Traveling is an investment in creating memorable experiences. Just as you protect your other important investments — like your house and car — with insurance, travel insurance provides financial protection if something goes awry with your travel plans.1
Travel insurance typically costs between 4% and 8% of your total trip cost.2 But prices can vary widely based on factors like your age, trip cost, and the travel insurance company you choose. To help you find the cheapest travel insurance, Insurify examined pricing and coverage information for top travel insurance companies.
Here’s a look at some of the best travel insurance prices and what these insurers offer.
Cheapest travel insurance plans
The right travel insurance plan for you is one that protects your travel investment at the most affordable price. Here’s a look at some of the cheapest travel insurance policies and what each offers.
What travel insurance covers
Vacations can be expensive, especially if you’re planning a long-distance trip, going to an exotic location, or traveling with a group. No matter how well you plan, your trip can easily be derailed by illness, injury, travel delays, or even a simple change of plans.
Travel insurance provides financial protection if and when your travel plans change, either before you depart or while you’re away from home. This coverage can also offer you financial reimbursement if you experience flight delays, lost baggage, and more. And if you get sick or hurt while traveling, it can provide you with the care you need, regardless of where.
A few different travel insurance coverages are available to choose from, depending on which insurer you buy your policy through and how much you’re willing to spend. You can typically choose coverage that provides one or more of the following:
Medical and dental care (especially important since your medical insurance policy typically won’t apply outside the U.S.), including medical evacuation back to the U.S.
Trip or baggage delay and interruption coverage
Trip cancellation coverage
Pet travel and fees
Accidental death or dismemberment
What travel insurance doesn’t cover
Your travel insurance coverage will depend on the policy you purchase. If you buy a medical-based policy, you may not have coverage for things like lost luggage or pet kennel charges. And depending on the company and plan you choose, you might not have options like canceling your trip for any reason.
In general, though, travel insurance typically doesn’t protect you against losses related to:
Named tropical cyclones
Pre-existing medical conditions or known illnesses
Acts of war and terrorism
Epidemics and pandemics
Dangerous or high-risk activities
Types of travel insurance coverage
When shopping for the cheapest travel insurance, it’s important to know what types of coverage are available and which you need. Generally, travel insurance provides the following coverages:3
Travel medical: This coverage pays for covered medical expenses you incur while traveling. You can buy travel insurance that includes only travel medical and medical evacuation coverages.
Medical evacuation: If injury or illness forces you to return home, medical evacuation coverage can pay for costs up to the policy limit.
Trip interruption: If a covered event interrupts your trip, trip interruption insurance offers some compensation.
Trip cancellation: If a covered event or circumstance forces you to cancel your trip, trip cancellation insurance can help reimburse you for your pre-paid, non-refundable travel costs.
Trip delay: Travel delays can cause inconvenience and missed connections. Trip delay coverage can help pay some of the expenses associated with a delay in travel.
Baggage loss or delay: If the airline or tour operator loses your luggage or causes a significant delay in returning it to you, baggage loss coverage reimburses you.
Cancel for any reason (CFAR): This coverage can reimburse some or all of your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses if you must cancel your trip for any reason.
How to find the cheapest travel insurance
Finding the most affordable travel insurance is a great way to protect your trip and your budget at the same time. Here are some tips to consider if you’re looking for the cheapest travel insurance: