All you need to know about annual travel insurance policies

Ashley Kosciolek

As demand for travel soars and everything from weather to staffing issues leads to higher prices and cancellations, it's more important than ever to protect your trip arrangements with travel insurance .

However, it's not always easy figuring out which type of plan to pick. There are standard policies that cover general delays, interruptions and cancellations; "cancel for any reason" plans that account for personal whims in addition to unforeseen circumstances; and lesser-known annual options.

In this article, I'll go over what you need to know about the third type: annual travel insurance coverage.

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What is annual travel insurance?

does annual travel insurance cover holidays already booked

Annual travel insurance plans (also known as multi-trip plans) last for one year and generally cover all trips taken within that period until either the policy expires or the maximum payout amounts are reached. The policy usually kicks in for trips that take you more than a certain distance from home.

For example, my Allianz AllTrips Prime annual plan remains in effect for one year following the purchase date of my policy. I'm covered on all trips during which I'm at least 100 miles from my residence.

This differs from standard travel insurance, which is purchased on a per-trip basis and covers only one specifically insured journey per policy. Standard policies begin when travel for the insured trip begins and end when the insured trip ends, rather than covering multiple travel experiences within a specific period of time.

What does annual travel insurance cover?

Coverage depends on the plan you purchase. There are usually several tiers from which to choose, with the lowest offering the least coverage and the highest offering the most.

Using my policy as an example, I'm covered for up to $3,000 per year in trip interruption expenses, including hotel room coverage at $250 per night, which I used when I was recently isolated for 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19.

My policy also offers a $3,000 annual trip cancellation benefit, $20,000 in emergency medical coverage, $100,000 in emergency transportation (including medevac services), $45,000 in rental car theft and damage protection, $25,000 in travel accident coverage and $1,000 for essentials in the event of baggage loss or damage, along with a handful of other small benefits.

Note that many annual policies do not include things like "cancel for any reason" coverage or trip interruption benefits. If those items are important to you, check with your provider before making a purchase.

How much is an annual travel insurance policy?

Sure, an annual travel insurance policy may sound great, but how much does one cost? I was surprised to find that insuring your trips for a whole year with an annual policy is often not much more expensive than insuring one or two trips individually, depending on the options you select.

A decent annual travel insurance plan will likely set you back a couple hundred dollars. The more coverage you add, the more expensive the plan will become. The cost also changes depending on variables like your age and where you live.

The best thing to do is contact your preferred provider for a quote or check out an aggregator like InsureMyTrip to compare premiums.

Which companies offer annual travel insurance plans?

does annual travel insurance cover holidays already booked

The Points Guy recommends the following travel insurance providers , all of which sell annual or semi-annual policies:

  • Allianz Travel Insurance .
  • Seven Corners .
  • Travel Guard .
  • World Nomads .

When should I purchase annual travel insurance?

There are several reasons why annual travel insurance might be better for you than separate policies for individual trips. If you travel a lot — more than two or three times annually — it could be more cost-effective than purchasing separate policies for each journey.

For me, it makes sense because I travel for a living, often taking a dozen or more trips each year. Also, much of my travel is comped, which makes insurance more difficult to acquire. (If I haven't paid for a cruise, flight or hotel, I can't attach a dollar amount to it and, therefore, often can't insure it. I also wouldn't be able to provide purchase receipts in the event something went wrong and had to file a claim.)

Other factors to consider include your health, how adventurous your travels might be, whether you have coverage as a credit card perk and how much your travel arrangements cost versus how much coverage you can get with an annual plan versus individual policies.

Another consideration right now is COVID-19. For me, the annual plan made sense because most of Allianz's individual plans don't cover issues linked to COVID-19. However, the annual coverage I purchased does.

Other things to know about annual travel insurance policies

Here are a few additional tidbits I learned after filing a trip interruption claim under my annual travel insurance policy. Keep them in mind when deciding if an annual policy is right for you.

  • Before committing to the purchase of any travel insurance plan, make sure to inquire about specific components that are important to you. For me, those were COVID-19 coverage, trip interruption benefits and medevac coverage.
  • Know that your coverage does not reset each time you travel when you opt for an annual policy. So, if you have a trip that goes awry, you file a claim and you max out the benefit allowed by your plan, you won't have that benefit available to you for the remainder of your policy year.
  • Depending on your policy, you might have to return home between travel sessions in order for each trip to be covered. Taking several back-to-back trips could prevent them from qualifying for coverage under your annual insurance plan, so be sure to read the fine print, and plan accordingly.
  • If you purchase annual or multi-trip travel insurance, keep your policy card and provider phone number with the other important documents you bring when you travel so they're easily accessible in a pinch.
  • If you find yourself in a covered situation for which you'd like to seek reimbursement, keep all receipts and take photos that will help to support your claims when they're submitted.
  • Don't assume all your expenses will be reimbursed, even if you think they'll be covered. It doesn't hurt to try, but in my case, my Allianz plan only partially covered the hotel expenses I submitted.

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

The 5 Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans of 2024

does annual travel insurance cover holidays already booked

Allianz Travel Insurance »

does annual travel insurance cover holidays already booked

AIG Travel Guard »

does annual travel insurance cover holidays already booked

Seven Corners »

does annual travel insurance cover holidays already booked

GeoBlue »

does annual travel insurance cover holidays already booked

Trawick International »

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 Annual Travel Insurance Plans.

Table of Contents

  • Allianz Travel Insurance
  • AIG Travel Guard

Buying travel insurance can be a smart move for most trips, but those who travel more than a few times a year should consider an annual travel insurance policy. Whether you regularly travel for business and/or take several vacations a year, annual travel insurance plans can help you get the coverage you need without having to price out and purchase protection every time you leave home.

If you find yourself in a situation where an annual plan makes sense, know that not all travel insurance companies offer this kind of coverage. You'll also want to consider the available annual travel insurance plans to see which options make sense for your travel style and the level of coverage you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Annual travel insurance plans all work in their own way, but the majority let travelers pay one annual premium for coverage that lasts for up to 364 days. These plans often limit the length of individual trips that are covered within the coverage year. Per-trip and annual limits on coverage can also apply.

In some cases, annual travel insurance plans require a deductible or coinsurance for certain types of coverage. If you're considering an annual travel insurance plan because you take multiple trips each year, make sure you read over the policy details and understand all coverage limits and trip limits that apply.

The cost of annual travel insurance typically varies based on factors like the age of the travelers applying, included benefits and coverage limits. You will want to shop around to compare plans across multiple providers using a platform like TravelInsurance.com or Squaremouth before you settle on a travel insurance policy.

To provide an example of the cost of annual travel insurance, U.S. News applied for a quote for two 40-year-old travelers seeking coverage for eight trips over a 12-month period. The Squaremouth travel insurance portal quoted policies with costs that range from $206 for the GeoBlue Trekker Essential plan to $610 for the Safe Travels Annual Deluxe plan by Trawick International.

Annual travel insurance can be worth it if you take multiple trips each year and want to make sure you always have coverage in place. After all, the alternative to having a multitrip policy is buying a new travel insurance plan for every vacation you take. That's not always feasible for frequent travelers who are always jetting off somewhere new – often at the last minute.

Just keep in mind that annual travel insurance plans tend to come with lower coverage limits than plans for single trips, and that you'll pay a premium for coverage that comes with comprehensive benefits and high limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation.

  • Allianz Travel Insurance: Best Overall
  • AIG Travel Guard: Best for Basic Coverage
  • Seven Corners: Best for Medical
  • GeoBlue: Best for Expats
  • Trawick International: Best for the Cost

Tailor your annual travel insurance plan to your needs

Most plans include coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, medical expenses, and more

Lowest-tier plans (AllTrips Basic and AllTrips Prime) come with no or relatively low coverage limits for trip cancellation

Most annual plans (except for AllTrips Premier) do not cover trips longer than 45 days

  • Trip cancellation coverage worth up to between $2,000 and $15,000
  • Trip interruption coverage worth up to between $2,000 and $15,000
  • Emergency medical coverage worth up to $50,000
  • Up to $500,000 in emergency medical transportation coverage
  • Up to $2,000 in coverage for lost or damaged baggage
  • Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage delays
  • Travel delay coverage worth up to $1,500 ($300 daily limit)
  • Rental car coverage worth up to $45,000
  • Up to $50,000 in travel accident coverage
  • 24-hour hotline assistance and concierge service

Annual Travel Insurance Plan offers year-round travel insurance protection

Relatively high limits for medical expenses ($50,000) and emergency evacuation ($500,000)

No trip cancellation coverage and relatively low limit ($2,500) for trip interruption coverage

No coverage for preexisting medical conditions

  • Up to $2,500 in coverage for trip interruption
  • Up to $1,500 in coverage for trip delays of five-plus hours ($150 per day limit)
  • Missed connection coverage worth up to $500
  • Up to $2,500 in baggage insurance
  • Baggage delay coverage worth up to $1,000 for delays of at least 12 hours.
  • Up to $50,000 for emergency medical expenses ($500 for emergency dental sublimit)
  • Up to $500,000 for emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains
  • Up to $50,000 in accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
  • Up to $100,000 in protection for security evacuation

