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How to Get Travel Insurance from Expedia

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Now that you’ve learned all about booking flights, hotels, car rentals, vacations, and cruises with Expedia , you might be thinking about planning a trip. If you’re looking for a little extra peace of mind on your trip, you might be considering purchasing one of Expedia’s travel protection plans, in order to be ready for the unexpected.

Just a heads-up that some of the services we’re reviewing here have affiliate partnerships with us, so we may earn a commission if you visit one of them and buy something. You can read more about how this works at https://techboomers.com/how-to-support-techboomers .

In this article, we’ll explain how to get protection from Expedia, and what types of plans you can choose from. Read on to learn more!

How Expedia travel insurance works

Expedia travel insurance is a protection plan for your trip which will entitle you to a refund in the event that the conditions of the insurance are met. By purchasing insurance with or after your booking, you are protecting yourself if the trip is cancelled or if unfortunate circumstances occur while on your trip.

We all know vacations can be expensive. By purchasing an Expedia protection plan, essentially you are preparing for a situation out of your control, so you don’t lose all of the money you spent on your trip. Depending on the protection you purchase, you could be reimbursed for the cost of your trip for situations such as illness, bad weather, or missing your flight.

You will be given the option of adding travel insurance while booking, but this is completely optional. You will need to purchase protection plans during booking, prior to the completion of your transaction. You can however purchase the Car Rental Insurance Plan up until the day before you leave for your trip.

How do I get a Travel Protection Plan from Expedia?

You will automatically have the option to add a travel protection plan whenever you are booking an itinerary for which that plan is applicable. 

Expedia Insurance icon

Types of Travel Protection Plans that Expedia offers

Expedia package protection plan – for before, on, or after the trip..

This plan applies mainly to vacation packages, usually consisting of at least a flight and hotel booking. It is meant to protect you from elements before and during your trip, including:

  • If you need to change or cancel your flight before you leave, for any reason (one time only)
  • If your flight is significantly delayed
  • If you need to return home mid-trip because of an emergency
  • If you need to pay for any emergency medical bills
  • If your baggage is lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed, or significantly delayed
  • If you or someone you are travelling with is seriously injured or killed in an accident
  • If you need to call someone for any other type of emergency travel or medical assistance

Expedia Vacation Waiver – for flight issues.

This is similar to the package protection plan, except that it only covers you if you need to change or cancel your flight before you leave.  If you’re just worried about whether or not you’ll be able to make your flight at all, and not so much about what will happen after you’re already on it, then pick this plan.

  • You can use this plan one time only, before the time you are scheduled to leave.
  • You may cancel or change your flight for any reason. 
  • Expedia will pay for any change or cancellation fees from the airline.
  • You will be given credit to use towards a flight in the future.
  • The future flight must be with the same primary passenger on the same airline.

Expedia Cancellation Plan – for an emergency before the trip occurs.

Similar to the vacation waiver, this plan compensates you if you need to cancel your trip before you leave or during your trip, if you or someone closely related to you becomes critically ill or injured. 

  • This plan only compensates you if you wish to cancel your trip, not change it.
  • It covers medical emergencies only, and requires a doctor’s note.
  • It is available only for packages that include flights totally within the continental United States.

Expedia Total Protection Plan – for travel, medical, baggage, and emergencies.

This plan is sort of a mix between the cancellation plan and the package protection plan, and usually only applies to packages that have flights booked, but not hotel rooms. 

  • Like the cancellation plan, it allows you to be compensated if you cancel your trip before you’re scheduled to leave or after you’ve already left, though only for doctor-certified medical emergencies.
  • Like the package protection plan, it also protects your luggage against loss, theft, damage, destruction, or significant delay.  It also covers emergency medical bills, and can compensate you if you or a travelling partner is seriously injured or killed in an accident.  Finally, it includes 24/7 emergency traveller’s assistance.

Cruise Travel Protection.

As its name implies, this plan is for packages that include cruises.  It offers you protection and/or compensation:

  • If you have to cancel your cruise because you or a close associate has a medical emergency
  • If your cruise is significantly delayed
  • If you have to pay for any emergency medical bills
  • If your luggage is lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed, or significantly delayed

Car Rental Insurance.

This plan covers your expenses, above and beyond your regular car insurance, if your rental car is damaged by forces of nature (fire, flood, hail, wind, etc.) or by anything else that isn’t your fault. This is also the only insurance that can be purchased from Expedia after your booking; you can obtain it up until the day before you leave for your trip – so you have more time to decide if you’ll need it.

Is Expedia’s Travel Insurance Worth It?

The answer to this, like a lot of similar questions, is “it depends.”  There are a number of factors that may make you decide that you want the extra protection or not.  Here are a few things to consider.

  • How well does your other insurance cover you? There are some things included in their travel insurance plans that your other insurance plans don’t cover, and there are some things that they do.  Consider what things are most likely to pose a problem for you personally on your trip, and ask whether the insurance you have already covers those things or not.  
  • How dangerous is your trip destination? There are some places that are prone to extreme weather conditions, while others are notorious for thievery and violence.  Again, consider what the biggest risks are for you when travelling when deciding on your insurance plan.  
  • Did you read the fine print? Again, we know that a lot of people don’t like doing it and/or don’t bother doing it.  But a lot of people who complain on the Internet about the travel insurance plans being useless probably didn’t realize that there are specific situations in which they do or do not apply.  For instance, some of them only reimburse you if you outright cancel your trip instead of changing it, and only for a medical emergency verified by a doctor.  
  • Are you getting value for money? This kind of goes hand-in-hand with the other points made so far.  There are some places where you will be able to buy travel insurance at a lower rate.  Also, in some places, you may be able to get travel insurance that is more expensive, but has more covered scenarios and/or doesn’t have as many restrictions in the fine print.  Do a bit of shopping around to find a good balance of price versus broadness of coverage.

And that’s how Expedia’s Travel Protection Plans work. If you’re interested in learning more about what you may be entitled to when you book with Expedia, check out our article on the their cancellation policy here .

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Get a quote today., expedia travel insurance: plans, costs, reputation, & services.

Expedia markets itself as “the world’s travel platform.”

In business since 1996, the company has grown to be one of the biggest travel insurance providers in the world.

It has several plans with different coverage levels suitable for a variety of travelers, helping keep its spot as a leading travel insurance company in the industry.

Expedia company logo

Expedia’s plans can be customized with a variety of add-ons and extra benefits that let travelers make sure they get the best travel insurance for their needs and budget.

Travelers can find out more about the costs of an Expedia travel insurance plan by visiting its website and inputting their personal information, with the details of their planned trip.

The company routinely provides flights and hotels, bundling travel insurance as part of this main offering.

Expedia’s travel insurance is only available for purchase when you book your trip and accommodation with the company.

Aon Affinity Travel Practice, who administers Expedia’s travel insurance policies, has a rating of A+ from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

This is an indicator of the efficient way this company deals with complaints that are filed against it.

While it had 49 logged complaints within the last 12 months, according to the BBB, the company’s prompt response time is reflected in its A+ rating.

Expedia provides a mobile app which gives its customers the ability to file a claim from anywhere in the world.

It also offers 24/7 telephone support.

While this is a pretty standard offering in the travel insurance industry, it’s a great relief knowing that if you need to talk to your travel insurance provider from a different time zone, you’ll be able to.

An insurance company’s financial stability is regularly overlooked by potential customers, but can often be just as important as analyzing travel insurance reviews.

Expedia’s underwriting company, Stonebridge Casualty, has received a rating of “A” by A. M. Best through its parent organization Transamerica Casualty.

Financial stability should always be something to consider when you’re looking at travel insurance providers .

Expedia Travel Insurance Coverage & Plans

Expedia travel insurance offers a wide variety of coverage plans to ensure protection across a variety of situations.

Each offering has several available levels of coverage, so there’s a big chance you can find something that’s right for you to protect you when you’re away from home.

Expedia travel insurance provides the following types of coverage:

  • Comprehensive
  • Trip Cancellation/ Interruption
  • Accidental Death

buying expedia travel insurance

Expedia Package Protection

This plan provides trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

It also includes reimbursement for any expenses incurred if your travel is delayed due to mechanical failure, strike, or adverse weather conditions.

This plan also protects you in the event of medical emergencies and can help with the costs of medical expenses and medical transportation.

Baggage and personal property is covered, so any lost, stolen, or damaged items during travel can be replaced.

If a hurricane warning has been issued and you need to change the specifics of your trip, the company may waive cancellation fees and liaise with its partnering companies to waive its associated fees as well.

You can also receive assistance with re-booking the entirety of your trip, including your flight and any activities you may have booked.

Though Expedia only offers one travel insurance plan, the company has a wide range of add-ons.

These include coverage for lost passport and document assistance, emergency cash, translation services, medical case management, and concierge services such as restaurant or event referrals and reservations.

While these add-ons may understandably increase the cost of your travel insurance, they also provide you with a greater degree of protection and offer added value.

Expedia Travel Insurance Costs

Travel insurance generally costs between 4 and 8 percent of the total trip.

While this is the industry standard, the actual costs of your travel insurance usually depend on the level of coverage you select and how comprehensive your plan is.

Travel insurance companies base their actuarial math on several factors.

The length of the trip is a significant determiner, as the longer you’re traveling, the more likely adverse calamities could occur. Destination dramatically impacts the price as well.

If you’re visiting an area with a high crime rates, political unrest, or poor infrastructure, to name just a few, insurance providers may view you as a higher risk. The age of the policyholder can also influence the price of the premium.

Generally, consumers aged 70 or over can expect to pay considerably more for their travel insurance.

The price of travel insurance is calculated based on risk, and the older you are, the more your risk increases in the eyes of the insurance providers.

Travelers can get a quote from Expedia by visiting its website and providing precise details of the trip that they plan on making.

Expedia doesn’t have annual options available, so it may not be possible to get a standard rate year in year out.

There’s no minimum age limit for insuring children via this company, though dependents are covered under their parents’ policy.

Expedia only refunds policies purchased ten days before the trip, provided no claims have been made.

Customer Reviews & Reputation

Before purchasing any travel insurance policy, it’s important to look at the insurer’s reviews, to gain insight into the company should you need its services on your trip.

Expedia (through Aon Affinity) has been awarded the Better Business Bureau’s highest rating of A+.

Though this rating is not uncommon, it is noteworthy that Aon Affinity has closed 49 complaints in the past 12 months.

This high volume of complaints can be attributed to the fact that this company is quite a large insurance provider.

Customer Assistance Services

When you take out a travel insurance plan with Expedia, you benefit from 24/7 support and access to its mobile app, with paperless claim filing available.

Choosing a travel insurance company that has modern interfaces is always a good choice, as instant access can significantly reduce your stress should something go wrong on your trip.

Another critical aspect to consider, and one which may not initially cross your mind, is whether the insurance company you choose has 24/7 support available.

This is particularly important for travel to far removed time zones from your own.

Expedia also provides additional concierge services such as ground transportation, up to the minute travel advice, and event or restaurant referrals and bookings.

Expedia Travel Insurance Financial Stability

Financial stability is an essential factor to consider when choosing an insurance company.

Dedicated credit rating agencies such as A.M Best, Standard and Poor’s, and Moody’s analyze insurance companies and report their findings, publishing results regularly.

Good ratings with any of these are generally indicative of a company’s ability to meet its obligations.

Expedia is underwritten by Stonebridge Casualty, a subsidiary of Transamerica Casualty, which has received a rating of A from A. M. Best.

This high rating shows that the backing company can meet its ongoing insurance obligations.

If there were any concerns with the quality of the coverage offered by this company, or of its ability to make good on claims, A. M. Best would have a lower rating.

Expedia Travel Insurance Phone Number & Contact Information

  • Homepage URL : https://www.expedia.com/
  • Provider Phone : (877) 227-7481
  • Headquarters Address : 333 108th Ave NE Ste 300, Bellevue, WA 98004-5736
  • Year Founded : 1996

Best Alternatives to Expedia Travel Insurance

Not satisfied with what Expedia has to offer? These companies provide great travel insurance alternatives:

Additional Providers

There are several other travel insurance providers that deserve consideration as well which you can see in our Best Travel Insurance Companies article.

These companies didn’t make our list of top providers but we have created some more detailed reviews  that you can view below:

  • Allianz Travel Insurance Review
  • Aon Travel Insurance Review
  • Carnival Travel Insurance Review
  • Chubb Travel Insurance Review
  • CSA Travel Insurance Review
  • Expedia Travel Insurance Review
  • Hotwire Travel Insurance Review
  • IMG Travel Insurance Review
  • InsureMyTrip Travel Insurance Review
  • JetBlue Travel Insurance Review
  • John Hancock Travel Insurance Review
  • Medjet Medical Transport Insurance Review
  • Orbitz Travel Insurance Review
  • Patriot Travel Insurance Review
  • Priceline Travel Insurance Review
  • Progressive Travel Insurance Review
  • Red Sky Travel Insurance Review
  • Ripcord Travel Insurance Review
  • Travel Insured International
  • Travelex Travel Insurance Review
  • USAA Travel Insurance Review
  • USI Affinity Travel Insurance Review 
  • World Nomads Travel Insurance Review

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When plans change, there's help. Expedia Cancellation Plan from Berkely can cover your expenses if you need to cancel or change your flight. Don't leave home without it!

  • Includes trip cancellation coverage
  • Interruption coverage can provide reimbursement for airfare home
  • Coverage for travel in the continental U.S. only

Booking a hotel along with your flight? Get broader coverage with the Expedia Package Protection Plan

Please see Terms and Conditions for full terms, including limitations and exclusions.

  • Plan Coverage
  • What's Not Covered
  • Claim Instructions
  • Terms Of Coverage
  • Definitions

Stonebridge Casualty Insurance Company Policy Number MZ0911076H0000A

DESCRIPTION OF COVERAGE

  • Schedule: Expedia, Inc Maximum Benefit Amount

PART A. TRAVEL ARRANGEMENT PROTECTION

  • Trip Cancellation Up to Total Flight Cost
  • Trip Interruption Up to Total Flight Cost

Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Benefits Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation

We will pay a Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation Benefit, up to the amount in the Schedule if you are prevented from taking your Covered Trip due to your, an Immediate Family Member's, Traveling Companion's, or Business Partner's Sickness, Injury or death or Other Covered Events as defined, that occur(s) before departure on your Covered Trip. The Sickness or Injury must: a) commence while your coverage is in effect under the plan; b) require the examination and treatment by a Physician at the time the Covered Trip is cancelled; and c) in the written opinion of the treating Physician, be so disabling as to prevent you from taking your Covered Trip.

Pre-Departure Trip Cancellation Benefits

Post-departure trip interruption, post-departure trip interruption benefits.

  • 1. the additional transportation expenses by the most direct route from the point you interrupted your Covered Trip: a) to the next scheduled destination where you can catch up to your Covered Trip; or (b) to the final destination of your Covered Trip;
  • 2. the additional transportation expenses incurred by you by the most direct route to reach your original Covered Trip destination if you are delayed and leave after the Scheduled Departure Date. However, the benefit payable under (1) and (2) above will not exceed the cost of a one-way economy air fare by the most direct route less any refunds paid or payable for your unused original tickets.
  • being directly involved in a documented traffic accident while en route to departure;
  • being hijacked, Quarantined, required to serve on a jury, or required by a court order to appear as a witness in a legal action, provided you, an Immediate Family Member traveling with you or a Traveling Companion is not: 1) a party to the legal action, or 2) appearing as a law enforcement officer;
  • having your Home made uninhabitable by fire, flood, volcano, earthquake, hurricane or other natural disaster;
  • Your involuntary termination of employment or layoff which occurs after your effective date of coverage and was not under your control. You must have been continuously employed with the same employer for 1 year prior to the termination or layoff. This provision is not applicable to temporary employment, independent contractors or self-employed persons.

Contact Information

This program was designed and is administered by Aon Affinity Berkely Travel. Aon Affinity is the brand name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services, Inc.; (AR 244489); in CA, MN & OK , AIS Affinity Insurance Agency, Inc. (CA 0795465); in CA, Aon Affinity Insurance Services, Inc., (CA 0G94493), Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY and NH, AIS Affinity Insurance Agency. Affinity Insurance Services is acting as a Managing General Agent as that term is defined in section 626.015(14) of the Florida Insurance Code. As an MGA we are acting on behalf of our carrier partner.

Please see Terms and Conditions for full details include plan terms, conditions and exclusions.

WE WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY LOSS CAUSED BY OR INCURRED RESULTING FROM:

  • mental, nervous, or psychological disorders, except if hospitalized;
  • being under the influence of drugs or intoxicants, unless prescribed by a Physician;
  • normal pregnancy, except if hospitalized; or elective abortion;
  • declared or undeclared war, or any act of war;
  • service in the armed forces of any country;
  • operating or learning to operate any aircraft, as pilot or crew;
  • any unlawful acts, committed by you or a Traveling Companion (whether insured or not);
  • any amount paid or payable under any Worker's Compensation, Disability Benefit or similar law;
  • Elective Treatment and Procedures;
  • medical treatment during or arising from a Covered Trip undertaken for the purpose or intent of securing medical treatment;
  • business, contractual or educational obligations of you, an Immediate Family Member or Traveling Companion;
  • failure of any tour operator, Common Carrier, or other travel supplier, person or agency to provide the bargained-for travel arrangements;
  • a loss that results from an illness, disease, or other condition, event or circumstance which occurs at a time when the plan is not in effect for you.

