debeka travel insurance

The best travel insurance policies and providers

It's easy to dismiss the value of travel insurance until you need it.

Many travelers have strong opinions about whether you should buy travel insurance . However, the purpose of this post isn't to determine whether it's worth investing in. Instead, it compares some of the top travel insurance providers and policies so you can determine which travel insurance option is best for you.

Of course, as the coronavirus remains an ongoing concern, it's important to understand whether travel insurance covers pandemics. Some policies will cover you if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and have proof of illness from a doctor. Others will take coverage a step further, covering additional types of pandemic-related expenses and cancellations.

Know, though, that every policy will have exclusions and restrictions that may limit coverage. For example, fear of travel is generally not a covered reason for invoking trip cancellation or interruption coverage, while specific stipulations may apply to elevated travel warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Interested in travel insurance? Visit InsureMyTrip.com to shop for plans that may fit your travel needs.

So, before buying a specific policy, you must understand the full terms and any special notices the insurer has about COVID-19. You may even want to buy the optional cancel for any reason add-on that's available for some comprehensive policies. While you'll pay more for that protection, it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still get some of your costs back. Note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has other eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

In this guide, we'll review several policies from top travel insurance providers so you have a better understanding of your options before picking the policy and provider that best address your wants and needs.

The best travel insurance providers

To put together this list of the best travel insurance providers, a number of details were considered: favorable ratings from TPG Lounge members, the availability of details about policies and the claims process online, positive online ratings and the ability to purchase policies in most U.S. states. You can also search for options from these (and other) providers through an insurance comparison site like InsureMyTrip .

When comparing insurance providers, I priced out a single-trip policy for each provider for a $2,000, one-week vacation to Istanbul . I used my actual age and state of residence when obtaining quotes. As a result, you may see a different price — or even additional policies due to regulations for travel insurance varying from state to state — when getting a quote.

AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard receives many positive reviews from readers in the TPG Lounge who have filed claims with the company. AIG offers three plans online, which you can compare side by side, and the ability to examine sample policies. Here are three plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

AIG Travel Guard also offers an annual travel plan. This plan is priced at $259 per year for one Florida resident.

Additionally, AIG Travel Guard offers several other policies, including a single-trip policy without trip cancellation protection . See AIG Travel Guard's COVID-19 notification and COVID-19 advisory for current details regarding COVID-19 coverage.

Preexisting conditions

Typically, AIG Travel Guard wouldn't cover you for any loss or expense due to a preexisting medical condition that existed within 180 days of the coverage effective date. However, AIG Travel Guard may waive the preexisting medical condition exclusion on some plans if you meet the following conditions:

• You purchase the plan within 15 days of your initial trip payment.
• The amount of coverage you purchase equals all trip costs at the time of purchase. You must update your coverage to insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements that you add to your trip within 15 days of paying the travel supplier for these additional arrangements.
• You must be medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.

Standout features

• The Deluxe and Preferred plans allow you to purchase an upgrade that lets you cancel your trip for any reason. However, reimbursement under this coverage will not exceed 50% or 75% of your covered trip cost.
• You can include one child (age 17 and younger) with each paying adult for no additional cost on most single-trip plans.
• Other optional upgrades, including an adventure sports bundle, a baggage bundle, an inconvenience bundle, a pet bundle, a security bundle and a wedding bundle, are available on some policies. So, an AIG Travel Guard plan may be a good choice if you know you want extra coverage in specific areas.

Purchase your policy here: AIG Travel Guard .

Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz is one of the most highly regarded providers in the TPG Lounge, and many readers found the claim process reasonable. Allianz offers many plans, including the following single-trip plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

If you travel frequently, it may make sense to purchase an annual multi-trip policy. For this plan, all of the maximum coverage amounts in the table below are per trip (except for the trip cancellation and trip interruption amounts, which are an aggregate limit per policy). Trips typically must last no more than 45 days, although some plans may cover trips of up to 90 days.

See Allianz's coverage alert for current information on COVID-19 coverage.

Most Allianz travel insurance plans may cover preexisting medical conditions if you meet particular requirements. For the OneTrip Premier, Prime and Basic plans, the requirements are as follows:

• You purchased the policy within 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit.
• You were a U.S. resident when you purchased the policy.
• You were medically able to travel when you purchased the policy.
• On the policy purchase date, you insured the total, nonrefundable cost of your trip (including arrangements that will become nonrefundable or subject to cancellation penalties before your departure date). If you incur additional nonrefundable trip expenses after purchasing this policy, you must insure them within 14 days of their purchase.
• Allianz offers reasonably priced annual policies for independent travelers and families who take multiple trips lasting up to 45 days (or 90 days for select plans) per year.
• Some Allianz plans provide the option of receiving a flat reimbursement amount without receipts for trip delay and baggage delay claims. Of course, you can also submit receipts to get up to the maximum refund.
• For emergency transportation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Allianz, and Allianz must then make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, most Allianz policies provide an option if you cannot contact the company: Allianz will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Allianz Travel Insurance .

American Express Travel Insurance

American Express Travel Insurance offers four different package plans and a build-your-own coverage option. You don't have to be an American Express cardholder to purchase this insurance. Here are the four package options for my sample weeklong trip to Turkey. Unlike some other providers, Amex won't ask for your travel destination on the initial quote (but will when you purchase the plan).

Amex's build-your-own coverage plan is unique because you can purchase just the coverage you need. For most types of protection, you can even select the coverage amount that works best for you.

The prices for the packages and the build-your-own plan don't increase for longer trips — as long as the trip cost remains constant. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit is only available for your first 60 days of travel.

Typically, Amex won't cover any loss you incur because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. However, Amex may waive its preexisting-condition exclusion if you meet both of the following requirements:

• You must be medically able to travel at the time you pay the policy premium.
• You pay the policy premium within 14 days of making the first covered trip deposit.
• Amex's build-your-own coverage option allows you to only purchase — and pay for — the coverage you need.
• Coverage on long trips doesn't cost more than coverage for short trips, making this policy ideal for extended getaways. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit only covers your first 60 days of travel.
• American Express Travel Insurance can protect travel expenses you purchase with Amex Membership Rewards points in the Pay with Points program (as well as travel expenses bought with cash, debit or credit). However, travel expenses bought with other types of points and miles aren't covered.

Purchase your policy here: American Express Travel Insurance .

GeoBlue is different from most other providers described in this piece because it only provides medical coverage while you're traveling internationally and does not offer benefits to protect the cost of your trip. There are many different policies. Some require you to have primary health insurance in the U.S. (although it doesn't need to be provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield), but all of them only offer coverage while traveling outside the U.S.

Two single-trip plans are available if you're traveling for six months or less. The Voyager Choice policy provides coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger and already have a U.S. health insurance policy.

The Voyager Essential policy provides coverage (including medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger, regardless of whether they have primary health insurance.

In addition to these options, two multi-trip plans cover trips of up to 70 days each for one year. Both policies provide coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for preexisting conditions) to travelers with primary health insurance.

Be sure to check out GeoBlue's COVID-19 notices before buying a plan.

Most GeoBlue policies explicitly cover sudden recurrences of preexisting conditions for medical services and medical evacuation.

• GeoBlue can be an excellent option if you're mainly concerned about the medical side of travel insurance.
• GeoBlue provides single-trip, multi-trip and long-term medical travel insurance policies for many different types of travel.

Purchase your policy here: GeoBlue .

IMG offers various travel medical insurance policies for travelers, as well as comprehensive travel insurance policies. For a single trip of 90 days or less, there are five policy types available for vacation or holiday travelers. Although you must enter your gender, males and females received the same quote for my one-week search.

You can purchase an annual multi-trip travel medical insurance plan. Some only cover trips lasting up to 30 or 45 days, but others provide coverage for longer trips.

See IMG's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Most plans may cover preexisting conditions under set parameters or up to specific amounts. For example, the iTravelInsured Travel LX travel insurance plan shown above may cover preexisting conditions if you purchase the insurance within 24 hours of making the final payment for your trip.

For the travel medical insurance plans shown above, preexisting conditions are covered for travelers younger than 70. However, coverage is capped based on your age and whether you have a primary health insurance policy.

• Some annual multi-trip plans are modestly priced.
• iTravelInsured Travel LX may offer optional cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason coverage, if eligible.

Purchase your policy here: IMG .

Travelex Insurance

Travelex offers three single-trip plans: Travel Basic, Travel Select and Travel America. However, only the Travel Basic and Travel Select plans would be applicable for my trip to Turkey.

See Travelex's COVID-19 coverage statement for coronavirus-specific information.

Typically, Travelex won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 60 days of the coverage effective date. However, the Travel Select plan may offer a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, the insured traveler must meet all the following conditions:

• You purchase the plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment.
• The amount of coverage purchased equals all prepaid, nonrefundable payments or deposits applicable to the trip at the time of purchase. Additionally, you must insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements added to the same trip within 15 days of payment or deposit.
• All insured individuals are medically able to travel when they pay the plan cost.
• The trip cost does not exceed the maximum trip cost limit under trip cancellation as shown in the schedule per person (only applicable to trip cancellation, interruption and delay).
• Travelex's Travel Select policy can cover trips lasting up to 364 days, which is longer than many single-trip policies.
• Neither Travelex policy requires receipts for trip and baggage delay expenses less than $25.
• For emergency evacuation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Travelex and have Travelex make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, both Travelex policies provide an option if you cannot contact Travelex: Travelex will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Travelex Insurance .

Seven Corners

Seven Corners offers a wide variety of policies. Here are the policies that are most applicable to travelers on a single international trip.

Seven Corners also offers many other types of travel insurance, including an annual multi-trip plan. You can choose coverage for trips of up to 30, 45 or 60 days when purchasing an annual multi-trip plan.

See Seven Corner's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Typically, Seven Corners won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition. However, the RoundTrip Choice plan offers a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• You buy this plan within 20 days of making your initial trip payment or deposit.
• You or your travel companion are medically able and not disabled from travel when you pay for this plan or upgrade your plan.
• You update the coverage to include the additional cost of subsequent travel arrangements within 15 days of paying your travel supplier for them.
• Seven Corners offers the ability to purchase optional sports and golf equipment coverage. If purchased, this extra insurance will reimburse you for the cost of renting sports or golf equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed by a common carrier for six or more hours. However, Seven Corners must authorize the expenses in advance.
• You can add cancel for any reason coverage or trip interruption for any reason coverage to RoundTrip plans. Although some other providers offer cancel for any reason coverage, trip interruption for any reason coverage is less common.
• Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice policy offers a political or security evacuation benefit that will transport you to the nearest safe place or your residence under specific conditions. You can also add optional event ticket registration fee protection to the RoundTrip Choice policy.

Purchase your policy here: Seven Corners .

World Nomads

World Nomads is popular with younger, active travelers because of its flexibility and adventure-activities coverage on the Explorer plan. Unlike many policies offered by other providers, you don't need to estimate prepaid costs when purchasing the insurance to have access to trip interruption and cancellation insurance.

World Nomads offers two single-trip plans.

World Nomads has a page dedicated to coronavirus coverage , so be sure to view it before buying a policy.

World Nomads won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition (except emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains) that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. Unlike many other providers, World Nomads doesn't offer a waiver.

• World Nomads' policies cover more adventure sports than most providers, so activities such as bungee jumping are included. The Explorer policy covers almost any adventure sport, including skydiving, stunt flying and caving. So, if you partake in adventure sports while traveling, the Explorer policy may be a good fit.
• World Nomads' policies provide nonmedical evacuation coverage for transportation expenses if there is civil or political unrest in the country you are visiting. The coverage may also transport you home if there is an eligible natural disaster or a government expels you.

Purchase your policy here: World Nomads .

Other options for buying travel insurance

This guide details the policies of eight providers with the information available at the time of publication. There are many options when it comes to travel insurance, though. To compare different policies quickly, you can use a travel insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to search. Just note that these search engines won't show every policy and every provider, and you should still research the provided policies to ensure the coverage fits your trip and needs.

You can also purchase a plan through various membership associations, such as USAA, AAA or Costco. Typically, these organizations partner with a specific provider, so if you are a member of any of these associations, you may want to compare the policies offered through the organization with other policies to get the best coverage for your trip.

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

Is travel insurance worth getting?

Whether you should purchase travel insurance is a personal decision. Suppose you use a credit card that provides travel insurance for most of your expenses and have medical insurance that provides adequate coverage abroad. In that case, you may be covered enough on most trips to forgo purchasing travel insurance.

However, suppose your medical insurance won't cover you at your destination and you can't comfortably cover a sizable medical evacuation bill or last-minute flight home . In that case, you should consider purchasing travel insurance. If you travel frequently, buying an annual multi-trip policy may be worth it.