Provides coverage worth up to $250,000 for emergency medical expenses

Tailor other included benefit levels to your needs

Coverage only applies to trips up to 40 days

Deductible up to $100 applies for emergency medical coverage and baggage and personal effects

  • Trip cancellation coverage worth up to between $2,500 and $10,000
  • Trip interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cancellation limit
  • Up to $2,000 in trip delay coverage ($200 daily limit)
  • Up to $1,000 in protection for missed connections
  • Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses ($50,000 in New Hampshire)
  • $750 dental sublimit within emergency medical coverage
  • Up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
  • Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects
  • Baggage delay coverage worth up to $1,000 ($100 daily limit)
  • 24/7 travel assistance services

Get annual coverage for medical expenses and routine medical care

High limits for medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation

GeoBlue plans don't offer comprehensive travel protection

Deductibles and copays apply

  • Ambulatory and therapeutic services
  • Inpatient hospital services
  • Emergency medical services
  • Rehabilitation and therapy
  • Preventive and primary care

Choose among three tiers of annual travel protection

Option for basic protection with affordable premiums

No coverage for preexisting conditions

Maximum trip duration of 30 days per trip

  • Trip cancellation coverage up to $2,500 maximum per year
  • Trip interruption coverage up to $2,500 maximum per year
  • $200 per trip for trip delays (up to $100 per day for delays of 12 hours or longer)
  • Up to $500 in coverage per trip for baggage and personal effects
  • Baggage delay coverage up to $100 per trip
  • Up to $10,000 for emergency medical expenses per trip
  • Up to $50,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage per trip
  • Up to $10,000 in AD&D coverage
  • 24-hour travel assistance services

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a travel expert who has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world. On a personal level, her family uses an annual travel insurance policy from Allianz. Johnson works alongside her husband, Greg – who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states – within their family media business and travel agency .

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For the Frequent Traveler: The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies

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For the Frequent Traveler: The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies

GeoBlue Trekker Choice

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If you take multiple trips every year, insuring each one can be a hassle. There are forms to fill out, comparison shopping over and over again, and then remembering the policy documents for each specific trip. And then there’s the risk you might forget to take out travel insurance for one of your trips.

Plus, those costs add up. There must be a better way.

Enter annual travel insurance. Also known as multi-trip travel insurance, taking out an annual policy covers you for a whole year of travel. Not only is it simpler, it may be cheaper than taking out multiple single-trip policies. But is it right for you?

Annual travel insurance policies aren’t exactly the same as the trip insurance you’d buy for a weeklong holiday with your family. Here are the best annual travel insurance policies, what they do and don’t cover, and how to decide whether taking out a yearly policy might be right for you.

The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies

GeoBlue Travel Insurance annual plan comparison chart

GeoBlue offers 2 Trekker plans for annual coverage, which are unique in several ways. These plans cover preexisting conditions, COVID-19, and all travel outside the U.S.

However, they don’t cover any trips inside the U.S. or provide any coverage for canceled, delayed, or interrupted trips. Instead, these are travel medical insurance plans . With the GeoBlue Trekker Choice plan , you’ll get higher maximum payouts in all categories and pay a lower deductible ($100). However, note that this is still secondary coverage .

You’ll get unlimited access to telemedicine and coverage for trips up to 70 days in length . Additionally, coverage is available up to age 95, which isn’t offered on most other policies.

The GeoBlue Trekker Essential plan offers the same pros and cons as the Choice plan. The main differences are the lower maximum payout values and the higher deductible ($200 instead of $100). You also won’t get the Choice plan’s lost baggage and personal effects coverage, which can provide up to $500 per trip. Again, this secondary medical insurance policy is only valid on trips outside the U.S.

Trawick International Safe Travels Annual Basic page banner

Trawick International offers 2 annual plans, and the Safe Travels Annual Basic plan is more economical. You’ll have coverage for everything you expect in a trip insurance policy , such as 100% coverage for trip cancellation or interruption (up to a $2,500 annual maximum) and coverage for delays, lost luggage, delayed luggage, and even medical expenses. To make up for the lower cost of the plan, coverage limits are lower than what you’ll find elsewhere . However, if you want peace of mind while traveling, you can get it for a year and cover trips up to 30 days in length.

While Trawick International’s Safe Travels Annual Deluxe plan offers higher maximum coverage limits than the Basic plan, its maximum payouts for medical and evacuation benefits are lower than what you’ll find with competitors . Where this plan shines is in the coverage for change fees, lost deposits on tours, and coverage for lost items if an airline misplaces your luggage.

You’ll be covered for up to $300 per trip for prepaid excursions, up to 100% of your trip cost (with an annual maximum of $5,000) for trip cancellations or interruptions, and up to $150 per item and $750 per trip for personal effects. After signing up for a plan, you’ll also get a 10-day free look period.

If you want an annual plan with a low price tag , this could be what you’re looking for. The Allianz Travel AllTrips Basic plan covers you for unlimited trips up to 45 days each over the course of a year. Coverage includes emergency medical, emergency medical evacuation, baggage loss and delays, travel delays, rental car theft and damage, and travel accident coverage.

However, there’s a fair list of exclusions from this plan . That includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, missed connections, and change fees. As the name implies, you’ll get basic coverage at a basic price.

Allianz AllTrips annual plan options

The Allianz Travel AllTrips Prime option covers 365 days of trips, though the maximum trip length is just 45 days. While you’ll get coverage for all the standard travel insurance benefits, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical, delays, and baggage mishaps, there are limits you should know about with this plan.

The travel accident coverage, which applies to death or the loss of a limb, maxes out at $25,000 per trip, baggage delay maxes out at $200, and baggage loss or damage maxes out at $1,000. The maximum coverage for emergency medical is $20,000, and costs can exceed that quickly in a true emergency.

However, this is a decent option if you want a fair amount of coverage across numerous categories without a high price tag.

For those worried about expensive business equipment or losing points and miles, this plan has you covered. On top of higher maximum payouts in categories such as trip cancellation, emergency medical transportation, or travel delays, you’ll also get rental car damage and theft coverage, change fee coverage, and reimbursement for renting business equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed during a trip.

Moreover, you can be reimbursed up to $500 to cover fees for reinstating your points and miles if a covered trip is canceled or interrupted. The Allianz Travel AllTrips Executive plan also provides coverage for preexisting medical conditions if you meet certain criteria and buy at least 14 days before the first trip.

Allianz AllTrips Premier start quote page

Allianz also has a customizable AllTrips Premier plan , allowing you to choose between several payout tiers for trip cancellation and interruption. You’ll pay more when choosing higher maximums, but this allows you to choose exactly what you want in coverage and not pay for more than you need. Another positive is coverage for preexisting medical conditions if you meet certain criteria and buy your policy at least 14 days before your first trip.

You’ll also get rental car damage and theft coverage , $500,000 of emergency medical transportation coverage, $50,000 of emergency medical, and coverage for travel delay expenses after a delay of 6 hours or more. The baggage delay coverage is up to $2,000, but it requires a delay of 12 or more hours. The maximum trip length allowed is 90 days.

The AIG Travel Guard Annual Travel Insurance plan isn’t available to Washington state residents. Still, it provides coverage for trip interruption, trip delay, lost baggage, delayed baggage, and missed connections, as well as both medical and security evacuation, accidental death and dismemberment, and travel medical expenses. However, the coverage limit for dental is just $500, and the maximum coverage for travel medical expenses is just $50,000. Those are lower limits than other plans. Additionally, trip cancellation isn’t included.

However, Travel Guard has some strengths. Trip delay coverage applies for up to 10 days and requires a delay of just 5 hours, and the missed connection benefit applies after just 3 hours. You get a “free look” period of up to 15 days to cancel for a refund, so long as you haven’t started your trip or filed a claim. Maximum coverage for any particular trip is 90 days.

ASI Affinity Voyager annual plan

USI Affinity’s Voyager plan has a Silver and Gold option , and pricing is easy to determine from the chart. Simply find your age bracket and the associated cost. The key differences between the plans are in the higher maximum payouts for nearly every coverage type with the Gold plan, other than emergency dental and accidental death and dismemberment. However, the Gold plan also includes coverage types the Silver plan doesn’t: political and natural disaster evacuation, airline ticket change fees, and trip interruption. However, trip cancellation isn’t included with either plan .

The maximum trip length is 90 days, and coverage for Silver and Gold plans lasts for 364 days. An unlimited number of international and domestic trips are covered, and you’re covered for trips as little as 100 miles from home. That’s a lower requirement than most other plans (which tend to require 150 miles).

This plan is ideal for those who don’t live in the U.S., as other plans on this list are only available to U.S. residents and citizens. While the plan technically lasts for 364 days, Seven Corners’ Travel Medical Annual Multi-Trip plan is customizable. It lets you choose a maximum trip length of 30, 45, or 60 days and include or exclude coverage for the U.S. Note U.S. citizens and residents cannot add coverage for inside the U.S.

