The 5 best cruise travel insurance plans

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While smooth sailing will always be the aim, cruising today is often about expecting the unexpected. You can prepare yourself by taking out an insurance policy that can compensate you when your vacation at sea does not go as planned.

Need to cancel your trip last minute due to an accident or illness? Did your bags get delayed or lost? Do you need to exit the sailing early to take care of an emergency back home? Was there a mechanical issue with the ship that required a change of itinerary, causing you to miss your flight home?

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

All of these contingencies and more can be covered; it's just a matter of finding the best insurance policy for you. Here's how to evaluate which plan is the right choice for you, as well as five of the best cruise travel insurance plans available.

The best cruise travel insurance plan will always be a 3rd-party option

low cost cruise insurance

No plan will meet the needs of all cruise travelers, so there is little benefit to booking the one insurance option recommended by your cruise line during the booking process other than convenience.

You'll often find more affordable rates, comprehensive coverage and favorable terms utilizing third-party insurance companies. You'll have a wide choice of plans, so you can pick the one that works the best for your situation.

If you're wondering where the best place is to purchase third-party insurance, "No one comparison site is getting preferential deals," says Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com . "Insurance carriers' rates are the same anywhere." However, these insurance comparison sites can help you directly compare the pricing and coverage of multiple policies by a range of preferred providers.

Look for the following coverage options and compare coverage amounts to determine which third-party plan is the best cruise insurance option for your upcoming trip.

Related: Cruise travel insurance: What it covers and why you need it

Trip cancellation

You'll want to be reimbursed if an unexpected event forces you to cancel your cruise. Be sure to read the fine print of your policy, detailing which specific reasons for canceling your trip are covered and not covered.

Trip interruption and travel delays

You'll also want to be covered if issues occur after travel begins. It's important to find "a plan that offers trip interruption if something does happen during your trip, along with a plan that offers emergency medical evacuation, coverage for travel delays and missed connection benefits," adds insurance expert Meghan Walch from InsureMyTrip .

Related: What happens if you miss your cruise

COVID-19 contingencies

Walch advises all travelers booking a cruise to consider a plan that includes cancellation coverage for COVID-19. Note that you'll need more than a home test to file a claim. According to Walch, "You'll need a doctor saying that you have been diagnosed with COVID and specify that you are unable to travel."

In addition, look for coverage if you get sick and need to isolate away from home. "Some plans offer additional trip delay coverage, put in place as a result of needing additional or higher limits for instances that might include if the policyholder gets quarantined in a location," Sandberg adds.

Cancel for any reason

A cancel-for-any-reason optional upgrade offers the most flexibility. You can get a refund of up to 75% if you cancel your voyage for reasons not usually covered by travel insurance. However, it adds about 40% to your premium and can only be purchased within a limited window of time after your cruise purchase.

Related: What happens if my cruise line changes my itinerary or ship?

Lost or delayed baggage

Baggage loss insurance covers your luggage if it is lost, damaged or stolen during your trip. In the case that you make it on the cruise and your bags do not, the insurance agency can assist with locating and redirecting the bags to your next port, reimbursing you for items you may need to purchase to get you through your travels while you are without your belongings and covering your losses in the case that the bag is actually gone for good.

Note that certain high-cost items such as electronics, luxury watches and fine jewelry are not always covered by baggage loss insurance. Consider purchasing additional coverage for such items or — better yet — keep those items with you at all times.

Health coverage

Medical coverage is another consideration. "Most domestic health coverage [including Medicare] does not cover travel abroad, so it is important to look at a travel insurance policy that offers medical coverage during your trip, just in case anything happens," says Walch. "If you fall ill or are injured during the trip, it can be pretty expensive – even when going to the ship's onboard medical facility."

Related: How to avoid getting sick on a cruise

Hurricane coverage

Extreme weather and hurricanes are typically not covered if the cruise commences as scheduled, though you might be eligible for trip interruption coverage if weather cancels the cruise or cuts the itinerary short. There are also insurance plans that offer trip reimbursement if a destination on your itinerary is under a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-issued hurricane alert or warning.

How much will cruise travel insurance cost?

Insurance pricing is dependent on the trip cost and the age of the insured travelers. Sandberg estimates that "travelers in their 30s or 40s can ballpark insurance coverage somewhere around 5% to 7% of the trip costs, with rates that can get lower depending on the extent of coverage."

Insurance is a tiered product that gets more expensive as you age. "As you get older, that range can expand to 10% of trip costs," notes Sandberg. "Adding bells and whistles, like 'cancel for any reason' [coverage], rates can rise to 11% to 12% of the cost of your trip."

Related: How cruising newbies waste money on their 1st cruise

5 best cruise travel insurance plans

low cost cruise insurance

Following extensive research scouring the fine print, we've selected five of the best cruise insurance plans that will appeal to a variety of seagoing travelers.

All five plans provide coverage for COVID-19-related trip cancellation and interruption.

For the leisure cruiser: TravelSafe Classic Plan

TravelSafe's Classic Plan is the best value all-around for the average cruiser, with superior coverage limits at a fair rate.

This plan's coverage includes an impressive $1 million per person for medical evacuation and a high $2,500 coverage limit for bag loss. You have extra time – 21 days – from your initial deposit to add a cancel-for-any-reason upgrade to your plan. The accident and sickness medical coverage is primary, with coverage up to $100,000.

The policy's $750-maximum trip delay coverage begins after a six-hour delay and includes kennel fees for up to $100 per day, along with coverage for additional meal and accommodation expenses.

For the budget conscious: AXA's Silver Plan

AXA's Silver Plan is the company's entry-level offering, with more value added than most budget insurance options — most notably the company's concierge service. Coverage under this plan includes robust trip cancellation and interruption coverage, both at 100% of the costs, along with $100,000 for emergency medical evacuation.

The plan also offers identity theft assistance in case your wallet or passport gets stolen while traveling, assisting with filing and obtaining police and credit reports, taking inventory of lost or stolen items, and even wiring emergency funds to you when you're really in a bind.

You won't have the option to purchase a cancel-for-any-reason add-on or opt in for a collision damage waiver on this lowest-tier plan.

For the luxury cruise traveler: John Hancock's Gold Plan

John Hancock's Gold Plan offers robust medical evacuation and repatriation coverage up to $1 million per person, ideal for those luxury cruises that rove to the farthest reaches of the globe. The plan has excellent baggage loss coverage at up to $2,500 per person, along with a low three-hour minimum travel delay ($1,000 per person, $200 daily limit) benefit.

Preexisting medical conditions are covered by this policy, though you must purchase your policy within 14 days of your trip deposit.

For increased medical coverage: Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice Plan

Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice Plan offers primary medical coverage for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses up to $500,000, while many other plans only offer secondary coverage. The plan's medical evacuation coverage is high at $1 million, and preexisting conditions are covered with a few conditions that apply, namely that you purchase the policy within 20 days of your initial trip payment.

The policy also offers detailed, robust COVID-19 coverage, including reimbursement for medical care if you contract COVID-19 while traveling. Its coverage also includes meals, local transportation and lodging if you're delayed six or more consecutive hours due to quarantining with COVID-19.

Coverage options on the plan may vary slightly depending on which U.S. state you claim as your residence.

For the adventurous cruiser: World Nomads' Explorer Plan

World Nomads is one of the few insurance companies that will cover more than 200 adventure activities on your travels, including scuba diving, skydiving and bungee jumping. The coverage for the long list of activities includes emergency medical expenses while outside the U.S., medical evacuation and repatriation, along with trip interruption.

World Nomads' Explorer Plan also offers $25,000 in coverage for nonmedical emergency evacuation for covered events, such as a natural disaster or political or security situations.

Travelers 70 and older are required to add a "Silver Nomads" policy, offered through TripAssure.

Bottom line

Cruising isn't always a blissful week spent relaxing on the pool deck or snorkeling among multicolored reefs. Mishaps occur, whether it's losing luggage, missing a flight or falling ill.

The best cruise insurance policies are the ones that won't let you sail without a safety net, charging a fraction of your trip expenses in exchange for the peace of mind that there's a plan in place should something go wrong. With a range of pricing and coverage options available, you can feel confident that you can find a policy to suit your travel needs.

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Here are the 5 best cruise insurance plans

Cruise insurance can cover many situations, but you need to shop around to find the best coverage..

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A cruise is an ideal vacation for anyone who likes the all-inclusive concept , where you pay one price and have just about everything taken care of, from accommodations to meals and activities. But they also aren't always cheap and a lot of things can go wrong. You could have a flight delay that causes you to miss your departure or be unable to sail because of a sickness. In these situations, cruise insurance can reimburse you for prepaid and non-refundable expenses.

CNBC Select analyzed 19 cruise insurance companies and selected the best plans for various situations. (See  our methodology  for more information on how we chose the best cruise insurance plans.)

Best cruise insurance

  • Best for cruise-specific plan: Nationwide Travel Insurance
  • Best for affordable coverage : AXA Travel Insurance
  • Best for adventure excursions: World Nomads
  • Best for pre-existing conditions: Seven Corners Travel Insurance
  • Best for cancel-for-any-reason coverage: Travel Guard Travel Insurance

Best for cruise-specific plan

Nationwide travel insurance.

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

Policy highlights

Nationwide's wide coverage for travel insurance allows many different types of travelers to find coverage that fits their needs. Three levels of cruise insurance coverage gives extra options to cruise passengers.

24/7 assistance available

  • 10-day review period on cruise insurance policies to make sure the plan meets your needs (not available in NY or WA)
  • Most basic cruise plan doesn't offer CFAR coverage

Who’s this for? Nationwide is a top choice for many travelers due to its variety of cruise-specific coverage. The insurer offers three three tiers of cruise insurance, but its standard Universal Cruise Plan should meet many needs.

Standout benefit: Nationwide's cruise-specific plans can cover things like emergency accidents, sicknesses, itinerary changes, mechanical breakdowns and other trip interruptions or on-ship disruptions. The company also offers a 10-day review period on its cruise policies (not available in NY or WA), giving you extra time to look over the policy and ensure it’s a good fit. 

[ Jump to more details ]

Best for affordable coverage

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.

  • Three tiers of plans available
  • Highly rated for financial strength
  • Cancel for any reason only available on highest-tier coverage

Who’s this for? Budget-conscious cruisers should consider AXA . In our research, AXA's Silver Plan stood out as the top budget plan for its mix of affordable premiums and essential coverage. CNBC Select also named AXA one of the best overall travel insurance providers .

Standout benefit: AXA's Silver Plan includes the standard coverage you need to protect yourself from delays and cancellations, as well as employment layoff coverage. This benefit reimburses you for prepaid and nonrefundable travel costs if you cancel because of involuntary layoff or you are terminated from your job. You only need to have been at your current employer for one continuous year to qualify, which is generous compared to other plans that require at least three continuous years of employment for this coverage — if it's even included at all.

Best for adventure excursions

World nomads travel insurance.

World Nomads offers travel insurance for all sorts of travelers, from families to solo adventure travelers. Policies are underwritten by Nationwide and offer strong coverage of emergency accident and illness situations, as well as emergency evacuation scenarios.

  • Affordable coverage for many travelers
  • Coverage for adventure activities like scuba diving, bungee jumping and more
  • Lower trip cancellation limits than other travel insurance we reviewed

Who’s this for? World Nomads offers insurance underwritten by Nationwide , geared specifically toward thrill-seekers. The World Nomads Explorer Plan covers over 200 adventure activities and sports. With this plan, you can take part in just about any excursion without fear of negating your coverage .

Standout benefit: The World Nomads Explorer Plan covers baggage and personal items for loss, theft or damage for up to $3,000 and $1,500 per item. Sporting equipment is included in this coverage, so you can bring your golf clubs along on your cruise without worry.

Best for pre-existing conditions

Seven corners travel insurance.

