If you’ve ever shopped for travel insurance, you’ve probably noticed the quotes don’t stay consistent between different trips — or even between different travelers going on the same trip. Don’t worry; that doesn’t necessarily mean you entered something wrong.
Your premium, or policy price, is calculated based on your trip cost, age, destination, and the coverage you choose. As a result, it can vary substantially from trip to trip and traveler to traveler. The same plan that costs one person $80 might run someone else hundreds for a similar trip.
Guessing at the “right” number before you shop can mean overpaying for coverage you don’t need, or worse: underinsuring a trip that should have more protection.
Instead of ballpark estimates, we pulled real pricing data from tens of thousands of InsureMyTrip customers who bought travel insurance in 2025 and 2026, so you can see what people actually paid. We’ve broken down the number by age, destination, and trip type, so you can get a realistic read on what your own policy might cost.
Key takeaways
- Travel insurance cost typically runs 4% to 10% of your trip price. InsureMyTrip data shows international travelers have paid an average premium of $184 per person in 2026 (about 6% of their trip cost).
- Age is one of the strongest predictors of cost. Travelers 77 and older paid an average of $782 for coverage in 2026 — more than six times what Generation Z travelers paid ($119).
- Several other factors affect travel insurance cost. Higher coverage limits, optional add-on benefits, and a longer trip length all increase what you’ll pay for a policy.
How much is travel insurance?
Insurance companies price your policy as a percentage of your total trip cost, then adjust that number up or down based on your age, trip length, destination, and any optional coverage you add. For most travelers, that works out to about 4% to 10% of what you paid for flights, hotels, cruises, tours, ground transportation, and other prepaid trip expenses.
Real data backs this up. Among InsureMyTrip customers who insured international trips in 2025 and 2026, the average individual premium came out to 5.4% to 5.9% of the total trip cost (for example, $270 to $295 for a $5,000 international trip).
How to estimate your potential travel insurance cost
To estimate what you might pay for travel insurance:
- Start by adding up all your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses (flights, hotels, tours and excursions, etc.).
- Multiply that number by 0.04 to get an idea of what a lower-priced plan may cost.
- Multiply that number by 0.10 to see what a higher-priced plan may cost.
So, if your prepaid deposits totaled $5,000, you might pay between $200 and $500 for a policy.
What real InsureMyTrip travelers paid for travel insurance
The numbers below come directly from InsureMyTrip customer data. They show what you can realistically expect to pay based on your age and your destination.
Average travel insurance cost by generation
This table shows the average premiums that InsureMyTrip customers paid for trips booked in 2025 and 2026, broken down by generation.
| Generation | 2025 avg. premium | 2026 avg. premium | Year-over-year change |
| Generation Z | $118.51 | $119.18 | +0.6% |
| Millennials | $144.43 | $159.17 | +10.2% |
| Generation X | $221.10 | $247.03 | +11.7% |
| Baby Boomers | $427.81 | $474.25 | +10.9% |
| Travelers 77+ | $685.01 | $782.51 | +14.2% |
Age is one of the strongest predictors of your travel insurance cost. Older travelers typically pay more because trip cancellation and travel medical claims become statistically more likely with age.
Average travel insurance cost for summer trips
Summer travel tends to cost more to insure than travel booked across the full year, and the gap widened in 2026. This table shows average premiums for trips taken specifically during summer months.
| Generation | Summer 2025 avg. premium | Summer 2026 avg. premium | Year-over-year change |
| Generation Z | $112.22 | $137.75 | +22.7% |
| Millennials | $156.39 | $205.19 | +31.2% |
| Generation X | $246.87 | $310.48 | +25.8% |
| Baby Boomers | $448.09 | $528.73 | +18.0% |
| Travelers 77+ | $694.94 | $899.26 | +29.4% |
If you’re planning summer travel, expect to pay more than the yearly average, regardless of your age. Summer trip costs rose alongside premiums in 2026, so the higher price tag tracks with pricier flights and hotels rather than insurers charging more for the same trip.
