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How Much Is Travel Insurance in 2024?

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Table of Contents

Average cost of travel insurance by trip cost

Factors that affect travel insurance cost, more example costs of travel insurance, types of travel insurance, how to buy travel insurance, credit cards with travel insurance, cost of travel insurance recapped.

According to NerdWallet analysis, the short answer to “How much does travel insurance cost?” is that it’s typically 7% of your overall trip cost. For example, travel insurance will cost you an additional $70 (roughly) for a $1,000 trip.

However, depending on your provider, travel insurance costs can range from 4%-16% of your trip cost. That means for that $1,000 trip, you might find coverage for as little as $40 or up $160 on the high end.

Costs vary across providers, level of coverage and factors like your age and destination. Let’s take a look at the different types of travel insurance, what influences its cost and the average cost of travel insurance.

The Nerds dove deep into over 50 real world coverage price points to get a clearer sense of typical travel insurance costs in 2024.

On average, travelers should expect to pay 6.87% of their total trip cost for travel insurance. The minimum you might expect to pay is 4.15%, but it can go as high as 15.8%.

How did we determine these ballpark travel insurance prices?

We broke it down by looking at four individual providers' cheapest basic plan and most expensive basic plan for two traveler age demographics: a 30 year old and a 60 year old.

The Texas-based travelers are taking a 10 day trip to Florida in the summer. Included providers in our analysis were:

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 .

TravelSafe .

HTH Insurance .

According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, a national association of insurance carriers, the amount you can expect to pay for travel insurance will vary between 4% to 8% of your overall trip. This falls in the general range of our analysis, too.

If your vacation was $5,000, you’d be looking at somewhere between $200 and $400 for insurance. NerdWallet findings corroborate this range, with the average travel insurance cost for a trip at this price point being about $350.

Of course, as we describe below, the type of coverage you choose can greatly affect the cost of your insurance.

» Learn more: What does travel insurance cover?

So, how much is travel insurance? Several factors will influence the cost, like:

Type and extent of coverage.

The length of your trip.

Your destination.

The age of the policyholder.

Total trip cost.

Let’s say that you chose to purchase an insurance policy to cover any health care expenses you incur while traveling. This will reimburse you in the event you need to see a doctor, require hospitalization or have a variety of needs related to health care.

However, let’s say that you also chose to insure some of your trip costs; this means that, if need be, the policy will reimburse you for nonrefundable trip costs in case of a covered event. This will drive up the price of your policy overall.

Another factor that will affect the cost of your travel insurance is the coverage limits of your policy. These limits dictate how much you’ll be reimbursed in the event you need to use your insurance; the higher the amount, the more expensive your insurance.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

Here are some sample costs of travel insurance for a seven-day trip in the United States for two travelers ages 34 and 36. Full trip costs are estimated to be $2,000, and trip bookings have yet to be paid in full.

Policies include trip interruption coverage, travel delay coverage (up to $500) and emergency medical coverage.

In addition to the cost of travel insurance, we also need to talk about the different types of travel insurance. This is because the price you’ll pay will depend on the insurance you choose. Some policies — like those that allow you to cancel for any reason — can be more expensive than other, more limited, policies.

Common types of travel insurance include:

Lost luggage insurance .

Trip interruption insurance .

Trip cancellation insurance .

Rental car insurance .

Cancel For Any Reason insurance .

Health insurance .

Accidental death insurance .

Emergency evacuation insurance .

Different types of insurance will cover various things. Trip cancellation insurance, for example, will allow you to recoup a portion of nonrefundable costs when you’re forced to cancel your trip for a covered reason.

It’s simple to purchase travel insurance; you’ve probably seen dozens of ads for insurance whenever booking a flight or rental car.

However, it’s a better idea to get multiple quotes for policies. Insurance policy aggregators, such as Squaremouth, allow you to search a variety of different providers at once. You can then compare the coverage and price of each policy before choosing one that suits your needs.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

If you’re looking into purchasing travel insurance, you may want to check which credit card you’re using to book your trip. Many of today’s popular travel credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance.

Cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offer primary rental car insurance; this means that the card will pay for any covered damage so that it doesn’t pass on to your personal insurance policy.

The types of insurance and total coverage vary according to the card, so you’ll want to check your individual policies.

Common coverage includes trip delay insurance, lost luggage insurance, rental car insurance and emergency medical insurance.

Popular cards that provide these types of coverage include:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . (Benefits may change over time.)

The Platinum Card® from American Express . Terms apply.

United℠ Explorer Card .

In order to qualify for coverage, you’ll want to use your card to pay for any trip costs, including your airfare, lodging and rental cars.

The amount you’ll be reimbursed varies widely depending on which card you hold. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides coverage for up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses for covered trip cancellations.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

These include airfare, accommodations and even tours.

The United℠ Explorer Card , meanwhile, offers far less coverage at just $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.

United℠ Explorer Card

$0 intro for the first year, then $95

Of course, your trip will need to fall under covered circumstances, including sickness and severe weather.

» Learn more: Does my Chase credit card have travel insurance?

It can make sense to purchase travel insurance, especially if you’re unsure about your vacation or worried about incurring expenses you can’t afford. Before buying a policy, you’ll first want to decide what type of insurance you’re looking to buy; some types of coverage cost much more than others.

You’ll also want to check to see if your credit card already provides complimentary travel insurance. Many popular travel cards offer this feature, though the limits may be lower than you might prefer.

Finally, do your homework before buying a policy. Gather quotes from multiple companies before making a decision, and remember the average price of trip insurance ranges from 4% to 8% of your total vacation costs.

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

How to maximize your rewards

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

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

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

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

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

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

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

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.

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• Key takeaways

What’s the average cost of travel insurance in 2024?

Factors that impact the cost of travel insurance, examples of cost fluctuations based on trip details, how much should i spend on travel insurance, faq: cost of travel insurance.

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How much is travel insurance | average cost in 2024.

• The average cost of travel insurance for US travelers is $307 per trip – based on travel insurance sales data for the past 12 months (Jan 2023 – Jan 2024).
• Data from Squaremouth shows that between April 2022 and January 2024, the average cost of travel insurance for US travelers was 4.60% of their total trip cost – below the industry standard of 5% - 6%.
• From 2022 to 2024, US travelers had an average trip cost of $6,343 as prices rise due to inflation.
• The final cost of travel insurance for your trip will depend on specific factors such as the total trip cost, destination , type of plan, and more.
• Aim to spend 6% of your total trip cost or less when buying travel insurance to ensure you are getting a fair deal. Anything less than this is considered a great deal.
• Using a travel insurance comparison tool is the best way to find the lowest prices on travel insurance policies.

Understanding the average cost of travel insurance is key for identifying how much travel insurance could cost you.

To help you choose the best travel insurance for you needs, we analyzed policies from 31 different providers, including companies like AXA Assistance USA, IMG, John Hancock Insurance Agency, and Seven Corners, to discover the average amount people spent on travel insurance polices over the last year.

As of 2024, travel insurance plans typically cost about 5% to 6% of the total cost of your trip. This has always been a known figure in the travel industry, and our review of travel insurance quotes from top providers in the industry corroborates this figure for 2024.

The data shows that, for trips costing between $1k - $50k, travel insurance premiums can range from as low as $60 to $2,756 , respectively.

Ultimately, how much you end up paying for travel insurance depends on the specific details if your trip, and many of the factors that determine the cost of travel insurance are within your control.

For example, the following are all influencing factors that can be adjusted to help reduce the cost of your travel insurance:

• the trip destination
• the length of your trip
• the total trip cost
• the types of coverage you choose

In this guide, we’ll show you how much travel insurance costs and how to get a free insurance cost estimate for your trip using our website. To start, here is an in-depth look at the average cost of travel insurance and how the price has fluctuated over the past year.

The average cost of travel insurance for US travelers is around $307. This is based on a study of insurance sales data from 31 travel insurance providers over 12 months (January 2023 - January 2024).

There has been a progressive increase in travel spending over the last year, and the average cost of trips for US travelers increased roughly 21% from $5,988 in January 2023 to $7,427 in January 2024.

On average, travel insurance is around 5%-6% of the total trip cost, and the average trip cost for US travelers from April 2022- January 2024 was around $6,343.

As prices in increase globally thanks to inflation, this has driven up the overall price of insurance policies – as it means the plan must cover a more expensive trip.

Below is a graph showing the changes in the average cost of travel insurance over the last year as well as the average price US travelers paid for their trips.

Average Cost of Travel Insurance by Month (2022 - 2024)

As seen in the chart above, the average travel insurance price has also gone up over the last year and a half – rising from $236 per trip in April 2022 to $303 per trip in January 2024.

That said, the cost of travel insurance varies between travel insurance providers. Therefore, it pays to compare plans from multiple providers before opting for a specific plan. The tool (below) is a good place to start.

Our top picks for travel insurance

Seven corners, generali global assistance.

As we’ve seen above, prices fluctuate depending on your trip details and how much coverage you want.

Travel insurance typically reimburses you for the total cost of your trip. As a result, this is one of the main factors that decide how much travel insurance costs. The reality is, more expensive trips require travel insurance premiums on the higher end, whereas budget-friendly vacations are typically much less expensive to insure. As an added example, some travel insurance plans like trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for anywhere from 100% to 150% of your total trip costs. In these cases, it only makes sense that the cost of the insurance plan is higher.

Trip length

The length of your trip impacts travel insurance costs since you need coverage for more days. Also, the longer the trip the higher the possibility of something going wrong. This means that the insurance company must assume a greater risk. You’ll typically pay a lot more for a trip in Spai n that lasts two weeks, for example versus just one week. Likewise, you’ll typically pay higher premiums for multi-trip or annual travel insurance plans versus one-off plans.

Age of traveler

The age of the traveler is an important factor in determining travel insurance costs. Senior travelers have an increased probability of falling ill or injuring themselves which means more medical expenses, which makes purchasing senior travel insurance crucial. In light of this, some travel insurance companies have an age limit to their policies.

Amount of travelers

Insuring a family or a large group inevitably costs more than insuring a solo trip. After all, more travelers in your group means there are more opportunities for things to go wrong which can lead to a higher payout from the insurance company. Despite this, some travel insurance providers, such as Travelex , offer free coverage for children ages 17 and under who are on the same plan as their parents or grandparents.

Type of plan

The type of travel insurance plan you buy can also affect the overall cost. For example, opting for a comprehensive travel insurance plan is more expensive than opting for medical coverage only or a cruise travel insurance plan specifically designed to cover potential risks on a cruise. You typically won’t get perks like baggage insurance, coverage for travel delays, or trip cancellation insurance when you forgo a comprehensive plan, but it can reduce the overall cost of your travel insurance policy. Therefore it’s important to consider what types of coverage you deem essential for your trip.

Coverage limits

Every travel insurance policy comes with a limit to how much the company will pay when you make a claim. The lower the limit, the less the plan will cost. A good example of this is travel medical insurance and medical evacuation insurance which usually make up the bulk of your travel insurance cost. These types of coverage typically have higher payout limits than other categories such as baggage insurance. Opting for less coverage will lower your overall cost, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. When opting for cheap travel insurance we always recommend maintaining robust coverage limits.

Pre-existing conditions

Pre-existing conditions aren’t usually covered by travel insurance plans, but if they are, the policy tends to cost more than a standard policy. If you want coverage for pre-existing conditions you typically have to purchase a waiver for an extra fee ‘X’ days after making your initial trip deposit. (The amount of days depends on the company.) In the eyes of insurance companies, those with pre-existing conditions are more likely to need medical assistance while abroad. Therefore, plans that cover pre-existing conditions are usually more expensive.

Deductible amount

A deductible is the amount of money you must pay toward a claim before the insurance will start to pay out. Some travel insurance plans have a deductible, but this is always the case. Opting for a higher deductible can lead to a lower overall cost , whereas choosing a lower deductible or no deductible means paying more. Always read the fine print to ensure there are no surprise charges.

Add-ons & additional coverage

Travel insurance policies offer all kinds of add-ons that can cause the cost of coverage to skyrocket. Some of the most popular add-on coverages include cancel for any reason travel insurance (CFAR), interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage, rental car coverage, insurance for sports equipment, and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. Just one of these could increase your travel insurance policy by around 50%, so beware of add-ons if you are trying to keep costs down.

To help you understand these concepts better, we worked through some real-world examples and compared a range of travel insurance quotes for various trips, ages, and types of plans.

Then, we found the average cost of travel insurance based on the following variables:

• Total trip cost
• Age of the travelers
• Type of coverage

1. Average cost of travel insurance by trip cost

Using the LA Times Compare tool, we got quotes for a seven-night trip with costs ranging from $1,000 to $50,000.

The chart below shows how much the average trip cost for one person (age 35) impacted premiums in 2023:

We received travel insurance quotes for all the top providers to prepare this analysis, and we weren’t surprised to find that more expensive trips required higher travel insurance costs overall.

As you can see from the chart above, the cost of a vacation will greatly impact the premiums each insurance company charges. Still, we found that average travel insurance costs for all trips worked out to approximately 5% to 6% of the trip cost, on average.

2. Average cost of travel insurance by age

To give you an idea of the average cost of travel insurance as it pertains to age, we compared plans for a seven-night trip costing $2,500 for one traveler.

We got quotes using the LA Times Compare tool for the same trip parameters, only altering the age of the traveler from 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 65, and 75.