Policies provide missed and delayed tour/cruise connection coverage. Cancel for any reason coverage and pre-existing conditions waiver are also available if you buy your plan within the specified time. ***CFAR and IFAR are subject to certain eligibility criteria and are not available in all states

  • High coverage limits available
  • Offers group insurance (10+ people)
  • Covers Covid-19 illness
  • Pre-existing conditions waiver not available for the Economy plan
  • Cancel for any reason not available for the Economy plan

Who’s this for? Seven Corners offers a standard Trip Protection Economy plan and a more premium Trip Protection Elite plan. The Seven Corners Trip Protection Elite plan stands out for offering generous coverage limits and an add-on option for cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, which both pair well with its pre-existing conditions waiver.

Standout benefit: This plan's pre-existing conditions waiver for medical coverage applies to plans purchased within 20 days of booking and paying your initial trip deposit. That's a generous window compared to some plans which can require you to purchase insurance within seven to 14 days. If you don't purchase your coverage within the waiver window, this plan only considers conditions existing within the previous 60 days, whereas other plans may look back up to 120 days.

Best for cancel for any reason coverage 

Travel guard® travel insurance.

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.

  • A variety of plans are available to help cover different types of trips
  • Not all products are available for purchase online

Who’s this for? AIG's Travel Guard Preferred plan comes with a wide range of coverages and a variety of useful add-ons for an extra fee such as pet coverage , wedding coverage and cancel for any reason coverage (CFAR).

Standout benefit: The optional CFAR insurance for this plan begins at 12:01 a.m. on the day after you pay for coverage and ends two days before departure (or when the travel is canceled). This benefit reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost (up to $25,000 maximum), which includes reimbursement for:

  • 50% of change fees
  • 50% of cancellation penalties for unused travel
  • 50% of award travel redeposit fees

More on our top cruise insurance plans 

Nationwide universal cruise plan.

Nationwide's standard Universal Cruise Plan will be more than sufficient for many cruisers. It offers strong coverage for many different scenarios, but if you're seeking higher levels of coverage or are taking a long cruise, you can opt for the Choice Cruise Plan, or the Luxury Cruise Plan, which offers the highest level of benefits.

Trip cancellation and interruption

The full trip cost (100%) is covered for both cancellations and interruptions. This includes canceling because of a Covid-19 illness .

Covered delays of six hours or more (or at least three hours for missed connections) are eligible for reimbursement of:

  • Up to $500 per day
  • $500 maximum

Medical coverage and evacuation and repatriation

  • $75,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
  • $250,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage
  • $750 in emergency dental treatment coverage

Pre-existing conditions

No coverage for pre-existing conditions that fall within 60 days of your policy's start date.

Notable perks

All of Nationwide's cruise plans, including the Universal Cruise Plan, include cancel for work reason coverage, meaning you may be covered if you need to cancel because of work-related issues, as well as coverage for extension of the school operating session. The Universal Cruise Plan also provides coverage for delayed and lost baggage, which begins to kick in after delays of eight hours or more, as well as coverage for trip delays of three hours or more for missed connections or other trip delays of six hours or more. You can also get reimbursed if your trip is canceled or interrupted because of terrorism (foreign or domestic) or financial default of the travel provider (14-day waiting period applies). Itinerary changes that cause you to miss a pre-paid excursion are covered by up to $250.

[ Return to summary ]

AXA Silver Plan

AXA offers three insurance plans, with the Silver Plan being the most affordable. The Gold Plan has most of the same types of coverage with higher reimbursement limits. Meanwhile, the Platinum Plan is for anyone who prefers premium benefits, such as cancel-for-any-reason coverage.

The full trip cost (100%) is covered for both cancellations and interruptions. This includes canceling because of a Covid-19 illness.

After a 12-hour delay or more, you're eligible for:

  • Up to $100 per day
  • Primary medical coverage of $25,000 per (covers Covid-19)
  • Evacuation and repatriation coverage of $100,000 per person

No coverage for pre-existing conditions that fall within this policy's 60-day look-back period.

AXA's Silver Plan comes with coverage for delayed and lost baggage, including $200 per person for covered delays of 24 hours or more and $750 per person ($150 per item) for lost baggage and items. You can also get reimbursed if your trip is canceled or interrupted because of terrorism (foreign only) or financial default of the travel provider (10-day waiting period applies). If a hurricane or bad weather causes your travel provider to cease services for at least 48 hours, you can be reimbursed for up to the full trip cancellation/interruption coverage. Notably, you must purchase the coverage before a storm is named.

World Nomads Explorer Plan

The Explorer Plan is World Nomads' premium travel insurance plan and covers a longer list of activities than the Standard Plan. You can review the list of covered activities here and decide if the more affordable Standard Plan works for you.

Covered up to the trip cost with a $10,000 maximum.

Covered delays of six hours or more are eligible for reimbursement of:

  • Up to $250 per day
  • $3,000 maximum
  • $100,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
  • $500,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage

No coverage for pre-existing conditions that fall within 90 days of your policy's start date.

This plan includes $35,000 in rental car damage coverage (where it's valid) due to collision, theft or a natural disaster. And an accidental death and dismemberment benefit of $10,000. When your baggage is delayed for more than 12 hours, you can be reimbursed up to $150 a day ($750 maximum) for any necessary personal items you purchase.

Seven Corners Trip Protection Elite

The Seven Corners Trip Protection Elite plan has generous coverage limits for evacuation and repatriation and accident and sickness. Seven Corners Travel Insurance plans also cover Covid-related illnesses.

Trip cancellations are covered for 100% of the trip cost and interruptions are covered for 150% of the trip cost.

Trip delays of six hours or more can qualify for reimbursement of:

  • Up to $300 per day
  • $1,500 maximum
  • $250,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
  • $1,000,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage
  • $750 in emergency dental coverage

Pre-existing conditions are covered if you purchase coverage within 20 days of making your initial trip deposit. If you don't qualify for the pre-existing conditions waiver, there is no emergency medical coverage for conditions existing within 60 days of your policy's start date.

This plan covers baggage delays of more than 12 hours for up to $600 and covers lost, damaged or stolen bags or personal items for up to $300 per item ($2,500 maximum). It also has missed cruise connection coverage of $150 per day for accommodations and meals ($1,500 maximum).

AIG Travel Guard Preferred

The CFAR coverage is available as an upgrade on Travel Guard's Preferred and Deluxe plans. If you don't need this optional upgrade, you could save money on your premium with Travel Guard's Essential plan.

Trip cancellations are covered for 100% of the trip cost (up to a max of $150,000) and trip interruptions are covered for 150% of the trip cost (up to a max of $225,000).

Trip delays of five hours or more can qualify for reimbursement of:

  • Up to $200 per day
  • $800 maximum
  • $50,000 in emergency medical coverage
  • $500 in emergency dental coverage

A pre-existing conditions waiver applies when you purchase coverage within 15 days of the initial trip deposit.

With this plan, you'll have coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage or travel documents for up to $1,000. You also receive baggage delay reimbursement for delays of more than 12 hours with a coverage limit of up to $250 per day ($300 maximum). If you miss a connection, you can be reimbursed up to $1,000 for unused prepaid or nonrefundable travel you missed and transportation expenses to rejoin your trip.

When should I buy insurance for a cruise?

It's usually best to purchase cruise insurance shortly after booking. This lets you take advantage of the protections sooner and qualify for certain benefits such as pre-existing condition waivers.

Is there a difference between travel insurance and cruise insurance?

Travel insurance typically covers cruises and other types of travel, whereas cruise insurance is designed to specifically protect you while cruising or getting to your cruise.

Does cruise insurance cover missed ports?

Cruise insurance may cover missed connections, but it's important to read your policy before you purchase it. Each policy has different limits on how much you'll be reimbursed and what exactly you'll be reimbursed for.

Bottom line

Cruise insurance plans protect you in all sorts of situations when something goes wrong while you're cruising. You can be covered for emergency medical expenses, trip delays, trip cancellations or interruptions and more. Shop around and compare providers to find the best cruise insurance policy for you.

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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 cruise insurance   review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insurance   products .  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. See  our methodology  for more information on how we choose the best cruise insurance plans.

Our methodology 

To determine the best cruise insurance plans,  CNBC Select  analyzed the offerings of 19 insurance companies and compared them based on various factors. These included the maximum coverage limits, optional coverages, types of coverage, premiums and what the policies cover. We also considered financial strength ratings from AM Best and Better Business Bureau ratings for customer satisfaction.

We based premium costs on a sample cruise with the following details (when applicable):

  • 40-year-old male
  • Living in New York, New York
  • Sailing for seven days in April
  • Total trip cost: $2,800
  • Destination: Mexico
  • Flying to the port of departure

Sample quotes assumed that payments were made on the date of quoting.

Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for cruise insurance companies are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the company's policies.

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Top 6 Best Cruise Insurance Plans of May 2024

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Alex Carver is a writer and researcher based in Charlotte, N.C. A contributor to major news websites such as Automoblog and USA Today, she’s written content in sectors such as insurance, warranties, shipping, real estate and more.

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Kelly is an editorial leader and collaborator with over 13 years of experience creating and optimizing data-driven, reader-focused digital content. Before joining our team, Kelly was the cross-niche editor and Branded Content Lead at personal finance and fintech site Finder.

Key Takeaways

  • Based on the MarketWatch Guides industry-wide review of the best travel insurance policies, the providers offering the best cruise insurance plans are Nationwide, Faye, Allianz, AIG Travel Guard, AXA Assistance USA and Trawick International.
  • Cruise insurance can help protect your vacation by reimbursing prepaid, nonrefundable expenses in unexpected situations. It can also cover additional expenses you may incur on a cruise, including emergency medical bills and costs related to baggage loss.
  • According to our research and quotes gathered from 21 providers, the average cost of a travel insurance policy is $221 . However, your costs may vary based on your age, chosen policy, travel destination and more.

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The Best Cruise Insurance Plans for 2024

Here are our top picks for the best cruise insurance companies:

  • Nationwide Travel Insurance: Luxury Cruise
  • Allianz Global Assistance: OneTrip Prime
  • AIG Travel Guard: Preferred Plan
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection : WaveCare ®
  • Travelex Insurance : Travel Basic
  • Trawick International : Safe Travels Voyager

What To Look For in a Cruise Insurance Plan

According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 2023 State of the Cruise Industry Report , cruising continues to be one of the fastest-growing sectors of tourism, with a projected 36 million people choosing a cruise vacation in 2024. While purchasing travel insurance to cover your cruise vacation is a personal decision, there are some coverages to look for that can enhance your policy.

  • Travel medical insurance : If you’re worried about illnesses or potential injuries during your cruise, travel medical insurance covers medical expenses up to a maximum amount.
  • Emergency medical evacuation coverage : If you suffer a medical emergency and require transport to a hospital while at sea, emergency medical evacuation coverage can help cover expenses associated with transport.
  • Trip cancelation insurance : If you’d like to recoup any prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if you need to cancel your trip, trip cancelation insurance can reimburse you if the event is covered under policy terms.
  • Trip interruption insurance : If your trip is cut short for a reason covered with your travel insurance policy, trip interruption coverage can provide reimbursement for any unused travel expenses.
  • Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage : If you’re concerned about canceling your trip for a reason not listed under a policy’s coverage terms, consider cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage , which allows you to cancel your trip for virtually any reason.

Travel medical insurance is especially worth considering if you’re cruising abroad, as domestic healthcare may provide limited to no coverage out of the country.

If you’re looking at plans explicitly marketed for cruises, you may find unique benefits like cruise diversion, disablement and prepaid excursion reimbursement. Other benefits to look for with a cruise insurance policy include travel delay coverage, baggage insurance and missed connection coverage. If you’re worried about coverage for pre-existing conditions or COVID-19, check if a plan offers these protections as you shop around.

