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Peace of mind while you travel.

For such an important product, travel insurance is often all too easy to overlook. As with most kinds of insurance, you always hope to not need it, but on the off chance that you do fall ill or injure yourself on your travels, you could find yourself facing huge bills if you don't have adequate cover.

Travel insurance is for more than just medical bills though - the right policy will also pay out if your flight is delayed, or if your baggage goes missing, for example.

Arguably the most important thing you'll need travel insurance for is to cover you should you fall ill or injure yourself while abroad. Medical treatment can be very expensive in other countries, as can travel in ambulances should you need to be transported to a hospital from far away. Travel insurance policies will typically cover you for a huge amount of expenditure on medical bills for a relatively low up front cost.

It's not just for medical bills though. Many policies will also cover you for:

Travel Insurance

Often, travel insurance providers will refuse to cover you for treatment related to any pre-existing medical conditions. This includes anything that you've had treatment for in the past.

Just Travel are different. They have a large panel of specialist insurers so that they can get you a tailored policy that gives you exactly the kind of cover you need, regardless of your medical history.

The following quotation is offered in partnership with ME Expert LTD and SEOPA LTD, in order to effectively offer this service information may be passed between both providers, all information in handled in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2016. Both parties act as licenced Data-Controllers as defined by the ICO and act as such. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, please be aware that information entered may also be subject to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service of SEOPA LTD.ME Expert is an appointed representative of Money Expert Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN679652

  • Travel Insurance
  • Best Travel Insurance Companies

11 Best Travel Insurance Companies Of May 2024

Michelle Megna

Expert Reviewed

Updated: May 1, 2024, 7:41am

We evaluated 39 policies and found that Travel Insured International, WorldTrips and Travel Safe are among the best travel insurance companies. We evaluated costs and a variety of coverage features to find the best options. See all our top picks.

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Via Forbes Advisor's Website

  • Best “Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance
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  • Best Cruise Insurance

Summary: Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best for travel medical coverage, best for medical evacuation coverage, best for travel delays, best for baggage delays, what does travel insurance cover, what’s not covered by travel insurance, how much does travel insurance cost, what affects travel insurance costs, how to get travel insurance, do i need travel insurance, top travel destinations in may 2024, list of may 2024 top travel destinations, methodology, other travel insurance policies we rated, best travel insurance companies frequently asked questions (faqs), compare travel insurance quotes, compare & buy travel insurance, how we chose the best travel insurance.

We assessed cost, travel medical and evacuation limits, baggage and trip delay benefits, the availability of cancellation and interruption upgrades, and more. Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the methodology  for the ratings below.

  • 39 travel insurance policies evaluated
  • 1,482 coverage details analyzed
  • 102 years of insurance experience on the editorial team

Our Picks For The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best for non-medical evacuation, travel insured international.

Travel Insured International

Top-scoring plan

Worldwide Trip Protector

Average price

Medical & evacuation limits per person

$100,000/$1 million

We recommend Travel Insured’s Worldwide Trip Protector policy because it offers robust benefits at the lowest average price among top-rated plans we analyzed. We also like its superior non-medical evacuation coverage.

  • “Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” upgrades available.
  • Top-notch non-medical evacuation benefits of $150,000 per person.
  • Good travel delay and baggage delay benefits kick in after just a 3-hour delay.

More: Travel Insured International Travel Insurance Review

  • Medical coverage of $100,000 per person is on the low side compared to top competitors but might be enough for your needs.
  • Missed connection benefits of $500 are low compared to top-rated competitors and for cruise and tours only.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Worldwide Trip Protector policy.

Also included:

  • Pet kennel benefits of up to $500 are included if you return home three hours or more later than your planned return date.

Optional add-ons offered:

  • Rental car damage and theft coverage of up to $50,000.
  • Event ticket protection pays up to $1,000 if you can’t attend for a reason covered by the policy.
  • Travel inconvenience coverage allows you to recoup money for unforeseen circumstances, such as closed beaches and attractions, rainy weather, tarmac delays and more.
  • Bed rest benefits pay up to $4,000 if a doctor requires you to stay on bed rest for at least 48 hours during your trip.

GREAT FOR ADD-ON COVERAGE

WorldTrips

Atlas Journey Premier

Average cost

$150,000/$1 million

We like the Atlas Journey Premier plan for its wide choice of add-ons. These add-ons provide extra coverage for pets traveling with you, adventure sports, destination weddings, hunting and fishing equipment and more. We also like that this plan has a low average cost compared to competitors.

  • Very good travel delay benefits of $2,000 per person after only 5 hours.
  • Very good missed connection coverage of $2,000 per person after 3 hours.

Another option is the Atlas Journey Preferred plan, but this policy doesn’t offer the “interruption for any reason” upgrade and has lower travel medical benefits of $100,000 per person. Still, it hits all the marks for great benefits at a low price. It also offers lots of choices for add-on coverage.

More: WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review

  • Medical coverage limits of $150,000 aren’t as high compared to some top-rated competitors but you might find it’s sufficient.
  • Baggage delay benefits have a 12-hour waiting period.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Atlas Journey Premier policy.

  • Travel inconvenience benefits of $750 if your arrival home is delayed due to a transportation delay and you can’t work for at least two days, your flight lands at a different airport than scheduled, your passport is stolen and can’t be reissued, and more.
  • “Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” coverage.
  • Destination wedding coverage in case the wedding is canceled.
  • Baggage insurance upgrade to $4,000 per person.
  • Rental car theft and damage coverage of $50,000.
  • Political or security evacuation benefits of $150,000 per person.
  • Vacation rental accommodations coverage of $500 if unclean or overbooked.
  • Adventure sports add-on to extend coverage to safaris, bungee jumping and more.
  • Hunting and fishing coverage for equipment and cancellation due to government restrictions.
  • School activities coverage if trip has to be canceled due a test, sporting event, etc.

BEST FOR MISSED CONNECTIONS

TravelSafe

Classic Plus Plan

TravelSafe’s Classic Plus plan stood out in our analysis for its superior missed connection benefits of $2,500. We also like the Classic Plus plan’s top-notch medical evacuation coverage of $1 million.

  • “Cancel for any reason” upgrade available.
  • Superior baggage loss coverage limits of $2,500.
  • Great travel delay limits of $2,000 per person after a 6-hour delay.

More: TravelSafe Travel Insurance Review

  • $100,000 in medical benefits is on the low side compared to top competitors but might be sufficient for your needs.
  • Baggage delay coverage is a little skimpy at $250 per person after a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Classic Plus policy.

  • Itinerary change coverage of $250 per person if your travel supplier makes a change that forces you to lose non-refundable costs for missed activities.
  • Reimburses $300 for fees if you have to redeposit frequent traveler awards for reasons covered by your trip cancellation insurance.
  • Pet kennel coverage of $100 a day if your return home is delayed by 24 hours or more due to a reason covered in your policy.
  • “Cancel for any reason” coverage of 75% of lost trip costs.
  • Accidental death and dismemberment for flights, up to $500,000 per person.
  • Rental car damage and theft up to $35,000.
  • Business equipment and sports equipment coverage of $1,000 if lost, stolen or damaged.

BEST FOR POLICY PERKS

Nationwide

Cruise Luxury

Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury plan is one of our favorites because it has a treasure trove of benefits such as “interruption for any reason” and “cancel for work reasons” coverage. You can upgrade to “cancel for any reason” coverage. Some competitors offer none or one of those options. We also like its excellent missed connection benefit of $2,500 per person.

Note that you do not have to be going on a cruise to take advantage of this policy’s coverage.

  • “Interruption for any reason” benefit of $1,000 per person is included.
  • Includes $25,000 per person in non-medical evacuation benefits for problems such as a natural disaster or security or political problem.
  • Good travel delay benefits of $1,000 per person.

More: Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

  • Medical coverage of $150,000 per person is lower than most other top-rated plans but might be sufficient for your needs.
  • 24-hour delay required for hurricane and weather coverage, compared to some competitor policies with only a 12-hour delay requirement.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Cruise Luxury policy.

  • Inconvenience benefit of $250 per person if your cruise ship’s arrival at the next port of call is delayed for two or more hours due to mechanical breakdown or fire.
  • “Interruption for any reason” up to $1,000.
  • Coverage for extension of the school year, terrorism in an itinerary city, work-related emergency issues.
  • Coverage if the CDC issues a health warning at your destination.

Optional add-on offered:

  • “Cancel for any reason” upgrade that provides 75% reimbursement of insured trip cost if you cancel two or more days prior to your departure for a reason not listed in the base policy.

BEST FOR CUSTOMIZATION

AIG

Travel Guard Deluxe

The Travel Guard Deluxe plan impressed us with its optional pet, wedding, security, baggage, medical, adventures sports and travel inconvenience upgrades. These add-ons allow you to customize the policy to your needs. We also like that the policy includes benefits if, under certain conditions, you must start your trip earlier than planned—a feature not found in all policies.

  • Offers upgrades to meet the needs and budgets of many kinds of travelers.
  • Includes $100,000 per person for security evacuation and superior medical evacuation coverage of $1 million per person.
  • Provides up to $750 per person for “travel inconveniences” such as a flight delay to your return destination, runway delays and cruise diversions.
  • Has good travel delay coverage of $1,000 per person, with a short waiting period of 5 hours.

More: AIG Travel Insurance Review

  • The Travel Guard Deluxe policy has robust coverage across the board but also a high average cost ($539) compared to other top-rated policies.
  • Medical expense coverage of $100,000 per person is on the low side but might be adequate for your needs.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Travel Guard Deluxe policy.

  • Travel inconvenience benefits of $750 total ($250 per problem) if you encounter issues such as closed attractions, cruise diversion, hotel infestation, hotel construction and more.
  • Trip exchange benefits of 50% of your trip cost that pay the difference in price between your original reservation and the new one.
  • Ancillary evacuation benefits up to $5,000 for expenses related to return of children, bedside visits, baggage return and more.
  • Flight accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $100,000 per person.
  • “Cancel for any reason” upgrade.
  • Rental vehicle damage coverage.
  • “Name Your Family” upgrade allows you to add a person to your policy who will qualify for family member-related unforeseen events that can apply to claims for trip cancellation and interruption.
  • Adventure Sports Bundle for adventure and extreme activities.
  • Pet Bundle for boarding and medical expenses for illness or injury of dog or cat while traveling. Includes trip cancellation or trip interruption if your pet is in critical condition or dies within seven days before your departure.
  • Wedding Bundle to cover trip cancellation due to wedding cancellation. Sorry cold-feeters: Coverage does not apply if you are the bride or groom.

The Travel Guard Preferred plan also earned 4.3 stars in our analysis. We recommend this policy if you’re looking for a lower price and don’t need the higher coverage amounts provided by the Deluxe plan. The Preferred plan provides $50,000 for medical expenses and $500,000 for medical evacuation benefits per person.

GREAT FOR MEDICAL & EVACUATION COVERAGE

Seven corners.

Seven Corners

Trip Protection Choice

$500,000/$1 million

We like Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Choice plan because it has superior travel medical expenses and evacuation benefits. It also provides great upgrade options and benefits across the board.

