Key Takeaways
- Travelers from different households often cannot share a travel insurance policy.
- Travel insurance is regulated by state, so the rules and regulations vary across state lines.
- Travelers departing or returning on different dates must purchase separate insurance.
Travel insurance providers often require that only travelers who live at the same address can share a policy. Some include further restrictions that you can only share a policy with a spouse or domestic partner and dependents.
Depending on the travel insurance provider, you might be able to share a policy with someone who doesn’t live with you, but there are some things to consider before doing so.
When Do Travelers Need Separate Travel Insurance Policies?
It can be convenient and cost-effective to share a travel insurance policy with your traveling companion. But here are some reasons you might need separate policies:
- You live in different states: State insurance regulations vary by jurisdiction, so you’ll have to get your own policy if your traveling companion lives out of state.
- Your travel dates are different: If you’re departing or returning on different dates, you must insure separately.
- You don’t live in the same household: You might be able to share a policy with a traveling companion you don’t live with, depending on the provider. But having a different address could make it complicated for you to file a travel insurance claim.
Do Travelers From Different States Need Separate Travel Insurance Policies?
Yes, travelers residing in different states usually need separate policies.
State insurance regulations vary by jurisdiction, which directly impacts a policy’s terms and conditions. For example, you can’t purchase cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance in all states.
Can Travelers With Different Departure Dates Share a Policy?
No, travelers with different departure or return dates must purchase separate policies. Each policy covers a specific travel period, so differing itineraries require individual coverage.
InsureMyTrip tip: If you’d prefer to keep everyone together on a single policy, give us a call and speak with one of our licensed Customer Care representatives. They can direct you to the policies that will allow this, if any.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I want to share a travel insurance policy?
If you’re buying family travel insurance, you might be able to insure your minor children at no additional charge, depending on the plan. Having family members in the same household on a single policy can also simplify the claims process.
Couples might want to share a travel insurance policy, but if you aren’t married or don’t live together, you might have limited options and be asked to provide proof of your relationship when filing a claim.
Why would I not want to share a travel insurance policy?
Travel insurance providers sometimes prohibit people who live at different addresses from sharing a policy. But even if you find a provider that allows it, doing so can complicate the claims process, since all policy paperwork will go to the address of the person who bought the policy, of “primary traveler.” We recommend you buy a separate policy from travelers not in your household.
If I need to end my trip early, do my traveling companions lose their travel insurance benefits?
If your traveling companions are insured on your travel insurance policy, they have the same coverage as you. So, if you needed to use your trip interruption coverage to return home early, others on your policy should still have coverage for the remainder of their trip. Call your provider if you have questions specific to your policy and situation.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
Question
I live in Florida, and will be trveling to Mexico with my children & Grandchildren who all live in New York State. Will they be covered?
By ArthurF - March 10, 2020
Answer
If you live in different states, you will need to obtain separate policies.
By MattG - March 16, 2020
Question
If traveling with adult children in different states and we all get different policies because of that, if one person has a coverable cancellation event, would everyone be able to cancel with reimbursemnt?
By Jen - July 5, 2020
Answer
Yes, if one traveler has to cancel or interrupt the trip for a covered reason listed in the policy certificate, all travelers who are insured are also covered to cancel or interrupt as well. Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption extends to family members and traveling companions, even if you are on separate policies.
By MattG - July 9, 2020
Question
I plan on taking a trip with someone who resides in a different state. Can we book our trip together then purchase separate policies for half of the price of the trip, or will we need to book the travel individually and also purchase separate policies?
By Mike - March 24, 2021
Answer
You can book your travel arrangements together if you like. However, you will need to purchase separate policies since you live in different states. You each would cover your portion of the total trip cost on your own policy.
By MattG - March 25, 2021
Question
I plan on taking a trip with 9 people. Not all of us live in the same state. We all have our own residence. One person is putting the cost on a credit card and we each are reimbursing that person. Can we still get “cancel for any reason” insurance?