The chart below provides an overview of the average cost of travel insurance by the age of the traveler:

As you can see from the study above, the travel insurance premium for a $2,500 trip ranges from 4% of the trip cost for travelers ages 20 to 30 up to 8% of the trip cost for a 65-year-old and 12% of the total trip cost for a 75-year-old. Therefore, it’s safe to say that age matters to travel insurance providers, although this is more true for people 60 years old or older.

Travel insurance companies price premiums based on the level of risk they’re taking for each covered trip, and it’s not surprising that it’s riskier to insure older travelers who are more likely to experience a medical event.

3. Average cost of travel insurance by type of coverage

While it’s difficult to answer how much is travel insurance, across different providers with different coverage options and limits, we got quotes for different plans from several top providers to give you an idea.

The chart below shows how much you would pay for travel insurance that covers a seven-night vacation for a total cost of $3,000 if you went with a budget plan, mid-tier coverage, or premium travel insurance:

Based on this study, it’s clear to see that the type of insurance policy you choose impacts the total cost, whether you opt for budget travel insurance, a middle-tier plan, or comprehensive coverage with exceptional limits.

4. Average cost of travel insurance with add-ons

As we mentioned earlier, add-ons can significantly increase the cost of travel insurance policies.

To give you a concrete example of this, we chose to study the cost of travel insurance plans with cancel for any reason insurance (CFAR) added to the policy.

Cancel for any reason travel insurance that lets you cancel a trip and be reimbursed for 50% to 80% of your prepaid trip expenses. This coverage can be used for any reason at all, even if you simply change your mind and decide to stay home.

The chart below shows how much two adult travelers would pay for some travel insurance plans for a seven-night trip with a total cost of $5,000.

While having CFAR coverage can be beneficial for travelers who are not entirely sure of their trip plans, this optional add-on can cause travel insurance premiums to increase by anywhere from 38% to 65%. Ultimately, we found that the average cost of adding CFAR to a policy equals approximately 48.6% of the premium.

You should aim to spend 6% or less of the total cost of your trip when searching for travel insurance. Anything less than 5% is considered a great price.

As an example, this means that travel insurance for a $5,000 vacation should cost between $250 and $300 – approximately.

If we follow this same rule, the cost of travel insurance for a $2,500 trip should be between $125 and $150, and premiums for a $15,000 trip should cost you between $750 and $900.

While these numbers are based on industry standards and internal research, our research did find some exceptions to this rule.

For example, travel insurance premiums tend to increase for:

• Older travelers
• Plans with higher coverage limits
• Plans that cover more than one traveler

People over the age of 60 can expect to pay the most. Plans that cover more than one traveler also cost more in general, as do travel insurance plans with higher coverage limits.

If you are hoping to get the best deal on travel insurance, you should take the time to compare at least three or four travel insurance plans side-by-side. Not only should you compare plans based on the types of coverage offered and the policy limits, but you’ll want to look at your out-of-pocket expenses, too.

From there, you’ll want to make sure your plan covers every conceivable issue you may run into, from missed connections to the contraction of COVID-19. With some research and planning, you can purchase coverage that puts travel-related issues aside so you can enjoy a worry-free trip.

You can get a free quote using our tool below. Simply enter your dates and destination to get a customized quote.

What is the approximate cost of travel insurance?

Travel insurance costs approximately 5% to 6% of the total cost of your trip. Based on travel insurance sales data from 31 different providers over the past year (from April 9, 2022 – April 9, 2023), the average cost of travel insurance for US travelers is $283 per trip . The average trip lasted 16 days and cost around $6,003.

Is it worth paying for travel insurance?

Travel insurance is worth it if you don’t have other types of insurance in place to cover the cost of incidents while traveling. The added expense of buying travel insurance can be well worth it if you run into a costly issue during your vacation. A lot of times, US health insurance does not work abroad. As an example, a conservative estimate for the cost of medical evacuation while traveling is around $25,000. However, this cost increases exponentially if you are overseas and need to be sent home, or are traveling in remote locations. Without travel insurance, you would be forced to pay for this cost out-of-pocket.

Who should get travel insurance?

Seniors, families, pregnant travelers , and those with pre-existing health conditions are prime examples of people who should buy travel insurance. However, there are some situations where travel insurance is essential for everyone. If you’re traveling overseas where your traditional health insurance coverage will not apply, even across the border in Canada , for example, travel insurance is the only way to ensure your medical expenses are covered.

Not only that, but trip insurance can reimburse you for non-refundable trip costs relating to hotels and flights you booked, missed connections, and medical expenses you rack up overseas. These costs can easily exceed the cost of travel insurance premiums, sometimes by tens of thousands of dollars. Keep in mind that flight insurance booked through an airline may not cover extra expenses such as medical complications.

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19 related issues?

Since COVID-19 has become commonplace, most travel insurance companies cover it the same as any other illness. This typically includes treatment or hospitalization from getting sick. Some travel insurance companies even cover doctor-ordered quarantine if you come down with COVID-19 during a covered trip and will cover the costs of extending your stay if you are forced to quarantine.

All travel insurance policies highlighted on our site include additionally COVID-19 travel insurance . If you are shopping elsewhere, make sure to read over the fine print before you select a plan as not all travel insurance policies offer this coverage.

Is travel insurance a one-time fee?

Some companies may offer options for paying in installments, but typically, travel insurance is a one-time fee that you pay upfront before going on your trip. Multi-trip travel insurance or annual travel insurance plans can cover more than one trip per year and may offer installment payments. However, most people buy a single travel insurance policy before each trip and a one-time fee.

What percentage of trip cost is travel insurance?

According to our research, travel insurance costs between 5% to 6% of the total trip cost for most travelers. All things considered, this is a small price to pay for peace of mind and being able to enjoy a worry-free trip.

Holly D. Johnson is an award-winning personal finance writer who covers topics like insurance, investing, credit and family finance. As a leading voice in the travel and loyalty space, Johnson has traveled with her family to more than 50 countries over the last decade.

The author has also written extensively on the power of household budgeting, and she even co-authored a book on the topic. Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love was originally published in 2017, and it teaches families how to use zero-sum budgeting to reach their financial goals. She is also the co-owner and founder of the family finance and travel website, ClubThrifty.com.

Johnson’s 10+ years of writing have focused on helping families make important financial decisions at each stage of their lives. The author also applies the financial principles she teaches to her own life, and she is currently on track to retire in her late 40’s with her partner. She currently lives in Central Indiana with her husband and children, and she is a regular contributor for Bankrate, CNN, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report Travel and many other notable publications.

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Travel Insurance

Average cost of travel insurance in 2024

Heidi Gollub

Megan Horner

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

Updated 2:48 p.m. UTC April 24, 2024

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• Travel insurance costs an average of 5% to 6% of the cost of your trip. 
• Your travel destination and your age impact the cost of travel insurance. 
• Senior travelers need to budget extra for travel insurance as they pay a higher percentage of their trip cost — an average of 18% for 80-year-olds.

There are several factors that influence how much you’ll pay for travel insurance, from your age and travel destination to the cost of your trip and the coverages you choose. Our insurance experts analyzed rates from the best travel insurance companies, and we’ve used that data to break down the average cost of travel insurance for you.   

Compare travel insurance costs personalized for your trip

Travel insured.

Via TravelInsurance.com’s website

Top-scoring plan

Worldwide Trip Protector

Covers COVID?

Medical & evacuation limits per person

$100,000/$1 million

Atlas Journey Preferred

Seven Corners

RoundTrip Basic

$500,000/$1 million

How much is travel insurance?

The average cost of travel insurance is 5% to 6% of your nonrefundable trip expenses. To insure a $1,000 trip, for instance, costs an average of $61 (6%). 

Average cost of travel insurance by trip cost 

Average cost of travel insurance is based on quotes for a 30-year-old female traveling from California to Mexico for a 14-day trip. Source: Squaremouth.

Traveling on a budget? Check out these cheap travel insurance plans .

Average cost of travel insurance by age

While the cost of your trip is a key factor in how much you’ll pay for travel insurance, your age can also impact your rate. This is particularly true for travelers over 60. The average cost of travel insurance for a 70-year-old increases to 11% of total trip cost, and 80-year-old travelers pay an average of 18% for a senior travel insurance policy. 

Average cost of travel insurance by number of travelers in your group

If you’re traveling with others, it’s typically cheaper to insure everyone in your group with a single travel insurance policy. Some plans even cover kids younger than 17 for free, as long as they’re traveling with their parents on the same itinerary. 

In our analysis of travel insurance rates, we found that a family of four taking a 14-day trip from California to Mexico valued at $5,000 only pays about $29 more than a solo traveler buying travel insurance for the same trip. A couple, both age 40, will pay an average of $17 more than a single traveler of the same age. 

What determines travel insurance costs?

One of the biggest factors to influence the cost of travel insurance is the travel insurance plan you select. The best travel insurance plans bundle several types of insurance, including coverage for trip cancellation, trip delay, trip interruption, travel medical, emergency medical evacuation and baggage loss and delay. The more comprehensive the plan, the more you’ll pay for travel insurance. 

The coverage limits of your policy will also affect its cost. The limits dictate how much you’ll be reimbursed if you use your insurance. All of the 5-star plans in our best travel insurance rating offer medical reimbursement limits of $1 million. The higher the reimbursement limit, the more expensive your coverage will be. 

Sample rates for different travel insurance plans

Average cost of travel insurance is based on quotes for a 30-year-old female traveling from California to Mexico for a 14-day trip. Different levels of benefits can account for price differences. These rates do not include a “cancel for any reason” upgrade. Source: Squaremouth.

Average travel insurance cost for “cancel for any reason”coverage

Based on our analysis of 16 travel insurance policies, adding CFAR coverage to a travel insurance policy will increase your cost by about 50%. 

If you want to be able to cancel your trip for any reason — not just those listed in your policy — consider buying a travel insurance plan that offers “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage .

“In 2023, the travel industry has faced a number of challenges including a rise in inclement weather, staffing shortages and strikes,” said Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO of VisitorsCoverage. “Consequently, we’re seeing an increase of canceled trips, disrupted flights and stranded travelers.” 

“To prepare for these uncertainties,” said Shrivastava, “travelers should consider choosing flexible insurance coverage options like ‘cancel for any reason’ and ‘interruption for any reason,’ which protect trip investments in case of cancellations or disruptions.”

“Interruption for any reason” (IFAR) coverage isn’t as readily available as an upgrade, but it typically adds only 3% to 10% to the cost of your travel insurance.

Travel insurance costs for your vacation

What travel insurance covers.

“Travel insurance provides coverage for prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses — up to the limits of the policy — should a trip be canceled or interrupted for a covered reason,” said Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA. 

The trip cancellation insurance part of your travel insurance can reimburse up to 100% for lost trip deposits, such as airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, tours and cruises, if you cancel your trip for a reason listed in your policy.

“Examples of acceptable reasons to cancel a trip include illness or injury for the traveler, a close family member or a traveling companion,” said Durazo. “Other reasons may include your travel supplier stops offering services for 24 hours due to a natural disaster, severe weather or a strike, your home or destination becomes uninhabitable, or you or a travel companion are laid off after you purchase your policy.”

Once you start your trip, travel insurance continues to offer financial protection, said Durazo. “Post-departure benefits can help cover expenses like lost bags and travel delays and most importantly, can include emergency medical coverage and emergency medical transportation.” 

If you do become ill or injured while traveling, travel insurance can cover your medical costs including doctors’ fees and hospital costs that may not be covered by your health insurance. “Domestic health care plans are usually not accepted outside the U.S.,” Durazo said. “So it’s especially important to get travel insurance with medical coverage and emergency medical transportation when traveling internationally.” 

Even if you’re not traveling out of the country, travel insurance with medical coverage can be a good idea, Durazo said. “As many Americans now have high deductible health insurance plans, trips to urgent care or the ER can be expensive but could be covered by travel insurance while traveling.” 

Methodology

Using data from Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison website, our insurance experts analyzed rates for 23 travel insurance plans. The average rates were determined by comparing quotes for trips with a variety of costs, traveler ages, traveler groups and travel plan benefits.

Travel insurance costs FAQs

The average cost of travel insurance is between 5% and 6% of the cost of the trip. How much you pay for travel insurance will depend on the travel insurance company and plan you select, the total cost and destination of your trip, the age of travelers and the number of travelers you’re insuring. 

You may wonder: Is travel insurance worth it?  

A comprehensive travel insurance plan will include coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, medical expense, emergency medical evacuation and baggage delay and loss. 

Read your travel insurance policy carefully to understand what is covered and what is excluded. You can sometimes purchase add ons such as “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage. 

Do you need trip insurance? What travel insurance covers

Yes, travel insurance is typically more expensive for older travelers. While the average cost of travel insurance for a 20-year-old traveler is $224, the average cost increases at age 60 to $420 and to $907 for an 80-year-old. 

Find the best coverage: Best senior travel insurance companies

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

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

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

Megan Horner is editorial director at USA TODAY Blueprint. She has over 10 years of experience in online publishing, mostly focused on credit cards and banking. Previously, she was the head of publishing at Finder.com where she led the team to publish personal finance content on credit cards, banking, loans, mortgages and more. Prior to that, she was an editor at Credit Karma. Megan has been featured in CreditCards.com, American Banker, Lifehacker and news broadcasts across the country. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and editing.