How We Picked the Best Cruise Insurance Companies

To recommend the best providers to our readers, we looked for the following factors when evaluating coverage options for cruise insurance:

  • Cruise-specific plan options: Our team sought out travel insurance providers that offer cruise-specific plans with coverages not found on standard policies, such as shipboard service disruption coverage, prepaid excursion reimbursement and more.
  • Medical coverage: This protection helps pay for medical care at a local facility if you’re injured on your cruise. Companies with more generous medical coverage limits ranked higher in our roundup.
  • Medical evacuation: We prioritized companies offering higher medical evacuation coverage, which can benefit you depending on how long and far you are from a port while on the cruise ship.
  • Coverage maximums: We considered whether a provider offered higher-value coverage options for travelers planning longer trips or opting for an all-inclusive luxury package.
  • Cost: We requested sample quotes from dozens of travel insurance providers and compared price and coverage options to determine the insurer offering the best values.

Summary of the Best Cruise Insurance

See the table below for a direct comparison of our picks for the top cruise insurance plans, including average costs, our recommended plan and CFAR coverage amounts.

The Best Cruise Insurance Options Reviewed

To determine the best cruise insurance options for our review, we collected several sample quotes, carefully examined policy and coverage details, and evaluated providers with specialized cruising plans. Our thorough research found that the following travel insurance companies provide the best cruise insurance plans in the industry.

Nationwide Travel Insurance

Nationwide Travel Insurance

Why We Picked Nationwide for Cruise Insurance

After earning 4.6 out of 5 stars when rated using our travel insurance methodology, we chose Nationwide as one of the best cruise insurance options for these reasons:

  • Nationwide offers plans specifically for cruises with benefits such as shipboard service disruption, prepaid excursion reimbursement and missed connection benefits.
  • Cruise-specific policies include medical and non-medical evacuation coverage.
  • Nationwide covers up to 100% of your total trip costs for a covered cancellation and up to 150% of your total costs for trip interruption.

Pros and Cons

Allianz global assistance.

Allianz Global Assistance

Why We Picked Allianz for Cruise Insurance

Allianz earned 4.1 out of 5 stars when rated using our travel insurance methodology, and we chose it as one of the best cruise insurance options for these reasons:

  • Allianz extends free coverage for children 17 and under when you choose the OneTrip Prime plan, which can be ideal for families cruising together.
  • Epidemic coverage includes trip cancellation, interruption, travel delays, emergency medical care and emergency transportation.
  • Trip change protector coverage can reimburse you the fees or extra expenses incurred if you need to change your cruise itinerary for a reason listed in your policy.

AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard

Why We Picked AIG Travel Guard for Cruise Insurance

AIG Travel Guard earned 4.6 out of 5 stars when rated using our travel insurance methodology, and we chose it as one of the best cruise insurance options for these reasons:

  • If you or your traveling companion lose your life or limbs during your cruise, AIG Travel Guard offers non-flight accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.
  • AIG’s Preferred Plan includes one free child aged 17 and under with each paying adult on your policy.
  •  You’ll find an array of policy add-ons with AIG such as CFAR coverage, adventure sports coverage, pet coverage and more that can offer you additional protection.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Why We Picked Berkshire Hathaway for Cruise Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway earned 4.6 out of 5 stars when rated using our travel insurance methodology, landing a spot on our best cruise insurance due to the following:

  • WaveCare® covers up to 100% of your total trip costs for covered cancellations and 150% of your total trip costs for covered interruptions.
  • Berkshire Hathaway’s cruise-specific plan offers coverage beyond the norm, including cruise disablement, cruise diversion and river cruise diversion coverage.
  • WaveCare® provides coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation up to $750,000.

Travelex

Why We Picked Travelex for Cruise Insurance

Travelex earned 4.7 out of 5 stars when rated using our travel insurance methodology — the highest score out of all providers we’ve reviewed. It landed a spot on our best cruise insurance list for the following reasons:

  • Travelex offers some of the most affordable plans of the providers on our list, and allows parents to extend coverage to their children for a slightly higher rate.
  • Add-on coverages available through the Travel Basic plan include car rental collision coverage and flight accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D).
  • The Travel Basic policy has no deductible and is considered a primary coverage plan.

Trawick International

Trawick International

Why We Picked Trawick International for Cruise Insurance

We awarded AXA Assistance USA a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. We’ve included it on our list of the best cruise insurance providers for these reasons:

  • The Safe Travels Voyager plan, marketed as Trawick’s most popular cruise insurance coverage, includes 30 covered reasons for trip cancellation.
  • Trawick offers various optional add-on benefits, such as CFAR coverage, 24-hour AD&D, trip interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage and more.
  • Trawick provides a stipend for a hospital companion to evacuate with you during a medical emergency.

What Is Cruise Insurance and How Does It Work?

Cruise insurance is synonymous with travel insurance, and it can be any policy that offers the coverage you’re looking for to protect your trip expenses. While some providers offer plans marketed toward cruisegoers, many standard, comprehensive travel insurance policies provide coverages worth considering for cruise protection.

A cruise insurance policy works just like travel insurance. Your policy will cover you for the duration of your cruise and can cover a single person or a whole family. When a covered event occurs, you’ll file a claim with your chosen provider for reimbursement of expenses or financial losses. Note that all cruise insurance policies have exclusions, so read the fine print of your plan before you purchase it.

What Does Cruise Insurance Cover?

Depending on your choice of plan, cruise insurance can provide the following coverages:

Created with Sketch Beta. Medical expense coverage : Travel medical insurance can cover your medical bills if you get ill or injured on your cruise and need medical attention.

Created with Sketch Beta. Emergency medical evacuation coverage : Emergency medical evacuation coverage can provide transportation or evacuation to a medical facility from your cruise ship.

Created with Sketch Beta. Trip cancellation protection : Trip cancellation coverage can compensate you for non-refundable expenses if you cancel your trip for a reason covered by your policy.

Created with Sketch Beta. Trip interruption coverage : If you need to cut your cruise short, trip interruption coverage can provide reimbursement for any unused, non-refundable expenses.

Created with Sketch Beta. Trip delay protection : If your travel carrier delays your trip, you can receive reimbursement up to a set amount as outlined in your policy. 

Created with Sketch Beta. Baggage loss and delay coverage : If your baggage is damaged, stolen, missing or delayed during your trip, baggage loss and delay coverage can reimburse you for the items you packed in your luggage.

In addition, some cruise insurance plans offer coverages exclusively tailored to cruisegoers, such as cruise disablement coverage, prepaid excursion reimbursement, missed connection benefits and non-medical evacuation coverage. 

According to our research, you’ll also likely have access to a 24/7 hotline for travel emergencies — we’ve found this is a standard provision among travel insurance companies. If you’re looking for pre-existing condition coverage, many providers offer a waiver if you buy your coverage within a specific time frame from your initial trip deposit.

Is Cruise Insurance Required?

While cruise insurance isn’t typically legally required, it can be worth considering if you don’t want to risk your investment in your cruise booking. However, it’s best practice to check with your specific cruise line about any outstanding requirements around travel insurance. Even if travel insurance isn’t required, having coverages such as travel medical, trip interruption and trip cancellation cruise insurance can give you the peace of mind to enjoy your cruise fully.

When You Should Buy Cruise Insurance

If you plan on purchasing cruise insurance, it’s worth considering as soon as possible. For example, if you’d like emergency medical coverage through your cruise insurance policy to cover any pre-existing conditions, most travel insurance providers require you to purchase a policy within a certain number of days from when you make your first payment toward the cruise. You may not qualify for this waiver if you wait until the last minute to purchase your plan.

If your cruise is fast approaching and you’d still like to buy a policy, our research has found that some providers offer plans that can be purchased as late as 24 hours before your trip.

How Much Does Cruise Insurance Cost?

According to our analysis, the average cost of cruise insurance is $242. However, we found that the cost ranges from $81 to $500 and heavily depends on the total trip cost and age of the traveler.

The cost of cruise insurance can vary between customers. The best way to determine what you will pay for your coverage is to get a quote. According to data from Berkshire Hathaway, you can expect to pay between 5% and 10% of your total cruise vacation price for insurance.

To help you get a better idea of what you might pay for cruise insurance, we requested multiple quotes from the providers in our review using various sample traveler profiles. The table below summarizes our findings:

To calculate costs, we collected quotes for each of the following trips and traveler profiles:

  • 70-year-old couple taking a $3,000, seven-day cruise in Mexico
  • 65-year-old taking a $1,200, five-day cruise in the Bahamas
  • 34-year-old couple taking a $6,000, seven-day cruise in Greece
  • 21-year-old taking a $900, five-day cruise in the Caribbean

What Affects the Cost of Cruise Insurance?

As with most types of insurance, the cost of a cruise insurance policy will vary depending on your trip and personal details. Some of the most significant factors that insurance providers consider when pricing cruise policies include the following:

  • Your age: According to the CLIA, the average age of a cruise tourist is around 46 years old. Travelers above the age of 50 will pay higher rates than younger travelers.
  • Total trip cost: Expect to pay more for your insurance if you take a luxury or higher-value cruise trip.
  • Total trip length: The number of days you travel likely increases your chances of getting sick or injured, raising your cruise insurance cost.
  • Plan type: There are several types of cruise insurance policies. The more protection you need, typically the more expensive your cruise insurance quote.
  • Number of travelers: While you can buy a single policy for multiple travelers , each traveler will have their own premium, increasing the total cost of your trip coverage.
  • Destination: Destination may affect the cost of your cruise trip insurance, especially when you consider on-shore excursions. For example, if you’re embarking on a cruise to a jungle with adventure-centered excursions, you will likely pay more for coverage than someone taking a cruise to a quiet beach town.

How To Buy Cruise Insurance

You can purchase cruise insurance online and at your convenience. If you’d like to speak with a customer service representative about any questions or concerns about a policy, most travel insurance companies provide a phone number and contact information at the top of their website.

To start gathering quotes, head online to the quote portal of the company of your choice. For this example, we’ll walk you through getting a quote with Nationwide, our top pick for cruise insurance. We were asked to provide some trip details and personal information right away, such as our cruise line, destination, travel dates, total trip costs and more.

low cost cruise insurance

Once you’ve provided the information needed, you’ll be taken to your plan choices and their associated costs. Like many other cruise insurers, Nationwide offers a sample plan contract for you to read through, as well as coverage details to help you fully understand what’s covered or excluded with your policy.

low cost cruise insurance

After making your plan choice, you’ll need to provide more information on you and your traveling companions. From there, you’ll be able to finalize your purchase and be ready to cruise with protections in place that can help you navigate unexpected situations. While every cruise insurer’s purchasing process won’t look exactly the same, most follow the same format and will require the same information to purchase a policy.

Can You Buy Cancel For Any Reason Insurance for Cruises?

In short yes, you can purchase travel insurance with cancel for any reason (CFAR) add-ons for a variety of travel insurance companies and plans. Cancel for any reason coverage often time won’t cover the full value or price of your trip but if you need to cancel for whatever the reason, it is better to have some degree of coverage and get a partial refund than have to loose out on a trip and the monetary value behind it. Below is a list of CFAR coverage amounts for our recommend cruise travel insurance providers.

Is Cruise Insurance Worth It?

Determining whether cruise insurance is worth it is a personal decision. Cruises can get expensive quickly, so if you’re embarking on a 14-day international cruise that you’ve spent months saving up for, you may prefer to protect your investment. Spending a fraction of your total cruise expenses on insurance can help prevent you from forfeiting the entire cost of a non-refundable trip should the worst happen.

Angela Borden, a product marketing specialist at Seven Corners, noted that “When you’ve made a financial investment in your trip or need to protect your health when you travel, travel insurance is 100% worth it.” She also pointed out that coverage can help you recoup your expenses if the unexpected happens. 

“Travel insurance can also reimburse you if your belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged and you need to replace them during your trip,” she added. “Again, that’s a financial savings you would have missed out on if you didn’t have travel insurance.”