  • “Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” upgrade available.
  • Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person.
  • Includes $20,000 for non-medical evacuation

More: Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review

  • Hurricane and weather coverage has a 48-hour delay, compared to some competitors that require only 12-hour delays.
  • Average cost ($527) is only so-so compared to other top-rated policies we evaluated.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Trip Protection Choice policy.

  • Accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $40,000 per person for qualifying common carrier events
  • Change fee compensation of $300 per person if you have to change your flight or original travel arrangements due to qualifying events.
  • Pet kennel benefits of $500 if your return home is delayed by six hours or more due to qualifying missed connection, interruption or delay problems.
  • Frequent traveler coverage of $500 to pay for the cost to redeposit awards due to a trip cancellation caused by a reason listed in your policy.
  • “Cancel for any reason” coverage.
  • “Interruption for any reason” coverage.
  • Rental car damage coverage of $35,000.
  • Sports & golf equipment rental coverage up to $5,000.
  • Event ticket fee registration coverage of $15,000 if you can’t attend an event due to unforeseen reasons listed in trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

BEST FOR BAGGAGE

Axa assistance usa.

AXA Assistance USA

Platinum Plan

$250,000/$1 million

AXA’s Platinum plan is among our favorites because it hits all the high points for coverage that you’ll want if you’re looking for top-notch protection, including excellent baggage benefits of $3,000 per person. Excellent medical and non-medical evacuation benefits are another reason we like the Platinum plan.

  • Generous medical and evacuation limits, plus $100,000 per person in non-medical evacuation—among the highest for plans we analyzed.
  • Coverage for lost ski days, lost golf rounds and sports equipment rental.

More: AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Review

  • Travel delay and baggage coverage kicks in only after a 12-hour delay.
  • The average cost for the Platinum plan is only so-so compared to other top-rated plans, although you do get robust coverage for the money.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Platinum policy.

  • “Cancel for any reason” coverage
  • Rental car damage coverage of $50,000.
  • Lost ski days
  • Lost golf rounds

GREAT FOR PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION COVERAGE

Generali global assistance.

Generali Global Assistance

Generali’s Premium policy stood out in our analysis for its generous window for pre-existing condition coverage. Travelers with pre-existing conditions can get coverage as long as you buy a Premium policy up to or within 24 hours of your final trip deposit. Competitors often have a deadline of 10 to 20 days after making your first trip deposit .

We also like the policy’s excellent trip interruption insurance and superior medical evacuation benefits of $1 million per person.

  • Excellent trip interruption coverage of up to 175% of your trip costs.
  • Very good baggage loss coverage at $2,000 per person.

More: Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance Review

  • If you want “cancel for any reason” coverage you must buy it within 24 hours of making your initial trip deposit, compared to 10 to 20 days from top competitors.
  • This plan’s “cancel for any reason” coverage will reimburse you for only 60% of lost trip costs; most competitors provide 75%.
  • Baggage delay benefits kick in only after a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Premium policy.

  • Rental car coverage for theft and damage of $25,000.
  • Sporting equipment coverage of $2,000.
  • Sporting equipment delay coverage of $500.
  • “Cancel for any reason” upgrade that reimburses you 60% of your insured trip cost if you cancel at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure.

BEST FOR FAMILIES

Travelex insurance services.

Travelex Insurance Services

Travel Select

$50,000/$500,000

We recommend Travelex’s Travel Select plan for families because it provides coverage for children at no extra cost (when accompanied by an adult covered by the policy). Its average price is also among the lowest among the companies we evaluated, making it an option to take a look at

  • Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person after a 5-hour delay.

More: Travelex Travel Insurance Review

  • Medical coverage of $50,000 per person is on the low side, but you can buy an upgrade to double it.
  • Baggage delay coverage requires a 12-hour delay and has a low $200 per person limit.
  • Missed connection benefits of $750 per person are lower than many other competitors.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Travel Select policy.

  • Sporting and golf equipment delay benefits of $200 after 24 hours or more.

Optional add-ons & upgrades offered:

  • Medical coverage upgrade to $100,000 per person.
  • Medical evacuation upgrade to $1 million per person.
  • “Cancel for any reason” coverage of 75% (up to max of $7,500).
  • Accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $200,000 per person for flights.
  • Financial default coverage if your travel supplier goes out of business that provides 100% reimbursement of your insured trip cost.
  • Car rental collision coverage of $35,000.
  • Adventure sports upgrade to cover activities that would otherwise be excluded.

BEST FOR TRIP INTERRUPTION

Hth worldwide.

HTH Worldwide

TripProtector Preferred Plan

We were impressed by TripProtector Preferred’s superior trip interruption benefits—200% of the trip cost. Most competitors provide 150%. Luxury-level benefits are another reason we recommend the TripProtector Preferred plan.

  • Top-notch coverage limits for medical expenses and evacuation.
  • Coverage for adventure sports—such as zip-lining, snowmobiling, whitewater rafting, and more—are included.
  • Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person after a 6-hour delay.

More: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Review

  • Higher average price ($602) compared to most companies we evaluated, but you’re buying robust benefits.
  • Baggage delay coverage requires a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the TripProtector Preferred policy.

  • Pet medical expense coverage of $250 if your dog or cat traveling with you gets injured or sick during your trip.
  • Rental car coverage of $35,000 for damage and theft.
  • “Cancel for any reason” upgrade available that provides 75% reimbursement of trip costs if you cancel at least two days prior to your scheduled departure.

GREAT FOR CRUISE ITINERARY CHANGE/INCONVENIENCE

Cruise Choice

$100,000/$500,000

The Cruise Choice plan gets our attention for its compensation if you miss activities because your cruise ship changes its itinerary and for the inconvenience of delays to the next port of call. The Cruise Choice plan’s competitive price is another reason we recommend taking a look.

  • Includes ”interruption for any reason” coverage of $500 if you buy policy within 14 days of trip deposit.
  • Includes $25,000 per person in non-medical evacuation benefits.
  • Provides benefits if your cruise ship has a fire or mechanical breakdown that delays arrival at the next port of call for two or more hours.
  • Medical coverage of $100,000 per person is lower than most other top-rated plans but might be sufficient for your needs.
  • 24-hour delay required for hurricane and weather coverage, compared to many competitors with shorter required times.
  • “Cancel for any reason” coverage not available.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Cruise Choice policy.

  • Shipboard service disruption of $200 per person if your cruise ship has a fire or mechanical breakdown that delays the next port of call for 2 or more hours or changes the scheduled itinerary.
  • Coverage for an extended school year, terrorism in an itinerary city and work-related emergency issues.

These policies offer the highest level of medical coverage among the plans that we judged to be the best.

These policies offer the highest level of emergency medical coverage among the plans in our top picks.

These policies offer the highest maximum coverage limits for travel delays among the plans that we judged to be the best.

Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury policy offers the highest maximum coverage for delayed baggage among the plans that were our top picks.

Comprehensive travel insurance policies package together a number of valuable benefits. You can also buy policies that cover only trip cancellation or only medical expenses. With the wide variety of travel insurance plans available, you can find coverage levels that will fit your budget and trip needs.

Problems not covered by travel insurance tend to be similar among policies. We recommend that you read a policy’s exclusions so you’re not caught by surprise later if you try to make a claim. Typical exclusions include:

  • Injuries from high-risk activities such as scuba diving.
  • Problems that happen because you were drunk or using drugs.
  • Medical tourism such as going abroad for a face lift or other elective procedure.
  • Lost or stolen cash.

The average cost of travel insurance is 6% of your trip cost , based on our analysis. The cost of travel insurance is usually mainly based on the age of travelers and the trip cost being insured.

Unlike many other types of insurance, there are usually only a few factors that go into travel insurance pricing.

You can buy travel insurance from a travel agent, website or a travel supplier like an airline or cruise company. We’ve bought travel insurance online and it’s relatively easy. In our experience you can purchase a policy online within a few minutes.

  • Begin shopping for a policy right after you make your first trip deposit. It’s wise to buy travel insurance right after you make your first trip deposit. That way you get the maximum length of time for cancellation coverage. Plus, you’ll qualify for time-sensitive benefits, such as CFAR and pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers .
  • Start by estimating your non-refundable trip cost. If you’re unsure of your trip cost, estimate the amount and then update it later with the travel insurance company, as long as it’s before your departure date.
  • Get quotes online or through a travel insurance agent. To get a quote, you typically need the travelers’ ages (or dates of birth), destination, travel dates, and the trip cost being insured.
  • Assess policy options and prices. You’ll usually be presented with a selection of policies at different price points, with the more expensive ones usually providing higher coverage levels. Look at the coverage limits for each line item so you know what you’re buying. Once you select a policy, you can buy it online.
  • Review the policy. You usually have two weeks or so to further review the policy. If you change your mind, you can get a refund, as long as it’s during the specified review period.

Here are some reasons you may need travel insurance.

You’re Traveling Overseas and Your Health Plan Doesn’t Have Global Coverage

Many health plans lack robust global coverage, or impose high out-of-network deductibles for care outside the U.S. We suggest that you check your health plan details to see what it provides outside the U.S. Travel medical insurance fills the gap.

You’re Going to a Remote Area or Out to Sea

If you won’t be near any quality medical facilities, even a small injury could turn into a major medical event. Medical evacuation coverage will pay to medevac you to an adequate facility.

You’re Traveling to a Hurricane-Prone Destination

If you’re concerned about hurricanes or other severe weather affecting your travel plans, you’ll want to make sure to buy a travel insurance policy that has trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance for hurricanes and other weather events.

If your trip is interrupted or canceled due to severe weather, you can file a claim and be reimbursed 100% for prepaid, non-refundable deposits.

To be eligible to file a travel insurance claim because of a storm, you must have bought your policy before the storm was named. Also, generally one of the following requirements must be met:

  • Your destination is under a hurricane warning.
  • Your destination is uninhabitable due to severe weather.
  • Your (common carrier) airline is delayed for a specified amount of time listed in your policy—for example, six hours.

You Want Emergency Backup

The 24/7 travel assistance lines that are included with travel insurance can assist you with finding a pharmacy, language translation, replacing a lost passport and much more.

You Will Lose a Lot of Money in Non-Refundable Deposits if You Cancel the Trip

You want trip cancellation coverage you’re worried about the money you will lose if you have to cancel the trip.

Trip cancellation will cover 100% of the prepaid money you’ll lose, as long as you cancel for a reason listed in the policy. Problems typically covered for trip cancellation insurance claims include sickness, injury, severe weather, natural disasters, jury duty and more.

Ask an expert

How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance Policy

Shayla Northcutt

Forbes Advisor board member

Michelle Megna

Insurance Lead Editor

Insurance Managing Editor

Les Masterson

Insurance Editor

Ashlee Valentine

Assess Your Needs, Read Reviews

Choosing the right travel insurance policy is like packing an essential item for your trip—you never know when you might need it. I recommend considering not only your travel plans, but also who you are traveling with and their circumstances as well as personal health requirements. That way you can find a policy that offers peace of mind, covering everything from lost luggage to unexpected medical emergencies. It’s also crucial to look into each insurer’s customer service reputation and the ease of their claims process, because if something does happen, you’ll want support that’s both reliable and accessible.

