budget direct travel insurance with covid cover

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The best Covid-19 travel insurance companies to protect yourself against the uptick in cases

Travel insurance can help if you have to cancel or cut a trip short due to covid..

Though the height of the pandemic may have passed, Covid-19 continues to be a consideration in everyday life. And that's especially true for those who are traveling or booking a trip.  

Getting sick on the road or having to cancel your vacation because of illness is a common concern. However, travel insurance can help you ensure you're covered. Many travel insurance policies consider Covid like they would any other illness, but not all. So, you'll still want to carefully read any travel insurance policy you're considering to make sure Covid isn't excluded. For the most comprehensive coverage, you'll want to opt for a plan with cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

To find the travel insurance policies best suited to handle Covid-related issues, CNBC Select looked at Covid coverage and limits for medical coverage and evacuation, among other factors. We found four standouts for the best Covid travel insurance policies. (See our methodology to learn more about how we created this list.)

Best Covid-19 travel insurance   

• Best for high coverage limits : AXA Travel Insurance  
• Best for cruises: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Best for luxury travel : Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection  
• Best for cancel for any reason coverage : Allianz Travel Insurance  

Best for high coverage limits  

Axa assistance usa travel insurance.

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

Policy highlights

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

24/7 assistance available

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

Who's this for?  AXA Travel Insurance is ideal for those seeking high coverage limits for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses, as well as emergency evacuations.

Standout benefits:  AXA's silver plan offers up to $25,000 of medical emergency accident and illness coverage and $100,000 of emergency evacuation coverage, higher than many of the base travel plans we compared. The company's gold and platinum plans offer higher limits, up to $250,000 of medical emergency coverage and $1 million of evacuation coverage. When comparing AXA policies, make sure you have the "Epidemic Coverage Endorsement" included.

[ Jump to more details ]  

Best for cruises

Nationwide travel insurance.

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.

• 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's travel insurance offers higher limits than many other base plans we reviewed, with limits of $75,000 for medical coverage and $250,000 of emergency evacuation coverage in its essential plan.  

Standout benefits:  Nationwide offers several plans tailored to different needs, including a cruise-specific travel insurance plan and an annual plan for frequent travelers.  

Best for luxury travel 

Berkshire hathaway travel protection.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has multiple plans to cover vacations from luxury travel to adventure travel. The brand's LuxuryCare offers the highest limits of travel insurance coverage offered by the company. Quotes and policies are available online.

• Wide variety of policies available
• Strong financial strength rating by AM Best
• Cancel for any reason only provides reimbursement for up to 50% of non-refundable trip payments

Who's this for? Those considering expensive travel can find sufficient coverage with Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection that meets a variety of needs, including coverage for Covid if needed. 

Standout benefits:  Berkshire Hathaway's top-tier LuxuryCare Travel Insurance includes coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost for trip interruption coverage and $100,000 of medical expense coverage.  

Best for cancel for any reason coverage 

Allianz travel insurance.

10 travel insurance plans make it possible to customize your coverage. For families, Allianz's OneTrip Prime package covers children age 17 and younger when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

• Trip cancellation benefits can reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable trip payments if you have to cancel your trip for one of the covered reasons stated in your plan documents. 
• Limited coverage for risky sports

Who's this for?  For those wanting the option to cancel for any reason (CFAR), Allianz Travel Insurance plans offer lots of different options, including CFAR add-ons.  

Standout benefits:  Allianz's Cancel Anytime upgrade can reimburse up to 80% of non-refundable trip costs for almost any unforeseeable reason not already covered by the policy. That's higher than most other CFAR coverage, which generally covers 70% to 75% of non-refundable trip costs. It's only available on the brand's OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier policies.  

More on our top Covid travel insurance companies 

Axa travel insurance  .

AXA offers three travel insurance plans starting at $16. Its silver plan, the lowest tier of coverage, offers high limits for emergency medical expenses at $25,000 and up to 100% of trip costs for trip interruption coverage. Many policies now include epidemic-related covered reasons.

CFAR coverage available?    

Yes, up to 75% of prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs 

24/7 assistance?   

[ Return to summary ]

Nationwide Travel Insurance 

Nationwide offers travel insurance plans for single trips, multi-trips and cruise-specific plans. The company has an A+ rating for financial strength from rating agency AM Best, and its most basic single trip and cruise plans offer a high limit of $75,000 of medical coverage.  

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection  

Berkshire Hathaway's travel coverage can be tailored towards the specific needs of cruise and luxury travelers, with options for higher coverage limits for medical coverage and trip interruption benefits.  

Yes, up to 50% of prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs 

Allianz Travel Insurance 

Allianz Travel Insurance stands out for those who want cancel for any reason coverage, as the percentage reimbursed is higher than other travel insurance providers we reviewed. For traveling families, the company's OneTrip Prime plan also offers free coverage for children ages 17 and younger with a parent's coverage.  

Yes, up to 80% of prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs through the optional Cancel Anytime upgrade 

Does travel insurance cover Covid?  

Travel insurance generally covers Covid-19 as it would any other illness. While fear of catching an illness isn't a cause for cancellation under most policies without a cancel for any reason (CFAR) add-on, being diagnosed with Covid-19 right before or during your trip could qualify you for cancellation, interruption or travel delay coverage.

As with any insurance coverage you're considering, read your travel insurance policy carefully to understand what it does and doesn't cover.  

What does travel insurance cover?  

Travel insurance can cover your trip expenses if you're unable to go due to an unforeseen, covered reason or face an illness or injury during your trip. It can also help in the event that you lose your bags or face delays in your itinerary. 

Bottom line  

If you find yourself coming down with Covid before or during a trip, travel insurance could help you recoup funds from a lost trip or cover medical bills while you're abroad. Look for a travel insurance plan with strong medical coverage and flexible cancellation options. 

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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 travel insurance   review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insurance   products .  To research the best travel insurance companies, we compiled over 100 data points on more than a dozen travel insurance companies. 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 travel insurance.

Our methodology  

To determine the best Covid-19 travel insurance companies, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of travel insurance companies and compared them based on their Covid policies, and medical and evacuation coverage limits. 

While narrowing down the best travel insurance companies, we focused on Covid-19 coverage, availability of cancel for any reason coverage, and the limits of emergency medical coverage and emergency medical evacuation coverage. We also considered factors like whether 24-hour assistance was available, Better Business Bureau ratings, and financial strength ratings from AM Best .

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

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How do you choose travel insurance that covers COVID-19?

Oct 26, 2021 • 5 min read

COVID-19 has made it more important to check the health coverage on your travel insurance © Maskot/Getty Images

After 18 months of pandemic-related travel restrictions, you may be itching to act on your pent-up wanderlust⁠⁠—but the situation and the rules are still continuously evolving. So before you go anywhere, it’s best to have a travel insurance plan that protects the investment you’ve made in a long-awaited trip.

A robust travel insurance plan will reimburse pre-paid trip costs and non-refundable deposits if you have to cancel or interrupt your trip, encounter trip delays, experience baggage loss or require medical expense and medical evacuation. Your policy will also reimburse “covered reasons” in your plan, such as death, illness or injury, serious family emergencies, unplanned jury duty, military deployment, acts of terrorism, or your travel supplier going out of business.

But COVID-19 has added an additional checklist to your usual insurance needs⁠—it’s now important to check to ensure your travel insurance plan includes coverage for COVID-19 medical expenses, and losses related to illness. Your policy should also cover quarantine costs if you need to self-isolate after testing positive for the virus.

What do I look for in COVID-19 insurance coverage?

When you’re shopping for a travel insurance plan that covers COVID-19, you need to do your research and read the fine print of your plan. 

Look for a travel insurance product that will protect your non-refundable, prepaid expenses if you have to cancel your trip due to illness caused by COVID-19. Your policy should also cover emergency medical treatment and emergency medical transportation. With regard to COVID-19 coverage, be sure your policy covers medical care, medicine, hospitalization and quarantine expenses.

“The type of coverage you should look for depends on you, your needs, travel dates, and the type of trip you’re taking,” says Sasha Gainullin, CEO of battleface , a travel insurance carrier. He says some travel insurance companies have now excluded COVID-19 coverage because it has been labeled a “known/foreseeable event”, while others may exclude pandemics altogether.

“It’s important to search for plans that include medical and quarantine expenses as well⁠—this will be critical in the event you become ill and need to receive treatment while traveling,” continues Gainullin. 

One additional tip is to confirm there are no exclusions based on the destinations you’re traveling to⁠—this can happen with countries under government-issued travel warnings, Gainullin says.

“If a traveler feels uncertain, I recommend speaking with the travel insurance company directly. They can review the policy details with you, answer all of your questions, and confirm all of your required coverage options are included,” he adds.

Is getting coverage dependent on vaccination?

While it’s a good idea to be fully vaccinated before traveling, vaccination is not required to purchase a travel insurance policy, says Daniel Durazo, spokesperson with Allianz Partners USA.

What are the medical costs that are covered by travel insurance?

Travel insurance can cover the cost of both medical treatment and emergency medical transportation. A US health insurance plan, as well as Medicare, generally will not cover overseas medical expenses, so it’s best to check with your personal health insurance provider if any global coverage is available. 

“While losing the cost of a trip due to an unexpected cancellation would be painful, paying for expensive emergency medical treatment or emergency medical transportation can be financially devastating,” Durazo says.  

Under a travel insurance plan, medical costs could range doctor visits, pharmacy expenses, imaging costs and covering a hospital stay if required. Other expenses that can be covered are transportation to medical care and medicine.

Read more:  Will my health insurance cover getting COVID-19 while traveling in the US⁠⁠—or abroad?

What about covering an unexpected quarantine due to COVID-19?

Many international destinations are now requiring that visitors purchase travel insurance coverage for an unexpected quarantine. Allianz Travel Insurance has added coverage to many of its products that includes reimbursement for quarantine-related accommodations if you or a traveling companion is individually-ordered to quarantine while on their trip, says Durazo. 

This coverage typically covers the cost of additional food, lodging and transportation while quarantined. In addition, trip interruption and travel delay benefits on certain Allianz plans also provide coverage if you or your travel companion is denied boarding by your travel carrier due to suspicion of illness.

The benefits for quarantine coverage vary from carrier to carrier. For example, on select Trawick International plans, they offer $2,000 in quarantine benefits and for an additional charge, and you can increase it up to $7,000. 

What about pre-flight COVID-19 testing?

Your plan may provide coverage for flights if you are turned away at a border for not passing a health inspection. Foster says Trawick’s travel insurance plans that cover COVID-19 would cover the expenses if you could not pass your pre-health inspection.  Also, the plan would cover the costs of the failure of your PCR test to return to the United States, such as having to quarantine abroad. 

It’s important to note that the actual cost of the PCR test is not covered by your policy, just the loss associated with the negative test.

Read more:  PCR tests for travel: everything you need to know

Some destinations require COVID-specific insurance coverage⁠—how do I comply with those restrictions? 

Before any international travel, you should check the country where you are headed to make sure you comply with insurance coverage requirements. Countries like Spain, Turks and Caicos and Thailand are among the nations that mandate COVID-19 insurance coverage.

“You first must check the countries’ specific COVID regulations for entry into the country. Some countries require travelers to provide proof of travel insurance that covers COVID-19 related expenses purchased from a third party,” explains Foster. Providing proof coverage is key; so travelers need to ensure they receive documentation from their insurance provider that their policy covers COVID-19 related expenses to show customs officials, she says.

Should you arrive in a country that requires proof of insurance to cover COVID-19 medical expenses and quarantine costs, and you don’t hold a policy, you will not be granted entry.

For more information on COVID-19 and travel, check out Lonely Planet's Health Hub .

You may also like:  What happens if I'm denied entry to a country on arrival? What is a vaccine passport and do I need one to travel? What is the IATA Travel Pass and do I need it to travel?

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Budget Direct Travel Insurance

Our verdict: budget direct offers a broad range of customisations and is one of the few insurers to make covid-19 benefits optional..

In this guide

Summary of Budget Direct's Comprehensive policy

How does budget direct travel insurance cover covid-19, what policies does budget direct offer, here's a breakdown of budget direct travel insurance features, standard features, optional add-ons, how to make a budget direct travel insurance claim, here's the bottom line about budget direct travel insurance, frequently asked questions, request travel insurance quotes and compare policies.

Destinations

• Budget Direct offers cover for high-risk activities that many other brands don’t, including trekking to Everest Base Camp and trekking the Kokoda Trail.
• There are a broad range of customisations available so you can tailor cover to suit your specific needs.
• Even if you choose to add COVID-19 cover to your policy, it doesn’t offer the most comprehensive protection.
• Cover for pregnancy complications is only available up until the 24th week, but there are many brands that extend cover for longer .

Compare other options

Table updated October 2023

Budget Direct is one of the few travel insurers that lets you customise your cover for COVID-19.

As standard, you will receive cover for overseas medical expenses, including emergency evacuation or repatriation if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19. You’ll also be able to claim up to $2,500 for additional expense if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 while overseas.

However, if you want cover for amendment or cancellation costs, you’ll have to add that to your policy. If you add the benefit to your policy, you’ll be covered for amendment or cancellation costs if you or your travelling companion are diagnosed with COVID-19.

There are many scenarios that are not covered by Budget Direct, even if you add on the policy. For example, you won’t be covered if your tour or accommodation cancels due to COVID-19.

There is also no cover if you were diagnosed with COVID-19 before heading on your trip but you went anyway.

Budget Direct offers four insurance policies to travellers. Comprehensive, Essential, Basic and Domestic. All of these policies can be taken out as a single or multi-trip policy, with the exception of basic which is only available as a single-trip policy.

Comprehensive

The insurer of this product is Zurich Australian Insurance Limited. It comes with a cooling-off period of 21 days and choice of $200 standard excess for international plans.