If you are unsure whether cruise insurance is worth it, we recommend getting a quote from our highlighted insurance providers before you set sail.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cruise Insurance

What should cruise insurance cover.

Cruise insurance should provide you with 100% coverage for trip cancellation and at least 100% trip interruption coverage. Your policy should also include baggage loss, trip delay coverage, medical care and emergency evacuations. 

When should I buy trip insurance for a cruise?

While your trip insurance cost might not increase if you buy a policy at the last minute, it’s best to buy coverage as soon as you make your initial trip deposit. Most insurance companies only allow you to add CFAR coverage a few days after you make your first trip payment. If you’re considering this insurance add-on, buy coverage as soon as possible. 

Do I need special insurance for a cruise?

Whether you need travel insurance specifically for cruises depends on the provider. While some travel insurance companies specify that policies provide coverage even if you’re on a cruise, others may exclude cruises from standard travel plans. For this reason, it’s best to check the terms of your coverage before purchasing a policy. 

Some companies, like Nationwide and Berkshire Hathaway, offer cruise-specific protection plans in addition to standalone travel insurance policies.  

What are the benefits of cruise insurance?

There are multiple benefits to investing in a cruise insurance policy. Cruise insurance provides you with money back for nonrefundable trip expenses, which can help you recoup a portion of your costs if you need to cancel at the last minute. Cruise insurance also provides protection when you’re on a boat and visiting international ports of call, with medical insurance coverage and compensation for travel expenses if you’re forced to evacuate during your vacation.

Does cruise insurance include COVID-19 coverage?

Travel insurance policy purchases have spiked since the COVID-19 pandemic. Most travel policies consider COVID-19 the same as any other illness, which means you may be entitled to use your insurance benefits if you’re hospitalized or cannot travel due to COVID-19. However, this also means that the fear of catching a new COVID strain will not entitle you to use your cruise insurance. 

If you’re concerned about the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on your vacation plan, consider upgrading to CFAR coverage.

More Travel Insurance Guides

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  • Best senior travel insurance
  • Best travel insurance for families
  • Best student travel insurance plans
  • Travel insurance for parents visiting the USA
  • Best travel medical insurance plans
  • How much does travel insurance cost?

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at  editors@marketwatchguides. com .

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low cost cruise insurance

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What Type of Insurance Do I Need?

Plans can range in terms of cost and coverage, so it’s important to identify your specific needs before comparing options. Discover the different types of travel insurance policies you should consider for your upcoming trip.

How to Buy Travel Insurance on Squaremouth

If you’re new to Squaremouth, this quick guide can help you identify your needs, start your first quote, and compare your results. If you need additional help, our customer service team is just a phone call away.

Travel Insurance FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from travelers like you.

Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for International Travel?

While rare, some countries or organized tours may require proof of travel insurance that lasts for the duration of your trip. Our Destination Center is a good starting point to learn about entry requirements and travel insurance recommendations.

While it is typically not mandatory, travelers should consider buying insurance if they want to protect themselves financially from unforeseen events that may impact their travel plans. Many Americans and U.S. residents purchase travel insurance when planning international or high cost trips. View our list of the top international travel insurance providers .

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Comprehensive travel insurance is designed to cover common disruptions that may impact a trip. Most policies will provide coverage for trip cancellations , medical emergencies , travel delays , missed connections , accidental death and dismemberment , and lost luggage . Travelers that experience financial loss as a result of a covered disruption may be eligible for reimbursement through their insurance policy.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

In general, a comprehensive policy with Trip Cancellation typically costs between 5% and 10% of the total trip cost. The cost of a policy depends on four primary factors: trip cost, traveler age, trip length, and coverage amounts. A policy without an insured trip cost will be significantly less expensive. We recommend comparing plans from multiple providers to find the best priced plan for your trip.

What Should I Look for When Comparing Travel Insurance?

There’s no one-size-fits-all policy when it comes to travel insurance. When comparing plans, you should consider the following:

  • Benefits: Travel insurance benefits outline what situations are covered under each plan. Make sure each plan you’re considering includes coverage for what’s important to you.
  • Coverage Limits: Plans will set limits to how much reimbursement you’re eligible for, and can vary significantly. Higher coverage limits can result in less out of pocket expenses in the event of a claim.
  • Exclusions: Travel insurance companies will list specific activities, equipment, and scenarios that are not covered by their plans in the event of a claim.
  • Premium: Higher priced insurance products do not always equate to better coverage. We recommend choosing the most affordable plan that offers the travel protection you need.
  • Provider Reputation: All providers on Squaremouth have been carefully vetted and offer 24-Hour Assistance services. Customers are also encouraged to share honest reviews about their experience before, during, and after their trips.

Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover International Trips?

In many cases, primary health care plans, such as Medicare or a policy you have through your employer, are not accepted overseas. If you’re not covered, you may be responsible for unforeseen medical expenses if you get sick or injured while traveling.

To avoid out-of-pocket expenses if you need medical care in the event of an emergency, many travelers opt for travel medical insurance. These plans can cover the cost of treating unexpected medical conditions incurred during your international trip.

Are Pre-Existing Conditions Covered by Travel Insurance?

Coverage for pre-existing conditions varies among travel insurance policies. While many plans won’t offer coverage for existing injuries or illnesses, some plans may offer Pre-Existing Condition waivers if certain conditions are met, such as purchasing the policy within a specified time frame from booking the trip.

Will My Policy Cover Trip Cancellations?

Yes, many comprehensive travel insurance policies cover trip cancellations under specified circumstances, such as sudden illness, injury, or death of the insured or a family member, natural disasters, or unexpected work obligations. Most policies that include the Trip Cancellation benefit offer 100% reimbursement for all prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.

What’s the Difference Between Single-Trip and Annual Travel Insurance?

Single-trip travel insurance covers a specific journey for a set duration, offering protection for that trip only. This is the most popular type of travel insurance among Squaremouth users. In contrast, Annual Travel Insurance provides coverage for multiple trips within a year. Annual plans can be cost-effective for frequent travelers and less of a hassle than purchasing multiple single-trip plans.

What's the Process for Filing a Travel Insurance Claim?

To file a trip insurance claim, follow these steps:

  • Contact your insurer: Notify them as soon as possible about the incident.
  • Gather documentation: Collect relevant documents, such as police reports, medical records, or receipts for expenses incurred.
  • Complete the claim form: Fill out the insurer's claim form with accurate details.
  • Submit supporting documents: Attach all required documents to substantiate your claim.
  • Keep records: Maintain copies of all submissions and correspondence for your records.
  • Follow up: Stay in touch with the insurer for updates on your claim status.
  • Be honest and thorough: Provide clear and truthful information to expedite the process.

Remember, the process may vary by insurer, so review your policy or contact your insurance provider for specific instructions. Learn more about what can be covered and how to file a travel insurance claim .

Where Can I Buy Travel Insurance?

Travelers can purchase travel insurance directly from providers, through a comparison site like Squaremouth, or directly through a travel supplier when booking. Credit cards and travel agents are other sources to consider. Travel insurance prices are regulated by law, meaning the price of one specific policy must be the same regardless of where it is sold, whether it’s purchased from Squaremouth or directly from the provider.

Aegis

  • Best overall
  • Best for trip cancellation
  • Best for reputation
  • How we reviewed cheap travel insurance

Best Cheap Travel Insurance of May 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

In an ever-evolving world, emergency medical and evacuation travel insurance coverage is essential, especially if you're traveling internationally. However, sports equipment coverage, pet protection, and cancel for any reason coverage are among the increasingly popular coverage options that are changing the way we travel. We've gathered the best cheap travel insurance plans to help you protect your trip while on a budget.

Best cheap travel insurance

  • Best overall: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance
  • Best for trip cancellation: Aegis General Travel Insurance
  • Best value: Nationwide Travel Insurance
  • Best for reputation: Trawick International Travel Insurance

How we rate the best cheap travel insurance »

Compare the Best Cheap Travel Insurance

The best travel insurance meets your needs at a price you're willing to pay. Sometimes, you're just not willing to pay that much. The following companies offer decent coverage for low prices. To determine which companies made this list, we compared quotes across the travel insurance industry for the same trip, making a note of which companies offered particularly good coverage in certain areas and which companies were well reviewed.

Here are the best affordable travel insurance companies picked by Business Insider editors in 2024.

Best overall: HTH Worldwide

HTH Worldwide HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three plans to choose from
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Reasonable premiums
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR coverage available with some plans
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical emergency and evacuation coverage
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc not available
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited reviews with complaints about claims not being paid
  • Trip cancellation of up to $5,000 with the Economy plan and up to $50,000 with the Preferred plan
  • Cancel for any reason insurance and missed connection insurance available with the Preferred plan
  • Baggage delay insurance starting after 24 or 12 hours depending on the plan

The HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Economy plan offers the most comprehensive coverage across major categories of all the providers in this guide.

You'll have some peace of mind with up to $75,000 of financial protection for eligible medical emergencies, and up to $500,000 per person for medical evacuation costs. For more everyday expenses, you can also relax with baggage loss and delay, trip interruption, cancellation and delay coverage that will help you recoup many, if not all, of your costs.

However, this plan falls short on missed connection benefits and accidental death coverage, both of which are not available under most circumstances (missed connection coverage only applies to cruises, and will only cover up to $500 per person after a three-hour delay).

Read our HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best for trip cancellation: Aegis Travel Insurance

Aegis General Insurance Agency Aegis General Travel Insurance

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a CFAR upgrade add-on on certain plans
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Comprehensive insurance plans include generous coverage for baggage loss, plus protection from hurricane and other intense weather-related issues
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Competitive pricing
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Online complaints about claims not being paid and non-responsiveness
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not all more expensive plans include CFAR coverage
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Dropping rating with AM Best
  • Annual and multi-trip plans available
  • All plans include pandemic coverage for COVID-19
  • Coverage for weather-related delays, cancellations and other incidents

The Aegis General Travel Insurance Trip Cancellation Plan is exactly that: a cost-effective plan that offers protection in the event that your trip is canceled for a covered reason. The plan we priced out for our hypothetical trip cost just 1.16% of our total travel expenses — a very small amount of money to pay for the guarantee of our money back in the right circumstances.

The benefit is that this plan can supplement other coverage you already have, or give you a little bit of protection for a trip where you might not otherwise have opted for insurance altogether. On the downside, you won't get any protection for medical emergencies, trip interruption or delays or lost bags from this plan.

Read our Aegis Travel Insurance review here.

Best value: Nationwide

Nationwide Nationwide Travel Insurance

  • Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

  • Cancel for any reason coverage available

Nationwide Travel Insurance  is a well-rounded alternative to HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Economy. This plan offers solid protection for both travel-related snafus as well as situations that might call for emergency medical and evacuation, making it a good choice for trips where you have cause to worry about potential interruptions or delays. However, it does not offer protection for missed connections or accidental death.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here

Best for reputation: Trawick

Trawick Trawick International Travel Insurance

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Useful for adventurous travelers headed to higher-risk destinations
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable plans with varying levels of coverage
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 10-day free look option
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage loss replacement policy
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some policies allow a CFAR add-on
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million medical evacuation coverage limit
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage and trip delay coverages don’t kick in until after the 12-hour mark
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. International student policies available for temporary stints abroad
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Complaints about claims not being paid or involving an intermediary to resolve claims

Trawick International travel insurance offers plans customized to diverse travelers' needs. We look at coverage options, claims processing, pricing, and other important factors for savvy travelers.

  • Travel medical insurance
  • Trip protection and cancellation
  • International student insurance
  • Visitor medical insurance (for traveling to the US)

The Trawick International Travel Insurance Safe Travels Explorer plan has been purchased by more than 36,000 travelers since 2020, and it has great reviews to boot. And no wonder: Trawick offers generous trip delay coverage of up to $2,000 per person, although hopefully you won't need to reach that reimbursement amount because the daily limit is $150.