What is the best COVID-19 travel insurance?

There are various aspects to keep in mind in the age of COVID-19. Consider booking travel plans that are fully refundable or have modest change or cancellation fees so you don't need to worry about whether your policy will cover trip cancellation. This is important since many standard comprehensive insurance policies won't reimburse your insured expenses in the event of cancellation if it's related to the fear of traveling due to COVID-19.

However, if you book a nonrefundable trip and want to maintain the ability to get reimbursed (up to 75% of your insured costs) if you choose to cancel, you should consider buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy and then adding optional cancel for any reason protection. Just note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

Providers will often require CFAR purchasers insure the entire dollar amount of their travels to receive the coverage. Also, many CFAR policies mandate that you must cancel your plans and notify all travel suppliers at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Likewise, if your primary health insurance won't cover you while on your trip, it's essential to consider whether medical expenses related to COVID-19 treatment are covered. You may also want to consider a MedJet medical transport membership if your trip is to a covered destination for coronavirus-related evacuation.

Ultimately, the best pandemic travel insurance policy will depend on your trip details, travel concerns and your willingness to self-insure. Just be sure to thoroughly read and understand any terms or exclusions before purchasing.

What are the different types of travel insurance?

Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or rely on the protections offered by select credit cards, you may have access to the following types of coverage:

• Baggage delay protection may reimburse for essential items and clothing when a common carrier (such as an airline) fails to deliver your checked bag within a set time of your arrival at a destination. Typically, you may be reimbursed up to a particular amount per incident or per day.
• Lost/damaged baggage protection may provide reimbursement to replace lost or damaged luggage and items inside that luggage. However, valuables and electronics usually have a relatively low maximum benefit.
• Trip delay reimbursement may provide reimbursement for necessary items, food, lodging and sometimes transportation when you're delayed for a substantial time while traveling on a common carrier such as an airline. This insurance may be beneficial if weather issues (or other covered reasons for which the airline usually won't provide compensation) delay you.
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection may provide reimbursement if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason, such as a death in your family or jury duty.
• Medical evacuation insurance can arrange and pay for medical evacuation if deemed necessary by the insurance provider and a medical professional. This coverage can be particularly valuable if you're traveling to a region with subpar medical facilities.
• Travel accident insurance may provide a payment to you or your beneficiary in the case of your death or dismemberment.
• Emergency medical insurance may provide payment or reimburse you if you must seek medical care while traveling. Some plans only cover emergency medical care, but some also cover other types of medical care. You may need to pay a deductible or copay.
• Rental car coverage may provide a collision damage waiver when renting a car. This waiver may reimburse for collision damage or theft up to a set amount. Some policies also cover loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company and towing charges to take the vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility. You generally need to decline the rental company's collision damage waiver or similar provision to be covered.

Should I buy travel health insurance?

If you purchase travel with credit cards that provide various trip protections, you may not see much need for additional travel insurance. However, you may still wonder whether you should buy travel medical insurance.

If your primary health insurance covers you on your trip, you may not need travel health insurance. Your domestic policy may not cover you outside the U.S., though, so it's worth calling the number on your health insurance card if you have coverage questions. If your primary health insurance wouldn't cover you, it's likely worth purchasing travel medical insurance. After all, as you can see above, travel medical insurance is often very modestly priced.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance costs depend on various factors, including the provider, the type of coverage, your trip cost, your destination, your age, your residency and how many travelers you want to insure. That said, a standard travel insurance plan will generally set you back somewhere between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. However, this can get lower for more basic protections or become even higher if you include add-ons like cancel for any reason protection.

The best way to determine how much travel insurance will cost is to price out your trip with a few providers discussed in the guide. Or, visit an insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to quickly compare options across multiple providers.

When and how to get travel insurance

For the most robust selection of available travel insurance benefits — including time-sensitive add-ons like CFAR protection and waivers of preexisting conditions for eligible travelers — you should ideally purchase travel insurance on the same day you make your first payment toward your trip.

However, many plans may still offer a preexisting conditions waiver for those who qualify if you buy your travel insurance within 14 to 21 days of your first trip expense or deposit (this time frame may vary by provider). If you don't need a preexisting conditions waiver or aren't interested in CFAR coverage, you can purchase travel insurance once your departure date nears.

You must purchase coverage before it's needed. Some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have departed, but comprehensive plans that include medical coverage must be purchased before departing.

Additionally, you can't buy any medical coverage once you require medical attention. The same applies to all travel insurance coverage. Once you recognize the need, it's too late to protect your trip.

Once you've shopped around and decided upon the best travel insurance plan for your trip, you should be able to complete your purchase online. You'll usually be able to download your insurance card and the complete policy shortly after the transaction is complete.

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

Bottom line

Not all travel insurance policies and providers are equal. Before buying a plan, read and understand the policy documents. By doing so, you can choose a plan that's appropriate for you and your trip — including the features that matter most to you.

For example, if you plan to go skiing or rock climbing, make sure the policy you buy doesn't contain exclusions for these activities. Likewise, if you're making two back-to-back trips during which you'll be returning home for a short time in between, be sure the plan doesn't terminate coverage at the end of your first trip.

If you're looking to cover a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition, select a policy with a preexisting condition waiver and fulfill the requirements for the waiver. After all, buying insurance won't help if your policy doesn't cover your losses.

Disclaimer : This information is provided by IMT Services, LLC ( InsureMyTrip.com ), a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 5119217) and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. IMT's services are only available in states where it is licensed to do business and the products provided through InsureMyTrip.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not create or modify any insurance policy terms in any way. For more information, please visit www.insuremytrip.com .

Debeka Krankenversicherung

Civil servant-based insurer which successfully branched out, what are the benefits of debeka krankenversicherung.

Debeka Krankenversicherung

Strong in the area of private health insurance for civil servants.

Debeka is one of Germany's largest private health insurers . Debeka can return all surpluses to its members as a mutual insurance association. Debeka Krankenversicherungsverein is part of the Debeka Group, which attaches great importance to its independence from other economic and financial organizations.

• Very strong insurer for civil servants
• Stable premiums
• Premium refunds in the event of no benefits
• One of the largest health insurers in Germany

Debeka Krankenversicherung regards economic, social and ecological sustainability as an essential principle of its corporate strategy. Debeka Krankenversicherung focuses on long-term insurance benefits and the consideration of ethical and social concerns - as in capital investment.

Comprehensive private health insurance Debeka aims to distinguish itself through stable premiums and high premium refunds in private health insurance. Debeka's strength lies in the area of private health insurance for civil servants and doctors.

Debeka's also offers various comprehensive health insurance plans for employees and self-employed outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, dental treatment, dentures and orthodontics, and travel abroad. Employees and the self-employed can choose between six different health insurance plans.

Supplementary insurance Debeka Krankenversicherung offers various supplementary insurance policies, ranging from hospital tariffs to outpatient benefits, daily hospital and daily sickness benefits, supplementary dental tariffs and foreign travel insurance. Debeka also offers supplemental insurance for alternative practitioner treatments, glasses and contact lenses, preventive check-ups, and non-prescription medicines. A special offer from Debeka Krankenversicherung is a supplementary insurance tariff for people over 55 with statutory health insurance, which covers dental prostheses and visual aids, among other things.  

Address and contact

Telephone head office: (02 61) 4 98 - 46 64 Customer telephone: (08 00) 8 88 00 82 20 For calls from abroad: +49 (0)2 61 4 98 - 99 01

Fax: (02 61) 4 98 - 55 55 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.debeka.de/produkte/versichern/krankenversicherung/index.html Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Debeka/

Balance sheet key figures 2022

Type of company: Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit Insured persons (comprehensive and supplementary): 4.246.785 Gross premiums earned (in thousands of euros): 7.872.545 € Investments (in thousands of euros): 54.015.784 € Current interest: 3 % Acquisition costs: 4 % Administrative expenses: 1 %

How is ‘trip insurance’ different from ‘trip protection’? A Danvers couple found out the hard way.

Milda walkley and leo peters canceled their mediterranean trip well in advance, but viking cruises imposed a $3,800 cancellation penalty because they mistakenly filed with viking’s insurer, not viking directly..

Milda Walkley and Leo Peters, both in their mid 80s, got married last year and took a celebratory eight-day cruise on the Danube River .

“It was lovely,” said Milda, a retired nurse who was long divorced when she met Leo, a retired engineering executive and recent widower.

The couple was so pleased that they quickly booked another trip on Viking Cruises — 10 days on the Mediterranean — for this October.

They purchased travel insurance for both trips because, as Milda put it, “it seemed prudent for anyone in their golden years.”

Travel insurance may be prudent, but it is also expensive — about 10 percent of the trip cost for Milda and Leo’s Mediterranean trip. And it can be maddeningly confusing when making a claim, as the couple found out after a medical issue forced them to cancel.

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Milda and Leo made their claim well in advance of the trip’s departure date to qualify them for a full cash refund. But Viking imposed a $3,800 cancellation penalty nevertheless because Milda mistakenly canceled with Viking’s insurer, not Viking, and that put the cancellation a few days past the full-refund date.

Really? A $3,800 hit for a good-faith bookkeeping mistake by a repeat customer in her 80s?

When he finally got a Viking manager on the phone to make his case for waiving the penalty, Leo got nowhere.

“The Viking manager was adamant there was nothing they could do,” Leo said. “It was: ‘tough luck.’ And then silence.”

Viking’s attitude changed after I got involved. And it wasn’t only Viking. Trip Mate, Viking’s insurer , told me it should have done more to help Milda and Leo.

The couple admittedly did not read the umpteen pages of fine print on their insurance policy and didn’t actually understand the full extent of its coverage. And apparently no one from Viking or Trip Mate offered a guiding hand, which wound up costing the couple a lot of unnecessary time and aggravation.

In the end, Milda and Leo got a full refund, which is exactly what Viking and Trip Mate owed them under the terms of their confusing insurance policy. Plus, Viking wound up giving the couple $500 in travel vouchers as a sort of makeup gift.

Here’s what happened:

Milda and Leo, who live in Danvers, paid $1,900 for what Viking calls its “Trip Protection Plan” on a trip that cost $19,000 (using round numbers). They basically checked a box requesting insurance when running down a list of trip options such as what kind of room they wanted, Milda said.

On its website, Viking touts its Trip Protection Plan as a “cancel for any reason” policy. It says the plan, while offered by Viking, is administered by Trip Mate and covers “unforeseeable circumstances that may arise before or during your trip.”

I suspect few travelers understand there’s actually two different components in Viking’s Trip Protection Plan (and other plans): trip protection and trip insurance. If you are considering travel insurance it behooves you to know how each works.

Trip protection protects the money you prepay for your trip (most travel companies require full upfront payment, not just a fractional deposit). It’s standard practice in the travel industry that when you cancel your trip close to the date of departure you forfeit some or all of your upfront payment in so-called cancellation penalties — the closer you are to the date, the more money you forfeit.

For Milda and Leo’s trip, Viking had established a sliding scale of cancellation penalties. It would impose no penalty on anyone canceling four months or more in advance of departure and a 100 percent penalty on anyone canceling less than 30 days of departure. In between those two extremes, Viking would impose a penalty ranging from 20 percent of the prepaid amount to 80 percent, depending on how close the cancellation came to the departure date.

But would-be travelers can insure against such cancellation penalties by purchasing Viking’s Trip Protection. Let’s say your cancellation date triggers a 20 percent cancellation penalty on a $19,000 trip, as in the example of Milda and Leo. That’s a $3,800 loss in cash. But anyone who purchased Viking’s Trip Protection would be covered for that loss — but in future travel credits with Viking (a.k.a., “travel vouchers,”) not cash. That means you can “cancel for any reason,” as Viking touts on its website, but you get travel credits to cover a cancellation penalty, which are a lot less valuable than cash.

Trip insurance, by contrast, typically covers losses you may incur while traveling, like emergency medical or dental expenses or lost, damaged, or stolen baggage or personal items.

The Trip Protection Plan offered by Viking bundles the two types of protection together for one price and makes Viking responsible for trip protection and Trip Mate for trip insurance. What’s confusing is that Trip Mate’s trip insurance also provides a measure of trip protection, though it differs from Viking’s in that it provides cash refunds, not vouchers, and restricts coverage to only certain “covered events,” such as illness or injury that prevents travel (backed by a doctor’s letter).