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The best travel insurance policies and providers

It's easy to dismiss the value of travel insurance until you need it.

Many travelers have strong opinions about whether you should buy travel insurance . However, the purpose of this post isn't to determine whether it's worth investing in. Instead, it compares some of the top travel insurance providers and policies so you can determine which travel insurance option is best for you.

Of course, as the coronavirus remains an ongoing concern, it's important to understand whether travel insurance covers pandemics. Some policies will cover you if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and have proof of illness from a doctor. Others will take coverage a step further, covering additional types of pandemic-related expenses and cancellations.

Know, though, that every policy will have exclusions and restrictions that may limit coverage. For example, fear of travel is generally not a covered reason for invoking trip cancellation or interruption coverage, while specific stipulations may apply to elevated travel warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Interested in travel insurance? Visit InsureMyTrip.com to shop for plans that may fit your travel needs.

So, before buying a specific policy, you must understand the full terms and any special notices the insurer has about COVID-19. You may even want to buy the optional cancel for any reason add-on that's available for some comprehensive policies. While you'll pay more for that protection, it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still get some of your costs back. Note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has other eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

In this guide, we'll review several policies from top travel insurance providers so you have a better understanding of your options before picking the policy and provider that best address your wants and needs.

The best travel insurance providers

To put together this list of the best travel insurance providers, a number of details were considered: favorable ratings from TPG Lounge members, the availability of details about policies and the claims process online, positive online ratings and the ability to purchase policies in most U.S. states. You can also search for options from these (and other) providers through an insurance comparison site like InsureMyTrip .

When comparing insurance providers, I priced out a single-trip policy for each provider for a $2,000, one-week vacation to Istanbul . I used my actual age and state of residence when obtaining quotes. As a result, you may see a different price — or even additional policies due to regulations for travel insurance varying from state to state — when getting a quote.

AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard receives many positive reviews from readers in the TPG Lounge who have filed claims with the company. AIG offers three plans online, which you can compare side by side, and the ability to examine sample policies. Here are three plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

AIG Travel Guard also offers an annual travel plan. This plan is priced at $259 per year for one Florida resident.

Additionally, AIG Travel Guard offers several other policies, including a single-trip policy without trip cancellation protection . See AIG Travel Guard's COVID-19 notification and COVID-19 advisory for current details regarding COVID-19 coverage.

Preexisting conditions

Typically, AIG Travel Guard wouldn't cover you for any loss or expense due to a preexisting medical condition that existed within 180 days of the coverage effective date. However, AIG Travel Guard may waive the preexisting medical condition exclusion on some plans if you meet the following conditions:

• You purchase the plan within 15 days of your initial trip payment.
• The amount of coverage you purchase equals all trip costs at the time of purchase. You must update your coverage to insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements that you add to your trip within 15 days of paying the travel supplier for these additional arrangements.
• You must be medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.

Standout features

• The Deluxe and Preferred plans allow you to purchase an upgrade that lets you cancel your trip for any reason. However, reimbursement under this coverage will not exceed 50% or 75% of your covered trip cost.
• You can include one child (age 17 and younger) with each paying adult for no additional cost on most single-trip plans.
• Other optional upgrades, including an adventure sports bundle, a baggage bundle, an inconvenience bundle, a pet bundle, a security bundle and a wedding bundle, are available on some policies. So, an AIG Travel Guard plan may be a good choice if you know you want extra coverage in specific areas.

Purchase your policy here: AIG Travel Guard .

Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz is one of the most highly regarded providers in the TPG Lounge, and many readers found the claim process reasonable. Allianz offers many plans, including the following single-trip plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

If you travel frequently, it may make sense to purchase an annual multi-trip policy. For this plan, all of the maximum coverage amounts in the table below are per trip (except for the trip cancellation and trip interruption amounts, which are an aggregate limit per policy). Trips typically must last no more than 45 days, although some plans may cover trips of up to 90 days.

See Allianz's coverage alert for current information on COVID-19 coverage.

Most Allianz travel insurance plans may cover preexisting medical conditions if you meet particular requirements. For the OneTrip Premier, Prime and Basic plans, the requirements are as follows:

• You purchased the policy within 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit.
• You were a U.S. resident when you purchased the policy.
• You were medically able to travel when you purchased the policy.
• On the policy purchase date, you insured the total, nonrefundable cost of your trip (including arrangements that will become nonrefundable or subject to cancellation penalties before your departure date). If you incur additional nonrefundable trip expenses after purchasing this policy, you must insure them within 14 days of their purchase.
• Allianz offers reasonably priced annual policies for independent travelers and families who take multiple trips lasting up to 45 days (or 90 days for select plans) per year.
• Some Allianz plans provide the option of receiving a flat reimbursement amount without receipts for trip delay and baggage delay claims. Of course, you can also submit receipts to get up to the maximum refund.
• For emergency transportation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Allianz, and Allianz must then make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, most Allianz policies provide an option if you cannot contact the company: Allianz will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Allianz Travel Insurance .

American Express Travel Insurance

American Express Travel Insurance offers four different package plans and a build-your-own coverage option. You don't have to be an American Express cardholder to purchase this insurance. Here are the four package options for my sample weeklong trip to Turkey. Unlike some other providers, Amex won't ask for your travel destination on the initial quote (but will when you purchase the plan).

Amex's build-your-own coverage plan is unique because you can purchase just the coverage you need. For most types of protection, you can even select the coverage amount that works best for you.

The prices for the packages and the build-your-own plan don't increase for longer trips — as long as the trip cost remains constant. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit is only available for your first 60 days of travel.

Typically, Amex won't cover any loss you incur because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. However, Amex may waive its preexisting-condition exclusion if you meet both of the following requirements:

• You must be medically able to travel at the time you pay the policy premium.
• You pay the policy premium within 14 days of making the first covered trip deposit.
• Amex's build-your-own coverage option allows you to only purchase — and pay for — the coverage you need.
• Coverage on long trips doesn't cost more than coverage for short trips, making this policy ideal for extended getaways. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit only covers your first 60 days of travel.
• American Express Travel Insurance can protect travel expenses you purchase with Amex Membership Rewards points in the Pay with Points program (as well as travel expenses bought with cash, debit or credit). However, travel expenses bought with other types of points and miles aren't covered.

Purchase your policy here: American Express Travel Insurance .

GeoBlue is different from most other providers described in this piece because it only provides medical coverage while you're traveling internationally and does not offer benefits to protect the cost of your trip. There are many different policies. Some require you to have primary health insurance in the U.S. (although it doesn't need to be provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield), but all of them only offer coverage while traveling outside the U.S.

Two single-trip plans are available if you're traveling for six months or less. The Voyager Choice policy provides coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger and already have a U.S. health insurance policy.

The Voyager Essential policy provides coverage (including medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger, regardless of whether they have primary health insurance.

In addition to these options, two multi-trip plans cover trips of up to 70 days each for one year. Both policies provide coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for preexisting conditions) to travelers with primary health insurance.

Be sure to check out GeoBlue's COVID-19 notices before buying a plan.

Most GeoBlue policies explicitly cover sudden recurrences of preexisting conditions for medical services and medical evacuation.

• GeoBlue can be an excellent option if you're mainly concerned about the medical side of travel insurance.
• GeoBlue provides single-trip, multi-trip and long-term medical travel insurance policies for many different types of travel.

Purchase your policy here: GeoBlue .

IMG offers various travel medical insurance policies for travelers, as well as comprehensive travel insurance policies. For a single trip of 90 days or less, there are five policy types available for vacation or holiday travelers. Although you must enter your gender, males and females received the same quote for my one-week search.

You can purchase an annual multi-trip travel medical insurance plan. Some only cover trips lasting up to 30 or 45 days, but others provide coverage for longer trips.

See IMG's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Most plans may cover preexisting conditions under set parameters or up to specific amounts. For example, the iTravelInsured Travel LX travel insurance plan shown above may cover preexisting conditions if you purchase the insurance within 24 hours of making the final payment for your trip.

For the travel medical insurance plans shown above, preexisting conditions are covered for travelers younger than 70. However, coverage is capped based on your age and whether you have a primary health insurance policy.

• Some annual multi-trip plans are modestly priced.
• iTravelInsured Travel LX may offer optional cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason coverage, if eligible.

Purchase your policy here: IMG .

Travelex Insurance

Travelex offers three single-trip plans: Travel Basic, Travel Select and Travel America. However, only the Travel Basic and Travel Select plans would be applicable for my trip to Turkey.

See Travelex's COVID-19 coverage statement for coronavirus-specific information.

Typically, Travelex won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 60 days of the coverage effective date. However, the Travel Select plan may offer a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, the insured traveler must meet all the following conditions:

• You purchase the plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment.
• The amount of coverage purchased equals all prepaid, nonrefundable payments or deposits applicable to the trip at the time of purchase. Additionally, you must insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements added to the same trip within 15 days of payment or deposit.
• All insured individuals are medically able to travel when they pay the plan cost.
• The trip cost does not exceed the maximum trip cost limit under trip cancellation as shown in the schedule per person (only applicable to trip cancellation, interruption and delay).
• Travelex's Travel Select policy can cover trips lasting up to 364 days, which is longer than many single-trip policies.
• Neither Travelex policy requires receipts for trip and baggage delay expenses less than $25.
• For emergency evacuation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Travelex and have Travelex make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, both Travelex policies provide an option if you cannot contact Travelex: Travelex will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Travelex Insurance .

Seven Corners

Seven Corners offers a wide variety of policies. Here are the policies that are most applicable to travelers on a single international trip.

Seven Corners also offers many other types of travel insurance, including an annual multi-trip plan. You can choose coverage for trips of up to 30, 45 or 60 days when purchasing an annual multi-trip plan.

See Seven Corner's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Typically, Seven Corners won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition. However, the RoundTrip Choice plan offers a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• You buy this plan within 20 days of making your initial trip payment or deposit.
• You or your travel companion are medically able and not disabled from travel when you pay for this plan or upgrade your plan.
• You update the coverage to include the additional cost of subsequent travel arrangements within 15 days of paying your travel supplier for them.
• Seven Corners offers the ability to purchase optional sports and golf equipment coverage. If purchased, this extra insurance will reimburse you for the cost of renting sports or golf equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed by a common carrier for six or more hours. However, Seven Corners must authorize the expenses in advance.
• You can add cancel for any reason coverage or trip interruption for any reason coverage to RoundTrip plans. Although some other providers offer cancel for any reason coverage, trip interruption for any reason coverage is less common.
• Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice policy offers a political or security evacuation benefit that will transport you to the nearest safe place or your residence under specific conditions. You can also add optional event ticket registration fee protection to the RoundTrip Choice policy.

Purchase your policy here: Seven Corners .

World Nomads

World Nomads is popular with younger, active travelers because of its flexibility and adventure-activities coverage on the Explorer plan. Unlike many policies offered by other providers, you don't need to estimate prepaid costs when purchasing the insurance to have access to trip interruption and cancellation insurance.

World Nomads offers two single-trip plans.

World Nomads has a page dedicated to coronavirus coverage , so be sure to view it before buying a policy.

World Nomads won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition (except emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains) that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. Unlike many other providers, World Nomads doesn't offer a waiver.

• World Nomads' policies cover more adventure sports than most providers, so activities such as bungee jumping are included. The Explorer policy covers almost any adventure sport, including skydiving, stunt flying and caving. So, if you partake in adventure sports while traveling, the Explorer policy may be a good fit.
• World Nomads' policies provide nonmedical evacuation coverage for transportation expenses if there is civil or political unrest in the country you are visiting. The coverage may also transport you home if there is an eligible natural disaster or a government expels you.

Purchase your policy here: World Nomads .

Other options for buying travel insurance

This guide details the policies of eight providers with the information available at the time of publication. There are many options when it comes to travel insurance, though. To compare different policies quickly, you can use a travel insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to search. Just note that these search engines won't show every policy and every provider, and you should still research the provided policies to ensure the coverage fits your trip and needs.

You can also purchase a plan through various membership associations, such as USAA, AAA or Costco. Typically, these organizations partner with a specific provider, so if you are a member of any of these associations, you may want to compare the policies offered through the organization with other policies to get the best coverage for your trip.

Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

Is travel insurance worth getting?

Whether you should purchase travel insurance is a personal decision. Suppose you use a credit card that provides travel insurance for most of your expenses and have medical insurance that provides adequate coverage abroad. In that case, you may be covered enough on most trips to forgo purchasing travel insurance.

However, suppose your medical insurance won't cover you at your destination and you can't comfortably cover a sizable medical evacuation bill or last-minute flight home . In that case, you should consider purchasing travel insurance. If you travel frequently, buying an annual multi-trip policy may be worth it.

What is the best COVID-19 travel insurance?

There are various aspects to keep in mind in the age of COVID-19. Consider booking travel plans that are fully refundable or have modest change or cancellation fees so you don't need to worry about whether your policy will cover trip cancellation. This is important since many standard comprehensive insurance policies won't reimburse your insured expenses in the event of cancellation if it's related to the fear of traveling due to COVID-19.