You'll also be able to rely on a $200 reimbursement per person for lost baggage - one of the higher amounts amongst these affordable plans, although this amount pales in comparison to the baggage loss coverage offered through the best travel credit cards .

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review here.

Types of Affordable Travel Insurance

Comprehensive coverage.

This type of insurance offers extensive protection, covering everything from medical issues to trip cancellations. While it's more expensive up front, it can save you a lot in the long run.

Medical-Only Coverage

As the name suggests, this policy focuses solely on medical emergencies, making it a cost-effective option for travelers who are primarily concerned about health-related expenses.

Evacuation and Repatriation

In extreme cases where you need to be evacuated due to a medical emergency or a natural disaster, this coverage ensures that you can return home safely without incurring huge costs.

Benefits of Opting for Cheap Travel Insurance

Cost savings.

Cheap travel insurance can significantly reduce your travel expenses, ensuring that you're not overpaying for coverage you might not need.

Adequate Coverage for Less

Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's lacking. Many affordable policies offer substantial coverage, giving you peace of mind without breaking the bank.

How to Pick The Best Cheap Travel Insurance Plan for You

No single travel insurance plan will meet the needs of every single traveler. By nature, we are diverse and evolving meaning travel insurance should be equally so. Travel insurance for a week-long trip to a big city shouldn't be the same as the coverage for a backpacking expedition in the mountains. A splurge to purchase comprehensive insurance coverage may also be worth it for international ventures or other large expenditures.

In most cases, the cost difference between a basic and comprehensive travel insurance plan isn't as significant as you might think. Regardless, it's generally a good idea to choose a trusted travel insurance provider known for exceptional customer service and coverage. (For this roundup, we looked at traveler reviews shared through the travel agency SquareMouth .)

  • Assessing Your Travel Needs: Consider the nature of your trip, the destination, and your own personal needs when choosing a policy. This ensures that you're not over-insured or underinsured.
  • Comparing Different Policies: Don't settle for the first policy you find. Compare different options, looking at their coverage and prices, to find the best fit for your budget and needs.
  • Reading the Fine Print: Always read the terms and conditions carefully to understand what's covered, what's not, and the process for making a claim.

How We Reviewed Cheap Travel Insurance

To determine the best insurance plan for travelers on a budget, we evaluated dozens of products using a hypothetical trip to Australia for a single traveler, age 26, with a total cost of $2,500 for flight, hotel and other incidentals. We then compiled the plans that covered the essentials at the lowest costs.

Of note: All of these plans include COVID-related medical coverage and 24-hour assistance, and pay at least 100% of your trip cost for eligible trip cancellations. None include rental car coverage.

The four winning plans cost between $29 to $74 — significantly below the average cost of comprehensive travel insurance , which can range between 4%-8% of total travel expenses, according to the US Travel Insurance Association. But these affordable plans also come with comparably low ceilings for various aspects of coverage such as emergency medical, trip cancellation, or delay — and do not include rental car or " cancel for any reason" (CFAR) protection . So if you think you might need these benefits, it may well be worth upgrading to a comprehensive travel insurance plan for a few more dollars, just for the peace of mind.

Convenience and Flexibility

Each of the plans in this list include 24-hour assistance worldwide from reputable insurance providers. And despite being on the lower end of insurance plans, each of these options includes refunds for up to 100% of your total trip cost for eligible reasons. Each of these plans also includes medical coverage for COVID-related issues that may arise during your travels, which may come in handy as the pandemic continues to evolve worldwide.

Sufficient Coverage in Essential Categories

The cheapest travel insurance plan will rarely cover every scenario that could go awry on your trip. However, each of these plans can at least help you get your money back in the event that your travel is canceled for an eligible reason, and most of them include travel medical insurance if you incur emergency medical bills while traveling. We also factor in what travelers are most concerned about now. 

You can read more about how Business Insider rates insurance here.

Best Cheap Travel Insurance FAQs

You can reduce the cost of travel insurance by opting for simpler coverage or choosing higher deductibles on travel medical insurance. You can also consider annual travel insurance , which will save you money in the long run if you take multiple trips over one year.

Yes, many affordable policies offer comprehensive coverage suitable for international travel. It's crucial to compare policies and understand your needs. You can find our guide on the best international travel insurance here.

Travel insurance is relatively cheap because it only covers you for a set period of time, and depending on your plan, the level of coverage you get may not be particularly high. However, even with high coverage limits and extras like cancel for any reason coverage , travel insurance is relatively affordable. 

The average cost of travel insurance is 4%-8% of your trip's cost. This usually translates into a premium between $89 to $399. That said, many companies offer premiums far below average costs.

When shopping for travel insurance, consider the type of trip you're planning. If you're planning leisurely excursions in a big city, you may not need as much emergency medical coverage as you would if you're planning a serious hiking expedition in the mountains. A good plan should include trip cancellation, some emergency medical protection, and 24-hour assistance at a minimum.

low cost cruise insurance

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

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  • Main content

U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

8 Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies Worth the Cost

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Trawick International »

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World Nomads Travel Insurance »

low cost cruise insurance

AXA Assistance USA »

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Generali Global Assistance »

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Seven Corners »

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Allianz Travel Insurance »

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IMG Travel Insurance »

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WorldTrips »

Why Trust Us

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

Table of Contents

  • Trawick International
  • World Nomads Travel Insurance
  • AXA Assistance USA

There are plenty of smart ways to save money on your travel plans, but refusing to buy travel insurance isn't necessarily one of them. Not having travel insurance can mean being on the hook for exorbitant medical bills or costs for emergency transportation if you become sick or injured during your trip. You could also face significant financial losses if your trip is delayed or your bags are lost or stolen, and without travel insurance you won't have a third party to rely on for assistance.

Buying affordable travel insurance makes more sense than skipping this coverage altogether, so read on to find out which companies offer the cheapest plans and all the protections you can get for a low cost.

How We Chose the Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies

To determine the cheapest travel insurance companies, U.S. News created sample traveler profiles for three separate eight-day trips to different destinations (the Cayman Islands, Spain and California) at a range of price points ($6,500, $10,500 and $8,500, respectively). We used that information to get quotes for the cheapest option for 100% trip cancellation coverage for each trip. We then calculated the average cost of the trips.

The travel insurance companies that made our ranking have a high credit rating and offer the lowest average cost, outlined below. (Note: The sample average costs are not price quotes from U.S. News. To find a travel insurance price quote, use the "View plans" link to enter your trip details and find more information.)

  • Generali Global Assistance
  • Seven Corners
  • Allianz Travel Insurance
  • IMG Travel Insurance
  • Trip cancellation coverage (up to $30,000) for 100% of the insured vacation
  • Trip interruption coverage (up to $30,000) for 100% of the insured vacation
  • Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000 ($150 per day for delays of 12 hours or more)
  • $750 in coverage for lost and damaged luggage; $200 for baggage delays
  • Up to $500 in coverage for missed connections of three hours or more
  • Up to $50,000 in emergency medical coverage ($750 sublimit for emergency dental)
  • Up to $200,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
  • Up to $2,500 of trip protection for cancellation or interruption
  • Up to $1,000 in coverage of lost, stolen or damaged baggage; up to $750 for baggage delays on your outward journey
  • Up to $100,000 in emergency medical insurance; $750 dental sublimit
  • Up to $300,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
  • 24-hour travel assistance services
  • Up to 100% coverage for trip cancellation and interruption
  • Up to $500 in coverage for trip delays ($100 per day)
  • Up to $500 in coverage for missed connections
  • Up to $25,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses
  • Up to $100,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
  • Up to $750 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $200 for baggage delays
  • Up to $10,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
  • Up to $25,000 in coverage for common carrier AD&D
  • Coverage up to 100% of the insured vacation for trip cancellation
  • Up to 125% of the insured vacation cost for trip interruption
  • Travel delay coverage worth up to $1,000 per person ($150 per person daily limit)
  • Up to $1,000 per person for lost, damaged or stolen bags; $200 per person for baggage delays
  • Up to $500 per person for missed connections
  • Up to $50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
  • Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency assistance and transportation
  • AD&D coverage for air travel worth up to $50,000 per person ($100,000 per plan)
  • Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000
  • Trip interruption coverage up to 100% of the cost of the trip
  • Trip delay coverage worth up to $600 (for six-hour delays; $200 limit per person per day)
  • Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $500
  • Baggage delay coverage worth up to $500 (for six-hour delays; $100 per day)
  • Missed cruise or tour coverage worth up to $500 ($250 per day)
  • Emergency accident and sickness medical coverage worth up to $100,000 (secondary coverage)
  • Up to $750 in emergency dental coverage
  • Up to $250,000 in protection for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
  • Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $10,000 per traveler
  • Trip interruption coverage worth up to $10,000 per traveler
  • Travel delay coverage worth up to $300 ($150 per day)
  • Luggage loss and damage protection up to $500 per traveler
  • Baggage delay coverage worth up to $200 per day
  • Emergency medical and dental coverage up to $10,000 ($500 for dental expenses)
  • Emergency medical transportation coverage worth up to $50,000
  • 24-hour hotline assistance
  • Up to 100% in coverage for trip cancellation
  • Trip interruption benefit worth up to 125% of the trip cost
  • Up to $500 for travel delays per person ($125 daily maximum per person)
  • Up to $750 for lost, damaged or stolen bags ($250 maximum per item)
  • Up to $150 in luggage delay coverage
  • Up to $100,000 in emergency medical coverage
  • Up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
  • Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of trip cost (up to $10,000)
  • Trip interruption coverage up to 100% of trip cost
  • Up to $500 in coverage for travel delays (five-hour delay required; $100 daily limit)
  • Coverage worth up to $1,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage ($250 per item)
  • Coverage worth up to $200 for baggage delays of 12 hours or more
  • Up to $250 in coverage for airline reissue or cancellation fees
  • Up to $250 in coverage for reinstatement of frequent traveler awards
  • Emergency medical and illness coverage worth up to $10,000
  • Up to $500 in coverage for emergency dental expenses
  • Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
  • AD&D coverage worth up to $10,000
  • Travel assistance services

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

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

You might also be interested in:

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Is Travel Insurance Worth It? Yes, in These 3 Scenarios

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These are the scenarios when travel insurance makes most sense.

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9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations.

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The 5 Best International Travel Insurance Companies for 2024

International travel insurance is a must-have for every trip abroad, and for more reasons than one.

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Does My Health Insurance Cover International Travel?

Private health insurance typically doesn't cover international travel expenses.

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When you click "Continue" you will be taken to a site owned by , not GEICO. GEICO has no control over their privacy practices and assumes no responsibility in connection with your use of their website. Any information that you provide directly to them is subject to the privacy policy posted on their website.

Travel Insurance

Get a travel insurance quote and protect your next trip

For flight insurance protection:

Aircare Flight Quote

For all-in-one trip insurance protection:

ExactCare Travel Quote

Manage Your Travel And Flight Insurance

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Take the worry out of your travels with affordable flight or trip insurance.

Looking to plan the vacation of a lifetime or flying home for the holidays? Trip insurance and flight insurance can provide the peace of mind you need for your next journey. The GEICO Insurance Agency, with Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP), offers comprehensive travel insurance coverage, with prompt service and global assistance. Get an online travel insurance quote today and confidently protect your next adventure.

AirCare Flight Insurance

If you only need to protect your travel costs for a flight, AirCare may be what you need. With affordable coverage for both domestic and international flights, AirCare flight insurance helps you plan with peace of mind.

ExactCare Travel Insurance

If you want to cover your flight and other trip arrangement's ExtraCare can help. An ExactCare Travel Insurance policy can help with the unexpected like:

  • Trip Cancellations/Interruptions/Delays
  • Lost/Stolen travel documents
  • Unexpected medical expenses

What's the difference between flight insurance and travel insurance?