Purchase a Policy When You Book Your Trip

I strongly recommend buying travel insurance as soon as you book your trip. That way you get the maximum length of coverage for trip cancellation benefits. I don’t think many people realize that buying a policy shortly after you make your first deposit also makes you eligible to buy upgrades, such as “cancel for any reason” coverage, and to get other time-sensitive benefits, such as a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver.

Buy Travel Medical Insurance for International Trips

If you’re traveling outside of the U.S., I would make sure you buy a policy with ample travel medical and emergency medical evacuation insurance. It’s important because you may have little to no coverage under your U.S. health plan. Look for a policy where the medical insurance is primary, meaning the policy will pay out first, before any other health insurance you have.

Review Travel Delay and Missed Connection Benefits

If you’re flying to your destination, your itinerary could be derailed by weather, airplane mechanical issues or missed connections. If you’re  worried about paying extra money due to a delay or missed connections, I recommend that you look for a policy that has a generous amount of travel delay and missed connection insurance.

Determine If You Need Adventure Activities Coverage

If you plan to participate in extreme sports or adventure excursions, I suggest buying a plan that specifically covers these activities, as they’re often excluded. A travel insurance agent can help you pinpoint a policy that will cover your particular adventures.

Decide How Much Flexibility You Want

I like the idea of “cancel for any reason” travel insurance because you never know what life will bring, and unfortunately it might bring a reason to cancel a trip that’s not covered by the base policy. Having CFAR coverage ensures you can get partial reimbursement for any oddball problems that crop up.

Americans are ready to take trips abroad in May: 86% of travel insurance purchases for trips taking place May 1-31, 2024, are for international trips, based on our analysis of policy sales.

Italy is the top international destination for trips this month, followed by Great Britain and France. In addition:

  • The average trip cost being insured for people traveling outside the U.S. in May is $6,339.
  • The average trip cost being insured for folks traveling within the U.S. this month is $7,111.
  • Americans traveling internationally are paying an average of $405 for their travel insurance policies for May trips and domestic travelers are paying an average of $228.

Average Trip Cost for Popular Destinations

Here’s how average trip costs for five popular destinations are trending over the next three months. Numbers reflect the average of non-refundable trip costs being insured.

  • Italy. After a near-record high in April, spending on trips is dipping in May and June, but a significant spike is trending for July trips.
  • France. Average trip costs are climbing in May and June, then dropping back down in July.
  • Great Britain. Spending on trips is increasing in May and June, with a major uptick in July.
  • Japan. Average costs for trips in May are on the rise, but falling in June and July.
  • Mexico. Travelers are spending more on trips in May compared to April, but less in June and July.

Forbes Advisor researched and analyzed 39 policies to find the best travel insurance. When companies had more than one travel insurance policy we used the highest-scoring plan. Ratings are based on the following metrics.

Cost (25% of score): We analyzed the average cost for each travel insurance policy for trips to popular destinations:

  • Couple, age 30 for a Mexico trip costing $3,000.
  • Couple, age 40, for an Italy trip costing $6,000.
  • Family of four for an Italy trip costing $15,000.
  • Family of four for a France trip costing $15,000.
  • Family of four for a U.K. trip costing $15,000.
  • Couple, age 65, for an Italy trip costing $6,000.
  • Couple, age 70, for a Mexico trip costing $3,000.

Missed connection coverage (10% of score): Travel insurance policies were awarded more points if they include missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more.

Medical expenses (10% of score): Travel insurance policies with travel medical expense benefits of $250,000 and up per person were given the highest points.

Medical evacuation (10% of score): Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 and up per person were given the highest points.

“Cancel for any reason” upgrade (10%): Travel insurance policies received points if “cancel for any reason” upgrades are offered. More points were awarded for “cancel for any reason” upgrades with reimbursement levels of 75%.

Baggage delay required waiting time (5%): Policies with baggage delay benefits kicking in at 12 hours or less were given points.

Cancel for work reasons (5%): Travel insurance plans that allow cancellations for work reasons were awarded points.

Hurricane and weather (5%): Policies received points if the required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage was 12 hours or less.

“Interruption for any reason” upgrade (5%): Policies were awarded points if they offered an “interruption for any reason” upgrade.

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver (5%): Points were given to policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions (if purchased within a required timeframe after the first trip deposit).

Travel delay required waiting time (5%): Policies with travel delay benefits kicking in after six hours or less were given points.

Trip interruption travel insurance (5%): Points were given if trip interruption reimbursement is 150% or higher.

While these policies were not among our winners, they may still be good options based on your travel needs. Many of these plans have lower coverage limits, which may be suitable depending on your trip.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of policy that reimburses you for money you lose from non-refundable deposits and payments when something goes wrong on your trip. These problems can range from lost baggage to flight delays to medical problems.

The more you’re spending on your trip, the more you likely need travel insurance. This is especially true for international trips and cruises, where travel problems become more expensive to solve.

What do I need for travel insurance?

The information you need to buy travel insurance includes the trip cost being insured, your age, your destination, length of trip and age. Buying travel insurance online is relatively easy. You don’t have to answer a lot of questions, and you can update your trip cost and itinerary later if plans change, as long as you do so before your departure.

Is there travel insurance for multiple trips?

While standard travel insurance plans are meant to cover one-time trips, frequent travelers should consider an annual travel insurance plan. These plans cover the same issues as a single-trip plan, such as trip cancellation and emergency medical situations. But they also offer the convenience of a one-time purchase for multiple trips.

What type of travel insurance do I need for my parents visiting me in the U.S.?

Travel insurance for parents visiting the U.S. is generally a travel medical insurance policy that helps pay medical costs if they get sick or injured during their visit. There are two main types of visitors medical insurance:

  • Limited policies that have fixed benefits: These generally set a cap for what they’ll pay for each medical treatment that’s covered. You may need to pay a deductible for each medical illness or injury and then the policy will pay 100% after that, up to the cap. For example, coverage for an X-ray might be capped at $250.
  • Comprehensive visitors insurance policies: These typically cost more but have more robust coverage and don’t put a cap on specific medical problems.

Next Up In Travel Insurance

  • Best “Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance Of May 2024
  • Best Cruise Insurance Plans Of May 2024
  • Best Covid-19 Travel Insurance Plans Of 2024
  • Best Senior Travel Insurance Of 2024
  • The 5 Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies Of May 2024
  • Travel Insurance for Parents Visiting the U.S.

Get Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best insurance companies and helpful information on how to find the best travel, auto, home, health, life, pet, and small business coverage for your needs.

Michelle Megna

Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.

Shayla Northcutt

Shayla Northcutt is the CEO and founder of Northcutt Travel Agency and a leading world travel expert. Her main expertise includes destination weddings, honeymoons, large group travel, family travel, world travel and travel insurance. Northcutt appears regularly on KHOU 11 and ABC 13 Eyewitness News, among other media outlets, providing guidance on travel insurance for consumers. Her first-hand knowledge of destinations and resorts makes her a leading travel professional. Northcutt is married to an amazing husband and is a mom to two boys, Cayman and Crockett. She found a passion in travel and exploration of all the things the world had to offer. Feeling such a strong connection to the travel industry, she decided to open Northcutt Travel Agency in 2017. Northcutt has visited different parts of Europe numerous times, and has visited over 350 resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean leading to detailed first-hand knowledge of the resorts. She has also sailed on multiple cruise lines, giving her experience with the cruise world as well. The other places Northcutt has visited, and now helps people plan, include Disney, Hawaii, Fiji, Australia, Thailand and all major cruise lines.

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11 Best Travel Insurance Companies in May 2024

Sean Cudahy

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 .

If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that travelers need to be prepared for the unexpected — from a pandemic to flight troubles to the crowded airport terminals so many of us have encountered.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care or a policy that includes extreme sports, these are the best travel insurance providers to get you covered.

How we found the best travel insurance

We looked at quotes from various companies for a 10-day trip to Mexico in September 2024. The traveler was a 55-year-old woman from Florida who spent $3,000 total on the trip, including airfare.

On average, the price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $126.53. The costs displayed below do not include optional add-ons, such as Cancel For Any Reason coverage or pre-existing medical condition coverage.

Read our full analysis about the average cost of travel insurance so you can budget better for your next trip.

However, depending on the plan, you may be able to customize at an added cost.

As we continue to evaluate more travel insurance companies and receive fresh market data, this collection of best travel insurance companies is likely to change. See our full methodology for more details.

Best insurance companies

Types of travel insurance

What does travel insurance cover, what’s not covered, how much does it cost, do i need travel insurance, how to choose the best travel insurance policy, what are the top travel destinations in 2024, more resources for travel insurance shoppers, top credit cards with travel insurance, methodology, best travel insurance overall: berkshire hathaway travel protection.

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Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

  • ExactCare Value (basic) plan is among the least expensive we surveyed.
  • Speciality plans available for road trips, luxury travel, adventure activities, flights and cruises.
  • Company may reimburse claimants faster than average, including possible same-day compensation.
  • Multiple "Trip Delay" coverage types might make claims confusing.
  • Cheapest plan only includes fixed amounts for its coverage.

Under the direction of chair and CEO Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has been around since 2014. Its plans provide numerous opportunities for travelers to customize coverage to their needs.

At $135 for our sample trip, the ExactCare Value (basic) plan from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers protection roughly $10 above the average price.

Want something cheaper? Air travelers looking for inexpensive, less comprehensive protections might opt for a basic AirCare plan that includes fixed amounts for its coverage .

Read our full review of Berkshire Hathaway .

What else makes Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection great:

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers available at no extra cost.

Plans available for travelers going on a cruise, participating in extreme sports or taking a luxury trip.

ExactCare Value (basic) plan was among the least expensive we surveyed.

Best for emergency medical coverage: Allianz Global Assistance

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Annual or single-trip policies are available.

  • Multiple types of insurance available.
  • All plans include access to a 24/7 assistance hotline.
  • More expensive than average.
  • CFAR upgrades are not available.
  • Rental car protection is only available by adding the One Trip Rental Car protector to your plan or by purchasing a standalone rental car plan.

Allianz Global Assistance is a reputable travel insurance company offering plans for over 25 years. Customers can choose from a variety of single and annual policies to fit their needs. On top of comprehensive coverage, some travelers might opt for the more affordable OneTrip Cancellation Plus, which is geared toward domestic travelers looking for trip protections but don’t need post-departure benefits like emergency medical or baggage lost.

For our test trip, Allianz Global Assistance’s basic coverage cost $149, about $22 above average.

What else makes Allianz Global Assistance great:

Annual and single-trip plans.

Plans are available for international and domestic trips.

Stand-alone and add-on rental car damage product available.

Read our full review of Allianz Global Assistance .

Best for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions: Travel Guard by AIG

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Travel Guard by AIG

  • Offers last-minute coverage.
  • Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Exclusion Waiver available at all plan levels.
  • Plan available for business travelers.
  • Cancel For Any reason coverage only available for higher-level plans, and only reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost.
  • Trip interruption coverage doesn't apply to trips paid for with points and miles.

Travel Guard by AIG offers a variety of plans and coverages to fit travelers’ needs. On top of more standard trip protections like trip cancellation, interruption, baggage and medical coverage, the Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available on certain Travel Guard plans, which allows you to cancel a trip for any reason and get 50% of your nonrefundable deposit back as long as the trip is canceled at least two days before the scheduled departure date.