Policy Number MZ0911076H0000A

  • TRIP CANCELLATION CLAIMS: Contact Expedia, Inc. and Berkely IMMEDIATELY to notify them of your cancellation and to avoid any non-covered expenses due to late reporting. Berkely will then forward the appropriate claim form which must be completed by you AND THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN, if applicable. If you are cancelling due to a death, a death certificate will be required.
  • ALL OTHER CLAIMS: Report your claim as soon as possible to Berkely. Provide the policy number, your travel dates, and details describing the nature of your loss. Upon receipt of this information, Berkely will promptly forward you the appropriate claim form to complete. If you are interrupting due to a death, a death certificate will be required.

Online: www.travelclaim.com Phone: 1-877-718-4651 or 1-(516) 342-2720 Mail: Berkely 300 Jericho Quadrangle, P.O. Box 9022, Jericho, NY 11753 Office Hours: 8:00 am - 10:00 pm ET, Monday - Friday; 9:00 am - 5:00 pm ET, Saturday IMPORTANT: In order to facilitate prompt claims settlement upon your return, be sure to obtain as applicable: detailed medical statements from Physicians in attendance where the Accident or Sickness occurred. These statements should give complete diagnosis, stating that the Sickness or Injury prevented traveling on dates contracted. Provide all unused transportation tickets, official receipts, etc.

Claims Provisions

Payment of Claims Claims for benefits provided by the plan will be paid as soon as written proof is received. Benefits are paid directly to you, unless otherwise directed. Any accrued benefits unpaid at your death will be paid to your estate, or if no estate, to your beneficiary. If you have assigned your benefits, we will honor the assignment if a signed copy has been filed with us. We are not responsible for the validity of any assignment. Travel Insurance is underwritten by Stonebridge Casualty Insurance Company, a Transamerica company, Columbus, Ohio; NAIC # 10952 (all states except as otherwise noted) under Policy/Certificate Form series TAHC5000. In CA, HI, NE, NH, PA, TN and TX Policy/Certificate Form series TAHC5100 and TAHC5200. In IL, IN, KS, LA, OR, OH, VT, WA and WY Policy Form #’s TAHC5100IPS and TAHC5200IPS. Certain coverages are under series TAHC6000 and TAHC7000. This is a brief Description of Coverage which outlines benefits and amounts of coverage that may be available to you. If you are a resident of one of the following states (IL, IN, KS, LA, OH, OR, VT, WA, or WY), your Policy is provided on an individual form. You can request a copy of your Individual Policy or Group Policy for all other states by calling 1-800-453-4090. Your Individual Policy or Group Policy will govern the final interpretation of any provision or claim. Notice to California residents: This plan provides cancellation coverage for your trip and other insurance coverages that apply only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker. The purchase of this plan is not required in order to purchase any other travel product or service offered to you by your travel retailers. Unless individually licensed as an insurance agent, your travel agent is not qualified or authorized to answer your technical questions about the benefits, exclusions or conditions of this plan or to evaluate the adequacy of any existing insurance coverage you may have. Questions should be directed to the plan administrator at the toll-free number provided.

For questions or claims, please contact Berkely. Call: 1-800-453-4079 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM EST Mon-Fri, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST Sat.

  • the date the Covered Trip is completed;
  • the Scheduled Return Date;
  • your arrival at the return destination on a round-trip, or the destination on a one-way trip;
  • cancellation of the Covered Trip covered by the plan.

In the certificate, "you", "your" and "yours" refer to the Insured. "We", "us" and "our" refer to the company providing the coverage. In addition certain words and phrases are defined as follows: Accident means a sudden, unexpected, unintended and external event, which causes Injury. Business Partner means an individual who is involved, as a partner, with you in a legal general partnership and shares in the management of the business. Covered Trip means a period of travel away from Home to a destination outside your city of residence; the purpose of the Trip is business or pleasure and is not to obtain health care or treatment of any kind; the Trip has defined departure and return dates specified when the Insured enrolls; and the Trip does not exceed 31 consecutive days in length. Common Carrier means any land, water or air conveyance operated under a license for the transportation of passengers for hire. Domestic Partner means a person who is at least eighteen years of age and you can show: 1) evidence of financial interdependence, such as joint bank accounts or credit cards, jointly owned property, and mutual life insurance or pension beneficiary designations; 2) evidence of cohabitation for at least the previous 6 months; and 3) an affidavit of domestic partnership if recognized by the jurisdiction within which they reside. Flight means a scheduled trip for which coverage has been elected and the plan payment paid and all travel arrangements are arranged by Expedia, Inc. prior to the Scheduled Departure Date of the trip. Home means your primary or secondary residence. Hospital means an institution, which meets all of the following requirements

  • it must be operated according to law;
  • it must give 24 hour medical care, diagnosis and treatment to the sick or injured on an inpatient basis;
  • it must provide diagnostic and surgical facilities supervised by Physicians;
  • registered nurses must be on 24 hour call or duty; and
  • the care must be given either on the hospital's premises or in facilities available to the hospital on a pre-arranged basis.

Why should I purchase Expedia Cancellation Plan? You've saved, you've waited, and now you're all set to go on the trip of your life. Preparing for your trip should include covering yourself against unfortunate occurrences that may interfere with even your best-laid plans. By purchasing Expedia Cancellation Plan, you may be reimbursed for covered cancellation or interruption penalties. Unexpected situations can happen to anyone, even immediate family members that are not traveling with you, and provide you with a reason you might need to cancel or interrupt your trip. Did you know that Expedia Cancellation Plan can reimburse covered expenses if:

  • You become ill and can't travel.
  • Someone in your immediate family has an illness or injury and you must cancel or interrupt your trip, even if he or she is not scheduled to travel with you.
  • Involuntary job loss
  • Your house becomes uninhabitable due to a hurricane.
  • An immediate family member back home passes away and you must return from your trip early.
  • You are injured and must visit a doctor while traveling.
  • Many other unforeseeable events as listed in the Description of Coverage.

What does Expedia Cancellation Plan cover? Expedia Cancellation Plan includes coverage for Trip Cancellations and Trip Interruptions. If you must cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for covered penalties and expenses up to the cost of your originally booked flight. In the event of an interruption, covered benefits include the new airfare paid, less the value of an unused return travel ticket, to return home or rejoin your trip (up to a maximum of the cost of the originally booked flight). Covered reasons include illness, injury or death to you, a traveling companion or an immediate family member. Additional covered reasons for cancellation include jury duty, the issuance of a subpoena for court or administrative hearing, involuntary job loss, having a home made uninhabitable by a natural disaster, hijacking, quarantine, and being involved in a documented traffic accident en route to departure. Please refer to the Description of Coverage for full details. There is no Pre-existing Condition Exclusion in Expedia Cancellation Plan. Will my current home, renters, or credit card policies cover me during my trip? Most people don't have any insurance coverage at all for penalties incurred when they need to cancel their flight. It is not a typical coverage found in homeowners and renters policies. Likewise, most credit cards do not offer trip cancellation coverage; however, check your documentation carefully to see if yours might. Who can I contact for more information? You may call Berkely, the plan administrator, with any questions regarding Expedia Cancellation Plan. Their CustomerCare representatives will be happy to assist you. Hide Via email: [email protected] Via phone: 1-877-718-4651 or 516-342-2720 Via mail: Berkely P.O. Box 9022 300 Jericho Quadrangle Jericho, NY 11753 Office Hours:8AM-10PM (EST), Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM (EST), Saturday This program was designed and is administered by Aon Affinity Berkely Travel. Aon Affinity is the brand name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services, Inc.; (AR 244489); in CA, MN & OK, AIS Affinity Insurance Agency, Inc. (CA 0795465); in CA, Aon Affinity Insurance Services, Inc., (CA 0G94493), Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY and NH, AIS Affinity Insurance Agency. Affinity Insurance Services is acting as a Managing General Agent as that term is defined in section 626.015(14) of the Florida Insurance Code. As an MGA we are acting on behalf of our carrier partner. ` When is payment for the plan due? The plan must be purchased when your flight is purchased. How do I enroll in Expedia Cancellation Plan? The option to enroll is presented to you while booking your ticket. If you would like to purchase Expedia Cancellation Plan, simply select it and the cost of the plan is automatically included in the total amount due for your trip. Simply pay the amount indicated to purchase the plan. When does coverage go into effect and will it cover me for the entire length of my trip? The Trip Cancellation coverage takes effect upon receipt of the required plan cost by Expedia. The Trip Interruption Coverage takes effect at 12:01 AM on your scheduled departure date and location. The plan will cover you for the entire length of your Expedia-booked ticket. I am not a resident of the U.S. or Canada. Can I purchase the plan? Expedia Cancellation Plan is available only to U.S. residents and non-U.S. residents traveling to the U.S. who book their travel arrangements with Expedia. What happens if I need to cancel my trip? Please contact Expedia and Berkely as soon as possible in the event of a claim, as the insurer will not reimburse you for any additional charges incurred due to a delay in notifying Expedia of your cancellation. Berkely will then forward you the appropriate claim form in order to file a claim. How do I file a claim? You may request a claim form online via www.travelclaim.com or alternatively, call Berkely, the plan administrator, at 1-877-718-4651 from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm EST Mon-Fri or 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST Sat. Please note that you may want to have a copy of your Expedia invoice handy as there are some details that will be needed in order to initiate your claim. This information includes your travel dates, date of cancellation, booking number, and some brief information regarding your reason for cancellation or interruption. Important: Be sure to also contact Expedia to notify them of cancellations, as well as to avoid additional expenses due to late reporting. Who is considered an "Immediate Family" member under the plan? Our definition of "Immediate Family" is quite broad. It's not just the family members who reside with you. "Immediate Family" includes: parents, spouses, domestic partners, grandparents, siblings, siblings-in-law, children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and business partners. See the Definitions section of the Description of Coverage for a full listing. Are there exclusions? Certain restrictions do apply. For example, the coverage in the plan does not provide duplicate payments if there are other sources of reimbursement available. Please see the Terms and Conditions for a full list of exclusions. Is there a Pre-Existing Condition exclusion? Expedia Cancellation Plan does not have a pre-existing condition exclusion.

Travel Insurance: What You Need To Know Before You Buy

When it comes to planning a trip , it can be difficult — and expensive — to prepare for the many surprises that could arise. Travel insurance can be a great way to protect yourself.

The idea behind travel insurance is it gives travelers a way to get their money back in the event their plans are canceled or interrupted. But when do you need it and what does it include?

Thinking About Buying Travel Insurance? Read This

This article covers the basics of travel insurance: when to buy it, where to buy it and how to make sure it covers your particular needs. In my research, I got some expert advice from money expert Clark Howard . I also talked to a representative from InsureMyTrip , a travel insurance comparison site, to find out about “cancel for any reason” policies.

Clark once owned his own travel agency, and he thinks nearly everyone should consider buying travel insurance.

“I never like for people to buy narrow insurance; that’s why I advise people not to buy  appliance warranties . Trip insurance is an exception — and the reason why is because trips can be incredibly expensive and fully non-refundable.”

Let’s get into some questions and answers about travel insurance.

Quick Links

  • What Is Travel Insurance?
  • When Do You Need Travel Insurance?
  • What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
  • How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?
  • Where Should You Buy Travel Insurance?
  • When Do You Need a Cancel for Any Reason Policy?
  • Do You Also Need Travel Medical Insurance?

1. What Is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance provides a full or partial refund in the case of illness or death of a member of the traveling party or close relative.

It can also provide coverage if a cruise, tour operator or airline defaults and in several other cases, depending on the policy.

In general, insurance will cover only what is explicitly expressed in the policy. Many policies exclude pandemics and epidemics, so you need to do your research carefully.

2. When Do You Need Travel Insurance?

Clark thinks you should consider travel insurance a conditional expense: You don’t need it for all types of travel.

But he says you do need it if you’re:

  • Taking a cruise
  • Booking special tours as part of your trip
  • Traveling on an itinerary that requires prepayment of thousands of dollars
“If you book a tour or you book a cruise — those two in particular — if you’re going to lose all your money regardless of why you can’t come, then you need to get insurance,” Clark says.

Clark says you probably don’t need travel insurance when:

  • Your trip consists of flights and hotel stays that are fully refundable.
  • The cost of making changes to your itinerary is less than it would cost to re-book your trip.

3. What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

The website CoverTrip lays out some of the most common things covered by travel insurance, including:

  • Injury or illness of policyholder, travel companion, family member or business partner
  • Hurricane or natural disaster
  • Bankruptcy or financial default of travel company
  • Death or hospitalization of the destination host
  • Jury duty, a required court appearance, or military redeployment
  • Victim of felonious assault prior to trip
  • Traffic accident prior to trip
  • Theft of passport or visa prior to trip
  • Legal separation or divorce
  • Loss of accommodations abroad due to an illness or death of host family or friends
  • Trip cancellation coverage
  • Emergency evacuation
  • Travel assistance benefits
  • Coverage for medical expenses

Lori Silverman from Team Clark’s Consumer Action Center says they receive multiple calls about issues with insurance claims. She emphasizes that there is a wide range of types of travel policies and coverage, so be sure to check the fine print of any policy you are considering before you buy.

4. How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

Travel insurance policies generally cost anywhere between 4-10% of the price of the total trip.

For example, if you are booking a trip that costs a total of $2,000, you can expect to pay around $80-$200 for a travel insurance policy.

But this is important: Never purchase the travel protection plan from the trip organizer or online travel agent .

“Never, never, not ever, buy the travel insurance offered by an airline at its website, a cruise line at its website, a tour operator at its website,” Clark says.

They are designed to protect the company and not the consumer, Clark says. This includes travel booking sites such as Expedia and Travelocity .

5. Where Should You Get Travel Insurance?

If you’re not supposed to buy travel insurance coverage from the place where you book the trip, where do you go?

Clark recommends that you comparison shop for the best travel insurance that suits your needs at InsureMyTrip .

“The reason I like InsureMyTrip is because it’s like an aggregation service or comparison site, and you can see all the different choices available,” he says.

InSureMyTrip travel insurance comparison

InsureMyTrip’s quote process also has a recommendation tool that guides travelers toward plans best equipped to protect against COVID-related travel issues.

When you visit InsureMyTrip, you’ll be asked for the following information:

  • Destination country
  • Dates of travel
  • Traveler citizenship
  • Traveler age and residence information
  • Trip details (flights, hotels, accommodations, etc.)

The site will then recommend travel insurance plans for you and show you the cost, plan details and consumer ratings for each travel insurance company. You can read more about InsureMyTrip in our full review of the service .

Travel insurance plans recommendation

You can compare the available plans and select the one that best suits your needs.

In addition, Clark says, “There are a number of travel credit cards that include travel insurance with them if you use them to buy the travel.”

Typically, coverage from these cards is less comprehensive than what you’ll find in plans from InsureMyTrip , so make sure you’re comfortable with that before you decide to rely solely on coverage provided by your credit card.

6. When Do You Need a ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ Policy?

A “ cancel for any reason policy ” (CFAR) allows you to cancel your travel plans for any reason and still get some of your money back.

Clark says this option is typically considered an upgrade to standard travel insurance coverage, so it costs a little more. However, you should know that it won’t usually cover the full cost of your trip.

“If required conditions are met, CFAR may provide 50%-75% reimbursement of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you cancel at least 48 hours before a trip departs,” Meghan Kayata, InsureMyTrip communications specialist, tells Team Clark.

Here are some key things to know about a cancel for any reason policy:

Cancel for Any Reason Is a Time-Specific Benefit

A CFAR policy is typically available only in the first 10-21 days after you make your first payment on your travel arrangements. “Providers often require the entire dollar amount of the trip is insured,” says Meghan.

CFAR is Not Standalone Coverage

CFAR works in tandem with your travel insurance and is not a standalone insurance policy. It must be purchased as supplemental coverage.

CFAR Will Add To Your Travel Costs

“Adding Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage to a travel insurance policy may increase the base cost of the plan by about 50%, on average. However, some plans may offer the CFAR option for less, while others may charge more,” says Meghan.

Check With Your Airline, Tour Operator or Cruise Line Before You Buy

“While COVID-19 hasn’t been a big news story recently, contracting the virus is still possible and it could derail a trip,” says Meghan. “The good news is most travel insurance providers are still covering COVID-19 like any other illness that may lead to the cancellation or interruption of a trip.”

“However, it’s important to read through a policy before purchasing it, because some providers may exclude pandemics and may not provide coverage related to COVID-19,” she says.

Clark.com Travel Editor Clara Bosonetto also recommends calling the issuer of the credit card on which you booked your travel to see if it offers any refund options.

7. Do You Also Need Travel Medical Insurance?

Most travel insurance policies include some form of medical insurance and medical evacuation (medevac) insurance. But it’s important to read the fine print to see that coverage alone will be sufficient if you have a medical emergency on your trip.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says , “The total cost of medevac varies by location, ranging from $25,000 for transport within North America to ?$250,000 for more distant and remote locations.”

 If you’re traveling to a resource-poor country, you might consider this kind of policy as a hedge against the possibility of a huge medical bill if you need to be taken somewhere that has better medical facilities.

Final Thought

Travel insurance generally reimburses you if your trip is interrupted or canceled for a variety of reasons typically considered to be outside of your control.

Clara points out that standard travel insurance probably won’t cover you if you want to cancel because of a travel advisory or just because you’re afraid to travel.

“Additionally, the uncertainty of a medical outbreak is not a claim covered by policies,” she says. “And some policies specifically exclude pandemics.”

Given these realities, the bottom line with travel insurance is that you really need to do your homework. That means taking time to go over different policies to find one that fits your needs and reading the fine print so you know what’s included.