The bottom line is that Milda and Leo were eligible for a full cash refund, even without Viking giving them a break for misunderstanding how to cancel. Viking should have refunded 80 percent (based on the date of cancellation) and Trip Mate 20 percent (based on Milda’s medical issue being a covered event). But no one took the time to explain that to them and the fine print posted online is mostly difficult to understand legalese. The couple first learned of the extent of their coverage from me. And it wasn’t easy for me to figure it out.

It was May when Milda’s doctor told her to cancel because of a cardiac issue. Believing she had “cancel for any reason” insurance, Milda searched the Viking website for instructions on how to cancel, but did not find them. So, she went directly to Trip Mate, which she considered an interchangeable and equal partner with Viking on her insurance.

A Trip Mate customer service representative gave her instructions on filing a claim online, which Milda did, including uploading medical records.

But the Trip Mate representative missed an opportunity to spare Milda and Leo a big headache. The rep should have realized the couple on that date was entitled to a no-penalty refund from Viking based on early cancellation. The rep should have said: Don’t file a claim with us — file with Viking, and here’s how to do it.

But no such discussion took place. Instead, Milda awaited her refund, thinking she had properly filed her claim.

“I thought by canceling with Trip Mate I was canceling with Viking,” Milda told me.

But 18 days after filing with Trip Mate Milda received a letter from the insurer saying it had discovered Milda’s trip hadn’t actually been canceled with Viking, and that filing a claim with Trip Mate wasn’t the same as canceling with Viking.

A day after getting the letter, Milda contacted Viking. But it was now too late for a no-penalty refund, she was told. Between the time of her filing with Trip Mate and the time she contacted Viking the number of days before her trip departure date had dropped from 132 to 114, meaning she was past the no-penalty period by six days, a $3,800 goof.

At that point, Viking could have said “close enough” and given her a full refund, which is what Leo argued to the Viking manager. But it also could have — and should have — explained that she would wind up with a full cash refund anyway, because Trip Mate’s policy would kick in to cover Viking’s 20 percent cancellation penalty.

But no such discussion occurred. And Milda and Leo were left thinking they were losing thousands of dollars.

After I got involved, Viking imposed its $3,800 cancellation penalty, but Trip Mate agreed it would cover that amount, much to the relief of Milda and Leo.

If you are considering travel insurance, ask questions. Am I getting trip protection or trip insurance or both? What happens if I cancel my trip before departure? Do I get cash or travel credits? Does the reason I cancel matter? What’s my coverage while I’m on my trip? Who are the responsible parties? How do I cancel and how do I file a claim?

Lots of questions to ask. Make sure you know what you’re getting.

Got a problem? Send your consumer issue to [email protected] . Follow him @spmurphyboston .

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W.H.O. Declares Global Emergency Over New Mpox Outbreak

The epidemic is concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but the virus has now appeared in a dozen other African countries.

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By Apoorva Mandavilli

The rapid spread of mpox, formerly called monkeypox, in African countries constitutes a global health emergency, the World Health Organization declared on Wednesday.

This is the second time in three years that the W.H.O. has designated an mpox epidemic as a global emergency. It previously did so in July 2022. That outbreak went on to affect nearly 100,000 people , primarily gay and bisexual men, in 116 countries, and killed about 200 people.

The threat this time is deadlier. Since the beginning of this year, the Democratic Republic of Congo alone has reported 15,600 mpox cases and 537 deaths. Those most at risk include women and children under 15.

“The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern D.R.C., its detection in neighboring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the W.H.O.’s director general.

The outbreak has spread through 13 countries in Africa, including a few that had never reported mpox cases before. On Tuesday, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared a “public health emergency of continental security,” the first time the organization has taken that step since the African Union granted it the power to do so last year.

“It’s in the interests of the countries, of the continent and of the world to get our arms around this and stop transmission as soon as we can,” said Dr. Nicole Lurie, the executive director for preparedness and response at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, a nonprofit that finances vaccine development.

Facing the threat of global spread, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged clinicians and the public in the United States to be alert for the virus.

The W.H.O.’s designation of a “public health emergency of international concern” is intended to prompt member countries to begin preparing for the virus’s appearance and to share vaccines, treatments and other key resources with poorer nations.

“We need concerted international action to stem this recent, novel outbreak,” said Gregg Gonsalves, an epidemiologist at Yale University who served on the W.H.O.’s mpox committee in 2022.

The outbreak that year stayed mostly within tight sexual networks, among gay and bisexual men. A combination of behavioral changes and vaccination tamped down the spread.

In the United States, for example, the toll dropped to about 1,700 cases last year from more than 30,000 in 2022.

The version of mpox that has been circulating in Congo has always been more virulent, and currently has a death rate of about 3 percent, compared with 0.2 percent in the 2022 outbreak. The infection can produce fever, respiratory symptoms, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes, as well as a rash on the hands, feet, chest, mouth or genitals.

Until recently, it spread mainly through consumption of contaminated meat or close contact with infected animals and people. Most of the deaths have been in children, who in this region of Africa are already beset by malnutrition and infectious diseases like cholera, measles and polio.

Should the outbreak spread globally, children in developed countries are likely to be less vulnerable to severe illness, experts have said.

Last year, for the first time, scientists discovered sexual transmission of this version of mpox, with cases split about equally among young men and women. According to genetic analyses , sometime around September, the virus gained mutations that enabled it to spread more readily among people. It has done so partly through heterosexual prostitution .

This viral type has not surfaced outside Africa. Over all, there have been more than 17,500 presumed and confirmed mpox cases in 13 countries, according to Africa C.D.C . Most of the cases and deaths have occurred in Congo.

Given the rapid spread, the declaration of a global health emergency was justified, said Anne Rimoin, an epidemiologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, who served on the 2022 mpox panel.

“I think we learned a great deal about the speed with which this virus can spread,” she said.

Amid rising numbers, Congo has approved two mpox vaccines , a Japanese product called LC16 and Jynneos, the vaccine made by Bavarian Nordic that was used in 2022 in the United States and Europe. But Congo has yet to institute an immunization plan.

On Aug. 9, the W.H.O. invited vaccine manufacturers to apply for an emergency use listing , a prerequisite for international groups such as Gavi, a global vaccine alliance, to purchase and distribute the shots in low-income nations.

Bavarian Nordic has donated 15,000 doses of Jynneos to be distributed in African countries. But that is a tiny fraction of the 10 million doses needed to control the outbreak, according to Africa C.D.C.

“The challenge is that these vaccines are not sufficient,” even if countries try to protect only the people at highest risk, said Dr. Dimie Ogoina, a Nigerian scientist and chair of the W.H.O.’s mpox emergency committee.

LC16 was used in Japanese children in the 1970s. Clinical trials funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations are now evaluating whether Jynneos can protect children and people who have already been exposed to the virus , Dr. Lurie said.

The organization is also supporting the development of a new mRNA vaccine made by BioNTech that would protect against mpox and related viruses, such as smallpox.

“This outbreak has been smoldering for quite a long time, and we continually have missed opportunities to shut it down,” Dr. Lurie said. “I’m really glad that everybody is now paying attention and focusing their efforts on this.”

Apoorva Mandavilli is a reporter focused on science and global health. She was a part of the team that won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for coverage of the pandemic. More about Apoorva Mandavilli

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

The 5 Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans of 2024

Allianz Travel Insurance »

AIG Travel Guard »

Seven Corners »

GeoBlue »

Trawick International »

Why Trust Us

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

Table of Contents

• Allianz Travel Insurance
• AIG Travel Guard

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tailor your annual travel insurance plan to your needs

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

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

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

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

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual Travel Insurance Plan offers year-round travel insurance protection

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

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

No coverage for preexisting medical conditions

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

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

Tailor other included benefit levels to your needs

Coverage only applies to trips up to 40 days

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

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

Get annual coverage for medical expenses and routine medical care

High limits for medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation

GeoBlue plans don't offer comprehensive travel protection

Deductibles and copays apply

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

Choose among three tiers of annual travel protection

Option for basic protection with affordable premiums

No coverage for preexisting conditions

Maximum trip duration of 30 days per trip

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

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

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

You might also be interested in:

The 5 Best Family Travel Insurance Plans

Holly Johnson

Explore the options to protect your family wherever you roam.

8 Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies Worth the Cost

U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering pricing data, expert recommendations and consumer reviews.

The 6 Best Vacation Rental Travel Insurance Plans

Protect your trip and give yourself peace of mind with the top options.

Is Travel Insurance Worth It? Yes, in These 3 Scenarios

These are the scenarios when travel insurance makes most sense.

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The Best Senior Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

Alex Carver is a writer and researcher based in Charlotte, N.C. A contributor to major news websites such as Automoblog and USA Today, she’s written content in sectors such as insurance, warranties, shipping, real estate and more.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the best travel insurance companies

Top 9 Best Senior Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

Here are our picks for the top travel insurance companies for U.S. seniors. All companies we’ve ranked as our top picks offer pre-existing conditions coverage or a waiver.

• Faye: Our top pick for seniors
• Travelex : Best for budget travelers
• Nationwide Travel Insurance : Best for baggage coverage
• Generali Global Assistance : Best for trip interruption coverage
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance : Best for visitors to the USA
• HTH Travel Insurance : Best for group travel
• WorldTrips Travel Insurance: Most affordable comprehensive coverage
• Allianz: Best for concierge services
• International Medical Group : Best for medical coverage

Compare Travel Insurance Companies for Seniors

It’s important to balance coverage with cost when searching for a senior travel insurance policy to ensure you get the best deal possible. See the table below for the average cost of a travel insurance plan based on quotes we gathered from our top company picks. We’ve also included our recommended plans for seniors and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings across each provider.

* Average costs are based on quotes our team gathered from each provider using four different traveler profiles, ranging from 70 to 81 years old.

The Best Senior Travel Insurance in Detail

Why We Picked Faye for Senior Travelers

We chose Faye as our top pick for senior travelers. While it offers only one plan, the company includes $250,000 worth of primary medical coverage on all its policies and has a pre-existing conditions waiver to help seniors cover chronic medical conditions. To qualify for this pre-existing coverage waiver, you must purchase your policy within 14 days of your initial trip deposit and be medically able to travel at the time of plan purchase. Faye’s policies also provide $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage, which older travelers may require if they have a complex health condition or are in a remote area.

Pros and Cons

Coverage and cost.

Faye offers the following add-on options:

• CFAR coverage
• Rental car damage or theft
• Adventure and extreme sports protection
• Vacation rental damage protection

We gathered quotes directly from Faye to better understand the cost of a travel insurance policy for seniors. Based on the quotes we gathered, the average cost of senior travel insurance is $337.

Why We Picked Travelex for Senior Travelers

Travelex is worth considering for senior travelers because of its primary medical coverage. If you become hospitalized outside of the U.S. , Medicare won’t pay for most injuries and illnesses. A travel insurance plan that offers secondary coverage may leave you with a major medical bill after a serious accident. Travelex’s Travel Select plan allows seniors to upgrade their primary medical coverage with additional medical and emergency evacuation coverage, providing peace of mind while abroad.

• Trip cancellation: 100% of non-refundable costs
• Trip interruption: 100%–150% of non-refundable costs
• Baggage: $100–$200 for delays and $500–$1,000 for losses
• Medical expenses: $15,000–$50,000
• Medical evacuation: $100,000–$500,000

You can choose from the following add-on coverage with Travelex:

• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage (up to 75% of trip costs)
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) and medical benefit upgrades
• Car rental collision

We gathered quotes directly from Travelex to learn more about the average cost of a travel insurance policy for seniors through the company. Based on these quotes, Travelex’s average cost is $585.

Nationwide Travel Insurance

Why We Picked Nationwide for Senior Travelers

Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury plan features several inclusions that benefit senior travelers at an affordable price. Trip interruption coverage includes up to 200% of your trip cost, and you can qualify for a pre-existing conditions waiver up to 21 days after your initial deposit. While medical limits are lower than most competitors, Nationwide’s general and cruise-specific coverages present a viable option for older travelers.

• Trip interruption: 125%–200% of non-refundable costs
• Baggage: $100–$600 for delays and $500–$2,000 for losses
• Medical expenses: $75,000–$150,000
• Medical evacuation: $250,000–$1 million

Nationwide offers the following add-ons, but available coverage may vary by plan.

• AD&D coverage (available on all plans)
• Rental car coverage options (Essential and Prime plans)
• CFAR coverage (Prime Plan, Cruise Choice and Luxury plans)

We gathered quotes directly from Nationwide to better gauge what a travel insurance policy costs for seniors. Based on the quotes collected by our research team, a senior travel insurance plan with Nationwide costs $407 on average.