At $107 for our sample trip, the Essential plan was below average, saving roughly $20.

What else makes Travel Guard by AIG great:

Three comprehensive plans and a Pack N' Go plan for last-minute travelers who don't need cancellation benefits.

Flight protection, car rental, and medical evacuation coverage, as well as annual plans available.

Pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver available on all plan levels, as long as it's purchased within 15 days.

Read our full review of Travel Guard by AIG .

Best for those who pack expensive equipment: Travel Insured International

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Travel Insured International

  • Higher-level plan include optional add-ons for event tickets and for electronic equipment
  • Rental car protection add-on for just $8 per day, even on lower-level plan.
  • Many of the customizations are only available on the higher-tier plan.
  • Coverage cost comes in above average in our latest analysis.

Travel Insured International offers several customization options. For instance, those going to see a show may want to add on event ticket registration fee protection. Traveling with expensive gear?Consider adding on coverage for electronic equipment for up to $2,000 in coverage.

Be sure to check which policies are available in your state. You will need to input your destination, residence, trip dates and the number of travelers to get a quote and see coverages.

What else makes Travel Insured International great:

Comprehensive plans include medical expense reimbursement accidents, sickness, evacuation and pre-existing conditions, depending on the plan.

Flight plans include coverage for missed and canceled flights and lost or stolen baggage.

Read our full review of Travel Insured International .

Best for adventurous travelers: World Nomads

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World Nomads

  • Travelers can extend coverage mid-trip.
  • The standard plan covers up to $300,000 in emergency evacuation costs.
  • Plans automatically cover 200+ adventurous activities.
  • No Cancel For Any Reason upgrades are available.
  • No pre-existing medical condition waivers are available.

Many travel insurance plans contain exclusions for adventure sports activities. If you plan to ski, bungee jump, windsurf or parasail, this might be a plan to consider.

Note that the Standard plan ($72 for our sample trip), while the most affordable, provides less coverage than other plans. But it can be a good choice for travelers who are satisfied with trip cancellation and interruption coverage of $2,500 or less, do not need rental car damage protection, find the limits to be sufficient and do not need coverage for certain more adventurous activities.

What else makes World Nomads great:

Comprehensive international travel insurance plans.

Coverage available for adventure activities, such as trekking, mountain biking and scuba diving.

Read our full review of World Nomads .

Best for medical coverage: Travelex Insurance Services

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Travelex Insurance Services

  • Top-tier plan doesn’t break the bank and provides more customization opportunities.
  • Offers a plan specifically for domestic travel.
  • Sells a post-departure medical coverage plan.
  • Fewer customization opportunities on the Basic plan.
  • Though perhaps a plus for domestic travelers, keep in mind the Travel America plan only covers domestic trips.

For starters, basic coverage from Travelex Insurance Services came in at $125, almost exactly average for our sample trip.

Travelex’s plans focus heavily on providing protections that are personalized to your travel style and trip type.

While the company does offer comprehensive plans that include medical benefits, you can also choose between cheaper plans that don’t provide cancellation coverage but do offer protections during your travels.

Read our full review of Travelex Insurance Services .

What else makes Travelex Insurance Services great:

Three comprehensive plans available, two of which cover international trips.

Offers a post-departure plan geared exclusively toward disruptions after you leave home.

Two flight insurance plans available.

Best if you have travel credit card coverage: Seven Corners

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Seven Corners

  • Annual, medical-only and backpacker plans are available.
  • Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available for the cheapest plan.
  • Cheapest plan also features a much less costly Interruption for Any Reason add-on.
  • Offers only one annual policy option.

Each Seven Corners plan offers several optional add-ons. Among the more unique is a Trip Interruption for Any Reason, which allows you to interrupt a trip 48 hours after the scheduled departure date (for any reason) and receive a refund of up to 75% of your unused nonrefundable deposits.

The basic coverage plan for our trip to Mexico costs $124 — right around the average.

What else makes Seven Corners great:

Comprehensive plans for U.S. residents and foreigners, including travelers visiting the U.S.

Cheap add-ons for rental car damage, sporting equipment rental or trip interruption for any reason.

Read our full review of Seven Corners .

Best for long-term travelers: IMG

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  • Coverage available for adventure travelers.
  • Special medical insurance for ship captains and crew members, international students and missionaries.
  • Claim approval can be lengthy.

While some travel insurance companies offer just a handful of plans, with IMG, you’ll really have your pick. Though this requires a bit more research, it allows you to search for coverage that fits your travel needs.

However, travelers will want to be aware that IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Lite is expensive. Coming in at $149.85, it’s the costliest plan on our list.

Read our full review of IMG .

What else makes IMG great:

More affordable than average.

Many plans to choose from to fit your needs.

Best for travelers with unpredictable work demands: Tin Leg

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  • In addition Cancel For Any Reason, some plans offer cancel for work reason coverage.
  • Adventure sports-specific coverage is available.
  • Plans have overlap that can be hard to distinguish.
  • Only one plan includes Rental Car Damage coverage available as an add-on.

Tin Leg’s Basic plan came in at $134 for our sample trip, adding about $8 onto the average basic policy cost. Note that you’ll pay a lot more if you shop for the most comprehensive coverage, and there are eight plans to choose from for trips abroad.

The multitude of plans can help you find coverage that fits your needs, but with so many to choose from, deciding can be daunting.

The only real way to figure out your ideal plan is to compare them all, look at the plan details and decide which features and coverage suit you and your travel style best.

Read our full Tin Leg review .

Best for booking travel with points and miles: TravelSafe

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  • Covers up to $300 redepositing points and miles on eligible canceled award flights.
  • Optional add-on protection for business equipment or sports rentals.
  • Multi-trip or year-long plans aren’t available.

Selecting your travel insurance plan with TravelSafe is a fairly straightforward process. The company’s website also makes it easy to visualize how optional add-on elements influence the total cost, displaying the final price as soon as you click the coverage.

However, at $136, the Basic plan was among the more expensive for our trip to Mexico.

What else makes TravelSafe great:

Rental car damage coverage add-on is available on both plans.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage available on the TravelSafe Classic plan.

Read our full TravelSafe review .

Best for group travel insurance: HTH Insurance

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HTH Travel Insurance

  • Covers travelers up to 95 years old.
  • Includes direct pay option so members can avoid having to pay up front for services.
  • A 24-hour delay is required for baggage delay coverage on the TripProtector Economy plan.
  • No waivers for pre-existing conditions on the lower-level plan.

HTH offers single-trip and multitrip medical insurance coverage as well as trip protection plans.

At around $125, the Trip Protector Economy policy is at the average mark for plans we reviewed.

You can choose to insure group trips for educators, crew, religious missionaries and corporate travelers.

What else makes HTH Insurance great:

Medical-only coverage and trip protection coverage.

Lots of options for group travelers.

Read our full review of HTH Insurance .

As you shop for travel insurance, you’ll find many of the same coverage categories across numerous plans.

Trip cancellation

This covers the prepaid costs you make for your trip in cases when you need to cancel for a covered reason. This coverage helps you recoup upfront costs paid for flights and nonrefundable hotel reservations.

Trip interruption

Trip interruption benefits generally involve disruptions after you depart. It helps reimburse costs incurred for flight delays, cancellations and plenty of other covered disruptions you might encounter during your travels.

This coverage can cover the costs for you to return home or reimburse unexpected expenses like an extra hotel stay, meals and ground transportation.

Trip delay coverage helps cover unexpected costs when your trip is delayed. This is another coverage that helps offset the costs of flight trouble or other travel disruptions.

Note that many policies have a total amount a traveler can claim, with caps on per diem benefits, too.

Cancel For Any Reason

Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to recoup some of the upfront costs you paid for a trip even if you’re canceling for a reason not otherwise covered by your standard travel insurance policy.

Typically, adding this protection to your plan costs extra.

Baggage delay

This coverage helps cover the costs of essential items you might need when your luggage is delayed. Think toiletries, clothing and other immediate items you might need if your luggage didn’t make it on your flight.

Many travel insurance plans with baggage delay protection will specify how long (six, 12, 24 hours, etc.) your luggage must be delayed before you can make a claim.

Lost baggage

Used for travelers whose luggage is lost or stolen, this helps recoup the lost value of the items in your bag.

You’ll want to make sure you closely follow the correct procedures for your plan. Many plans include a maximum total amount you can claim under this coverage and a per-item cap.

Travel medical insurance

This covers out-of-pocket medical costs when travelers run into an emergency.

Because many travelers’ health insurance plans don’t cover medical care overseas, travel medical insurance can help offset out-of-pocket health care costs.

In addition to emergency medical coverage, many plans have medical evacuation or repatriation coverage for costs incurred when you must be taken to a hospital or return to your home country because of a medical situation.

Most travel insurance plans cover many trip protections that can help you be prepared for unexpected travel disruptions and expenses.

These coverages are generally aimed at protecting the money you put into your trip, expenses you incur because of travel trouble and costs incurred if you have a medical emergency overseas.

On top of core coverages like trip cancellation and interruption and travel medical coverage, some plans offer add-on options like waivers for pre-existing conditions, rental car collision damage waivers or adventure sports riders. These usually cost extra or must be added within a specified timeframe.

Typical travel insurance policies offer coverage for many unforeseen events, but as you research to select a plan, consider your needs. Though every plan differs, there are some commonly excluded coverages.

For instance, you typically can’t get coverage for a named storm if you bought the coverage after the storm was named. In other words, if you have a trip to the Caribbean booked for Sept. 25 and on Sept. 20 a hurricane develops and is named, you generally won’t be able to buy a travel insurance plan Sept. 21 in hopes of getting your money back.

Many plans also don’t cover activities performed under the influence of drugs or alcohol or any extreme sports. If the latter applies to you, you might want to consider a plan with specific coverages for adventure-seekers.

For numerous plans, a few other situations don’t qualify as an acceptable reason to cancel and make a claim, such as fear of travel, medical tourism or pregnancies (unless you booked a trip and bought insurance before you became pregnant or there are complications with the pregnancy). This is where a Cancel For Any Reason add-on to your coverage can be helpful.

You can also run into trouble if you give up on a trip too soon: a minor (or even multihour) flight delay likely isn’t sufficient to cancel your entire trip and get reimbursed through your plan. Be sure to review what requirements your specific plan has when it comes to canceling a trip, claiming trip interruption, etc.

Travel insurance costs vary widely. The final price of your plan will fluctuate based on your age, length of trip and destination.

It will also depend on how much coverage you need, whether you add on specialized policies (like Cancel For Any Reason or pre-existing conditions coverage), whether you plan to participate in extreme sports and other factors.

In our examples above, for instance, the 35-year-old traveler taking a $2,000 trip to Italy would have spent an average $76 for a basic plan to get coverage for things like trip cancellation and interruption, baggage protection, etc. That’s a little less than 4% of the total trip cost — lower than average.

If there were multiple members in a traveling party or if they were going on, say, a rock-climbing or bungee-jumping excursion, the costs would go up.

On average, travel insurance comes to about 5% to 10% of the trip cost. However, considering many of the plans reimburse up to 100% of the trip cost (or more) for disruptions like trip cancellation or interruption, it can be a worthwhile expense if something goes wrong.

