How to Research and Choose Travel Insurance (updated Sept 2025)

Travel insurance is a recommended safety net for any trip, whether you're just off for a weekend getaway or embarking on a year-long adventure. However, one size does not fit all! What works for your friend may be all wrong for you depending on a variety of factors.

Here's a basic step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process of researching and selecting the best policy for your needs if your live in the United States. No specific carriers are endorsed here. Rules for citizens of Canada and other countries may be different.

Step 1: Understand the Basics of Travel Insurance

Trip Cancellation or Interruption: Reimbursement for non-refundable expenses if you must cancel or cut short your trip due to covered reasons.

Trip interruption happens when you’re forced to cut a journey short and head home sooner than planned. In some cases, it might even mean staying longer at your destination than expected, which isn’t always a drawback. Having trip interruption coverage can help reimburse you for prepaid, non-refundable expenses you lose, up to the policy limit, and may also cover added costs like extra lodging or a last-minute flight home.

Coverage only kicks in if the disruption stems from a reason spelled out in the policy. Typical covered scenarios include a traveler, companion, or close family member becoming seriously ill or injured; a natural disaster that makes your home or travel destination unlivable; or your airline, cruise line, or other carrier shutting down operations in a way that causes you to miss much of your trip.

Trip cancellation insurance covers situations when you must cancel your trip before you leave for a covered reason (generally, the same covered reasons that apply to trip interruption coverage.) Trip cancellation benefits can refund the prepaid, nonrefundable costs of your trip, such as airfare, cruise tickets, tour bookings and hotel reservations. Plus, if you prepaid for shared accommodations, and your travel companion needs to cancel their trip for a covered reason, you can be reimbursed additional accommodation fees, which is huge if you’re taking a cruise.

Similar to trip interruption, the 72-hour notification rule applies here as well. So be sure to let your airline, tour operator, cruise line and others know about the trip cancellation in a timely fashion.

Just remember that when your trip is delayed or interrupted, you need to do everything you can to continue your scheduled plans. Try to catch up with your cruise ship or tour group. Document your efforts. Keep your receipts. And as we’ve mentioned, notify all your travel providers and your insurer as soon as possible once you cancel your trip. Here are some tips on how to use your trip delay benefit—and how you know it’s time to cancel the trip.

Travel Delays: Coverage for additional expenses incurred due to delays.

A travel delay benefit helps cover the unexpected pauses in your journey. If your trip is held up beyond the minimum time listed in your plan, and it’s for a covered reason: like weather, lost documents, or a carrier delay - you can be reimbursed for things like meals, a hotel stay, ground transportation, and even prepaid reservations you miss out on.

Example: Your evening flight is grounded by a storm and the next one isn’t until morning. Delay coverage could pay for dinner, breakfast, a night in a hotel, the cab rides back and forth, and the non-refundable Orlando hotel room you missed. Just keep in mind, coverage has daily limits, and it will cover reasonable costs, not luxury splurges.

Airlines aren’t always required to foot the bill. In the U.S., they typically only provide vouchers when the delay is within their control (like crew shortages). If it’s weather or another uncontrollable issue, you’re often on your own, unless you’ve got travel insurance backing you up.

This is not everything that may be covered. Familiarize yourself with these basic coverages to identify what you might need for your personal situation and risk capacity.

Medical Emergencies: Coverage for medical treatment and hospital stays while abroad.

Emergency Evacuation: Transportation to the nearest medical facility or back home in case of serious illness or injury. This is particularly important for older travelers, as medical evacuation can be costly and is often not covered by standard health insurance policies.

Repatriation of Remains: Coverage for the return of your body to your home country in the event of death while traveling. This is a critical consideration for older travelers or those with health concerns, as the cost of body shipping can be significant and imagine your loved ones dealing with expenses and the stress that is alleviated by adding this option.

Baggage and Personal Belongings: Compensation for lost, stolen, or delayed luggage.

Step 2: Evaluate What Coverage You May Already Have

Before purchasing a travel insurance policy, check what coverage you might already have:

Credit Cards: Many credit cards offer travel insurance benefits, such as trip cancellation, baggage loss, and car rental damage if you use the card to purchase. Read the fine print to understand the extent of coverage and any limitations.

Health Insurance: Your existing health insurance may cover medical emergencies abroad, but it's important to confirm the details, including exclusions and whether emergency evacuation is included. For older travelers, note that Medicare generally does not provide coverage outside the United States, although some Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited international coverage.

Homeowner's or Renter's Insurance: These policies may cover personal belongings, even while you're traveling. You may have some coverages for car rental through your auto insurance too.

Step 3: Decide Between Per-Trip and Annual Coverage

Per-Trip Insurance: Ideal for occasional travelers. It covers a single trip and is generally more affordable if you travel infrequently.