By JessicaS - April 12, 2021
Answer
Yes, you can all still obtain "Cancel for Any Reason" if you qualify for that benefit. You will need separate policies though if you live in separate states, regardless if only one person is paying for the entire trip. You would each insure your own portion of the total trip cost separately on each policy. There are typically 3 conditions that must be met to purchase a Cancel For Any Reason Rider: Purchase the policy within 10 - 21 days of First Trip Payment; Insure ALL prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses prior to departure; Trip arrangements must be canceled more than 48 -72 hours prior to the departure date. If you meet all 3 of these conditions, this benefit will typically reimburse you 75% of your trip cost, unless otherwise noted. Please do not hesitate to call us at 800 487 4722 for assistance with quotes for your trip.
By MattG - April 14, 2021
Question
My husband and I plan on travelling with another couple in the US. We live in different states and plan on booking two hotel rooms If we have seperate insurance coverage are we covered if there is a death in the family of the other couple and they need to cancel?
By Jody - May 4, 2021
Answer
Yes, the Trip Cancellation coverage extends to Traveling Companions as well, even if you are insured on separate policies. The number one covered reason for Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption is the unforeseen illness or injury of you or a traveling companion that deems you unfit to travel, by order of a licensed physician; or the unforeseen hospitalization or death of a family member. To see all of the covered reasons to cancel or interrupt your trip, please click on the dollar amount that appears under the words "Trip Cancellation" when viewing a quote. Trip Cancellation reimburses 100%.
By MattG - May 5, 2021
Question
What is the latest point in a trip reservation that you can buy trip cancellation coverage.
By Jody - May 4, 2021
Answer
You can purchase most policies up until the day before departure, however; you may not be eligible for some time sensitive benefits if you do not purchase within 10-21 days of the initial trip deposit/payment. Some time sensitive benefits are, but not limited to: Pre-Existing Condition Waiver, Financial Default, Terrorism, Cancel For Any Reason and Cancel For Work Reasons.
By MattG - May 5, 2021
Question
If two people from different households are sharing the cost of VRBO, what cost does each put on application for insurance? Half of the total VRBO cost--or the full cost for the VRBO?
By BonnieJ - August 21, 2021
Answer
You would each insure your own portion of the total trip cost on each separate policy.
By MattG - August 30, 2021
Question
I travel with a friend who lives in a different state. She pays the balance of the trip with her credit card and I write her a check for my half of the costs. Even though my name is on the invoice, only her address and email are used by the travel company. So far it has worked, but I am worried that if I need to make a claim, I will run into trouble providing adequate documentation for my expenses.
By SarahD - November 1, 2021
Answer
This is very common and won't cause any issues during a claim. It wouldn't matter who pays the travel suppliers directly. As long as you can show proof of payment for your portion of the total trip cost, such as a copy of the check you are sending your traveling companion, you can be covered for your portion of the total trip cost with Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption.
By MattG - November 3, 2021
Question
My wife and I will be paying all of the expenses for a trip with our 3 adult children who all live in different states. Should they get their own policies even if they are not paying for the trip? Do they declare the cost of the trip to be the amount that we are paying for them? Thank you for your assistance.
By TimH - December 17, 2021
Answer
If you live in different states, you will need separate policies. It wouldn't matter who pays for the travel arrangements though. Each traveler would insure their portion of the total trip cost on their policy. You are all still covered just like you would be if you were all listed on the same policy together, keep in mind, so if one traveler had to cancel the trip for a covered reason, you are all covered even though you are insured on separate policies.
By MattG - December 20, 2021
Question
We are booking a trip with another family; so different addresses. If one family had to cancel for a covered reason, but the other family still wanted to proceed with the trip, could the cancelling family still file a claim to receive reimbursement for their portion? Does the answer change if a single plan is purchased vs separate plans? I'm guessing separate policies would be needed to receive reimbursement.
By RyanM - January 3, 2024
Answer
If one traveler or family has to cancel for a covered reason, they can file a claim for their portion of the overall trip cost. All other travelers can still be covered for their portion of the trip cost and be covered during the trip. You can all be on the same policy together with most providers if you live in the same state and travel on the same dates. You are still covered just the same as if you were listed on separate policies though.
By MattG - January 4, 2024