These are some of the main insured events that Budget Direct will cover. Some of these benefits may only apply on the comprehensive international policy.

• Overseas medical treatment
• Emergency dental costs
• Trip cancellation or amendment costs
• Lost, damaged or stolen property
• Luggage and travel delay
• Additional accommodation and transport
• Theft of money
• Rental car excess
• Permanent disability
• Kidnap and hijack
• Personal liability
• Accidental death

Budget Direct also offers six add-on options that provide cover for a wider range of risks or activities while you’re on holiday.

• Cruise Cover Extends your insurance policy to cover cruises and a range of cruise-specific risks such as missed ports, sea sickness, and cabin confinement.
• Adventure Covers you for participation in a range of activities such as risky activities such as quad biking, rock climbing, and horse trekking.
• Adventure+ Extends your cover to even higher risk activities, such as trekking to Everest Base Camp or the Kokoda Track.
• Snow sports Covers you for on-piste snow skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
• Snow sports+ Extends your snow sports cover to include skiing and snowboarding off-piste as well as heli-skiing and heli-boarding.
• COVID-19 cover. Protection for cancellations and amendment costs if you or a travelling companion are diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Increase item limits. Boost your coverage for valuable items to ensure you're fully protected during your travels.
• Motorcycle cover. Stay secure on your rides with optional coverage specifically designed for motorcycles.

Unfortunately, travel insurance doesn’t cover everything. Generally, Budget Direct will not pay your claim if it relates to:

• Unlawful, wreckless or unreasonably unsafe behaviour by you
• Behaviour while you were drunk or under the influence of drugs
• Expenses related to a pre-existing medical condition
• An act of war, invasion or revolution
• Insolvency of a travel agent , tour operator or accommodation provider
• Mandatory quarantines or isolations
• You being unfit to travel or travelling against medical advice
• Childbirth or pregnancy complications after the 23rd week of gestation or if you have had previous pregnancy complications
• A multiple pregnancy or one where the conception was medically assisted
• An elective medical or dental treatment , cosmetic procedure or body modification (including tattoos or piercing)
• Self-inflicted injury or illness, suicide or attempted suicide

Make sure you review the Budget Direct PDS for a detailed breakdown of what won't be covered, found under its list of general exclusions .

To lodge your claim online, visit claims.travelinsurancepartners.com.au/budgetdirect and follow the prompts.

Alternatively, you can download, print and complete a claim form from budgetdirect.com.au/travel-insurance/claims.html and then send it to the following address.

Budget Direct Travel Insurance C/o-Travel Insurance Partners Claims Department PO Box 168, North Sydney NSW 2060

Budget Direct could be a good option for high-adrenaline travellers as it was one of the few brands we found to offer cover for risky activities such as trekking the Kokoda Trail or heli-skiing.

Don’t forget to add the optional adventure or snow sports packs if you want cover for these activities though.

If you're still not sure about Budget Direct, you can compare other travel insurance companies here .

When will I hear back about a claim?

You will hear back within 10 working days from the time Budget Direct receives your claim.

Am I covered if I’m pregnant?

For uncomplicated pregnancies, cover is only provided up until the 24th week of pregnancy. You will need to apply for cover if there have been complications with this pregnancy or a previous pregnancy, if you have a multiple pregnancy, or if the contraception was medically assisted.

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Nicola Middlemiss

Nicola Middlemiss is a contributing writer at Finder, with a special interest in personal finance and insurance. Formerly a business and finance journalist, Nicola has written thousands of articles helping Australians better understand insurance and grow their personal wealth. She has contributed to a wide range of publications, including Domain, the Educator, Financy, Fundraising and Philanthropy, Insurance Business, MoneyMag, Mortgage Professional, Yahoo Finance, Your Investment Property, and Wealth Professional. Nicola has a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Leeds. See full profile

More guides on Finder

From last minute cover for those on the go to unlimited hospital and medical for complete peace of mind, Budget Direct Travel Insurance offers cover for all types of travellers and all kinds of travel scenarios.

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22 Responses

How do i cancel my Basic Travel Insurance within the prescribed period

You’ll need to contact Budget Direct to cancel your policy. You can reach them on 1800 182 310.

We are trekking in Nepal to 4500m. Will we be covered for this please and does it cover emergency evacuation by helicopter in case of injury or illness?

Thanks for getting in touch!

You can request a quote for trekking travel insurance for Nepal . Normally, cancellations, medical expenses, and helicopter evacuation are covered if you become ill or if you’re injured while trekking to Everest base camp or on other guided treks in Nepal which can be provided by your insurer’s medical assistance team.

While Budget Direct is not on the list of brands who can cover you for the Everest Base Camp or Nepal trekking, use the online form on top of the page, enter the information needed in the fields provided and click “Get my quote”. This will show a full list of providers for your trip.

As a friendly reminder, carefully review the Product Disclosure Statement of the product before applying. You may also contact the insurance provider should you have any questions about their policy.

Hope this helps!

Best, Nikki

Hi! I require 12 months travel insurance for Germany. The consul requires 30,00 euro for medical evacuation/ repatriation of body in case of death. Can you please advise if the unlimited medical covers this?

Hi Jo-anne,

Thank you for reaching out to Finder.

Budget Direct will cover for medical evacuation or repatriation based on your specific needs. You may need to check with your specific policy it the 30,000 EU so covered by your policy as the approval is still subject to an assessment and approval by Budget Direct.

You can reach out to Budget Direct to verify so they can check on your policy coverage too.

Hope this helps! 😊

Kind Regards, Mai

Hi, on a 7 month trip to the UK, how can we make sure we’re covered for countries that we suddenly decide to visit? Or, can we add to our insurance whilst away, i.e. If we decide to go to Canada for 2 weeks, can we pay the extra prior to departure?

Thanks for contacting Finder and for leaving a question about Budget Direct Travel Insurance.

Once you are on a trip in the UK and decided to go to another country that is not supported by the region that you purchased, you can log in to your Budget Direct account and purchase a policy to add a new country, say Canada for instance. You can also head to Budget Direct’s website and chat with one of their representatives who can add add a cover for you. It can be done anytime even if you are already on a trip.

Hope this helps and ​please feel free to contact us back should you require further assistance.

I have a 125cc motorcycle in Philippines am I coverd if im riding it there

Thanks for reaching out! As it says on our page, Budget Direct covers overseas emergency medical assistance – it offers unlimited cover for all plans excluding the domestic plan. For further information, you can check the part on the page that says “Budget Direct Travel Insurance benefits.”

Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.

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Travel insurance with Covid cancellation cover: the right policies

By Sophie Butler

Purchasing travel insurance during the time of Covid can be overwhelming – will you be covered in case of cancellation, or do policies that offer medical assistance for Covid exist? Here, we break down the policies that offer Covid cover, plus what to look for in a travel insurance policy and whether your insurance is invalidated if the government advises not to travel. 

What is the best travel insurance with Covid cancellation cover?

Yes, here goes... Note though, all policies currently have restrictions on claims relating to Covid-19 and be aware that the situation is changing fast, so double-check the latest cover before you buy.

All Clear Travel Insurance ( allcleartravel.co.uk ): cover is available to people of all ages but particularly suitable for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions that other insurers are reluctant to cover.

Axa ( axa.co.uk ): this long-established, French-owned company is one of the largest insurers, providing a wide range of different policies geared to a variety of travel types.

Battleface ( battleface.com ): geared to individuals and groups with an emphasis on adventurous activities abroad and travel to remote destinations.

Campbell Irvine Direct ( campbellirvinedirect.com ): this insurer was established more than 45 years ago, and policies offer cover for travel to challenging and adventurous locations, including conservation and volunteer projects.

CoverForYou ( coverforyou.com ): competitively priced policies include winter sports and backpacker cover with enhanced silver, gold and platinum options.

Holidaysafe ( holidaysafe.co.uk ): catch-all travel specialist with a portfolio of ‘niche’ policies covering specific sporting activities including triathlon, sailing and cycling .

LV Travel Insurance ( lv.com ): one of the UK’s largest and longest-standing insurers, founded in 1843, offering single and multi-trip cover.

PJ Hayman ( pjhayman.com ): strong on customer care, with cover for medical conditions and hazardous activities plus round-the-world and gap-year travel.

Puffin Insurance ( puffininsurance.com ): annual or single-trip policies for customers aged 18-74, covering more than 75 different activities with numerous optional add-ons.

Trailfinders ( trailfinders.com ): policy automatically includes children up to 21 years, free of charge (note those aged 19-21 must be in full-time education).

Can I get travel insurance during Covid?

In a word, yes. Some companies (see list above) say they will still sell you insurance – including the crucial medical-expenses cover – provided the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) doesn’t advise against all or all but essential travel. Check the current FCDO list for the latest advice. Some insurers will also offer cover for destinations on the red list , but in the current climate of uncertainty, rules governing travel to individual countries can change fast. Travel-insurance specialist Battleface has a useful country travel restrictions tool on its website to help people check the latest developments based on a variety of factors including destination and departure dates.

Why is travel insurance important?

If you have a trip booked and don’t yet have insurance, it’s important to buy a policy as soon as possible. That way, if anything changes – FCDO advice for example – you will already have cover in place. The problem with choosing the best policy is that everyone has different requirements – it may depend on your destination, the type of trip (are you doing lots of adventurous activities , for example?) and quite detailed, nerdy stuff such as ‘travel disruption cover’, which is particularly useful at the moment if you are travelling independently. There is no shortcut to checking through the key provisions of any insurance you are considering.

What should I look for in a travel insurance policy during the pandemic?

This is the key problem. Insurers are obviously jumpy about how exposed they are to claims both for cancellations because of Covid-19 and for medical treatment as a result of catching it while you are abroad. So all have added restrictions and exclusions into their policies. You need to check exactly what those are and make sure you understand the limitations of the cover.

Does travel insurance cover Covid cancellations?

If you already have travel insurance it will normally cover your cancellation costs if you, or one of your travelling companions, falls ill before departure and can’t travel – though you will need a medical report from your doctor to confirm this. Some policies – though not many – cover losses incurred if you have booked independently and have to cancel because of FCDO advice. Look for ‘travel disruption cover’ or ‘journey disruption cover’ in the policy details, which may or may not include disruption due to epidemics (see below for more information). If you are forced to quarantine in a hotel after visiting a red list country, this is unlikely to be covered by any insurance companies. If you are simply nervous of travelling and want to cancel – which is known as ‘disinclination to travel’ in the insurance industry – no policy will cover you.

So what use is travel insurance during the Covid pandemic?

The key value of travel insurance is the medical cover it offers while you are travelling. This will underwrite the cost of treatment and if necessary a hospital stay if you fall ill on holiday. But whether or not you are covered for accommodation costs if you are diagnosed with Covid-19 and have to enter self-isolation or quarantine while you are abroad varies by policy. Some insurers, however, will pay up if you need a new flight home in these circumstances. In short – it varies, so be sure to read the small print.

Is my travel insurance invalidated if the FCDO advises not to travel?

In normal times, travel insurers won’t provide cover to countries or regions where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel. Traditionally, these areas might include destinations such as Afghanistan, Iraq or Yemen, but in recent times it has included much of Europe too, with countries being regularly added to and taken off the UK's quarantine list. However, some insurers now offer affordable policies that are designed for travellers heading to these European destinations, which may be of use once the lockdowns start to ease. As ever, it’s important to read the small print. For example, policies are invalidated during a government-imposed regional or national lockdown in the UK.

Can I get insurance cover if I catch Covid abroad?

Some insurers will cover against coronavirus if the FCDO has listed your destination as safe to visit before you head off. Some offer cancellation cover if you’re diagnosed with Covid-19 within a fortnight of departure, including emergency Covid-related medical expenses while abroad and repatriation, as well as cover in the event of a travelling companion contracting the disease. And you can find insurers that offer cover for medical expenses resulting from Covid-19 for all destinations including countries under FCDO and government essential and non-essential travel advisories.

So what happens if my holiday is cancelled?

If you have booked a package with a tour operator and the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to your destination, your tour operator is obliged to cancel the holiday and offer you a full refund. They might also offer you an alternative holiday, or suggest you postpone travelling dates, but you are entitled to get your cash back. If you can afford to, consider postponing your trip rather than cancelling it completely, should your health or updated government advice mean that you can’t go away as planned. There are a lot of people out there relying on us to keep spending on travel, with around 10 per cent of the world's population earning an income that is linked to tourism. To learn more about how important this is, see our guide to why you shouldn't cancel your holiday .

What if I booked my trip independently?

Travellers who have booked, say, a flight and accommodation separately, normally have no right to a refund if they cancel unilaterally, even if the FCDO has since advised against travel. In practice, however, most airlines are cancelling flights and refunding passengers in this situation. A hotel or villa company doesn’t have to give you your money back – though it is obviously worth talking to them; they may allow you to postpone your stay.

Will my insurance cover me if my airline collapses?

It’s vital to make sure you pay for flights with a credit card (if you are booking a flight directly with the airline and it costs more than £100 you can claim your money back from the credit card company), and check that any tour operator you book with has up-to-date Atol protection – or can show that it has an alternative bonding arrangement in place.

Which websites should I check for the best travel insurance information and advice?

A good website that gives the latest figures for every country reporting cases of Covid-19 is worldometers.info . For the latest formal FCDO advice on every country in the world see gov.uk and search for travel advice. The best health advice is at nhs.uk .

By Anya Meyerowitz

By Hannah Meltzer

By Sarah James

By Charley Ward

Am I still covered by the EHIC scheme in Europe?

Yes and no. As of Thursday 31 December 2020, Britain left the EU, but anyone holding a valid EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) will be covered for state-supplied medical care while holidaying in Europe until it runs out. And while the EHIC card has been scrapped for anyone who doesn't currently hold one, it has been replaced by the very similar GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card).

