Imagine your worst fear coming true while traveling. Maybe you or a family member gets injured, or an emergency at home forces you to cut your trip short. Perhaps an airline loses your suitcase, or a canceled flight leaves you stranded overnight in an unfamiliar city.
While your existing insurance policies or credit card travel protections may offer some coverage, it’s often a good idea to purchase additional protection—especially if you’re traveling internationally.
Navigating Travel Insurance
Shopping for travel insurance can be confusing. With so many companies offering different policies, it’s important to understand what coverage is available and whether you need it all.
We’ve already covered if you should have medical coverage when traveling outside the U.S. (spoilers: you do – Read more here). But beyond medical coverage, you may also want a more comprehensive policy to cover potential travel disruptions.
If you’re looking to compare policies, websites like InsureMyTrip provide a side-by-side comparison of different insurance providers. If you’re going on an adventurous trip, World Nomads specializes in coverage for outdoor and extreme activities. (We personally used their coverage when we went to Iceland.)
Where to Look for Coverage
Before purchasing travel insurance, check what protections you may already have. Some homeowners, renters, health, and auto insurance policies may provide coverage for certain travel-related incidents. Additionally, many premium credit cards offer built-in travel protections, such as trip cancellation, baggage delay, and emergency evacuation benefits.
However, be aware that many of these benefits may be secondary coverage, meaning they only apply after you have exhausted any primary coverage. Understanding what’s already included in your existing policies can help you decide if you need additional insurance.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance Policies
Comprehensive policies typically include medical coverage along with additional travel protections. The cost of these plans varies based on the total expense of your trip. For example, if you’re booking a $10,000 cruise, insurance will need to cover that amount if you cancel for a covered reason.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common coverage options:
Baggage Loss or Delay Coverage
- Bag Delay – If your baggage is delayed for a certain number of hours, you may be reimbursed for necessary purchases like clothing and toiletries.
- Lost Baggage – If your luggage is lost during your trip, you’ll need to prove the value of the lost items to receive reimbursement.
Trip Cancellation & Interruption Coverage
- Trip Cancellation – This covers prepaid expenses if your trip is canceled for a covered reason. Policies usually reimburse up to 100% of the insured trip cost.
- Pro Tip: If standard cancellation benefits don’t cover your primary concerns, consider a plan with Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage. It allows cancellation for any reason but typically reimburses only up to 75% of your trip cost and must be used at least 48 hours before departure.
- Trip Interruption – Covers non-refundable trip costs if you have to cut your trip short for a covered reason. Some policies may reimburse up to 150% of your insured trip cost to cover additional expenses like rebooking flights.
Travel Delay Coverage
If your travel is delayed for a covered reason, you may be reimbursed for unused prepaid expenses, meals, accommodations, and transportation costs. Coverage details vary by policy.
Medical Evacuation Coverage
If you suffer a serious injury or illness and must be transported to a medical facility, this coverage ensures you get the necessary care.
While the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers evacuation coverage up to $100,000, most comprehensive policies provide $250,000 to $500,000.
Additional Coverages
Insurance companies may include extra protections such as:
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment – Unpleasant to think about, but it happens.
- Repatriation of Remains – Covers transportation of remains in case of death abroad.
- Political or Security Evacuation – Provides coverage if you need evacuation due to civil unrest.
- Natural Disaster Evacuation – Covers relocation if a natural disaster disrupts your trip.
- Sporting Equipment Rental – Pays for rental equipment if yours is lost in transit.
- Pet Coverage – Reimburses pet boarding costs if your return is delayed, as well as medical expenses for a traveling pet. Some plans even cover trip cancellation or interruption if your pet is critically ill or passes away within seven days of departure.
- Travel Inconvenience – Covers unexpected disruptions like closed attractions, hotel infestations, rental home lockouts, and more.
Final Thoughts
Travel insurance provides peace of mind by protecting you from financial losses due to unexpected disruptions. While you may already have some coverage through credit cards or other policies, a comprehensive plan ensures you’re prepared for any scenario—whether it’s a minor inconvenience or a major emergency.
Before purchasing a policy, review the details carefully to make sure they cover your specific concerns. Safe travels!
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