The main difference is that a flight insurance policy only covers your airfare. On the other hand, a travel insurance policy helps protect your flight as well as other parts of your trip. While you're planning your next trip, think about where you're going and what you'll be doing. Once you have that, it'll be easier to choose which policy works best for your trip.

What does a flight insurance policy cover?

AirCare Flight Insurance has a variety of benefits including emergency travel assistance, 24/7/365. Some common flight coverages are:

  • Airfare incase flights are cancelled or you miss a connection
  • Personal items like lost or delayed luggage
  • Flight delays in your departure (at the gate or on the tarmac)

AirCare Quote

What does a travel insurance policy cover?

ExactCare Travel Insurance provides all-in-one travel protection, with family friendly pricing and worldwide emergency travel assistance 24/7/365. Common things covered by travel insurance are:

  • Trip cancellation or interruption
  • Personal items like passports and luggage
  • Medical costs like hospital and doctor expenses, medical evacuations, and more

ExactCare quote

What is not covered by travel insurance?

Your coverage is based on the plan you choose. However, in general some things that aren't normally covered by travel insurance are:

  • Action and team sports, for example auto racing, pro sports travel, or other extreme sport activities
  • Travel to get medical care
  • Trip Cancellation because you changed your mind

For more information, please check your policy.

Is travel or trip insurance worth the cost?

Travel insurance can help protect your vacation or trips from unexpected things happening. You can travel without trip insurance but doing so brings greater risk if something goes wrong or you encounter unexpected delays. Flight insurance or trip insurance coverage can include things like flight cancellation, lost luggage, trip cancellation, emergency medical transportation, and more. Learn more about travel insurance and why you should get a travel insurance quote today!

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance typically costs 5 to 10 percent of your total trip cost, though that can be influenced by several things.

  • The cost of the trip
  • The length of your trip and destination
  • The amount of coverage selected
  • The number of travelers covered under the policy

Worldwide service and claims information.

It's easy to manage your travel insurance..

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) has made it easy to manage your travel insurance. You can:

Is travel insurance worth it?

Yes. Things happen that are out of your control. Whether it's your flight being cancelled or delayed to a family emergency. Life happens and that's how travel insurance can help. Plan for the unexpected with a travel insurance policy so you can rest easy knowing you're covered.

Travel Insurance: Get the answers you're looking for.

  • What travel insurance plans are available? BHTB offers AirCare (flight only) and 3 main plans: ExactCare Value, ExactCare, and ExactCare Extra. ExactCare Value provides great traveling insurance coverage for budget minded travelers. You can rest easy knowing you're covered for things like trip cancellation, trip interruption, and medical expenses. The main difference is the maximum amount that will be covered. ExactCare and ExactCare Extra's insurance cover the same things as ExactCare Value and add coverage for missed connections and accidental death & dismemberment. The overall amount covered is also increased for each plan respectively.
  • Can I get trip insurance for an extended overseas stay? Yes. We can help you with getting insurance for overseas. Please visit our overseas insurance page for information about all the options we have for you!
  • Is there travel insurance that can cover my vehicle while traveling to Mexico? Your US auto insurance policy won't cover your vehicle when you drive into Mexico. We're here to help you find the Mexico car insurance you need to insure your car.
  • Tips for saving money on your next vacation. No one wants to overpay things. We're here to help. Check out our 5 ways to save your money on your next family vacation.
  • Where you're going
  • Number of days you're traveling
  • Cost of your overall trip
  • Coverage you pick
  • Number of people covered under your policy

If you choose to get a rate quote or service your policy online, you will be taken to the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection website which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, not GEICO. Any information that you provide directly to Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company on its website is subject to the privacy policy posted on their website, which you should read before proceeding. GEICO assumes no responsibility for their privacy practices or your use of their website.

ExactCare is provided through Berkshire Hathaway Global Insurance Services, LLC. ExactCare and AirCare are underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company. Both coverages are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.

Benefits may vary by jurisdiction. Please contact a representative to confirm availability.

Please note:

The above is meant as general information and as general policy descriptions to help you understand the different types of coverages. These descriptions do not refer to any specific contract of insurance and they do not modify any definitions, exclusions or any other provision expressly stated in any contracts of insurance. We encourage you to speak to your insurance representative and to read your policy contract to fully understand your coverages.

Colorado Language Preference

Are you a resident of or looking for insurance in the State of Colorado?

We are temporarily unable to provide services in Spanish for Colorado residents. You will now be directed to an English experience.

Estamos encantados de ofrecer nuestra nueva version del sitio web en Español. Apreciamos su paciencia mientras seguimos mejorando su experiencia.

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Renters insurance

Our renters insurance ratings methodology

Kara McGinley

Heidi Gollub

Heidi Gollub

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

Jennifer Lobb

Jennifer Lobb

Published 9:00 a.m. UTC May 24, 2024

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How we rate renters insurance

We evaluated 238 renters insurance coverage details and rated 14 renters insurance companies by weighting key factors and using a data-based methodology.

We analyzed renters insurance policy rates based on different amounts of personal property coverage: $15,000, $30,000, $50,000, $75,000, $100,000 and $200,000. 

We used the following profile:

  • 40-year-old female renter.
  • Good credit.
  • $500 deductible.
  • $100,000 in liability insurance.

We also analyzed rates for students, renters with poor, fair and good credit, and policies with a $250 deductible. 

>> Why this is important: Renters insurance is one of the cheapest property insurance policies available, costing an average of $18 per month for a policy with $30,000 in personal property coverage. Consider comparing quotes from multiple renters insurance companies that made our top-scoring analysis to find the best coverage for your needs at the best price. 

Customer complaints

We scored each company based on complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) , which shows the volume of renters insurance consumer complaints against each company. When a consumer submits a complaint against an insurance company to their state’s department of insurance, the NAIC keeps a log of the complaints. Common reasons for complaints include delays, claim denials, settlements and processing.

The NAIC national average complaint rate is 1.0. Renters insurance companies with the lowest NAIC customer complaint rate received the highest score of 30 points. All of the best renters insurance companies that made our top-scoring analysis have below-average NAIC customer complaint rates. 

>> Why this is important: When choosing a renters insurance company, checking reviews and complaints can give you important insight into how a company handles claims, settlements and denials. The lower an NAIC complaint score, the better the chances are that the insurance company has satisfied customers. Keep in mind that the NAIC only logs complaints and doesn’t factor in positive reviews.

How we choose the products we ranked

We chose renters insurance companies based on rates and consumer complaints. Our analysis only included renters insurance companies that sell renters insurance in 10 or more states. We analyzed HO-4 contents broad form policies, which is a home insurance policy designed for people who rent their houses. 

Our star ratings explained

Our best renters insurance star ratings are determined by weights assigned to the key factors below. Each renters insurance company is scored, and its total score out of 100 determines its star rating. The top scores earn 5 stars.

Renters insurance methodology

  • Cost: 70 points.
  • Customer complaints: 30 points.
See the results of our analysis in our rating of the best renters insurance .

How we collect data

Our insurance experts collect data from Quadrant Information Services . We then review average monthly and annual cost for renters insurance policies with different levels of personal property coverage — $15,000, $30,000, $50,000, $75,000, $100,000 and $200,000. In the pros and cons of each company widget, we include information about coverage offerings, discounts and consumer complaints.

We also analyze how much renters insurance costs for different profiles, like student renters and renters with poor credit, to make sure we assign the proper ‘best’ accolade to each company. 

Our data undergoes three levels of fact-checking to ensure accuracy. We refresh this data annually, and our ratings are updated then. 

USA TODAY Blueprint’s editorial standards

Our aim as insurance editors and experts is to provide unbiased reviews of insurance companies and policies using a mathematical approach through a calculated methodology. All star ratings are data-based and thoroughly fact-checked. 

We collect thousands of data points to evaluate by assigning weights to the most important factors. These weights determine each product’s score out of 100, which translates to a star rating. Top-scoring insurance products get 5 stars.

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.

Kara McGinley

Kara McGinley is deputy editor of insurance at USA TODAY Blueprint and a licensed home insurance expert. Previously, she was a senior editor at Policygenius, where she specialized in homeowners and renters insurance. Her work and insights have been featured in MSN, Lifehacker, Kiplinger, PropertyCasualty360 and more.

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.

Jennifer Lobb is deputy editor at USA TODAY Blueprint and is an experienced insurance and personal finance writer. Jennifer served as an insurance staff writer and editor at U.S. News and World Report and deputy editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor. She also spent several years covering finance and insurance for various financial media sites, including LendingTree and Investopedia. For nearly a decade, she’s helped consumers make educated decisions about the products that protect their finances, families and homes.

Average renters insurance cost for 2024

Average renters insurance cost for 2024

Renters insurance Kara McGinley

Best renters insurance companies: Expert-reviewed 2024

Best renters insurance companies: Expert-reviewed 2024

Renters insurance Katy McWhirter

Do you need short-term rental insurance?

Do you need short-term rental insurance?

Renters insurance Hilary Collins

What is renters insurance and how does it work?

What is renters insurance and how does it work?

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What does renters insurance cover?

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Money blog: Top 10 places kids spend pocket money - as new data reveals going rate for 2024

Pocket money is in decline, data shows - but kids are finding new ways to pay for their everyday "essentials". Read this in our weekend edition of the Money blog below and leave your thoughts in the comments box. We'll be back with regular updates after the bank holiday.

Saturday 25 May 2024 15:00, UK

Weekend Money

  • How much is pocket money in 2024 and where are kids spending it? New data reveals all
  • Inflation, election and energy bills: What a big week of announcements means for your pocket
  • Ford engine problems, inflation data scepticism and BT landline switch: What readers have said this week

Best of the week

  • What now for mortgages after inflation and election announcements?
  • Ian King : Here's why price cap is still £300 more than before Ukraine war
  • Which biscuits have the least sugar? Your guide to elevenses
  • Savings Guide: Britons urged to act quickly to grab above-inflation savings rates while they last
  • Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

By Bhvishya Patel , Money team

Pocket money is in decline, data shows - but kids are finding new ways to pay for their everyday "essentials".

Data from the Natwest pocket money index  (looking at transactions from 308,000 children in the Rooster app) shows only 30% of families now pay pocket money as part of a regular routine (down 2%), with children getting £3.78 on average a week (down 10p from last year).

In fact, pocket money now makes up just 14% of children's income. Instead they're finding new income streams - with a typical child netting £479.96 a year (£9.23 a week) for one-off chores or entrepreneurship.

These "salaries" obviously differ for age groups... 

  • £5.68 for a six-year-old 
  • £24.71 for a 17-year-old

British children are now charging extra for chores and squeezing more money out of their side hustles.

  • Car cleaning earned £3.25 on average - 32% (79p) more than a year ago
  • Paper round earnings increased 2% (45p) to £23.10 a week
  • However, it's been a less good year for reselling - with earnings down 15% to £22.62 a week.

Arguably the most interesting part of the data is where kids are spending their money.

Amazon was top, with Tesco and McDonald's next. Primark, Co-op, PlayStation, Xbox, Sainsbury's and Asda are next in that order - but there's no place this year for Apple, which has been replaced by fashion brand Shein, rounding off the top 10.

NatWest Rooster Money said "kids' money is completely changing shape"... 

"Kids are increasingly complementing [pocket money] in other, more sophisticated ways. This move to greater independence and maturity in their earning has been fantastic to see and bodes well for some bright, financially confident futures ahead." Will Carmichael, chief executive and founder of NatWest Rooster Money

An illustration of this maturity is kids' saving rate of 9.5% - not far off the adult average of 10.2%. Gaming, holidays and the future were the top three saving incentives, in that order.

Is there a right answer?

Kirsty Ketley, a parenting specialist from Surrey, said she gave her 11-year-old daughter Ella £5 and her seven-year-old son Leo £2 a week in cash.

They both started receiving pocket money when they were six.

"I often say to parents, even with children as young as four, it's fine to start giving a bit of pocket money because it's such an important life skill to have – to learn how to manage money because you don't get taught it," she said.