Anything else I need to worry about?

Insurers have become very jumpy about pre-existing medical conditions in recent years because they add to the risk of expensive medical claims and cancellations. It is absolutely critical that you declare any conditions you may have when you buy a policy, otherwise – if you do need treatment while you are travelling – you may find your claim is refused.

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The Best Travel Insurance Policies Right Now — and How to Choose One During the Pandemic

With new variants coming and going during the pandemic, there’s renewed interest in being protected while making travel plans.

When COVID-19 first brought travel to an abrupt halt in 2020, travelers were shocked to learn that their insurance didn't cover changes due to an epidemic or pandemic, even one on a global scale. Many who were in the midst of their travels ended up having to shell out their own money, while those with future plans suddenly lost out on non-refundable bookings. Nearly two years into the new reality with variants spreading and ebbing, travel bookings are being made with more caution — with a major uptick in protecting those plans with travel insurance.

"We can't predict every new variant that arises, so for the foreseeable future, you have to expect some sort of COVID-related effect on your travel plans," NerdWallet 's credit card and travel expert Sara Rathner tells Travel + Leisure . "Not every vacation needs travel insurance — refundable flights and hotel bookings you can easily back out of can be enough for you. But for very expensive trips, especially if you're going abroad, you'll want to think of additional ways to protect your investment."

Megan Moncrief, chief marketing officer of insurance comparison company Squaremouth , says news of the omicron variant in recent weeks has already resulted in a shift in insurance purchases. "With news of a new highly transmittable variant, and in light of some countries already closing their borders, travelers may have less confidence about the likelihood of their borders remaining open and their travel being possible," she tells T+L. "Likewise, new and evolving requirements may complicate international travel more than travelers are willing to coordinate."

Those factors make travel insurance a more important consideration now. But navigating various offerings can be a challenge, especially when there may already be embedded coverage when booking through certain companies or certain credit cards. "We caution travelers to make sure they aren't overspending on a policy that doesn't cover their concerns, or if they can have adequate coverage elsewhere," Moncrief adds. "Due to the very specific nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and related concerns, we urge travelers to do their due diligence to understand what type of refunds are available to them elsewhere, and then do some research before investing in a travel insurance policy."

Here, we outline the major types of travel insurance — but no matter the policy you choose, make sure to read the fine print carefully and speak with your provider about any concerns.

1. Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Insurance

If you're worried about losing money on your trip, CFAR insurance is likely the best plan for you. "With it, you can recoup most of what you paid no matter the reason you back out of your trip," Rathner says. "If standard policies don't offer the level of coverage you want, this could be an option."

While the policy can typically be added 14 to 21 days after the initial trip deposit date, the major downside of CFAR insurance is that it's expensive and doesn't necessarily guarantee that you'll get all your money back. Moncrief says that CFAR plans are typically 40 to 50% more expensive than standard travel insurance policies, and they often only cover up to a 75% reimbursement of non-refundable trip costs, with others only covering 50%. But if border closures or last-minute cancellations due to variants or new travel requirements are a concern, this may be the way to go. Bottom line: This kind of policy might only be worth it if you're taking a really expensive trip.

2. Pandemic-specific Insurance

While many insurance providers have kept their policies pretty much the same (i.e. they still exclude the pandemic as a reason for coverage), a select few are offering new plans designed specifically for pandemic-concurrent travel. Seven Corners, for instance, has an option that includes COVID-19 medical coverage , which is valid for up to $100,000 in coronavirus-related medical expenses. Meanwhile, Allianz has added a special COVID-19 provision into some of its policies that cover cancellations, interruptions, and emergency medical expenses arising from contracting the virus before or during a trip. Again, reading the fine print is key.

"The biggest mistake we are seeing now is travelers simply assuming a policy can cover any inconvenience or change related to the pandemic," Moncrief says. "In reality, an insurance policy will only cover a very specific list of 'perils.' While this is typically a comprehensive list, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront concerns that had never before been considered a threat to travel." She reiterates that border closures are one of the big examples that have come to light over the last two years with pandemic travel.

There are also travel insurance policies that have been developed specifically for the new ways in which people are traveling — namely, domestic road trips. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection launched its ExactCare Lite policy for that reason. Also, if you are traveling domestically, keep in mind that your health insurance will likely cover you during your trip.

3. Provider-offered Travel Insurance

In order to win back travelers, a number of airlines, hotels, and cruise lines started offering specific COVID-19 travel insurance policies, which might even be free. Cathay Pacific includes free COVID-19 travel insurance with every booking through the end of the year; Japan Airlines through Jan. 10, 2022; and Etihad through March 31, 2022. Hotel groups like Club Med , Iberostar , and Shangri-La are also providing similar programs. Cruise line Atlas Ocean Voyages has also implemented emergency evacuation and return-to-home insurance policies for all guests.

But again, not all provider-offered insurance plans are equal, which is why reading the fine print is crucial. "Most travel insurance policies offered through a travel supplier are mainly designed to provide benefits related to that supplier, meaning other concerns, like illness at the destination, may not be covered," Moncrief says. "Oftentimes, these policies leave off common benefits of a comprehensive travel insurance policy in order to be competitively priced."

4. Credit Card Travel Insurance

You're probably aware that many credit cards have travel insurance policies built into them. Those often provide enough trip cancellation, travel delays, rental cars, and baggage benefits. "Just remember that you need to use that card to make your bookings in order to get that coverage," Rathner says. "Simply carrying the card while paying with another one isn't enough."

If you're traveling with expensive items that you want covered, the maximum coverage on credit card benefits can help cover them. But in other cases, it may not fit your needs. "These policies rarely include medical coverage, which is a leading driver of travel insurance purchases, and in some cases, may require the trip to be entirely booked on that card for coverage to apply," Moncrief adds.

5. Standard Travel Insurance

Even though standard travel insurance typically excludes coverage for reasons related to a pandemic, many providers like airlines, hotels, and cruises are still offering flexible policies on rebooking and cancellation — which is just the kind of reassurance you need to book your trip. Just note that anything you've paid for outside of your flight, hotel, or cruise will likely not be covered, so you'd still be on the hook for those expenses. Additionally, some providers have very specific time frames for cancellation, while others only offer a credit toward future travels rather than a full refund.

"The worst thing a traveler can do is assume they are covered for anything that could happen," Moncrief says. "Especially now, given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel, it's more important than ever to do some extra research to truly understand your policy's coverage. We never want a traveler to pay the additional expense on an insurance policy on top of their other trip costs if it won't provide the protection they are looking for. Coverage does vary by plan, as does the maximum payout limits per benefit. Policies are also priced differently per demographic. Travelers can use an aggregator, like Squaremouth , to compare coverage and prices to find the best policy for their trip."

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Please Note - If you are cruising around Australia you need to select Pacific. With Regions, variances can apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East. You are not required to enter stop-over countries if your stop-over is less than 48 hours.

If you don’t know where you’re traveling to within the next 12 months, choose Worldwide to ensure you’re covered no matter where you go. If you’re travelling to multiple countries choose the region that you are visiting that is furthest away (excluding stopovers less than 48 hours). In most cases you will be covered for the closer regions as well. For example, if you choose Europe, you will also be covered in the Middle East, Asia and Pacific.

Worldwide means anywhere in the world

Americas means USA, Canada, South America, Latin America, Hawaii and the Caribbean

Europe means all European countries, including UK

Middle East refers to the area from Syria to Yemen; Egypt to Iran

Asia generally means Asia and the Indian subcontinent. For some insurers this excludes Japan*

Pacific means the South West Pacific, Australia and Indonesia/Bali*. Select Pacific for domestic cruises in New Zealand waters

New Zealand means domestic travel within New Zealand only

*Note: Variances apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East. Check that your destination is covered once directed to your chosen insurer’s site.

Budget Direct Travel Insurance Reviews

Budget Direct Travel Insurance offers a range of international products; for last minute travellers, essential cover for the middle of the range, and comprehensive cover for all your needs. 24/7 emergency assistance no matter where you are in the world. Underwritten by Auto & General Insurance Company Limited.

Customer Experience

Claims experience, value for money.

Costumer service

I had an accident and it wasn’t my fault, my husband tried many times to get to better conclusion wit...  Read more

I had an accident and it wasn’t my fault, my husband tried many times to get to better conclusion with them they are terrible. The guy(who hit me) was nice and spoke to his insurance which was Toyota we were treated fairly by his insurance than budget direct, don’t bother getting budget direct and if you have better cancel and get something else before you even need it, half star for their rude representative.

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Repaired car, introduced a major problem and refused to fix

Made a claim after an acciden, they repaired the damage but introduced an engine malfunction. Refused...  Read more

Made a claim after an acciden, they repaired the damage but introduced an engine malfunction. Refused to acknowledge and fix it

Worst company highly not recommended (claims)

I have a car and a van under budget direct insurance for more than 2 years. I am so disappointed wit...  Read more

I have a car and a van under budget direct insurance for more than 2 years. I am so disappointed with my recent claim. A car hit my van from behind. It wasn't my fault. I don't feel these people assess my case properly. They are only interested in the excess payment. They increased my insurance amount for both vehicles by almost $100-$150 per month and reduced my ratings. On top of this, I have to pay few thousand for the excess. Don't fall for them. I decided to change my insurance provider. I am extremely sad and helpless. I wish to give them 0 ratings.

Car insurance - good at selling - terrible at paying

Easily the best value car insurance when shopping around. However, I definitely have a bad case of ba...  Read more

Easily the best value car insurance when shopping around. However, I definitely have a bad case of bargain regret. My wife crashed it a couple of times late last year which coincided with loss of parking sensors and major loss of power issues and eventually unable to even start now. Despite paying $1700 on servicing costs, several mechanics all blamed it on damage to the electricals done in the damage to the front. Hence, I made two insurance claims on 2 January 2022. Firstly, Budget Direct would not accept the claims unless I paid $1340.33 to renew the car insurance for 2022. After many complaints, they eventually agreed to refund the entire amount. However, only $876.95 was refunded on 10 May despite the car being off the road and in the workshop for most of January and towed back to the workshop on Monday 31 January after breaking down and unable to start since. It has been to towed all over Melbourne to many different assessors since. I have been on the phone for many hours on many days to lots of different people from different departments since. I have done everything they have asked only to get a phone call today by a James to notify me that the claim has not been approved and where can they tow the car to return it to me. The reason given was a complete fabrication without any facts. Disgusting.

Worth insurance

Very very poor assistance and costumer service. Unhelpful staff at all times. Never recommend roa...  Read more

Very very poor assistance and costumer service. Unhelpful staff at all times. Never recommend roadside assistance from this insurance at all.

Car insurance claim

It is my first year with Buget Direct (BD) when I was so nageived believing on TV advertisement to sa...  Read more

It is my first year with Buget Direct (BD) when I was so nageived believing on TV advertisement to say how wonderful this insurance company is. I am so disappointed of my recent experience with BD's customer service team because I was involved in car accident which was not even my fault as other driver reversed and hit my car on the driver side rear panel. When I contacted the BD to report my incident, I didn't feel they have given me the support I should be receiving. I spoke with few customer service officers (CSO), all they were interested in the excess payment not my accident. They said they will only review my case after I paid the excess, eventhough the accident was not my fault and I have a dash-cam footage and a witness. Didn't show any interest in the evidences at all. BD is not as they said on their website that "You do not have to pay an excess if you have a no fault accident." My claim has not been resolved since December 2021 as I am disputing the liability and insurance excess. I noticed that BD has punished me by increasing my policy premium and dropped car rating from 1 down 3, when my case is still my review stage.

MISLEADING SCAMMING CLAIMS PROCESS

Submitted a building claim after the recent storms in Melbourne..for 1 weeks these con SCAMMERS did n...  Read more

Submitted a building claim after the recent storms in Melbourne..for 1 weeks these con SCAMMERS did not organise the MAKE SAFE PROCESS...and handed over to a building conmen who all act for the insurance company and they all lie. Each call to JP FLING a scamming insurance builder also conned the process and over a week never showed up. JP FLING builders staff ALISHA a big conwoman kept telling us lie after lie. Quick to sell insurance policies by fraud and deception misleading behavior by these insurance thugs..DO NOT USE THEM to even cover your pet, leave alone your home, car, investment properties...as they will fraud you when you need support. The claim will in the end be rejected. Then you have to go to the other assholes AFCA. Do not pay a cent to buy any insurance products from these frauds!!

Misleading deceptive sales to win new business

Hi, i have got caught to this mob after seen their tv ads. A 55 year woman sent a letter from BUDGET ...  Read more

Hi, i have got caught to this mob after seen their tv ads. A 55 year woman sent a letter from BUDGET DIRECT saying $1000 will be charged to the excess if i drive more than $5000 KM. the policy was NOT CHEAP NOR WAS IT DISCOUNTED. after joining i was sent this letter in the mail . So in othrr words paying a $600 excess and a futher $1000 , what a joke??? I have my home content policy , roadside assistance and 1 investment home. MY VISA CARD WAS RETAINED WITHIN THE BUDGET DIRECT SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC RENEWALS WITH NO PERMISSION AT ALL. quick to take your money and nil service and if a CLAIM is made they may give you hell on earth... IS BUDGET DIRECT WORTH THE MONEY YOU PAY. NIL CUSTOMER LOYALTY AND SUPPORT. SHOP AROUND PLEASE...

1 comment on this review

Budget Direct finds a way to win!

