of making your initial trip deposit to get coverage for a preexisting medical condition. 

► Don't forget to read your policy : Many travelers don't know the common travel scenarios in which they qualify for reimbursements if they have travel insurance. "That includes flight delays and lost luggage," said Lauren Gumport, a spokeswoman for Faye travel insurance. "Make sure to read your policy and if unclear, call your travel insurance provider pre-trip to find out." 

Read it all the way through. Lauren Gumport, a spokeswoman for Faye travel insurance, said her company has seen many customers who don't understand their policy. "I've noticed that many travelers don't know the common travel scenarios in which they qualify for reimbursements if they have travel insurance," she said. 

► Don't buy the cheapest insurance:  It can be tempting to either skip travel insurance or buy the cheapest policy for your holiday trip. "But by doing so, you're putting yourself at risk of not having the right travel insurance when you need it," warns Angela Borden, a product marketing strategist with Seven Corners. "During the holidays, when the chances of flight cancellations, lost luggage, and other unexpected events increase, protecting the money you spent for your trip becomes even more important." 

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at [email protected] .

June 1, 2020

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