Best Time to Buy Travel Insurance
If you want the most value and flexibility from travel insurance, timing your purchase matters just as much as choosing the plan. Do you buy it before you book anything? After you’ve paid in full? Right before you leave? The truth is that timing matters more than most travelers realize. Buying too late can mean missing out on important benefits like coverage for pre-existing medical conditions or the option to cancel for any reason. The good news: you only need to remember a few clear rules to get it right.
Summary: When should you buy travel insurance?
The rule of thumb here is to buy as soon as you make your initial trip payment.
The three rules to remember:
- Buy within 10–21 days of your initial trip payment to qualify for time-sensitive benefits like a preexisting condition waiver and Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR).
- Buy before you depart to get a comprehensive plan with trip cancellation, interruption, and predeparture benefits.
- If you have CFAR, you must cancel at least 48–72 hours before departure (varies by plan).
Quick recap:
- Initial trip payment starts the clock
- 10–21 days = time-sensitive benefits
- No comprehensive coverage after departure
Best Time to Buy Travel Insurance
The best time to buy travel insurance is right after you make your first payment toward your trip. That first payment, whether it’s a flight, hotel, cruise deposit, or tour down payment, starts the eligibility clock for the most valuable benefits.
Waiting doesn’t save money, and it can permanently limit what your policy will cover.
Decision Guide: When to Buy Travel Insurance
| Scenario | When to Buy | Eligible Benefits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booked flights only | After flight purchase | Trip cancellation, medical, delay | Insure nonrefundable amount only |
| Adding trip costs later | Buy after first payment; update later | Keeps waivers if rules met | Must insure 100% of nonrefundable costs |
| Last-minute trip | Before departure | Medical, evacuation, limited cancellation | No CFAR if outside 10–21 days |
| Medical only coverage | Even after departure (some plans) | Emergency medical, evacuation | No trip cancellation |
| Pre-Existing Condition Waiver | Within 10–21 days | Waiver applies if requirements met | Must insure full nonrefundable cost |
| Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) | Within 10–21 days | Partial reimbursement | Cancel ≥48–72 hours predeparture |
| Severe weather / known peril | Before event becomes known | Covered if unforeseen | Once named or announced, it’s excluded |
Key Travel Insurance Terms (Quick Glossary)
- Initial trip payment: The first money you pay toward your trip, which starts the clock for time-sensitive benefits.
- Time-sensitive benefits: Optional protections are available only if you buy within a set window (usually 10–21 days).
- Pre-Existing Condition Waiver: Removes exclusions for existing medical conditions if eligibility rules are met.
- Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR): Optional upgrade that lets you cancel for reasons not otherwise covered, with partial reimbursement.
- Known peril: An event that is already foreseeable or publicly known at the time you buy insurance.
- Insurable interest: Prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs that you would lose if you had to cancel.
Buying Travel Insurance at the Last Minute
Do:
- Buy before you depart if you want a comprehensive plan.
- Expect coverage for medical emergencies, evacuation, and some delays.
- Check current news and weather before buying.
Don’t:
- Expect CFAR or a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver if you’re outside the 10 to 21-day window.
- Assume named storms, strikes, or announced events will be covered.
- Wait until you need coverage; once a problem is known, it’s too late.
Important: Once a storm is named or an event is announced, it becomes a known peril and is no longer covered for new purchases.
How to Update Your Insured Trip Cost Later
If you book in stages, you can still protect your benefits:
- Estimate your full trip cost and buy insurance within 10–21 days of your initial trip payment.
- Add new prepaid, nonrefundable costs promptly as you book them.
- Insure 100% of nonrefundable costs.
- Finalize all updates before departure.
Missing steps can void time-sensitive benefits.
Common Booking Scenarios
Booked a hotel today, flights next week: Buy now to lock in the waiver and update costs later.
Cruise departs in 5 days, just booked: CFAR isn’t available, but you can still buy medical and cancellation coverage.
Storm named after you bought insurance: Covered if the storm was unforeseen at purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
I booked my hotel today and flights next week—when should I buy?
Buy today. Your hotel payment starts the clock, and you can add flights later.
Is CFAR available if I buy 15 days after my first payment?
Usually yes, as long as the plan’s window is 21 days and other rules are met.
Can I buy travel insurance after I leave?
Some medical-only plans allow it, but comprehensive plans do not.
What if I don’t insure my full trip cost?
You may lose your pre-existing condition waiver.
Bottom Line
If you remember one thing, make it this: buy travel insurance as soon as you make your initial trip payment. It gives you the most coverage, the most flexibility, and the fewest surprises later.
Question
WE just put a deposit down today on a cruise that will not happen until October 2019. Because the price was very good, the deposit was almost the entire cost of the cruise. However, we will not be purchasing flights until probably this time next year. I would like to purchase insurance now, but how do I do that when i do not know the cost of the flights yet? Can I add them later and pay the additional cost?
By PattiJ - March 5, 2018
Answer
Yes. You can insure what you have paid for to date, and once you make subsequent payments towards the trip, you can contact us and update your existing policy accordingly, as long as you contact us prior to departure.
By MattG - March 12, 2018
Question
I already booked a condo for March 24-31 and paid in full. Can I get coverage for just that portion or is it too late? WE are driving, so no flights involved.
By Debra - March 13, 2018
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 - March 14, 2018
Question
To purchase a policy, do I enter my age on the first day of the cruise, or at the time I purchase trip protection?
By Renee - July 31, 2018
Answer
When filling out the quote form, we ask to please list the traveler's age as of the date you are obtaining the quote, not the age you will be at the time of the trip.
By MattG - August 1, 2018
Question
I am travelling with my daughter and grandson who purchased a cruise , flight and hotel stay for me to join them . Can she insure all 3 of us or do I need to insure myself when expenses have been paid by her ?