Here are the two key steps you should take before purchasing travel insurance:

  • Check with your trip provider to find out about its refund/rebooking policies related to COVID-19.
  • Even if you shop for a travel policy online, talk with an insurance representative by phone to get your specific questions answered.
  • Consider buying CFAR coverage, which will increase the cost of your trip but give you some peace of mind.

Planning for a trip overseas? Read our guide on travel medical insurance .

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12 Best Travel Insurance Companies of March 2024

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

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Travelex Insurance Services »

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Allianz Travel Insurance »

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Seven Corners »

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World Nomads Travel Insurance »

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AXA Assistance USA »

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AIG Travel Guard »

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Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protec... »

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HTH Travel Insurance »

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Trawick International »

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Tin Leg »

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Nationwide Insurance »

Why Trust Us

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

Table of Contents

  • Rating Details
  • Allianz Travel Insurance

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

  • Travelex Insurance Services: Best Overall
  • Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Cancel for Any Reason Add-on
  • Seven Corners: Best for 24/7 Support When Traveling
  • World Nomads Travel Insurance: Best for Adventure Travelers
  • AXA Assistance USA: Best for Coverage of Luggage and Personal Items
  • AIG Travel Guard: Best for Cruise Insurance
  • Generali Global Assistance: Best for Emergency Situations
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best for Flight Insurance
  • HTH Travel Insurance: Best for Groups
  • Trawick International: Best for Vacation Rental Insurance
  • Tin Leg: Best for Budget-Friendly Plans
  • Nationwide Insurance: Best for Last-Minute Travel Insurance

Best Travel Insurance Companies in Detail

Travelex ».

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

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

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

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

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

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

Coverage for preexisting conditions

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

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

World Nomads »

Adventure sports are covered at no additional cost

Explorer plan only promises up to $10,000 in trip protection

  • $10,000 in trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage
  • $3,000 in protection for lost, damaged or stolen baggage, tech equipment and various travel gear
  • Up to $3,000 in trip delay costs
  • $100,000 in emergency medical coverage

All plans include missed connection coverage

Premiums are on the higher end compared to other providers

  • Trip cancellation protection for 100% of the trip cost; 150% for trip interruption
  • Up to $3,000 for baggage that's been lost, damaged or stolen; $600 in bag delay coverage
  • Trip delay coverage worth $1,250
  • $250,000 in emergency medical coverage

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

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

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

Sporting equipment coverage is included in the company's mid-tier plan

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

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

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection »

All plans include 24/7 travel assistance that can aid in finding or replacing lost luggage and assist with lost or stolen wallets, tickets and passports

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

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

Generous coverage at the mid-tier level

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

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

Generous coverage among the plans for trip cancellation and interruption

Determining the right plan may be overwhelming, with 15-plus options to choose from

  • 100% for trip cancellation (up to $100,000); 150% for trip interruption (up to $150,000)
  • Up to $2,500 for lost, damaged or stolen bags; up to $600 for luggage delays
  • Up to $3,000 for trip delays; $1,000 for missed connections
  • Up to $250,000 for emergency medical expenses

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

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

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

Variety of plans to choose from

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

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

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

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel insurance works similarly to other types of insurance, except that travel insurance intends to cover unforeseeable events. In most cases, you will pay a flat fee for a policy that covers an individual trip and all its components – like airfare, your accommodations and any prepaid excursions. However, if you travel more than a few times per year, and especially if your trips are on the pricey side, you can also buy an annual travel insurance policy.

Benefits vary among travel insurance providers and policies, meaning some travel insurance plans cover more scenarios than others, and some offer higher coverage limits as well. For example, some travel insurance policies might only offer trip cancellation coverage worth up to $2,500 per traveler, while others offer the same benefit worth up to $100,000.

With this in mind, travel insurance works like other insurance plans in the sense that you can buy a basic level of coverage or full coverage that will reimburse you up to incredibly high limits. The choice is up to you, and you should decide based on how much coverage you think you need to feel secure.

However, you should keep in mind that travel insurance cannot cover every potential situation you encounter before or during a trip. Many travel insurance policies list an array of exclusions you should know about, like war or preexisting circumstances. Several policies also offer named peril coverage that only covers the situations specifically outlined in your policy.

Travel insurance may cost anywhere from $50 to $1,500 or more. The cost of travel insurance varies depending on the age of the travelers in your group, the total cost of your trip and other factors. Travel insurance for seniors is typically more costly due to the increased likelihood of health-related issues. The total cost of your trip will also help determine the cost of your travel insurance plan since more expensive trips require higher coverage limits.

Interestingly enough, the length of your trip and the destination you are visiting will not typically affect the cost of travel insurance coverage. Further, your health may not be part of the equation either, and travel insurance companies even refrain from asking health questions when you apply for a travel insurance quote. This doesn't mean that preexisting conditions will be covered, however, so you'll want to check the details.

As an example, a few sample trip insurance quotes for a married couple who are both 40 and live in New York City are below:

  • Travel insurance for an eight-day trip to Florida with a purchase price of $3,500 might run about $85 to $385.
  • Travel insurance for an eight-day trip to Mexico with a purchase price of $5,000 could cost anywhere from $120 to $415.
  • Travel insurance for an eight-day trip to the United Kingdom with a purchase price of $7,500 may cost around $185 to $575.

The price of the plan you select will depend on how much coverage you want. Keep in mind, there are plenty of companies that offer affordable travel insurance plans if your main priority is getting a policy at a budget-friendly price. See the U.S. News list of the Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

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

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Should You Buy Travel Insurance for the Holidays?

Here's what to consider when buying a policy, sharing is nice.

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When booking a holiday getaway, you often have more to consider than the price of an airline ticket and hotel. You also have to decide whether to buy travel insurance, which could be useful if a trip is canceled or delayed because of natural disasters at your destination, such as the wildfires in California or a winter storm.

"Some travel insurance policies also allow you to cancel a trip if your home is damaged by a wildfire or hurricane ," says Julie Loffredi, a spokeswoman for InsureMyTrip.com, a leading travel insurance comparison website. 

Terrorism is another reason travelers may want to opt out of a trip. In the wake of terror attacks earlier this year in England and New York, online searches for terrorism coverage are up 49 percent over a year ago, says Steven Benna, a spokesman for SquareMouth, another website that compares travel insurance options.

There are generally three types of policies offered by insurers: basic, midlevel, and premium, with coverage and prices increasing accordingly. Policies that allow you to cancel for any reason give you the most flexibility and the best option to back out over fears about terrorism anywhere in the world rather than just on your itinerary.

If you're thinking about purchasing travel insurance, here's what you should consider first:

Choices:  If you buy from a travel agent, you'll probably be offered only one or two policies from one company. Some online travel sites also tend to limit your choices. You can get more options by going to travel insurance comparison websites like  InsureMyTrip.com  (800-487-4722), which sells hundreds of policies from 29 insurance companies, and  SquareMouth  (800-240-0369), which offers 110 policies from 25 insurers.  Price:  Travel insurance generally costs 5 percent to 10 percent of your prepaid nonrefundable costs. So if your up-front  airline  tickets, resort  hotel,   cruise , and/or family tour package add up to, say, $8,000, travel insurance can cost $800. Older travelers may pay more, along with those taking longer trips or opting for more comprehensive coverage or the cancel-for-any-reason protection. The best way to make sure you aren't overpaying is to shop around.

Go to  Consumer Reports' 2017 Holiday Gift Guide  for updates on deals, expert product reviews, insider tips on shopping, and much more. And be sure to check our  Daily Gift Guide .  

Whether the policy offers a waiver for a pre-existing medical condition:  Unexpected injury and illnesses are usually covered. But if you consulted a doctor about a problem 60 to 180 days before your trip and that problem arises after you pay for your travel expenses, that would be considered an excludable pre-existing condition.

To be eligible for a pre-existing medical condition waiver, buy your travel insurance within 10 to 14 days of making your first payment for your travel, says Jim Grace, CEO of InsureMyTrip.com. 

Whether the policy provides healthcare coverage:  U.S. health insurance  coverage for travel overseas varies by insurer and plan, so you must contact your carrier to get the details of your specific policy, says Cathryn Donaldson, a spokeswoman for America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade association. In general,  Medicare  does not cover you outside the U.S., but Medicare supplemental policies might.

So travel insurance could be useful for healthcare benefits. Although most trip cancellation/interruption coverage requires a small deductible or none at all, travel healthcare coverage gives you the option of a zero to $1,000 deductible. Of course, the lower the deductible, the higher the premium.

Likelihood you might need medical evacuation:  The more adventurous and remote your travel plans are, the more it will cost to transport you to competent medical treatment. A commercial flight with a rescue nurse can cost $10,000 to $50,000, and an air ambulance can cost $20,000 to $250,000, depending on the departure point and destination as well as medical complexity, says William Siegart, M.D., chief medical officer of On Call International, one of the major services providing medical evacuations.

On Call arranges medical evacuation for ill and injured travelers 24/7/365 to a worldwide network of 4,000 medical centers via numerous air ambulance and commercial medical transport providers.

Whether the policy offers coverage you don't need:  "Don't buy insurance that covers small, manageable losses or only a slice of risk," says Bob Hunter, director of insurance for the Consumer Federation of America. For example, losing some of your belongings won't break you financially, so keep a close eye on your valuables and be ready to accept losing less valuable stuff. If you're worried about dying in a plane crash, buy  term life insurance , which covers you no matter how you die as long as your policy is in force, rather than flight insurance, which only pays benefits if you die in a plane crash and covers you only for the short time you're flying.

Jeff Blyskal

Jeff Blyskal

I learned how corporations operate as a reporter at Forbes and now use my business savvy to uncover the tricks and find better deals for consumers like you. My passion for investigative reporting about money earned two National Magazine Awards and a Loeb Award. I love sharing wine with my wife and pitching batting practice to my MLB-focused son. Follow me on  Twitter (@JeffBlyskal).

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The Ultimate Guide to Buying the Best Travel Insurance [For You]

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Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

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The Ultimate Guide to Buying the Best Travel Insurance [For You]

Situations Where Travel Insurance Can Help

Covering your major concerns, when to buy travel insurance, credit cards, employer-sponsored health insurance, club memberships, medicare supplements and advantage plans, travel insurance comparison tools/websites, world nomads — best for comprehensive coverage and adventure activities (recommended), travelex /berkshire hathaway travel insurance — family protection for children at no extra cost, geoblue — affordable annual medical travel insurance, usaa — travel insurance for military and families, allianz — affordable annual travel insurance, expedia — an impulse buy you can prepare for, other travel insurance companies, single trip policies, multiple trip or multi-destination policies, annual policies, travel insurance for seniors, special needs and travel insurance for those with disabilities, group travel insurance, pet travel insurance, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Whether you’re traveling with family or solo, on an epic adventure or a weekend getaway , travel insurance can go a long way toward providing peace of mind during your trip. And if things should go wrong, you’ll find consolation in being financially covered.

With all that’s at stake, you’ve probably given serious thought to purchasing travel insurance just like I have. There have certainly been times when I’ve needed it, including severe flight delays, a parasailing accident in Mexico, and when my luggage took a trip of its own!

Unfortunately, it’s also easy to become overwhelmed with the vast selection of travel insurance options available. We’ve created this guide to help you sort through the confusion and demystify the process.

In this article, we’ll cover all the information you need to:

  • Determine the type of coverage you need
  • Find out if you currently have any travel coverage
  • Narrow your options to just a few policies that fit
  • Select a reputable travel insurance company

Let’s get started with helping you find the best travel insurance policy for your situation.

Why You Need Travel Insurance

If you travel frequently, you’ve probably experienced an event where travel insurance would have helped.

Whether it was a severely delayed flight, illness abroad, stolen possessions, or a canceled trip due to an unforeseen event — travel insurance could have made the situation better.

Travel Insurance can cover a variety of situations. Here is just a sampling of those you can easily purchase coverage for:

  • You have an accident and need medical evacuation to a nearby hospital: According to travel insurance company Allianz, the estimated cost of medical evacuation ranges from $15,000-$20,000 in Mexico to over $200,000 in Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
  • You miss your cruise because your flight is severely delayed or canceled: Catching up with your cruise once it has departed can be costly!
  • You can’t take a planned trip due to illness: The entire cost of your trip and any pre-paid arrangements could be at risk if you become ill and unable to travel. Coverage is even available when travel companions become ill and you must forego your trip.
  • You become ill while abroad: The cost of medical attention abroad can be expensive, and it can result in increased costs to rearrange your itinerary.
  • Your baggage is lost or delayed: After your bags have been delayed a minimum amount of time, usually 12-24 hours, coverage kicks in and provides money for essentials.

Bottom Line: It’s prudent to buy travel insurance for expensive trips. You may go several years without using the coverage you’ve purchased, but one incident could cause you to incur thousands of dollars in expenses, far exceeding the cost of insuring multiple trips. 

Travel Insurance Coverages

If money is no object, you can purchase a lot of travel insurance to make sure you’re covered for nearly every situation you’ll encounter. In reality, you’ll probably want to balance cost with the coverages that are most important to you.

For some travelers, their greatest concern is the huge cost of an emergency medical evacuation. For others it can be the risk of getting ill and not being able to travel on a trip they’ve paid thousands of dollars for already.

But don’t fret: there’s a travel insurance plan for just about any travel concern that can cost you money if things go wrong.

Here are some of the plan types available:

  • Emergency Medical Evacuation: Pays to get you to the nearest hospital, even in remote areas
  • Travel Medical Insurance : Provides medical care if you get sick or injured while traveling
  • Annual Travel Insurance: Covers you for multiple trips taken throughout the year
  • Comprehensive Package Travel Insurance: Conveniently groups many travel insurance coverages together in one policy
  • Cancel for Any Reason Rider ( CFAR ): When certain conditions are met, this coverage lets you cancel your trip for any reason and receive reimbursement
  • Policies that Cover Families: Comprehensive travel policies that cover all family members/domestic partners before and during your trip.

Most travel insurance policies can be purchased up until the day of your departure. However, some policies contain pre-departure benefits, so you’ll want to buy your policy as soon as possible.

For example, you may have coverage that covers you getting ill and not being able to take your trip.

The general advice is to buy your policy when you make your first payment on the trip.

Since policies can be priced according to how much your total trip costs, you can take out the insurance based on what you’ve already paid and call the company to raise the amount of the policy once you’ve made additional payments.

Read our guide to find out more on when to buy travel insurance .

Hot Tip:  Travel insurance policies include a free-look period, where you can review your policy once you’ve received it and decide if it’s right for you. This free-look period is usually 10-15 days depending on the company and type of policy. 

You May Already Have Coverage — Here’s Where to Look

Before you purchase a travel insurance policy, you should check these 4 places where you may have some current coverage.

You may find that you have a credit card with travel insurance , with your employer-sponsored health plan, with club/organization memberships, and on Medicare gap policies.

It is helpful to know which types of coverage you currently have so you can select a comprehensive travel insurance policy without paying extra for duplicate coverage.

Rental Car View

Credit cards commonly carry travel insurance benefits, but whether they’re included and the level of coverage provided will vary depending on which card you carry.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular credit card issuers and the types of travel insurance/protection they provide.

American Express offers several travel insurance benefits on their cards.

  • Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Secondary coverage is included on various American Express cards . Primary Car Rental Protection is available to purchase for one low fee that covers the entire rental period.
  • Travel Accident Insurance: Limits of $250,000-$500,000 depending on the card.
  • Baggage Insurance: Provides coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged checked or carry on baggage. Included on various American Express cards. 
  • The Global Assist Hotline: Included on various American Express cards . Premium cards such as the Platinum Card ® from American Express and Business Platinum Card ®  from American Express  include premium versions of the Global Assist Hotline that provide support before, during, and after your trip.
  • Roadside Assistance: While Amex has removed roadside assistance from many of its cards, there are still several Amex cards with the coverage. Coverage includes assistance with jump starts, gas, towing, and lockout.

Chase is another major card issuer that includes various travel insurance coverages on their credit cards.

Citi credit cards have recently had several travel benefits removed,  similar to other credit card issuers. Your exact coverage benefits will depend on which Citi card you have. To learn the details of Citi’s credit card travel protections, you can access Citi’s credit card guide to benefits  here .

Hot Tip: To receive coverage from any credit card, you must meet the purchase requirements. Some credit cards require you to charge the entire purchase, while some grant coverage if you pay for just a portion of the purchase with your card. You may also be able to receive coverage by using points for your purchase.

Requirements vary, but you can call the number on the back of your credit card for questions on coverage specific to the card you’re using.

See our article for information on additional credit card travel insurance coverage .

Bottom Line: Credit cards may offer incidental travel protections and benefits, but they should not be considered a replacement for a comprehensive travel insurance policy. 

You’ll first want to check your current health insurance policy to see if it might cover you while traveling. Many do not extend health insurance benefits while traveling, but there may be ancillary travel insurance coverages included in your policy.

For example, some employer-sponsored health insurance plans contain travel insurance coverage that can be quite significant. Unum is one of the most common group insurance companies offering employers travel insurance for their employees through Assist America .

The employee is provided a 24/7 phone number that can be called for immediate assistance when traveling more than 100 miles from home.

Here is a sample of coverage provided:

  • Hospital admission assistance
  • Emergency medical evacuation
  • Prescription replacement assistance
  • Transportation for a friend or family member to join a hospitalized patient
  • Care and transport of unattended minor children
  • Referrals to Western-trained, English-speaking medical providers
  • Legal and interpreter referrals
  • Passport replacement assistance

There is no charge for any of these services when the coverage is included on an employer-sponsored healthcare plan, so you’ll want to check your current employer-sponsored health plan to see if you have this coverage.