Annual (Multi-Trip) Insurance: Best for frequent travelers. It provides coverage for multiple trips within a year, often at a lower cost per trip. However, note that annual policies typically have a maximum coverage limit per individual trip, such as 30 or 60 days, and a finite dollar amount annually of reimbursements. Be sure to verify these limits if you're planning an extended trip.

Assess your travel frequency to determine which option suits you better. Generally if you travel more than twice, annual plans will be more cost effective.

Step 4: Consider Any Preexisting Medical Conditions

If you have a preexisting medical condition, look for policies that offer a waiver of preexisting conditions. This ensures your condition is covered if certain requirements are met, such as purchasing the policy within a specified period after booking your trip. Most policies have very specific periods of time, and rules on this topic.

Step 5: Identify Additional Coverage Needs

Depending on your trip, you may need additional coverage such as:

Enhanced Medical Evacuation and Repatriation: While most standard plans include basic medical evacuation, many tour operators and adventure travel companies now require significantly higher coverage limits. Some tour companies mandate minimum evacuation coverage of $500,000 to $1 million, especially for remote destinations or adventure activities. Standard travel insurance policies may only provide $100,000-$250,000 in evacuation coverage, which may not be sufficient for complex evacuations from remote locations or situations requiring specialized medical transport.

Supplemental Medical Evacuation Coverage: Companies like TinLeg offer specialized medical evacuation and repatriation coverage that can supplement your primary travel insurance policy.

These standalone evacuation policies can provide higher coverage limits (often $1 million or more) and may include benefits like:

• Coverage for evacuation to your home country rather than just the nearest adequate medical facility

• Coverage for a companion to accompany you during evacuation

• Repatriation of remains with higher benefit limits

• 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services

Adventure Sports Coverage: If you plan to participate in activities like skiing, scuba diving, or zip-lining. Some carriers specifically exclude these activities in their policies.

Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR): Offers greater flexibility to cancel your trip for reasons not typically covered.

Rental Car Damage: If not covered by your credit card or auto insurance.

Higher Medical Coverage Limits: Some destinations and tour operators now require minimum medical coverage of $250,000 or more, particularly for remote or high-risk destinations.

Step 6: Compare Policies

Use reputable comparison websites like Aardy, Squaremouth, TravelInsurance, Forbes, GoCompare, or InsureMyTrip to:

• Compare coverage options and prices.

• Read customer reviews and ratings.

• Understand policy exclusions and limits.

Choose a reputable insurer that has solid financial backing. Many large insurance carriers underwrite for travel insurers, so that is a consideration. Fly by night, low cost insurance can prove to be more hassle than it's worth. Scams are out there. Verify ratings and financial stability.

Important Considerations for Enhanced Coverage:

- If your tour operator requires specific coverage minimums, verify that your chosen policy meets these requirements

- Consider purchasing both a comprehensive travel insurance policy AND a separate medical evacuation policy if you're traveling to remote areas or participating in high-risk activities

- Companies like TinLeg, Global Rescue, EmergencyAssistancePlus, and Medjet offer specialized evacuation services that may provide more comprehensive coverage than standard travel insurance policies. They may offer per trip coverages to enhance a current policy.

**Note – the search engines I mentioned are compensated by the carrier, so be aware! I am not endorsing any of these, just providing information. Use at your own risk, verify.

Step 7: Read the Fine Print, Read the Fine Print, Read the Fine Print!

Carefully review the policy document to:

• Ensure it covers your specific needs and meets any tour operator requirements.

• Understand claim procedures and documentation requirements.

• Check for exclusions, such as pandemics or acts of terrorism.

• Verify that medical evacuation coverage includes evacuation to your home country if that's important to you.

• Contact the company directly if you have questions.

I cannot impress upon you enough that what is in the fine print can make the difference of getting reimbursed or not. Remember insurance carriers make money when they don't have to pay claims. That fine print is what might "bite you".

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right travel insurance involves balancing cost with coverage. Start by identifying your needs, reviewing existing coverage, and then comparing policies to find the best fit. For older travelers or those embarking on adventure travel, prioritizing robust medical coverage and comprehensive emergency evacuation is essential. Don't overlook the possibility of purchasing supplemental evacuation coverage if your primary policy doesn't meet tour operator requirements or your personal comfort level.

Keep in mind that insurance is a for-profit business, and the onus will be on you to provide the documentation for any claim. If you are using a trusted travel advisor, they will often have plans to suggest as well and can help you navigate the increasingly complex requirements for different types of travel.

With the right plan in place, you can travel with peace of mind knowing you're protected against the unexpected.

*This is a basic informational guide and not legal, medical, or other advice. Your own personal insurance agent or trusted travel advisor/agent may be able to help you with specifics.

I am not being compensated for this blog.

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