Seven Corners also provides coverage for travelers aged 14 to 75 years, though maximum payouts decrease in some categories for those aged 65 and older. If you receive medical care in the U.S., Seven Corners will pay 90% of the first $5,000 of covered expenses and 100% of the cost afterward. You’re covered 100% outside the U.S. Note that coverage doesn’t apply to your home country (which includes the U.S. if you’re a citizen, even if you live in another country) and isn’t available in Antarctica, Cuba, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Russia, Syria, or Ukraine.

We considered another plan. Here’s why this annual travel insurance policy didn’t make our “best of” list.

IMG Patriot Multi-Trip International : For trips inside the U.S., you may be on the hook for 20% of your medical expenses if you visit a provider outside IMG’s PPO network. Additionally, the maximum trip length is 30 days, and coverage limits are quite low in multiple categories. These include $50,000 for emergency medical evacuation and $10,000 for political evacuation, a maximum of $50 per item and $250 overall for lost luggage, a $100 maximum for dental treatment, and $25,000 for accidental death and dismemberment 24/7 coverage.

Annual travel policy plans vary considerably. Most provide secondary medical insurance, so you may need to submit to your other coverage (home healthcare plan, credit card insurance provider, etc.) first and then submit to your travel insurance provider for any remaining expenses or deductibles. If you won’t have other coverage, you may want to look for a plan that provides primary health coverage instead. Also, understand that most plans provide reimbursement, so you would pay out of pocket for overseas hospital visits and then submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement after the fact.

What Is Annual Travel Insurance?

Annual travel insurance covers you for many trips over the course of a year (or sometimes 364 days). Rather than needing to buy a travel insurance policy for each trip separately — which can add up — you can buy a single policy that covers all your trips for the next year. It’s important to understand the terms of these policies, though. Some may require buying coverage in advance, such as 14 days before your first trip, while that requirement normally doesn’t exist on single-trip travel insurance.

It’s also important to note which types of trips and destinations are covered by your policy — and which aren’t. Look for how far from home you must travel to be covered and whether domestic trips are included. Moreover, consider what benefits you’re looking for. These can vary from medical-only to all the bells and whistles, such as baggage delay and medical evacuation. Once you know the type of coverage you want, you can find a policy or policies that align with your needs, helping you narrow down your options to conduct a more effective comparison.

Annual travel insurance works as an umbrella policy, covering all your trips during the policy period. You don’t need to inform the policy provider about each trip’s start and stop dates or destinations. You simply buy a policy, and then you’re protected for every trip that meets the conditions while your policy is in effect. Some regions may be excluded from coverage, and you may be subject to a maximum trip length.

Trip length is an important element to pay attention to. Annual travel insurance doesn’t cover you for a year-long trip. It covers you for a year for many small trips within that time, typically up to 30 or 45 days per trip. If you’re looking for a plan to cover you during a year-long trip to another country, you should look for specialized plans for study abroad, mission work, or other situations that apply to you. Traveling full-time? You may need a policy geared toward digital nomads and backpackers.

You should buy your annual travel insurance policy as soon as you know you’ll have multiple trips in the next year and determine that the cost of insuring each alone would be higher than that of a single multi-trip plan. What’s the break-even point on that cost? It depends on the coverage you want.

Considering that single-trip plans can sometimes be found for $10, yet an annual trip is likely to cost $150 or more per adult, you’d need 15 trips to justify the annual policy. However, that’s not really an apples-to-apples comparison, as a $10 basic travel insurance policy won’t provide as much coverage as you’re likely to find on even the most basic of annual policies.

It’s also not just about the number of trips you take but the types of trips, the complexity of the trips, and money at risk in nonrefundable costs. The more of these you foresee in your next year of travels, the more likely an annual plan would be good for you.

Couple reviewing financial documents

We already highlighted that annual policies don’t cover traveling nonstop for a year due to their restrictions on the maximum trip length. Annual travel insurance policies also restrict how far you must travel for coverage to kick in. Driving to the next town over may be a trip in your kids’ eyes, but it’s probably not far enough for your travel insurance to kick in.

While coverage varies by policy, you’ll typically have coverage for sickness, accidental death and dismemberment, lost or delayed luggage, trip cancellation, and possibly injuries during skiing or snowboarding. However, it’s important to read the terms of each policy because coverage maximums and inclusions vary widely. Some policies only provide medical coverage, while others offer robust coverage across the board.

Each policy specifies a maximum trip length. How trips longer than that are treated can vary. Most policies won’t cover any expenses related to a trip longer than the maximum trip length. Suppose you take a trip of 41 days on a policy with a maximum of 40 days. In that case, claims for delayed luggage or medical expenses may be rejected when the claim evaluator asks for your trip confirmation details.

However, GeoBlue covers the first 70 days of any particular trip. If something goes wrong during that time, you’re covered. You’re on your own for anything that happens on days 71 or beyond. Still, you’re covered on those first 70 days, despite taking a longer trip.

If you foresee long trips in the future, make sure you understand these rules.

For some travelers, yes, annual travel insurance is worth it. For others, it’s not.

Annual travel insurance is worth it when it costs less than what you’d pay to insure each trip individually. It’s also worth it if you think you might forget to purchase some of those individual policies throughout the year and would prefer to be done with them for another 365 days.

However, annual travel insurance isn’t worth it if you only take a few trips a year, they’re mostly domestic, and you don’t have major nonrefundable expenses. If you’re traveling within the U.S. with your standard health insurance policy in effect and you have credit cards that provide trip insurance for delays or cancellations, that coverage may be sufficient.

Family playing at the beach with snorkel

Costs will vary by your home state, age, and number of people included in the policy. Here are the “starting at” costs for our best annual travel insurance policies, sorted from lowest to highest:

Yes and no. Using a credit card to pay for your trip can provide some built-in protections. However, you should be mindful of annual maximums on any policy. You may run into limitations such as a maximum of 2 claims per 12-month period or similar exclusions. If you take many trips, that could be an issue.

To better understand what is and isn’t covered, check out our complete guide to credit card insurance .

To choose the right policy, look beyond the cost alone. Rather than immediately choosing the cheapest policy, find the policy or policies that provide the coverage types you want with payout maximums that cover your travel plans for the next year — both confirmed bookings and likely plans.

Consider your coverage needs. Will you be carrying expensive items such as scuba equipment for a trip to the Galapagos or top-notch camera lenses for a bird-watching tour in Papua New Guinea? How many extreme sports will you participate in?

Conversely, how many “never heard of this airline before” flights will you take to get off the beaten path? These are flights where you may be worried about cancelations that lead to extra costs or a misplaced suitcase.

Consider the types of trips you’ll take and the up-front money at risk if something goes wrong or you get delayed, then look at which plans align with your travels. From there, choose the best plan that aligns best with your needs, which may or may not be the cheapest one.

As an annual travel policy holder myself, I promise you that having the right plan is important when you wind up in a remote hospital in Tanzania with malaria.

Woman Sick in Bed Sneezing

Annual travel insurance isn’t right for everyone. However, it makes sense for those who travel often and could save money by taking out a single policy instead of many separate policies. It also makes sense if you’d prefer to avoid filling out paperwork numerous times throughout the year for each trip.

Annual travel insurance policies aren’t great for those who tend to travel closer to home, don’t have major nonrefundable travel expenses, or need to customize coverage for each trip because their travels tend to vary. For example, you might need different coverage for a backcountry ski trip with friends versus a 2-hour drive with your family.

Look at what annual policies do and don’t cover and see if these align with your travel goals and needs. Then, consider the prices for the plans that align well with your situation. After taking an informed look, you should have a good idea of whether an annual policy is right for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is yearly travel insurance worth it.

For some, yes. For others, no. Annual travel insurance is worth it when the cost is less than what you’d pay to insure each trip separately or you would prefer to just sign up once then be done for a year. However, annual travel insurance isn’t worth it if you only take a few, mostly domestic, trips a year where your healthcare coverage works, and you don’t have major nonrefundable expenses.

How much does annual trip insurance cost?

Costs vary greatly depending on the type of coverage you want. Annual travel insurance plan costs range from $140 to $500 for a single person. If you take a lot of trips, the cost can be worth it over the course of a year, but each person’s situation is different.

When should I take out annual travel insurance?

You should buy your annual travel insurance policy as soon as you know you’ll have multiple trips in the next year and that the cost of insuring each alone would be higher than the cost of a single multi-trip plan. What’s the break-even point on that cost? It depends on the coverage you want. Look at the different types of coverage and your expected costs for insuring each trip separately, then see if it makes sense for you.

Does annual travel insurance automatically renew?

It varies by policy provider, but some companies have an auto-renew feature to ensure you don’t have gaps in coverage.

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About Ryan Smith

Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and now plans to let his wife choose their destinations. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publications including AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, and Forbes Advisor.