Generali Global Assistance

Why We Picked Generali Global Assistance for Senior Travelers

We named Generali Global Assistance our pick for emergency assistance, as the provider offers a team of bilingual representatives on standby to assist in an emergency. Generali’s policies include around-the-clock travel assistance, and its Premium plan offers generous medical coverage of up to $250,000. In addition, Generali’s medical coverage does not have a lower cap for dental coverage, a benefit if you experience a dental abscess or another major dental emergency on vacation.

• Trip interruption: 125% – 175% of non-refundable costs
• Baggage: $200–$500 for delays and $1,000–$2,000 for losses
• Medical expenses: $50,000–$250,000

Generali offers fewer add-on options than other insurance providers we reviewed, including:

• Rental car accident insurance (offers up to $25,000 with the Standard and Preferred plans)
• CFAR insurance (available with the Premium plan only)

Note that the Premium plan includes rental car coverage as standard so the add-on is not available to those customers.

We gathered quotes directly from Generali to learn about the cost of a travel insurance policy for seniors. Based on these quotes, seniors can expect to pay $298 for a Generali plan.

Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Why We Picked Seven Corners for Senior Travelers

As an older traveler, you may focus on comprehensive medical care and evacuation protections when buying travel insurance. Seven Corners offers a broad selection of medical insurance policies, with travelers 65 to 79 years old provided up to $100,000 in medical coverage. Travelers 80 years and older can receive $10,000 in coverage, which is an age many other providers exclude from enrollment entirely. Seven Corners also offers medical evacuation coverage up to $1 million, which can benefit those traveling to a remote area.

• Baggage: $500  for delays and $500–$2,500 for losses
• Medical expenses: $100,000–$500,000

With Seven Corners, you can choose from the following add-ons:

• CFAR insurance
• Event ticket registration fee protection
• Interrupted for any reason (IFAR) coverage
• Rental car collision waiver ($35,000 maximum)
• Sports and golf equipment rental coverage

Our research team collected quotes from Seven Corners using various senior traveler profiles. We found that a senior traveler can expect to pay $388 on average.

HTH Travel Insurance

Why We Picked HTH for Senior Travelers

If you’re a senior traveling with a group, you might consider buying coverage through a travel insurance provider offering benefits when you purchase two or more policies at once. HTH Travel Insurance policies have a 10% discount for groups of travelers over the age of 65 and include medical limits of up to $1 million. Nationwide underwrites policies in most areas, and you may qualify for up to 200% of trip interruption coverage and primary medical benefits.

• Trip interruption: 100% of non-refundable costs (up to $1,000)
• Baggage: $500 for losses and delays
• Medical expenses: $50,000–$1 million
• Medical evacuation: $500,000

You can add the following coverage to your group insurance plan:

• CFAR insurance (must purchase within 10 days of your first trip deposit)
• Rental car damage (not available in Oregon, New York or Texas)

Based on quotes our research team gathered from HTH Worldwide,  senior travelers can expect to pay $437 on average .

WorldTrips Travel Insurance

Why WorldTrips is Great for Senior Travelers

Our team rated WorldTrips with 4.6 out of 5 stars because it offers three general plans with up to $250,000 in emergency medical coverage. Its policies are competitively priced with an average cost of $206 per senior traveler, which can make it a more appealing choice for those on a budget. WorldTrips is also notable for its range of add-on options, being one of the only travel insurance companies we reviewed to offer multiple tiers of CFAR reimbursement options.

• Trip interruption: 125%–150%  of non-refundable costs
• Baggage: $200–$600 for delays and $2,500 for losses

WorldTrips offers the following add-on options, which vary in availability by plan choice:

• CFAR coverage (50% or 75% reimbursement rates available)
• IFAR coverage
• Adventure sports medical coverage waiver
• Medical evacuation (doubles the standard coverage limit)
• Rental car damage and theft

Our team collected quotes for a variety of senior trips directly from WorldTrips to learn more about what seniors pay for travel insurance on average. In our review, we found the average senior traveler will pay a total of $276 for a travel insurance policy from WorldTrips.

Allianz Global Assistance

Our team rated Allianz Travel Insurance 4.1 out of 5 stars and named it the best travel insurance company for concierge service. The Allianz OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier both include access to 24/7 concierge assistance around the world. This service provides personalized information about your destination and individual assistance communicating with emergency and medical professionals. In non-emergency situations, Allianz’s concierge service can help you make the most of your time abroad by booking reservations, tee times and other local add-ons.

• Baggage: $200–$600 for delays and $500–$2,000 for losses
• Medical expenses: $10,000–$75,000
• Medical evacuation: $50,000–$1 million

Allianz currently offers the following add-on options, with choices varying by plan:

• Rental car protection
• CFAR upgrade (reimburses up to 80% of trip expenses)

After collecting a range of quotes from Allianz, we concluded the average senior traveler will pay about $551 for insurance. This is higher than the national average our team calculated, especially in light of Allianz’s lower medical coverage limits.

International Medical Group

Why IMG Is Great for Senior Travelers

If you’re looking for more extensive medical coverage, you can find a number of policies available through International Medical Group (IMG). The company has inclusive international policies, with more than five choices and up to $8 million in medical coverage on single-trip plans. It also offers GlobeHopper Senior plans tailored specifically to senior travelers by not enforcing a maximum age restriction. IMG makes it easier for seniors to customize coverage than other companies we’ve researched, allowing you to skip baggage and delay-related coverage if you solely want medical insurance.

• Trip interruption: 125% of non-refundable costs
• Baggage: $150–$500 for delays and $750–$2,500 for losses
• Medical expenses: $100,000–$8 million

Rental car damage and theft coverage, which some companies offer as add-ons, is included with many of IMG’s plans. You can add the following optional coverages:

• Pet kennel (up to $100 per day with a max of $300 per pet)
• Pre-existing condition review

IMG’s medical insurance policies include some exclusions limiting when you can use your coverage. But you can purchase a waiver that extends coverage to medical issues resulting from adventure sports and terrorism.

Based on quotes we gathered from IMG using four different senior traveler profiles, a 70-year-old couple taking a 7-day, $4,000 trip to Mexico will pay around $428 .

How We Ranked the Best Senior Travel Insurance Companies

After reviewing dozens of travel insurance providers, we ranked the best options for senior travelers by cost, coverage and value. The following are the major factors that influenced how we ranked each company:

• Medical expense limits: Companies with higher medical expense limits ranked higher on our list, specifically providers offering medical benefits higher than $250,000.
• Primary medical coverage: Medicare does not cover most medical bills incurred abroad. Companies offering primary medical coverage scored higher than those that only offer secondary coverage.
• Emergency medical evacuation: Not every travel insurance company offers medical evacuation coverage. We ranked companies with at least $100,000 in coverage higher than those with a lower benefit amount or not offering coverage at all.
• Premium costs: Travel insurance is more expensive for seniors because insurance companies consider older adults more likely to run into a medical issue and file an insurance claim. To compare premium costs , we gathered quotes for a U.S. couple taking a trip to the United Kingdom and ranked companies based on average affordability.
• Travel assistance: We ranked companies offering 24/7 travel assistance higher than those with more limited customer service hours.

How Much Does Senior Travel Insurance Cost?

The average cost of travel insurance for seniors is $417. However, seniors can likely expect to pay anywhere from $159 to $745 for a policy. Our team analyzed average travel insurance policy costs for senior travelers by gathering quotes from multiple providers using four different traveler profiles. Based on these quotes, we found the average cost of travel insurance for seniors was about 9% to 18% of their trip’s total value.

See the table below for a breakdown of average policy costs across the traveler profiles we used to gather quotes during our research process.

The table below shows the average cost of senior travel insurance by provider, averaging each of their plan costs for all 4 traveler types highlighted above, from cheapest to most expensive.

Keep in mind your actual travel insurance policy cost as a senior will depend on factors such as your age, total trip cost, level of coverage and more. We recommend gathering quotes from at least three different travel insurance companies before settling on a plan.

How To Pick The Best Senior Travel Insurance

When shopping for senior travel insurance, consider the following tips to pick the right policy for your coverage needs.

Check for Pre-Existing Conditions Waivers

Most travel insurance companies exclude pre-existing conditions from medical coverage. If you’ve had changes in your health before purchasing a policy — such as a new diagnosis or new medication — a company may consider it a pre-existing condition.

Senior travelers with chronic medical conditions or a new diagnosis can see if their travel insurance provider offers a waiver for pre-existing conditions. This waiver can prevent a travel insurance company from denying medical-related reimbursements if you have a pre-existing condition, as it keeps the provider from examining your recent medical records when reviewing a claim.

Angela Borden, a product marketing specialist at Seven Corners, encourages travelers to check on medical coverage if they have pre-existing conditions.

“Contact your insurance provider to be sure you fully understand the pre-existing conditions coverage for the plan you choose,” she said, “being prepared and having the information before you need it in an emergency can make a huge difference.”

Opt for Primary Medical Coverage

If you get your health insurance through Medicare, you may consider travel insurance providers that offer primary (rather than secondary) medical coverage. Medicare does not pay for medical care provided outside the U.S., which can make travel insurance for seniors valuable. Providers like Travelex and Faye are good options for seniors who think they may need international medical care policies with primary coverage.

According to our survey of 1,000 people who have purchased a travel insurance policy in the past, over 60% recommend that a friend buy a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes medical coverage, cancellations, baggage, etc., over a cheaper policy with less coverage.

Choose a Plan With at Least $100,000 in Medical Coverage

Travel medical insurance can protect you if you need emergency medical care while on a trip. If you’re a senior with a Medicare policy that covers your domestic healthcare needs, your policy likely will not cover medical bills you incur in another country. If you need healthcare services due to a sudden illness or injury, a travel insurance plan with medical coverage can likely protect you financially in an emergency.

We recommend senior travelers obtain at least $100,000 in medical coverage based on our review of travel insurance companies and research into emergency medical expenses. If you experience a serious medical emergency that requires hospitalization, your healthcare bills might add up quickly. Consider your financial situation, the length of your travels and other factors when deciding on the amount of coverage you’re comfortable purchasing.

Get at Least $250,000 in Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Coverage

When traveling to a location without an accessible or strong healthcare infrastructure, the need for medical evacuation increases if you have a severe accident. If you need transport in an ambulance, helicopter or another specialized medical vehicle, medical evacuation coverage can help cover transport-related bills. Repatriation benefits — often included alongside medical evacuation coverage — cover the cost of transporting your remains back to your home country in the event of death abroad.

We recommend getting emergency evacuation coverage of at least $250,000, ideally $500,000. According to Medjet , medical transport costs can range from $30,000 to over $180,000, so you’ll likely want limits that can provide you with peace of mind if you need transport during a medical crisis.

Frequent International Travelers: Consider Annual Travel Insurance

Seniors who plan to travel to multiple destinations over the course of a year might consider an annual travel insurance policy. Annual, multi-destination travel insurance covers multiple trips over a set period — typically 12 months. If you plan on traveling frequently while returning to your home base between trips, this coverage may offer a cost-effective way to protect your travels versus buying multiple single-trip policies for all your adventures. 

Keep in mind that while annual coverage is typically cheaper than buying multiple individual plans, these plans often have lower limits for emergency medical expenses. Consider what’s most important to you in a travel insurance policy before deciding on a single-trip or annual travel insurance plan.

Make Sure You Have 100% Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

Trip cancellation insurance and trip interruption coverage can reimburse prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is canceled or interrupted for a reason listed under your policy. Qualifying expenses can include flights, hotel reservations, rental car costs, and prepaid excursions and activities. Ensuring your trip cancellation and interruption coverages provide at least 100% reimbursement can protect your wallet and peace of mind if you experience circumstances beyond your control.

Consider a “Cancel For Any Reason” Coverage Add-On

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage is an add-on worth considering if you foresee canceling your trip for a reason not covered by a standard travel insurance policy. While a typical plan covers cancellations due to a death in the family, hospitalization, military orders or deployment, and more, CFAR coverage allows you to cancel for virtually any reason. If you use your CFAR coverage, you will receive reimbursement up to a set percentage amount of your trip as outlined in your policy.

According to the participants in our study over the age of 54, 60% purchased CFAR coverage, and 19% purchased Interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage.

How To Save On Travel Insurance

If you’re concerned about the cost of travel insurance as a senior, there are ways to save money. For example, a travel insurance policy with lower coverage limits may suffice if you’re traveling somewhere low-risk to relax versus a more adventurous location.

Or, if you have a credit card with travel insurance benefits such as trip cancellation or trip interruption coverage, you can choose to purchase a separate plan that only includes travel medical coverage. This could be cheaper than a comprehensive policy. If you do not need medical coverage, you can choose to rely on credit card benefits alone to save even more money. 