However, if you book a nonrefundable trip and want to maintain the ability to get reimbursed (up to 75% of your insured costs) if you choose to cancel, you should consider buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy and then adding optional cancel for any reason protection. Just note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

Providers will often require CFAR purchasers insure the entire dollar amount of their travels to receive the coverage. Also, many CFAR policies mandate that you must cancel your plans and notify all travel suppliers at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Likewise, if your primary health insurance won't cover you while on your trip, it's essential to consider whether medical expenses related to COVID-19 treatment are covered. You may also want to consider a MedJet medical transport membership if your trip is to a covered destination for coronavirus-related evacuation.

Ultimately, the best pandemic travel insurance policy will depend on your trip details, travel concerns and your willingness to self-insure. Just be sure to thoroughly read and understand any terms or exclusions before purchasing.

What are the different types of travel insurance?

Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or rely on the protections offered by select credit cards, you may have access to the following types of coverage:

• Baggage delay protection may reimburse for essential items and clothing when a common carrier (such as an airline) fails to deliver your checked bag within a set time of your arrival at a destination. Typically, you may be reimbursed up to a particular amount per incident or per day.
• Lost/damaged baggage protection may provide reimbursement to replace lost or damaged luggage and items inside that luggage. However, valuables and electronics usually have a relatively low maximum benefit.
• Trip delay reimbursement may provide reimbursement for necessary items, food, lodging and sometimes transportation when you're delayed for a substantial time while traveling on a common carrier such as an airline. This insurance may be beneficial if weather issues (or other covered reasons for which the airline usually won't provide compensation) delay you.
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection may provide reimbursement if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason, such as a death in your family or jury duty.
• Medical evacuation insurance can arrange and pay for medical evacuation if deemed necessary by the insurance provider and a medical professional. This coverage can be particularly valuable if you're traveling to a region with subpar medical facilities.
• Travel accident insurance may provide a payment to you or your beneficiary in the case of your death or dismemberment.
• Emergency medical insurance may provide payment or reimburse you if you must seek medical care while traveling. Some plans only cover emergency medical care, but some also cover other types of medical care. You may need to pay a deductible or copay.
• Rental car coverage may provide a collision damage waiver when renting a car. This waiver may reimburse for collision damage or theft up to a set amount. Some policies also cover loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company and towing charges to take the vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility. You generally need to decline the rental company's collision damage waiver or similar provision to be covered.

Should I buy travel health insurance?

If you purchase travel with credit cards that provide various trip protections, you may not see much need for additional travel insurance. However, you may still wonder whether you should buy travel medical insurance.

If your primary health insurance covers you on your trip, you may not need travel health insurance. Your domestic policy may not cover you outside the U.S., though, so it's worth calling the number on your health insurance card if you have coverage questions. If your primary health insurance wouldn't cover you, it's likely worth purchasing travel medical insurance. After all, as you can see above, travel medical insurance is often very modestly priced.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance costs depend on various factors, including the provider, the type of coverage, your trip cost, your destination, your age, your residency and how many travelers you want to insure. That said, a standard travel insurance plan will generally set you back somewhere between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. However, this can get lower for more basic protections or become even higher if you include add-ons like cancel for any reason protection.

The best way to determine how much travel insurance will cost is to price out your trip with a few providers discussed in the guide. Or, visit an insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to quickly compare options across multiple providers.

When and how to get travel insurance

For the most robust selection of available travel insurance benefits — including time-sensitive add-ons like CFAR protection and waivers of preexisting conditions for eligible travelers — you should ideally purchase travel insurance on the same day you make your first payment toward your trip.

However, many plans may still offer a preexisting conditions waiver for those who qualify if you buy your travel insurance within 14 to 21 days of your first trip expense or deposit (this time frame may vary by provider). If you don't need a preexisting conditions waiver or aren't interested in CFAR coverage, you can purchase travel insurance once your departure date nears.

You must purchase coverage before it's needed. Some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have departed, but comprehensive plans that include medical coverage must be purchased before departing.

Additionally, you can't buy any medical coverage once you require medical attention. The same applies to all travel insurance coverage. Once you recognize the need, it's too late to protect your trip.

Once you've shopped around and decided upon the best travel insurance plan for your trip, you should be able to complete your purchase online. You'll usually be able to download your insurance card and the complete policy shortly after the transaction is complete.

Related: 7 times your credit card's travel insurance might not cover you

Bottom line

Not all travel insurance policies and providers are equal. Before buying a plan, read and understand the policy documents. By doing so, you can choose a plan that's appropriate for you and your trip — including the features that matter most to you.

For example, if you plan to go skiing or rock climbing, make sure the policy you buy doesn't contain exclusions for these activities. Likewise, if you're making two back-to-back trips during which you'll be returning home for a short time in between, be sure the plan doesn't terminate coverage at the end of your first trip.

If you're looking to cover a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition, select a policy with a preexisting condition waiver and fulfill the requirements for the waiver. After all, buying insurance won't help if your policy doesn't cover your losses.

Disclaimer : This information is provided by IMT Services, LLC ( InsureMyTrip.com ), a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 5119217) and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. IMT's services are only available in states where it is licensed to do business and the products provided through InsureMyTrip.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not create or modify any insurance policy terms in any way. For more information, please visit www.insuremytrip.com .

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Average Cost of Travel Insurance in 2024

Alex is a MarketWatch Guides team writer that covers automotive and personal finance topics. She’s worked as a content writer for over a dozen car dealerships across the U.S. and as a contributor to several major auto news websites.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

The average cost of a standard travel insurance policy is $221 , according to research conducted by the MarketWatch Guides team. However, the destination, number of travelers, trip price and more can affect the exact cost of a policy. For example, we found a 30-year-old taking a $5,000, two-week trip to the United Kingdom could pay anywhere from $88 to $176 for a standard travel insurance plan.

Key Takeaways The average cost of travel insurance is about 3% to 5% of a trip’s total value, according to quotes gathered by our research team across different travel insurance providers for various traveler profiles.  Factors such as total trip costs, coverage levels, travel destinations, traveler ages and trip payments can affect the price of a travel insurance policy. Travel insurance can be worth the cost and provide peace of mind if you must cancel your trip, experience a travel interruption, lose your baggage, experience a medical emergency or more.

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

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

Companies Reviewed

Quotes Collected

Rating Factors

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

According to our research, the average cost of travel insurance is $204 , but you could pay anywhere between $14 and $765 for travel insurance . While this may seem like a wide price range, it’s important to understand that travel insurance is not a “one price fits all” purchase.

Travel insurance provides a range of protection before and during your trip. If you must cancel your vacation for reasons stated in your policy, travel insurance can reimburse you for nonrefundable expenses. It can also help cover medical care and evacuation costs in an emergency. One way to predict your travel insurance cost is to look at your trip cost — most insurance policies cost between 3% and 5% of your total trip cost.

Use the calculator below to get an estimate of your travel insurance policy cost:

Travel Insurance Cost by Total Trip Price

The main factor that affects travel insurance costs is the total price of your trip. The more your trip costs, the more a travel insurance company will need to reimburse you if you file a valid claim . For example, if you’re taking a $10,000 trip to Japan versus a $3,000 trip, you’ll likely pay more for a policy offering the same amount of coverage.

To better understand the cost of travel insurance by trip price, we gathered quotes from multiple providers for a 30-year-old traveler taking a two-week trip to the United Kingdom . The chart below outlines the average policy cost across those quotes for different trip values. 

Cost of Travel Insurance by Provider

Our team collected quotes for all plans offered by 24 travel insurance companies for eight traveler profiles. Some companies are cheaper than others, such as Battleface, due to low coverage limits or limited coverage options. Other companies, like Allianz or Faye, are more expensive because of higher medical limits, more coverages and more add-on options.

The premiums below reflect the average of all quotes collected for that provider.

Average Travel Insurance Cost by Age

Age is another factor that affects travel insurance costs. Generally, younger travelers may be less likely to file a claim than older travelers since they are often healthier and may not have pre-existing conditions. Due to the higher chance of travel insurance providers receiving a claim from older travelers , plan costs generally increase with age .

We gathered quotes from 20 different providers for a $4,000, two-week trip to the United Kingdom to learn more about how travel insurance costs increase by age. From this data, we found virtually no increase in policy costs for travelers aged 20 to 30 years. However, travelers aged 30 and up saw policy costs increase with age. Based on our research, an 80-year-old will pay 303% more than a 20-year-old for the same policy.

See the table below for a closer look at percent increases for policy costs based on age. 

Travel Insurance Cost by Number of Travelers

The number of travelers under a travel insurance policy can also affect the total cost.

While travel insurance prices increase slightly depending on the number of people, one policy for the entire group is likely cheaper than purchasing a solo policy for every traveler.

We gathered quotes for a $5,000, two-week trip to the United Kingdom for different groups of travelers and found that adding just one traveler to a plan can increase costs by 8.3% , on average. While this is the average increase across quotes from 20 different providers, your costs may differ, as we found plan cost ranges widely varied.

Our research team attributes this extensive cost range to the provider, chosen plan, and whether or not coverage includes children for free. Many providers, such as Travelex , offer plans for travelers 17 years and younger for no additional cost. 

See the table below for a closer look at travel insurance costs by number of travelers.

Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance Cost

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage is usually sold as a travel insurance add-on. A typical travel insurance plan includes standard trip cancellation coverage, which takes effect as long as the reason for cancellation is listed within your policy terms. With CFAR coverage, however, you can cancel your trip for a reason not typically covered by your provider. For example, while your policy may cover an unexpected cancelation due to severe weather, CFAR coverage would allow you to cancel because you no longer want to take the trip.

CFAR coverage typically reimburses 50% to 75% of your prepaid trip costs. However, note that many companies reserve CFAR coverage for comprehensive plans. Because CFAR coverage increases the risk taken on by the insurance provider, it can significantly raise the price you pay for coverage. Costs vary by insurance provider, so gathering quotes across different providers that offer this add-on can help you find coverage that fits your needs.

To better show you what CFAR coverage could cost when added to a policy, we gathered quotes for a 30-year-old traveler taking a two-week, $5,000 trip to the United Kingdom. 

What Impacts the Cost of Travel Insurnace?

Each travel insurance provider prices its policies using a specific formula and underwriting process. While travel insurance is not a “once price fits all” type of coverage, the primary factors influencing policy pricing were fairly consistent across the companies we’ve reviewed. Take a closer look at some of these factors in the sections below.

Most insurance providers offer 100% reimbursement for trip cancellation and 150% for trip interruptions. A general rule of thumb when purchasing a policy is the more expensive your trip is, the more expensive your premium will likely be. This is because your travel insurance provider would potentially need to pay more if you file a claim for a covered cancellation or interruption.

If you choose a travel insurance policy with multiple protections and higher coverage limits, you can typically expect to pay more for coverage. Extra coverages outside of standard offerings — such as car rental collision coverage or CFAR coverage — can increase your policy premium.

Destinations 

Some destinations, notably those in more remote areas, may have less robust medical infrastructures. This increases the likelihood of needing a medical evacuation in the event of an emergency. Because of this, you can likely expect to pay more for travel insurance to a remote destination.

Traveler Age

Older men and women may have medical conditions that impact travel plans, increasing the price of insurance. As previously stated, our research team found that an 80-year-old will pay 303% more than a 20-year-old for the exact same policy. If you’re an older traveler, you can anticipate more for a travel insurance policy.

Trip Payments

The date you paid for your travel can also affect your premium and the type of add-ons available. Buying a policy immediately after booking your trip could save you money and provide a greater protection window for trip cancellation benefits, which usually begin on your plan’s effective date. Alternatively, you can generally expect to pay more for coverage if you paid for your trip weeks or months before shopping for insurance. If you want CFAR coverage, providers may implement timelines for when you must purchase a policy. 

How To Save on Travel Insurance

If you’d like to insure your trip but want to keep policy costs low, we recommend shopping around and comparing travel insurance companies and available plans . Many providers allow you to customize your coverage to fit your needs, and one company may offer a similar plan that’s cheaper overall compared to other options.

Customization is another factor to consider when trying to save on travel insurance costs. While you shop, keep in mind what your travel itinerary entails. For example, you might opt out of emergency medical and evacuation coverage if you’re traveling domestically — especially if you have an active health insurance policy through a domestic healthcare provider.

In addition, you can save money by not overinsuring your trip. Consider your health, destination and trip cost when deciding which coverages you need. For instance, if you’re traveling to a remote area without a robust medical system, you may consider purchasing higher medical evacuation coverage than if traveling to an urban area with access to hospitals.  

While there are ways to lower travel insurance costs, cheaper coverage is not always better. 

“Choosing travel insurance to protect your trip, health and belongings is not usually the time to go bargain basement shopping,” said Angela Borden, a product marketing specialist at Seven Corners. “While any travel insurance is usually better than none, deciding to go with the cheapest plan you can find often comes back to haunt you in an emergency.”

Domestic vs. International Travel Insurance Costs

Typically, international travel can result in spending more on prepaid — and often non-refundable — trip costs. An international vacation can involve more than one flight, and if you choose non-refundable hotels or excursions, you could lose a large amount of money without a travel insurance plan. 

However, the more your prepaid expenses, the more your policy will cost you — meaning insurance for an international trip could cost you more than for domestic travel. In addition, many domestic healthcare plans will likely not cover medical care abroad . A plan with emergency medical and evacuation coverage is worth considering while traveling internationally, but it will cost you more than a travel insurance plan without this protection.