Emergency evacuation helicopter

If you’re a member of any club or organization, you’ll want to ask about travel insurance benefits.

Here are just a few clubs where membership includes various types of travel insurance benefits.

Divers Alert Network — Membership is $35/year for singles, $55/year for families

  • DAN members receive $100,000 of emergency medical evacuation assistance coverage . Evacuation is covered for diving and non-diving medical emergencies when you are more than 50 miles from home.
  • Membership also includes TravelAssist , a 24/7 access to prescription assistance, medical monitoring, emergency messaging, and much more.

American Alpine Club — Membership is $80 per year and includes search and rescue insurance. The insurance applies to any land-based activity.

  • Up to $7,500 of Global Rescue Trailhead Rescue Services (available worldwide)
  • Up to $5,000 of Domestic Rescue Benefits (available in the U.S. only)

Gold Wing Road Riders Association  ($55/year) and the American Motorcycle Association ($49/year)

  • Members receive FREE emergency roadside assistance and 24/7 towing up to 35 miles per disablement for their motorcycle or any motorcycle they are riding, even as a passenger.
  • Gold Wing Coverage is limited to motorcycles; American Motorcycle Association members receive coverage for motorcycles, cars, trucks, trailers and RVs.

Family Motor Coach Association — Membership costs $60/year and includes discounted worldwide travel assistance insurance plus several other travel benefits.

Hot Tip: Club memberships can include travel insurance coverage at no additional cost or at a discounted price. Checking your current memberships and seeking out organizations you can join for cost-effective coverage may result in travel insurance coverage you can use.

With rare exceptions, Medicare does not extend coverage to another country outside the United States. However, some supplement and advantage insurance plans do include coverage when traveling.

These supplemental policies, called Medigap plans, pay 80% of medical emergency care outside the U.S. after a $250 deductible. The expense must not be covered by Medicare, and it must be incurred within the first 60 days of your travel. There is also a lifetime limit of $50,000.

Medigap plans C, D, F, G, H, I, J, M, and N contain this coverage. Visit Medicare.gov for a complete explanation of the coverage and information on out-of-country coverage for Medicare Advantage plans.

Remember, these are plans that you purchase in addition to your base Medicare Plans A and B. Medicare does not cover you out of the country except in rare circumstances detailed here .

Bottom Line:  It’s important to know the travel insurance coverages you have currently, as you may save money not duplicating those coverages when purchasing a travel insurance policy. You’ll also want to be able to take advantage of and use these existing coverages if you experience a covered event. 

Under water scuba diver

Where to Buy Travel Insurance

All insurance companies are rated based on their financial stability; A.M. Best is the oldest, most recognized provider of ratings in the global insurance industry. We’ll include only those companies with excellent or above ratings.

Before we discuss specific travel insurance companies, however, we’ll cover a few great travel insurance comparison sites that can help narrow your choices before selecting a specific company and travel insurance policy.

Purchasing travel insurance is a balancing act between getting the coverage you need without spending above your budget . That’s why comparison sites can ease the pain of searching hundreds of policies and dozens of companies individually.

Another benefit of using these sites is that your information is entered just once, and their search engines will quickly find the best fit for your budget and coverage requirements.

Here are 3 comparison sites to help you get started:

1. Travelinsurance.com (recommended)

  • Easy-to-use online comparison tool
  • Instant coverage
  • Best price guarantee; this means you won’t find a lower price anywhere else for a plan that’s found on TravelInsurance.com.

2. Squaremouth

  • Award-winning customer service team
  • 20 travel insurance companies and 116 different policies
  • Over 60,000 customer reviews

3. InsureMyTrip

  • Licensed agents to help you with questions and claims
  • 21 providers; both large and boutique highly-rated companies
  • Glossary and articles explaining coverage and plans

Once you’ve completed a few easy comparisons, you’ll have an idea of the type of policy you want, a range of costs, and what options are available.

You’ll find most of the major travel insurance providers on these comparison sites, but not all carriers participate.

Hot Tip:  Don’t miss our dedicated article on the Best Travel Insurance Companies For All Travelers !

Let’s take a look at some specific travel insurance providers you’ll want to consider:

Included in the top 10 travel insurance companies by  Consumer Advocate , World Nomads offers a comprehensive portfolio of travel insurance products including medical/evacuation insurance, 24-hour emergency assistance, trip delay/cancellation, and coverage for a long list of adventure activities.

There are several reasons to purchase travel insurance with World Nomads.

  • Backed by established, reputable, highly-rated companies such as AIG Insurance Company , Lloyds, and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
  • Understand world travel and the associated risks
  • Single-trip, multiple-trip, and annual policies are available
  • Good for active travelers, as most activities/sports are covered
  • Plans include standard to comprehensive coverages
  • Ability to purchase or extend coverage while traveling
  • Available for travelers through age 69

Sample Pricing

Click to get a quote with World Nomads >>

Hot Tip: If you participate in sports and adventure activities when traveling (even dangerous ones), World Nomad’s travel insurance is a perfect fit with over 150 travel activities covered.

Travel Insurance example

The family Travel Select plan covers children 17 and under for no additional cost. This comprehensive plan includes protection for trip interruption/cancellation/delay, medical and evacuation, baggage and personal effects, and travel assistance. For more information check out our Travelex review.

If you currently have health insurance that does not cover you outside of the United States, you’ll find GeoBlue an affordable option for medical coverage while you’re traveling.

Their Trekker Choice policy covers unlimited international trips up to 70 days in length for a 12-month policy period. The cost for an annual plan for a 40-year-old was $175 for the Trekker Choice policy, but even less expensive plans are available!

Active military, their families, and post-military USAA members receive exclusive rates for travel insurance that includes these coverages. Children are included on most plans at no additional cost.

  • Lost/delayed baggage
  • Trip delays
  • Trip interruption/cancellation
  • Trip interruption/cancellation due to accident or illness
  • Medical expenses
  • Interruptions due to weather
  • Emergency assistance and evacuation

Travel Insurance example

With nearly a dozen awards so far in 2018, highly-rated Allianz is a trusted company in the travel insurance arena.

I was particularly impressed with their annual travel insurance policy offerings that are surprisingly affordable. The prices listed above are for an annual policy for travelers ages 30-80, and it covers unlimited trips of 45 days or less during the 12-month period.

It’s not just a medical policy either. In the top 2 plans above you’ll find trip cancellation/interruption, change fee coverage, collision damage waiver, and even business equipment coverage.

For coverage details and a specific quote, visit their website .

Expedia is the world’s leading travel provider, so a mention of their  Expedia ® Package Protection plan seems appropriate.

Pricing varies from $49 per person for travel within the continental U.S. to $89 per person for multiple international destinations.

The trip insurance includes trip cancellation/interruption coverage even for bad weather, mechanical failure, or strike. Medical emergencies/transportation and lost/stolen baggage coverage are also included. You can review details and additional coverages here . You may only purchase the package at the time of booking.

Before purchasing the Expedia Package Protection plan, you should price and compare a policy from one of the major providers. You may be able to find more coverage for a lower cost.

The U.S. Department of State publishes a list of travel insurance companies that provide coverage overseas; you can access it here .

Hot Tip:  Some travel insurance policies require you to be outside the United States for coverage, but others will cover you as few as 50 miles from home. Since travel insurance is widely available (and in many cases affordable), it may make sense to purchase a policy for medical and other valuable coverage even if you’re traveling domestically. 

Single/Multiple Trip Policies vs. Annual Policy: Which Is Better?

  • If you take 1 major trip annually, purchasing a single trip policy is the way to go. If it’s a trip you put together yourself, utilizing one of the providers mentioned in this article to purchase an individual travel insurance policy can be a simple solution and cover your trip appropriately.
  • If your trip is a packaged tour, there’s nothing wrong with selecting insurance offered by the tour provider, but arm yourself first by doing some research. You’ll want to be sure you’re not overpaying, and that you’re purchasing travel insurance coverages that take care of  your  personal concerns, not just those of the tour provider.
  • If you’re taking 2 trips a year, you can purchase a separate policy for each trip. If you’re taking 3 or more trips, you should consider an annual policy.
  • If you’re going on an extended trip and visiting several countries (say 3 months in length), companies such as World Nomads can issue a policy that covers your entire trip.
  • Taking a year off and traveling the world or just taking frequent international trips? You may want to consider a comprehensive annual travel insurance policy that covers multiple trips.
  • Pricing can vary widely, so it’s important to compare prices and select the coverage that’s most important to you.

Hot Tip: The best way to determine if a multiple-trip or annual travel policy is better is to simply price each option, compare coverage, and review any terms/conditions. You may find that insuring 2 or 3 trips could cost as much as an annual trip insurance policy. 

Travel Insurance for Special Situations

In your late 60s, your options for purchasing travel insurance start to diminish (but they don’t disappear!). There are still several travel insurance companies where you can purchase great coverage.

  • Allianz and Berkshire Hathaway each allowed me to quote a policy up to age 99
  • GeoBlue medical travel insurance covers through age 84
  • “Silver Nomads” age 70 and above can purchase coverage with World Nomad partner TripAssure

If a person is healthy enough to travel, they’re usually able to purchase travel insurance from many providers.

Allianz Global Assistance comes highly recommended by Wheelchair Travel.org for travelers with disabilities. Their policy for a 45-year-old traveling on a 2-week trip costing $2,200 quoted between $76-$143 depending on the coverages I selected.

When you have 10 or more travelers in a group, you might consider group travel insurance as an affordable option.

For a group of 10 traveling to Mexico for a 2-week trip that cost $2,200 per person, the lowest quote according to a search on Squaremouth.com was $838, or $83.80 per person.

Coverage per person included:

  • Trip cancellation ($2,200)
  • Trip interruption ($2,200)
  • Good medical coverage ($20,000)
  • Good medical evacuation coverage ($100,000)
  • Trip delay ($150/day $500 max)
  • Baggage delay/personal effects ($700)

If you’re a traveling pet owner, you’ve probably considered insuring your pet during your travels .

While some travel insurance policies include coverage for pets, separate policies for medical/veterinarian care for your pet can also be purchased.

Here are a couple of options for purchasing pet insurance that cover your pet while traveling.

  • PetPlan – PetPlan insurance covers your pet in the United States and Canada and costs as little $8/month for $20,000 in annual coverage.
  • Travelex Travel Max  – The policy provides $1,000 in emergency medical treatment for your pet. If you are hospitalized while traveling and cannot take care of your pet, the policy will also pay to return your pet back home (up to $10,000).

Insurance is an intangible; we can’t see it or hold it in our hands. Unless you have a claim, you’re simply buying the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re covered if things go wrong.

Travel insurance is a bit different than home or auto insurance, however — if you travel frequently, you know it’s common to experience delays, illness, lost baggage, and other travel disruptions where travel insurance could be useful.

Insurance is meant to protect you from disaster and major financial setbacks. Insuring yourself against losing money on an expensive trip or having a major medical event when traveling makes sense, especially since travel insurance is widely available and affordable.

Whether you should purchase travel insurance will depend on your risk tolerance level for what you could lose personally if things go wrong during your travels.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

Frequently Asked Questions

How does travel insurance work.

When you plan a trip, you have to pay upfront for expenses such as airfare, hotels, cruises, and other related travel expenses. Travel insurance pays you money if there is a covered event that disrupts your trip.

For example, if you paid for a packaged tour but you became sick and unable to travel, travel insurance could reimburse you the cost of the tour and other covered expenses.

Travel insurance can also cover unexpected expenses you incur when your trip is interrupted due to cancellations, weather delays, or illness.

You can purchases policies that cover a variety of events such as lost/stolen baggage, medical emergencies, trip cancellation, trip delays and medical evacuation.

Can I insure my trip if I used frequent flier miles to purchase it?

Yes, you can. Most trips have extra associated costs even if you’re using frequent flier miles. You may incur taxes, seating upgrades, change fees, non-refundable lodging, and other associated costs.

When you insure your trip, you do not include the value of the frequent flier miles you used to purchase the trip, but any other non-refundable costs can be used to value and insure the trip.

Is travel insurance worth it?

There are several situations where you may not need travel insurance. If you are traveling domestically, purchased a cheap ticket, and have health insurance that will cover you, you probably do not need travel insurance.

Additionally, if you used frequent flier miles for your flight, points for your hotel, and are traveling domestically, you may not need travel insurance.

If you’re traveling internationally and you’ve paid for a lot of non-refundable travel expenses up front, you would want to purchase travel insurance.

This is because your health insurance may not cover you abroad, and you’d want to be protected. You also have significant funds at risk should you become ill and not be able to travel.

How much does travel insurance cost?

You can purchase travel insurance for as little as $25 for just basic coverage. The more coverage you want and the longer the length of coverage, the more it will cost.

Several factors go into determining the premium you will pay: your age, where you’re traveling, where you live, how long you’ll be traveling, which coverage you select, the amount of coverage you want, and which company you purchase the policy from.

Does travel insurance cover terrorism?

Yes, terrorism is covered under trip interruption/cancellation on many travel insurance policies. There can be stipulations for coverage, including that the event must be declared terrorism by local government or by the U.S. Department of State.

Additionally, there may be requirements that there has been no terrorism in the area for a specific period of time (7-30 days prior, for example).  Basically, if there has been ongoing terrorism and you travel there, coverage may be excluded.

Does AAA sell travel insurance?

Yes, AAA sells travel insurance for trips booked through AAA. When you book a trip with their travel agency, you will be offered travel insurance to cover your trip.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

Katie Genter

Editor's Note

Some credit cards offer built-in travel insurance as a cardholder benefit. And it may be tempting to rely on credit card travel protections instead of buying travel insurance. But, the entire point of travel insurance is to be covered if something goes wrong. So, you may be wondering whether you should buy travel insurance even if your credit card offers travel protection.

There isn't one answer that fits every traveler or situation. So in this guide, we'll explore some aspects you should consider, and I'll discuss my take on this topic. Let's dive in so you can make an informed decision for yourself.

Travel insurance you can buy

At a high level, you can pay a relatively small premium (compared to the total cost of your trip) to buy a travel insurance policy that may provide reimbursement or coverage for unexpected issues that affect your trip.

Many different types of protections fall under the term "travel insurance." Standard, comprehensive insurance policies typically include broad coverage across various potential issues.

buying expedia travel insurance

But there are also policies that offer specific coverage. For example, it's possible to purchase travel insurance that only provides medical protection for international travel (such as GeoBlue ). Likewise, you can also purchase policies that allow you to select the protections you need (such as the build-your-own option with American Express Travel Insurance ).

We've previously compared the best travel insurance policies and providers . So, check out that guide to find the provider and policy that fits your needs best. You can also check a travel insurance aggregator to compare different policies quickly.

Most travel insurance policies exclude any loss incurred due to a preexisting medical condition. However, many policies include a process to obtain a waiver of the preexisting condition exclusion if you meet specific requirements. These requirements typically include purchasing the policy shortly after the first nonrefundable trip payment or deposit and being medically able to travel when you buy the policy. Some companies also require you to insure your trip's full, prepaid, nonrefundable cost to be eligible.

Likewise, all travel insurance policies have several exclusions. For example, most plans exclude medical benefits for injuries during adventure activities such as skydiving or skiing outside maintained trails.

Related: 7 things to look out for when buying travel insurance, according to an expert

Credit card travel protections

buying expedia travel insurance

Some cards don't provide any special travel protections. But, many of the best travel rewards cards offer travel protections. Here's a look at our guides about some of the most common credit card travel protections:

  • Trip delay reimbursement
  • Baggage delay reimbursement
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
  • Travel accident and emergency evacuation insurance

Check out our guide to the best cards that offer travel protections for more details on what card might be best for you. I also recommend reading the guide to benefits for your specific cards, as these documents will detail exactly what protections you can expect when you purchase travel with your card.

Note that some benefits require you to enroll — and virtually all require a formal claim process, with no reimbursement guarantee.

Related: Getting credit card travel insurance to cover the change fee on my Disney cruise

When to purchase travel insurance

buying expedia travel insurance

Even if you have a credit card that offers travel protections, you may still want to purchase travel insurance for some trips. Here are some scenarios and trips for which it may make sense to purchase travel insurance.

Travel protections aren't offered

As discussed above, not all travel credit cards provide extensive travel protections when you book travel using the card. So, if you're using a card without travel protections or a card that only offers limited travel protections, you may want to purchase travel insurance .

Related: The best credit cards for booking flights

Some travelers aren't covered

Just because a card offers travel protections doesn't mean everyone traveling with you will be covered. In particular, travel protections usually only extend to select relatives of the cardholder. Your credit card's travel insurance may not cover friends, employees and relatives.

Related: Who is covered by your credit card travel insurance?

Adventure activities

If you plan to partake in an activity that most insurance policies exclude, you may want to purchase a travel insurance policy that explicitly includes your activity of choice.

For example, many policies exclude adventure sports like base jumping, sky diving, free soloing, diving, mountaineering and paragliding. You may want to consider purchasing insurance from an association involved in your adventure activity, such as Divers Alert Network (DAN) if you're a diver or German Alpine Group (DAV) if you partake in alpine sports.

You're concerned about preexisting conditions

buying expedia travel insurance

Most credit card trip interruption and cancellation insurance benefits exclude cancellations or interruptions caused by a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition. So, you'll want to purchase travel insurance — and ensure you satisfy the provider's preexisting condition exclusion waiver conditions — if you want trip cancellation and interruption insurance that covers preexisting conditions.