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Annual Travel Insurance

Travel pros know: An annual travel insurance plan is the easiest, most economical way to protect a year’s worth of adventures. Taking two or more trips? Buy an AllTrips plan, and you’ve got peace of mind for 365 days. One of our most popular options is AllTrips Prime , which includes benefits for covered trip cancellation and interruption, covered emergency medical care and emergency transportation, lost/stolen or delayed baggage, rental car damage and theft coverage (available to residents of most states), and more.

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Which Annual Travel Insurance Plan is Right for You?

Multi-trip travel insurance isn't just for jet-set influencers or wealthy retirees. It's for anyone who enjoys travel and doesn't enjoy stress. Sounds like you, right?

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What kind of travel insurance do I need for my holiday trip?

Before Stefan Mitrovic booked his holiday flight from San Francisco to Miami, he asked: Do I need travel insurance?

And that's when he remembered his luggage.

"I'm taking some valuable Christmas presents with me," said Mitrovic, who runs an internet consultancy in Los Angeles. "I was afraid they might get lost on the flight."

This holiday period will be different from any other, said Harding Bush, manager of security operations for Global Rescue, a provider of travel risk management services.

"More people are traveling," he said. "Airlines have staffing issues. And it's a challenge for them to handle the surge." 

Protect your family: Find the best life insurance policies of 2023

In other words, your holiday trips are more likely to be canceled or delayed than last year – and maybe ever before.

Check out  Elliott Confidential , the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!

Do you need travel insurance for your holiday trip? This is the time to find out. Travelers typically buy insurance to protect their expensive international trips. But since the pandemic, they're buying more policies than ever. Is holiday travel riskier this year? And what type of insurance should you buy?

Mitrovic just wanted to cover his luggage. The U.S. government caps your airline's liability for delayed baggage at $3,800 for domestic flights. But the claims process is difficult, and airlines exclude many items from coverage. He found a policy through Travelinsurance.com that covered his checked luggage for up to 75% of its current market value. 

Experts say Mitrovic did it right. He weighed the risks of holiday travel and then bought a policy that covered him.

Get organized, don't be afraid to follow up: How to make your travel insurance claim go faster

What demanding customers want: 'Travelers have sky-high expectations for the trips'

"When it comes to travel insurance, there's no one-size-fits-all policy," said Daniel Durazo, a spokesman for Allianz Partners USA. "It's all about your individual specific needs and concerns about where you're traveling to and what financial investments you'd like to protect."

Those concerns can range from minor inconveniences, like a delayed suitcase, to major issues, like last-minute trip cancellation or medical emergency.

Do you need travel insurance for your holiday trip?

The conventional wisdom is that a travel insurance policy is unnecessary for quick domestic trips – the kind most often taken during the holidays. That's because insurance only covers prepaid, nonrefundable trip components. So driving to your aunt's for a holiday weekend is most likely not insurable.

But for other trips, you may need a policy. Usually, people consider insurance when they're spending more than $2,000 on their trip. But insurance can also cover unanticipated expenses, like a flight cancellation.

What happens if your checked bag is lost?  What if it's delayed? Here's what you're owed, what to do.

"The cost of last-minute flights can be 10 times higher than the initial purchase," said Manny Fernandez, vice president of Global Operations at CAP Travel Assistance. "Having peace of mind for trip interruption or cancellation is important as trips are being canceled more frequently."

Dan Skilken, president of TripInsurance.com, said if the holiday season is a replay of this summer, insured travelers will have an edge. Consider weather delays. Airlines don't have any obligation to help travelers. "There is no reason to spend the night in the airport, since the cost of your delay is covered," he said.

Weighing the risks of holiday travel

Holiday travel is also more dangerous than it has been in past years, according to experts. Geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe, Israel and Asia are making travel to those areas riskier, said John Gobbels, chief operating officer for the air medical transport and travel security company Medjet.

But also consider what you will be doing at that destination. A beach vacation in Mexico might be less risky than heliskiing in Canada.

"When choosing your travel insurance, you need to consider several factors such as whether you're traveling domestically or internationally, your trip cost, if you're doing adventure sport and if you're bringing your own gear," said Christina Tunnah, general manager for the Americas at World Nomads. 

Travel insurance companies now allow you to customize your policies. Sites like InsureMyTrip.com and battleface.com allow you to add or remove coverages until you have the exact policy you need. For details on the best policy, check out my free guide to buying the best travel insurance.

Story continues below.

What should you look for when choosing insurance for your holiday trip?

During the holidays, the two big coverage areas for travelers are medical and trip cancellation, said Pallavi Sadekar, head of operations at VisitorGuard.com. 

"Medical insurance, especially HMO plans, may not cover you for medical emergencies for trips outside the country," she said. "Travel insurance can protect you if you become ill or have any injury." 

She said trip cancellation plans can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs when you have to cancel for a covered reason. That way, you get your money back and you can book your vacation for another day.

That's what Harry Wenkert is looking for when he buys a travel insurance policy for his holiday trip. "The coverage that we are most interested in is medical services, medical evacuation and trip cancellation," said Wenkert, a retired pharmaceutical industry marketer from Pittsburgh. He's headed to the Canadian Rockies later this year and he already has his policy picked out. 

Is travel insurance worth it?: What to know before you book your next trip

What type of travel insurance should you get for your holiday trip?

A regular travel insurance policy will cover you for the duration of your trip. If you think you might have to cancel, you might also consider a "cancel for any reason" policy, which allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and recover 50% to 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses.

But for Mark Beales, a retired mortgage banker from Mill Creek, Washington, the uncertainty of the last two years led to a New Year's resolution to buy travel insurance.

A friend was visiting her relatives in Canada for the holidays. She didn't buy travel insurance. "She fell and ended up in the hospital and then a rehab center," he recalled. Then she had to pay for medical transportation back to the States. 

"The cost was ridiculously high and wasn't covered by Medicare since it occurred in Canada," Beales recalled. "So our friends paid out of pocket for those costs."

He resolved never to be without travel insurance. So instead of purchasing a policy for every trip, he decided to get an annual travel insurance policy. 

You may not need travel insurance for your next trip. But for this upcoming holiday travel season, you should probably consider it.

Avoid these travel insurance mistakes

Chris Carnicelli, CEO of Generali Global Assistance, said travel insurance can be a smart purchase for your next trip, but many travelers make mistakes when buying their coverage. "It’s still a foreign concept for many," he said. "The most valuable piece of advice that I can give to travelers is to do a little research and avoid making assumptions about who and what is covered."

► Don't wait to buy insurance:  "It's a good idea to get suitable trip insurance well before your travels," said Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO of VisitorsCoverage, an insurance marketplace. For example, for some policies, you must buy travel insurance within 14 days of making your initial trip deposit to get coverage for a preexisting medical condition. 

► Don't forget to read your policy : Many travelers don't know the common travel scenarios in which they qualify for reimbursements if they have travel insurance. "That includes flight delays and lost luggage," said Lauren Gumport, a spokeswoman for Faye travel insurance. "Make sure to read your policy and if unclear, call your travel insurance provider pre-trip to find out." 

Read it all the way through. Lauren Gumport, a spokeswoman for Faye travel insurance, said her company has seen many customers who don't understand their policy. "I've noticed that many travelers don't know the common travel scenarios in which they qualify for reimbursements if they have travel insurance," she said. 

► Don't buy the cheapest insurance:  It can be tempting to either skip travel insurance or buy the cheapest policy for your holiday trip. "But by doing so, you're putting yourself at risk of not having the right travel insurance when you need it," warns Angela Borden, a product marketing strategist with Seven Corners. "During the holidays, when the chances of flight cancellations, lost luggage, and other unexpected events increase, protecting the money you spent for your trip becomes even more important." 

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at [email protected] .

Can I Buy Travel Insurance After Booking Holidays?

Can i buy last-minute travel insurance.

Yes, travel insurers allow you to buy their travel insurance the day before, or at the last minute on the day of departure - provided you have not commenced your Journey

Last-minute travel deals and insurance

One of the reasons people forget to take out cover until the last minute is because they found a great deal on a holiday, and spontaneously booked it without considering insurance.

Should I buy travel insurance as soon as I book my trip?

Yes, you should ideally buy travel insurance straight after booking your trip.

This means from the policy start date, if you need to cancel your trip for any reason covered by the policy, you’ll be able to make a claim.

Buying annual travel insurance every year is a good idea for frequent travellers because you’ll know you’re always covered if you need to cancel ahead of your trip.

Can I book travel insurance before I book my trip?

Although you can buy travel insurance prior to making your booking, if you get your flight tickets first, you’ll know how much coverage you’ll need from your insurance product and be able to choose a suitable one.

Will my bank travel insurance cover my last-minute trip?

Some bank accounts are bundled with travel insurance. However, if you have such an account you should read the small print carefully.

For example, if you have a pre-existing medical condition, are over a certain age, plan to take a year-long trip, or want to undertake certain activities, you may not be covered.

Medical emergency sign abroad

Read the small print

Perhaps you’ve realised you've forgotten to take out insurance shortly before your flight leaves the UK. In such circumstances, it’s important not to rush into buying a policy.

You should ensure it meets your needs by reading the small print carefully.