I purchased a comprehensive travel policy long before COVID was a known event. Unhappily, our once in...  Read more

I purchased a comprehensive travel policy long before COVID was a known event. Unhappily, our once in a life-time extended holiday to Iceland & Norway was cancelled. The airlines and most of our hotel bookings were happily refunded but I had used hotels.com and bookings.com for over $3,600 worth of bookings (it was to be a long vacation!). Both of these companies refused to refund the money and offered vouchers instead. I did not seek the vouchers, nor did I want them. The original vouchers were due to expire in May 2021 but were then automatically extended - not at my request. I decided that enough is enough as we are not prepared to undertake this trip any longer, as the virus is continually evolving and it is not worth risking our health or being stuck overseas due to unforeseen border closures. Budget Direct has refused to honour my claim because "You have been offered credits for the bookings you are claiming and accepting these is considered as recovering the costs from the source and a step which you could take to reduce your loss. Therefore, the costs you have claimed are outside the scope of the policy." Last year I called Budget Direct and was told that IF I DECLINED the vouchers I was not making sufficient efforts to recover the costs. Today I was informed after a Stage 2 appeal that because I DID NOT DECLINE the vouchers I was deemed not to have made sufficient effort to recover costs. This is despite sending copies of repeated requests to the companies for refunds instead of vouchers. So with Budget Direct you are damned whichever way you go!! If you read this and other reviews of Budget Direct, please note the cut and paste responses from their representatives. When they say that all disputes are resolved with reference to the terms and conditions, go back to what I say above about the contradictory advice from them on two different occasions. They seem to have terms and conditions that accept two different realities.

3 comments on this review

Don't fall for the good price!

In short they didn't pay out my lost luggage (which was lost for 3 days by the airline I travelle...  Read more

In short they didn't pay out my lost luggage (which was lost for 3 days by the airline I travelled with). It said on the policy they cover it up to $600. In that time I had to buy clothes, toiletries etc.. They said they wanted airline reports and receipts of items. I sent them documents signed by the airlines and sent receipts on my bank statement of purchased items as requested. Over 1 year later THEY STILL HAVE NOT REIMBURSED ME. An absolute joke of a company. They make the process that hard so people give up on trying to get their money. I hope their company is struggling extremely badly during covid because after seeing all these other reviews like mine, they don't deserve to exist. If someone from budget sees this, there's my claim reference number below, sort it out! ref: LU024368-01

Worst company ever

The business model of budget is to provide cheaper cover and then deter people from making a claim. W...  Read more

The business model of budget is to provide cheaper cover and then deter people from making a claim. With budget you don’t even get what you pay for. They make the claims process as slow and painful as possible. It doesn’t matter if you are at fault or not, they will make the claims process so difficult that it’s not even worth having a comprehensive insurance. Do not fall for the fake reviews on their website as they are all paid reviews bought from bazaar voice. Try posting a review on their website. If you just want to have insurance and will not ever make a claim or are willing to get your life sucked out of you than budget direct is the company for you. No matter how many times you call, make an internal complaint or even make a complaint to AFCA it won’t make any difference to them. It is better to pay more with any other company and if you can’t afford to pay more better opt for third party insurance from any other company than a comprehensive policy from budget.The claim process takes months not days. They are the worst insurance company I ever had to deal with.

Budget Direct suck, sadly.

When my car was written off by a drunk driver Budget Direct literally tittered with happiness when th...  Read more

When my car was written off by a drunk driver Budget Direct literally tittered with happiness when they told me I wasn't covered under my 'uninsured' clause because the drunk had insurance even though her company disowned her and left me high and dry. The Budget Direct claims manager then tried to tell me that being hit by a drunk who ran a give way sign versus me hitting a kangaroo at night on a country road was essentially the same claim. Awesome, thanks guys. Moved to RACV.

Budget Direct FAQ

How many people can i include in my policy.

The more the merrier right? You can purchase insurance for parties of 10 online. Call up Budget Direct to see how many additional people can be added to your policy.

Am I covered if I go on a cruise?

Yes, Budget Direct does provide cover for cruises, but make sure you check ‘pacific’ on your destination selection. Once your ship has set sail you are no longer considered to be in Australian waters.

Am I covered for skiing and my equipment?

You will only be covered for skiing and snow sports if you have purchased the Snow Sports Cover upgrade. This upgrade will cover you for ski and snow sport equipment, piste closure and for avalanche.

Can I pay to reduce or cancel my excess?

With Budget Direct Travel Insurance you can choose the standard excess of $200 or you can pay a higher premium and waive your excess or halve your excess.

Am I covered if my tour company collapses?

No, Budget Direct does not cover for insolvency.

I’m not an Australian resident- can I buy cover?

Non-permanent residents can purchase a Budget Direct travel insurance policy providing that you have a valid Medicare Card, a Private Health Fund or Overseas Student Travel Insurance.

What size moped or motorbike am I covered to ride overseas?

You can ride any size motorbike provided you hold a driving licence appropriate for the country you are in. If you are using a motor cycle rated 125 cc or higher, you must hold a current and valid licence for driving the equivalent rated motorcycle in Australia.

How long is their single trip cover for?

Can i extend my policy from overseas.

Having too much fun? No problems! If you decide to lengthen you trip you can do so for up to 12 months. Call Budget Direct on 1800 444 424.

Do they cover for my rental vehicle excess?

Budget Direct includes cover of up to $6,000 for the excess of a rental vehicle in case of collision, damage or theft.

Who underwrites them?

Auto & General Insurance Company Ltd.

Where are they based?

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Comparetravelinsurance.com.au is Australia’s leading comparison site solely focused on travel insurance.

Our comparison is a free service that allows users to compare quotes in a few simple steps based on limited personal criteria. Comparisons supplied are not a recommendation or opinion about the suitability of a policy for a user. Comparisons are default ranked according to price and users have the ability to sort by popular cover levels. Whilst we compare a vast range of policies, we do not compare all providers in the market. This site compares the following brands: 1Cover, AHM, AllClear, Allianz, Amex, Australian Seniors, Australia Post, Boomers, Budget Direct, Bupa Australia, CommInsure, Cover-More, Easy Travel Insurance, Everyday Insurance from Woolworths, Fast Cover Travel Insurance, Flip Insurance, Freely, Go insurance, Insure4Less, InsureandGo, Jetstar, Kogan, Medibank Private, NIB, NRMA, Passport Card, Qantas, RAC, Real Insurance, SCTI, Ski-Insurance, Tick Insurance, Travel Insurance Direct, Travel Insurance Saver, Travel Insuranz, Travel Protect, Webjet, Westpac, Wise and Silent, World2Cover, Worldcare, World Nomads, Zoom Travel Insurance . The directors and shareholders are common with companies i-Trek Pty Ltd, Zoom Travel Insurance and 1Cover Pty Ltd including it’s subsidiary brand Ski-insurance. CoverDirect takes all reasonable care when preparing this information but does not warrant its accuracy. Pricing information is supplied by the providers who participate on this site and should be verified with the insurer before you purchase. This site links users to the website of the provider to verify quotes and access the relevant PDS to understand what is, and is not, covered by a policy prior to purchase.

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Key benefits of travel medical insurance

• Travel medical insurance coverage
• Who needs medical travel insurance?

Choosing the right travel medical insurance

How to use travel medical insurance, is travel medical insurance right for your next trip, travel medical insurance: essential coverage for health and safety abroad.

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• Travel medical insurance covers unexpected emergency medical expenses while traveling.
• Travelers off to foreign countries or remote areas should strongly consider travel medical insurance.
• If you have to use your travel medical insurance, keep all documents related to your treatment.

Of all the delights associated with travel to far-flung locales, getting sick or injured while away from home is low on the savvy traveler's list. Beyond gut-wrenching anxiety, seeking medical treatment in a foreign country can be exceedingly inconvenient and expensive.

The peace of mind that comes with travel insurance for the many things that could ail you while abroad is priceless. As options for travel-related insurance abound, it's essential to research, read the fine print, and act according to the specifics of your itinerary, pocketbook, and other needs.

Travel insurance reimburses you for any unexpected medical expenses incurred while traveling. On domestic trips, travel medical insurance usually take a backseat to your health insurance. However, when traveling to a foreign country, where your primary health insurance can't cover you, travel medical insurance takes the wheel. This can be especially helpful in countries with high medical care costs, such as Scandinavian countries.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

Another benefit that often comes with travel medical insurance, emergency medical evacuation insurance covers you for any costs to transport you to an adequately equipped medical center. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is often paired with repatriation insurance, which covers costs associated with returning your remains to your home country if the worst happens. 

These benefits are for worst-case scenarios, but they might be more necessary depending on the type of trips you take. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is helpful if you're planning on traveling to a remote location or if you're traveling on a cruise as sea to land evacuations can be costly. Some of the best travel insurance companies also offer non-medical evacuations as part of an adventure sports insurance package.

It's also worth mentioning that emergency medical evacuation insurance is required for international students studying in the US on a J Visa. 

Types of coverage offered by travel medical insurance

The exact terms of your coverage will vary depending on your insurer, but you can expect most travel medical insurance policies to offer the following coverages.

• Hospital room and board
• Inpatient/outpatient hospital services
• Prescription Drugs
• COVID-19 treatment
• Emergency room services
• Urgent care visits
• Local ambulance
• Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
• Dental coverage (accident/sudden relief of pain)
• Medical care due to terrorist attack
• Emergency medical evacuation 
• Repatriation of mortal remains
• Accidental death and dismemberment

Travel medical insurance and pre-existing conditions

Many travel insurance providers will cover pre-existing conditions as long as certain conditions are met. For one, travelers need to purchase their travel insurance within a certain time frame from when they placed a deposit on their trip, usually two to three weeks. 

Additionally, travel insurance companies usually only cover stable medical conditions, which are conditions that don't need additional medical treatment, diagnosis, or medications.

Who needs travel medical insurance?

Even the best-laid travel plans can go awry. As such, it pays to consider your potential healthcare needs before taking off, even if you are generally healthy. Even if well-managed, preexisting conditions like diabetes or asthma can make a medical backup plan even more vital.

Having what you need to refill prescriptions or get other care if you get stuck somewhere other than home could be essential to your health and well-being. That's without counting all the accidents and illnesses that can hit us when away from home.

Individuals traveling for extended periods (more than six months) or engaging in high-risk activities (think scuba diving or parasailing) should also consider a solid medical travel plan. Both scenarios increase the likelihood that medical attention, whether routine or emergency, could be needed.

In the case of travel via the friendly seas, it's also worth considering cruise trip travel insurance . Routine care will be available onboard. But anything beyond that will require transportation to the nearest land mass (and could quickly become extremely expensive, especially if you're in another country).

Like other types of insurance, medical travel insurance rates are calculated based on various factors. Failing to disclose a preexisting health condition could result in a lapse of coverage right when you need it, as insurers can cancel your policy if you withhold material information. So honesty is always the best policy.

Even the best-laid travel plans can go awry. As such, it pays to consider your potential healthcare needs before taking off, even if you are generally healthy. Making the right choice when shopping for travel medical insurance can mean the difference between a minor hiccup in your travels and a financial nightmare. 

When a travel insurance company comes up with a quote for your policy, they take a few factors into consideration, such as your age, your destination, and the duration of your trip. You should do the same when assessing a travel insurance company. 

For example, older travelers who are more susceptible to injury may benefit from travel medical insurance (though your premiums will be higher). If you're traveling for extended periods throughout one calendar year, you should look into an annual travel medical insurance plan . If you're engaging in high-risk activities (think scuba diving or parasailing), you should seek a plan that includes coverage for injuries sustained in adventure sports.

In the case of travel via the friendly seas, it's also worth considering cruise trip medical travel insurance. Routine care will be available onboard. But anything beyond that will require transportation to the nearest land mass (and could quickly become extremely expensive, especially if you're in another country).

Travel medical insurance isn't just for peace of mind. If you travel often enough, there's a good chance you'll eventually experience an incident where medical treatment is necessary.

Before you submit your claim, you should take some time to understand your policy. Your travel medical insurance is either primary (you can submit claims directly to your travel medical insurance provider) or secondary (you must first submit claims to your primary insurance provider). In the case of secondary travel medical insurance, a refusal notice from your primary insurance provider, even if it does not cover medical claims outside the US, is often required as evidence of protocol.

On that note, you should be sure to document every step of your medical treatment. You should keep any receipts for filled prescriptions, hospital bills, and anything else documenting your medical emergency.

As many people have found out the hard way, reading the fine print is vital. Most travel insurance policies will reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you fall ill with a severe condition, including illnesses like COVID-19. 

Still on the fence about whether or not  travel insurance is worth it ? It's worth noting that many travel insurance plans also include medical protections, so you can also protect against trip cancellations and other unexpected developments while obtaining travel medical insurance.

While short, domestic trips may not warrant travel medical insurance, it may be a good idea to insure longer, international trips. You should also consider travel medical insurance for trips to remote areas, where a medical evacuation may be expensive, and more physically tasking trips.

While shopping for travel medical insurance may not be fun, a little advance leg work can let you relax on your trip and give you peace of mind. After all, that is the point of a vacation. 

Medical travel insurance frequently asked questions

Trip insurance covers any unexpected financial losses while traveling, such as the cost of replacing lost luggage, trip interruptions, and unexpected medical expenses. Travel medical insurance just covers those medical expenses without the trip interruption or cancellation insurance.

Travel insurance companies usually offer adventure sports as add-on coverage or a separate plan entirely. You'll likely pay more for a policy with adventure sports coverage. 

Many travel medical insurance policies now include coverage for COVID-19 related medical expenses and treat it like any other illness. However, you should double-check your policy to ensure that is the case.

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9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

According to our analysis of more than 50 travel insurance companies and hundreds of different travel insurance plans, the best travel insurance company is Travelex Insurance Services. In our best travel insurance ratings, we take into account traveler reviews, credit ratings and industry awards. The best travel insurance companies offer robust coverage and excellent customer service, and many offer customizable add-ons.