Keep in mind that cheaper is not necessarily better. Make sure you’re comfortable with lower coverage limits if you choose a cheaper plan and, assuming your policy has lower limits, can pay out of pocket if needed in a medical emergency or other untimely situation. Considering your unique needs as you travel can help you better choose a plan that’s right for you.

Read more on travel credit cards: AMEX Travel Insurance and Chase Sapphire Preferred travel insurance

What Else Do Seniors Need To Know About Travel Insurance?

The following are some things to consider if you’re a senior considering purchasing traveling insurance. 

Created with Sketch Beta. COVID-19 is usually treated as a typical illness: Under most travel insurance policies, COVID-19 is treated the same as any other illness covered under the policy. If you contract COVID-19 on or before your trip, you may be entitled to a reimbursement. However, fear of a new COVID strain does not qualify you for reimbursement under standard travel insurance policies. As a senior, you may want to protect your trip with CFAR coverage if your destination may be at a higher risk of COVID-related complications. 

Created with Sketch Beta. Pre-existing conditions are often excluded: Senior citizens usually have more health concerns than younger travelers, which is partly why travel insurance costs more as you age. You may be required to provide your travel insurance provider with a list of pre-existing conditions before you are approved for coverage. Compare plan options with your health insurance coverage to find the policy that provides you with the best complementary benefits.

Why Should Seniors Buy Travel Insurance?

As a senior citizen, you may rely on Medicare as your primary form of health insurance coverage. However, Medicare does not offer coverage for most medical expenses that you could incur abroad. Without medical travel insurance, seniors could face thousands of dollars in emergency medical expenses if an accident occurs on vacation. 

Travel insurance also can provide benefits beyond medical protection. Most travel insurance policies will reimburse up to 100% of nonrefundable trip expenses, which helps protect your investments. Benefits for baggage loss, emergency evacuations and flight delays are also included in most plans. If you’re a senior living on a budget income, these protections can provide peace of mind as you travel.

Deciding on a travel insurance plan as a senior is a personal decision. Considering your travel needs can help make the decision easier, and we recommend asking yourself questions such as these before purchasing a plan:

• Am I traveling to a remote area that lacks a robust healthcare system?
• Does my trip involve multiple connecting flights or destinations?
• Am I worried about unexpected events interfering with my plans?
• Are my non-refundable costs more than I can realistically afford to lose?

If you answer yes to any of the above questions, it could be worth gathering quotes from multiple providers and comparing costs. This way, you can find a plan that suits your needs and budget while providing you with peace of mind.

When To Skip Travel Insurance

Travel insurance may not be worth it for some senior travelers. For example, some countries, such as New Zealand , provide covered emergency medical care for accidental injuries or illnesses, so you may not need travel insurance strictly for medical benefits.

Other instances where you might skip travel insurance include if you booked your trip using a credit card that provides travel benefits. Several credit cards offer travel insurance benefits such as trip cancellation and trip interruption, so check with your credit card provider to see if it provides benefits that align with your needs.

Is Senior Travel Insurance Worth It?

When you compare the price of travel insurance to the price of a potential travel emergency, it usually proves worth the cost. Even if you don’t have a pre-existing medical condition, older travelers are more likely to consider travel insurance plans with medical coverage for a sudden injury or emergency evacuation. Medicare does not cover medical expenses outside the U.S. and U.S. territories. Travel insurance also offers valuable cancellation and delay benefits, potentially saving you thousands in nonrefundable trip costs like your flights and accommodations.

Expert Tips and Insights 

Professor in Commercial Recreation and Tourism Pennsylvania State University

Dr. Bing Pan is a professor in commercial recreation and tourism in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management at Penn State University. He adopts big data analytics to study visitor management and tourism marketing in national parks and destinations. 

Carney Family Endowed Professor in Hospitality and Tourism Management University of Massachusetts Amherst

Muzaffer (Muzzo) Uysal is a Carney Family Endowed Professor of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management – Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His current research interests center on tourism demand and supply interaction, tourism development,  and quality-of-life research in tourism and hospitality.

Professor in the Collins College of Hospitality Management California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Linchi Kwok, Ph.D., publishes viewpoints and refereed (peer-reviewed) articles in hospitality management and service marketing. His research work won several best paper awards at academic conferences. Linchi is now a professor at the Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona and a visiting professor at Sun Yat-Sen University. Before moving to Southern California, Linchi worked at Syracuse University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Texas Tech University and Marriott.

Associate Professor Emeritus Kansas State University

Gayle Appel Doll, M.S., Ph.D., is an associate professor emeritus and adjunct associate dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs at Kansas State University’s Center on Aging where she coordinates and develops research, educational and training programs and outreach activities on aging. She received her Master’s in Kinesiology and her Doctorate in Life Span Human Development, both from Kansas State University. Dr. Doll teaches gerontology courses at Kansas State University, earning the Commerce Bank Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching in 2005.

Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Travel Insurance

Can seniors over 70 get travel insurance.

Yes, plenty of travel insurance providers offer insurance plans for senior citizens. Some companies that provide trip cancellation and medical evacuation coverage for men and women over 70 include AXA, Berkshire Hathaway and Nationwide. 

What is the best travel insurance for senior citizens?

The best option to buy travel insurance as a senior citizen will vary depending on your unique needs. For example, Generali Global Assistance might be the right plan provider for you if you’re looking for an insurance provider that offers low-priced policies. On the other hand, if you have multiple health conditions and need high maximum limits on medical evacuation coverage, consider companies like Berkshire Hathaway and Nationwide. 

Do I need travel insurance if I have Medicare?

Yes, buying a travel insurance policy event is still a good idea if you have Medicare. Though Medicare might provide you with limited emergency care coverage outside the United States, it will not cover most medical evacuations. It also does not offer any reimbursement for trip costs and expenses not related to medical care. 

Can you get travel insurance with a preexisting condition?

Yes, it’s possible to buy travel insurance with a preexisting condition. However, your travel insurance may not cover injuries, symptoms, or illnesses related to conditions present before the start date of your policy.

Methodology: How We Rate Travel Insurance Companies

Our team surveyed dozens of travel insurance providers and created a scoring system to judge each company based on coverage, quality and service. We also collected sample quotes from each company, both over the phone and on the Internet, to simulate an authentic customer experience. Here are the factors we take into consideration when rating providers:

• A 70-year-old couple taking a $4,000, 7-day trip to Mexico
• A 65-year-old taking a $1,200, 5-day cruise in the Bahamas
• A 77 and 81-year-old couple taking a $5,000, 8-day trip to the Dominican Republic
• An 80-year-old taking a $3,000, 6-day cruise in Greece
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

AM Best Disclaimer

More Travel Insurance Resources

• What Is Travel Insurance?
• What Is Trip Cancellation Insurance?
• What Does Flight Insurance Cover?
• Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance
• Travel Insurance for a Mexico Vacation
• Travel Insurance for a Costa Rica Vacation
• Best travel medical insurance plans
• How much does travel insurance cost?

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides. com .

MarketWatch Guides may receive compensation from companies that appear on this page.
The compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear, but it does not influence the recommendations the editorial team provides. Not all companies, products, or offers were reviewed.

Tropical Storm Ernesto: Track where the storm is heading in the latest models

Tropical Storm Ernesto formed Monday as it moved toward the Caribbean islands and the forecast suggest Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands could experience tropical storm conditions beginning Tuesday.

You can track the storm's path with the latest maps and models below and follow along with USA TODAY's coverage of Tropical Storm Ernesto as the fifth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season moves through the Caribbean.

The storm is expected to bring heavy rain and cause flash floods and mudslides but the mainland U.S. could be largely spared from the storm, according to forecasts.

Where is Ernesto heading?

The National Hurricane Center's 11 p.m. ET update Monday indicated that Ernesto could bring tropical storm conditions to parts of the Leeward Islands by early Tuesday, and the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico later in the day.

A tropical storm warning was issued in the area late Monday evening.

Tropical storm Ernesto path tracker

If the map above is not loading on your screen,  click here .

Tropical Storm Ernesto Spaghetti Models

Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.

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Is Travel Insurance Worth It in July 2024?

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Table of Contents

What does travel insurance cover?

What does travel insurance not cover, when is travel insurance not necessary, when is trip insurance worth it, where to buy travel insurance, how much does travel insurance cost, should you rely on credit card travel insurance instead, so, is travel insurance worth it.

Travel can be expensive. Insurance protects your nonrefundable vacation investment if the unexpected occurs. But is travel insurance worth it?

The answer will depend on whether your trip is refundable, where you're going, whether you'll have health coverage at your destination and how much coverage you already get from your credit card. Here are some key topics to understand when deciding if travel insurance is right for you.

Travel insurance (or trip insurance) covers a number of travel-related risks, from flight cancellations to lost bags to medical emergencies.

Accidental death insurance .

Baggage delay and lost luggage insurance .

Cancel for Any Reason insurance .

Emergency evacuation insurance .

Medical insurance .

Rental car insurance .

Trip cancellation insurance .

Trip delay insurance .

Trip interruption insurance .

The dollar amount of your coverage depends on the policy you bought and where and when you bought it. Most travel insurance providers offer several different policies to choose from, with higher or lower levels of coverage and higher or lower prices to match.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

You can buy policies that cover a single trip, multiple trips or a full year. You can buy an individual policy or one that covers your entire family. There are many companies that offer policies, with Allianz and Travel Guard among the best-known. Here is a chart showing the benefits and coverage levels available on some Allianz policies.

NerdWallet recently analyzed various travel insurance policies to help you choose the plan that best aligns with your travel goals. Check out our results here: Best Travel Insurance Companies Right Now .

» Learn more: Does travel insurance cover medical expenses?

Incidents not covered by your travel insurance vary by policy and provider.

Pre-existing medical conditions are often excluded from coverage, meaning your benefits don't apply to claims related to that condition. Some policies cover pre-existing medical conditions if you meet certain criteria, for example if you purchased the policy within 14 days of paying for your trip and if you were well enough to travel when you booked your trip.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards might surprise you

Plan on mountain-climbing or engaging in other dangerous activities on your trip? Many policies won't cover you if something goes wrong unless you buy a policy that specifically includes adventure sports. World Nomads travel insurance , for example, offers the Explorer plan, which includes coverage for cave diving, cliff jumping, heli-skiing and many other activities that are considered risky.

Other incidents excluded from a trip insurance policy may involve war, acts of terrorism and the use of alcohol, which can cause your injuries to be designated as "self-inflicted," or the use of drugs, which may be illegal.

If you want full flexibility to cancel your trip you'll need to find a policy that allows you to purchase a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) add-on. This additional benefit does exactly what the name implies and allows you to cancel your trip for any reason. Typically, you'll get around 75% of your prepaid nonrefundable trip expenses back, although exact timing and percentages vary by policy.

» Learn more: Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance explained

Travel insurance primarily covers two aspects of your trip — your nonrefundable reservations and your medical expenses while traveling.

If all of your reservations can be canceled without penalty, then trip cancellation or trip interruption coverage isn't necessary. But even if your trip isn't 100% refundable, insurance may not be necessary. For example, a cheap flight and hotel stay may not be worth covering, though you may still want to purchase travel insurance for medical situations.

Medical coverage typically is not necessary if you have a U.S.-based health insurance policy and you're traveling within the U.S. In those cases, you probably already have adequate coverage for illness or injury.

There are a few reasons that travel insurance can be worthwhile: to protect your nonrefundable trip costs, your luggage or your health.

When should you get trip cancellation and/or trip interruption insurance?

If you would lose the money you paid for your flights, accommodations, rental car, or activities if you had to cancel or go home early, travel insurance that specifically includes trip cancellation and trip interruption is probably a good idea. If your trip is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason, this protection will cover your reservations.

For example, if you're planning to travel to a destination that could have weather-related issues, like hurricanes in the Caribbean, travel insurance may protect your noncancelable reservations. Some policies also provide emergency evacuation to escape dangerous situations. However, if you try to purchase travel insurance after the storm poses a risk, the insurance probably will not protect you.

When should you get baggage delay and/or lost luggage coverage?

Imagine if you go on a one week trip and your checked baggage is lost or delayed. While you’re waiting to get your luggage, baggage delay insurance will reimburse you for any essentials (i.e. toiletries, medicine, socks, clothing, etc.) that you may need to purchase because you don’t have your own things.

But what if the worst case scenario happens and your bag is just lost or stolen? Lost luggage insurance will reimburse you for your misplaced bag, up to a specified dollar amount.

If you’re only traveling with a carry-on, you don’t need these two types of coverage.

When should you purchase travel medical insurance?

U.S.-based health insurance policies generally offer coverage anywhere within the U.S. But if you get sick or hurt when you travel internationally, some policies like Medicare may not cover you.