Benefits to look out for:

  • Sufficient Coronavirus coverage
  • Sufficient medical coverage
  • Sufficient medical evacuation/repatriation coverage
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Cancellation (e.g. should your flight be cancelled after taking out cover)
  • Cover for certain adventure activities/sports (if required)

Why is travel insurance important?

Note that in some countries medical care is very expensive - for example the USA.

If you fall ill or are injured in the States and you do not have valid travel insurance, you could be faced with a large medical bill.

As the Citizens Advice Bureau states: “Without insurance medical emergencies abroad can cost thousands of pounds.”

And of course, travel insurance can help with lost or stolen belongings, lost luggage, and many other unwanted events.

What if I'm aware of a potential claim before buying cover?

Travel insurance providers would not be able to cover you for any problem you were aware of before taking out cover - for example, a cancelled flight.

Other such on-the-horizon events include:

  • You suspect the airline or holiday firm is about to go bankrupt
  • You feel the beginnings of an illness
  • Extreme weather has been forecast which may lead to your flight being cancelled

Can I take out last-minute annual cover?

Yes, travel insurance providers let you choose from different policy types - such as single trip, annual and family.

Most, if not all insurers let you take out any policy on the day of travel - so long as you're still in the UK when you do so.

Couple on beach in beautiful Bali

Can I purchase travel insurance AFTER I've left the UK?

Looking for travel insurance and already abroad?

Most insurers who serve UK travellers do not allow their policies to be taken out after the traveller leaves the country. However, a small number of travel insurance providers do offer cover to those who are already abroad.

Common reasons for needing this type of cover is because you forgot, or you didn’t realise how important travel insurance is.

Travel insurance while already abroad: Expensive?

Insurers that offer travel cover to those already abroad may charge more for their services - since it may be considered specialist insurance.

Restrictions on travel cover after departure?

If you do find a provider who offers travel cover after departure, there will likely be some restrictions to be aware of.

There will almost certainly be a "time excess" or "waiting period" (depending on the term used in the policy wording) before the travel insurance takes effect. This is normally 3 days (72 hours).

This condition is to prevent people from claiming for events that have already occurred, or might occur imminently.

Other restrictions might include:

  • Having unrestricted entry into the UK
  • Being registered with a UK GP
  • Having a UK passport

Coronavirus cancellation cover: time excess

Some policies may stipulate time excesses or waiting periods for some coronavirus-related cancelation cover - for example, 48 hours instead of 72.

Be aware of Coronavirus restrictions

Before taking out cover, it's important to check travel alerts and government travel advice in relation to coronavirus - since they may impact cover.

Person checking their travel insurance documents

Accidents/injuries: read the small print

Terms and conditions vary between policies, so do make sure you read the policy wording in full so you understand what is - and is not - covered.

For example, if you are injured in an accident, to be covered it must have occurred after the waiting period, and have been witnessed/verified by an independent third party.

If there's any aspect of a travel insurance policy you don’t understand, email or call the provider for assistance.

Can I extend my travel insurance if it runs out?

Yes, some travel insurers allow you to extend cover - notably those that offer cover to travellers after they’ve left the UK.

To ensure cover is uninterrupted, it would need to be renewed before midnight on the last day of the existing cover.

If you are injured or fall seriously ill while abroad, it could cost you thousands to either be treated or evacuated back to the UK - so ensuring travel insurance is uninterrupted is crucial.

Be aware of residency rules

Many travel insurers require you to have been ordinarily resident in the UK for six months prior to travel.

For people who regularly take long trips - such as backpackers or digital nomads - this can be a real pitfall.

If you make a claim and the insurer discovers you were not resident in the UK for the stipulated period before departure, they may not pay out - leaving you to cover any necessary costs (and the knowledge that the money spent on insurance was wasted).

Monthly post-departure nomad insurance

A small number of travel insurers offer monthly 'nomad insurance' or similar, designed for those who may not know how long they will be abroad, but who need cover.

With such policies, you choose your start date, then automatic monthly payments are made until you pick an end date. It works like a Netflix or Amazon Video subscription.

This type of cover might suit those without concrete travel plans, or who do not want to pay out a large sum of money in one go for long-term cover (i.e. they can spread the cost month by month - although this could be more costly in the long run).

Will the UK embassy help me if I forget to take out travel insurance?

The Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office (FCDO) strongly encourages UK residents to take out comprehensive travel insurance before going abroad.

If you encounter a medical or legal problem, the nearest UK embassy may be able to offer advice - but little else.

They will encourage you to have funds transferred to you by friends, family or employers. In extreme situations (for example, destitution), the FCDO may offer an emergency loan which must be repaid within six months.

As gov.uk states: “The FCDO will only usually consider offering an emergency loan in cases of destitution, if you have no assets or support from friends, families and charities.

“Only basic costs can be included in a loan, usually the cheapest one-way ticket to the UK. A loan cannot cover medical or legal bills, or any other pre-existing debt. The FCDO does not fund medical repatriations.”

It’s clear that taking out comprehensive travel insurance is a much better option than having to deal with an emergency overseas alone.

In rare cases, family members have had to sell their homes to pay a relative’s medical repatriation costs.

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Travel insurance guide: everything you need to know

Here’s how travel insurance can help if you’re affected by strikes, fires or other natural disasters.

Stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Eibsee in Germany

T ravel insurance is often the last thing you think about when booking a holiday but, as with any well-laid plans, things can go awry when you least expect it. Depending on the coverage you opt for, a good policy should insure against everything from travel disruptions to medical emergencies, and other unexpected events that could leave you out of pocket. But it pays to read the fine print here. Not disclosing certain details such as pre-existing medical conditions or being away for longer than your policy allows could invalidate your travel insurance. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know about taking out travel insurance for your next trip.

What is travel insurance and what does it cover?

Travel insurance is essentially a product that offers you financial protection against unexpected events that might cause you inconvenience, derail your holiday or leave you out of pocket. The exact level of coverage — and what you’re financially protected against — will depend on your policy. Generally travel insurance will cover things like medical expenses if you become ill while on holiday, redress if your belongings are lost or stolen, and money back if your trip is cancelled under certain circumstances.

• The best and cheapest travel money providers • Best travel debit and credit cards to use abroad

Does travel insurance cover natural disasters like wildfires?

Most policies will allow you to reclaim some element of your holiday, such as the cost of your flight and your accommodation, if you can no longer travel to the destination, or if you have to come home early due to evacuation of the area. The same is true of other types of extreme weather, such as hurricanes .

However, how much of the holiday you can recoup will depend on your policy, so do read the fine print. Some policies have specific clauses for weather-related travel disruption, for example, so if you’re travelling to a destination that’s frequently affected by natural disasters, it may be worth investing in a policy with more comprehensive cover.

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There is one very important thing to note: if you book your holiday when a weather phenomenon is already in play, you’re unlikely to recover any losses through your travel insurance.

• Long-stay travel insurance: providers that cover for 90 days

Delays and cancellations are the main source of travel troubles

Will travel insurance cover strikes?

As with all questions about hits to your wallet caused by travel plans going wrong, you should look first at what you can claim from the airline or holiday provider before getting insurers involved. Delays and cancellations due to strikes involving airline staff will usually result in the airline having to pay out compensation, but this of course depends on the circumstances of the travel disruption.

Although strikes outside the airline’s control (such as by air traffic controllers or border control officers) may count as extraordinary circumstances, regular disputes over pay and conditions should not allow a UK or EU-based airline to duck its legal obligations to passengers, including duty of care, as reinforced by a judgement against Ryanair following pilot strikes in 2018.

How airline strike action might affect travel insurance will vary to some extent depending on the policy, but one common point is that any disruption should not have been ongoing, planned or predicted when you bought your policy or your ticket. Aside from that, it’s quite common for policies to offer some cover for disruption to your travel and accommodation plans caused by strikes. Check the policy wording around whether the definition of “public transport” includes scheduled airline travel.

If you feel a bit overwhelmed by pages of small print when comparing different insurance policies, it might help if you’re doing so online to use your computer’s Find function (usually Ctrl+F or Command+F) and then type “strike”, “airline” or any other key term to quickly click through all mentions of it in the document. Terms that are specially defined within the policy are usually in bold text, with the precise definition given near the start of the policy.

Departure gates at Heathrow: coverage for flight cancellations varies from policy to policy

Does travel insurance cover cancelled flights?

Travel insurance will generally provide some coverage for flight cancellations, but the level of coverage will vary from policy to policy and may require certain conditions to be met. You will be expected to first approach the airline directly for any redress you’re legally entitled to, and submit evidence of this along with your claim.

• Do I get money back if my flight is cancelled?

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?

Certain rights apply on outbound flights from the UK on any airline, and back to the UK on any UK or EU airline.

If your flight is cancelled, you should always be able to choose between taking an alternative flight offered by the airline (either around your original travel plans, or as a voucher for future travel), or receiving all your money back for any flights you booked together but won’t be using. If your outbound flight is cancelled and you choose to stay at home, you should also be able to claim back from the airline the cost of the return portion.