It depends. Consider the following factors that might affect your decision: You’re young and healthy, all your bookings are refundable or cancelable without a penalty, your flights are nonstop, you’re not checking bags and a credit card you carry offers some travel protections . In that case, travel insurance might not be necessary.

On the other hand, if you prepaid a large chunk of money for a nonrefundable African safari, you’re going on a Caribbean cruise in the middle of a hurricane season or you’re going somewhere where the cost of health care is high, it’s not a bad idea to buy a travel insurance plan. Here’s how to find the best travel insurance coverage for you.

If you’re thinking of booking a trip and not planning to buy travel insurance, you may want to consider at least booking refundable airfare and not prepaying for hotel, rental car and activity reservations. That way, if something goes wrong, you can cancel without losing any money.

Selecting the best travel insurance policy comes down to your needs, concerns, preferences and budget.

As you book, take a few minutes to consider what most concerns you. Is it getting stranded because of flight trouble? Having the ability to cancel for any reason you see fit without losing money? Getting sick or injured right before departure and needing to postpone the trip? Injuring yourself or falling ill while overseas?

Ultimately, you want a plan that protects you, your money and the large investment in your trip — but doesn’t cost too much, either.

Medical coverage. If your priority is having adequate medical coverage abroad, you might want to look for plans with high limits for medical emergencies and medical evacuation.

Complex travel itinerary. If your itinerary has lots of flight connections, prepaid hotels and deposits for activities you can’t get back, prioritizing a plan with the best coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions may land at the top of your list.

Travel uncertainty. If you’re on the fence about a trip and have nonrefundable reservations, you may want to select a plan with a Cancel For Any Reason coverage option, which can help you recoup about 50% to 75% of the costs. This helps provide peace of mind, placing the decision on whether to travel entirely in your hands.

Car rentals. If you’re renting a car, a collision damage waiver is often worth looking into.

The following destinations are the top insured destinations in 2024, according to Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner).

The Bahamas.

Costa Rica.

Antarctica.

In 2022, travelers spent about 25.53% more on trips than they did before the pandemic.

As of December, NerdWallet analysis determined travel prices are 10% higher than pre-pandemic. Each statistic makes a strong case for protecting your travel investment as you plan your next trip.

Bookmark these resources to help you make smart money moves as you shop for travel insurance.

What is travel insurance?

CFAR explained.

Is travel insurance worth getting?

10 credit cards that provide travel insurance.

Here is the list of travel cards offered by Chase that include various forms of travel insurance.

Having one of these in your wallet is a good start to protecting your travel investments and preventing expensive accidents; however, savvy travelers check card terms closely and sometimes supplement with a third-party policy, like from one of the companies above, to better protect themselves.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Car rentals: Theft and collision damage for most cars in the U.S. and abroad.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.

• Trip interruption: Up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip.

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

We used the following factors to choose insurance providers to highlight:

Breadth of coverage: We looked at how many plans each company offered plus the range of their standard plans. 

Depth of coverage: We considered two data points to get a sense of how much each company pays out for common travel issues — the maximum caps for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims.

Cost: By looking at the costs for basic coverage across multiple companies, we determined an average cost for shoppers to benchmark plan prices against.

Customizability: While standard plans can cover a lot of ground, sometimes you need something a little more personal.

Customer satisfaction. Using data from Squaremouth when available, and Google Reviews as a backup, we can give kudos to companies with better track records from their clients.

No, it doesn’t necessarily get more expensive the longer you wait to purchase. However, as you put off buying insurance, you may lose access to potential plans and coverage options.

In general, buying travel insurance within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

But, generally, many plans do allow you to buy coverage quite close to your departure date.

To get the most out of your travel insurance plan, buy it soon after making your initial prepayment or deposit to ensure you have access to the biggest menu of plans possible.

Select a plan that’s comprehensive enough to cover the travel scenarios you’re most concerned about or likely to encounter but not too expensive or laden with protections you’d never likely need.

Whatever your coverage, thoroughly review the plan so you understand what’s covered and what’s not, plus how to adhere to the plan’s rules for making a claim.

Travelers frequently use phrases like “trip insurance” and “travel insurance,” as well as “trip protection,” interchangeably, but they do mean different things, according to Stan Sandberg, founder of insurance comparison site TravelInsurance.com.

Trip insurance, or trip protection, generally refers to predeparture (or preevent) coverage if you need to cancel. You may see these plans sold by airlines, online travel agencies or even ticketed event sellers.

“You could refer to it as the portion that protects the investment in the trip,” Sandberg says.

A travel insurance plan typically includes that — plus more comprehensive benefits to protect you during your trip, from medical coverage to trip delay and lost baggage protections, and many more elements, depending on the plan.

Though travel insurance is typically not required for international trips, your personal circumstances will play a key role in whether it’s a good investment.

For instance, young, healthy travelers with few prepaid trip expenses embarking on a relatively risk-free trip may not see a need to buy a plan.

Older travelers with complicated itineraries who are visiting destinations where they could potentially fall ill or get injured — or who could encounter bad weather or some other disrupting factor along the way — may want to buy coverage.

Consider a few key questions:

How well would your health insurance plan cover you if you needed to visit a hospital overseas?

How much did you prepay for a hotel or rental car?

How much money would you be out if weather or some other flight issue derailed your itinerary?

Could you afford an unexpected night in a city where you have a connecting flight?

Do you already have a credit card that provides some travel protections?

Your answers to these questions can help you decide whether you need travel insurance for your international trip.

In general, buying travel insurance

within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit

for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

How to maximize your rewards

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

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

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

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

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

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

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Martin Lewis: How to get the best travel insurance on the market

As many of us set upon our annual summer holidays, we all want the best currency deal. But where do we find it? Martin Lewis gives us the lowdown - plus the best cards, their rates and how to avoid the dreaded pitfalls of holiday currency.

THE VALUE OF THE POUND: A few years ago, before the EU referendum vote, a pound bought €1.43 – since it's dropped significantly and hasn’t recovered much. Last summer it bought €1.14, and today it’s hovering around the €1.12 mark. Against the dollar, the rate is just $1.32 – about a decade ago it bought roughly $2. It’s similar with most other currencies.This has hit imports and the cost of living. Yet that’s an indirect cost to most. The most obvious effect is more expensive holidays.

APPLY FOR A SPENDING CARD: Apply now for a cheap overseas spending card. The easiest and cheapest way to spend abroad is on the right card, but they can take a couple of weeks to arrive, so early planning helps. Normally spend abroad on cards and it adds a 'non sterling exchange fee' of 3% ish, meaning £100 of euros costs you £103. Plus there are cash withdrawal fees on top. Yet specialist cards don't do that. These cards give you near-perfect rates every time you spend, on every trip to every country.

MARTIN’S TOP TRAVEL CARDS:

Top for cheap spending, reliability and a free £20.

The Halifax Clarity card gives near-perfect rates on spending everywhere, plus apply before 31 August, and spend abroad on it by the end of September and you get £20 cashback. The card’s been around a long time, and has very good feedback. It's better to spend on the card than withdraw cash, and of course, as it’s a credit card repay in full so there's no 18.9% rep APR interest. If you do withdraw cash, there's interest even if you repay in full (about £1.50 per £100 per month), but even that's usually better than bureaux de change.

2. Cheap spending & cash withdrawals, plus no credit check.

The debit card from app-only Starling Bank has no charge for spending abroad and no cash withdrawal fee. Plus unlike a credit card there’s no credit check, (unless you want an overdraft) so anyone can get it - though it does do ID checks) Technically it's a current account, but you can just add cash to it for spending abroad as you needn't switch to it or make a min pay-in.

3. Top card if you want it for spending abroad and at home.

The Tandem credit card also gives near-perfect exchange rates on spending worldwide, plus 0.5% cashback on spending in the UK and abroad. So if you want to trouser just one card to pay off IN FULL and spend everywhere, this is a good option. Like the Halifax Clarity, its 18.9% rep APR for spending and cash withdrawals, but it's app-only (though has some poor reviews) and a new deal, so I don't know how long it will last.

BEWARE OF OVERSEAS DEBIT CARDS: Beware of the overseas debit cards from hell. Not only do these debit cards add around 3% to the exchange rate and an ATM fee, they also add charges every time you use them overseas. They are the standard card from:

- Bank of Scotland (50p fee per transaction)

- Halifax (50p fee per transaction)

- Lloyds (50p fee per transaction)

- Santander (£1.25 fee per transaction)

- TSB (£1 fee per transaction)

- Clydesdale/Yorkshire (no spending fee but minimum £1.50 exchange fee per transaction) - NatWest/RBS (no spending fee but minimum £1 exchange fee per transaction, though waived till Sep for most customers) Any other card, including a credit card (if repaid in full), is cheaper to spend on than these.

DON’T EXCHANGE MONEY AT THE AIRPORT: Want travel cash – think about it sooner and don’t leave it until the airport. Never wait until you get to the airport or ferry station to get cash, rates there are hideous. For example it can cost you nearly £1,050 to get €1,000 at the airport (not pre-ordered) compared to £900 via the cheapest online bureau and less if you spend on the cheapest overseas card. Ignore such marketing spiel as ‘commission free’ that just means they load the cost into the exchange rate. Instead just compare by simply asking how many dollars, euros or whatever you’ll get for your cash after all fees. Use an online travel money comparison site to do it for you is the easiest way.

WILL BREXIT AFFECT MY EUROS? Many who are going away later in the summer are asking “with the Brexit discussions should I buy euros now or wait?” Currency moves are unpredictable. If you're worried, buy half now (either via cash or a prepaid card - both of which effectively lock you in at today’s rate – the top rates tend to come from Revolut though it charges £5 to get direct, though search online and you can find it for free) and the rest using the best specialist credit cards once there (as they give you the rate on the day you spend).

DON’T BUY CASH OR LOAD A PREPAID CARD: Don't buy cash or load a prepaid card with a credit card. Most credit card providers count buying foreign currency as a cash withdrawal - and they usually charge a fee for those, and interest even if you repay in full. Some (including Santander and Virgin Money) do the same when loading up prepaid cards. So it's better to pay on a debit card, as they can't charge fees for it.

DON’T PAY IN POUNDS: Opt to pay in the foreign currency not pounds if they ask. If you’re paying on plastic and they ask you whether you want to pay in pounds or euros (or the local currency of where you are). Pay in euros. Then your card does the exchange rate, if not they do it, it’s usually worse.

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EHIC cards, GHIC cards and travel insurance explained

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Martin Lewis talks specialist Travel Insurance

Martin Lewis: Choose specialist travel insurance to get the price down: Panoramic of Santorini

“You have a pre-existing condition… You’ll be looking at some form of specialist insurance policy to get the price down,  places like AllClear Travel …”  – Martin Lewis (Founder of Money Saving Expert)

How you can save money and travel with peace of mind

It was great to be a suggested Travel Insurance provider on The Martin Lewis Money Show.

Leading financial expert, Martin Lewis raised a lot of valid points about how you can make sure you get the right travel insurance cover, at the right price.

Basic travel insurance – like the policies of some bank accounts – often  provide no cover for pre-existing medical conditions.  Or the premium greatly increases once conditions are included.