By Tina B - October 3, 2018
Answer
If you live in the same state and travel on the same dates, you can all be listed on the same policy together with most providers. If you live in different states or travel on different dates, you would need separate policies. Each traveler would insure their portion of the total trip cost on their policy, even if one person is paying for all of the travel arrangements.
By MattG - October 3, 2018
Question
We are traveling to Europe next summer and just purchased airline tickets, but won't be booking the ground arrangements (bike tour) until early next year. Should I buy the insurance now and include an estimate of the bike tour cost, or do I need to have the ground arrangements under deposit before I buy the insurance? Thanks.
By Kathy - November 17, 2019
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. You can insure what you have paid for to date and any known costs, and once you make subsequent payments towards the trip prior to departure, you can contact us and update your existing policy accordingly.
By MattG - November 18, 2019
Question
Can I buy travel insurance before purchasing a plane ticket
By Chad - February 4, 2020
Answer
As soon as you have some sort of insurable interest (any money spent towards the trip) you can purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy. 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 - February 6, 2020
Question
Traveling in June from Charleston to Mexico for a surfing trip can you get travel insurance if the borders are close due to the virus issues currently?
By MarkG - March 16, 2020
Answer
We can only suggest looking into "cancel for any reason" as this is considered foreseen at this time, and this is not something covered with Trip Cancellation. 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. To view policies that offer this benefit, if you qualify, click on the "cancel for any reason" filter on the left side of the quote results page. If you are outside that time frame this benefit is not going to be available.
By MattG - March 17, 2020
Question
What dies initial payment mean, If it is a deposit to hold a reservation (which is cancellable)) is that a "initial deposit"? On my upcoming trip the depostit is $800 payable now and the balance is 14,000 payable say 60 days before trip.. When do I need to buy insurance to get pre-existing conditions waiver?
By Norman K - March 25, 2020
Answer
Typically, to be eligible for the pre-existing conditions waiver, you would need to purchase your insurance plan within 10-21 days after putting any money down towards your trip. This could include the initial deposit for your trip. Keep in mind that there are other requirements that must be fulfilled in order to be eligible for the pre-existing condition waiver, such as insuring the full pre-paid, non-refundable cost of your trip, you (and any others that would be covered by the waiver) must be medically fit at the time of purchase, and you must be purchasing within 10-21 days after making any payment toward your trip. It is important to read your policy details which will list all requirements.
By Meghan - March 26, 2020
Question
i rented a condo this summer at the jersey shore for one week. if we wanted to get insurance in case the beaches aren't open and we can't get our money back can we still do that. we already put down half the cost as a deposit and the rest is due 30 days prior. currently if we cancelled and they can rent the condo we would be out 12% of the total cost
By randi - April 29, 2020
Answer
Standard comprehensive travel insurance policies don't cover cancellation due to fear of travel or closed attractions, such as beaches. If these are your main concerns, you would want to purchase a comprehensive plan with optional Cancel For Any Reason protection selected. There are some eligibility requirements for this protection, such as insuring 100% of pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs, purchasing your coverage within 10-21 days after making your initial trip payment/deposit, and you must cancel your trip no less than 2 days prior to departure. Cancel For Any Reason can reimburse a portion, typically up to 50%-75%, of your trip cost depending on the plan purchased. A policy with Cancel For Any Reason can cost an additional 40%-60% more than a standard policy, is not available in all states, and eligibility requirements may differ by company.
By Meghan - April 30, 2020
Question
Can I only insure the hotel portion of my trip and not the flights? Or is it a must to include all non-refundable bookings?
By RaquelT - May 4, 2021
Answer
You can insure any amount you wish to insure, as long as that amount is prepaid non-refundable prior to departure. However, if you are buying coverage for pre-existing medical conditions or "cancel for any reason" you are required to insure 100% of all prepaid non-refundable travel arrangements even if you only wanted to insure a portion of the total cost.
By MattG - May 5, 2021
Question
I have put a down payment on a cruise. I want to buy travel insurance that includes a 'pre existing condition waiver' for the cruise. I would need to buy that within a few days for the time limits. I don't plan to buy airfare for another month or so. .Can I buy the travel insurance for the cruise only?
By DebraB - February 5, 2023
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. Most Comprehensive Plans will offer a waiver of pre-existing conditions if you meet the following conditions: You purchase the policy within 10 - 21 days of making your first trip payment; insure ALL prepaid non-refundable expenses prior to your departure date; and be medically fit to travel the day you purchase the policy. You can insure what you have paid for to date and any known costs, and once you make subsequent payments towards the trip prior to departure, you can contact us and update your existing policy accordingly. So when you purchase airfare or any other travel arrangements, please be sure to contact us to update the policy.
By MattG - February 7, 2023
Question
I just need medical coverage, which I am going to purchase today. I notice that all the policies say "secondary" for the medical portion, what does that mean exactly? My main insurance is Medicare, which I believe cannot be used in other countries. I am covered for trip cancellation, delay, baggage loss, etc. by credit card. Thank you,
By Colette - April 11, 2023
Answer
Primary coverage will pay FIRST, before any other collectible insurance. Secondary coverage will pay you after any other Primary collectible insurance has paid the claim and the Primary policy's limits have been exhausted. The Secondary coverage will act as Primary if you have no Primary coverage during your trip.
By MattG - April 11, 2023
Question
I put a down payment on a September cruise to Mexico. I put a down payment on this cruise on 3/19/24, Does the sweet spot time frame past due now since I'm waiting more than 10 days to purchase your insurance? Thank you, Layna
By LaynaC - May 14, 2024
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 MatthewG - May 18, 2024