Even if your health insurance covers you outside the country, doctors at your destination may not accept it. Without travel insurance, you could be stuck paying for these bills out of pocket, then seeking reimbursement from your healthcare provider.

When should you purchase CFAR?

Most travel insurance policies won’t help you get your expenses if you cancel for a “non-covered” reason, like when your plans change or you simply don’t want to go anymore. That’s when it might be good to purchase CFAR.

If you’ve booked a trip but think that you may need to cancel for a reason that’s not covered by trip cancellation, the CFAR add-on will allow you to get up to 50-75% of your nonrefundable trip costs back as long as you cancel at least 2 - 3 days before the trip starts. The add-on must also be purchased within a specific time of the initial trip deposit (usually 14 - 21 days).

What can be an example of a cancellation that’s reimbursable under CFAR? Let’s say you book a trip with your significant other but you break up a week before the trip and don’t want to go alone. Or you book a trip really far in advance but when the date nears, you realize that you don’t want to go anymore. CFAR will be helpful for you in these instances.

When should you purchase travel insurance even though you already have a credit card that provides it?

If you already have some travel insurance protections (e.g., trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage delay) from your credit card, but you feel that the limits are insufficient, consider purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance plan or a standalone travel medical insurance policy to protect you in case of medical emergencies on your trip.

» Learn more: The majority of Americans plan to travel this year, according to recent NerdWallet study

If you booked your trip through a travel agent, you can likely purchase coverage through them. That includes online travel booking engines like Expedia. If you're taking a cruise , you're usually offered the chance to purchase coverage during the booking process. Similarly, airlines may offer you certain types of coverage when you book a flight through their website. If you have an award booking , you have travel insurance options too.

Another option: Purchase travel insurance directly through the website of a travel insurance company, like Allianz , AXA or Travel Guard .

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance versus independent travel insurance: Which is right for you?

The cost of travel insurance is based on the specifics of your trip. The best way to get a price is to request a quote through the websites of travel insurance providers. Or you can compare multiple insurers in one place with a consolidator like InsureMyTrip.com or SquareMouth .

Many travel credit cards provide certain types of coverage in case your flight is delayed or canceled, your rental car is damaged, or your luggage is lost or delayed.

Here are a few credit cards offering travel protections that could serve as an alternative to travel insurance. But even with these cards, the benefits have a lot of fine print.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• 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.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

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

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

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

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

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

Terms apply.

These are attractive benefits, but the coverage may not be as broad as you would get buying insurance. For example, AmEx cards only cover round-trip travel, so if you don’t have a return flight booked yet, you might want to consider additional coverage.

Secondly, only the Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides emergency medical and dental coverage. The other cards don’t.

Plus, these cards can come with steep annual fees that may be more than you would pay for a travel insurance policy. So don't sign up for a card just to cover one trip unless you've compared costs.

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

If you've paid a considerable sum for a nonrefundable vacation, travel insurance is likely a good idea. International travelers who need coverage in case they get sick or injured should also consider buying a policy. If troubles arise, you'll be glad that you're protected.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

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

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ 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

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Earn 3% cash back when you choose online shopping plus earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

AXA Travel Insurance

Travel is in our DNA. Let AXA protect your next adventure, whether traveling internationally or domestically.

Why should I purchase Travel Insurance? 

Whether you're embarking on a weekend getaway  or a month-long adventure, unexpected events can happen. An AXA protection plan can help ease your mind and help safeguard your trip, offer reimbursement for covered medical costs, and provide travelers with 24/7 access to assistance services, among other benefits.

Need to cancel your trip due to an unforeseen event? 

Get coverage for your trip against illnesses, injuries, and natural disasters. Travel insurance can reimburse you for your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.

Was your luggage lost or stolen? 

Our travel plans can offer reimbursement for the value of your belongings, up to the policy limit. This includes coverage for lost or stolen passports, visas, or other important travel documents, as well as any necessary expenses related to replacing these items.

Stranded due to unexpected travel delays?

Whether it’s rebooking your flight, finding alternative transportation, or providing a place to stay, our 24/7 travel assistance team is here to help!

Is domestic and international medical coverage provided?

Our travel plans can provide up to $250,000 in medical coverage domestically and internationally for emergencies and accidents while traveling.

SILVER PLAN

Best for Domestic Travel

• 100% of Insured Trip Cost for Trip Cancellation
• $25,000 Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical
• $750 Baggage & Personal Effects

Best for Cruise

• $100,000 Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical
• $1,500 Baggage & Personal Effects

PLATINUM PLAN

Optional Cancel For Any Reason Coverage

• $250,000 Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical
• $3,000 Baggage & Personal Effects

AXA Customer Reviews

4.8 base on 1738 reviews in

Compare Our Silver, Gold, Platinum Plans

Axa travel insurance benefits.

Medical Travel Benefit

AXA offers coverage for certain emergency medical expenses that result from an accidental injury or illness while traveling as well as emergency medical evacuation and repatriation. Learn more

Trip Cancellation

We can reimburse you up to the maximum benefit of your selected travel plan, that is due to an unforeseen event including illness and inclement weather and other covered reasons. Learn more

Emergency Evacuation

AXA Offers coverage for medically necessary evacuations and repatriation as directed by a physician to the nearest adequate medical facility or your home. Learn more

Baggage Loss

AXA offers reimbursement coverage in the event your baggage or personal effects are lost damaged or stolen during your trip. Learn more

Cancel For Any Reason

AXA offers coverage up to 75% of your prepaid nonrefundable trip costs if your trip is cancelled for any reason. Learn more

Trip Interruption

AXA offers coverage for your non-refundable trip costs in the event you cannot continue on your trip due to a covered reason. Learn more

MY TRIP COMPANION

Not just a travel app but a comprehensive travel assistant that enhances your travel experience.

Frequently asked questions about travel insurance, what is travel insurance, what does travel insurance cover on a cruise, why choose axa, how much does travel insurance cost, what is a pre-existing medical condition, does travel insurance have covid benefits, travel assistance wherever, whenever.

Speak with one of our licensed representatives or our 24/7 multilingual insurance advisors to find the coverage you need for your next trip. From Medical Coverage to Trip Cancellation Protection, our team of travel experts will help you choose the right coverage.

Make the most out of your travels. Get AXA Travel Insurance and travel worry free!

Over 20 Years of Experience | Located in 30+ Countries | 24/7 Travel Assistance

Common concerns about travel insurance.

• It is a clever idea to purchase travel insurance If you are willing to protect your trip from variety of common travel-related incidents, including trip cancellations, flight delays or cancellations, lost or stolen baggage, and medical emergencies.

• Travel insurance provides coverage against medical expenses, reimbursement for lost or stolen luggage, compensation for expenses incurred due to travel delays and more while you are travelling.

• Travel insurance is to provide financial protection to travelers in case of unexpected events. Without adequate insurance coverage, travelers may face significant financial losses and hardships if they encounter any unforeseen circumstances while traveling in the Schengen Territory.

• A good option for travelers who are concerned about unforeseeable events or who want the freedom to cancel their trip for any reason. When you purchase CFAR coverage, you can cancel the trip without losing your entire prepaid, nonrefundable vacation expenses. Exclusive to Platinum Package holders.

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Overview of Debeka

Debeka is a travel health insurance company in . Debeka has different travel health insurance plans for international travellers and expats to suit your health needs during vacation, overseas studies or business.

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7 Best RV Insurance Companies of August 2024

Money’s main takeaways.

• RV insurance is essential for both full-time RV living and occasional trips.
• Premiums are based on factors such as your driving record and your RV’s type, age and condition.
• Our top picks include Good Sam, National General and Auto-Owners Insurance.

Why Trust Us?

Money’s editorial team has evaluated RV insurance providers since 2016. Our research and analysis consider customer satisfaction, financial stability, coverage options, and availability, among other factors. Read the full methodology to learn more.

• Reviewed 15+ companies
• Conducted over 1,000 hours of research
• Prioritized coverage, discounts, customer sentiment, the NAIC complaint index and financial stability

Our Top Picks for the Best RV Insurance Companies

Note: The following companies are listed in alphabetical order.

• Auto-Owners Insurance – Best for Customer Service
• Good Sam – Best RV Insurance Agency
• National General – Best for Full Replacement Cost Coverage
• Nationwide – Best for Multiple Discounts
• Progressive – Best for Disappearing Deductibles
• Roamly – Best for Renting Out Your RV
• RVInsurance.com – Runner-Up for Best RV Insurance Agency

Best RV Insurance Reviews

• Premium reduction if RV is equipped with safety features
• Towing and roadside assistance in all 50 states and Canada
• Mobile app for Apple and Android
• No online quotes

Why we chose this company: Auto-Owners is our pick for personalized customer service because of its network of independent agents, online customer center and mobile app. Customers can access claims, billing and other important policy documents on their phone, tablet or computer.

Auto-Owners has an impressive customer service record and fewer complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) than most of its competitors. It also ranked above average in the Southeast region in the J.D. Power 2022 Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Study.

Unlike other companies, Auto-Owners only sells its insurance products through independent agents. This means that instead of contacting the company online, you work directly with local agencies that can better advise you regarding the specific insurance requirements in your area. For example, bodily injury and property damage liability limits set by law vary by state.

Learn more: Auto-Owners RV insurance review

See rates on Auto-Owners’s Secure Website >>

• Offers full-timer coverage
• Manage your policy online without agent contact
• Discounts on campsites, gear stores, fuel, and more
• Not a direct insurer

Why we chose this company: Good Sam Insurance Agency is the best option for people who need help selecting coverage. It connects you with some of the best RV insurance companies to help you get the right coverage level for your needs.

Good Sam works with renowned insurance providers like Progressive, Foremost, Safeco, and National General to offer a range of standard coverage options. Additionally, through its partnership with MexicoInsuranceOnline.com, the agency connects clients to Mexico-based insurers and offers tailored add-ons for cross-border travel, whether for single-day or extended stays.

The company also offers a storage discount, allowing policyholders to reduce monthly premiums by suspending collision and liability coverage if their RV or trailer remains unused for over 30 days. Furthermore, Good Sam assists in crafting personalized policies for full-time RVers.

Learn more: Good Sam RV insurance review

See rates on Good Sam’s Secure Website >>

• Coverage for specialized equipment like solar panels
• Pause your coverage when your RV is in storage
• Experts help you find a new RV after a total loss
• Low mileage discount
• Eligibility, benefits, coverage and discounts vary per state
• Limited information about policies on its website

Why we chose this company: Full replacement cost coverage can usually only be bought during an RV’s first model year. National General, on the other hand, lets you get the rider within an RV’s first five model years.

With full replacement cost coverage — also called total loss replacement — your RV is replaced with a new or similar one if it’s totaled or stolen, potentially reimbursing you for the original purchase price. This coverage is typically only available for newly purchased motorhomes or travel trailers up to one or two model years old. If you buy a used RV or don’t insure your new one as soon as possible, you risk it being considered ineligible.

With National General, RVs are eligible during their first five model years, regardless of ownership (some companies limit this type of coverage to original owners). It also offers the flexibility to pause coverage during storage, helping you save on premiums while protecting against theft, fires, weather damage, and more.

Learn more: National General RV insurance review

See rates on National General’s Secure Website >>

• Free annual reviews to reevaluate coverage and discounts
• Optional towing coverage includes lodging, transportation and meals
• Various policies available for easy bundling and savings
• Many customer complaints about the claims process

Why we chose this company: Nationwide Insurance offers over 10 different discounts, including discounts for staying claim-free during the previous policy period or installing safety devices, like smoke detectors.

Most RV insurers offer discounts, but Nationwide’s list is notably extensive. You can save by bundling your RV policy with home insurance, taking safety courses, joining an RV organization like the National RV Association, paying your annual policy upfront or opting for Nationwide’s full-time RV insurance package.

Note that not all discounts are listed on Nationwide’s website, and some only come up during the quoting process. For example, a customer service representative told us the company also offers discounts to customers whose vehicles have safety features such as tire-pressure monitoring systems or fiberglass bodies.

Learn more: Nationwide RV insurance review

See rates on Nationwide’s Secure Website >>

• Accident forgiveness for claims under $500
• Horse trailer coverage up to $50k
• Pet injury coverage available
• Add-on coverage available for roof malfunction
• Standard plan excludes personal property and emergency expenses
• Rates differ based on whether you buy online or through an agent
• Discounts aren't available in all states

Why we chose this company: Progressive offers disappearing deductibles, accident forgiveness and an extensive array of discounts.