According to a Pollfish survey our team conducted in February 2024, 46% of the 1,000 U.S.-based respondents were traveling domestically within the U.S. the last time they bought a travel insurance policy. Many companies sell travel insurance for domestic vacations , which can offer less expensive coverage that’s better suited for this type of trip. For example, the Seven Corners Trip Protection USA plan provides trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, forgoing emergency medical or air travel benefits. This may be ideal if you’re traveling by car and already have a domestic health insurance plan.

What To Consider Before Buying Travel Insurance

To ensure you select the best travel insurance policy for your individual needs, you can consider the following factors.

Coverage Needs

It is important to consider the type of protection you need while traveling. If your trip spans a few days, you may only need basic trip cancellation coverage, whereas a month-long trip may warrant additional medical coverage. Additionally, consider your health, as many domestic health insurance policies do not cover health care outside U.S. borders. Also, think about any add-on coverage you may need. If you foresee needing to cancel your trip for a reason not covered under policy terms, for example, you may want to invest in CFAR coverage.

Credit Card Travel Insurance

It’s worth calling your credit card company before purchasing a travel insurance plan to see if you already have benefits. Many credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, offer travel perks such as rental car coverage, trip cancellation protection, trip delay coverage and more. If you’re comfortable with the amount of coverage provided by your credit card, you can reconsider buying a separate travel insurance policy — saving you money you can put toward other travel expenses.

Claims Processes

We recommend you read up on how a provider handles its claims. Can you, as the policyholder, file a claim multiple ways? How quickly does the provider issue reimbursements? Note that some providers allow you to upload required claim documents online, whereas others require you to submit documents through the mail. We recommend speaking to insurance representatives directly to learn more. You can also browse customer reviews from third-party aggregators, such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot, to better understand how a provider handles claims.

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Not every traveler will need a travel insurance policy. Borden, quoted earlier, provides more insight: “There are times when travel insurance might not be worth it — the most common being if you don’t have many, if any, prepaid trip expenses.” She also points out that this could be the case if you’re staying with family and foregoing hotel expenses. “You don’t need to insure trip expenses if they’re already covered by someone else,” she added.

Is Travel Insurance Worth the Cost?

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation , one in five flights experienced a delay in 2023. Travel insurance can help provide coverage if you experience a delay — one of the many scenarios where a policy can be worth the cost. If you need to cancel your trip, experience a trip interruption, lose your baggage or experience a medical emergency abroad, travel insurance can help you recoup some prepaid, nonrefundable expenses. 

If you’re looking for peace of mind as you plan your trip, we recommend gathering quotes from multiple travel insurance providers to find coverage that suits your needs and your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost of Travel Insurance

Does travel insurance cover covid-19.

Yes, many travel insurance policies consider COVID-19 a covered reason for trip cancellation or delay. Note that providers cover trip interruptions and cancellations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on the condition that you were healthy when you purchased the policy.

Should I purchase “cancel for any reason” coverage?

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage allows you to cancel your trip even for reasons not listed in your insurance provider’s policy. If you are worried about illness or general travel or wish to have the flexibility of canceling, CFAR coverage may be worthwhile. Note that this add-on reimburses up to 75% of your trip costs, not the entire amount.

How much does travel insurance usually cost?

You can expect to pay $35 to $200 per trip, depending on the total trip cost and your age, among other factors. Based on quotes we pulled from five popular providers, the average cost of travel insurance for a $1,000 trip to Cancun, Mexico, for a 35-year-old male is $45.

Does travel insurance cover 100%?

Yes, trip cancellation coverage may cover 100% of your costs if you cancel your trip for a covered reason, such as illness, a family emergency or military deployment. If you purchased CFAR coverage, you can cancel for any reason but will only recoup around 50% to 75% of trip expenses.

What company offers the most affordable travel insurance?

In our review, we found that Travelex’s Basic policies were some of the most affordable on the market. Other affordable travel insurance providers include Nationwide and Faye, which specialize in streamlined online applications and issuance. We recommend getting a quote from each of our recommended providers before buying coverage to ensure you’re getting the best rates.

Additional Travel Insurance Resources

• What Is Travel Insurance?
• Best Travel Medical Insurance Companies
• Single-Trip Travel Insurance
• The Best Senior Travel Insurance Companies
• Travel Protection vs. Travel Insurance
• Best Group Travel Insurance Companies
• Last Minute Travel Insurance
• Should You Buy Travel Insurance for Domestic Vacations?
• Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Methodology: How We Collected Cost Data

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

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

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

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

More Resources

• Destinations
• United States

United States Travel Insurance Requirements

Last updated: 03/07/2024

Do You Need Travel Insurance in the United States?

Traveling within the United States as a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident does not require travel insurance. With that said, the United States remains the destination for travel insurance among Squaremouth customers.

The main reason why so many travelers purchase travel insurance for domestic trips is to protect against the unexpected. The best travel insurance plans will provide reimbursement if you encounter delays, cancellations, medical emergencies, or luggage issues throughout your USA trip.

There are currently no travel insurance requirements for non-U.S. citizens visiting America. However, a tourist visa may be required depending on the country of origin.

How Much Does United States Travel Insurance Cost?

The cost of a trip insurance policy is determined by five key factors; the cost of your trip, your trip’s length, the age of the travelers on your policy, the type of policy you choose, and the amount of coverage the policy offers.

The cost of domestic travel insurance coverage is often cheaper than international plans.

On average, domestic travelers can expect to pay between $200-$250 for a single trip travel insurance policy.

The Best Travel Insurance Benefits for United States Travel

Whether you’re planning on exploring the concrete jungle of New York City or cruising the Pacific Coast Highway in California, trip protection can offer you peace of mind before and during your American adventure.

If you have an upcoming trip planned, we recommend comparing comprehensive travel insurance options that include the following benefits:

• Trip Cancellation : Reimburses up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs in the event you are forced to cancel for a covered reason.
• Trip Interruption : Reimburses up to 150% of your unused prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you need to end your trip early and return home for a covered reason.
• Emergency Medical : Covers the cost of unforeseen medical expenses, such as hospital bills, x-rays, ambulance rides, and emergency dental services.
• Medical Evacuation & Repatriation : Covers the cost of emergency medical evacuations in the event a treating physician deems it necessary for more adequate treatment.
• Travel Delay : Can reimburse the cost of food, accommodations, and transportation if a flight is significantly delayed.
• Baggage & Personal Item Loss : Provides reimbursement for luggage and personal items that go missing, get damaged, or are stolen at any point during your trip.
• Baggage Delay : Provides reimbursement if you need to purchase toiletries, clothes, and other necessities if your luggage is delayed during transit.
• Sports & Activities : Extends valuable travel health insurance benefits to travelers participating in extreme or inherently dangerous activities during their trip.
• 24 Hour Assistance Service : Most travel insurance providers offer 24/7 support to policyholders before, during, and after their trip in the event they have questions about their coverage.

Click here to get a quote for domestic travel insurance.

Understanding U.S. Travel Health Insurance Plans

Since most primary healthcare plans aren’t accepted overseas, travel medical benefits are extremely popular among international travelers. However, having travel health insurance for a domestic trip be equally as beneficial.

If you currently don’t have health insurance, travel medical coverage can cover the cost any unforeseen medical emergencies that occur while traveling.

A travel medical insurance plan can also be a smart option for travelers with limited health insurance or a plan with high deductibles. In this case, we recommend a policy with “primary” Emergency Medical coverage, as it pays out medical bills first.

Given the potential for high costs of healthcare in America, we recommend at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and at least $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage.

Travel Tips for U.S. Vacations

Regardless of where you’re heading or how you’re getting there, it’s important to be prepared for whatever comes your way. Below are some general travel tips to consider when traveling within the USA .

Allow Time for the Unexpected

Even for frequent flyers, it’s hard to predict how early you should arrive at the airport the day of your departure. Checking road closures before you set off is advised.

TSA recommends allowing more than enough time for parking/shuttle transportation, checking a bag, going through security, and navigating to your gate. You can download the MyTSA app to check how busy your airport is expected to be on your day of travel.

Stay Organized

Travel plans are often made over extended periods of time. Keeping important documentation saved and easily accessible can reduce headaches down the road.

• Below are a few examples of documents you should hold on to throughout your trip:
• Booking confirmations
• Any communication with an airline or travel supplier
• Important contact information, such as your travel insurance company’s support line
• Receipts, especially those that may be used in a claim
• Physician notes and other documentation relating to medical care received before or during a trip

Do Your Research

Spend time researching your destination prior to your arrival. This can help you pinpoint the best restaurants, safest areas, and which parts of town to avoid.

The climate and weather conditions can also vary dramatically from one state to the next. Check online for any severe weather alerts so that you can alter your itinerary accordingly.

United States Travel FAQs

What are some “must visit” cities in the united states.

From coast to coast and beyond, the United States is home to some of the world’s most iconic cities. Below, in no particular order, is a list of some of the most popular destinations for travelers within the U.S.:

• New York City, NY
• Honolulu, HI
• San Diego, CA
• Washington, D.C.
• Chicago, IL
• Seattle, WA
• Charleston, S.C.

What is the Best National Park in the United States?

Condé Nast Traveler recently released a list of The 25 Best National Parks in the US. Below are there findings for the top 10:

• Yellowstone National Park
• Denali National Park and Preserve
• Great Sand Dunes National Park
• North Cascades National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• Zion National Park
• Grand Teton National Park
• Canyonlands National Park
• Crater Lake National Park
• Acadia National Park

What is the Best Way to Travel Around America?

There are three primary options when it comes to traveling across the United States:

Flying: A common way to travel the U.S. is to book a flight. It is the fastest way to travel from point A to point B, but delays and cancellations are possible.

Driving: Offers the most flexibility and is the most cost-effective method of transportation. However, if time is constrained, there’s a limit to how much you can see and do.

Amtrak: The Amtrak is a train service that connects through major cities across the country. It can be a great way to see multiple cities, but can be expensive and has limited options.

United States Articles and Press Releases

• Spending Trends: Cost of Travel Decreases Despite Historical Inflation Rates
• U.S. Tourist Destinations Indicate Return to Normalcy This Spring Break

Helpful Resources

• CDC Travel Advisory

Available Topic Experts for Media:

Squaremouth's destination information is free and available for use within your reporting. Please credit Squaremouth.com for any information used.

Squaremouth's topic experts are on hand to answer your questions. Contact a member of our team for media inquiries about Squaremouth Analytics or to schedule an interview.

Steven Benna, Lead Data Analyst: [email protected]

We're here to help!

Have questions about travel insurance coverage? Call us! 1-800-240-0369 Our Customer Service Team is available everyday from 8AM to 10PM ET.

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Is travel insurance worth it?

The right policy can protect your wallet, your belongings and your peace of mind..

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

You might have planned your next vacation, but consider travel insurance before you start packing. A comprehensive policy can protect you if the unexpected happens before or during your trip.

"Travel insurance is often an overlooked investment until the unforeseen happens," says Beth Godlin, president of Aon Affinity Travel Practice . "It's designed to give travelers peace of mind and financial protection against travel risks."

A policy doesn't have to be expensive, according to Godlin, and it can add a layer of protection and security.

Getting travel insurance

How do i get travel insurance, what does travel insurance cover, how much does travel insurance cost.

• Bottom line

There are many options in the travel insurance marketplace: Aggregator site Squaremouth lets you get price quotes from different carriers and, because it receives a commission from the insurance companies on its site, users aren't charged any additional fees.

Allianz has both single-trip and annual plans, with a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy that reimburses up to 80% of prepaid, non-refundable expenses — more than most similar plans on the market.

In addition to trip cancellation, Allianz's popular OneTrip Prime plan includes travel interruption, emergency medical care and emergency transportation. Children 17 and under are covered for free when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

AIG's Travel Guard® plans are great if you need to customize your coverage: The mid-range Travel Guard Preferred plan pays out 100% for trip cancellation and 150% for trip interruption, with up to $50,000 in coverage for medical expenses and up to $500,000 for emergency evacuation. There's even a payout of up to $1,000 if you miss your connection.

Travel Guard® Travel Insurance

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

Policy highlights

Travel Guard offers a variety of plans to suit travel ranging from road trips to long cruises. For air travelers, Travel Guard can help assist with tracking baggage or covering lost or delayed baggage.

24/7 assistance available

If you're booking a trip with an aggregator site like Expedia , review the details of any travel policy that's offered. Plans are usually based on the elements of the trip (hotel, flight, rental car, etc.) and can differ every time you book.

Travel insurance typically costs between 4 and 10% of the overall price tag for your trip. The cost can vary:

• Plans with higher limits and more optional coverage cost more.
• A plan with a CFAR benefit can cost up to 40% more.
• Older travelers typically pay more because there's more of a likelihood of a claim being filed. 

Whichever plan you choose, read the fine print so you understand what you're paying for.

Travel insurance generally covers your expenses, your belongings and your well-being. When shopping for a policy, look for these benefits:

Trip cancellation

If your trip is canceled for a covered reason, a policy will often reimburse airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, tours, cruises and other prepaid, non-refundable expenses. Covered situations can include illness or injury, the death of a family member or traveling companion, job loss, military deployment and even unplanned jury duty, according to Allianz's Daniel Durazo.

Cancellations can also be covered if a natural disaster, severe weather or airline strike prevents your carrier from getting you to your destination for at least 24 hours.