Presenter and children's author Konnie Huq, who has two sons, Covey, 12, and Huxley, 10, told the Money team that a regular pocket money allowance was a "really good way" of getting children into the habit of earning and spending.

She said receiving a regular allowance helped teach children "responsibility" and "financial literacy".

"That's what they will be doing as the grown-ups they become," she said. "I've always said kids are shaping and forming between 0 to seven. You want to put the values in them now in these younger years that they will take through with them in their life."

Sharon Olivero-Chapman, chief executive and founder of Harrienna Health, disagrees. She has always thought a regular pocket money figure is the "wrong message to give to children" - and her daughter Harriet, 13, is one of those raking it in from side hustles.

"Pocket money gives them the wrong association with money," she said. "They're just given money on a plate, whereas that's not real life, is it?"

Ms Olivero-Chapman said if her daughter did want to buy something she had to work out how she could get that money and would then be given chores to earn it. She said it was £1 to unload and fill the dishwasher, £1 to fill and empty the washing machine and 50p to make her bed.

"It's not a regular thing every week," she explained.

Ms Olivero-Chapman said the family's entrepreneurial bug had rubbed off on Harriet and she began running her own Etsy store business last year which sees her personalise phone cases. Her business has earned nearly £1,000 so far.

Your pocket money stories - how much, how and in return for what

The Dursuns, Scotland

Aga Dursun, 41, a PMO analyst from Erskine, gives her 13-year-old son Galip £3 a day and her nine-year-old son Troy £1 a day via transfers into a Starling account. They also get £20 each on her pay day. No chores are required.

"It gives them a lot of freedom and they learn the value of money as well because for example now if they want more expensive trainers they have to save up," she says.

"It's mostly spent on games which breaks my heart."

The Shaws, London

Sammy Shaw, from Enfield, said she gave her eight-year-old twins Teddy and Hope £3.50 a week via the Natwest Rooster Money card.

To earn the money, her son and daughter are set a number of activities which they must complete  - if they don't, money is deducted.

"My two have got an exceptional amount they have got to do. The first thing they've got to do is make their bed, get dressed independently. When they go downstairs they've got to do 10 minutes of practice on the keyboard, they do Times Tables Rock Stars (a digital maths app) and then 10 minutes of reading. 

"The parent has to go into the app and approve these activities and if they don't do them it takes percentages off."

Last year, the twins saved up to buy theatre tickets for the family at £35 a pop.

The Regulskis, Wales

Over in Caerphilly, Dean Regulski, 44, has a fairly similar routine: money in return for washing, ironing, dog walking, laundry and vacuuming. He and his wife give kids Emmeline, Nancy and Abraham (aged 12 to 15) £10 a week also using Rooster.

"Every time they want to make a transaction, it pings my phone so straight away I can have a conversation with them about what they are buying and if it's just sweets I can limit it on the app so it's a £1 transaction," Dean says.

"My son the other day was asking if he could buy something that was beyond the £40 and I said he can take it out next month but that will cost extra chores. I explained the concept of interest to him."

The Moores, West Midlands

Ben Moore, 40, from Solihull, said his 13-year-old twin daughters had got £5 a week in pocket money for the past two years.

They used GoHenry before switching to a debit card.

"We spent a year on GoHenry and it was good because we could say 'you can't spend it on McDonald's' and restrict the type of spending but there was a monthly fee for it," he said.

Chores are not a requirement as he is "really keen" his daughters use the money to "go out with their friends rather than just sit on their phones".

The Scotts, Wiltshire

Fiona Scott, 58, from Swindon in Wiltshire, said her three children Samantha, 24, Georgia, 22, and David, 17, all got pocket money until they were able to make their own money.

"We've always had a little book at home showing this is what is coming in and going out and this is what we've got to spend, so I've encouraged them all to do that in different ways. They've got used to seeing and understanding what a household budget is," she said.

The Joneses, West Midlands

Mother-of-three Jenny Jones, 43, said her 11-year-old daughter Rebecca receives £10 a month - no chores, but everyone is expected to muck in.

It started off with 50p a week when she was seven but when she turned 11, Ms Jones opened up a junior account at Barclays and money goes in monthly.

"It's taught her general management around money. At the moment she loves bubble tea and she loves getting bits of jewellery so it's a case of her thinking what does she want, can she afford both? It enables her to make those decisions.

"It's just those life lessons, isn't it? We can't have everything we want and you've got to make those decisions - and it's okay to make the wrong decision, which is normal."

The main topics from the Money blog that got you commenting this week were...

  • Known issues with Ford EcoBoost engines
  • Inflation drops to 2.3% 

BT delays switch from analogue landlines

'My second-hand Ford is being written off with a known issue - but no one is taking responsibility'

Every Monday, we get an expert to answer your money problems or consumer disputes. 

This week, Rory Raftery told us about a known issue with his Ford C-Max which had caused it to be written off. He asked if there was anything he could do. 

Dozens of readers wrote in to say they had similar issues. 

Money Blog, I had a Ford Focus with an EcoBoost Engine that failed after 62k miles on it, and Ford won't entertain any responsibility because not full Ford service history, offered no help whatsoever, have and are being treated appallingly at every level. Damian Moynihan
Bought a second hand EcoBoost 1.0 13 plate Focus from a broker… had it less than three months and the car has had sudden coolant loss and engine failure due to a cylinder head crack, almost a £5,000 repair. Ford need to be held accountable for this, it's ridiculous... no warning light, no temperature rises and then bang the car's engine is finished. The car has covered 73,000 miles. Gareth from Wigan
The Ford EcoBoost problem has prompted a recall for US cars with the exact same issue. Yet in the UK Ford are doing nothing about the issue. There is a Facebook page with over 20k members all experiencing the same issue and Ford refuse to acknowledge the issue, in the UK at least. anonymous

Here's what Ford had to say when we published Rory's problem: "Ford is confident in the robustness and reliability of its EcoBoost engine technology when the stated guidelines for maintenance and service are followed. 

"Ford UK is happy to investigate service support and/or compensation measures for any customer who believes they have had an EcoBoost engine issue and is happy to review cases with a full-service history for vehicles up to 10 years old with less than 150,000 miles.

"For any customers in the UK whose vehicle meets these parameters, you can speak to our customer relationship team and contact details can be found on our website  here ." 

The company said timely and correct servicing as outlined in the owner's manual was key for wet belt maintenance and any illuminated dashboard warning lights should always receive attention. 

On Wednesday, we got the latest inflation figures, showing it had dropped to 2.3% in April - down from 3.2% in March.

A drop to 2.1% had been expected by the Bank of England, but it showed the fight against price rises was being won.

Here's what some readers had to say about it... 

All my experiences when I go grocery shopping don't fill me with optimism that prices are almost stabilising. Particularly household items, such as cleaning costs, are still rising steadily and frequently. An item I buy was £3 something a matter of weeks ago. This morning... £5. Su H
Am I the only person who thinks that increasing the minimum wage by 10% in April and the knock-on effect of increasing wages by more than 8% in labour intensive industries is going to cause an increase in inflation that will make a reduction in interest rates very unlikely? Rayayre

The national living wage for workers increased by 9.8% on 1 April from £10.42 to £11.44.  

Since the recent decline in inflation is largely due to energy prices, can anyone name a specific government action that influenced energy prices traded on the international market? This government can't resist taking credit for everything! Marek
You have written this story as a failure of government to bring inflation down to a level some analysts forecast, despite it being a huge drop and within a whisker of the 2% target. It reads like a piece one would expect to hear coming from a Labour politician. Tom Jeffries
I don't believe this for one moment, did my shopping yesterday the price of food is disgracefully high still and takes up most of my income as a family. Andrea
I have seen no change in the cost of living, my car insurance is up 10%, council tax did the same. Shrinkflation is still going on. Food prices may have stopped increasing, but they have not gone down. My job as an assessor had its hours and pay cut of 1/3, bills remain! StevieB
Inflation down but prices remain high, my mortgage and day-to-day bills are still cripplingly high while my wages stagnate. In real terms I've never had so little disposable income. The cost of living crisis is far from over. Kingsholm_Neil
How does UK inflation compare around the world ? KevinPB

We found the answer to this one on Wednesday...

Why are prices on certain things still expensive and will they ever go down? Nick12

On Nick's question, inflation coming down doesn't mean prices are. It just means prices are rising at a slower rate. 

For prices to drop, we would need negative inflation, which isn't common. 

But, in the April data, we did see it in the energy sector thanks to the price cap change. 

On Monday, BT Group pushed back its timetable for moving all customers off the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and on to digital landlines.

From this summer, customers who have not used their landline in the past 12 months, who do not identify as vulnerable or have additional needs, have not contacted an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) in the past 24 months and live in an area where a data sharing agreement is in place, will be switched - unless they have opted out.

Vulnerable customers or those with additional needs will start to be switched from summer 2025, with the aim to have all customers moved off the old analogue PSTN by the end of January 2027.

We have a thatched house and no mobile signal. We signed up to Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP) and despite protests, we were "upgraded" to digital voice at "no extra cost". Time to give us back our copper which always works - even when we have no electricity. Ian P
Living in a rural area where we have power cuts for different reasons and internet signal is non-existent without Wi-Fi, how will we stay connected? Melanie
I live in Lancaster but my signal is so poor that I have to ask family to call me on my landline. How on earth are we supposed to manage without one? Pat

Three big announcements this week could have significant implications for the money in your pocket.

First, April's inflation data , which on the face of it was good news. 

Price rises slowed to 2.3%, within touching distance of the Bank of England's 2% target and into what economists regard as normal levels.

The Bank has repeatedly stressed that interest rates (which have been elevated to squeeze spending and encourage saving, which usually stops prices going up so quickly) would start to fall when the 2% figure was sustainably hit.

Herein lies the issue - sustainability. Because while headline CPI has fallen dramatically from highs of more than 11% in 2022, a closer look at the numbers suggests the fight against price rises isn't over just yet.

Core inflation, which strips out the volatile elements like energy and food, remains at 3.9% - while service inflation is at 5.9%. All of these numbers, including the headline figure, are above forecasts.

All of which has prompted markets to price in an August rate cut from 5.25% to 5% - previously they'd expected June.

Economics editor Ed Conway wrote this analysis...

Some suggested the fall in inflation, combined with the IMF upgrading UK growth forecasts , provided Rishi Sunak with a positive platform on which to call a summer election.

Conway isn't so sure.

He says: "We're out of recession. That's one of the key things they were waiting for. Inflation is now down to a normal level. Those things have been ticked off [but] there are a couple of issues. 

"First of all, it doesn't look like, with inflation not falling quite as far as everyone would have expected, that the final thing they were hoping for, the Bank of England cutting interest rates, is going to happen in June. There probably is not going to be an interest rate cut before the election. That's quite significant.

"Secondly, when people look at this election, it's that old question: do you feel better off than you did four or five years ago? 

"And in this case, there is no parliamentary period in history where people have seen their real disposable incomes squeezed as much as this one. 

"That's what the prime minister's fighting against."

We took a closer look at what the election and new interest rate forecasts mean for mortgages and the housing market here...

We also examined what the election result on 4 July could mean for people's finances, honing in on what we know about the major parties' plans from childcare to train fares to tax...

Finally, energy bills will fall again in July after Friday's price cap announcement.

They'll be £122 (annually) below the April-June figure.

However, daily standing charges are going up - which means those who use more energy will feel the most benefit from the price cap fall...

Sir Keir Starmer told us that Labour's plan for a new company called Great British Energy would help bring prices down...

And business presenter Ian King explained why energy bills are still £300 more than before the Ukraine war...

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money.

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with our regular Money Problem feature - and full rolling news and features after the bank holiday on Tuesday. 

The Money team is Emily Mee, Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

Cara Delevingne's childhood home is up for sale - but it's come to market with a huge £23.5m price tag. 