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

HTH Travel Insurance »

Tin Leg »

AIG Travel Guard »

Nationwide Insurance »

Seven Corners »

Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

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 Best Travel Insurance Companies.

Table of Contents

• Travelex Insurance Services
• Allianz Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can help you protect the financial investment you made in your vacation when unexpected issues arise. Find the best travel insurance for the type of trip(s) you're taking and the coverages that matter most to you – from interruptions and misplaced belongings to illness and injury.

• Travelex Insurance Services: Best Overall
• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Trip Interruptions
• HTH Travel Insurance: Best for Groups
• Tin Leg: Best Cost
• AIG Travel Guard: Best for Families
• Nationwide Insurance: Best for Last-Minute Travel Insurance
• Seven Corners: Best for 24/7 Support When Traveling
• Generali Global Assistance: Best for Medical Emergencies
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best for Specialized Coverage

Customizable upgrades are available, including car rental coverage, additional medical insurance and adventure sports coverage

Medical and trip cancellation maximum are not as high as some other companies

• 100% of the insured trip cost for trip cancellation; 150% for trip interruption
• Up to $1,000 in coverage for lost, damaged or stolen bags and personal items; $200 for luggage delays
• $750 in missed connection coverage
• $50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
• Up to $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

Distinguishing between the company's 10 travel insurance plans can be challenging

• Up to $200,000 in trip cancellation coverage; $300,000 in trip interruption coverage
• $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal effects; $600 for bag delays
• Up to $1,600 for travel delays
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $75,000
• Epidemic coverage

Generous coverage at the mid- and high-tier levels, and great group discounts

Preexisting conditions coverage is only available at mid- and high-tier plans

• 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to $50,000); 200% trip interruption coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $400 in baggage delay coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for trip delays; $1,000 for missed connections
• $500,000 in coverage per person for sickness and accidents

Variety of plans to choose from, including two budget-friendly policies and several more premium options

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

• 100% trip cancellation protection; 150% trip interruption
• $500 per person for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal items
• Up to $2,000 per person in travel delay coverage ($150 per day); $100 per person for missed connections
• $100,000 per person in emergency medical coverage, including issues related to COVID-19

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

Information about policy coverage inclusions is not readily available without first obtaining a quote

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of your trip's cost; trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Up to $2,500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage; $500 related to luggage delays
• Up to $1,000 in missed connection and trip delay coverage
• $100,000 in emergency medical coverage

Variety of plans to choose from and coverage available up to a day before you leave on your trip

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000; trip interruption coverage worth up to 200% of the trip cost (maximum of $60,000)
• $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage; $600 for baggage delays
• Up to $2,000 for trip delays; missed connection and itinerary change coverage of $500 each
• $150,000 for emergency medical and dental issues

Customer service available 24/7 via text, Whatsapp, email and phone

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

• 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to between $30,000 and $100,000 depending on your state of residence); interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost 
• Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $2,500; up to $600 for luggage delays
• Trip delay and missed connection coverage worth up to $1,500
• Emergency medical coverage worth up to between $250,000 and $500,000 (depending on where you live)

Generous emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage

Coverage for those with preexisting conditions is only available on the Premium plan

• 100% reimbursement for trip cancellation; 175% reimbursement for trip interruption
• $2,000 in coverage for loss of baggage per person
• $1,000 per person in travel delay and missed connection coverage
• $250,000 in medical and dental coverage per person

In addition to single-trip plans, company offers specific road trip, adventure travel, flight and cruise insurance coverage

Coverage for missed connections or accidental death and dismemberment is not part of the most basic plan

• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost; interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cost
• $500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged bags and personal items; bag delay coverage worth $200
• Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000; missed connection coverage worth up to $100
• Medical coverage worth up to $50,000

To help you better understand the costs associated with travel insurance, we requested quotes for a weeklong June 2024 trip to Spain for a solo traveler, a couple and a family. These rates should help you get a rough estimate for about how much you can expect to spend on travel insurance. For additional details on specific coverage from each travel insurance plan and to input your trip information for a quote, see our comparison table below.

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

There are several types of travel insurance you'll want to evaluate before choosing the policy that's right for you. A few of the most popular types of travel insurance include:

COVID travel insurance Select insurance plans offer some or a combination of the following COVID-19-related protections: coverage for rapid or PCR testing; accommodations if you're required to quarantine during your trip if you test positive for coronavirus; health care; and trip cancellations due to you or a family member testing positive for COVID-19. Read more about the best COVID-19 travel insurance options .

Cancel for any reason insurance Cancel for any reason travel insurance works exactly how it sounds. This type of travel insurance lets you cancel your trip for any reason you want – even if your reason is that you simply decide you no longer want to go. Cancel for any reason travel insurance is typically an add-on you can purchase to go along with other types of travel insurance. For that reason, you will pay more to have this kind of coverage added to your policy.

Also note that this type of coverage typically only reimburses 50% to 80% of your nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses. You'll want to make sure you know exactly how much reimbursement you could qualify for before you invest in this type of policy. Compare the best cancel for any reason travel insurance options here .

International travel insurance Travel insurance is especially useful when traveling internationally, as it can provide medical coverage for emergencies (in some cases for COVID-19) when you're far from home. Depending which international travel insurance plan you choose, this type of travel insurance can also cover lost or delayed luggage, rental cars, travel interruptions or cancellations, and more.

Cheap travel insurance If you want travel insurance but don't want to spend a lot of money, there are plenty of cheap travel insurance options that will offer at least some protections (and peace of mind). These are typically called a company's basic or standard plan; many travel insurance companies even allow you to customize your coverage, spending as little or as much as you want. Explore your options for the cheapest travel insurance here .

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance Trip cancellation coverage can help you get reimbursement for prepaid travel expenses, such as your airfare and cruise fare, if your trip is ultimately canceled for a covered reason. Trip interruption insurance, on the other hand, kicks in to reimburse you if your trip is derailed after it starts. For instance, if you arrived at your destination and became gravely ill, it would cover the cost if you had to cut your trip short.

Trip delay insurance can help you qualify for reimbursement of any unexpected expenses you incur (think: lodging, transportation and food) in the event your trip is delayed for reasons beyond your control, such as your flight being canceled and rebooked for the next day. You will want to save your receipts to substantiate your claim if you have this coverage.

Lost, damaged, delayed or stolen bags or personal belongings Coverage for lost or stolen bags can come in handy if your checked luggage is lost by your airline or your luggage is delayed so long that you have to buy clothing and toiletries for your trip. This type of coverage can kick in to cover the cost to replace lost or stolen items you brought on your trip. It can also provide coverage for the baggage itself. It's even possible that your travel insurance policy will pay for your flight home if damages are caused to your residence and your belongings while you're away, forcing you to return home immediately.

Travel medical insurance If you find yourself sick or injured while you are on vacation, emergency medical coverage can pay for your medical expenses. With that in mind, however, you will need to find out whether the travel medical insurance you buy is primary or secondary. Where a primary policy can be used right away to cover medical bills incurred while you travel, secondary coverage only provides reimbursement after you have exhausted other medical policies you have.

You will also need to know how the travel medical coverage you purchase deals with any preexisting conditions you have, including whether you will have any coverage for preexisting conditions at all. Read more about the best travel medical insurance plans .

Evacuation insurance Imagine you break your leg while on the side of a mountain in some far-flung land without quality health care. Not only would you need travel medical insurance coverage in that case, but you would also need coverage for the exorbitant expense involved in getting you off the side of a mountain and flying you home where you can receive appropriate medical care.

Evacuation coverage can come in handy if you need it, but you will want to make sure any coverage you buy comes with incredibly high limits. According to Squaremouth, an emergency evacuation can easily cost $25,000 in North America and up to $50,000 in Europe, so the site typically suggests customers buy policies with $50,000 to $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.

Cruise insurance Travel delays; missed connections, tours or excursions; and cruise ship disablement (when a ship encounters a mechanical issue and is unable to continue on in the journey) are just a few examples why cruise insurance can be a useful protection if you've booked a cruise vacation. Learn more about the top cruise insurance plans here .

Credit card travel insurance It is not uncommon to find credit cards that include trip cancellation and interruption coverage , trip delay insurance, lost or delayed baggage coverage, travel accident insurance, and more. Cards that offer this coverage include popular options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card , the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and The Platinum Card from American Express . 

Note that owning a credit card with travel insurance protection is not enough for your coverage to count: To take advantage of credit card travel insurance, you must pay for prepaid travel expenses like your airfare, hotel stay or cruise with that specific credit card. Also, note that credit cards with travel insurance have their own list of exclusions to watch out for. Many also require cardholders to pay an annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to buy travel insurance is normally within a few weeks of booking your trip since you may qualify for lower pricing if you book early. Keep in mind, some travel insurance providers allow you to purchase plans until the day before you depart.

Many times, you are given the option to purchase travel insurance when you book your airfare, accommodations or vacation package. Travel insurance and travel protection are frequently offered as add-ons for your trip, meaning you can pay for your vacation and some level of travel insurance at the same time.

However, many people choose to wait to buy travel insurance until after their entire vacation is booked and paid for. This helps travelers tally up all the underlying costs associated with a trip, and then choose their travel insurance provider and the level of coverage they want.

Figuring out where to buy travel insurance may be confusing but you can easily research and purchase travel insurance online these days. Some consumers prefer to shop around with a specific provider, such as Allianz or Travelex, but you can also shop and compare policies with a travel insurance platform. Popular options include:

• TravelInsurance.com: TravelInsurance.com offers travel insurance options from more than a dozen vetted insurance providers. Users can read reviews on the various travel insurance providers to find out more about previous travelers' experiences with them. Squaremouth: With Squaremouth, you can enter your trip details and compare more than 90 travel insurance plans from 20-plus providers.
• InsureMyTrip: InsureMyTrip works similarly, letting you shop around and compare plans from more than 20 travel insurance providers in one place. InsureMyTrip also offers several guarantees, including a Best Price Guarantee, a Best Plan Guarantee and a Money-Back Guarantee that promises a full refund if you decide you no longer need the plan you purchased.

Protect your trip: Search, compare and buy the best travel insurance plans for the lowest price. Get a quote .

When you need to file a travel insurance claim, you should plan on explaining to your provider what happened to your trip and why you think your policy applies. If you planned to go on a Caribbean cruise, but your husband fell gravely ill the night before you were set to depart, you would need to explain that situation to your travel insurance company. Information you should share with your provider includes the details of why you're making a claim, who was involved and the exact circumstances of your loss.

Documentation is important, and your travel insurance provider will ask for proof of what happened. Required documentation for travel insurance typically includes any proof of a delay, receipts, copies of medical bills and more.

Most travel insurance companies let you file a claim using an online form, but some also allow you to file a claim by phone or via fax. Some travel insurance providers, such as Allianz and Travel Insured International, offer their own mobile apps you can use to buy policies and upload information or documents that substantiate your claim. In any case, you will need to provide the company with proof of your claim and the circumstances that caused it.

If your claim is initially denied, you may also need to answer some questions or submit some additional information that can highlight why you do, in fact, qualify.

Whatever you do, be honest and forthcoming with all the information in your claim. Also, be willing to provide more information or answer any questions when asked.

Travel insurance claims typically take four to six weeks to process once you file with your insurance company. However, with various flight delays and cancellations due to things like extreme weather and pilot shortages, more travelers have begun purchasing travel insurance, encountering trip issues and having to submit claims. The higher volume of claims submitted has resulted in slower turnaround times at some insurance companies.

The longer you take to file your travel insurance claim after a loss, the longer you will be waiting for reimbursement. Also note that, with many travel insurance providers, there is a time limit on how long you can submit claims after a trip. For example, with Allianz Travel Insurance and Travelex Insurance Services, you have 90 days from the date of your loss to file a claim.

You may be able to expedite the claim if you provide all the required information upfront, whereas the process could drag on longer than it needs to if you delay filing a claim or the company has to follow up with you to get more information.

Travel insurance is never required, and only you can decide whether or not it's right for you. Check out Is Travel Insurance Worth It? to see some common situations where it does (and doesn't) make sense.

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.

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9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

Best travel insurance main takeaways.

• Travel insurance can reimburse you for lost luggage, missed flights, trip cancellations and emergency medical expenses.
• Purchase travel insurance right after booking the trip to ensure the best coverage.
• Our top picks include Seven Corners, Generali Global Assistance and TravelInsured.com.

Why Trust Us?

To select our top picks, our team vetted 15 companies. We read the fine print on travel insurance plans and compared coverage options and prices to determine which insurers offer coverage that could meet the needs of specific groups. Read the full methodology to learn more.

• 15+ data points considered
• 13 insurers reviewed
• 1,000+ hours of research

Our Top Picks for the Best Travel Insurance

Note: The following companies are listed in alphabetical order.

• AIG Travel Guard – Best for Add-Ons
• Allianz Travel – Best for Business Travel
• Generali Global Assistance – Best for Emergency Support Services
• HTH Travel Insurance – Best for Long-Term Insurance for International Travel
• Nationwide – Best Cruise Travel Insurance
• Seven Corners – Best for Large Groups
• Travelex – Best for Families with Children
• TravelInsurance.com – Best for Comparing Travel Insurance Quotes
• World Nomads – Best for Adventure Sports Coverage

Best Travel Insurance Reviews

• Lodging expense benefit
• Trip saver and exchange specialized coverage included
• A child 17 and under is covered per insured
• Covers trips to Cuba if the traveler provides additional documentation
• High cost of premiums
• Most add-ons are not available for the basic plan

Why we chose it : We chose AIG Travel Guard as the best travel insurance for add-ons because it offers travelers a wide variety of coverage options with which to customize their plans.

AIG Travel Guard offers unique services such as MedEvac and Bag Trak® as well as coverage options few (if any) other insurers offer: a pet bundle, a wedding bundle (for canceled weddings) and an inconvenience bundle in the event any attractions you wanted to visit are closed.