Average travel insurance cost by destination
This table ranks InsureMyTrip’s top 20 insured destinations by customer volume and shows the average per-person trip cost, average premium, and premium as a percentage of trip cost for each destination.
| Destination | Avg. trip cost | Avg. premium | Premium as % of trip cost |
| United States | $2,703 | $156 | 5.8% |
| Italy | $3,748 | $212 | 5.7% |
| United Kingdom | $3,446 | $218 | 6.3% |
| Canada | $2,567 | $186 | 7.2% |
| Mexico | $1,318 | $74 | 5.6% |
| Bahamas | $1,300 | $73 | 5.6% |
| France | $3,426 | $208 | 6.1% |
| Spain | $3,055 | $175 | 5.7% |
| Greece | $3,720 | $212 | 5.7% |
| Japan | $2,824 | $138 | 4.9% |
| Germany | $2,779 | $166 | 6.0% |
| Ireland | $3,472 | $209 | 6.0% |
| Iceland | $4,232 | $291 | 6.9% |
| Switzerland | $4,145 | $254 | 6.1% |
| Dominican Republic | $1,510 | $82 | 5.4% |
| Portugal | $3,187 | $202 | 6.3% |
| Netherlands | $4,060 | $239 | 5.9% |
| Bermuda | $1,540 | $97 | 6.3% |
| Norway | $5,114 | $372 | 7.3% |
| Israel | $1,838 | $97 | 5.3% |
Notice that your destination affects price mostly through trip cost, not through a separate risk surcharge. Norway and Canada carry the highest premiums as a share of trip cost, while Israel and the Dominican Republic sit at the lower end.
Average travel insurance cost for solo travelers
If you’re traveling alone, your trip cost and premium typically run lower than average simply because you’re the only person on the policy.
| Year | Avg. trip cost | Avg. premium | Premium as % of avg. trip cost |
| 2025 | $3,367 | $183.52 | 5.5% |
| 2026 | $3,225 | $197.51 | 6.1% |
Fewer InsureMyTrip customers traveled solo in 2026 than in 2025, but those who did paid a slightly higher share of their trip costs for coverage.
What counts toward your trip cost?
Your travel insurance premium is calculated as a percentage of your insured trip cost, so it helps to know what goes into this total.
Include these expenses when you calculate your insured trip cost:
- Nonrefundable flights
- Prepaid hotels or vacation rentals
- Cruises
- Tours and excursions
- Event tickets
- Nonrefundable deposits
- Prepaid rental cars (if the reservation is nonrefundable)
Leave these out:
- Fully refundable reservations
- Accommodation bookings you’ll pay for on arrival
- Airline tickets booked with points or miles (though you should include any taxes or fees you paid for out of pocket)
- Travel credits or vouchers (unless you’d lose them if you canceled)
- Any expense covered by other insurance, such as credit card benefits
What factors affect how much you pay for travel insurance?
Several variables combine to set your final price. Here’s what affects that price the most.
| Factor | How it affects your cost |
| Trip cost | Your premium rises and falls directly with this number |
| Your age | Older travelers pay more |
| Trip length | Longer trips cost more to insure |
| Destination | Higher medical or evacuation risk can raise your price |
| Cancel for any reason (CFAR) upgrade | Adds roughly 40% to 60% to your premium |
| Adventure sports coverage | Adds roughly 10% to 40% |
| Medical evacuation limits | Higher limits mean a higher premium |
| Number of travelers | Total cost rises with each person you add to the policy (though some plans let you add kids traveling with you for free) |
How to buy travel insurance for less
Follow these steps to buy travel insurance at a lower price:
- Compare multiple providers. Prices vary by insurer even for identical coverage, so shop around before you buy.
- Match coverage to your actual needs. Skip add-ons you don’t need, like adventure sports coverage if you’re not planning any high-risk activities.
- Keep your trip cost accurate. Insuring more than your actual nonrefundable costs will increase your premium without adding value.
- Check whether your credit card already covers you. Many cards include travel delay, baggage, and trip cancellation benefits. In this case, you can buy a slimmer, cheaper policy to fill the remaining gaps (especially for emergency medical and evacuation coverage).
- See if your kids are covered for free. Some plans let you add children traveling with you at no extra cost.
- Book one policy for your whole group. Multi-traveler policies are usually more cost-effective than buying separate coverage for each person. (However, this might not be possible if you live in different households.)
The bottom line
There’s no single number that answers the question, “How much does travel insurance cost?” The honest answer depends on who you’re insuring, where you’re going, and what you’re protecting. That’s why relying on average costs to predict what you’ll pay can only get you so far.
While most travelers end up spending somewhere between 4% and 10% of their trip price on a policy, your age, destination, trip length, and any upgrades (like CFAR) will move you up or down from there.
The real data makes one thing clear: the biggest factor you control isn’t your destination or your age, but how you shop. Comparing quotes, getting just enough coverage to protect your trip, and buying early can save you hundreds of dollars on your premium, all without affecting your protection.