Related: 7 times your credit card's travel insurance might not cover you

Nonmedical evacuation insurance

If you want evacuation insurance for nonmedical reasons, you should purchase travel insurance that offers this coverage even if you have a credit card with evacuation insurance .

Read the benefits guide closely, as evacuation benefits may not cover every evacuation you might need. For example, some policies don't cover evacuation from an area with a travel warning when you booked your trip or evacuation from a place suddenly inaccessible due to a landslide or other environmental incident.

Related: A Medjet medical transport membership is different from travel insurance

Cancel for any reason

Suppose you are uncertain whether you'll be able to take your trip, and you're worried that applicable credit card trip protections won't reimburse you if you decide to cancel or interrupt for a reason that isn't covered. In that case, you may want to purchase cancel for any reason trip insurance .

Related: 6 truths and myths about cancel for any reason travel insurance

You want peace of mind

Some travelers prefer to buy travel insurance — for each trip or via an annual travel insurance plan — for the peace of mind that having a travel insurance policy brings. Especially given the issues travelers have faced with a specific credit card insurance provider , it may be worth buying a travel insurance plan if you don't feel confident your credit card travel insurance and individual health insurance will combine to provide enough coverage during your trip.

Related: Here's why I buy an annual travel insurance policy, even though my credit cards offer travel protections

When credit card travel protections may be enough

buying expedia travel insurance

Suppose you don't fall into any of the categories above and use one of the best credit cards with travel insurance when making travel purchases. In that case, you may determine that credit card protections are enough for some (or all) of your trips. However, I only recommend relying on credit card protections if you also have health insurance that will provide adequate coverage at your destination.

Below is a collection of reasons you can rely on credit card protections instead of purchasing independent travel insurance. If some (or most) of these reasons apply to your trip, it may be reasonable for you to rely on credit card protections instead of buying travel insurance:

  • You have personal health insurance that will cover you on your trip, even if treatment is out of network at your destination
  • You book your trip with a credit card that provides travel insurance
  • You have a credit card that provides medical evacuation benefits during your trip
  • You make refundable travel plans that you can cancel for little or no fee
  • You tend to change your plans frequently or book travel at the last minute
  • You have an emergency fund that can cover unexpected expenses if needed
  • You have airline miles or transferable points you can use to leave the area or return home if needed.
  • You avoid especially high-risk activities and destinations

The decision of whether to buy travel insurance is complex and personal. If you don't feel confident that your credit card protections and individual health insurance will provide adequate coverage, it's likely worth buying travel insurance.

Related: Why you might want to get a premium credit card instead of purchasing travel insurance

Why credit card travel insurance is usually enough for me

buying expedia travel insurance

After researching the best travel insurance policies and providers , I purchased travel insurance for one specific trip because I wanted political evacuation coverage. I also purchased travel insurance for two trips when the destination required travelers to carry insurance for COVID-19 treatment and quarantine.

But for most of my trips, credit card protections and individual health insurance provide enough coverage for me. After all, my travel usually looks like the following:

  • My flights are often award flights that I can cancel and redeposit free of charge — or ones that carry minimal change and cancellation fees
  • My lodging can almost always be canceled without a penalty until shortly before my stay
  • If I book a tour or activity, it's usually within a few days of said tour or activity (or offers free cancellation)
  • My health insurance provides out-of-network coverage outside the U.S., so travel insurance would only pay for my deductible. In addition, my out-of-pocket maximum for out-of-network care is low enough to cover using my emergency fund
  • I book flights and pay for the taxes and fees for award flights using the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card , which provides excellent travel protections for a $95 annual fee card
  • I have ample airline miles and transferable points that I can use to cover last-minute one-way flights if needed

As you can see, the benefits of purchasing travel insurance would be minimal for most of my trips. The travel protections I use most are trip delay protection and baggage delay protection , both of which the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card provides when I use it to pay for my flights.

Related: Why the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred combo is perfect for couples who travel

Bottom line

As you book trips, you may wonder whether you should purchase travel insurance. One way to decide is to consider whether you'd be adequately covered without purchasing travel insurance if the worst happens.

If you're willing and able to cover the costs in this situation — or you feel confident you'd be adequately covered by your credit card's travel protections and health insurance — then you may want to proceed without buying travel insurance. Otherwise, I recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy shortly after you make the initial payment for your trip.

Is Travel Insurance Worth It? Evaluating the Value and Benefits

Our experts answer readers' insurance questions and write unbiased product reviews ( here's how we assess insurance products ). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners ; however, our opinions are our own.

  • Travel insurance covers risks like trip cancellations, health emergencies, and lost luggage.
  • Travel insurance costs can range from 4% to 12% of your total trip cost.
  • Travel insurance is best for trips that are long, expensive, nonrefundable, and international.

Vacations can be very expensive. If you're paying a lot for yours, you might wonder if you should purchase travel insurance, especially when some costs are nonrefundable.

The answer isn't always cut-and-dried. Travel insurance isn't necessary for everyone. Whether you need it will depend on a variety of factors. Here are some key points to consider when deciding if travel insurance suits you.

Introduction to travel insurance

When planning a trip, it's essential to think about how you'll protect yourself from the unexpected. That's where travel insurance comes in. It can cover various risks like loss of personal belongings, checked baggage, and more. With the appropriate coverage, you can nullify or mitigate the potential losses. "Plain and simple, travel insurance is a layer of protection against financial loss," says Brad Cummins, owner and principal agent for Insurance Geek , an insurance comparison platform. "Whether it be lost luggage or a lost passport, travel insurance will cover the extra costs during these unfortunate events."

Benefits of travel insurance

Protection against unforeseen cancellation.

One of the top reasons to acquire travel insurance is to cover potential losses from trip cancellations. When canceling a trip due to a covered cause, travel insurance will reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses. 

Some covered causes for travel cancellations include:

  • Sickness, injury, or death of traveler or family member of traveler
  • Inclement weather
  • Unexpected work or layoffs
  • Terrorist incidents in a travel location

Some travel insurance covers trip cancellations regardless of the reason. However, you make certain trade-offs when you enroll in a  "Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) insurance policy . These policies are more expensive and may only refund a percentage of your trip's cost. You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance  here.

Financial security and peace of mind

While your travel insurance covers any unforeseen issues before your trip, it continues to cover you even after your flight has taken off.

For example, you don't have to be as anxious at baggage claim when your fellow passengers have claimed their luggage and yours hasn't come out yet. Travel insurance offers lost luggage protection and can cover any necessary purchases while you wait for your late luggage to arrive, such as toiletries and a change of clothes.

Medical coverage on travel insurance  can also offer peace of mind as most US health insurers don't provide coverage when you're abroad. A comprehensive travel insurance plan will cover you in an unexpected accident or emergency so you can seek medical attention for an injury sustained while traveling without worrying about mounting medical bills.

Evaluating the cost of travel insurance

The average cost of travel insurance is 5%-6% of your total trip cost. However, the exact cost will vary based on factors such as your age, travel destination, and where you live, and can be as little as 4% of your trip cost or as high as 12% of your trip cost.

If you're wondering whether travel insurance is worth it, you're not alone. There are a few things to consider. If an emergency arises on your trip, travel insurance can reimburse part or all of your vacation expenditure. However, this will depend on factors such as your trip type and whether it's refundable.

Cost vs. potential savings

In general, travel insurance is worth it if you're concerned about losing money if your trip is called off or delayed or if you're worried about medical bills while traveling. However, conducting thorough research and understanding the costs and coverage provided is critical before purchasing a policy.

For example, older travelers or those with pre-existing medical conditions may pay more for their insurance. Similarly, those traveling to high-risk destinations or participating in high-risk activities may also face higher premiums. 

Ultimately, it's important to shop around and compare quotes from different travel insurance companies to find the best coverage and rate for your needs. You can find our picks for the best travel insurance companies here. 

Cost-benefit analysis for different trip types

Travel insurance may be a wise investment if you've already paid for your and can't change or cancel your trip without penalty. Suppose your trip is canceled or disrupted due to a covered cause. In that case, travel insurance will cover the trip's cost and any other nonrefundable expenditures up to a pre-determined amount.

If you're heading to a country where your health coverage doesn't apply, or if you don't have any health insurance at all, travel insurance might provide the protection you need. Travel insurance can also assist you in case of medical emergencies. It's vital to understand that not all travel insurance policies are created equal. Be sure to carefully study the details and understand what is and isn't covered before purchasing one.

Scenarios where travel insurance is essential

Expensive vacations and long-term travel.

It's a good idea to insure trips with a high, nonrefundable price tag because you'll never forgive yourself if your expensive, once-in-a-lifetime trip gets canceled and your money and planning go down the drain. For these vacations, you'll want to find a policy that covers 100% of expenses.

Similarly, if you have long-term travel plans, you'll want to have a policy that protects against travel interruption in case something cuts your plans short. You'll also want medical coverage during extended stay outside the country.

High-risk destinations and activities

High-risk destinations include regions facing political instability, war zones, and areas prone to natural disasters. Travelers headed to these areas should look into travel insurance in case their trip is canceled due to an unforeseen event. 

Additionally, certain areas are known for the thrilling activities they offer, like skydiving and bungee jumping. If you have extreme sports on your itinerary or believe you might build up the courage to plunge down a canyon, you may want to invest in a travel insurance policy. Keep in mind that some travel insurance policies don't cover high-risk activities, so shop carefully.

When travel insurance may not be necessary

Low-risk, short, or domestic trips.

There are also some situations in which you might not need travel insurance. If you are traveling within the US, you do not need travel insurance for health reasons since most health insurance plans will cover you even if you're not in your home state. 

Additionally, travel insurance may not be necessary if you're only traveling over the weekend or exclusively booked refundable experiences.

Making an informed decision

There are a few key considerations when buying a travel insurance policy. The cost of the policy is one factor, but it's also important to look at the coverage limits and what is included and excluded in the policy. Be sure to read the fine print carefully and compare policies between different companies. 

It's also important to consider the purpose of your travel insurance policy. If you're going on a trip where you'll be doing adventurous activities, ensure your policy covers those activities. Finally, remember that travel insurance is there to protect you in case something goes wrong on your trip, so don't hesitate to use it if you need to.

If you decide that you need travel insurance, here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a policy:

  • Read the fine print of any policy you are considering to understand what is and is not covered. This is especially important for those who want to add special coverage options. 
  • Compare policies from different providers to find the best coverage at the best price.
  • Purchase your policy well in advance of your trip so that you are covered in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
  • Ensure you're covered for pre-existing conditions because a number of policies will exclude pre-existing conditions if you don't pay extra for a waiver or additional coverage. 

Buying travel insurance can be a pretty quick and painless process, thanks to insurance aggregator sites like SquareMouth .

Using SquareMouth is one of the easiest ways to see multiple coverage options simultaneously. Once you've entered some personal details and information regarding your trip, you'll see a variety of insurance providers and plans from which to choose.

Assessing personal and trip risks

The first consideration you should factor into travel insurance is how much of your trip is already paid for. If you've prepaid for most or all of your travel expenses, you may want to purchase travel insurance if you have to cancel.

Another thing to consider is where you will be traveling. If you are visiting multiple countries, getting insurance that covers you in all of them might be a good idea.

Your age and overall health can also determine whether you need travel insurance. Suppose you are older or have pre-existing medical conditions, for example. In that case, it might be a good idea to purchase travel insurance if you need to cancel your trip or incur unexpected medical expenses.

Lastly, the value of your luggage can also be a factor to consider. If you plan to bring expensive items with you on your trip, it might be worth purchasing travel insurance to cover lost or stolen luggage.

Reviewing policy options and exclusions

When it comes to travel insurance, the ease of use will depend on the provider you choose. If you're working with a reputable insurer, then the process should be relatively straightforward. However, it's still important to understand what is and isn't included in your policy before you purchase it. This way, you can be sure that you're getting the coverage you need and that you won't be caught off guard by any fine print.

Travel insurance isn't necessary for everyone or every trip. But it can bring a lot of peace of mind during your travels and can certainly translate into significant savings if you're faced with a medical emergency while on your trip. It's best to do your research, compare plans, and understand your own level of risk when it comes to deciding whether or not to purchase coverage.

Travel insurance frequently asked questions

Travel insurance is highly recommended for trips that are long and expensive. For example, you should buy travel insurance for any international trips, cruises, adventure travels, and trips with significant pre-paid expenses.

To say that travel insurance will save you money in the long run isn't entirely accurate. Travel insurance will save you money when things go wrong, but it won't save you any money if your trip goes smoothly.

Short domestic trips don't necessitate travel insurance. Most health insurance policies cover you from state to state, so unless you're worried about unexpected cancellations, travel insurance isn't a must-have.

Travel insurance policies commonly exclude coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, extreme sports injuries, and travel to high-risk countries.

Cost-benefit considerations should include the total cost of your trip, the refundability of your expenses, your destination's healthcare costs, and your personal health and travel risks.

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

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

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buying expedia travel insurance

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FinanceBuzz

FinanceBuzz

8 Reasons It’s Worth It To Buy Travel Insurance (And 6 Times To Skip It)

Posted: July 12, 2023 | Last updated: July 12, 2023

<p> Life is full of unexpected events and complications, and that doesn’t stop just because you’re traveling. If anything, travel may have even more surprises than your day-to-day life at home.  </p> <p> Travel insurance can help you <a href="https://financebuzz.com/seniors-throw-money-away-tp?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=1&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=avoid+wasting+money&synd_backlink_position=1&synd_slug=seniors-throw-money-away-tp">avoid wasting money</a> if you have to cancel a trip due to illness, need medical coverage while you’re traveling, or send you home for medical reasons.  </p> <p> However, it may not always be necessary and can sometimes be a waste of money. Keep reading to learn when you should and shouldn’t opt for travel insurance.</p><p>  <a href="https://financebuzz.com/top-travel-credit-cards?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=1&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=Compare+the+best+travel+credit+cards+for+nearly+free+travel&synd_backlink_position=2&synd_slug=top-travel-credit-cards">Compare the best travel credit cards for nearly free travel</a>  </p>

Life is full of unexpected events and complications, and that doesn’t stop just because you’re traveling. If anything, travel may have even more surprises than your day-to-day life at home.

Travel insurance can help you avoid wasting money if you have to cancel a trip due to illness, need medical coverage while you’re traveling, or send you home for medical reasons.

However, it may not always be necessary and can sometimes be a waste of money. Keep reading to learn when you should and shouldn’t opt for travel insurance.

Compare the best travel credit cards for nearly free travel

<p> The number one reason people buy travel insurance is to cover an expensive trip. And if you’re traveling overseas, chances are your travels will cost a lot of money.  </p> <p> In addition, there are potential complications when it comes to international travel, from losing luggage during connecting flights, missed or canceled flights, sickness, and more.  </p> <p> And if something catastrophic happens in a foreign country, travel insurance provides evacuation so you can get home safely.</p><p>  <p class=""><b>Want to learn how to build wealth like the 1%?</b> <a href="https://financebuzz.com/worthy-community-signup-wealth-testimonials-v2-synd?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=2&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=Sign+up+for+Worthy+to+get+ideas+and+advice+delivered+to+your+inbox.&synd_backlink_position=3&synd_slug=worthy-community-signup-wealth-testimonials-v2-synd">Sign up for Worthy to get ideas and advice delivered to your inbox.</a></p>  </p>

Safety net for international travel

The number one reason people buy travel insurance is to cover an expensive trip. And if you’re traveling overseas, chances are your travels will cost a lot of money.

In addition, there are potential complications when it comes to international travel, from losing luggage during connecting flights, missed or canceled flights, sickness, and more.

And if something catastrophic happens in a foreign country, travel insurance provides evacuation so you can get home safely.

Want to learn how to build wealth like the 1%? Sign up for Worthy to get ideas and advice delivered to your inbox.

<p> Getting sick or injured is unpleasant enough when you’re in the comfort of your home, but it’s a new beast entirely when you’re abroad.  </p> <p> Generally, you can expect basic medical expenses to be covered through your travel plan, often including dental. Medicare will not cover medical expenses in a foreign country. If you’re traveling overseas, travel insurance for potential medical costs is worthwhile. </p>

Medical coverage

Getting sick or injured is unpleasant enough when you’re in the comfort of your home, but it’s a new beast entirely when you’re abroad.

Generally, you can expect basic medical expenses to be covered through your travel plan, often including dental. Medicare will not cover medical expenses in a foreign country. If you’re traveling overseas, travel insurance for potential medical costs is worthwhile.

<p> Renting a car is a great way to get around when traveling because you can explore a place on your own. Using taxis or ride-share services may cost more money. However, even the best drivers make mistakes, and no one can protect themselves from reckless drivers.  </p> <p> Your U.S. car insurance won’t cover you when driving in a foreign country. So choosing the car-rental insurance option when you buy travel insurance may be a good move.  </p> <p> Be aware that most travel insurance rental-car plans cover collisions and may not cover medical expenses, damages to other cars or property, or personal property damage or loss.</p><p>  <p><a href="https://financebuzz.com/southwest-booking-secrets-55mp?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=4&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=7+Nearly+Secret+Things+to+Do+If+You+Fly+Southwest&synd_backlink_position=4&synd_slug=southwest-booking-secrets-55mp">7 Nearly Secret Things to Do If You Fly Southwest</a></p>  </p>

Cover rental car mishaps

Renting a car is a great way to get around when traveling because you can explore a place on your own. Using taxis or ride-share services may cost more money. However, even the best drivers make mistakes, and no one can protect themselves from reckless drivers.

Your U.S. car insurance won’t cover you when driving in a foreign country. So choosing the car-rental insurance option when you buy travel insurance may be a good move.