Another of AIG’s specialized insurance products is lodging expense coverage. This benefit is for travelers who test positive for COVID-19 and must remain abroad until they present a negative test result. There’s also a Pack N’ GO Plan for last-minute trips which includes post-departure coverage and 24-hour emergency travel assistance.

Read AIG Travel Insurance Review

See rates on AIG Travel Guard’s Secure Website

• Epidemic coverage endorsement
• Allianz TravelSmart App
• Annual plan geared to business travelers
• 24-hour multilingual assistance hotline
• Low medical coverage
• No "cancel for any reason" benefit

Why we chose it : Allianz Travel is our choice for the best travel insurance for business trips because its annual plan offers comprehensive coverage that includes trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical and transportation, rental car damage and theft, and business equipment protection.

Allianz offers 10 distinct travel insurance plans, ranging from basic cancellation benefits to comprehensive multi-trip protection. All plans include a 24-hour multilingual assistance hotline and the TravelSmart App, which gives quick access to travel advisories, local medical facilities, mobile claims filing and more.

Another one of Allianz’s highlights is its lack of age restrictions (most other insurers limit coverage by age). Some of its plans also cover kids 17 and under traveling with a parent or grandparent.

Read Allianz Travel Insurance Review

See rates on Allianz Travel’s Secure Website

• Offers 24-hour emergency assistance services
• Up to $1K upfront payment for acute medical treatment
• Car rental damage add-on available
• Pre-existing condition coverage only available in the Premium plan
• High premium costs
• "Cancel for any reason" only available for Premium plan

Why we chose it : Generali Global Assistance is our choice for the best travel insurance for emergency support services because all of its policies include 24-hour Travel Support, which can provide immediate assistance for problems that might arise during a trip — from medical emergencies to identity theft.

Travelers can choose between three plans — Standard, Preferred and Premium — that cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delay, and baggage damage, loss or theft. Each plan also covers medical and dental emergencies up to specific payout limits (from $50,000 per person to $250,000 per person).

Both its Preferred and Premium plans include trip cancellation benefits or trip interruption in case a travel supplier — say, a cruise company, hotel or rental car company — becomes insolvent and can no longer offer its services.

Read Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance Review

See rates on Generali Global Assistance’s Secure Website

• Travel medical insurance for groups of five or more
• International expatriate comprehensive coverage
• mPassport app to find doctors, pharmacies, and translations of drug names
• Pet medical expense coverage
• 12-hour wait for bag delay coverage (24 hours under the economy plan)
• "Cancel for any reason" option only offered in the Preferred plan
• Participants must be enrolled in a primary health insurance plan to be eligible for the multi-trip plan

Why we chose it : HTH Travel Insurance is our choice for the best travel insurance for long-term international travel because it offers specialty coverage for expats and students. Its Xplorer Plan features no deductible for office visits, no waiting periods for preventive care services and no pre-existing condition waiting period with proof of prior coverage.

HTH Travel Insurance also offers international health insurance for students with flexible trip duration options. This plan has unlimited annual and lifetime medical care maximums, includes supplies and prescriptions and covers medically necessary COVID-19 testing and treatment.

Other global health and safety services available through HTH Travel Insurance include 24/7 call assistance, access to elite international doctors and hospitals, and translated medical terms.

Read HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Review

See rates on HTH Travel Insurance’s Secure Website

• Offers a pre-existing condition waiver
• 24-hour assistance
• Multi-trip plans
• Must wait 12 hours before bag delay coverage
• Cancel for any reason is only available in premium plan
• Few options for additional coverage.

Why we chose it : We picked Nationwide as the best travel insurance for cruises because it offers three cruise insurance plans (Universal, Choice and Luxury) that fit different budgets and needs.

Nationwide’s emergency medical coverage starts at $75,000, and all three plan tiers include “cancel for work reasons” coverage, a $500 return-home-early benefit, $200 in coverage for shipboard service disruption, and $25,000 for non-medical evacuations.

Nationwide also has two single-trip plans: Essential and Prime. In addition to industry-standard trip protection basics, these plans offer above-average medical coverage starting at $75,000 and a “cancel for any reason” add-on that reimburses 75% of non-refundable trip costs.

Read Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

See rates on Nationwide’s Secure Website

• Coverage from five up to 364 days
• Allows coverage extensions
• Website includes sample scenarios to illustrate how the coverage works
• Hazardous activities not included in coverage (add-on only)
• Different plan options for WA, NY, PA, and MO residents

Why we chose it : We chose Seven Corners as the best travel insurance for large groups because it insures parties of 10 or more travelers through comprehensive policies that cover medical expenses and evacuations.

Seven Corners’ simple and budget-friendly Trip Protection Choice plan covers trip cancellation, interruption or delays for specific reasons, including COVID-19 for groups of 10 or more. Its emergency medical protection goes up to $500,000 and offers up to $1,000,000 for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.

In addition to its group trip travel insurance plans, Seven Corners has three travel medical plan tiers with comprehensive medical coverage for emergency room visits, hospital room and board, and onset of pre-existing medical conditions. These plans include 24/7 multilingual customer service.

Read Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review

See rates on Seven Corners’s Secure Website >>

• Flight insurance plans available
• Pre-existing conditions waiver
• Several upgrades available
• Upgrades not available for the Basic plan
• Customer service has limited operating hours

Why we chose it : Travelex is our choice as the best travel insurance for families with children because it offers two plans that cover family members under 17 at no additional cost.

Travelex Insurance Service features two main plans for international trips, Travel Basic and Travel Select — plus a Travel America plan for trips in the USA. Both plans include children 17 and under at no additional cost.

The Travel Basic is an affordable plan perfect for students, backpackers, small groups or those on a budget. These plans cover trip cancellation and interruption at 100% of the trip cost and offer up to $2,000 for trip delays or missed connections.

Read Travelex Insurance Services Review

See rates on Travelex’s Secure Website

• Shows results from the top-rated insurers
• Offers helpful tips and articles
• Site only shows all add-ons available at checkout
• You may prefer a company that isn't on the marketplace

Why we chose it : We picked TravelInsurance.com as the best travel insurance for comparing quotes because it allows users to quickly and easily view plan details and prices from some of the top travel insurance providers in the industry.

TravelInsurance.com is a travel insurance comparison platform that simplifies the shopping process by connecting users with top-rated carriers. It breaks down coverage options and presents policies in a simple table for easy comparison.

This marketplace simplifies the process for travelers to input their trip details and receive customized quotes based on factors such as trip cost, duration and traveler ages. The results page presents essential coverage information, reviews, ratings and a link to each provider’s COVID-19 policy FAQs.

Read TravelInsurance.com Review

See rates on TravelInsurance.com’s Secure Website

• Emergency medical $100,000 (accident and sickness)
• Buy more while traveling
• 24/7 emergency support (Generali Global Assistance)
• Does not cover pre-existing conditions
• No CFAR option offered
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption coverage low compared to other providers ($2.5K-$10K)

Why we chose it: World Nomads is the best travel insurance for travelers who enjoy adventure sports because it covers over 150+ sports and adventure activities, unlike most companies.

Its Standard and Explorer plans cover scuba diving, skiing, surfing and 150+ other sports and activities. Both plans include accident and illness coverage and 24/7 emergency support as well as emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, accidental death and lost luggage or theft.

While most companies don’t let you purchase or extend coverage during the trip, World Nomads offers a rare alternative; individuals who didn’t purchase coverage before their trip can enroll in the company’s “Buy While Traveling” plan. Those who already purchased a policy can also extend their coverage to keep exploring.

Read World Nomads Travel Insurance Review

See rates on World Nomads’s Secure Website

Other travel insurance companies we considered

In this section, we feature popular companies that didn’t make our top picks. The table below highlights the highest coverage available for each type of benefit. Check out the full reviews to learn more about each provider:

• Tin Leg Travel Insurance Review
• TravelSafe Insurance Review
• AXA Travel Insurance Review
• Faye Travel Insurance Review
• Trawick International insurance review
• John Hancock travel insurance review
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Travel Insurance Guide

Travel insurance reimburses you if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip early. It can also pay for stolen or lost baggage and medical expenses if you get sick or have an accident during the trip.

Read on for more information on coverage benefits and tips on how to select the right type of coverage.

What does travel insurance cover?

What does travel insurance not cover, how much is travel insurance, how to get travel insurance, how much travel insurance do i need, credit card travel insurance, are there location restrictions when it comes to travel insurance.

• Travel insurance companies that cover COVID-19

Comprehensive travel insurance covers common travel issues and mishaps, from accidents to baggage delays.

The following are standard coverage options and add-ons.

• Trip cancellation insurance: refunds up to 100% of prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if you cancel an upcoming trip for eligible reasons.
• Trip interruption coverage: reimburses you for the unused portion of the trip as well as expenses you may incur to get back home. Insurers typically cap reimbursement at 150% of the cost of the trip.
• Travel delays: reimburses you (up to your policy limits) for extra expenses such as meals or lodgings during a flight delay. Insurers may also cover airport delays and any flight change fees necessary to catch up on your travel plans.
• Emergency travel medical insurance : reimburses you for medical expenses incurred during your trip, under certain circumstances. Coverage amounts for medical expenses can range from $15,000 to $50,000. Coverage may apply even if you’re pregnant while traveling .
• Emergency medical evacuation: Reimburses you if you need to be evacuated to the nearest medical facility or to a facility in your country of origin. Maximum benefits usually range between $100,000 to $500,000 but can be as high as $1 million.
• Baggage and personal effects: Refunds you the cost of replacement items if your luggage is lost or delayed during your trip, typically up to $2,500. You must wait a predetermined number of hours before filing a claim and submit purchase receipts or a list of items in your luggage. Coverage may be subject to a deductible.
• Worldwide assistance: 24/7 customer service should you need assistance while traveling. This includes multilingual medical hotlines that can provide medical advice and refer you to local healthcare services.

Popular travel insurance add-ons

Here we explain a variety of add-ons or riders that allow you to increase benefit limits and cover activities that may be excluded from standard policies.

The most common exclusions in a travel insurance policy are:

• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Injuries caused by extreme sports
• Theft/loss of personal items such as electronic devices and jewelry
• Pregnancy-related conditions
• Injuries that happen while you’re intoxicated with drugs or alcohol, even if the intoxicating substance is legal to use at the destination
• Missed flights, where the traveler is at fault
• “Foreseeable events” such as epidemics and pandemics that are officially declared by federal or international health agencies. (Claims related to COVID-19 illness may be covered)

The cost of travel insurance can range from 4% to 12% of the total cost of your trip and depend on:

• Your travel destination
• The length of your trip
• The types of benefits and policy limits you select

* Insurance for a $2,200 trip for a family of four ranged from $90 to over $300, based on 6% of trip costs.

You can buy travel insurance after booking a flight . However, it’s advisable not to delay obtaining a policy. The longer you wait between your initial trip payment and purchasing trip insurance, the greater the chance you’ll miss out on valuable add-ons like coverage for pre-existing conditions and CFAR upgrades.

The best time to purchase travel insurance coverage is right after you’ve booked your trip’s costliest non-refundable expense, i.e., flight tickets and lodging.

1. Define your travel insurance needs

Consider your reasons for traveling and how long you’ll be away, taking into account who is traveling with you as well as your planned activities.

Business travel insurance is suitable for frequent travelers who need coverage for items like work laptops and phones. Vacationers who booked a cruise may need a specialized policy such as Nationwide’s cruise insurance plans , and students in overseas programs may want to look into a plan like Trawick International Insurance .

2. Review the policy limits

Each travel insurance benefit has a specific payout limit, which may or may not be enough for your particular situation. For example, individuals traveling with expensive personal belongings such as cameras or jewelry may want a higher payout limit for personal effects or riders for high-value items.

3. Check the policy’s fine print

Make sure the trip insurance policy you’re interested in covers the activities you have planned, especially if there are recreational sports involved.

Travelers with pre-existing medical conditions should also confirm whether those are covered under their policy. If not, they may need to look for a different provider or purchase supplemental medical coverage.

Take a moment to check if emergency assistance services are available 24/7 and what kind of assistance you can expect should you have a medical emergency or your belongings be stolen.

4. Compare travel insurance quotes

We recommend you get insurance quotes through comparison sites and marketplaces such as InsureMyTrip.com or SquareMouth Travel Insurance . If you’re traveling on a tight budget, you can still find cheap travel insurance that will cover the essentials, such as medical expenses and personal effects.

Consider the following when comparing quotes:

• Affordability
• Maximum payout limits for baggage loss or theft
• Available add-ons such as “Cancel for Any Reason”
• Policy terms regarding pre-existing medical conditions
• Minimum wait time before you can file a claim for baggage loss and trip delays
• Maximum payout limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation

Before buying travel insurance , take stock of what losses you would incur if unforeseen events forced you to cancel the trip, or if you suffered an unexpected medical emergency.

• Non-refundable travel expenses: This includes flight tickets, lodging reservations, pet care accommodations, travel activities like guided tours and transportation expenses booked in advance.
• Potential medical emergencies: Travelers may need medical care abroad due to injuries, endemic illnesses and other health emergencies. Some travel insurers recommend a minimum of $50,000 in emergency medical coverage for international trips and $100,000 for cruises and trips to remote locations.
• Additional coverage needs: Travelers who engage in adventure sports may need a rider to ensure medical coverage if they get injured. These sports are usually excluded from most trip insurance policies.

Many credit cards offer flight insurance and travel protection for lodging and luggage if you use the card to pay for these trip expenses. That being said, if you compare credit card travel coverage with travel insurance , you’ll see that most credit cards lack benefits such as medical expenses and emergency evacuation coverage.