On the other hand, specialist Travel Insurance providers have the expertise to offer the right cover at a sensible price.

ABTA recently revealed that  40% of British holidaymakers  went abroad in 2017 with the wrong cover. This led to a staggering  9.9 million travellers  being at risk of having their claim turned down last year! And if you need any more convincing about having specialist cover, consider these claim statistics:

  • An air ambulance from the USA cost between  £80,000 – £100,000
  • An insect bite cost one traveller a £136,000 bill
  • Travel insurers pay out more than £1,000,000 every single day

Not got around to buying your travel insurance yet?

If you already realise the importance of travel insurance, but you just haven’t got round to buying it yet, have another listen to Martin Lewis:

“If you have booked your holiday, but don’t have travel insurance, do it tonight, otherwise you’re running a risk. Don’t leave it, that’s pointless.”

If you want your travel insurance to cover you for cancellation, have your policy in place  as soon as you book your holiday .   This important to get full protection, and for your own peace of mind. Read on for the reasons why…

To cover your pre-existing medical conditions:

If you have a  pre-existing medical condition , it can be vital that your travel insurance includes cancellation cover. If you have a last-minute medical emergency, you won’t want to lose out on the money you’ve spent if you can’t travel. Provided you declare all your medical conditions at the time you take out your policy, you should be able to recover your costs and re-book your holiday for when the doctor declares you well enough to travel.

To cover more than the GHIC

In the show, Martin also talks about the GHIC (then EHIC). He explains that Travel Insurance often includes cover for repatriation and cancellation (as well as lost or stolen baggage) – all of which you don’t get with a GHIC.

You can use the following checklist to make sure your Travel Insurance cover is comprehensive:

  • Cancellation:  if you need to cancel your holiday before go
  • Medical expenses : for illness and accidents when you are abroad
  • Personal accident : for death or permanent disablement
  • Curtailment : when needed to cut your holiday short
  • Lost documents : cover for passports, tickets etc
  • Possessions & baggage : for lost and stolen bags including contents
  • Personal liability : when an accident caused by you affects a third party

So don’t take the risk – take out comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your holiday.

Which means all that’s left to do is enjoy your trip! And should anything happen..  your specialist insurance will take care of you 24/7  – wherever you are.

We hope to help you travel with peace of mind soon!

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  • Best overall
  • Best for expensive trips
  • Best for exotic trips
  • Best for annual plans

How we reviewed travel insurance for seniors

Best travel insurance for seniors of may 2024.

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

Reaching your golden years doesn't mean your adventures have to end. In fact, in this stage of life, you'll hopefully have more time and resources to travel. But as a senior citizen, you'll want to ensure you have travel insurance that covers any health-related issues arise while you travel.

Our top picks for the best senior travel insurance

  • Best overall: Allianz Travel Insurance
  • Best for expensive trips: John Hancock Travel Insurance
  • Best for exotic trips: World Nomads Travel Insurance

Best for annual plans: Travel Guard

How we rate the best senior travel insurance companies »

Compare travel insurance for seniors

Your health gets more unpredictable as you age, which makes travel insurance more important for seniors. Unfortunately, it's also more expensive. The best travel insurance for seniors won't have too steep of a price hike compared to rates for younger travelers. It will have high coverage limits for emergency medical coverage, trip cancellations, and and emergency medical evacuation. It's also important that your travel insurance offers pre-existing condition waivers , ideally at no extra cost to the traveler. 

Here are our picks for the best travel insurance coverage for seniors in 2024.

Best overall: Allianz

Allianz Allianz Travel Insurance

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good option for frequent travelers thanks to its annual multi-trip policies
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Doesn't increase premium for trips longer than 30 days, meaning it could be one of the more affordable options for a long trip
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans include free coverage for children 17 and under
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Concierge included with some plans
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Coverage for medical emergency is lower than some competitors' policies
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Plans don't include coverage contact sports and high-altitude activities
  • Single and multi-trip plans available
  • Trip cancellation and interruption coverage starting at up to $10,000 (higher limits with more expensive plans)
  • Preexisting medical condition coverage available with some plans

Allianz Travel Insurance is one of the most widely recognized names in travel insurance, and it stands out as one of the top travel insurance providers for seniors. It offers a wide range of policies covering medical treatments overseas and emergency medical transport.

Allianz also provides options for varying trip lengths. Its annual multi-trip policies , for example, cover any trip you make during your policy period, even if they aren't yet planned, making it an excellent option for seniors who vacation multiple times per year.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

Best for expensive trips: John Hancock

John Hancock John Hancock Travel Insurance

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 3 travel insurance plans
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason rider available
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable travel insurance premiums
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews of claims process are mixed
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers may not get specialty coverage for sports equipment and other high value items
  • Trip cancellation for 100% of the trip cost
  • Trip interruption insurance for up to 150% of the trip cost
  • Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000 per person
  • Medical evacuation coverage of up to $1,000,000

John Hancock Travel Insurance plans for seniors offer some of the best coverage available. It provides generous maximum benefit amounts while still offering affordable prices.

Each plan includes coverages like trip cancellation, emergency accident, and emergency medical, with the option to add benefits like CFAR (cancel for any reason) . Plus, getting a free online quote is a quick and straightforward process.

Read our John Hancock Travel Insurance review here.

Best for exotic trips: World Nomads

World Nomads World Nomads Travel Insurance

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
  • Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
  • 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
  • Trip protection for up to $10,000
  • Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
  • Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
  • Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

World Nomads Travel Insurance is a great choice for active senior citizens under 70 who want comprehensive travel insurance. The key difference between World Nomads and many other providers is that it covers 200+ adventurous activities like scuba diving, mountain biking, surfing, skiing, and even bungee jumping. In addition, World Nomads' trip cancellation and emergency medical coverage includes COVID-19-related issues. Many other insurers are excluding that type of coverage now.

For adventurous senior citizens over the age of 70 years, World Nomads suggests working with its partner, TripAssure .

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

AIG Travel Guard

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

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

  • Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
  • Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
  • Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
  • Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Travel Guard  offers comprehensive insurance plans for shorter and longer trips. One of its more unique offerings is its Travel Guard Annual Plan.

This annual travel insurance comes with standard coverage benefits (trip delay, baggage loss, etc.) and substantial coverage amounts, which is important for seniors who travel multiple times per year. Travel Guard also offers a preexisting medical condition waiver, meaning those with certain medical issues can still gain coverage.

Read our AIG Travel Guard Insurance review here.

Understanding travel insurance for seniors

Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to understand what travel insurance is and why it's particularly important for senior travelers. The best travel insurance offers financial protection against unexpected events affecting your trip, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.

Types of coverage

  • Medical Coverage: Ensures your medical expenses are covered in case of illness or injury.
  • Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage: Provides reimbursement if your trip is canceled or cut short due to unforeseen events.
  • Baggage Coverage: Covers loss, damage, or theft of personal items during your trip.

Benefits of travel insurance for seniors

  • Peace of Mind: Knowing you're covered in case of emergencies can make your travel stress-free.
  • Financial Protection: Shields you from potentially overwhelming medical costs and trip cancellations fees.
  • Assistance Services: Many plans offer 24/7 assistance services, providing help whenever and wherever you need it.

Making the most of your plan

After choosing a plan, it's crucial to understand your policy fully and know what services are available to you in case of an emergency.

Understanding your policy

  • Read the fine print and understand the claims process to avoid surprises.

Emergency assistance services

  • Familiarize yourself with the emergency assistance services offered by your plan and keep all necessary contact information handy.

How to pick senior travel insurance

It's wise to compare several different travel insurance policies for the best coverage and pricing, as premiums vary widely between insurers and depend on factors like your age and travel destination.

That said, some of the more essential coverages to look for if you're a senior citizen include:

  • Travel medical coverage - This coverage will pay for your medical bills outside the US.
  • Medical evacuation coverage - If you're injured or become sick while traveling, this coverage will transport you to the nearest hospital or even back home if your condition necessitates it.
  • Preexisting conditions - Coverage for known health conditions. You'll need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time period from when you book your trip to qualify for a preexisting condition waiver .
  • Cancel for any reason (CFAR) - The name says it all! It'll cost extra and you'll need to purchase insurance early, but it's the most comprehensive trip cancellation coverage you can get. Note that CFAR insurance usually only covers up to 75% of your trip fees.
  • Trip cancellation insurance - This coverage provides reimbursement for your prepaid and nonrefundable costs if you cannot make your trip due to an unforeseen event.
  • Baggage delay insurance - This coverage will reimburse you for essentials like toiletries and clothes if your bags are delayed.
  • Lost luggage insurance - This coverage will reimburse you up to a specified amount if your bags get lost en route.

Of these, the most critical to note are whether or not your policy covers preexisting conditions and the limits for travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation.

Some insurance companies offer a waiver that will cover preexisting conditions. You'll have to follow the requirements for adding a waiver to your policy, like insuring the entire cost of your trip. Or purchase the policy within a specific time after making your first trip deposit payments.

You'll also want to find a policy with high maximum limits for travel medical and emergency medical evacuation coverage. These types of expenses can be substantial, so you want to have appropriate coverage.

When comparing senior travel insurance options, we looked at the following factors to evaluate each travel insurance provider:

  • Coverage limits: We looked at each travel insurance company's coverage amounts for benefits like medical emergencies and trip cancellation.
  • Flexibility: We looked at how customizable a policy is, so you can choose what your travel insurance policy covers .
  • Coverage for preexisting conditions: Preexisting conditions are one of the more critical factors for travel insurance for senior citizens, so we looked at travel insurance companies that offer the best coverage for preexisting conditions.
  • Price: We compared travel insurance providers offering reasonable basic and comprehensive coverage rates.
  • Benefits geared towards seniors: We compared travel insurance companies that offer solid coverage for senior citizens, like medical evacuation, COVID-19 coverage, and trip cancellation.

You can read more about our insurance rating methodology here.

Seniors should look for travel insurance policies that offer comprehensive medical coverage, including for preexisting conditions and emergency medical evacuation. They should also consider policies with higher coverage limits to ensure adequate protection. Additionally, seniors should seek travel insurance plans that provide 24/7 assistance services, as well as coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, and baggage protection.

The cost of senior travel insurance coverage can vary depending on your age, overall health, state of residence, travel destination, and length of your trip. However, assuming all other factors are the same, you'll pay more for travel insurance at 70 than at 30.

All travel insurance companies, except World Nomads, included in this guide offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as long as you buy your policy within the qualifying period from when you placed your trip deposit.

Allianz is the best travel insurance for seniors due to its wide array of medical coverages and emergency medical transport. Allianz also offers multi-trip insurance policies , which could make sense for seniors who travel frequently.

In some instances, travel insurance companies will have age eligibility restrictions, often only insuring people 80 years old and younger.

money martin travel insurance

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

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

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We saved £695 on our holiday thanks to a Martin Lewis tip – and we managed to bag extras too

  • Ethan Singh , News Reporter
  • Published : 18:17, 1 May 2024
  • Updated : 18:18, 1 May 2024
  • Published : Invalid Date,

A COUPLE managed to save £695 on their holiday and bag extras thanks to a Martin Lewis tip.

In the latest  MoneySavingExpert  newsletter, Martin's team explained how to save money on your travel insurance .