With Progressive, you can save on premiums if you’re the RV’s original owner or pay your policy in advance, among other discounts. However, Progressive stands out from competitors because it offers both disappearing deductibles and accident forgiveness.

Unlike competitors, Progressive doesn’t cap its diminishing deductible benefit at $500. Instead, it reduces your deductible by 25% each claim-free period, up to $0 after four periods. While it costs extra, the feature is automatically included when you purchase comprehensive and collision coverage for vehicles valued at $25,000 or more. Accident forgiveness for claims of $500 or less is included at no cost.

See rates on Progressive’s Secure Website >>

• Specializes in RV insurance
• Coverage even when renting out your RV
• Policies for full-time RVers are available
• Covers Canada rentals
• Only offers RV policies

Why we chose this company: Insurers typically decline coverage if you rent your RV to someone else. With Roamly, you can rent out your RV and still be covered for liability and damage to the vehicle.

Rented RVs require comprehensive commercial insurance due to their higher risk exposure when compared to personal vehicles. Failing to insure your motorhome or camper when renting it out can lead to denied claims, especially if the renter lacks coverage.

With Roamly, your RV remains covered when you list it on rental platforms like Outdoorsy (owned by Roamly). Renters who book your RV can opt for a package that includes travel medical insurance as well as trip and interior damage coverage. Roamly’s policies cover rented RVs for their actual cash value during the rental period and provide $1 million in liability insurance per trip.

Learn more: Roamly RV insurance review

See rates on Roamly’s Secure Website >>

• Specialists can help you find a policy
• Policies available for all types of RVs

Why we chose this company: RVInsurance.com can help you find a suitable policy, whether you use your RV for vacationing or as your residence.

RVInsurance.com works with Foremost, National General and Safeco. These companies cover all RV types, from motorhomes to campers. They offer several policy add-ons, such as full replacement cost, full-timers liability coverage and roadside assistance.

You can get a quote online, but calling to speak with an insurance specialist lets you compare policies in more detail.

See rates on RVInsurance.com’s Secure Website >>

Other RV Insurance companies we considered

During our research for the best recreational vehicle insurance providers, we narrowed down our initial list to 7 companies. The following didn’t make our final cut, not because they were lacking, but because other competitors had more standout features.

• Covers motorhomes, travel trailers and campers
• Includes roadside assistance, hotel discounts and more
• Coverage for lodging and transportation if your RV is damaged
• Coverage options are not standard across regions
• RV policy not available nationwide
• Limited information available online

AAA offers coverage for different types of RVs and some of its policies also cover personal effects such as electronics. However, it didn’t make our list because it doesn’t offer coverage in all 50 states.

See rates on AAA’s Secure Website >>

• Discount if you transfer from another insurance company
• Discounts for drivers 55 years or older
• Gas price locator to help you find the cheapest gas
• Limited information on company website
• Online quotes not available

Allstate’s policies include emergency travel expenses if you’re over 50 miles from home when your RV breaks down and the issue is covered under the policy. Allstate is not on our main list because it only provides quotes through its sales agents and the information on its website is limited.

See rates on Allstate’s Secure Website >>

• Total windshield replacement deductible is only $50
• Personal effects replacement limits up to $100,000
• Free accident forgiveness after 5+ years
• Offers limited information on its website
• Enhanced RV coverage unavailable in HI, MA, MI and NC
• Total loss replacement coverage availability varies

While Geico offers coverage options comparable to those of other companies on our list (such as total loss replacement, emergency expenses coverage and vacation liability), its policies aren’t available nationwide. Its website also lacks crucial details, such as available discounts.

See rates on Geico’s Secure Website >>

• Loan or lease protection coverage available
• Deductibles diminish by $100 per year up to $500
• Insures motorhomes valued at up to $1 million
• Coverage available for custom equipment
• Only covers vehicles used 250 days or less per year
• Limited information available on website
• No online quotes available

Safeco covers class A, B and C motorhomes valued at up to $1 million, but only if used recreationally. It didn’t make our list because its website doesn’t offer much information and coverage is limited to vehicles used less than 250 days a year.

See rates on Safeco’s Secure Website >>

• Coverage for emergency expenses if camper is damaged or destroyed
• Pays for transportation of damaged RV to storage, repair shop or home
• Full-timer coverage for trailers, motor homes, luxury coaches and more
• Special policies for USAA members
• Not available in DC or Hawaii
• Limited information on website

Foremost, a subsidiary of Farmers Insurance, sells full-timer and travel trailer coverage. It also covers personal-use motor homes you occasionally rent, lease or loan. It also covers personal-use motor homes that you occasionally rent, lease or loan. Unfortunately, this policy doesn’t cover the vehicle while it’s rented, leased or loaned.

See rates on Foremost’s Secure Website >>

• Offers storage-only insurance during the off-season
• Policy extends to travel anywhere in Canada
• Insures equipment permanently attached to your RV
• No information regarding discounts

Despite offering coverage in Canada, Farmers Insurance fell short of our list due to limited information regarding specific coverages and discounts on its website. This lack of transparency makes it challenging for consumers to assess the scope and value of its policies.

See rates on Farmers’ Secure Website >>

• Multi-vehicle, safe driver and original ownership discounts
• Coverage for all RV classes, including slide-on campers
• Members get a 5% discount on policies
• Policies only available to military families
• 5% members discount not available in all states

USAA offers RV insurance through an alliance with Progressive, which covers almost all RVs. The drawback to USAA’s policies is that they’re only available to military families.

See rates on USAA’s Secure Website >>

Country Financial

• Multi-policy discount
• Mobile app for Apple and Android devices
• Only available through agents
• Operates in only 19 states

Country Financial’s RV insurance policies fall under home or car insurance, which can be a drawback for consumers who already have a preferred auto or home insurer. Another notable snag in its coverage is that it’s available in only 19 states.

See rates on Country Financial’s Secure Website >>

National Interstate

• Options for RV full-timers
• 25% deductible discount for each consecutive claim-free year
• Windshield replacement coverage
• Coverage for commercial RVs
• Website lacks information about terms and discounts

National Interstate offers policy options for RV full-timers and covers commercial RVs. However, this insurer is not featured on our main list because its website doesn’t provide details regarding policies or discounts.

See rates on National Interstate’s Secure Website >>

The Hartford

• Lifetime guarantee for repairs done in authorized repair shops
• 24/7 claims submission
• RV replacement if it's totaled in the first 15 months
• Only available to AARP members
• Not available in U.S. territories

The Hartford allows policyholders to customize their RV insurance coverage, and its lifetime guarantee for repairs in authorized shops is a highlight of its policies. However, coverage is only available to AARP members, which is a considerable drawback.

See rates on The Hartford’s Secure Website >>

RV Insurance Guide

Like auto insurance, RV insurance offers financial protection for accidents, injuries and other unforeseen events. It can cover repair costs, medical bills and liability expenses if you injure someone or damage their property.

While comprehensive policies covering collision, theft and personal belongings are widely available, occasional RV users may not need such extensive coverage. Read on for information on RV insurance costs, coverage options and tips for selecting the right policy for your needs.

Table of contents

How much is rv insurance, rv insurance options.

• How to buy RV insurance

Renting out your RV

The cost of RV insurance can be as high as $5,000 per year, according to some sources) depending on the type of vehicle you own, its age, condition and features, and whether you live in it full-time.

Factors that affect your RV insurance premium

The following factors influence the cost of an RV insurance policy:

• The type of RV: Motorhomes are more expensive to insure than trailers (especially those with state-of-the-art components).
• Age and condition: Older trailers and motorhomes cost less to insure due to their reduced resale value.
• Type of RV insurance: A policy with just liability coverage is more affordable than a comprehensive one with collision and personal property coverage.
• Where you live: Your state and zip code affect your insurance rates. RVs in areas prone to extreme weather will be more expensive to insure.
• Driving experience and driving record: A first-time RV owner poses a higher risk than an experienced RVer. Insurers will also review your general driving record to determine an appropriate rate.
• Claims history: A lengthy claims history is a red flag to insurers. Drivers who have never filed a claim will get much better rates than those who have.
• Additional coverage: Purchasing add-ons such as roadside assistance, total loss replacement, vacation liability and full-timers coverage will increase your premium.

Common RV insurance discounts

While these may vary by company, most insurers offer rate discounts for:

• Bundling multiple policies
• Paying the total annual policy upfront
• Making monthly payments on time
• Staying claim-free during the previous policy period
• Being the vehicle’s original owner
• Installing safety features in your RV
• Having a favorable record of insurance losses
• Staying accident-free for at least three years
• Taking safety courses
• Being a member of an RV association
• Signing up for paperless billing

Drivers aged 50 and up may also snag a lower rate, as can parents or guardians who don’t insure drivers under 25 on their policy.

Since RVs can be both vehicles and primary residences, getting them insured requires specific considerations. Policies can range from basic liability protection to comprehensive coverage of personal effects or even emergency expenses.

If your RV is self-propelled, it must meet your state’s minimum liability insurance requirements, whether you use it occasionally or as a residence. The insurance policy on the towing vehicle for a towable RV may extend to cover liability but typically doesn’t include physical damage to the RV or attached accessories.

Best coverage for part-time RVers

People who use their motorhomes for weekend getaways should at least have basic liability coverage that meets their state’s minimum requirements.

Additional types of RV insurance for part-time RVers include:

• Property damage liability coverage: Pays for damages you cause to another person’s property or vehicle.
• Bodily injury liability coverage: Helps pay the medical expenses of those you injure in an at-fault accident.
• Collision coverage: Covers repairs to your RV after an accident with another vehicle, whether you’re at fault or not.
• Comprehensive coverage: Pays for damages caused by theft, vandalism, natural disasters, fire and other non-collision accidents.
• Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage: Covers the cost of repairs to your RV and your medical payments if you’re in an accident caused by a driver without insurance or insufficient coverage.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Covers medical expenses for you and your passenger in the event of an accident, no matter who is at fault. It may also cover lost wages.
• Campsite/vacation liability coverage: Helps pay for legal expenses if you’re deemed responsible for injuries or losses incurred by a non-family member at a campsite or inside your RV.
• Roadside Assistance: Offers around-the-clock repairs, towing and emergency assistance should your RV experience a flat tire, battery discharge or other malfunction.

Best coverage for full-time RVers

For add itional peace of mind, full-time RVers should consider getting a more comprehensive policy that includes some of the add-ons mentioned above as well as any of the following:

• Personal property coverage: Covers the cost of replacing any damaged or stolen personal effects such as clothing, furniture, jewelry, and computers.
• Total loss replacement: Replaces your RV with an equal or similar model if your vehicle is stolen or totaled in an accident. In other cases, the insurer may reimburse you for the original purchase price. Lenders may require this coverage if you finance your RV.
• Full-time RV liability coverage: Adds additional coverage for liability and medical expenses if you live in your RV for six months or more each year.
• Emergency expense allowance: Covers up to a specified amount of living and travel expenses like car rentals, lodging and food if your RV leaves you stranded, usually more than 100 miles away.
• Specialized coverage: Can replace appliances like awnings, satellite dishes, and solar panels and can even provide coverage for any pet injuries that happen in the vehicle.
• Loss assessment: Helps cover fees RV associations charge for damage to common areas in a campsite, for example.

What RV insurance doesn’t cover

RV insurance won’t cover the following:

• Normal wear and tear: RV insurance protects your vehicle against unexpected events, not routine maintenance or deterioration.
• Mold damage, fungi or rot: Insurers view mold as a sign of neglect and will not cover damages unless they are directly linked to water damage caused by a covered event.
• Certain types of water damage: RV insurance doesn’t cover water damage caused by regular wear and tear, freezing temperatures or manufacturer defects.
• Earthquake damage: RV insurance covers most natural disasters, including floods, storms and fires, but earthquake coverage varies by insurer.

How to Buy RV Insurance

Here are some tips on how to find and purchase the right RV insurance coverage for you.

1. Determine the coverage you need

Whether you use your RV for full-time living or occasional trips will determine the coverage options you need, whether liability only or additional coverage options such as collision, comprehensive or personal effects.

Remember that your auto insurance policy may cover towable campers or trailers but not motorhomes. And while it covers liability and damages to the RV, it generally excludes belongings or appliances inside. Homeowners insurance may also offer some coverage, but only when the RV is parked on the insured property.

2. Shop around for RV insurance quotes

RV insurance costs depend on your driving history, location, type of vehicle and usage, and the optional riders you select. To get the most affordable premium for the coverage you need, compare quotes from multiple insurers. Consult an independent insurance agent if you don’t have time to shop around.