Read our guide to the best travel credit cards for more information on how your credit card can help you travel smarter.

International travel insurance providers typically exclude countries under State Department advisories or where there is political unrest, such as Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Myanmar and Cuba.

Travelers can use the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) by the U.S. State Department to receive security updates and connect with the nearest U.S. Consulate in case of natural disasters, civil unrest or family emergencies.

Travel insurance that covers COVID-19

All of the insurers on our list cover COVID-19 if you become sick and need medical attention abroad. Trip protection is also available if you need to cancel the trip due to a COVID-19 infection.

Does insurance cover COVID-19 testing for travel?

Travel insurance doesn’t cover the cost of COVID-19 tests before your trip. It may cover COVID-19 tests during your trip if you get sick and a doctor requires a test to diagnose you.

Alternatively, low or no-cost COVID testing may be available at a health center near you if you need to get tested before departing.

More on Travel Insurance

• Domestic Travel Insurance: What Does It Cover?
• What Is Schengen Travel Insurance?
• Pre-Existing Conditions and Travel Insurance
• Is Travel Insurance Worth It?
• Best Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance
• Best Places to Travel in Spring
• Best Places to Travel in the Summer
• Best Places to Travel in Fall
• Best Places to Travel in Winter

Travel Insurance FAQs

What is a pre-existing condition for travel insurance, do i need travel insurance, how does travel insurance work, what is the best travel insurance, can i cancel a flight and get a refund, when is it too late to buy travel insurance, how we chose the best travel insurance companies.

As part of our methodology, we gathered travel insurance quotes from online comparison site Travelinsurance.com using the following profile:

• Family of four traveling from New York City to London
• $2,200 on flight tickets for all four travelers

We then reviewed the available plans and looked at the following factors to evaluate and compare each company:

• Plans and coverage: We looked for insurers with a variety of plans and the ability to customize the policy with unique add-ons, such as coverage for extreme sports and lost gear or equipment.
• Ease of use: We considered how easily you could get a quote and understand the policy information. Most of our top picks offer just a few plans to keep things simple or provide a comparison page where you can quickly spot the differences in each plan.
• Customer service and support: We rated companies higher for having a 24/7 hotline, a global emergency network, mobile apps, multiple customer support options, and perks like concierge and translation services.
• Reputation : To gauge each company’s reputation, we evaluated factors such as customer feedback and ratings, years in business and financial stability as evidenced by AM Best financial strength ratings.

Summary of Money’s 9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

Best Travel Insurance Companies

© Copyright 2024 Money Group, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

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

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How to Find the Best Travel Insurance

Barbara Marquand is a former NerdWallet writer covering mortgages, homebuying and homeownership, insurance and investing. Previously, she covered personal finance for QuinStreet and wrote for national consumer and trade publications on topics including business, careers and parenting. Her work has appeared in MarketWatch, MSN Money, The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Sam Kemmis is a travel rewards expert at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs. In a previous professional life, he wrote comedy until a nomadic lifestyle and a lifelong obsession with saving money turned his attention to travel rewards. He is no longer funny. His work has been featured by The Associated Press, The Points Guy and Fast Company. He has spoken about travel rewards at CardCon, the Altitude conference and AwardWallet's "Award Travel 101" podcast. He is based in Ojai, California, and teaches mindfulness meditation because that's what you do in Ojai.

Elina Geller is a former NerdWallet travel writer specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs and travel insurance. In 2019, Elina founded TheMissMiles, a travel rewards coaching business. Her work has been featured by AwardWallet. She is a certified public accountant with degrees from the London School of Economics and Fordham University.

Mary Flory leads NerdWallet's growing team of assigning editors at large. Before joining NerdWallet's content team, she had spent more than 12 years developing content strategies, managing newsrooms and mentoring writers and editors. Her previous experience includes being an executive editor at the American Marketing Association and an editor at news and feature syndicate Content That Works.

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

What travel insurance covers

How much does travel insurance cost, types of travel insurance, how to get travel insurance, what to look for in travel insurance, best travel insurance comparison sites, which insurance company is best for travel insurance, when to skip travel insurance, travel insurance, recapped.

Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, emergencies, trip interruptions, baggage, rental cars and more.

Cost is affected by trip length, pre-existing medical conditions, depth of coverage, your age and add-ons.

You can get it through credit cards or third-party companies, & can shop on travel insurance comparison sites.

Before buying, evaluate risks, know existing coverage, obtain quotes online and review policy details warily.

Skip it if you buy flexible airfare and hotels, already have coverage or only book refundable activities.

Booking travel always carries some degree of uncertainty. Travel insurance provides a safety net so you can step out with confidence. You may not need travel insurance for inexpensive trips, but it can provide a sense of security when you prepay for pricey reservations, a big international trip or travel during cold and flu season, which can be unpredictable.

According to insurance comparison site Squaremouth, travelers in 2023 spent an average of $403 for comprehensive coverage, compared to $96 for medical-only policies. Comprehensive plans typically cost between 5% and 10% of the insured trip cost.

Since that price tag is no small amount, it helps to know how to shop smart for travel insurance. Here's how to find the right travel insurance plan for you and your next adventure.

Depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for, the chart below will help you determine what to look for when selecting a policy:

Depending on the policy, travel insurance reimburses you or offers services when something goes awry. There’s even coverage for the worst-case scenario: if you die in an accident while traveling. Accidental death coverage pays your beneficiary a lump sum in that case.

Before you buy, take a little time to get familiar with different types of travel insurance products, how it’s priced, and what it covers and excludes. If you’re traveling during these uncertain times, you’ll want to make sure that the policy you select covers coronavirus-related emergencies. Usually, the more thorough the coverage, the more it will cost.

Travel insurance costs vary depending on:

Length and cost of the trip: The longer and more expensive the trip, the higher the policy cost.

Cost of local health care: High health-care costs in your destination can drive up the price of trip insurance.

Medical conditions you want covered: Conditions you already have will increase the cost of travel insurance coverage.

Amount and breadth of coverage: The more risks a policy covers, the more it will cost.

Your age: Generally the older you are, the higher the price.

Any optional supplement you add to your policy : Cancel For Any Reason , Interrupt For Any Reason and more.

Keep these factors in mind when considering different travel insurance options.

You’ll find a wide selection of travel protection plans when you shop for a policy.

Typically, travel insurance is sold as a package, known as a comprehensive plan, which includes a variety of coverage.

Here are seven of the most common types of travel insurance:

Travel medical insurance

These plans provide health insurance while you’re away from home. Although in some ways these policies work like traditional health plans, generally you cannot use travel health insurance for routine medical events. For example, a routine medical checkup is usually not covered. In addition, these policies often include limitations on coverage and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Although most travel insurance plans cover many recreational activities, such as skiing and horseback riding, they often exclude adventure sports, such as skydiving or parasailing, or competition in organized sporting events. You may need to buy a special travel policy designed for adventure or competitive sports.

International travel insurance

Most likely, your U.S.-based medical insurance will not work while you’re traveling internationally, and Medicare does not provide any coverage once you leave the United States outside of a few very specific exemptions. If you plan on traveling abroad, purchasing travel medical insurance could make a lot of sense.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: Emergency coverage while you travel internationally

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay

Trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if the tour operator goes out of business or you have to cancel the trip for one of the covered reasons outlined in the policy, such as:

Your own illness.

The illness or death of a family member who’s not traveling with you.

Natural disasters.

Trip interruption insurance covers the nonrefundable cost of the unused portion of the trip if it is interrupted due to a reason outlined in the policy.

Trip delay coverage reimburses you for expenses such as lodging and meals if you’re delayed during a trip (e.g., your flight gets canceled due to weather ).

Many package policies cover all three. These policies are different from the cancellation waivers that cruise lines and tour operators offer, the Insurance Information Institute says. Waivers are cheap, ranging from $40 to $60, and often include restrictions. For example, according to the institute, waivers might not refund your money if you cancel immediately before departure. Waivers are technically not insurance policies.

Some companies offer additional layers of coverage at extra cost. “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage will reimburse a large part of the trip cost, no matter why you back out. And some companies let you pay extra to cover pre-existing conditions if you cancel for medical reasons.

Some insurers and comparison sites let you customize a policy by choosing types of coverage a la carte. For example, TravelInsurance.com is a comparison site that provides quotes from different providers.

Baggage and personal belongings

How does lost luggage insurance work? This coverage reimburses you for baggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged during the trip. Some plans also reimburse you for extra expenses if you experience a baggage delay for more than a certain period, such as 12 hours.

Your renters or homeowners insurance may cover personal belongings while you are traveling. It’s best to review your homeowners insurance policy to determine the level of coverage it provides so you do not end up paying for a benefit you already have.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Emergency medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation

This coverage pays medical expenses if you get sick or injured on a trip . Medical evacuation coverage pays for transporting you to the nearest hospital, and medical repatriation pays for flying you to your home country.

» Learn more: Can I get travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

24-hour assistance

This service is included with many package plans. The insurer provides a 24-hour hotline that you can call when you need help, such as booking a flight after a missed connection, finding lost luggage, or locating a doctor or lawyer.

Generally, travel insurance companies do not cover sports or any activity that can be deemed risky. If you’re thinking of incorporating adventurous activities into your vacation, choose a plan that includes adventure sports coverage.

Most travel insurers cover a wide array of services, but the specific options vary. Some plans include concierge services, providing help with restaurant referrals, tee time reservations and more. Many services also offer information before the trip, such as required vaccinations. The only way to know what’s included is to read the policy.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

This coverage pays a lump sum to your beneficiary, such as a family member, if you die in an accident while on the trip. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies also pay a portion of the sum to you if you lose a hand, foot, limb, eyesight, speech or hearing. Some plans apply only to accidental death in a plane.

This coverage may be duplicative if you already have sufficient life insurance, which pays out whether you die in an accident or from an illness. You may also already have accidental death and dismemberment insurance through work, so it's best to check your policies to ensure you’re not overpaying.

» Learn more: NerdWallet's guide to life insurance

Rental car coverage

Rental car insurance pays for repairing your rental car if it’s damaged in a wreck, by vandals or in a natural disaster. The coverage doesn't include liability insurance, which pays for damage to other vehicles or for the medical treatment of others if you cause an accident and are held responsible.

Ask your car insurance company whether your policy will cover you when renting cars on the trip. U.S. car insurance policies generally don’t cover you when driving in other countries, except Canada.

Car insurance requirements are complex because they vary among countries. You can usually purchase liability insurance from the rental car company. Learn about car insurance requirements by searching for auto insurance by country on the U.S. Embassy website .

» Learn more: Best credit cards for rental car coverage

A note about single vs. long-term policies

Single trip insurance plans are a great option for those going on a single trip for a specific length of time (e.g., a two-week vacation) and then returning home. The price of the policy is usually determined by the cost of the trip.

Long-term travel policies cover you for multiple trips, but there are limitations to how long you can be away from home, if you can return home during your travels and how many trips you can take. In addition, trip cancellation and interruption coverage is either not offered or capped at a dollar amount that can be significantly below the total cost of all the trips taken during the covered period.

Long-term travel insurance plans — often called 'multi-trip' or 'annual travel insurance' — are a suitable option for those who travel often and are satisfied with the amount of trip cancellation coverage for all the trips they take over the duration of the policy.

» Learn more: How annual (multi-trip) travel insurance works

Below, we include how to obtain travel insurance, along with the pros and cons of each option.

Some credit cards offer trip cancellation and rental car insurance if you use the card to book the trip or car.

When you book a trip with your credit card, depending on the card you use, you may already receive trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

» Learn more: 10 credit cards that provide travel insurance

Here are a handful of credit cards that offer varying levels of travel insurance coverage for purchases made with the card.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• 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.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

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

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

• 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.

Pros: Coverage is free.

Cons: You can’t customize the insurance to meet your needs. Most credit cards offer secondary car rental insurance, which pays for the costs not covered by your regular car insurance plan.

Travel agents and travel reservation sites

You can buy travel insurance when you book your flight, hotel and car rental.

Pros: Buying is as quick and easy as clicking “yes” when you book reservations. Coverage is inexpensive.

Cons: You can’t customize the coverage.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance vs. independent travel insurance

Travel insurance comparison sites

You can compare different policies and review quotes at once based on the trip search criteria you’ve input into the search form. Examples include marketplaces like Squaremouth or TravelInsurance.com.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs and compare policies and pricing in one place.

Cons: Comparing multiple policies takes time.

Travel insurance companies

You can purchase travel insurance directly from an insurance provider.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs. Many travel insurer websites also offer information to help you understand the coverage.

Cons: You’ll need to go to multiple websites to compare coverage and pricing.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies right now

Keep these tips in mind when you’re considering a trip insurance policy.

Evaluate the financial risks you face when traveling. Can you bear those costs yourself, or do you want insurance?

Examine what coverage you already have: Does your credit card offer travel insurance? Do you have renters or homeowners insurance to cover belongings? What is the deductible? Will your health plan cover you in all the locations where you travel?

Get quotes for trip insurance online. Choose a package of the benefits you need and compare prices for similar coverage among carriers.

Narrow your choices and then read the policy fine print to understand what’s covered, what’s excluded and the limits on coverage. You may find that the lowest-priced policy is too restrictive and that paying a little more gets you the coverage you need. Or you might find that the cheapest, most basic policy fits the bill.

If you don’t know which provider to go with, it makes sense to browse a list of plans on a travel insurance comparison site. These online marketplaces will often include plans from the best travel insurance companies along with customer reviews.

Squaremouth

Compare plans from more than 30 providers.

Over 86,000 customer reviews of insurers.

Under its Zero Complaint Guarantee, Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) will remove a provider if any customer complaint isn't resolved to its satisfaction.

Has a filter option to see policies that provide COVID-coverage.

