Best Travel Insurance Guide

Travel insurance typically covers:

• Trip Cancellation & Interruption: Reimburses up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you need to cancel or cut your trip short for covered reasons
• Emergency Medical: Covers medical expenses while traveling (typically $10,000 to $500,000 depending on the plan)
• Medical Evacuation: Arranges and pays for transportation to appropriate medical facilities or back home if necessary
• Baggage Protection: Compensates for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage (usually $500-$2,500)
• Travel Delays: Provides compensation for meals and accommodations if your trip is delayed (typically after 6-12 hours)

Coverage limits and specific benefits vary by plan and provider. Pre-existing conditions may be covered if insurance is purchased within 14-21 days of initial trip payment.

Travel insurance is typically worth it if:

• Your trip costs more than $3,000
• You're traveling internationally
• You're taking a cruise or organized tour
• Your destination has unpredictable weather
• You have pre-existing medical conditions

Consider that a travel insurance policy typically costs 4-10% of your total trip cost but can protect thousands in potential losses. According to our customer data, 93% of travelers who filed a claim said their travel insurance was worth the investment.

Travel insurance typically costs between 4-10% of your total trip cost. For example:

• $2,000 trip: $80-200 for insurance
• $5,000 trip: $200-500 for insurance
• $10,000 trip: $400-1,000 for insurance

Factors affecting the cost include:

• Age of travelers
• Length of trip
• Destination
• Coverage limits selected
• Number of travelers

Compare multiple providers to find the best value for your specific needs.

You should strongly consider travel insurance if:

• You're spending $3,000+ on your trip
• You're traveling internationally
• Your Medicare/health insurance won't cover you at your destination
• You're taking a cruise or organized tour
• You're traveling during hurricane/storm season
• You have non-refundable deposits

Insurance is typically required for:

• Certain countries (like Schengen visa requirements)
• Many cruise lines
• Some tour operators

Yes, you can purchase travel insurance after booking your trip, but there are important timing considerations:

• Best Time to Buy: Within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit for maximum benefits
• Pre-existing Conditions: Must purchase within specified timeframe (usually 14-21 days) to get coverage
• Cancel For Any Reason: Must purchase within 14-21 days of initial trip deposit
• Latest Purchase: Most providers allow purchase until the day before departure

Note: You cannot purchase insurance after an event occurs (like a storm being named) to cover that specific event.

Travel insurance is a financial safety net that protects your trip investment and provides emergency assistance while traveling. Think of it as a comprehensive protection plan that can help when things go wrong before or during your journey.

Key components include:

• Trip Protection: Covers cancellations, interruptions, and delays
• Medical Coverage: Handles emergency medical expenses abroad
• Baggage Protection: Compensates for lost or delayed luggage
• Emergency Services: Provides 24/7 assistance and evacuation if needed

Most plans offer customizable coverage levels to match your specific travel needs and budget.

Yes, both AAA and AARP offer travel insurance options, but there are important considerations:

AAA Travel Insurance:

• Available to both members and non-members
• Provided through Allianz Global Assistance
• Members may receive special discounts
• Coverage can be purchased through local AAA offices or online

AARP Travel Insurance:

• Available to members age 50+
• Provided through Travel Guard
• Members receive exclusive rates
• Can be purchased online or by phone

Pro Tip:

While AAA and AARP offer convenient options, we recommend comparing their plans with other providers to ensure you're getting the best coverage and value for your specific needs.

While traditional travel insurance doesn't cover travel trailers, you typically need specialized coverage:

Required Coverage:

• Liability insurance (required in most states)
• Collision coverage (if financed)
• Comprehensive coverage (recommended)

Additional Recommended Coverage:

• Personal property coverage
• Emergency expense coverage
• Campsite liability
• Full-timer's coverage (if living in the trailer)

Contact your auto insurance provider or a specialized RV insurer for travel trailer coverage. This is separate from traditional travel insurance.

Optimal Purchase Timeline:

• Book within 14-21 days of initial trip deposit for maximum benefits
• Purchase before paying final trip balance
• Buy before any named storms affect your destination

Benefits of Early Purchase:

• Pre-existing medical condition coverage
• Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) eligibility
• Financial default coverage
• Hurricane coverage

While you can purchase insurance up until the day before departure, buying early provides the most comprehensive protection.

Primary Medical Coverage:

• Pays out first, before your regular health insurance
• No need to contact your personal health insurer
• Faster claims processing
• Usually more expensive

Secondary Medical Coverage:

• Pays after your regular health insurance
• Must file with personal insurance first
• Covers deductibles and what primary insurance doesn't
• Usually less expensive

Recommendation: Choose primary coverage for international travel or if you don't have regular health insurance. Choose secondary if you have good health insurance and want to save money.

Most travel insurance plans now include COVID-19 coverage, but benefits vary by provider and plan:

Typically Covered:

• Medical expenses if you contract COVID-19 during travel
• Trip cancellation if you test positive before departure
• Trip interruption if you test positive during travel
• Emergency medical evacuation if needed

Usually Not Covered:

• Fear of traveling due to COVID-19
• Government travel bans or border closures
• Quarantine requirements without positive test

Note: For maximum protection, consider "Cancel For Any Reason" (CFAR) coverage, which allows you to cancel for any COVID-related concern.

Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) is an optional upgrade to standard travel insurance that allows you to cancel your trip for literally any reason and receive a partial refund. While standard travel insurance only covers specific reasons like illness or natural disasters, CFAR gives you complete flexibility.

Key Points:

• Must purchase within 14-21 days of initial trip deposit
• Must insure 100% of all prepaid, non-refundable trip costs
• Must cancel at least 48 hours before departure
• Reimburses 50-75% of trip costs (varies by provider)
• Typically increases your premium by 40-60%

Common reasons people use CFAR:

• Work conflicts
• Changed mind about traveling
• Fear of traveling due to world events
• Pet illness
• Non-covered family events
• Pregnancy
• Any other reason not covered by standard insurance

Popular CFAR Providers:

• AIG Travel Guard: 50% reimbursement
• Nationwide: 75% reimbursement
• Berkshire Hathaway: 50% reimbursement
• Seven Corners: 75% reimbursement
• Trawick International: 75% reimbursement