Martin Lewis has handed out some top advice in the latest MoneySavingExpert newsletter

Whatever type of  holiday  you fancy, you'll know it’s important to take out  travel insurance  in case anything goes wrong.

It helps you to claim if you need emergency  medical  treatment while you’re abroad.

Insurance also covers you if your luggage gets lost or belongings are stolen, or if you have to cancel a trip due to death, illness or bereavement.

However, Martin's money saving team suggested that budding holidaymakers could take advantage of combined phone and travel insurance deals.

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Currently, Nationwide is offering £160 a year to cover all your smartphones - of any age - and you could get quality travel and breakdown cover too.

They're called packaged bank accounts, but customers following Martin's tip will primarily use these with the main purpose of insurance.

If you get one of these bank accounts you don't have to switch it to be your main account.

All you have to do is pay a monthly fee and loads of decent quality insurance is thrown in.

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The longstanding   Nationwide FlexPlus at £13 per month is now slightly undercut by Virgin Money Club M at £12.50 per month.

Both cover phones of any age for all the "family" living in the household - including the kids.

Nationwide caps this at a maximum of 18 years old, or 21 if in full-time education.

The deal also gives worldwide family travel insurance and UK & European breakdown cover.

It means for under £160 a year, you can nab all this insurance for roughly the cost of network cover for one phone.

One satisfied customer called Jane wrote to MSE after saving hundreds by using the handy tips .

Her message read: "I read your article about mobile phone insurance which gave info on Nationwide.

"I had been shopping around for annual travel insurance.

"By opening this account, my husband and I saved £695 on our travel cover, and have breakdown and phone cover also. Thank you."

How do I find the best travel insurance?

Travel insurance can be purchased from travel agents and holiday companies when you book, but there is no obligation to take this.

Banks, supermarkets and insurance companies also offer travel cover and a comparison website can help you find the best product for your needs.

You will need to provide the names and ages of all travellers, the destination and any medical conditions.

Results can then be filtered based on the level of cover and the excess you want to pay.

You can also sort policies by price to find cheap travel insurance but check what is covered, as the lowest-cost deals may not always provide the best protection for you.

It may also be worth using an insurance broker if you have more complex needs. You can find a regulated insurance broker on the  British Brokers Association  website.

Also check your current account as some banks may offer travel insurance automatically to their customers, although you should still check what is covered.

Remember, the best travel insurance will depend on your needs.

You need to make sure the best travel insurance company for you and your family provides enough level of cover for the value of your luggage, flights, accommodation plus any excursions.

Additionally, you may also need cover for medical conditions.

Check Trustpilot reviews and ratings based on features and service from independent organisations, such as consumer watchdog Which? and Defaqto.

How can I get cheaper travel insurance?

The main costs associated with travel insurance are your premium and the excess.

You can reduce the premium by offering to pay more excess.

This will lower the upfront costs of your policy but means you will pay more if you need to make a claim.

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You can also make your insurance cheaper by reducing the level of cover.

For example, a policy may give cover for up to £3,000 of luggage, but if yours is worth £2,000 there may be a better alternative product with lower premiums.

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Is travel insurance worth it?

April 30, 2024 | 2 min read

Planning a trip and wondering if you need a travel insurance policy? Keep reading to learn more about travel insurance to decide whether it’s right for you.

Key takeaways

  • Travel insurance can provide financial protection if things go wrong before or during a trip.
  • You might get travel insurance to cover potential losses from trip cancellations or delays, lost baggage or medical issues.
  • Factoring in details specific to your trip and balancing with existing coverage might help you decide whether travel insurance is right for you.

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What does travel insurance do?

Travel insurance is a type of specialized protection that might help protect against financial losses from airline delays, medical issues or other unexpected occurrences. Some travel insurance plans focus on specific things, like lost baggage or health care. Others offer a wide range of benefits under a single plan. It’s a good idea to make sure you understand the terms and conditions, because coverage varies.

When might travel insurance be beneficial?

Some of the situations where it can help to have travel insurance include:

Interruptions and cancellations

Trip delay insurance covers food and lodging expenses if you experience an airline delay. Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse your prepaid costs if an illness forces you to cancel entirely.

Baggage issues

Baggage loss coverage can reimburse you if your luggage is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed.

Medical emergencies

Travel health or medical insurance can cover everything from medication to emergency medical evacuation if you become sick or injured when traveling abroad .

When might travel insurance be unnecessary?

There’s no right or wrong time for travel insurance. It depends on your circumstances. But when deciding whether travel insurance is worth it, you can consider things like:

  • Type and length of trip: If the trip’s refundable, you might not need extra protection. And a short or cheap trip might not be worth the cost of coverage.
  • Your existing coverage: Check existing policies and agreements. If you have coverage through your health insurance provider, credit card issuer or card network, you may not need more.

Considering travel insurance in a nutshell

Travel insurance can offer peace of mind if anything goes wrong before or during a trip. But it may not always be worth it. If you’re considering travel insurance coverage, looking at your situation, your trip and the terms and conditions of your existing insurance policies could help you determine whether the benefits outweigh the costs.

If you’re interested in getting insurance coverage from a credit card, you can check out the benefits that come with Capital One rewards credit cards .

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How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

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The offers and details on this page may have updated or changed since the time of publication. See our article on Business Insider for current information.

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

  • The average travel insurance premium this week is $285.76, about the same compared to last week.
  • For travel in the United States, the average premium is $92 to $403.
  • Travel insurance protects against delayed baggage, trip cancellation, and more.

The average cost of travel insurance fluctuates throughout the year, based on demand and whether or not school's in session. Also keep in mind that where you're traveling and how many people are taking the trip will affect your exact premium.

The average travel insurance premium this week is about the same compared to last week.

Travel insurance rates this week:

  • Average premium: $285.76
  • Average trip cost: $6,848.65
  • Average trip length: 16 Days

Understanding Travel Insurance

Travel insurance plans can cover both domestic and international travel. It could protect against something as familiar as delayed baggage (experts estimate 85% of lost luggage is returned to its owner within 48 hours) or as complicated as trip cancellation.

The benefits and limitations of travel insurance vary based on the company and plan. Above all else, this insurance coverage offers peace of mind.

Some credit cards offer a limited amount of travel insurance annually. If you need clarification on what your credit card offers, contact your provider to verify. These plans are great for cancellations and interruptions but may not cover more costly losses associated with unexpected medical expenses or emergency evacuations.

Individual travel insurance plans include this and much more. Travel insurance protects travelers from the unexpected when away from home.

Average Cost of Travel Insurance by Destination

Some countries are naturally more expensive travel destinations due to higher flight and lodging costs, which could increase travel insurance costs. Travel insurance will generally cost 5% to 10% of your total trip price, according to SquareMouth.

Here's how the prices stack up:

Source: SquareMouth

How Far in Advance to Purchase Travel Insurance

According to an AAA travel survey , 88% of travelers say that reimbursement after a trip cancellation is the most valuable benefit of trip insurance.

According to data gathered by SquareMouth in the last six months, travelers tend to purchase trip cancellation travel insurance 53 days before their trip. Meanwhile, travelers without trip cancellation insurance will buy a policy approximately 16 days before their trip. Regardless of when you buy, cancellation protection can kick in to protect you against the unexpected.

Average Cost of Travel Insurance by Age

A traveler's age is a significant factor in determining the cost of travel insurance. The older a traveler is, the higher travel insurance premiums are. For instance, a senior traveler may need more insurance for health-related emergencies than a millennial.

When calculating your travel insurance premium, travel insurance providers consider the likelihood of a medical emergency.

Get your free travel insurance quote with SquareMouth »

Travel Insurance Rate Tips

How much does travel insurance typically cost.

Travel insurance rates through most providers fall between 4% and 8% of the total trip cost. Like the cost of flights, cruises, etc., rates may vary substantially based on the season, your original location, your destination, and other factors. This week, the average cost of a policy was close to $300.

How can I save money on travel insurance?

To save money on travel insurance, tailor your policy to your specific needs and avoid unnecessary extras. You should also shop around to compare quotes from multiple insurers. Opting for an annual plan if you're a frequent traveler, checking existing coverages from other insurance policies or credit card benefits, and choosing a policy with a higher deductible can significantly lower your premiums. Always read the fine print to understand your coverage fully, ensuring you don't pay for redundant or irrelevant features.

Where are the cheapest places to buy travel insurance?

To find affordable travel insurance, consider using online comparison websites like SquareMouth or InsureMyTrip to see rates from various providers. Other ways to save include purchasing directly from insurance companies, exploring package deals from travel agencies or airlines, utilizing included coverage from credit card benefits, and checking for discounts through membership organizations such as AAA or AARP.

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How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

Money latest: McDonald's to start selling bigger burgers - as it makes very rare changes to classic items

The fast food giant has revealed its chefs have created a "larger, satiating burger" in a bid to boost sales. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news below, plus leave a comment in the box.

Wednesday 1 May 2024 19:37, UK

  • Bitcoin suffers nightmare month - and it's just got worse
  • Key dates for Spotify customers, energy bills, free childcare and interest rates in May
  • Wait for interest rate cut leads to surprise dip in house price growth
  • McDonald's to start selling a bigger burger

Essential reads

  • You're probably washing and storing your clothes wrong. Here's what you should do instead
  • Turns out supermarket boss was right about self-checkouts
  • State pensions 'could be in doubt for future generations'
  • One of UK's top chefs reveals best Cheap Eats in Norfolk - and cling film tip for amazing veg
  • Money Problem : 'Builders won't repair dodgy work - what are my rights?'
  • '£2,000 landed in my account' - The people who say they're manifesting riches

Ask a question or make a comment

Are you struggling because of high interest rates? Sky News is keen to hear from people who are due to refix their mortgages this year or are on a variable rate or tracker mortgage or trying to get on the housing ladder. 

Email us your stories at  [email protected]  - or WhatsApp us  here .

The Fed has issued its latest policy statement, announcing it will keep interest rates at the same level. 

It did note inflation has eased over the past year, and it is still leaning towards eventual reductions in borrowing costs. 

However it pointed out recent disappointing inflation readings, suggesting moves towards more balance in the economy had stalled. 

If you're wondering why we're telling you this, it's because there is a link between the Fed's interest rate and the Bank of England's base rate. 

The interplay between the two can affect the value of the pound and currency alternatives such a gold.

Market expectations for the UK base rate are often heavily influenced by what's going on in the US. 

Untreated sewage was released into designated shellfish waters for 192,000 hours last year, new research has found.

The hours of sewage dumping were spread across 23,000 separate incidents.

Some fishing waters in Cornwall were forced to close last year after high levels of e.coli were found in oysters and mussels, and norovirus can also be transported via human waste.

Read the full story here ...

Shares in luxury carmaker Aston Martin have plummeted as much as 14% today after it announced bigger than expected losses. 

Aston Martin revealed adjusted pre-tax losses of £111m for the first three months of the year, compared with £57m a year earlier. 

Analysts had expected a loss of £93m. 

The losses were due to higher finance costs and the timings of its car launches.

B&Q is introducing plastic plant pot recycling stations at more than 100 of its stores across the UK. 

Customers will be able to drop off their unwanted pots in store so they can be recycled and turned into new planters. 