Be aware that most travel insurance rental-car plans cover collisions and may not cover medical expenses, damages to other cars or property, or personal property damage or loss.

7 Nearly Secret Things to Do If You Fly Southwest

<p> Unfortunately, as with many health insurance plans, travel insurance often won’t cover pre-existing conditions. Travel health insurance is usually meant for unforeseen illnesses or injuries instead of complications due to an existing medical issue.  </p> <p> Even travel insurance companies that cover pre-existing issues often only cover physical maladies and exclude mental conditions and typical pregnancy-related symptoms and complications.  </p>

Pre-existing conditions often aren’t covered

Unfortunately, as with many health insurance plans, travel insurance often won’t cover pre-existing conditions. Travel health insurance is usually meant for unforeseen illnesses or injuries instead of complications due to an existing medical issue.

Even travel insurance companies that cover pre-existing issues often only cover physical maladies and exclude mental conditions and typical pregnancy-related symptoms and complications.

<p> A big fear for travelers is losing their luggage, either having it not arrive at the destination or stolen during their trip. Most airlines will offer reimbursement for luggage they lose, but it can take quite a while for this to process. </p> <p> Travel insurance will cover the cost of replacing your clothing and other items while you wait for your luggage to be located and can also cover theft and damage. </p>

Protect lost luggage

A big fear for travelers is losing their luggage, either having it not arrive at the destination or stolen during their trip. Most airlines will offer reimbursement for luggage they lose, but it can take quite a while for this to process.

Travel insurance will cover the cost of replacing your clothing and other items while you wait for your luggage to be located and can also cover theft and damage.

<p>You should consider buying travel insurance if you’re traveling with valuables, including expensive jewelry, art, or even pricey sporting or adventure gear. </p> <p> You’ll need to talk to the insurance agency specifically about covering your valuables, as they may need to be insured separately. Depending on your homeowners insurance policy, your jewelry may be covered even when you travel.  </p> <p> Sporting goods, including golf clubs, will not be covered by your homeowners insurance if you’re traveling, so you will need travel insurance to replace them if they’re lost, damaged, or stolen.</p><p>  <p class=""><a href="https://financebuzz.com/top-no-interest-credit-cards?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=7&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=Pay+no+interest+until+nearly+2025+with+these+credit+cards&synd_backlink_position=5&synd_slug=top-no-interest-credit-cards">Pay no interest until nearly 2025 with these credit cards</a></p>  </p>

Cover valuable items and gear

You should consider buying travel insurance if you’re traveling with valuables, including expensive jewelry, art, or even pricey sporting or adventure gear.

You’ll need to talk to the insurance agency specifically about covering your valuables, as they may need to be insured separately. Depending on your homeowners insurance policy, your jewelry may be covered even when you travel.

Sporting goods, including golf clubs, will not be covered by your homeowners insurance if you’re traveling, so you will need travel insurance to replace them if they’re lost, damaged, or stolen.

Pay no interest until nearly 2025 with these credit cards

<p> While we do our best to prepare for the worst-case scenario, we can’t stop life from happening. Things like medical emergencies, a death in the family, or other catastrophes can halt your travel plans.  </p> <p> If you have travel insurance, rescheduling or cancellation fees will be covered, allowing you to deal with the emergency at your own pace. You won’t have to worry about losing the money spent on the trip and subsequent fees. </p>

Emergencies happen

While we do our best to prepare for the worst-case scenario, we can’t stop life from happening. Things like medical emergencies, a death in the family, or other catastrophes can halt your travel plans.

If you have travel insurance, rescheduling or cancellation fees will be covered, allowing you to deal with the emergency at your own pace. You won’t have to worry about losing the money spent on the trip and subsequent fees.

<p> Are you planning a fall trip to the Gulf Coast or Florida? Consider your travel destination and the time of year you're going.  </p> <p> If you’re visiting someplace prone to natural disasters, especially seasonal occurrences like tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and such, travel insurance can help you recoup your money should these events interrupt your travel plans. </p> <p> Similarly, if a natural disaster occurs during your trip, often, insurance will pay to move you to a more secure location. </p>

Natural disaster coverage

Are you planning a fall trip to the Gulf Coast or Florida? Consider your travel destination and the time of year you're going.

If you’re visiting someplace prone to natural disasters, especially seasonal occurrences like tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and such, travel insurance can help you recoup your money should these events interrupt your travel plans.

Similarly, if a natural disaster occurs during your trip, often, insurance will pay to move you to a more secure location.

<p>Your insurance will most likely cover typical travel-related injuries but don't expect your medical bills to be covered if your itinerary involves extreme adventures or dangerous exploits. </p> <p> Surfing, sailing, kayaking, bungee jumping, scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding, and other extreme sports do not fall into everyday illnesses or injuries. For these activities, consider getting a specific plan for adventure activities.</p><p>  <p class=""><a href="https://financebuzz.com/top-cash-back-credit-cards?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=10&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=Earn+up+to+5%25+cash+back+when+you+shop+with+these+leading+credit+cards&synd_backlink_position=6&synd_slug=top-cash-back-credit-cards">Earn up to 5% cash back when you shop with these leading credit cards</a></p>  </p>

Extreme adventures may not be covered

Your insurance will most likely cover typical travel-related injuries but don't expect your medical bills to be covered if your itinerary involves extreme adventures or dangerous exploits.

Surfing, sailing, kayaking, bungee jumping, scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding, and other extreme sports do not fall into everyday illnesses or injuries. For these activities, consider getting a specific plan for adventure activities.

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<p> If you booked your trip through a travel company and it goes bankrupt, travel insurance may provide a safety net to ensure you get your money back. </p> <p> Airlines, cruise ships, travel companies, and other travel-related businesses suffered during the pandemic, and many may not be on solid financial ground yet. </p> <p> This may not be covered in a basic insurance plan, so make sure your agent adds financial default coverage if you are concerned about the health of your travel provider. </p><p>In the situation any company or organization closes or is otherwise inoperable during your trip, you’ll be covered. </p> <p> Now let’s look at times you may not need travel insurance. </p>

Shaky travel companies

If you booked your trip through a travel company and it goes bankrupt, travel insurance may provide a safety net to ensure you get your money back.

Airlines, cruise ships, travel companies, and other travel-related businesses suffered during the pandemic, and many may not be on solid financial ground yet.

This may not be covered in a basic insurance plan, so make sure your agent adds financial default coverage if you are concerned about the health of your travel provider. 

In the situation any company or organization closes or is otherwise inoperable during your trip, you’ll be covered.

Now let’s look at times you may not need travel insurance.

<p> Before purchasing travel insurance, consider which credit card you have. Many of the <a href="https://financebuzz.com/top-travel-credit-cards?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=12&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=top+credit+cards&synd_backlink_position=7&synd_slug=top-travel-credit-cards">top credit cards</a> offer travel protections.  </p> <p> Some protections you may already have include lost luggage, rental car insurance, trip delay, and trip interruption or cancellation.  </p> <p> Credit card programs often don’t cover medical or other interruptions, so consider your priorities before choosing this option. </p>

Your credit card offers travel protections

Before purchasing travel insurance, consider which credit card you have. Many of the top credit cards  offer travel protections.

Some protections you may already have include lost luggage, rental car insurance, trip delay, and trip interruption or cancellation.

Credit card programs often don’t cover medical or other interruptions, so consider your priorities before choosing this option.

<p> If you’re traveling within the U.S. and its territories, travel insurance may not be necessary. For example, you won’t need medical coverage as your health insurance should be honored nationwide.  </p> <p> Domestic travel is also usually much less expensive. If you’re taking a cheap, last-minute, or nonstop flight and staying at an inexpensive hotel or rental, the cost of travel insurance may not be worth it. </p> <p> One exception might be a family trip to Disney World. The estimate for a trip for a family of four in 2023 is more than $6,000, so travel insurance might be money well spent in this case.</p><p>  <p class=""><a href="https://financebuzz.com/top-signs-of-financial-fitness?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=13&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=5+Signs+You%E2%80%99re+Doing+Better+Financially+Than+the+Average+American&synd_backlink_position=8&synd_slug=top-signs-of-financial-fitness-2">5 Signs You’re Doing Better Financially Than the Average American</a></p>  </p>

You have a domestic trip

If you’re traveling within the U.S. and its territories, travel insurance may not be necessary. For example, you won’t need medical coverage as your health insurance should be honored nationwide.

Domestic travel is also usually much less expensive. If you’re taking a cheap, last-minute, or nonstop flight and staying at an inexpensive hotel or rental, the cost of travel insurance may not be worth it.

One exception might be a family trip to Disney World. The estimate for a trip for a family of four in 2023 is more than $6,000, so travel insurance might be money well spent in this case.

5 Signs You’re Doing Better Financially Than the Average American

<p> Not all travel is planned. Whether traveling for work, a family emergency, or just a last-minute vacation, you likely don’t need insurance in these circumstances. Odds are, you’re packing light, and both your flight and hotel are relatively inexpensive.  </p> <p> In these scenarios, the things insurance covers won’t be relevant, including baggage loss, flight cancellations, hotel issues, and so on. </p><p>Not only will these costs likely be minimal, but they can be disputed with your airline or hotel, although it may take a little while to get your money back. </p>

Don’t add expense to cheap trips

Not all travel is planned. Whether traveling for work, a family emergency, or just a last-minute vacation, you likely don’t need insurance in these circumstances. Odds are, you’re packing light, and both your flight and hotel are relatively inexpensive.

In these scenarios, the things insurance covers won’t be relevant, including baggage loss, flight cancellations, hotel issues, and so on. 

Not only will these costs likely be minimal, but they can be disputed with your airline or hotel, although it may take a little while to get your money back.

<p> If you’re buying travel insurance to cover the cost of rescheduling a flight, you’re better off purchasing a refundable ticket at a higher price. And some airlines have more flexible policies now. </p> <p> Many airlines allow last-minute ticket changes and will even help you reschedule your flight within a specific timeframe. The timeframe and policy vary by airline, and you may be subject to a nominal cancellation or rebooking fee, but it will be significantly less than insurance.  </p>

The airline has a flexible rebooking policy

If you’re buying travel insurance to cover the cost of rescheduling a flight, you’re better off purchasing a refundable ticket at a higher price. And some airlines have more flexible policies now.

Many airlines allow last-minute ticket changes and will even help you reschedule your flight within a specific timeframe. The timeframe and policy vary by airline, and you may be subject to a nominal cancellation or rebooking fee, but it will be significantly less than insurance.

<p> One emergency situation insurance probably won’t cover is war or political unrest. If you’re visiting a location with political tensions and your trip is canceled as a result, don’t expect your insurance to cover the costs.  </p> <p> Insurance companies generally follow the travel advisories the U.S. State Department issued for medical and political situations.  </p> <p> Similarly, insurance won't cover these costs if you have to leave your trip early for safety concerns. Consider your destination's political environment before booking your travel or buying insurance.</p><p>  <p class=""><a href="https://financebuzz.com/recession-coming-55mp?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=16&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=9+Things+You+Must+Do+Before+The+Next+Recession&synd_backlink_position=9&synd_slug=recession-coming-55mp">9 Things You Must Do Before The Next Recession</a></p>  </p>

Insurance will not cover political unrest

One emergency situation insurance probably won’t cover is war or political unrest. If you’re visiting a location with political tensions and your trip is canceled as a result, don’t expect your insurance to cover the costs.

Insurance companies generally follow the travel advisories the U.S. State Department issued for medical and political situations.

Similarly, insurance won't cover these costs if you have to leave your trip early for safety concerns. Consider your destination's political environment before booking your travel or buying insurance.

9 Things You Must Do Before The Next Recession

<p> Many hotel cancellation policies have tiers depending on the booking you make. For example, some may have free cancellation within a specific period, while others charge different rates for rooms booked as non-refundable or partially refundable.  </p> <p> If your sole reason for purchasing insurance is hotel flexibility, consult with the hotel before you book. They may have a policy as flexible as your insurance or can work with you should something unexpected arise.  </p> <p> Penalty-free cancellations for major hotels tend to be around 24-48 hours prior to arrival. </p>

Your hotel may cover cancellations

Many hotel cancellation policies have tiers depending on the booking you make. For example, some may have free cancellation within a specific period, while others charge different rates for rooms booked as non-refundable or partially refundable.

If your sole reason for purchasing insurance is hotel flexibility, consult with the hotel before you book. They may have a policy as flexible as your insurance or can work with you should something unexpected arise.

Penalty-free cancellations for major hotels tend to be around 24-48 hours prior to arrival.

<p> Travel insurance may be pricey, but it’s a lifesaver in many situations. However, in others, it’s overkill and a waste of money.  </p> <p> Every travel situation is different, so consider your specific needs when purchasing. And, if you want more money to cover your insurance, consider these ways to <a href="https://financebuzz.com/ways-to-make-extra-money?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=18&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=make+extra+cash&synd_backlink_position=10&synd_slug=ways-to-make-extra-money">make extra cash</a> for travel funds.</p><p>  <p class=""><b>More from FinanceBuzz:</b></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.financebuzz.com/supplement-income-55mp?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=18&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=7+things+to+do+if+you%E2%80%99re+barely+scraping+by+financially.&synd_backlink_position=11&synd_slug=supplement-income-55mp">7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.</a></li> <li><a href="https://financebuzz.com/ways-to-make-extra-money?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=18&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=12+legit+ways+to+earn+extra+cash.&synd_backlink_position=12&synd_slug=ways-to-make-extra-money">12 legit ways to earn extra cash.</a></li> <li><a href="https://r.financebuzz.com/aff_c?source=%2Fshould-you-buy-travel-insurance&offer_id=16866&aff_id=1006&aff_sub=msn&aff_sub2=&aff_sub3=&aff_sub4=feed&aff_sub5={impressionid}&aff_click_id=&aff_unique1={aff_unique1}&aff_unique2=&aff_unique3=&aff_unique4=&aff_unique5={aff_unique5}&rendered_slug=/should-you-buy-travel-insurance&contentblockid=984&contentblockversionid=16460&ml_sort_id=&sorted_item_id=&widget_type=&cms_offer_id=637&keywords=&synd_slide=18&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=Can+you+retire+early%3F+Take+this+quiz+and+find+out.&synd_backlink_position=13" rel="nofollow">Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out.</a></li> <li><a href="https://financebuzz.com/extra-newsletter-signup-testimonials-synd?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=18&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=9+simple+ways+to+make+up+to+an+extra+%24200%2Fday&synd_backlink_position=14&synd_slug=extra-newsletter-signup-testimonials-synd">9 simple ways to make up to an extra $200/day</a></li> </ul>  </p>

Bottom line

Travel insurance may be pricey, but it’s a lifesaver in many situations. However, in others, it’s overkill and a waste of money.

Every travel situation is different, so consider your specific needs when purchasing. And, if you want more money to cover your insurance, consider these ways to make extra cash for travel funds.

More from FinanceBuzz:

  • 7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.
  • 12 legit ways to earn extra cash.
  • Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out.
  • 9 simple ways to make up to an extra $200/day

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It's International Women's Day, but it seems there's still progress to be made at car garages. Read this and the latest consumer news in the Money blog - and listen to an episode of our new podcast Electoral Dysfunction on the budget as you scroll.

Friday 8 March 2024 15:45, UK

  • Women are charged more for car services - and are less likely to feel confident about investing
  • Going for a house viewing? Here's what to look out for - including candles, phone reception and where the sun is
  • Myth or Must:  Is electricity cheaper at certain times of the day?
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If you happened to collect Pokemon cards at one point - and still have them somewhere - you could net yourself thousands of pounds if you're lucky. 

Research by CSGOLuck has calculated the accumulative value of cards for each Pokemon character in the franchise, and found those which are most likely to earn you the most money if sold old. 

Dragon-like character Charizard is the one you want to find, with an impressive total card value of $21,468.91 (£16,665.46).

The values of its 62 cards range dramatically from $2.86 (£2.22) to $7,182.99 (£5,575.87). 

Popular character Pikachu is the second highest value, with its 196 cards coming to a total of $8,356.70 (£6,486.97). 

The value of cards can reach as high as $3,809.73 (£2,957.34). 

More good cards to have are Gengar, which has a highest single card value of $1,103.30 (£856.45), and Espeon star, of which there is only one card in existence valued at $4,122.50 (£3,200.13).  

Meanwhile, the Tropical Beach card can fetch a value as high as $1,984.38 (£1,540.39), depending on the condition of the card and which collection it belongs to. 

It's International Women's Day - but it seems there's still progress to be made. 

A recent survey found women are charged 5% more than men for vehicle services. 

Car management app Caura conducted a blind survey by contacting 100 garages for quotes on MOTs and services, using the names Emma and Edward. 

Alarmingly, the quotes for Emma were higher than for Edward - even though it was the same vehicle. 

Out of the 100 garages contacted, 70 responded to both calls. Edward was quoted £229 on average whereas Emma was quoted £241 - a 5% increase. 

In other cases, Edward was quoted £48 for an MOT, whereas Emma was quoted £49 - a 2% increase.

Fewer than a third of women (31%) feel confident about investing, compared with more than two-fifths (44%) of men, a survey has found.

The poll by HSBC UK found nearly two-thirds (63%) of women said they would not know how to start investing, compared with less than half (46%) of men.

Marianne Oliver, operations director at investment platform InvestEngine said: "Women face a myriad of challenges when it comes to investing - not least having less money to put aside as a result of societal inequalities, from the gender pay gap, and often taking on more of the caring and financial responsibilities for either children or elderly family members.