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) plans provide a lot more flexibility and typically reimburse 50% to 75% of your expenses. But they can bump up the cost by about 40%, said Durazo, and policyholders are still usually required to cancel no later than 48 hours before their scheduled departure. 

Trip delay 

Should you experience a hiccup in your plans, your policy can provide some relief: Food, lodging and local transportation are usually covered if a delay is due to severe weather, airline maintenance or civil unrest.

"For a traveler to be eligible, they must be delayed for the minimum amount of time listed on their policy," Squaremouth spokesperson Megan Moncrief said. "Some policies are very lenient and provide benefits for any length delay, while others list a length requirement — usually somewhere between three to 12 hours."

Daily payout limits range from $150 to $250 per traveler, Moncrief said, while the total policy limit can be anywhere from $500 to $2,000. Save any receipts to submit with your reimbursement claim.

Don't miss: The best credit cards with trip delay insurance

Trip interruption

Should you need to cut your trip short due to illness or injury, or if there's a family emergency back home, your policy may reimburse non-refundable expenses you forfeited.

It may also cover the cost of a one-way economy airline ticket home.

Baggage loss

Airlines are required to compensate passengers luggage lost in transit, but a travel insurance policy may have a higher benefit limit, and cover you if your bags, passport or other possessions are lost, damaged or stolen once you've gotten to your destination., The Platinum plan from AXA Assistance USA has a $3,000 benefit limit for lost luggage, well beyond the $1,700 that airlines are required to cover on international flights. AXA has offices in more than 50 countries, with multilingual operators available 24 hours a day to help reschedule flights, book hotels and make other arrangements.

AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance

AXA Assistance USA offers several travel insurance policies that include travel interruption, trip cancellation, and the option of cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

Travel insurance doesn't cover every loss: Cash is not reimbursable and many policies won't reimburse for expensive jewelry or heirloom items. Read your policy carefully to see what is included.

Medical expenses and emergency evacuation

If you travel within the U.S., your health insurance should cover any illness or injury you sustain. If you're traveling abroad, though, your plan may provide little or no coverage. The right travel insurance should cover doctors' fees and hospital bills, Durazo said. 

The provider can also help coordinate care and ensure you're at a medical facility that's up to U.S. standards.

An emergency medical evacuation can be a major expense, costing anywhere from $15,000 to over $200,000, Durazo added.

If you've spent money on nonrefundable airline tickets, tours and hotels, you could be at a loss if something goes awry. Travel insurance covers numerous scenarios, from a medical emergency to a tropical storm. It could be particularly useful if:

• You've spent a lot on prepaid, non-refundable expenses
• You're traveling internationally where your health insurance won't apply
• You're traveling to a remote area
• Your flight involves multiple connections or destinations

"When deciding if travel insurance is right for you, ask yourself how much you could stand to lose if you had to cancel at the last minute," said Godlin.

If you're not as concerned about risk, your credit card may offer built-in travel protection if you book with that card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® , Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Card and the  *American Express® Gold Card all come with trip cancellation and interruption coverage, among other benefits.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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 plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025

Welcome bonus

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℠.

Regular APR

22.49% - 29.49% variable

Balance transfer fee

5%, minimum $5

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Terms apply.

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

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

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

21.49% - 28.49% variable

Foreign transaction fees

Excellent/Good

American Express® Gold Card

4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Not applicable

See Pay Over Time APR

See rates and fees , terms apply.

Read our American Express® Gold Card review .

Research your card's travel benefits before making any purchases related to your trip.

Policies vary, but most comprehensive travel insurance plans cover travel cancellation and interruption, baggage loss, medical care and emergency transportation.

While the price for coverage varies, most policies cost between 4% and 10% of the trip's prepaid, non-refundable expenses.

When should I get travel insurance?

It's best to take out a policy within days of making your reservations.

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?

If you contract COVID-19 before or on your trip, it may be covered by your policy's trip cancellation/interruption benefit . You'll likely have to confirm your test results with a diagnosis from a healthcare provider.

Bottom line 

Travel can be a wonderful experience, but it involves a lot of time, planning and money. Missing a single connection can have a cascade effect that impacts your flight, hotel room, dinner reservations and more. A good travel insurance policy can provide peace of mind so you can focus on your vacation.

Compare and find the best life insurance

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

Meet our experts

At CNBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority. For this story, we interviewed Beth Godlin, president of Aon, which provides custom travel insurance for tour operators, cruise lines, travel websites and others. We also spoke with former Squaremouth Megan Moncrief and Allianz communications director Daniel Durazo.

Why trust CNBC Select?

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

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

For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card , click here .

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June 1, 2020

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

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

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

This is a test environment. Please proceed to AllianzTravelInsurance.com and remove all bookmarks or references to this site.

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

How Do I Know How Much Travel Insurance to Buy?

Still can’t decide how much travel insurance you need? Give us a call! Our travel insurance advisers can explain each plan’s benefits and help you pick the right one for your trip.  

Related Articles

• 7 Reasons to Buy Yearly Travel Insurance
• What Factors Affect the Cost of Travel Insurance?
• Compare Travel Insurance: How to Pick the Perfect Plan

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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

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

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How Much Is Travel Insurance? | Money

Having a policy that protects you against medical emergencies, trip cancellations and even lost or stolen luggage can put your mind at ease while traveling abroad. However, the price of travel insurance varies widely depending on variables such as your age, the length of your stay and the level of coverage you desire.

In this article, we break down the factors that affect the cost of travel insurance and offer tips to help you choose an affordable travel insurance plan.

The main factors that affect the cost of travel insurance

There are a lot of variables that can affect how much you pay for travel insurance. These include your age, the policy’s level of coverage, and the cost of your trip, among others.

Bear in mind, however, that travel insurance policies vary by provider, so some travel insurers may not consider all of the factors listed below when determining the cost of your plan.

Number of travelers

When traveling with a large group, the odds of someone in your party experiencing an accident or mishap increase. With that in mind, larger parties may pay more per person for their travel insurance to reflect the increased risk to the insurer.

However, not all insurance companies charge more for group coverage, so whether the total number of travelers in your party has any bearing on your premium will depend on the policy and company you select.

Moreover, many insurers offer group discounts, so you could pay less for a group policy than you would for individual policies for everyone in your party. And if you split the cost of the policy among the members of your group, you could further reduce your premium.

Traveler age

The price of travel insurance can vary widely depending on the policyholder’s age. In general, the older the traveler, the greater the policy cost. This is because older adults may be more prone to experiencing medical problems abroad. Moreover, some travel insurance plans provide limited coverage for travelers over a particular age.

Older travelers should also be aware that while travel insurance companies don’t consider the applicant’s medical history when pricing a policy, most don’t automatically include coverage for pre-existing conditions. This means their insurance may not pay out if they relapse or have symptoms of an illness or medical condition for which they sought or received treatment within a certain time frame before purchasing the policy.

Nevertheless, some travel insurers offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, provided the traveler meets certain requirements. These may include purchasing coverage within a specified number of days after making their initial trip deposit, insuring the full cost of the trip and canceling a few days before your departure date.

Coverage limits

Coverage limits refer to how much your insurance company will pay you for a covered claim. Limits vary by company and plan as well as coverage type.

For example, a policy’s medical coverage limits could range between a few thousand dollars and hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the plan. On the other hand, limits for emergency dental tend to be much lower, typically between $500 and a few thousand dollars.

The higher your coverage limits, the more expensive the plan. This means you’d pay more for a policy that will reimburse you up to the full cost of the trip if you had to cancel or interrupt your vacation than for one that covers up to a few thousand dollars.

Similarly, purchasing add-ons that augment or expand your coverage, such as cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) insurance or adventure sports coverage, can considerably increase the cost of your policy. CFAR coverage, for example, can cost as much as 50% of the total price of your plan.

According to Allianz Travel Insurance , the cost of policies that include trip cancellation and interruption coverage will partly depend on the total cost of the trip. This is because travel insurers that offer such coverage take on greater risk by insuring trips with higher pre-paid non-refundable expenses.

On another note, travelers who have invested a considerable amount of money in non-refundable trip costs may choose higher coverage limits to protect their investment, increasing the price of their policy.

However, when choosing coverage options and limits, don’t go by the cost of your trip alone. Instead, consider your risks (including the activities you plan to participate in) and whether you already have some travel protection through your credit card.

Trip length

The likelihood of you filing a travel insurance claim increases the longer you are on vacation. This means some travel insurance companies charge more for longer or multi-destination trips than shorter or single-destination trips.

The length of your trip may result not only in higher premiums but also in reduced coverage. Since some policies have restrictions or exclusions for longer trips or sell separate policies for longer journeys, it’s important to read your policy details to ensure you have the right type and level of coverage.

Travel destination

Depending on your insurer, your destination may affect the price and scope of your travel insurance policy.

Some travel insurance companies consider the following destination-related details when pricing policies:

• Medical costs : Medical care costs vary considerably by country and even region. If you are visiting a destination with high emergency care costs, consider a travel medical insurance policy with higher coverage limits.
• Political stability : You may need higher trip cancellation or interruption coverage limits if you’re visiting a region with political instability or a higher risk of terrorism or civil disturbances.
• Extreme activities : You’ll likely have to purchase a policy add-on if you want to be covered against accidents and injuries that result from high-risk activities like bungee jumping or skydiving.

Make sure the coverage you’re contemplating doesn’t list exclusions that could prevent you from using it for your intended trip, activity or location.

Travel insurance pricing examples

Again, what you pay for travel insurance will depend on some or most of the aforementioned variables. In general, however, you can expect to pay between 4% and 12% of your trip cost on travel insurance.

The following are estimates to help you get a better idea of what you could expect to pay for coverage as a single traveler:

* We did not gather quotes for different destinations because some insurers don’t account for that factor when pricing their policies. Moreover, we wanted to focus on price fluctuations based on the traveler’s age and trip cost and length. These sample quotes were obtained from insuremytrip.com.

The cost of a group travel insurance policy will depend on the number of travelers in the group, their ages and the cost of the trip. A family of four traveling to Italy can expect to pay between $276 and $942 for travel insurance, depending on the policy and coverage limits they select. A group of 10, on the other hand, could expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,700.

Again, these are only ballpark figures. Your policy’s final cost will depend on your personal and trip details and the company you purchase your policy from. To ensure you get the coverage you need at an affordable price, shop around and compare policy details and costs from different insurance providers.

How to save on travel insurance

Travel insurance can mitigate the financial risks associated with accidents and setbacks that can take place during a trip. However, coverage can get pricey, so let’s review ways to cut costs without sacrificing protection.

Only buy the coverage you need

The best way to save on travel insurance is to know what kind of coverage you’re likely to need during your trip. You can base this on your destination, non-refundable trip expenses, the length of your vacation, the value of your belongings and the types of activities you plan on participating in.

If you’re only traveling within your home country, you may not need to pay for separate travel medical insurance because your regular health insurance policy may already cover you. Similarly, you may not need baggage delay or loss coverage if you bring a few items on your trip.

Check if your credit card company offers complimentary travel insurance coverage

Some of the best travel credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance coverage for cardholders. The travel protection afforded by credit cards varies by issuer, but some common types include trip cancellation insurance, car rental insurance and medical emergency assistance. See if your credit card provider offers travel insurance, and if so, know what it covers.

Compare quotes from at least three travel insurance providers

Travel insurance costs vary widely from company to company. This means you can find the best deal on travel insurance by simply comparing quotes from different companies. Compare coverage and prices, and remember that the least expensive choice may not always afford you the best protection.

How to buy travel insurance

Inexperienced travelers may feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of travel insurance options available. But comparing plans and purchasing coverage doesn’t have to be complicated or too time-consuming.

Here are some pointers to help you get started:

• Buy sooner rather than later : Insurers may require you to purchase your policy within a few days after your initial trip deposit to purchase CFAR coverage or be eligible for a pre-existing conditions waiver. And while it’s true that you can purchase travel insurance at any time before your trip, doing so as soon as you book can ensure you have trip cancellation coverage right away, even before your scheduled departure date.
• Compare different policies : There are many travel insurance options, so shop around to get the right one. Look at coverage options and limits, deductibles and total cost when looking for the best travel insurance companies .
• Choose a reputable company : There are plenty of travel insurance companies on the market, so pick an insurer or marketplace with a solid reputation that’s responsive to customer questions and concerns.
• Read the policy carefully : The best way to avoid unpleasant surprises down the road is to read and understand your policy details. Knowing what and how much your travel insurance policy covers can help you take the necessary steps before your trip and better prepare you for filing a claim if it ever comes to that.
• Ask questions : Don’t hesitate to ask the travel insurance provider any questions about the coverage and limitations of a policy you’re considering.
• Purchase your travel insurance : Once you find a policy that works for you, you can buy it online or over the phone directly from a travel insurance agency or marketplace.

Summary of Money’s How Much Is Travel Insurance

Though estimates vary across the industry, you can expect to pay between 4% and 12% of the cost of your trip for travel insurance. Nevertheless, what you’ll actually pay for a policy will depend on several variables, including your age, the cost of your trip, where you’re going, how long you’re staying and the coverage options and limits you select.

Before buying a policy, it’s best to research and compare several options to find adequate coverage at the right price.

© Copyright 2023 Money Group, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Money’s full disclaimer .