B&Q's 100% recycled plastic Blacksmith Planters will be available in stores for £4. 

UK supermarkets could soon see a "healthier" version of white bread, according to scientists.

A team of researchers at Aberystwyth University will be studying the milling and blending process for white flour.

Peas, beans and oats could be added to wheat flour to boost its nutritional value.

The research project has been funded by Innovate UK, the UK's national innovation agency.

Parents taking their kids to Taylor Swift concerts this summer might be worried their lack of knowledge will leave them feeling a bit left out.

But what if we told you you could be a mastermind?

That's the promise of a new college course ahead of the biggest pop star in the world hitting the UK in June.

The 7 May course, which is run by the  Glasgow Cylde College and is free, will give members of the public a jam-packed session that will leave them ready for the singer's upcoming  Eras Tour.

Those who enrol in a one-off college masterclass will learn about the pop star's music, set lists, crowd chants and even her "evolving wardrobe and hairstyles".

A statement on the college website reads: "Ahead of her hugely anticipated arrival, Glasgow Clyde College is offering a one time-only masterclass aimed at preparing parents and plus ones of Taylor superfans, providing the full Love Story on all things Eras Tour to help them have the best night of their lives.

"From set lists and crowd chants to need-to-know information on each Era, the masterclass, which is being delivered by a Taylor Swift expert, will give people a whistle-stop lesson that'll leave them ready for the gig."

You can book your Swiftie masterclass here .

The cocoa market is in a particularly turbulent period, with the price of the ingredient falling to its lowest level in a month. 

It comes after prices reached their highest peaks in more than four decades earlier in the year, making it reportedly more expensive than copper. 

Traders had been betting on an acute supply shortage driven by poor harvests in West Africa. 

However, the rally made it more expensive to maintain positions and prompted traders to pull out of the market - leaving the product vulnerable to big price swings. 

The price has now fallen by 16% since the end of last week, offering some relief to chocolate makers/eaters.

The fast food giant has revealed its chefs have created a "larger, satiating burger" in a bid to boost sales, according to Bloomberg. 

The mega-sized burger is reportedly designed to attract customers who want more filling patties. 

It will be introduced in certain markets first to test its appeal. 

McDonald's unveiled plans in December that bosses hope will boost growth by focusing on core menu items. 

The chain has seen sluggish sales, partly due to its perceived support of Israel in Middle East and Muslim-majority markets. 

McDonald's has denied taking any position in the ongoing conflict and said it is not responsible for the actions of its franchisees.

So far, it has launched an ad campaign highlighting what it says are improvements to its Big Mac, quarter pounder with cheese and double cheeseburger.

This is apparently the first time in the company's 84-year history that it has made changes to its classic burgers.

By Emily Mee , Money team

Discovering a hole in your favourite pair of jeans or a rip in your well-worn cosy jumper is certainly irritating - but it doesn't mean those items are destined for the bin. 

In fact, ethical fashion campaigners say that's the last place your items should be going. There is usually plenty you can do to repair them - or even to avoid damage in the first place. That way, you can keep your best-loved pieces in your wardrobe for years to come. 

Katrina Caspelich, from fair fashion campaign Remake, takes the Money blog through what you can do...

Store your clothes better

Clean them before storing them: Always ensure that clothes are clean before storing them. Launder or dry clean them according to the care instructions on the label. Stains and dirt can attract insects and cause fabric deterioration over time.

Use breathable storage containers: Opt for breathable storage containers such as cotton canvas bags or boxes instead of plastic bins. This allows air circulation and prevents moisture build up, which can lead to mould and mildew.

Avoid direct sunlight: Store clothes in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can cause colours to fade and weaken fabric fibres over time.

Hang clothes properly: Invest in quality hangers that provide adequate support to garments. Use padded or wooden hangers for delicate items like suits, dresses and knits. Avoid using wire hangers, as they can cause garments to lose their shape. Don't hang wet clothes on hangers - they can stretch.

Use garment bags: For long-term storage of formal wear or seasonal clothing, consider using garment bags to protect items from dust, insects, and moisture.

Rotate clothing: Rotate your wardrobe seasonally to prevent garments from being stored for too long without use. This helps to prevent fabric deterioration and ensures that all pieces are worn regularly.

Avoid overcrowding: Avoid cramming clothes into storage containers or closets. Overcrowding can cause wrinkles, stretching and distortion of fabric fibres. Leave some space between garments to allow for air circulation.

Store leather items properly: Leather garments should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Use padded hangers to maintain their shape and avoid folding, as creases can become permanent.

Does how you wash clothes make a difference?

What exactly makes a gentle wash gentle? For delicate fabrics, you should always use cool to lukewarm water. (Hot water isn't needed unless you are concerned about bacteria and diseases like COVID-19). 

Pro tip: Be wary of wringing out your wet clothes. It can seriously alter the shape of your garments.

Other options

Wash your stuff less. The only clothes that should always be washed after one wear are underwear and sweaty clothes. Most garments worn regularly should be okay to wear two to three times before washing. Unless your denim has a bad habit of stretching out, experts say you should wash them after three or four wears so they age better. You can also throw them in the freezer to kill bacteria.

Spot clean your clothes. To clean a spot, start by removing any excess spillage and blot away as much moisture as possible with a paper towel or hand towel. NO RUBBING. Use some stain remover or gentle detergent on just the stained spot. Let it air dry or use cool air to speed up the process.

Air dry. Hang your clothes outside, Italian style. For heavier items that could stretch when hanging, lay them out flat on a surface to dry.

When should you dry clean?

Read the care tags! Don't be so quick to adhere to every garment's dry clean only tag - there's lots of chemicals involved that lurk on dry-cleaned wool, cotton and polyester. Plus, lots of brands put those tags on when they lack confidence in our ability to properly and gently wash our clothes.

If it is made of wool, linen, silk, cotton or cashmere - which is likely a majority of your closet - these fabrications can handle gentle hand washes so long as you pre-treat and single wash anything with stains, as well as wash items in groups determined by fabrication and colour.

If you aren't 100% sure what exactly a garment is made of, you can always test a little spot under the sink water to see if you get a ton of colour bleeding, warping or shrinkage before going all in.

If your garment has any fancy embellishments, flocking or beads attached by glue then you should probably take it to the cleaners if it's not just in need of a little spot clean.

Pro tip: When you find yourself at the dry cleaners, you can try asking for alternatives like a liquid carbon dioxide cleaning, which uses pressurized CO2 mixed with other gentle cleaning liquids as opposed to perc.  Another option is requesting a wet cleaning method , a wash that resembles a normal washing machine but utilises special soaps and conditioners for an extra gentle wash.

How do you know when a broken item is repairable, or when it's no longer usable?

It's important to always assess the extent of the damage. Small tears, missing buttons, loose hems or minor stains are usually repairable with basic sewing skills or by taking them to a tailor. 

Considering the condition of the fabric is also important. For example, if the fabric is in good shape apart from the damaged area, it may be worth repairing. 

However, if the fabric is severely worn out or faded in multiple places, it may not be worth repairing. Also, some types of damage such as large holes, extensive fraying or irreparable stains may render the garment unusable or not cost-effective to repair. 

Finally, it's important to consider the sentimental value of the item. If the piece holds sentimental value or is a high-quality piece, you may just want to hold on to it and invest in repairs.

If the item is no longer usable, you could upcycle or repurpose it. Get creative and turn the item into something new. Some ideas include turning old jeans into shorts, using fabric scraps for quilting or crafts, or transforming a worn-out tee into a cleaning rag. 

Donation is another option. If the clothing item is still in decent condition despite the damage, consider donating it to a local charity or thrift store as some organisations accept damaged clothing for recycling or repurposing.

Finally, look for textile recycling programmes in your area. Many communities have textile recycling centres or programmes that accept old clothing, even if it's damaged, to be recycled into new textiles or other products.

How about shoes?

Like clothing, extending the wear of your shoes requires proper care and maintenance. Some ideas include rotating your shoes between different pairs of shoes every day to allow each pair to air out and recover their shape between wears. 

Clean your shoes regularly to remove dust, dirt and stains. 

It's also a good idea to apply waterproofing spray to protect your shoes from water, stains, snow and other environmental damage. Like clothing, it's important to attend to any signs of damage or wear as soon as possible, replacing worn-out soles, repairing loose stitching, and fixing damaged heels to prevent further deterioration. Definitely consider taking your shoes to a professional cobbler for these regular repairs! 

By Connor Sephton , news reporter

Bitcoin has suffered its biggest monthly loss since June 2022 - amid signs that market euphoria is starting to cool.

The world's biggest cryptocurrency saw its price plunge by almost 15% in April.

Even though we're just 12 hours into a brand-new month, Bitcoin is continuing to fall further.

This digital asset is often valued in dollars rather than pounds - and certain price points tend to have psychological significance for traders.

Over the past few weeks, Bitcoin had successfully managed to avoid a big fall under $60,000 (about £48,000).

But all of that changed in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

After the $60,000 threshold crumbled, a sharp drop to $57,000 soon followed.

So... with Bitcoin down 7% over the past 24 hours, what happens next?

Well - traders are now engaged in what can best be described as an arm wrestle.

If Bitcoin manages to hold stable around $57,000, its value may start to recover.

But if selling pressure grows as American investors start to wake up and see what's happened, further declines are to be expected.

Bitcoin has now fallen by 22% since hitting an all-time high of $73,750 in March - which technically puts this cryptocurrency in a bear market.

However, avid enthusiasts will insist this is nothing more than a healthy correction, and Bitcoin's longer-term prospects are good.

One thing is clear: this is a volatile asset, and investors should only put in whatever they can afford to lose.

In what seems to be becoming a daily occurrence, four more lenders have announced mortgage rate rises.

Halifax, BM Solutions and Virgin are all doing so for the second time in around a week. They're joined by Nottingham Building Society.

Halifax are increasing rates on purchase products by up to 0.2%; BM Solutions by up to 0.24%. These begin tomorrow.

Virgin increased rates on products between 0.08% and 0.2% yesterday evening, while Nottingham has lifted rates this morning by up to 0.25%.

Mortgage rates have spiked in the last two weeks as financial markets have moved from pricing in a base rate cut in June to thinking it will come in August. Expectations of three cuts this year are now two.

The backdrop is sticky inflation in the US - and concern the global and domestic battle against rising prices isn't over yet.

Skipton had actually announced some decreases - but any optimism from this proved momentary.

Dariusz Karpowicz, director at Albion Financial Advice, told Newspage: "The atmosphere in the mortgage market is rather grim, with major players like Halifax, BM Solutions, Virgin and Nottingham Building Society repeatedly raising their fixed rates.

"This pattern of frequent rate hikes, sometimes occurring multiple times within a week, is casting a shadow over market sentiment. 

"The anticipated 'spring bounce' is nowhere in sight; instead, we're witnessing a continuation of mortgage woes. 

"Higher rates are expected to dampen buyer enthusiasm and potentially delay any positive momentum. 

"As for when borrowers can expect relief, it hinges on broader economic stabilisation. For now, the outlook remains cautious and subdued."

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    Meanwhile, Expedia says 30 June and 24 July will be the busiest air travel days for domestic and international destinations. Domestic flights are busiest on 30 June, and 8 and 16 July.