Travel insurance covers unexpected losses while you’re traveling: emergency medical care abroad, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and flight delays. In 2024, U.S. travelers spent $5.56 billion on it, protecting about 87 million people through 55 million plans.
The main reason to buy it is medical. Most U.S. health insurance, including Medicare, provides little to no coverage outside the country. A medical evacuation can cost $50,000 or more. The second reason is trip cancellation: if you’ve prepaid thousands for a non-refundable tour or resort and you get sick, injured, or hit by a family emergency weeks before departure, insurance reimburses you.
Travel insurance typically costs 4-10% of your trip cost. Factors that affect the price include your age, destination, trip length, and any optional coverage like pre-existing conditions or adventure sports. For a domestic weekend road trip, you can probably skip it. For an international trip where a medical emergency or a canceled flight would wipe out your savings, it’s worth the price.
Sources
More in Travel
How can I get through airport security faster?
PreCheck, organized carry-ons, and simple clothing choices usually save the most time.
✈️ Travel 4 weeks ago 2 min readHow do I avoid motion sickness on a plane?
Pick a seat with less motion, keep your eyes on the horizon, avoid heavy meals and screens, and use medication if you know motion sickness hits you hard.
✈️ Travel 4 weeks ago 3 min readHow do I avoid neck pain on long flights?
Keep your head supported, change positions often, and avoid slumping forward for long stretches.
✈️ Travel 3 weeks ago 2 min read