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Warmer spring-like weather forecast in UK after chilly April

Grey skies and persistent rain could be replaced by temperatures as high as 20C in south-east England

Chilly April is on its way out with the coming days set to usher in warmer temperatures more akin to spring, according to the Met Office.

The lack of sunshine, grey skies and persistent rain have contributed to it feeling unusually cold as April comes to a close.

But forecasters expect that to change from Wednesday, with temperatures in south-east England in the mid to high teens and possibly nudging 20C and beyond later in the week in some southern areas.

The Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “It wouldn’t be harder to be warmer, compared to what it has been like recently. Temperatures have been below average for the last couple of weeks across most of the UK and particularly chilly for the last few days.

“So yes, it is turning warmer. But it’s not going to be too exceptional for early May. Temperatures will be recovering to close to average values by Tuesday and Wednesday, possibly a little bit above average by the end of the week so we could see highs locally up to low 20s. But it won’t be for everyone.

“We are not going to see blue skies and wall-to-wall sunshine. There will be some sunshine, but there will also be quite a lot of cloud and some showery rain at times this week.

“Compared to last week it will be much warmer and a bit drier too, but quite mixed weather day to day and nothing particularly warm for the time of year.”

The highest temperatures are most likely to be across central and western England, and perhaps south Wales . But there will be regional variations. “On the coast, for example Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, it could just be 12C or 13C, whereas in London it could be 19C or 20C. So there will be big regional variances. Possibly 22C to 23C is the absolute maximum towards Friday, but that would require everything to come together, lots of sunshine, light winds etc,” Morgan said.

If everything did come together, it is possible areas including northern Scotland could see “an isolated 20C”, he added. “But probably the highest temperatures will be in central and southern England and parts of south Wales.”

April has been a “month of two halves” with a warmer first fortnight followed by chillier second fortnight. There has been an average of 99mm of rainfall in April so far, which is 27% higher than usual for the month.

And while it would be warmer going into May, it would be “nothing like a heatwave or anything like that”, said Morgan.

“Having said that, as you go towards the first bank holiday weekend, it does look mostly fine for a large part of the UK, with high pressure dominating, so mostly dry and temperatures fairly reasonable for the time of year of between 18C to 21C for lots of the UK.”

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Best term life insurance companies

How to find the best term life insurance company for you, frequently asked questions.

Not everyone needs life insurance that covers you for your entire life. For anyone looking for more temporary coverage — like those with young children or a mortgage to pay off — there is term life insurance. Term life insurance provides coverage for a pre-set period of time, which is usually between 10 and 30 years. In exchange for your regularly paid premium, your beneficiaries receive a payout if you die while the policy is active. However, the payout tends to be lower compared to other types of life insurance policies. Bankrate’s guide to the best term life insurance can help you find an insurer that meets your policy needs and budget.

Compare life insurance providers quickly and easily

See which provider is right for you.

Whole life insurance combines life insurance with an investment component.

• Coverage for life
• Tax-deferred savings benefit if premiums are paid
• 3 variations of permanent insurance: whole life, universal life and variable life include investment component

Term life insurance is precisely what the name implies: an insurance policy that is good for a specific term of time.

• Fixed premium over term
• No savings benefits
• Outliving policy or policy cancellation results in no money back

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The best term life insurance companies depend on an individual’s needs and preferences. While your quoted premium will typically not vary as much as for life quotes as home or auto insurance, different companies do offer different coverage types and levels. We chose the following companies based on their third-party financial strength and J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores , as well as the policy options and available coverage capacities (the maximum dollar amount a policy can be). It may be helpful to start your research with the following providers:

Why we chose it: State Farm has the highest J.D. Power score for customer satisfaction on our list.

State Farm is our 2024 Bankrate Awards winner for Best Term Life Insurer for the third year in a row thanks to its superior AM Best score and near-nationwide availability. State Farm offers several term insurance products, but its return-of-premium policy option may be particularly helpful for certain term life insurance policyholders. This add-on coverage (also known as a life insurance rider ) lets policyholders choose between a 20- or 30-year payment term and receive a portion of their premiums back if they outlive the term. The return-of-premium policy can be renewed annually until age 95. While the return-of-premium option comes at an additional cost, it also builds cash value , which is rare in a term life insurance policy.

Why we chose it: Mutual of Omaha offers easy online quoting for its term life insurance policies and a wide array of riders for potential policy customization.

If you want to get an idea of how much term life insurance might cost, Mutual of Omaha offers a term life insurance quote tool online. Enter your gender, date of birth, tobacco usage and coverage amount to get a rate. Mutual of Omaha offers a plethora of additional riders that can be added to its term life policies. It should be noted that not every rider can be used with every type of policy. To verify how much coverage you need and which riders can be added to your policy, you may want to consult with an agent. This company also offers a locator service to help you find a financial advisor near you.

Why we chose it: Pacific Life has term life insurance policy options with high coverage levels.

Anyone wanting to tailor their term life insurance with riders or purchase higher coverage limits might consider Pacific Life for term life insurance. The carrier offers two policy options, Promise Term and Elite Term, both of which are convertible to cash value life insurance. Its Promise Term policy offers a minimum amount of $50,000 in coverage, while the Elite Term starts at $750,000 and goes to $3 million or more. Available options include a waiver of premium for disability, as well as a terminal illness and child term rider.

Why we chose it: Northwestern Mutual offers a wide array of informational resources and policy management tools online.

Northwestern Mutual is the largest life insurer in the U.S. by direct premiums written, with just over 7 percent of the total market share. The company has been insuring consumers for more than 150 years. Its term policies allow you to select your coverage period based on either a set amount of years or until a specific age, depending on which option is most suitable for you. Northwestern Mutual plans are also convertible to whole life insurance , meaning you may be able to adjust your policy as your needs evolve. The company’s A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best is the highest level available. However, the company only offers one term life insurance rider, so if you want greater policy customization, it may not be the carrier for you.

Why we chose it: Guardian life insurance offers four different term lengths and a long list of potential riders.

Guardian's term life insurance policies are available in four term lengths. The carrier also has a long list of riders for potential policy customization, including a guaranteed renewability clause in the event that you are diagnosed with a serious illness. However, be aware that the company does not offer a network of local agents, so if you prefer to handle your insurance needs face-to-face, you may not be satisfied with the level of service.

There are several factors to consider when shopping for a quality term life insurance policy. Since your life insurance will ultimately be responsible for providing the coverage you want for your family, these considerations may be beneficial to keep in mind when determining which provider is right for you. In addition to policy types, you could consider the following.

Consider customer satisfaction scores and financial strength ratings

Customer satisfaction scores may provide insight for consumers looking to purchase insurance products. These scores reflect how satisfied existing customers may be with the customer service and claims process. You might use these scores to get an idea of how your customer experience could be and which carrier might best fit your expectations.

A life insurance company’s financial strength score reflects its past ability to pay out claims and could help you decide if a company is financially sound. Third-party agencies such as AM Best and S&P publish financial strength ratings for each major provider.

Consider your personal situation

Term life insurance remains active for only a set number of years. To decide whether term life insurance is right for you, it may be helpful to consider what you want coverage for. Do you simply want coverage while your children are young, or would you prefer lifelong coverage?

While term life insurance may be sufficient for temporary needs, like ensuring you could pay off debt and finance college for your kids if you were to pass away, it may not be the right choice if you want coverage for longer. If you need coverage for final expenses or to take care of a lifelong dependent, permanent life insurance may be a better choice. There are several options to choose from, including:

• Whole life insurance : Whole life offers level premiums and a guaranteed death benefit for life. It also builds cash value over time, which you may be able to access through withdrawals or loans. 
• Universal life insurance : Similar to whole life, universal life offers permanent coverage with more flexibility. You can increase or decrease premium payments or the death benefit if life circumstances change. 
• Final expense life insurance : If you only need a small amount of coverage or have serious health issues, final expense life insurance may be your best option. It works like whole life, but doesn’t require a medical exam. Some policies are guaranteed issue, meaning there is no medical exam or health questions on the application. 

Compare multiple quotes

Getting quotes for different types and levels of coverage may help you get an idea of how much you’ll pay for your life insurance. However, keep in mind that term life insurance quotes for the same person and policy type likely won’t vary as much from company to company as auto insurance or home insurance quotes do.

How does term life insurance work?

Term life insurance is a type of life insurance that offers coverage for a set period of time, or term. Term life is usually the most affordable type of life insurance because it only lasts for a specific number of years, usually 10 to 30 years. Unless you buy return-of-premium life insurance, you receive nothing back if you outlive the term. However, many term life insurance policies offer the option to convert to a permanent life insurance policy at the end of the term. Many carriers also provide the option to renew a term life policy annually if you still need coverage past the expiration date.

What is the difference between term and whole life insurance?

Term insurance is designed to provide a death benefit if the insured passes away within the policy term. As the name suggests, term life insurance remains active for a predetermined “term,” which is the window of time that the policyholder chooses — typically between 10 and 30 years. When the term expires, the policyholder stops paying the premiums and the death benefit will no longer be paid out. Whole life insurance , on the other hand, is a type of permanent policy that pays out when the insured dies as long as premiums are paid. It typically contains two parts: a death benefit and a cash value component. Because whole life insurance policies usually have larger payouts, premiums can be two to three times more expensive than a term policy.

What factors impact my life insurance premium?

Life insurance premiums are largely based on mortality risk. In general, the higher the likelihood someone has of passing away while the policy is active, the higher the premium will be. Each insurer has its own underwriting algorithm for calculating your rate. Although each underwriting process is different, your age, gender, weight, health conditions, smoking history and occupation are typically used to help calculate your premium. The amount of coverage that you want to purchase is another key factor in determining the cost of life insurance . For those looking for cheap life insurance , it may be wiser to start shopping at a younger age.

Does having a preexisting condition impact my ability to purchase term life insurance?

Yes, having a preexisting condition may impact your ability to purchase term life insurance. Different conditions may be considered more or less serious by different insurers. If a life insurance provider does approve you for a term life policy with a preexisting condition, your premium may be high to reflect the health risks. Insurance providers may be more likely to approve you if you have conditions that can be managed. For instance, if you have Type 2 diabetes and maintain a healthy lifestyle, you may be more likely to be approved for term life insurance. If you have a preexisting condition, speaking with a licensed insurance agent may help you navigate your life insurance options.

Is term life insurance cheaper than whole life insurance?

The cost of life insurance will vary based on your policy details and personal rating factors, but term life insurance coverage is typically cheaper than whole life insurance, a type of permanent coverage. This is because whole life insurance is designed to offer coverage for your entire life and guarantee a payout to your beneficiaries, as long as premiums are paid and terms of the policy are met. Term coverage, on the other hand, may not pay out a death benefit if you outlive the policy term and do not renew your coverage. That being said, the cost of life insurance coverage varies based on coverage amount and individual risk rating factors, so a term policy with a high coverage amount for an older individual may cost more than a permanent policy for a younger applicant with a low coverage amount.

Protect Your Trip »

The 8 best neck pillows for travel.

Avoid a literal pain in the neck with these expert-approved travel pillows.

The Best Neck Pillows for Travel

Courtesy of Cabeau

The Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow is one of the best neck pillows for travel.

Just like the pillow you use at home , the best neck pillow for travel is the one that makes you feel most comfortable, allowing you to relax, rest and ultimately fall asleep on the go. The difference, however, is that a travel pillow is typically used when sitting up, which means it needs to provide enough support to keep your head from bobbing.

Based on recommendations from travel experts and advice from physicians, these are the best neck pillows for travel.

Best Overall: Cabeau Evolution S3

Best affordable: mvloc travel pillow, best for long flights: trtl travel pillow, best multipurpose: huzi infinity pillow, best inflatable: sunany inflatable travel pillow, best silk: slip jet setter travel pillow, best for backpacking: marchway ultralight inflatable camping pillow, best for kids: bcozzy double support neck pillow.

Frequent travelers praise the design of the Cabeau Evolution S3, which is made of a special dual-density memory foam. "My pillow at home is made with memory foam so it's like bringing a piece of home on my travels," says travel blogger Jasmine Cheng of The Wandering Girl . "The sides are also raised, which prevents my head from moving when I'm sleeping." Travelers also appreciate the patented seat strap system that attaches the pillow to a seat or chair headrest as well as the slim flattened back, both of which prevent the head from bobbing.

A handy storage pouch on the side of the pillow allows you to keep your earbuds or other small items close by, and the pillow comes with a clasp that attaches to carry-on luggage . The removable pillow cover, which comes in a variety of colors, is machine-washable. What's more, this travel pillow can be stored in an included carry bag that condenses it to half its size.

Price: $39.99 or less Shop now: Amazon | Cabeau

Travelers appreciate the support (and the price tag) of this memory foam travel pillow. An adjustable rope lock allows you to secure the pillow to your neck for maximum support and comfort. The breathable and machine-washable cloth exterior prevents overheating. This travel pillow also comes with earplugs and an eye mask for ultimate relaxation.

Price: $29.99 or less Shop now: Amazon

Courtesy of Trtl

The patented design of the Trtl Travel Pillow – with a hidden internal neck support surrounded by soft, hypoallergenic fleece – makes it a favorite among travelers, particularly for long flights. "Something about it just hits right in a travel accessory category where nothing previously worked for me," explains Meaghan Clawsie, luxury travel advisor at Elated Escapes . "I no longer have any back or neck pain when resting on long-haul flights." Simply wrap the pillow around your neck like a scarf, secure it in place with its built-in fastener and rest your head on the support.