Get started with a quote to see your options and compare plans side by side.
Frequently asked questions
How much does travel insurance cost?
Most travel insurance costs 4% to 10% of your total trip price. InsureMyTrip data from 2026 shows that the average premium for international trips was $184 per person.
How much is travel insurance for a $1,000 trip?
For a trip with $1,000 in prepaid, nonrefundable costs, expect to pay roughly $40 to $100 for a standard policy. The exact price will depend on your age (and the ages of anyone else on your policy), destination, and any optional coverage you add, like cancel for any reason (CFAR).
Does buying early affect the price?
No. Travel insurance prices typically don’t rise as your departure date gets closer. Buying early is smart because it can also unlock access to time-sensitive perks, such as a pre-existing condition waiver.
How can I save money when I buy travel insurance?
Compare quotes from multiple providers, choose coverage that matches your real needs, skip upgrades you don’t need, keep your trip cost accurate (prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs only), and check whether your credit card already provides some of the same benefits.
Does credit card travel protection lower the cost of my policy?
It can. If your credit card already includes trip delay and baggage insurance, for example, you might consider buying travel insurance only to fill any coverage gaps, such as medical and emergency medical evacuation.
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
How do I estimate the cost for a trip? I know that I should include the air fare and tour cost. But what about any rental car cost, which I could cancel if the trip was cancelled in advance? Should I include that cost because it might relate to coverage?
By Jeff - August 10, 2019
Answer
You can insure all prepaid non-refundable travel arrangements paid for prior to departure, including the cost of a prepaid non-refundable rental car. If the trip is cancelled for a covered reason listed in the policy certificate, you are reimbursed 100% of the trip cost insured.
By MattG - August 12, 2019
Question
Do I need insurance for an Alaskan Cruise if I would need medical care on the ship ? We live in Missouri .
By MarlaO - March 7, 2020
Answer
If you have medical insurance that covers you in the United States you shouldn't need any travel medical insurance, but it is included with all comprehensive policies we offer. Comprehensive Plans are the most widely known form of coverage and are often called package plans. Typically, a Comprehensive Plan will offer a variety of benefits for travelers, covering a wide range of concerns. Most provide coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip interruption, Baggage loss, Medical, Dental, Emergency Evacuation, 24 Hour Traveler Assistance, Baggage Delay, Travel Delay, and Accidental Death.
By MattG - March 9, 2020
Question
My wife and I will be flying to India together this December, but returning separately a few weeks apart. Does travel insurance cover us both, or are the plans and costs separate ?
By PopatlalA - October 24, 2021
Answer
If you do not depart and return on the same dates for the trip, you will need to obtain separate policies. You can only be listed on the same policy together if you live in the same state and travel on the same dates, please keep in mind.
By MattG - October 25, 2021
Question
We are taking our 75-year old parents on an 9-day trip to Kawa'i in May. What if one of them gets sick prior to the trip and cannot go...if we have a group of 8 policy, can we all cancel and get reimbursed?
By DaveJ - December 26, 2022
Answer
Yes. If one traveler has to cancel the trip for a covered reason such as an unforeseen illness of one the travelers, all other travelers who are insured are also covered to cancel as well. Trip Cancellation reimburses 100%. 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.
By MattG - December 27, 2022
Question
I’d like to purchase an annual plan for my husband and myself. We have quite a bit of travel planned the next two years, mostly cruising.
By PamelaD - June 27, 2023
Answer
We do provide annual medical policies for trips that take place outside of your home country. Typically, the trips cannot be longer than 70 days per trip with most plans. To obtain a quote, please fill out the quote form with your very first trip's details and once you arrive on the results page, please click on the “International Medical” filter on the left side of the page and look for the plans that are labeled “multi trip". Our multi-trip medical plans provide both medical and medical evacuation coverage. If you wanted trip cancellation and other travel protection benefits, that has to be purchased on a per trip basis.
By MattG - June 27, 2023
Question
We are planning to take a B2B cruise for 30 consecutive days, the first Caribbean leg is 16 days and the next 14 days are an Alaskan cruise, on the same ship. Will we need 2 policies or do we just list day we leave our home as day 1 and day we return home included in our travel?
By Angie - February 22, 2024
Answer
You will only need one policy to cover both cruises. Please make sure the travel dates reflect the date you leave and return home for the trip, and the trip cost can include all prepaid non-refundable travel arrangements paid for prior to departure from home.
By MattG - February 27, 2024