TravelInsurance.com

Compare plans from 13 providers.

See good and poor customer ratings and reviews for each insurer when you receive quotes.

“Learning Center” includes travel insurance articles and travel tips, including important how-to information.

Quotes provided from each provider include a link to COVID-19 FAQs, making it easy for customers to review what’s covered or not.

InsureMyTrip

Compare plans from more than two dozen providers.

More than 70,000 customer reviews.

“Anytime Advocates” help customers navigate the claim process and will work on behalf of the customer to help with appealing a denied claim.

Includes a link to plans that offer COVID coverage.

Compare plans from 11 providers.

Search coverage by sporting activity, including ground, air and water sports.

Many types of plans available for students, visiting family members, new immigrants, those seeking COVID quarantine coverage and more.

Compare different insurance plans from 35 providers.

Over 5,600 customer reviews on Trustpilot, with an average 4.9 stars out of five.

Formerly known as AardvarkCompare, AARDY includes a “Travel Insurance 101” learning center to help customers understand various policies and benefits.

Quote search results page includes COVID-coverage highlighted in a different color to make it easier for customers to review related limits.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care, COVID coverage or a policy that includes extreme sports, these providers have you covered.

Our full analysis and more details about each organization can be found here: The Best Travel Insurance Companies Today .

Allianz Global Assistance .

Travel Guard by AIG .

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services .

Travel Insured International .

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Seven Corners .

AXA Assistance USA .

There are a few scenarios when spending extra on travel insurance doesn't really make sense, like:

You booked flexible airline tickets.

Your hotel room has a good cancellation policy.

It's already included in your credit card.

You haven't booked any nonrefundable activities.

» Learn more: When you don't need travel insurance

Yes, especially for nonrefundable trips and travel during the COVID-era. Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or have travel insurance from your credit card, you shouldn't travel without having some sort of travel protection in place to safeguard you and your trip. Travel insurance can protect you in case of an unexpected emergency such as a canceled flight due to weather, a medical event that requires hospitalization, lost luggage and more.

There are many good travel insurance policies out there and a policy that may be great for you may not be good for someone else. Selecting the best plan depends on what coverage you would like and your trip details.

For example, World Nomads offers a comprehensive travel insurance policy that has excellent coverage for adventure sports. Allianz provides coverage for trips of varying lengths of time through its single trip plans and multi-trip plans. Some providers offer add-on options like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance. If you’re not sure which plan to go with, consider looking at trip insurance comparison sites like Squaremouth or Insuremytrip.

Yes, you can. However, it's better to purchase it sooner rather than later, ideally right after booking your trip because the benefits begin as soon as you purchase a policy.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your trip cancellation benefits to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans offer trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and dental, medical evacuation, trip delay and lost luggage coverage. Many plans offer COVID coverage, but you’ll always want to check to ensure that the policy you choose provides that benefit if you’re traveling during these times. Some plans may also allow you to add features like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

However, the coverage provided by the credit cards is usually lower than if you purchased a standalone policy. Review the travel insurance benefits on your credit card and check that the limits are adequate before foregoing from purchasing a separate plan.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your

trip cancellation benefits

to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Platinum Card® from American Express

offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

Unpredictability is one of the mind-opening joys of travel, but travel insurance should contain no surprises. The time you spend to understand your options will be well worth the peace of mind as you embark on your next adventure.

Whether you’re seeking a single or a long-term policy, each travel insurance option offers different strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right policy depends on your trip needs, your budget and how important various benefits are to you.

Keep reading

If you want to dig in deeper to world of travel insurance, these resources will point you in the right direction.

What is travel insurance?

How much is travel insurance?

Is travel insurance worth it?

What does travel insurance cover?

Does travel insurance cover COVID?

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

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Election latest: Farage responds after Reform campaigner filmed making 'very prejudiced' comments

Nigel Farage has responded to footage from a Channel 4 report showing Reform campaigners using racist and homophobic language in Clacton - the constituency where the former UKIP leader hopes to be elected.

Friday 28 June 2024 01:00, UK

• General Election 2024

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• Starmer defends plan for VAT on private schools
• Analysis: Labour campaign has a central paradox
• Reform campaigner said migrants should be used as 'target practice'
• Hugh Grant backs Greens co-leader in key contest
• Sunak won't say if he told aide election date before bet
• Exclusive: PM's top adviser interviewed by Gambling Commission

Election essentials

• Manifesto pledges: Conservatives | Greens | Labour | Lib Dems | Plaid | Reform | SNP
• Trackers:  Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage:  Memorable moments from elections gone by
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts:  Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more:  Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo
• How to watch election on Sky News

We'll be back at 6am with all the latest from the final week of the general election campaign.

There are just six days of campaigning left until the polls open on 4 July, and political parties from across the House of Commons are busy trying to win your votes.

Join us from the morning for more live updates.

Until then - read all the latest from Sky News below:

The Metropolitan Police has been dragged - reluctantly, as I understand it - into investigating candidates a week out from the election. 

Even 24 hours ago this was not the case - Scotland Yard wanted to take care of their own - the officers probed by the Gambling Commission - and no more.

But as the days have dragged on, it's clear the issue has become more complex, and now gone beyond the scope of the Gambling Commission.

What has changed is a realisation by investigating authorities that they need to look into whether some candidates may have broken the law on misconduct in public office.

This is beyond the remit of the Gambling Commission, which began the initial probe, and now falls to the police.

This means the prospect of mainly Conservative candidates, including the prime minister's closest aide, potentially being interviewed under caution, maybe even this side of election day.

You could see how tetchy the subject made Rishi Sunak in the interview with the broadcast pool earlier today.

Read Sam's full analysis here:

With our coverage here on the Politics Hub drawing to a close, here's everything you need to know as the election campaign entered its final week - and a sneak preview of what we have coming up tomorrow. 

• Sir Keir Starmer  has told Sky News there is "no evidence" private schools will be forced to close due to  Labour's plans to impose VAT on them ;
• Speaking to  Sky's Sophy Ridge,  the Labour leader defended his party's education policy to use the money to support state schools;
• He also vowed to "hit the ground running" should he become prime minister, saying cutting NHS waiting lists would be Labour's first priority in government.
• A Reform UK campaigner has been filmed saying migrants crossing the Channel should be used as "target practice";
• In   footage recorded by a Channel 4 undercover reporter , the same campaigner used a racial slur against Rishi Sunak;
• Another Reform figure was filmed making homophobic remarks ;
• Party leader Nigel Farage has described comments in the footage as "very wrong".
• Rishi Sunak  has refused to say if he told one of his closest parliamentary aides the date of the election  before he placed a bet on it ;
• Craig Williams , who has now been suspended as the Conservative candidate in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr,  admitted  he "committed a serious error of judgment" but "not an offence";
• The  Metropolitan Police  have issued an update on their investigation into bets being placed on the date of the election - there are now  seven officers under investigation;
• Meanwhile, Mr Sunak's most senior adviser in Downing Street has been interviewed in the investigation. Sources have emphasised to Sky News that he is not a suspect.

Join us tomorrow morning for a new episode of Sky's  Electoral Dysfunction   podcast - and this time we've got someone very much outside the Westminster bubble.

Joining our  political editor  Beth Rigby   and  Ruth Davidson  this week is none other than  Rylan Clark .

👉  Tap here to follow Electoral Dysfunction wherever you get your podcasts  👈

The next government is being urged to tackle an "appalling" rough sleeping crisis as new figures show a record high in London. 

A total of 11,993 people were seen rough sleeping in the capital in the year to March, according to the latest Combined Homelessness and Information Network (Chain) statistics.

That is the highest figure ever recorded on the database, and marks a 58% increase compared to 10 years ago.

The "appalling" increase reflects a "crisis, both in the capital and across the country", said Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link, the membership body for frontline homelessness services in England, which manages the Chain database.

He said the next government "must create a cross-government plan to prevent rough sleeping and homelessness through delivering genuinely affordable and secure homes quickly, whilst making sure there are a diverse range of properly-funded homelessness services to help people address the root causes of their destitution and move on from rough sleeping for good".

The St Mungo's homeless charity said the next government must "treat homelessness as an emergency and prioritise it in their first 100 days".

According to the latest available figures for England, published in February, the estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn in 2023 was 3,898 - more than twice that of the figure in 2010.

Racist and homophobic remarks filmed as part of a Channel 4 investigation   during the Reform UK campaign were "inappropriate," chairman of the party Richard Tice has said. 

Speaking at a Reform UK event in Boston with party leader Nigel Farage, Mr Tice said: "We put a statement out and it's all self-explanatory in the statement.

"The reality is that we're a fast-growing movement, and when you've got unpaid volunteers, some people behave inappropriately. And they're gone."

In footage recorded by a Channel 4 undercover reporter, a Reform UK campaigner has been filmed saying migrants crossing the Channel should be used as "target practice".  He also used a racist slur against Rishi Sunak (see previous post).

Another Reform figure was filmed making homophobic remarks.

Mr Farage has described remarks in the footage as "very wrong".

A Reform UK campaigner has been filmed saying migrants crossing the Channel should be used as "target practice". 

In footage recorded by a Channel 4 undercover reporter , the same campaigner used a racial slur against Rishi Sunak. 

The clips were recorded in Clacton, where Reform leader Nigel Farage is a candidate. 

Responding to the footage, Mr Farage has said the comments were "very wrong".

"There was an activist that said some pretty unpleasant things," he said.

"Very very prejudiced, very wrong.

"He's somebody who turned up to help ... all political parties encourage volunteers."

He added that the campaigner in question would "not be welcome back" and that the two other figures featured in the footage would also no longer be working with the campaign. 

In the footage, the undercover reporter captured canvasser Andrew Parker talking about people coming ashore at Deal in Kent.

Mr Parker said: "Army recruitment - get the young recruits there, with guns, on the f****** beach, target practice. F****** just shoot them."

Mr Parker said in a statement, sent to Channel 4 News: "I would like to make it clear that neither Nigel Farage personally or the Reform Party are aware of my personal views on immigration."

He added: "I have never discussed immigration with either Nigel Farage or the Reform Party and that any comments made by me during those recordings are my own personal views on any subject I commented on. At no time before I was sent out to canvass did I discuss my personal views with any representative of the Reform Party UK or Nigel Farage."

Another Reform figure was filmed reacting to a Pride symbol on a passing police car.  

He says: "You see that f****** degenerate flag on the front bonnet? What are the old bill doing promoting that crap?"

The other candidates for the Clacton constituency are:

• Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, Labour;
• Matthew Bensilum, Lib Dems;
• Craig Jamieson, Climate Party;
• Tony Mack, independent;
• Natasha Osben, Greens;
• Tasos Papanastasiou, Heritage Party;
• Andrew Pemberton, UKIP;
• Giles Watling, Conservatives.

Our live poll tracker collates the results of opinion surveys carried out by all the main polling organisations - and allows you to see how the political parties are performing in the run-up to the general election.

With just a week to go, the Tories and Labour have taken a drop, while support for Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats is on the rise.

Read more about the tracker  here .

The panel discussion is now turning to the Conservative Party's election campaign. 

Sky's  election commentator  Adam Boulton   says it has been "dreadful", adding Rishi Sunak "hasn't brought anything to this campaign". 

A series of missteps have dominated the headlines from the outset when Mr Sunak announced the election in the pouring rain.

But as the campaign enters its final week there may now be a moment of respite for the Conservatives, Adam says. 

"Almost the best thing about this campaign is the most irritating for a lot of people," Adam says.

"He's timed it to coincide with the Euros, with Wimbledon, with Glastonbury, which actually means the last week, it'll have to be a pretty big gaffe for anyone to notice."

That brings tonight's Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge to an end - the show will return tomorrow with Ali Fortescue . In the meantime, stick with us here for more news and analysis through the evening.

By Ashna Hurynag , news correspondent

The battle for Scottish votes is all to play for.

An exclusive YouGov poll for Sky News has Labour on 35% in Scotland and the SNP on 29%.

The latter are closing the gap, but if all goes this way on the night, such a result would mean big gains for Labour.

But the biggest gutter punch is dealt to the Conservatives who YouGov has on 11% and level with the Lib Dems.

But attitudes change when voters consider where to cast their ballot in the 2026 Holyrood elections.

As of the 18 June, voter intentions shifted to 28% for the SNP, 24% Labour, 10% Conservatives and 7% for the Lib Dems.

This tells us Scots treat UK and Scottish elections differently. 

It also suggests the former creating an opportunity for a protest vote - a cry of frustration at 14 years of Tory governments at Westminster, or the firing of a warning shot at the SNP’s record after 17 years at Holyrood.

But so many are still undecided.

1,059 people over 16 were surveyed by YouGov between the 20 and 25 June, exclusively for Sky News, and 14% of people surveyed have changed how they plan to vote over the past four weeks.

Of those, 37% say it was down to how the parties and their leaders have conducted themselves.

The NHS and health care are the key issues, followed by the cost of living next, the economy in general, immigration, and Scottish independence.

Rishi Sunak's most senior adviser in Downing Street has been interviewed in the investigation into bets by Conservatives on the date of the general election.

Liam Booth-Smith, Downing Street chief of staff, was interviewed last week by senior Gambling Commission officials and questioned about who knew about the timing of the election.

Sources have emphasised to Sky News that Mr Booth-Smith is not a suspect in the gambling investigation and was interviewed as a witness and was "asked for help".

Described as the prime minister's most trusted ally, Mr Booth-Smith has worked for Mr Sunak since he was chancellor, when his fondness for leather jackets earned him the nickname "the Treasury Travolta".

According to a Gambling Commission insider, Mr Booth-Smith was interviewed by "senior officials within the Gambling Commission, more senior than investigators".

Sky News has also been told there are currently no plans to interview the prime minister as part of the investigation into bets on the election date.

Read more here:

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