If you take up the offer of an alternative flight around your original dates of travel, you could also be entitled to compensation for delays to the itinerary you had planned, subject to certain conditions. Firstly, the flight must have been cancelled within the 14-day period before you’re due to depart, and for reasons within the airline’s control, not “extraordinary circumstances” such as extreme weather or airport strikes, including those by airport-employed baggage handlers, air traffic controllers and border control. There’s a sliding scale to this compensation, based on the distance of the flight, the length of the delay and how soon before departure the flights were changed, with payments ranging from £110 to £520.

If you are caught in a delay, the law also makes the airline responsible for some costs such as food and drink, means of communication, or accommodation if your alternative flight isn’t until the next day. Don’t expect more than a basic meal voucher or a shuttle to a nearby airport hotel for the night, but these are part of an airline’s duty of care to you. In some cases, you may be expected to pay for these yourself and claim it back later.

Euston station: travel disruption cover could help if you miss a flight due to a train strike

What about train strikes?

For industrial action on Britain’s railways , the usual choices available to passengers with pre-booked tickets are: tickets honoured on alternative services, perhaps with different rail companies, on the day itself or on adjacent days; varying levels of compensation if you do travel but experience delays longer than 15 minutes (look up “Delay Repay”); or a full refund if your service is cancelled or significantly delayed and you choose not to travel.

As with air travel, insurance policies aren’t geared towards recovering costs that you can by right claim from the travel providers themselves. However, some policies’ sections on delayed or missed departures, or travel disruption cover, may be helpful in cases where you miss your flight because of a train strike, or are unable to stay at a hotel you have paid a deposit on. Check the terms and conditions for what’s covered if it’s a purely domestic trip, and also what level of proof you would need to show — such as a letter from the transport provider confirming that a strike was the reason for a cancelled service.

does annual travel insurance cover holidays already booked

Can I get insurance that covers Covid?

Emergency medical expenses abroad are covered as standard by most if not all policies, and Covid is, in insurance terms, just another illness to add to the list — provided it wasn’t a pre-existing medical condition before travel. If you catch Covid before you’re due to travel, you may be covered for travel disruption under some policies if you have to cancel your trip — but read the fine print and make sure you’re clear about what aspects are covered under terms such as “Covid-19 holiday insurance”.

Medical costs abroad and repatriation should you or a family member fall ill are the obvious ones, but others include not being able to board a flight because you have Covid, or having to come home early because a close relative is severely ill with it.

It’s also worth checking for the latest Foreign Office travel advice , including about areas where there are protests and natural disasters. Travelling against official advice will almost always invalidate your insurance, but policies may be more helpful if this advice changed after you have booked your trip, or while you’re in the destination.

Can I cancel my holiday before I go?

You may be able to cancel your insurance policy (before travel, of course), but cancelling the holiday itself is very likely to come under what insurance companies call “disinclination to travel”. Policies usually recognise the need to cancel a trip because of a family bereavement, for example, but there are few other reasons for which you could recoup the cost of tickets or deposits if you make the choice not to travel. If the Foreign Office isn’t advising against a destination, and if that place is prepared to let you in, the insurers will likely expect you to go ahead with your trip as booked.

That said, there are insurance policies that cover for disinclination to travel. You won’t be able to get a full refund but it will allow you to get back a percentage of what you paid for your holiday.

Family cover can be cheaper than individual policies

Should I get a family travel insurance policy?

Buying one policy for the whole family (whether for a single trip or annual cover) can be significantly cheaper than getting individual policies for each member who needs one, and you could also enjoy more generous benefits if grouped together.

There are exceptions: for a couple with one child, a couple’s policy plus one for the child might work out cheaper. You should check if in doubt about who counts as a family member — and family policies might not cover members travelling separately or with people not named in the policy. Pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma may also affect the cost of policies for everyone. But for one or two parents plus two or more children, it can be an attractive option.

As with solo insurance policies, you’ll need to decide how many trips and what kind your family is likely to take together in the next 12 months to choose between annual cover or not, which regions to include, and whether to add on extras such as winter sports cover.

How much does travel insurance typically cost?

Travel insurance can start from “free” — some banks provide coverage as part of a package of benefits, for example — and go up to over £100. It’s one of those things with lots of variables.

Annual travel insurance policies will cost more than single-trip ones, while those that include more comprehensive cover or additional protection for things such as gadgets, cruises and winter sports will come at a premium. You can also expect the cost of your policy to rise as you age, or if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. And, of course, prices will vary depending on where you’re travelling to, with cover for the US and the Caribbean typically costing more than for Europe.

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  • Travel insurance is intended to cover risks and financial losses associated with traveling.
  • Coverage can include trip cancellation, baggage protection, medical care, and emergency evacuation.
  • When filing a claim, be specific and comprehensive in your documentation to ease the process.

Whether it's a trip across the world or a trip across the state, having travel insurance provides major relief if things go awry. Flight delays, lost baggage, illness, injuries, and other unforeseen events can disrupt even the best-laid plans. With a major disruption comes the potential for unanticipated expenses.

Travel insurance and the coverage it offers can help keep you protected and save you money in the long run.

Overview of Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance policies protect travelers from financial losses should something go wrong during their trip. You can customize which coverages you want to include, and there are several to choose from.

"Common types of coverage include trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage protection, coverage for medical care if you get sick or hurt during your trip, and emergency medical evacuation," says Angela Borden, a travel insurance expert and product strategist for travel insurance company Seven Corners.

Travel insurance plans offer nonrefundable payments and other trip-related expenses. While monetary compensation is a primary benefit, there is another valuable perk of travel insurance. It can provide peace of mind.

What does travel insurance cover?

Your specific travel insurance plan (and its terms and conditions) will determine the minutia and specifics of what is covered. As with most other forms of insurance, a general rule of thumb is the more you spend, the better your coverage.

"Travel insurance can be confusing, so it's best to research a reputable company that specializes in travel insurance and has a long history of successfully helping travelers all over the world," says Borden.

Trip cancellation and interruptions

A travel insurance policy can reimburse you for a prepaid, nonrefundable trip if it is canceled for a covered event, such as a natural disaster or a global pandemic.

Trip interruption insurance covers you if you're already on your trip and you get sick, there's a natural disaster, or something else happens. Make sure to check with your travel insurance providers to discuss any inclusions, coverage, and more.

Travel delays and missed connections

Travel delay insurance coverage provides reimbursement for any expenses you incur when you experience a delay in transit over a minimum time. Reimbursements can include hotels, airfare, food, and other related expenses.

Medical emergencies and evacuations

Typically, US healthcare plans are not accepted in other countries. So travel insurance with medical coverage can be particularly beneficial when you are abroad. Medical coverage can also help with locating doctors and healthcare facilities.

Medical transportation coverage will also pay for emergency evacuation expenses such as airlifts and medically-equipped flights back to the US. Out of pocket, these expenses can easily amount to tens of thousands of dollars. Certain plans may even transport you to a hospital of choice for care.

Travel insurance generally does not include coverage for pre-existing conditions. That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver, which we will talk about later.  

Baggage and personal belongings

Most airlines will reimburse travelers for lost or destroyed baggage, but be prepared for limitations. Travel insurance plans will typically cover stolen items, such as those stolen out of a hotel room. This may not include expensive jewelry, antiques, or heirloom items. Typically, airlines have a few days to recover your bag.

In the meantime, you can make a claim to pay for items like certain toiletries and other items you need to pick up. If your bag is truly lost or you don't get it for an extended period, you can file a true lost baggage claim.

What does credit card travel insurance cover?

A major perk on several travel credit cards is embedded credit card travel insurance . Typically, you will need to use the specific card for the transaction (at least with partial payment) for travel coverage to kick in.

Each card has specific rules on what exactly is covered. But one of the industry leaders is the $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. Here's a snapshot of what is covered with this specific card:

  • Baggage delay: up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days if a passenger carrier delays your baggage by more than six hours.
  • Lost and damaged baggage: up to $3,000 per passenger per trip, but only up to $500 per passenger for jewelry and watches and up to $500 per passenger for cameras and other electronic equipment.
  • Trip delay reimbursement: up to $500 per ticket if you're delayed more than six hours or require an overnight stay.
  • Trip cancellation and interruption protection: up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses.
  • Medical evacuation benefit: up to $100,000 for necessary emergency evacuation and transportation when on a trip of five to 60 days and traveling more than 100 miles from home.
  • Travel accident insurance: accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $100,000 (up to $1,000,000 for common carrier travel).
  • Emergency medical and dental benefits: up to $2,500 for medical expenses (subject to a $50 deductible) when on a trip arranged by a travel agency and traveling more than 100 miles from home.
  • Rental car coverage: primary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision up to $75,000 on rentals of 31 days or fewer

More protections are included with cards with an annual fee, but there are exceptions. The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex , for instance, includes up to $1,500 per person (and up to $6,000 per trip) in trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.

However, there are some differences between credit card travel coverage and obtaining coverage from a third party.

"Credit card coverage does not typically provide travel medical benefits," Borden says. "For protection if you get sick or hurt while traveling, you'll want a travel insurance plan with medical coverage."