"This is obviously going to have an impact on how frequently they invest and their risk appetite, both of which would affect their returns."

Millions of people could avoid price increases on their mobile and broadband next month if they take action soon. 

About 11 million broadband and 36 million mobile customers face inflation linked price increases, but Uswitch.com says many people are now out of contract and will be able to switch to protect themselves from the rises.

April price rises are expected to add an extra £27.19 and £24.23 annually to broadband and mobile bills respectively for those on current market deals, 

For those who have stayed with the same provider, this equates to a 23.4% bill rise since March 2023.

So what can you do?

If you're out of contract (like around 4.2 million broadband customers), you'll be able to switch providers for free - and you should do so now to escape the price rises. 

You may want to use a comparison site to explore your options. 

Those who are still in contract may have to pay a penalty exit fee, although Sky Broadband, Direct Save Telecom and Giganet all allow customers to leave penalty free within the 30 day window of the price rise announcement (this does not apply to Sky TV customers). 

Even if there is an exit fee, you should check how much and weigh it against the longer term saving from switching. 

For those searching for a new broadband service, both Vodafone and Community Fibre are freezing prices until 2025 for those switching now ahead of the April increases. 

Shell Energy Broadband also guarantees no price rises for new customers joining after 22 January 2024 until subsequent years of their agreement. 

Smaller regional alternative networks, such as Trooli, Zen Internet and Hyperoptic, offer full fibre deals and have committed to not hiking their costs for consumers throughout their current contract agreements. 

When it comes to mobile phones, providers including Giffgaff, Talkmobile, Lebara, SMARTY, iD Mobile and Sky Mobile have committed to not increasing their prices mid-contract. 

If you find your mobile bill is going up, you might want a SIM-only deal - which could save you up to £321 a year, particularly if your handset is already paid off. 

To check how much it would cost to leave your current contract, text INFO to 85075.

You will receive a text message confirming if you have to pay exit fees to leave your provider. 

It's also worth considering your mobile data usage. If you regularly have data left over at the end of the month, consider reducing the data in your plan to save money.

By Ollie Cooper, Money team

We've all heard consumer advice that's repeated so often it almost becomes cliché. So, every Friday the Money team will get to the bottom of a different "fact" and decide whether it's a myth or must.

This week's is...

'Electricity is cheaper overnight'

Many of us are happy making small changes to shave off pennies from our energy bills - so how much, if any, attention should we pay to the time we use our electrical appliances?

For this one, we've enlisted the help of Roy Bedlow , chief executive and Founder of Low Carbon and Trust Power.

"Electricity's cost and environmental impact change throughout the day, influenced by demand and the sources generating it," Roy says.  

Peak hours, typically early morning and evening, see increased demand - leading to higher costs.

Prices can reach up to 13p per kWh, and, on extreme days, can soar as high as £1.95/kWh at 6pm (as we saw on 3 July last year). 

"At night, when demand drops, prices can fall to around 6.9p per kWh, showcasing the fluctuating nature of wholesale electricity costs," Roy says.

So we should use the washing machine late at night?

Not exactly. 

These days, most households are on standard variable tariffs and pay the same for each unit of electricity - a rate set by the energy price cap - so not everyone can benefit from lower prices later at night. 

However, some tariffs, like Octopus Tracker and Agile Tracker, adjust prices daily or every 30 minutes in line with wholesale prices.

"These tariffs are not covered by the price cap, so while they offer potential savings during low-price periods, they also expose consumers to higher costs during price spikes," Roy says. 

If you want capitalise more from lower cost, off-peak power, consider a Time of Use tariff - which incentivises off-peak use by offering periods with lower rates. 

"Households with predictable energy use patterns, such as charging electric vehicles overnight, can benefit significantly from these tariffs," Roy says. 

The aim is to shift at least 40% of energy usage to off-peak times for savings as unit costs will be higher than the price cap rate at other times.

An example...

Let's say you own an electric vehicle - and you're on a Time of Use tariff for your energy bill. 

You drive your car around 10,000 miles a year, which Roy estimates would require 3070kWh to charge over those 12 months. 

Should you only use off-peak hours to do so (a rate of around 7.5p/kWh at the time of writing), it'll cost around £230.25 to charge your vehicle for the year. 

Try charging at peak times and that amount jumps to £864.82 - a £634.57 increase. 

Two-for-one

As that example demonstrates - you can make some pretty significant savings if you make the most of the system's current format.  

It's not just potentially good for the wallet, but the environment too. 

"The carbon intensity of electricity, measured in grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour, peaks during these high-demand periods, especially around 6.30pm, with the highest average grid carbon intensity," Roy says. 

"Conversely, it's lower around noon, demonstrating the environmental benefits of using electricity during off-peak times."

So, myth or must?

Quite simply, electricity varies in cost (and environmental impact) depending on when it's used. 

Understanding and adapting to these variations can lead to financial savings and reduced environmental impact.

This one's a money must. 

  Reports of bad behaviour have forced authorities in the Japanese city to ban tourists from some its most picturesque sightseeing spots. 

Tourists will no longer be able to enter the narrow private streets in the geisha district of Gion, with the ban coming into force next month.

Japan has seen its visitor numbers swell to pre-pandemic levels, but despite welcoming the economic boost it has struggled with overcrowding and incidents of bad behaviour among tourists. 

Authorities say the problem is particularly bad in Gion, where visitors have bothered female geisha and maiko performers travelling about. 

Geisha and maiko (teenage apprentices training to become geisha) perform Japanese traditional arts such as singing, dancing and playing instruments. 

Many work and live in the historic quarter of Gion and can be seen in their traditional kimonos and makeup. 

Local authorities say tourists have ignored signs asking them to keep their distance from the geisha and to refrain from touching their expensive kimonos. 

Complaints have also been received about people trespassing on private property.

"We don't want to do this, but we're desperate," said council member Isokazu Ota.

The main thoroughfare, Hanamikoji street, will stay open to tourists.

A sign will say in both Japanese and English: "This is a private road, so you are not allowed to drive through it."

It is aimed mainly at pedestrians, not cars, as the Japanese wording refers to generically "passing through".

"There will be a fine of 10,000 yen," the sign adds, which is about £53.

A staple of children's (and adult's) birthday parties for years, the iconic Colin the Caterpillar cake is familiar to most of us. 

But in a recent blind taste test, he was pipped to the post by the Co-op's version, Charlie the Caterpillar. 

Consumer watchdog Which? awarded Charlie a 72% score and the coveted "Best Buy" recommendation, saying the cake "wowed tasters" with its "ultimate combination of rich chocolate flavour, moist sponge and soft buttercream".

The original M&S Colin cake came in at a close second at 71%, beating most of its rivals with its "superior sponge and delicious chocolatey flavour" and also achieving a "Best Buy" recommendation.

The M&S cake costs £8.50 for 625g, while the Co-op version is £8 for 660g.

Perhaps Colin's most notorious rival, Aldi's Cuthbert the Caterpillar, did not fare so well - see his score below.

M&S took Aldi to court over Cuthbert, accusing the supermarket of copying Colin.

An undisclosed settlement reached by the grocers did not deter Aldi from going on to release an ad in which it announced it was "like M&S, only cheaper", and showing rival caterpillar cakes Cuthbert and Colin breaking into a scuffle at a party.

Here's how the other doppelgangers fared... 

  • Morrison's Morris the Caterpillar (£7.50 for 624g) came in third with a score of 70%. Testers said its sponge was "a little disappointing" 
  • Waitrose scored 69% for Cecil the Caterpillar (£8.50 for 720g), with almost half of tasters saying there was too much sponge compared with the buttercream
  • Aldi's Cuthbert, the cheapest option at £5.49 for 625g, achieved 68% - with nearly half of tasters saying the sponge was too dry
  • Tesco's Slinky the Caterpillar (£7.50 for 648g) also had a score of 68%, with tasters finding it "too dry" and lacking buttercream
  • Asda's Letty (£7.50 for 615g) came last with a score of 67% after tasters were concerned about its weak chocolate flavour and dry sponge

Which? head of home products and services Natalie Hitchins said: "The scores across the board were quite close, so you can't go too far wrong with a caterpillar cake, but if you want the best, we advise you to head to Co-op or M&S."

By James Sillars , business reporter

Let's start with a first for the week - some news from the currency markets.

The pound hit a two-month high versus the dollar, above $1.28, yesterday afternoon and that level has been maintained.

The shift, of more than a cent, was not down to anything we did but can be attributed to remarks by America's top central banker.

The chair of the Federal Reserve, Jay Powell, was seen as confirming that the timing for a US interest rate cut has drawn nearer.

Higher interest rates are generally supportive of a currency so the dollar lost ground against most major currencies after his comments.

A weaker dollar means your money goes further when on holiday in the US.

On the stock markets, the weaker greenback may have slightly harmed big dollar-earning companies on the FTSE 100.

It's down, but not by much, after a stronger week to date.

The index is trading 0.1% lower at 7,680.

Energy shares were leading the way, likely on the back of an uptick in oil prices, with a barrel of Brent crude trading 0.8% higher at $83.

By Emily Mee, from the Money team

It's easy to get caught up when you're looking for a new home - there's lots to think about, plenty of stress and sometimes you end up overlooking issues that become a problem down the line. 

We've got Paula Higgins, chief executive of HomeOwners Alliance , to give us a comprehensive guide on what you should look out for at a house viewing (whether you're renting or buying)... 

Signs of damp and mould  - this is a pretty big one for renters in particular. Ms Higgins says you should watch out for fuzzy paint coming off the walls, and  be "very suspicious" of homes that only have a fresh coat of paint in the bathroom (a hotspot for damp and mould) because they "might be hiding something". It's also worth checking lower ground rooms and outside walls for the issue. 

Check the walls and ceilings - look out for flaky plaster. 

Look for storage space - is there space to put your vacuum cleaner, tall brushes, shoes and coats? In the bedrooms in particular, you should take note of whether there are built-in cupboards or whether you'll need to buy any.  

Which way does the house face? Notice where the light comes into the house - particularly the garden. Ms Higgins says she knows people who bought houses and ended up moving to the other side of the street for this reason. You should also consider that some rooms will be naturally warmer or colder than others and this may affect what you use them for. 

Don't be fooled by staging - bear in mind that some sellers will have paid for home staging and in some cases there will be little furniture - so you should consider where your clutter will go. 

Look out for lots of candles - this could be perfectly innocuous, but Ms Higgins said they could also be "masking something". 

Check the windows - look out for draughts or windows that won't open. You should also check the energy efficiency of the property. 

Look at where the power points are - this is particularly important if you work from home, and some older homes may have fewer power points. 

Check the phone reception - Ms Higgins says it can be "surprising" to find bad reception in some built-up areas. This might be different for different providers, but you can look this up online too. You may also find some rooms have better phone signal than others. 

Check the soundproofing - particularly if you're in a flat. 

Visit at different times of day - this can help to give you a better idea of whether an area feels safe, how the nearby transport is and how noisy neighbours are. 

Talk to the neighbours - Ms Higgins say you can "get amazing amounts of information" about an area from neighbours. If you can, try to pluck up the courage to knock on a neighbour's door and ask what the area is like and, if it's a flat, how well it is managed. 

Check the parking - look at the options for parking at the property or near by and also consider the cost if you'll need a permit. 

Do your research in advance - it's not worth wasting your time on places that won't meet your needs. You can look on Google Maps to see nearby public transport or how long it takes to things. You could also think about doing virtual viewings to get an initial feel of a place - though Ms Higgins says you should always visit in person as well before going for it. 

Homeowners across the UK made an average of £74,000 when selling their home last year, according to Zoopla.

But in some regions people made significantly more than others - actually, up to £100,000 more. 

Those living in London made the most profit when selling their property, with average sale prices of £517,000 meaning they earned £137,000. 

This compared to people in the North East who made an average of £30,000 with a typical home selling for £151,000.

You can see how other regions fared below... 

There was also a marked difference in profits based on the type of property sold. 

Despite demand for detached homes down 41% in 2023, both detached houses and bungalows were found to be the property types with the greatest capital gains. 

Detached homes made £137,000, on average, and bungalows were close behind at £102,000. 

British Airways passengers will be able to use messaging apps for free during their flight from next month. 

The airline has announced it will roll out the service over two weeks from 3 April.

Travellers will be able to send and receive messages on apps such as WhatsApp, iMessage, Facebook Messenger and Teams. 

To use the service, customers will need to register with British Airways' free loyalty scheme.

The service also allows passengers to browse the internet and stream content, but only if they purchase a pass, which costs between £4.99 and £21.99.

All the carrier's Gatwick aircraft and more than 80% of its Heathrow-based fleet already have wifi, with the remainder expected to be fitted with the technology by the end of 2025.

The change is all part of the company's £7bn "transformation plan", which also includes new short-haul and first class seats, the use of AI to boost flight punctuality and the return of flights between Heathrow and Kuala Lumpur.

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Expedia to cut about 1,500 jobs in latest restructuring

In this article

Online travel platform Expedia said on Monday it was cutting about 1,500 jobs as part of its latest restructuring.

As of Dec. 31, 2023, the company had 17,100 employees in more than 50 countries.

Total pre-tax charges and cash expenditures associated with the restructuring actions are expected to be between $80 million and $100 million, Expedia said.

Shares of the company were up marginally in aftermarket trading.

comscore

Travelex CEO Says Travelers Getting Smarter About Managing FX Risks

travel payments, FX, foreign exchange, currency

The travel industry is on a strong rebound post-pandemic, experiencing a notable resurgence in activity and revenue.

And despite the rise of digital payments methods,  Richard Wazacz , CEO at foreign exchange company  Travelex , tells PYMNTS that the continued use of cash as the primary payment method for cross-border travel is fueling the increase in travel industry revenue.

“Cash is seen as a trusted mode of payment when you travel across borders,” Wazacz said. “A lot of payment methods are still very domestic or national-based, and consumers who rely on cash have the confidence that it will always work wherever they are in the world.”

Read more:  Cross-Border Travel Will Keep Cash Alive, Says Travelex CEO

Aside from the confidence it gives travelers, Wazacz said cash offers a tangible means to track expenses, particularly valued by budget-conscious individuals grappling with cost-of-living challenges worldwide.

“If you’ve got $100 in your pocket, you know how much money you’ve got left,” he said, adding that it’s a clarity often lacking with electronic payment methods.

However, he highlighted a growing demand for a blend of cash and digital solutions, prompting the recent introduction of Apple Pay and Google Pay digital wallets to Travelex’s array of offerings.

Additionally, the company’s prepaid cards facilitate flexible currency exchanges without added fees, with Wazacz reporting a significant uptick in the sale of these travel money prepaid cards — from 1% to between 15% and 20% over the past 20 months — at Heathrow Airport, Travelex’s largest U.K. location.

“There’s a real appetite and desire for it,” he pointed out, while underscoring Travelex’s philosophy that “cash and card is the right way to serve customers’ needs when they travel.”

Digitizing Cash Access and De-Risking Currency Movement

The digital transformation continues to revolutionize various sectors, prompting even legacy brands like Travelex to embrace and integrate digital solutions into their offerings to cater to today’s tech-savvy consumers.

At Heathrow Airport, for instance, the company is currently piloting a self-serve kiosk initiative, which, compared to traditional ATMs, can accommodate larger transactions while still providing the option for counter service to address more complex needs.

Drawing parallels to the evolution of self-service in other industries such as self-check-ins at airports and self-checkouts at supermarkets, Wazacz emphasized the importance of providing choice and flexibility to meet diverse preferences and needs, ultimately enhancing the overall travel experience.

As he noted, “the self-serve kiosk is a platform for interaction and an opportunity to increase our ecosystem, eventually enabling people to do different things in different ways.” 

Wazacz also highlighted ongoing partnerships with online travel agencies (OTAs) like Kayak and Expedia to offer foreign exchange (FX) cash as a solution earlier in the travel planning journey.

Essentially, a customer booking a holiday in November for the following summer will have the option to lock in exchange rates at the time of purchase, with the flexibility to reverse that decision if the currency rate at the time of travel proves more favorable.

According to Wazacz, this option serves to de-risk currency movements, providing customers with valuable cost-saving opportunities while ensuring a seamless and risk-free travel experience.

“When you purchase a flight ticket, you buy travel insurance and can also purchase your car and hotel in advance,” he pointed out. “[Similarly], we believe that there is a market where some customers would also value locking in or reserving the currency rate at that point of purchase.”

Business-Leisure Travel Shifts

With several markets worldwide poised for a record-breaking year in travel, Wasacz noted a significant shift in the business-leisure travel mix that will influence the dynamics of the travel ecosystem. 

He cited recent reports by airlines like British Airways, which have observed a decrease in business class bookings alongside a surge in economy and economy plus bookings, indicating a notable increase in leisure and non-business travel compared to business travel.

“This [trend] clearly has impacts on the ecosystem because business travelers and leisure travelers behave differently and have different needs,” he explained.

Despite this current shift, he said there will be a gradual recovery in business travel as organizations balance the benefits of technology with the value of in-person meetings and face-to-face interactions.

He further highlighted the growth of point-to-point travel and reduced dependency on hub connections as another significant trend, particularly in China, where large regional airports now provide direct flights to multiple international destinations.

Overall, Wasacz said the trajectory this year points toward continuous growth and transformation in the travel industry, with “customer’s appetite for cash [remaining strong and] undiminished.”

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When You Don’t Need to Buy Travel Insurance

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 .

Protecting your trip with travel insurance is generally a good idea. A comprehensive trip insurance policy safeguards your nonrefundable, prepaid plans (flights, hotel stays and excursions) if the trip is canceled due to a covered reason. It offers reimbursement of medical expenses if you get sick or injured and require care or evacuation. Plus, it provides a daily stipend if your belongings are lost or stolen, among many other needs.