3. Look for discounts and consider bundling multiple policies

Most insurers offer multi-policy discounts, helping you save on premiums by combining your RV policy with auto, home, renters, boat or even life insurance policies . Bundling can also help you avoid the hassle of dealing with different companies when you have to file a claim. Other discounts vary by insurer but could also result in significant savings.

4. Consider RV rental insurance

If you plan on renting an RV for a vacation, consider getting RV rental insurance. This type of policy usually provides liability, collision damage waiver and coverage for personal accidents or personal effects. You can purchase a policy through the rental company or your insurer.

However, remember that your current car or RV insurance policy may already extend some rental RV coverage. Coverage may not be available in some states or for trips longer than 30 days, so call your insurer to verify before heading out.

If you rent your RV to others, it’s considered a commercial-use vehicle, and your insurance policy won’t cover the renter. The person must obtain their own rental insurance.

However, when you rent out your vehicle on platforms such as RVshare, Go RV Rentals and RV Plus, these companies have their own insurance policies that cover the RV while it’s being rented out. If you go this route, make sure you evaluate each company carefully, looking into commission fees, support, renter screening, and overall protection measures. Remember to do some market research as well, to make sure you write a great listing and set competitive rates.

Bear in mind that some states — including Arkansas and Wisconsin — require drivers to get special licenses to drive RVs. If you live in one of these states and lend your RV to someone, that person must have the required license if you want your insurance policy to cover them.

What kind of insurance do I need to rent out my RV?

To rent out an RV, you’ll need at least liability coverage, which pays for damages or injury you may cause to other people and their property in an at-fault accident. Except New Hampshire, all states and the District of Columbia, require that vehicles, including RVs, have liability coverage.

Insurance for towable RVs is another matter. When you tow your RV behind another vehicle instead of driving it, you only have to worry about having enough coverage to protect your belongings, not additional liability insurance.

RV Insurance FAQs

What states require trailer insurance.

Trailer insurance requirements vary by state and by type of trailer. Most local governments require liability insurance, while others also require uninsured motorist coverage.

Currently, only two states don't require any type of trailer insurance. You can drive an uninsured vehicle in Virginia if you pay an uninsured motorist fee. In New Hampshire, you can drive uninsured if you prove you have enough money to cover liability expenses in an at-fault accident.

Do you need trailer insurance?

You don't need insurance for a non-motorized trailer hooked to a towing vehicle. The vehicle's insurance coverage extends to the trailer attached to it. However, this coverage is typically limited to liability.

Talk to your auto insurance provider if you want to add property damage coverage for the trailer or purchase separate RV insurance to ensure it's insured against damage.

Who has the best RV insurance?

Does rv insurance cover water damage, what is vacation liability rv insurance, how we chose the best rv insurance.

• Coverage options and discounts: We picked companies that offer a comprehensive selection of coverage options and premium discounts.
• Customer satisfaction: We favored companies with above-average scores in J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Auto Insurance Study and considered customer feedback from review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Financial strength: We considered each insurer’s financial stability, as evidenced by its AM Best financial strength rating (FSR). AM Best is a credit rating agency that assesses insurance companies’ creditworthiness.
• Complaint index: We looked up every insurer’s complaint trend report from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and favored those with few complaints.

Summary of Money’s Best RV Insurance of August 2024

© Copyright 2024 Money Group, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Money’s full disclaimer .

Erika protects you all the way

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If you’ve been careful but something is stolen anyway, you can make a claim on your Erika insurance coverage

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Should you have to interrupt your program, Erika Insurance will assist you

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As an exception, travel certificates issued during the COVID-19 situation are valid for bookings made through December 31, 2023, for travel throughout 2024. For more information please  click here .

Delta Vacations Travel Protection Plan & Travel Protection Plus

WHY TRAVEL PROTECTION? Your vacation is an investment of time and money. Delta Vacations, in conjunction with Allianz Global Assistance, the foremost provider of travel protection plans and travel insurance, help protect your investment from the unexpected.

Travel protection plans purchased prior to 2/20/20 are serviced by Trip Mate. For more information please review the details for Trip Mate policies please  click here .

Travel Protection Plan

Part A: Pre-departure Benefits Provided by Delta Vacations

Refund of cancellation fees

Documentation required

Purchase period  

Part B: Post-departure Benefits (Vacation Protector)

Provided by Allianz Global Assistance For complete details, go to:

Travel Protection Plan PLUS

Received in the original form of payment 1  

May be purchased any time prior to final payment 1

Plan Details , opens in a new window

Received in the form of a Delta Vacations travel certificate 2

May be purchased any time prior to final payment 2

1 Cancel For Any Reason Waiver applies only if the Travel Protection Plan Plus is purchased within seven (7) days of your initial deposit for your trip. Payments made with miles and/or travel certificates will be refunded in the form of a travel certificate that will have an expiration date one year from the date of issuance of such travel certificate. All other payments refunded to original form of payment. 2 Cancel For Any Reason Waiver applies only if the Travel Protection Plan is purchased within seven (7) days of your initial deposit for your trip. The refund of cancellation fees will go to a Delta Vacations travel certificate that will have an expiration date one year from the date of issuance of such travel certificate. 3 Pre-existing conditions coverage only applies if Travel Protection Plan is purchased within fourteen (14) days of initial deposit for your trip (and for pre-existing conditions, the traveler must not be disabled from travel at the time the plan is purchased.)

Provided by Delta Vacations

• The Cancel for Any Reason Waiver protects the cost of your vacation and protects you from most cancellation penalties. Also, you can cancel for any reason and have comfort in knowing that your travel investment is protected. You must cancel before your scheduled departure.
• The Cancel for Any Reason Waiver is provided by Delta Vacations and is not an insurance benefit.

With this option, you receive all of the benefits with the Travel Protection Plan (listed in the chart above) PLUS you:

• Receive the refund of the cost of your vacation package AND cancellation fees in the form of your original payment should you need to cancel your vacation for any reason (less the cost of the protection plan).
• Receive the lowest price guarantee.

Please Note: 

• If purchased, everyone on the booking must purchase the Travel Protection Plan. 
• The cost of the Travel Protection Plan is only refunded for cancellations covered by the hurricane policy (or within the state required free look period).
• Refer to Delta Vacations Cancellation & Change Policy  for penalty and refund details. 
• Certain restrictions apply to groups booked with our Group Department. 
• Certain items may not be refundable, such as show or event tickets, theme park passes, etc. 
• Airfare cancellation fees are currently being waived by Delta Vacations for a limited time and other non-air fees may still apply and will be covered under this plan.
• When one or more travelers cancel off of a booking but the entire booking is not cancelled, the booking will be repriced to reflect the remaining number of travelers. This may reduce the refundable amount for the person(s) whose travel is being cancelled.

Additional Information

For additional information about the Part A: Pre-departure Benefits or pricing or to purchase separately, please contact Delta at 1-800-800-1504.

Provided by Allianz Global Assistance and Underwritten by Jefferson Insurance Company or BCS Insurance Company

Your post-departure benefits can help protect you from the unexpected during your vacations, such as:

• Medical and emergency assistance
• Can reimburse up to $50,000 for covered emergency medical expenses, emergency medical transportation and 24-hour emergency assistance service for covered sickness or injury during the trip.
• Trip Interruption Can reimburse non-refundable, unused, pre-paid trip costs when you must interrupt your trip or return home early for reasons such as covered sickness, injury, etc.
• Travel delay Can reimburse for meals and accommodations when you are delayed on your trip for 6 hours or more
• Baggage delay Can reimburse for clothing and personal items if your luggage is delayed more than 24 hours
• Loss or damage to baggage or personal effects Can reimburse for loss or damage to baggage or personal effects that occur during the trip.

For additional information on Part B: Post-Departure Benefits, see plan and pricing details , opens in a new window .

Part B: Post-departure Vacation Protector includes insurance benefits and assistance services. Insurance benefits are underwritten by either BCS Insurance Company or Jefferson Insurance Company depending on the insured's state of residence. AGA Service Company is the licensed producer and administrator of these plans, 9950 Mayland Dr., Richmond, VA 23233.

LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE (PROVIDED BY DELTA VACATIONS)

If Delta Vacations advertises an identical vacation at a lower price, Delta Vacations will guarantee that price. The advertised vacation must be available and include the same air components (including air fare class), hotel and room category, and any other previously purchased components, including the Travel Protection Plan PLUS. Refunds for the difference in the package price will be issued in the original form of payment.

Below, you'll find information on how to request the Lowest Price Guarantee along with lowest price guarantee terms and conditions.

To request the Lowest Price Guarantee 10 days or more before departure:

• Create a new reservation with lower price and place on hold.
• Note: Some reservations may require confirmation with a credit card.
• Contact Delta Vacations at 1-800-800-1504, 6:00 am - 11:00 pm CST.
• If the new reservation qualifies, the travelers will receive confirmation of the new reservation at the adjusted price. Previous reservation will be refunded to the original form of payment.

To request the Lowest Price Guarantee within 10 days of departure:

• Create a new reservation and confirm with credit card.
• If the new reservation qualifies the travelers will receive confirmation of the new reservation at the adjusted price. Previous reservation will be refunded to the original form of payment.

Travel Protection PLUS and Lowest Price Guarantee Terms and Conditions

• The Travel Protection Plan PLUS cannot be applied to Miles to Go or upgraded bookings.
• Lowest Price Guarantee is on the total package price, not component to component.
• All components must be available at the time of the new reservation.
• Lowest price guarantee must be on the exact same vacation package including the same dates, air components, hotel and room category, and any other previously purchased components, including the Travel Protection Plan PLUS.
• Lowest price guarantee is allowed to be used only one time per booking and may be exercised up to the time of departure.
• Promotional codes applied to the original reservation must be valid at the time of the lowest price guarantee request to maintain promotional code discount. If the promotional code is no longer valid, a new promotional code can be applied, as long as all terms and conditions are met.
• Lowest price guarantee does not apply to group reservations.
• Lowest price guarantee cannot be purchased separately and is only available through the Travel Protection Plan PLUS program.
• Delta Vacations is the final authority on the interpretation of these rules and reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without prior notice.

Travel Protection Plan Terms & Conditions

Redemption Instructions

• Contact Delta Vacations at 1-800-800-1504 or online at delta.com/vacations.
• Enter/provide the 12-digit travel certificate number printed on the front of the travel certificate document during the payment step.
• Provide additional form of payment, if necessary.
• Delta Vacations will issue and send your travel documents via the delivery method requested during the booking process.

Redemption Terms and Conditions

• Travel certificate is valid for the value indicated on the front of the travel certificate document, when redeemed toward the purchase of any Delta Vacations air and hotel package; air, hotel and car package; hotel only; or hotel and car or ground transportation package purchase.
• Travel certificate can be redeemed in its entirety or in increments up to the value or balance remaining on the certificate.
• If the price of the booking is more than the value of the travel certificate, an additional form of payment for the remaining balance will be necessary to complete the transaction.
• Travel documents for the redeemed travel certificate will be issued, and sent via the delivery method identified during the booking process.
• Purchases with this travel certificate will be deducted from the balance until the value reaches zero or until the expiration date is reached, whichever occurs first.
• No refunds or credits will be issued for any unused portion of the travel certificate.
• Travel certificate is not valid for use toward the purchase of Group bookings, ski bookings, gift cards or another travel certificate.
• The expiration date for this travel certificate is printed on the front of the travel certificate document; the travel certificate is valid for payments made prior to the expiration date.
• Extensions to the expiration date will not be permitted, and travel certificate is not rechargeable.
• Lost, stolen or destroyed travel certificates will not be replaced.
• Travel certificate is void if altered or sold, is nontransferable, nonrefundable, may not be redeemed for cash, has no resale value, and is valid for use only by the person(s) indicated on the front of the travel certificate document.
• Travel certificate is not retroactive, and cannot be applied as alternative payment to reservations already paid in full.
• If a booking using a travel certificate as payment is cancelled, any remaining value after applicable cancellation fees have been deducted will be refunded back to the original travel certificate, and all terms of the original travel certificate, including original expiration date, will apply.
• Travel certificate cannot be redeemed for an Delta Vacations reservation with the same origin and destination and the same departure and arrival dates as the original trip that the travel certificate was issued for.
• Must be redeemed through Delta Vacations, and is not valid for redemption through Delta Air Lines or its website, delta.com.
• Delta Vacations must issue all airline tickets and travel documents.
• Standard Terms and Conditions and cancellation policies apply, which are outlined during the booking process; other restrictions apply.
• Delta Vacations is the final authority on the interpretation of these rules, and reserves the right to change these Terms and Conditions without prior notice.
• Travel Agents: Travel certificate can be redeemed via our agent website or Reservations.

For balance and expiration date inquiries, refer to the contact information on the front of the travel certificate document.

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