Whether you get your travel insurance in a standalone policy or through a credit card, it's important to review your plan details carefully. In either case, there may be exclusions and other requirements such as deadlines when filing a claim, Borden notes.

What travel insurance coverage do you need to pay more for?

Knowing what travel insurance doesn't cover is as important as knowing what it does cover.

"Travelers should understand that travel insurance benefits come into play only if a covered reason occurs," Borden says. Most standard travel insurance plans won't reimburse you for the following:

Cancel for any reason (CFAR)

Cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance covers a trip cancellation for any reason, not just a covered event. your standard benefits won't kick in unless it's a covered event. For instance, you'll be reimbursed simply for changing your mind about taking a trip.

That said, CFAR travel insurance is not without its downsides. For one, it's more expensive than traditional insurance, and most CFAR policies will only reimburse you for a percentage of your travel expenses. Additionally, CFAR policies aren't available for annual travel insurance . 

You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance here.

Foreseen weather events

Sudden storms or unforeseen weather events are typically covered by standard travel insurance plans. There are exceptions to be aware of. For example, an anticipated and named hurricane will not be covered.

Medical tourism

If you're going to travel internationally for a medical procedure or doctor's visit, your travel insurance plan will not cover the procedure itself. Most medical travel plans also won't cover you if something goes wrong with your procedure.

Pre-existing conditions and pregnancy

Those with specific pre-existing conditions, such as someone with diabetes and needing more insulin, will not be covered by most plans. In addition, pregnancy-related expenses will likely not be covered under most plans.

That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver for stable conditions. In order to obtain a wavier, you will need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time frame from when you booked your trip, usually two to three weeks, depending on your policy.

Extreme sports and activities

Accidents occurring while participating in extreme sports like skydiving and paragliding will typically not be covered under most plans. However, many plans offer the ability to upgrade to a higher-priced version with extended coverage.

Navigating claims and assistance

When a trip goes awry, the first thing you should do is document everything and be as specific as possible with documentation. This will make the claims process easier, as you can substantiate and quantify your financial losses due to the delay.

For example, your flight home has been delayed long enough to be covered under your policy, you'll want to keep any receipts from purchases made while waiting. For instances where your luggage is lost, you will need to file a report with local authorities and document all the items you packed.

Cancellation protection also requires meticulous attention to detail. If you're too sick to fly, you may need to see a doctor to prove your eligibility. If an airline cancels a flight, you'll also need to document any refunds you received as travel insurance isn't going to reimburse you for money you've already gotten back. 

Part of the benefit of CFAR insurance is the reduced paperwork necessary to file a claim. You'll still need to document your nonrefundable losses, but you won't have to substantiate why you're canceling a trip.

Choosing the right travel insurance

Each plan should be personalized to meet the insured party's needs. Some travelers prefer to stick to the bare minimum (flight cancellation benefits through the airline). Others want a comprehensive plan with every coverage possible. Before you buy anything, set your destination. Are there any travel restrictions or changes pending? Does your destination country require emergency or other medical coverage?

If the destination airport is known for lost or delayed luggage, travelers should keep important items in carry-ons. Lost or delayed luggage coverage protects insured parties in the event of a significant delay or total loss.

Second, check current credit card travel benefits to avoid redundancies. Savvy travelers don't need to pay for the same coverage twice.

Finally, consider your individual needs. Do you have a chronic medical condition, or do you feel safe with emergency-only medical coverage? Keep in mind, this does not include coverage for cosmetic surgery or other medical tourism. Do you have a budget limit for travel insurance? Asking and answering these important questions will help every traveler find the right product.

Most travel insurance plans are simple, and Business Insider's guide to the best travel insurance companies outlines our top picks. Remember, read your policy and its specifics closely to ensure it includes the items you need coverage for.

No one likes to dwell on how a trip might not go as planned before even leaving. However, at its core, travel insurance provides peace of mind as you go about your trip. While the upfront cost may seem significant, when you compare it to the potential expenses of a canceled flight, emergency evacuation, or a hefty medical bill, it's a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.

Get Travel Insurance Quotes Online

Protect your trip with the best travel insurance . Compare travel insurance quotes from multiple providers with Squaremouth.

What does travel insurance cover frequently asked questions

Does travel insurance cover trip cancellations due to a pandemic like covid-19.

Coverage for pandemics vary from policy to policy. Some travel insurance companies have specific provisions for pandemic-related cancellations, while others may exclude them entirely.

Are sports injuries covered under travel insurance?

Sports injuries are often covered under travel insurance, but high-risk or adventure sports might require additional coverage or a special policy.

Can travel insurance provide coverage for travel advisories or warnings?

Travel advisories have different effects on your travel insurance depending on your policy. Traveling to a country already under travel advisory may invalidate your coverage, but if you're already traveling when a travel advisory is announced, you may be covered.

How does travel insurance handle emergency medical evacuations?

Travel insurance usually covers the cost of emergency medical evacuations to the nearest suitable medical facility, and sometimes back to your home country, if necessary.

Are lost or stolen passports covered by travel insurance?

Many travel insurance policies provide coverage for the cost of replacing lost or stolen passports during a trip.

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Business Insider on Microsoft Start.

Understanding What Travel Insurance Covers

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Trip Cancellation Insurance Explained

Elina Geller

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 is trip cancellation insurance?

Covered reasons for trip cancellation, what is not covered by trip cancellation insurance, cancel for any reason trip insurance, is trip cancellation insurance expensive, different ways to get trip cancellation insurance, which insurance coverage is best for me.

When booking travel, particularly expensive trips consisting of nonrefundable reservations, it makes sense to consider trip cancellation insurance since it can protect your deposit if your plans do not materialize due to unforeseen events. However, not every reason for canceling a trip will qualify for coverage, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the basics of trip cancellation insurance.

Trip cancellation coverage can be purchased as part of a comprehensive travel insurance policy , or you can receive it for free when you hold certain premium credit cards. The benefit is designed to protect prepaid, nonrefundable reservations, including flights, hotel reservations and other bookings if the trip is canceled due to an extraordinary circumstance. Each policy will state exactly which events are considered valid reasons for cancellations.

With COVID-19 still affecting travel plans, you’ll want to pay close attention to which reasons for cancellation due to the pandemic are valid. For example, wanting to cancel a trip you booked a while ago because your destination now has rising COVID-19 numbers and you’re afraid to travel is not likely a valid reason.

If you want to be able to cancel a trip for truly any reason, consider the Cancel For Any Reason supplemental upgrade when purchasing your insurance policy. CFAR will allow you to get up to 75% of your trip investment back as long as the trip is cancelled at least two days before departure.

» Learn more: Does my travel insurance cover the coronavirus?

Imagine you’ve booked a two-week vacation to Italy costing $5,000 ($1,000 flight, $3,500 hotel and $500 excursions), all of which is nonrefundable. Then, a week before your departure date, you fall and break your leg.

So, what does trip cancellation insurance cover?

If you have trip cancellation insurance, you’ll be able to get your entire prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost back (as long as the entire amount was insured), since injuries that necessitate medical treatment and prevent you from taking your trip qualify as a covered reason.

Other covered reasons include death of your traveling companion, inclement weather that results in disrupted service, jury duty, terrorist incident, job termination and other extraordinary events.

Although this is not an entire list of all the covered reasons, generally the cancellation must be due to unforeseen circumstances to qualify for a reimbursement. Review the fine print of your policy for the details of exactly which reasons are covered. When seeking reimbursement, you’ll need to submit claims to the insurance provider to substantiate your claim.

Although a wide range of reasons allow you to receive your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses back in the event of a trip cancellation, there are important exclusions to know about.

Trip cancellation insurance will not cover losses arising from self-harm, foreseeable events, acts of war, taking part in activities considered dangerous (e.g., skydiving, bungee jumping, endurance races, etc.), a felony, childbirth, dental treatment and more.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

So what if you want the flexibility to cancel your trip for reasons other than those covered by your policy? For that, you're going to need the CFAR insurance mentioned above.

CFAR is often available as an add-on to travel insurance policies, and while it can come in handy if you want to cancel your trip just because, you're not likely to get all your money back.

Most CFAR policies will only reimburse 75% of your nonrefundable travel expenditures.

» Learn more: Best travel insurance with Cancel For Any Reason Coverage

The price of trip cancellation insurance can vary based on the traveler’s age, destination, length of trip, cost of trip and insurance company.

Using the same $5,000, two-week trip to Italy as mentioned above, a search of policies on SquareMouth (a NerdWallet partner) ranged from $115 to $470, representing 2.3% to 9.4% of the total trip cost.

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance?

All policies provide 100% coverage of the trip cost, however the more expensive plans usually have higher limits on benefits like medical evacuation.

If you’re only looking for trip cancellation coverage and no other protections, a policy equating to 2.3% of the total trip expenses seems reasonable.

On your travel credit card

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

Trip cancellation coverage can be included as part of a comprehensive travel insurance plan or offered as a benefit on premium travel credit cards.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® will reimburse you or your immediate family members up to $10,000 per trip. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and many other American Express cards also offer up to $10,000 in trip cancellation coverage. Terms apply.