The 5,456 sq ft property in London's Belgravia was also home to controversial casino and zoo owner John Aspinall in the 1960s. 

Mr Aspinall and the mansion were also linked to the disappearance of Lord Lucan in 1974 - a mystery that still hasn't been solved. 

After he died in 2000, the five-bedroom house was bought by Charles and Pandora Delevingne - the parents of supermodel Cara and her older sisters Chloe and Poppy.

The Grade II-listed building on Lyall Street comes with two reception rooms, a study, a home cinema and a professional chef's kitchen. 

A gym, sauna, steam room and rooftop cocktail bar are also included. 

In around 2014, with their daughters grown up, the Delevingnes moved from the Lyall Street mansion and downsized.

The current owners bought the house a couple of years later and have given the mansion an extensive renovation and modernisation. 

"It is one of the best houses currently available for sale in Belgravia and is immaculately presented and beautifully interior designed," said Charles Lloyd, head of Beauchamp Estates. 

The reason for the fall in the household energy price cap is pretty straightforward - wholesale electricity and gas prices have fallen since the price cap was last set in February this year.

Wholesale gas and electricity prices make up by far the biggest proportion of the energy bills - £720 of the current £1,690 - and Ofgem is assuming, for July, August and September, a wholesale electricity price of 22.36 pence per kilowatt hour (kWh), down from 24.50 pence per kWh during the current quarter.

It is also assuming a wholesale gas price of 5.48 pence per kWh from July to September, down from 6.04 pence per kWh during the current quarter.

That brings down the wholesale energy component of the typical bill (which is based on an assumption that a household will use 12,000 kWh per year of gas and 2,900 kWh of electricity) from £720 to £619.

The question some people may have, though, is why the energy price cap that Ofgem has set for the three months from July remains higher, at £1,568, than the level at which it was set - £1,277 - at the time the energy crisis was sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

At first blush, this seems a reasonable enough question, given that a barrel of Brent Crude - a reasonable enough proxy for wholesale energy prices - stands today at $80.78 (£63.50) per barrel, down from the heights it hit after the invasion.

But bear in mind that, in those days, the price cap was only set by Ofgem every six months, rather than quarterly as at present.

The price cap in place immediately before the crisis came into effect on 1 October 2021 having been set on 6 August that year.

Prior to that, wholesale energy prices had been lower than they are now. The wholesale energy component for the price cap for the winter of 2021/22 was, accordingly, £528 - lower than the £619 it will be from July.

Other costs taken into account by Ofgem are also higher now than they were before Russia invaded Ukraine.

The UK needs "longer term solutions" on energy prices because they are still "record high almost", Sir Keir Starmer has said.

The Labour leader was commenting on a fall in the energy price cap.

From 1 July it will be £1,568 a year - a drop of £122 from the previous quarter. 

But Sir Keir said many people were still struggling to make ends meet.

"Everywhere I go, so many people tell me the cost of living is still bearing down on them," he told Sky News.

"People on a mortgage, [those] coming off a fixed mortgage, know their mortgages are going up by hundreds of pounds.

"Everybody knows prices are still going up - energy prices are still record high almost."

He added: "We need longer term solutions."

Labour's proposed Great British Energy (GBE) would help energy prices "come down for good", Sir Keir claimed.

GBE would be a publicly owned company with a mandate to invest in clean energy – wind, solar, tidal, nuclear and other emerging technologies. It would be designed to invest in riskier areas where the private sector might be reluctant.

Asked when energy prices would drop under GBE, and how quickly it could be established, he said: "Certainly by the end of the parliament, and a lot sooner than that.

"We can set up Great British Energy pretty quickly."

Discussions are already under way with potential partners, he added.

Claire Coutinho, the energy secretary, told Sky News that Great British Energy is a "complete gimmick" and a "drop in the ocean".

She also accused Labour of having "no plan" on energy security.

Putting off "life admin" could be costing you thousands of pounds a year, research has suggested.

It is estimated that adults in the UK could save £300 a year by cancelling unused subscriptions, £420 by reviewing their day-to-day finances, and £372 by re-evaluating a gym membership. 

"On average, Brits admit to putting off simple tasks by four to six months," Lloyds Bank said.

When asked why they had been delaying, almost a fifth (18%) said there was no deadline, one in seven (16%) said it was easier to take no action, while for 13% the memory of previous difficulties was off-putting.

Turning to the future, a fifth (20%) admitted not having a pension, while only two fifths (42%) knew how to add more money to their pension if they had one. 

If you are looking for a detailed analysis of today's cut in the energy price cap (see our breaking news post from 7am) then the following from Martin Lewis is worth digesting.

The founder of Money Saving Expert has split his reaction into three sections.

Lewis says the cap will drop on 1 July by an average of 7.2% for Direct Debit customers, 6.9% for prepay customers, and 7.1% for those who pay when they get a bill.

The cap will fall to £1,568 a year - a drop of £122 from the previous quarter. 

Standing charges (what you pay regardless of how much energy you use) "remain high" and are "virtually unchanged", Lewis says.

"All the cut" is via unit rates, he adds.

That means those who use more energy will be seeing bigger savings.

The electricity unit rate for Direct Debit customers from July will be 22.36p/kwH - down 9% from 24.5p, Lewis says.

The electricity standing charge will be 60.12p a day - up from 60.1p.

The gas unit rate will be 5.48p/kwH - down 9% from 6.04p.

And the gas standing charge will be 31.41p - slightly down from 31.43p.

Lewis says the results of a consultation on standing charges are likely to be published sometime in the "summer", adding: "Whenever that is."

As we reported in our post at 7.34am, respected market researcher Cornwall Insight is predicting that bills are likely to rise once more in the run-up to winter. 

Lewis comments: "If they're right this is the last fall, and the coming rises are big.

"On 1 July it's confirmed [the cap] drops 7%, so for every £100 paid today you pay £93. 

"Then on 1 Oct it's predicted to rise 12%, so you'll go back up and be paying £104. 

"Then on 1 Jan the crystal ball is saying it'll stay flat (at £104). 

"All this makes the cheapest fixes, which are currently 9% cheaper than now (so £91 per £100 on the price cap), look a decent bet."

Thousands of darts fans packed out the O2 last night as Luke Littler was crowned champion in the Premier League Darts final.

While his victory was met with big celebrations, the price of a pint left many upset.

Tom Park shared a photo of the menu on X which showed a pint of Camden Hells Lager cost £9.50. 

A Budweiser came in at £8.95 - and it was the same for a Stella Artois. 

Other social media uses responded to his post in shock.

Here are some of the replies we saw: 

  • "That's absolutely disgraceful."
  • "Bloody hell! That's a joke." 
  • "We get so ripped off in this country."
  • "£9.50 for a pint of Camden Hells in f****** robbery." 

Two pint offers didn't seem to be any better, with the menu showing the deal just worked out the same as buying two normal pints.

The Money team has contacted the O2 for comment. 

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The Guide to Single Trip Travel Insurance

Carissa Rawson

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

How single trip travel insurance works

How to choose between travel insurance companies, best plans for single trip travel insurance, other tips for travel insurance for a single trip, travel cards that come with complimentary travel insurance, single travel insurance for a trip recapped.

There are many types of travel insurance, including plans that’ll reimburse you for emergency medical expenses or unexpected travel delays. Along with coverage types, there are also different durations of travel insurance.

Single trip travel insurance will cover you during one vacation, while multitrip or annual travel insurance can last for multiple outings. Let’s take a look at single trip travel insurance, what kind of coverage you can expect and how to choose a plan that works for you.

Purchasing a travel insurance plan is fairly simple, as is making a claim. It generally goes like this:

You gather a few quotes from travel insurance companies.

You pick a plan that suits your needs and customize it to your liking.

You purchase your plan and include a date for it to start.

You go on your trip.

If something happens (such as a flight delay), keep the proof.

You make a claim with your travel insurance company.

The travel insurance company reimburses you. 

There are a few variations in how this can work (for instance, some travel insurance plans can pay a medical provider directly), but for the most part, this is how the process will go. This is the case whether you have one-trip travel insurance or multitrip travel insurance.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

There are several travel insurance companies out there, which can make choosing a plan difficult.

NerdWallet analysis found that some travel insurance providers rise above the rest in terms of breadth and depth of coverage, cost, customizability, and overall customer satisfaction. Jump to see our findings on the bets plans for single trip travel insurance.

However, before choosing a company and purchasing a plan, consider these questions:

How much am I willing to pay?

Do I want trip protection, emergency medical coverage or both?

Do I already have coverage somewhere?

How much customizability does my plan need?

Do I need coverage for preexisting conditions?

Will I be doing any sort of adventure activities?

Once you’ve answered these questions, do your due diligence and get quotes from multiple sources. Different providers will offer differing levels of coverage at varying prices, so it’s in your best interest to generate as many quotes as possible and read the fine print.

To make it simple, travel insurance aggregators such as Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) will provide you with multiple quotes at a time.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

We considered a wide variety of factors when it comes to selecting the best insurance for your trip. These factors include cost, customizability, coverage maximums, whether preexisting conditions are included and the type of coverage the policy offers.

World Nomads

World Nomads is great for active travelers because of its standard coverage of adventure activities. With just two plans from which to choose, it’s also simple to decide which one you’d like.

Covers 200-plus activities as standard. 

Simple plan options.

Emergency medical coverage included.

Only two choices for policies.

Riskier activities are covered only by the more expensive Explorer plan. 

Fixed-rate reimbursement for trip protection.

» Learn more: Read our full review of World Nomads

With eight plans on offer, Tin Leg has a policy for every type of traveler. Along with standard trip protections, Tin Leg also offers Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) add-ons.

Plenty of plans from which to choose. 

Preexisting conditions included in most plans. 

Primary and secondary medical coverage options. 

Cheapest plan doesn’t cover preexisting medical conditions.

Rental car coverage add-on available only on Luxury plan. 

» Learn more: Is Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance worth it?

Seven Corners

Seven Corners is an excellent option for those who really want to customize their plans. Whether you’re looking for medical-only insurance or a more comprehensive policy, Seven Corners has options available.

Preexisting condition coverage available.

Medical-only plans on offer.

Covers missed tours and cruise connections. 

Inexpensive plan offers secondary medical insurance.

Event ticket registration coverage only for expensive plan. 

» Learn more: Is Seven Corners coverage worth the cost?

Our last company on the list is unique in that it covers those who use travel rewards, like purchasing flights or hotels with points and miles . This is fairly uncommon among travel insurance providers and can be really helpful when things go awry during award travel.

Plan options include accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) travel life insurance. 

Covers up to $300 in frequent traveler reward costs. 

Worldwide travel assistance included on every policy.

Cancel For Any Reason insurance available only on most expensive plan. 

Just $35,000 in emergency medical for basic plan (low compared to similar policies at other companies).

» Learn more: Our full TravelSafe review

If you’re interested in getting travel insurance, do yourself a favor and consider these tips before making any purchases:

Consult your medical insurance provider to see whether it offers coverage out of country .

Consider an annual plan to save money if you make multiple trips per year.

Check your credit card for complimentary travel insurance . Many offer this benefit, and if its limits are satisfactory, you can book your travels with it and avoid buying a separate policy out-of-pocket altogether. More on this in the next section.

If you're looking to get coverage for a one-off trip, among your best options is to simply pay for your travel with a card that includes travel insurance as a benefit.

Most travel cards will include coverage for things like trip interruption , trip delays and lost luggage .

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on American Express' website

Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

If you’re in the market for single trip travel insurance, there are plenty of options available to you. Before purchasing a plan, grab quotes from multiple companies because the types of coverage and costs are going to vary.

Beyond this, be sure to check whether your credit card offers complimentary travel insurance and reach out to your medical insurance provider to see what type of coverage it offers overseas.

American Express insurance disclosures

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

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.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

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

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.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 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.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

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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