However, just because travel insurance is an option doesn’t mean you should always buy it. You don't want to purchase coverage that you don’t need or already have. Here are some common situations when you can pass on travel insurance and save your hard-earned cash.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

You booked flexible airline tickets

Generally, refundable plane tickets are more expensive than nonrefundable tickets. However, airlines have significantly loosened their change and cancellation policies in recent years.

Many airlines have permanently removed change fees, and depending on the fare type, new and existing reservations can be canceled for a full refund or an airline credit. So, if your flight has a flexible cancellation policy, you may not need a trip cancellation benefit, which is one of the main elements of standard travel insurance.

Additionally, to use the trip cancellation benefit, insurers typically require that you first contact the airline for a refund. If the airline offers you a flight credit or voucher, you’d have to decline it in order to claim a refund under your travel insurance policy. If you accept the credit or voucher, the insurer will consider that a refund by the travel provider. So even if you have insurance, it may not help you in these instances.

Even trip insurance for nonrefundable tickets only works in covered situations. If you want to minimize limitations and maximize flexibility, consider purchasing a plan with a Cancel For Any Reason add-on.

Your hotel has a friendly cancellation policy

Hotels have also loosened their change and cancellation policies for new and existing reservations in response to the ongoing pandemic. If the hotel you want to stay at offers a flexible change or cancellation policy, you may not need travel insurance — especially if the sole purpose of the policy was to protect a prepaid hotel deposit.

You haven’t booked nonrefundable activities

A comprehensive travel insurance plan protects your nonrefundable reservations, which can include prepaid excursions in addition to airplane tickets and hotel stays. If your trip doesn’t involve any nonrefundable reservations, you may not need travel insurance.

For instance, if you’ve booked only airplane tickets and a hotel stay for your vacation, and they're both governed by flexible cancellation policies, the trip cancellation benefit may not be necessary. Or if an activity you’ve booked with a specific provider has a flexible cancellation policy of its own, standard travel insurance might be worth skipping.

» Learn more: The majority of Americans plan to travel in 2022

It’s already included on your credit card

You may not need travel insurance if you already have it through your credit card. Many premium travel credit cards offer various degrees of travel insurance benefits, such as trip cancellation and interruption, travel medical, emergency evacuation, 24-hour assistance and rental car coverage.

Some credit cards have better protections than others because of more robust coverage and higher limits. If you hold a card that offers the benefits you need and the limits are sufficient, you might want to pass on purchasing a comprehensive trip insurance policy.

Generally though, the travel insurance benefits offered on credit cards aren't as extensive, and the limits can be significantly lower than on comprehensive policies. If you have a premium travel credit card, check which travel insurance benefits you already have before buying a stand-alone policy.

» Learn more: 4 best credit cards for travel insurance benefits

Travel insurance protects a portion of your nonrefundable trip costs, but if you purchased flexible tickets, you may not actually need travel insurance. On the other hand, if you purchased tickets or activities that come with a fee if you cancel, consider purchasing a policy that covers your reservations.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, if your flight is canceled by the airline, you are entitled to a full refund to your original form of payment, regardless of whether you had travel insurance or not. If your flight is delayed by the airline, you may be entitled to flight delay compensation .

Traveling without travel insurance means you may have to pay out of your own pocket if something doesn't go as planned. Things to consider before purchasing a plan include if you have any credit cards that provide insurance coverage , your total trip cost and if you're traveling to a destination that may be impacted by severe weather .

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, if your flight is canceled by the airline, you are entitled to a full refund to your original form of payment, regardless of whether you had travel insurance or not. If your flight is delayed by the airline, you may be entitled to

flight delay compensation

Traveling without travel insurance means you may have to pay out of your own pocket if something doesn't go as planned. Things to consider before purchasing a plan include if you have any

credit cards that provide insurance coverage

, your total trip cost and if you're traveling to a destination that may be impacted by

severe weather

When travel insurance is worth it

There may still be instances when travel insurance is a smart money move.

International trips. For example, if you have medical insurance, it most likely won't cover travel outside of the U.S. If you’d like medical coverage while on an international vacation, purchasing a stand-alone travel medical insurance policy could be a good option.

Multi-country, multi-activity trips. Travel insurance can also make sense if your trip includes several destinations and mixed plans. Let's say you’re going on a two-week trip to Argentina to hike in Patagonia and then wrap up in Buenos Aires. If, halfway through the trip, you fall and sprain your ankle, you may need emergency medical care, and perhaps also to cut your trip short and fly home early. In an event like this, trip interruption and emergency medical coverage (both part of a comprehensive travel insurance policy) are your best friends. Trip interruption coverage will reimburse you for the unused portion of your hotel stay in Buenos Aires (which you may not be able to cancel mid-trip) and a last-minute flight home. And the medical benefits will reimburse international health care bills.

Adventurous travelers. If your travel plans include several adrenaline-pumping activities, such as wakeboarding, mountain biking, scuba diving or bungee jumping, a plan that covers adventure sports might be wise.

Trips that require expensive equipment. If you need to take expensive jewelry, sports equipment or tech gear on a trip, you might be wise to back up your trip with travel insurance coverage.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

The bottom line

Deciding whether or not you need to purchase travel insurance depends on your specific circumstances. First, familiarize yourself with the change and cancellation policies of your hotel, airline and activities.

Then, check the benefits of any credit cards you already have and read the fine print so you know what coverage you have access to. With this information, you can make the most informed decision about what travel insurance policy (if any) is right for you.

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 2023 , 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

Chase Sapphire Reserve 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 Ultimate Rewards® 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

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

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

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

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.

30,000 Limited-time offer: Earn Companion Pass® good through 2/28/25 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Protect Your Trip »

The 7 top all-inclusive family resorts in the bahamas.

Make lasting memories swimming, playing and exploring the islands.

The Top Family Resorts in the Bahamas

Aerial of Club Med Columbus Isle.

Courtesy of Club Med

With some of the world's most beautiful sun-soaked beaches, crystal-clear water, delicious Caribbean food and plenty of fun activities, the Bahamas are an ideal location for a family vacation . While there are plenty of family-friendly resorts to choose from, the all-inclusive family resorts are a low-stress way to go. You don't need to worry much about overspending, since the accommodations, food, drinks, activities and entertainment are typically included in the price.

Just put your toes in the sand, relax and enjoy time with your family in a picture-perfect setting. We've rounded up some of the top all-inclusive family resorts in the Bahamas to help you start planning your tropical getaway.

  • Viva Fortuna Beach By Wyndham
  • Andros Beach Club
  • Breezes Bahamas
  • Club Med Columbus Isle
  • Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan Resort
  • Small Hope Bay Lodge
  • Fowl Cay Resort

Viva Fortuna Beach By Wyndham: Grand Bahama

Aerial of pools at Viva Fortuna Beach By Wyndham.

Courtesy of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

The family-friendly Viva Fortuna Beach By Wyndham offers a wide variety of ocean activities. Its beachfront location on the island of Grand Bahama is the perfect setting for enjoying the pristine shoreline the Bahamas are known for. Spend your time by the pool, on a kayak or frolicking in the warm water. This island is accessible via a roughly 45-minute nonstop flight or a three-hour ferry ride from Fort Lauderdale .

There are five dining venues and two bars at the resort, including buffet and a la carte options, all of which are available 24 hours a day. Enjoy local Caribbean fare as well as international cuisine like Asian and Italian dishes. Pasts guests at Viva Fortuna Beach appreciate the variety of dining options.

Families can spend their time together playing pickleball or beach volleyball, enjoying themed dinners, paddleboarding, or even trying a trapeze class. If you're feeling adventurous, scuba dive with sharks and dolphins, explore an underwater cave, or visit a shipwreck. Youngsters can enjoy some time with peers at the resort's kids club while parents enjoy an adults-only night out. According to recent travelers, the guest rooms were clean but might be in need of some updating.

Andros Beach Club: South Andros

Aerial of Andros Beach Club.

Courtesy of Andros Beach Club

This resort is situated on a beautiful white sand beach in South Andros, which is part of Andros, the largest island in the Bahamas . The Andros Beach Club is an all-inclusive boutique resort that grants a front-row seat to the underwater wonders of the Atlantic Ocean. It's a perfect getaway for scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, spearfishing and kayaking – highlights for past guests. Visitors can also explore the fascinating "blue holes" of Andros as well as the Andros Barrier Reef.

The resort can host up to 20 guests. Accommodation options for families include a three-bedroom villa, a three-bedroom beach house or a two-bedroom suite. You can even rent out the entire resort for a private getaway – perfect for a family reunion. "Sea-to-table" meals consist of fresh local seafood, with menu items such as lobster, crab, snapper and more. The cuisine here includes seasonal, locally sourced Bahamian, Caribbean and international fare.

Breezes Bahamas: Nassau, New Providence

Located in Nassau, the capital city, Breezes Bahamas is an all-inclusive resort welcoming families with beachfront guest rooms, buffet meals and freshwater swimming pools. There are five restaurants with plenty of dining options, plus a bar and an opportunity to book a private dinner for two. The all-inclusive rate includes activities such as table tennis, volleyball, tennis and pickleball as well as a fitness center. Picture swaying in a hammock on the beach, grabbing a drink at the swim-up bar or building a sand castle on Cable Beach. Reviewers raved about the beachfront location, though some felt the resort could use some upgrades.

buying expedia travel insurance

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Club Med Columbus Isle: San Salvador Island

Pool at Club Med Columbus Isle at sunset.

At Club Med Columbus Isle, you'll be spoiled with 89 acres of Bahamian bliss that include white sand beaches, activities on land and in the water, open-air massages, charming bungalows, and all-day dining on delicious Mediterranean cuisine. At the Junior Club Med, kids ages 11 to 17 can participate in on-site games, water skiing, tennis and more. They might also like to take selfies on the "insta-path" that winds through the resort.

Families of more than three will need to book the Connecting Superior Rooms that sleep up to six people. This lodging includes a furnished balcony, a sun lounger and a baby bed (upon request). For a snack, meal or drink, swing by one of the two restaurants or four bars, with breathtaking views of the turquoise water.

Club Med is great place to try something new. Many recent guests commented that there was always something to do. With more than 20 included and 36 on-demand activities to choose from, travelers can try scuba diving, wingfoil, tennis, sailing, wakeboarding, snorkeling, bocce ball and more. Some activities require an additional fee.

Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan Resort: Grand Bahama

For an affordable and relaxing family getaway in the Bahamas, Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan Resort has everything you need. This all-inclusive option is located within Grand Lucayan . The all-inclusive rate covers comfortable accommodations, dining at four restaurants, alcohol, entertainment like karaoke, beach access and unlimited golf. The best part is that taxes and tips are included too.

For a room that can accommodate a family, book an 800-square-foot Ocean Breeze Suite. The suite has a separate bedroom, a living room and a balcony with views of the stunning ocean below. Head for a lazy day at the beach, hit the spa for a much-needed treatment or take it easy on a lounge chair by the pool. This resort has a gym, fitness classes and nonmotorized water sports as well. Note that Lighthouse Pointe offers day passes to guests not staying there, which some past travelers felt caused the resort to be crowded. Still, some recent guests said they enjoyed a quiet, relaxing experience at this resort.

Small Hope Bay Lodge: North Andros

Aerial of Small Hope Bay Lodge.

Courtesy of Small Hope Bay Lodge

In beautiful North Andros, the historic Small Hope Bay Lodge offers all-inclusive packages to make your vacation a breeze. You'll have no worries as you chill in your beachside cabin, dine on freshly caught fish, have a drink at the nightly cocktail hour, explore the area on bikes or try a scuba lesson. Kids menus are available, and children ages 2 to 7 can have dinner together in the Games Room while the parents enjoy a quiet meal, as part of the complimentary babysitting included in your rate. Sink your teeth into local favorites such as conch fritters and Bahamian Johnny Bread.

The rustic two-bedroom cabins reflect the laid-back lifestyle in the Bahamas and are perfect for families. As for activities, enjoy bonefishing, self-guided nature walks or kayaking above reefs teeming with exotic sea life. The area is an especially popular place for scuba diving. For an additional fee, visitors can go diving in underwater caves, around shipwrecks and near coral reefs. Guests could not say enough good things about this resort, including that the staff made visitors feel like family.

Fowl Cay Resort: Exuma

If you want a unique experience in the Bahamas, the Exumas are hard to beat due to the popular Pig Beach , where guests can swim in the ocean with wild pigs – something you and your kids are sure to remember. Fowl Cay Resort is just a short boat ride away. The six private ocean-facing villas each include a power boat with unlimited fuel, which is perfect for exploring the Exumas' 365 islands and seeking out a private beach. The boat was a favorite amenity for guests who've stayed there. Additionally, you can tour the island in your personal golf cart that is also included in the rate.

Not only are all meals, snacks and drinks included with your stay, but you'll also find a refrigerator and cupboards in your room that are replenished daily. When looking for something to do, choose from activities like snorkeling, fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, water skiing, tennis or just taking in the ocean views from the pool. Kid-friendly board games, bocce court and horseshoes are also available.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Sharael Kolberg is a U.S. News & World Report contributor with a wealth of knowledge when it comes to family-friendly all-inclusive resorts. She always appreciates the ease of having accommodations, meals and activities included in the price of a resort stay. Kolberg used her personal experience and research skills to curate this list of the best all-inclusive Bahamas resorts for families.

You might also be interested in:

  • The Top All-Inclusive Caribbean Resorts for Families
  • The Top All-Inclusive Mexico Resorts for Families
  • The Top All-Inclusive Cancún Resorts for Families
  • The Top All-Inclusive Resorts Where Kids Stay Free

Top All-Inclusive Family Resorts

A family sits at a picnic table outside a cabin at Vista Verde Guest Ranch in the winter.

Tags: Travel , Hotels and Resorts , All-Inclusive Vacations , Family Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

  • # 1 South Island, New Zealand
  • # 4 Bora Bora

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Opening Day! How Baseball is Wrapped in American History and Tradition

The game is so much more than the players and a big book of rules.

Greg Carroll,

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My Dad was a baseball fanatic, spending his youth at the Polo Grounds watching the New York Giants. Growing up on Long Island, one of my earliest memories is going with him to a Yankees game. Maybe that’s why baseball touches my soul.

Baseball has paralleled American history. It was played during the Civil War, two World Wars (many of the sport’s best players joined the military after Pearl Harbor), women’s suffrage, the civil rights movement and the explosion of modern technology. One of Thomas Edison’s first displays of the usefulness of the lightbulb was a night ball game in Massachusetts.

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It is a game of history and tradition. To quote the character Terence Mann in the movie Field of Dreams: “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steam rollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time.”

For some, baseball season seems to go on forever. Others hope it never ends.

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"You always get a special kick on Opening Day, no matter how many you go through," Yankees legend and Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio once said . "You look forward to it like a birthday party when you're a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen."

In 2023, Major League Baseball experienced record attendance — nearly 71 million ticket holders or an average of 31,194 fans per game (that’s 28 teams with 81 home games). Opening Day saw an average of 36,107 attendees per stadium.

Cincinnati, home of the oldest franchise in baseball, holds the annual Findlay Market Parade to celebrate Opening Day. The tradition goes back to the 1800s. This is an old-time parade with players, floats, bands and local businesses marking the end of winter (better than the groundhog in Pennsylvania, in my humble opinion) and the start of baseball. Last year, more than 130,000 fans attended the parade.

In St. Louis, the Cardinals mark the start of the season when the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales take a lap around the stadium. I’ve seen these horses in person, and they are majestic.

One tradition that moves from city to city is the unfurling of the Championship Banner. The Texas Rangers, who won the World Series this past season, get to lord it over all the visiting teams this year.

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Another tradition that dates to 1900 is the U.S. president throwing out the first pitch. William Taft initiated this tradition at a Washington Senators' game. I attended the Washington Nationals game in 2005 when President George W. Bush threw out the first pitch to welcome baseball back to Washington, D.C.

This wasn’t his most momentous first pitch, however. Bush also threw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 3,2001, just weeks after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. First responders and families of first responders who were killed that day attended.

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Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith led a group trying to make Opening Day a national holiday, collecting signatures through the “We the People” petitioning platform.

“There are 22 million people who have, at some point in time, played hooky from work or school, so it’s already an unofficial holiday,” Smith once said .

Baseball is so much more than 18 players on the field and a big book of rules. It’s a shared experience of millions — and not just in the United States. Although it is America’s pastime, professional leagues operate in Latin American and Asia.

For the ball players, it’s a chance to get paid to do something they love. For the fans, it’s a chance to get together for a few hours of hope and entertainment, punctuated by wins, losses and random super-human feats. 

I was once asked if a time machine could take me anywhere, what would I choose? My answer was easy: 1950s New York to catch a ballgame with my Dad. I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon.

Share your experience: What's your favorite part of baseball season? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Greg Carroll started his career in marketing and advertising, writing ad copy for several small agencies and private companies after college. He spends his time writing policies, training courses and the occasional article for a federal agency newsletter. At some point, he hopes to get back to the novel he and a friend never finished writing a decade and a half ago.

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  30. Find Out How Baseball and American History Intertwine

    Cincinnati, home of the oldest franchise in baseball, holds the annual Findlay Market Parade to celebrate Opening Day. The tradition goes back to the 1800s. This is an old-time parade with players, floats, bands and local businesses marking the end of winter (better than the groundhog in Pennsylvania, in my humble opinion) and the start of baseball.