These premium cards also offer other insurance benefits like trip interruption coverage, emergency assistance services, trip delay and more.

If you travel often and typically purchase trip cancellation coverage, consider applying for one of the cards that offer complimentary travel insurance . Not only will you get trip insurance benefits, but you will also get other travel perks and statement credits that can partly offset the annual fee.

Supplement by purchasing policies out-of-pocket

If the coverage limits offered on the cards aren’t sufficient or you’re looking for more protections (e.g., coverage for emergency medical expenses), you’d be better off with a travel insurance . Although you’d incur an additional cost for purchasing a comprehensive plan, you’d have many more benefits not commonly found in the insurance policies offered by the credit cards.

A comprehensive trip cancellation policy is likely to cover canceled flights so long as the flight or flights are nonrefundable and are a part of the total, prepaid expenses covered by your policy. Insurance provided by travel cards typically includes trip delay or cancellation coverage so long as you used that card to pay for your flight reservations.

If you're forced to cancel your trip due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control, travel insurance will provide coverage for some or all of your nonrefundable travel expenditures, depending on your policy. Covered events will vary, so be sure to review the terms of any plan you intend to purchase.

Trip cancellation insurance is available for purchase from a wide range of companies and is often included as a benefit on travel credit cards. Under certain circumstances, it provides coverage for prepaid travel expenses in the event that you cannot complete your trip as planned.

A comprehensive trip cancellation policy is likely to cover canceled flights so long as the flight or flights are nonrefundable and are a part of the total, prepaid expenses covered by your policy.

Insurance provided by travel cards

typically includes trip delay or cancellation coverage so long as you used that card to pay for your flight reservations.

If you’re going on a trip consisting of costly flights, hotel reservations and excursions and would like to protect your prepaid, nonrefundable deposit but do not need any other coverage, a minimally priced trip cancellation insurance policy is a good choice.

If you have a premium travel credit card , check if you already have trip cancellation insurance as a benefit before you purchase a policy.

However, if you’re looking for additional coverage like travel medical insurance , and/or a basic plan doesn’t have adequate limits, consider a comprehensive travel insurance policy from providers such as AAA , Allianz , and AIG . Read NerdWallet's full analysis of the best travel insurance companies here .

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

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

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

does annual travel insurance cover holidays already booked

IMAGES

  1. All you need to know about annual travel insurance policies

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  2. How Does Travel Insurance Work

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  3. What does holiday and travel insurance cover?

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  4. Booked your flight ticket and wondering if it is absolutely necessary

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  5. Annual Travel Insurance Plans Cover Multiple Trips

    does annual travel insurance cover holidays already booked

  6. 10 Reasons to Have Annual Travel Insurance

    does annual travel insurance cover holidays already booked

COMMENTS

  1. All you need to know about annual travel insurance policies

    For me, the annual plan made sense because most of Allianz's individual plans don't cover issues linked to COVID-19. However, the annual coverage I purchased does. Other things to know about annual travel insurance policies. Here are a few additional tidbits I learned after filing a trip interruption claim under my annual travel insurance policy.

  2. Can I Buy Travel Insurance After Booking?

    The short answer is: Yes, you can. However, timing is everything when it comes to buying travel insurance — and some options won't be available if you wait too long. Here's a look at buying ...

  3. How Annual (Multi-Trip) Travel Insurance Works

    2. Allianz. For our sample itinerary, Allianz offered three different annual travel insurance plans with varying levels of coverage — Executive, Prime and Basic. The cheapest rang in at $138 for ...

  4. 4 Best Annual Travel Insurance Options in 2024

    Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for: Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. No annual fee: Bank of ...

  5. The Comprehensive Guide to Annual Travel Insurance

    When you have an annual plan, you don't have to worry. Trip cancellation benefits begin on your plan's effective date, as long as we receive your premium before you cancel your trip or make a claim. Annual travel insurance can include rental car coverage. Each AllTrips plan includes up to $45,000 in rental car damage and theft coverage ...

  6. Can I Buy Travel Insurance After Booking?

    The short answer is: It's not too late! You absolutely can buy travel insurance after booking your trip. However, it's always best to purchase insurance as early in the process as possible. If you procrastinate, you may miss out on certain benefits. Below, we'll explain why.

  7. How does annual travel insurance work?

    Annual travel insurance. Covers an individual for multiple trips taken within a specified time frame, usually one year. Typically bundles coverage for travel medical, emergency medical evacuation ...

  8. The 5 Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans of 2024

    This annual travel insurance policy covers all trips that last up to 90 days within a coverage year, and it comes with coverage for COVID-19. Benefits that travelers receive each year with the ...

  9. Holiday Travel Insurance Guide

    IFAR coverage is an upgrade to a base insurance policy. It reimburses up to 75% of your trip cost. Note that coverage doesn't typically start until you are at least 48 hours into your trip. IFAR ...

  10. The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies in 2024

    Costs will vary by your home state, age, and number of people included in the policy. Here are the "starting at" costs for our best annual travel insurance policies, sorted from lowest to highest: Policy Name. Starting Price. Allianz Travel AllTrips Basic Plan. $138.

  11. How far in advance can Travel Insurance be booked?

    Single Trip Policies expire on the return date that you state when making your booking. For frequent travellers, Annual Trip Insurance can be booked up to 90 days in advance and cover begins on the dates stipulated when purchasing the policy, so make sure that your policy starts on the day you purchase it or on the day you buy your plane ...

  12. Annual Travel Insurance

    Buy an AllTrips plan, and you've got peace of mind for 365 days. One of our most popular options is AllTrips Prime, which includes benefits for covered trip cancellation and interruption, covered emergency medical care and emergency transportation, lost/stolen or delayed baggage, rental car damage and theft coverage (available to residents of ...

  13. Holiday travel insurance: What to know before choosing coverage

    The conventional wisdom is that a travel insurance policy is unnecessary for quick domestic trips - the kind most often taken during the holidays. That's because insurance only covers prepaid ...

  14. Does Travel insurance cover trip that has already been booked?

    3 August 2011 at 11:24PM. Today I booked our family Summer holiday. So...booked on 3rd August. Due to travel 22nd August. I now discover, that my previous annual insurance ran out 2 days ago :- (. So I will purchase a new annual travel insurance policy tomorrow. However, will the new policy cover the holiday that I have 'already' booked?

  15. Would annual travel insurance cover for a trip booked months in advance

    NoodleDoodleMan said: You really need travel insurance in place before booking any holiday. You can always cancel your existing policy and quickly renew in order to immediately book for October. I'd be inclined to wait until the end of March and take it from there - your October trip will still be available.

  16. What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

    Travel insurance offers coverage for many situations, but not all. Some scenarios aren't covered by a travel policy, including: A named storm: Most travel plans protect you from hassles stemming ...

  17. When to Buy Travel Insurance

    Key takeaways. The best time to buy travel insurance is after booking your trip. Travel insurance offers pre-departure cover for cancellations and travel changes. Single trip travel insurance cover lasts from the day you buy your policy to your return home date. You can still buy travel insurance at the last minute or even after you've departed.

  18. Can I Buy Travel Insurance After Booking Holidays?

    Yes, you should ideally buy travel insurance straight after booking your trip. This means from the policy start date, if you need to cancel your trip for any reason covered by the policy, you'll be able to make a claim. Buying annual travel insurance every year is a good idea for frequent travellers because you'll know you're always ...

  19. Your Travel Insurance Questions, Answered

    It's a good idea to take out travel insurance as soon as you've booked a holiday. Most insurers will cover some or all the costs if you have to cancel for myriad reasons, including bereavement, illness or injury. If you've left it to the last minute, a majority of providers still allow you to purchase travel insurance right up until you leave ...

  20. Travel insurance guide: everything you need to know

    T ravel insurance is often the last thing you think about when booking a holiday but, as with any well-laid plans, things can go awry when you least expect it. Depending on the coverage you opt ...

  21. Should You Buy Travel Insurance for Holiday Travel?

    So, while travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, travelers have fewer flight options. Given those gloomy statistics, travel insurance is at least worth considering this year. Insurance aside, one ...

  22. Understanding What Travel Insurance Covers

    Travel insurance generally does not include coverage for pre-existing conditions. That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver, which we will talk about later. Baggage and personal ...

  23. Annual Travel Insurance expires before the trip date

    Thanks for this, so the existing will pay out for a trip that's due to take place after it expires. Only if any incident is while the policy is still in force, If you cancelled after your policy expired but before the trip you wouldn't be. Quentin Posts: 40,405.

  24. Watch Bloomberg: The China Show 05/07/2024

    The China Daily reports on the May Day holiday numbers, as well as saying the travel boom highlights the country's economic vitality, with tourists flocking to popular domestic destinations such ...

  25. Trip Cancellation Insurance Explained

    The price of trip cancellation insurance can vary based on the traveler's age, destination, length of trip, cost of trip and insurance company. Using the same $5,000, two-week trip to Italy as ...