If you tend to overheat easily, there's also the Trtl Pillow Cool , made with Tencel fibers to keep you at a comfortable temperature; a mesh panel makes the pillow particularly breathable as well. Both pillows are machine-washable.

Price: $59.99 or less Shop now: Amazon | Trtl

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Courtesy of Huzi Design

If you're not sold on the classic U-shaped neck pillows for travel, consider this snake-like option instead. Able to be twisted into a variety of positions, the versatile Huzi Infinity Pillow provides whatever support feels best – even if that means resting your head on the tray table for a bit. You can also wear it around your neck like a scarf for neck and back comfort (even when you're not snoozing), use it as an eye mask, or drape it over your head if you get cold or want to block out noise.

Travelers love the pillow's bamboo fabric, describing it as soft, smooth and cool. Since it's filled with polyester, the whole pillow can be tossed in the washing machine , unlike its memory foam counterparts. The Infinity Pillow is available in nearly a dozen different colors, including gray, navy and pink.

Price: $45 or less Shop now: Amazon | Infinity Pillow

Read:  What to Pack in Your Carry-on Bag

Courtesy of Sunany

Travelers love the H-shaped design of this inflatable pillow because it allows for use in multiple directions and supports both sides of the head and neck with a flat back. A removable hood on the pillow is a bonus: It encourages a cozy feel and prevents cold drafts from too much air conditioning. For optimal comfort, it is recommended to inflate the pillow about 80% to 90%.

A pocket for your earbud case on this travel pillow provides convenient access for listening to music, and the removable velour cover is machine-washable. The lightweight inflatable pillow can be stored in the included waterproof drawstring bag, which can also be attached to luggage. This travel neck pillow is available in black, gray and blue.

Courtesy of Slip

Travel pillows don't get softer than this luxurious new option by Slip. The Jet Setter Travel Pillow is made with the highest-grade long fiber mulberry silk, which helps to prevent skin creases and bedhead. It also comes with a carrying case with handles. The Jet Setter Travel Pillow is available in three prints and a pretty solid blush color.

Price: $99 or less Shop now: Amazon | Slip

While you can often bring your pillow from home for tent camping, backpacking requires something more lightweight, such as this inflatable option by Marchway. "An inflatable pillow is a game-changer when it comes to backpacking, and an ultralight pillow can't be beat," says Leilani Osmundson , digital producer for travel at U.S. News. "The Marchway pillow fits the bill: It's comfortable, packable and extremely lightweight." This pillow is designed for both back and side sleepers, and doubles as a lumbar support for everyday travels and needs. Once it's deflated, you can machine-wash the cover before folding the pillow into an included drawstring bag.

Price: $13.99 or less Shop now: Amazon

Courtesy of BCOZZY

The BCOZZY neck pillow is ideal for all travelers – including kids, with small sizes for youngsters between 3 and 7 years old, and medium options for ages 8 and 12. Travelers like the ergonomic design of the patented pillow, which supports the head and neck by propping the chin up. Overlapping pillow arms, which wrap around the neck and under the chin, can be tightened based on the level of support you need.

If you or your child is a side sleeper, fold the pillow in half, double up the sides and place it on your shoulder, leaning your head to the side. An elevated side option allows you to overlap the pillow arms on top of each other and rotate it 90 degrees to the side for double support for the neck and chin.

This travel pillow is available in a variety of colors and patterns, including light blue and pink hearts. A snap strap attaches the included travel bag to your child's luggage , and you can throw the pillow in the washing machine after your trip.

Price: $44.97 or less Shop now: Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Experts agree a supportive pillow is essential for travel. "The biggest issue many travelers experience when sleeping on a plane is that the seats don't recline enough," explains Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a sleep/wake and performance specialist who is dual board certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. "This often results in the head being just on the brink of tipping forward – which is not a comfortable sleeping position. Because of this insufficient recline, it is important to keep padding behind the head and neck minimal to reduce the tendency for the head to tip forward."

Most travel pillows are designed to be worn around the neck, providing enough support to prevent the head from tipping forward.

When shopping for a neck pillow for travel, experts recommend considering the following factors:

Proper head support:  What's most important is ensuring your head is supported in the right places by your travel pillow – and, in particular, not being pushed forward by excessive padding. "A good pillow would provide support for side sleeping, rather than a lot of padding behind the head, which just pushes the head forward too much," says Dimitriu.

Material: Consider both the external and internal material of the pillow:

External: Chiropractic physician Eric Smith advises to make sure the material of your travel pillow is breathable and won't subject you to an overheated sleep, since one of the main reasons for moving around a lot as you sleep is getting too hot. "When your face gets too hot on one side, even if you're sleeping, you're going to move from it because it's too warm," Smith explains.

There's no real consensus on which material is best for a cool, comfy sleep – and different people will have different preferences – so Smith's advice is to try before you fly (and don't hesitate to request a refund if your chosen pillow isn't working out).

• Internal: Memory foam pillows tend to offer more firm support – something Smith recommends for anyone, but especially older travelers. "The majority of patients I have that get older, we actually need a more firm pillow, we need a more firm bed, we need more support," Smith says. Pillows filled with microbeads mold more to the neck and head, while inflatable pillows can be adjusted to your preferences based on how much air you use to blow them up.

A travel pillow for your neck isn't considered a carry-on or personal item (and the same generally goes for small, loose items like jackets and umbrellas). That said, it's always best to review your airline's carry-on luggage size restrictions before traveling.

A good neck pillow for travel isn't the only key to achieving a decent sleep while in transit. "From the standpoint of evolution, we're kind of hardwired to be a little bit more on high alert in those situations," explains Rebecca Robbins, an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and scientist at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. "We're a little bit more in fight or flight mode; our brain is subconsciously scanning the environment for threats and there are new sounds and new smells."

She recommends finding elements that are relaxing to you, which might include some of the following:

• Travel blanket: Look for something lightweight, such as the EverSnug Travel Blanket on Amazon. This blanket comes with a carrying case, which can double as a pillow when the blanket is stored inside.
• Essential or aromatherapy oils: Scents like lavender and peppermint can be especially calming.
• Earplugs: Choose headphones that block some or all external noise. The Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones are especially well rated.
• White noise app: There are a variety of free apps, or you can try a paid option like Calm (which offers a free trial).
• Eye mask: An eye mask like this cotton option on Amazon helps to block out the bright light on planes.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Compression Socks for Travel
• The Top Walking Shoes for Travel
• The Top Carry-on Backpacks
• Can I Use My Own Airplane Seat Belt Extender?
• The Best Travel Medical Insurance Plans

Tags: Travel , Travel Gear

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Travel Insurance For Vietnam: Everything You Need To Know

Updated: Apr 26, 2024, 11:14am

Table of Contents

Do australians need travel insurance for vietnam, what does travel insurance for vietnam cover, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Vietnam is an increasingly popular travel destination for Australians, with the country even hoping to encourage more Aussies to visit by potentially waiving visa requirements in due time.

The Southeast Asian country is set to be high on the list for Aussies going overseas in 2024. The number of Australian tourists in Vietnam now exceeds pre-pandemic levels: more than 317,000 Australians visited Vietnam in 2019 , while there were 390,000 Aussie visitors in 2023.

Plus, as more and more flights become available, such as low-cost carrier Vietjet Air launching a direct service between Hanoi and Melbourne earlier this year, getting to Vietnam is becoming easier for Australians.

If the direct flights, fascinating history, vast scenery and delicious food aren’t enough to convince Australian travellers, the cost may be. Vietnam is considered one of the cheapest travel destinations in the world for Australian tourists due to our strong conversion rate against the Vietnamese Dong and the nation’s low cost of living in comparison to our own.

And while cheap thrills may be what you’re after on your vacation, it’s important not to skimp on the necessities that may cost that little bit extra—such as travel insurance. This guide outlines what you need to know regarding travel insurance in Vietnam.

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Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Investing in travel insurance is a good idea for any overseas trip. Travel insurance policies can help protect you from having to dive deep into your pockets, with many offering unlimited medical treatment while abroad and cancellation cover for your trip should the unexpected occur.

Travel insurance is not just handy for medical purposes or travel changes, either. Your personal items can be covered, should any baggage go missing or an important item be stolen—which, unfortunately, often occurs in Vietnam.

Smarttraveller warns Australians to be alert at all times in Vietnam, considering petty theft–including bag slashing–is common in tourist areas and crowded places, especially during holiday times. Snatch-and-grab theft by thieves on motorcycles is also common, the website states.

Like most international travel insurance policies, you will be able to find basic coverage for your trip to Vietnam, or choose to opt for a more comprehensive, albeit more expensive, policy.

While a basic policy will often cover medical expenses and lost luggage,a comprehensive policy includes a lot more. Most basic policies also likely won’t offer compensation for travel delays, stolen cash, accidental death and more.

Additionally, if you are going on a trip to multiple countries within the year, it may be worth opting for an ‘annual multi trip’ insurance instead—making sure that there are no exclusions to the regions you are wishing to visit.

Visa Requirements For Australians Travelling to Vietnam

You’ll still be allowed to travel to Vietnam if you don’t invest in travel insurance, but you do so at your own risk—and, as stated, it is highly advised to have a travel insurance policy for any overseas trip.

However, what you cannot do is enter Vietnam as an Australian tourist without a tourist visa. While Vietnam will grant Australian citizens visas on arrival, applying for one online is much easier.

A tourist visa costs under $100 AUD; however the exact price depends on your length of stay.

The Vietnamese government may consider waiving visas for Australian citizens, especially since many other SEA countries have done so such as Indonesia and Thailand .

However, at the time of writing, Forbes Advisor Australia has confirmed that Australian citizens must still obtain a visa to visit Vietnam for tourism purposes.

The exact inclusions of your travel insurance will be dependent on your personal policy and the provider.

However, generally speaking, you can expect a travel insurance policy for Vietnam to offer some level of cover for:

• Medical expenses;
• Lost, damaged or stolen luggage;
• Travel cancellations or delays ;
• Personal liability;
• Credit card fraud;
• Covid-19 expenses;

If you are partaking in certain sports and activities, you will need to make sure that you choose a policy that covers them. You’ll also need to make sure that your policy covers any pre-existing medical conditions as well.

Plus, if you are travelling with valuables, you may wish to opt for a policy that lets you increase the protection cover on your items.

Ultimately, you need to consider what your trip consists of, what you will be taking with you, and your physical health to establish what policies would be appropriate for you.

From there, you can compare quotes of different policies and providers to ensure you have the optimal—yet affordable—cover for your trip to Vietnam.

Does Travel Insurance Cover The Ha-Giang Loop?

Considered one of the most scenic motorcycle routes in the world, the Ha-Giang Loop is a popular tourist activity in Vietnam for adventurous travellers. If the Ha-Giang Loop is one of your goals, you’ll need to make sure you have travel insurance that covers motorcycling.

Occasionally a policy may include this as one of their included ‘sports and activities’, but it is more often the case that you will need to purchase an additional ‘adventure pack’ that is either specific to, or includes, motorsports.

Even so, when purchasing an additional pack to cover motorbikes, you need to be cautious of the conditions. For example, some policies will only cover motorcycle riding if the bike you are riding has an engine under a certain size.

Often, coverage will cease and claims won’t be accepted if you haven’t been wearing the correct safety equipment such as boots and a helmet, or have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

What Does Travel Insurance Exclude?

Your travel insurance policy may exclude some activities that you wish to partake in, unless you can opt-in to purchase an additional adventure pack as explained above in regards to motorbike riding.

Just like with the inclusions of a policy, the exclusions depend on what type of policy you choose, and what provider you go with.

Commonly, however, you won’t be covered for instances where you:

• Break the law;
• Are under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• Partake in an excluded activity;
• Receive medical treatment for a pre-existing condition that was not disclosed;
• Travel to a ‘Do Not Travel’ destination as outlined by Smarttraveller.

As always, it is essential to read the product disclosure statement (PDS) of your travel insurance policy carefully to understand what you will and won’t be covered for while overseas.

Do I need a visa to travel to Vietnam?

Yes, as of April 2024, Australian tourists still need a visa to travel to Vietnam. This visa can be obtained on arrival, or purchased online prior to travel. The visa takes approximately three days to process online, and the cost depends on how long you intend to stay in the country.

Does international travel insurance cover Covid-19?

Many comprehensive travel insurance policies now cover Covid-19, including medical conditions related to Covid-19 or trip cancellations due to a Covid-19 diagnosis. However, it is not guaranteed that all policies will. It’s important to check your policy’s PDS carefully to understand what it will and will not cover in regards to Covid-19 for both you and your travelling companions.

Related: Travel Insurance And Covid: Are You Covered?

How much does travel insurance cost for Vietnam?

The cost of your travel insurance for a trip to Vietnam will depend on your age, your health, the activities you wish to partake in, and the length of your stay.

For example, for a 34 year old with no pre-existing medical conditions travelling to Vietnam for two weeks, a policy from some of our top choices for comprehensive travel insurance would cost around $130 (based on quotes from Cover-More , 1Cover , and Fast Cover ).

The prices of these quotes would change depending on a chosen excess, cancellation cover, and any additional coverage options you may choose to purchase such as adventure packs or cruise cover.

Related: How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

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Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally.