What’s the best time to buy travel insurance?
The best time to buy travel insurance is soon after making your first trip payment. Buying early gives you the best shot at qualifying for time-sensitive benefits, protects your trip investment sooner, and gives you more flexibility to customize your coverage.
The three rules to remember:
- Buy within 10–21 days of your initial trip payment to qualify for time-sensitive benefits, like a pre-existing 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).
Why should you buy travel insurance early?
Many travel insurance plans offer valuable benefits and optional upgrades that are only available if you buy the policy within a specific timeframe (often 14 to 21 days from your initial trip deposit).
Buying early also means your trip is covered for longer. If you need to cancel for a covered reason, trip cancellation coverage can reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.
What benefits can you unlock by buying early?
If you buy travel insurance within your policy’s time-sensitive window, you may qualify for additional benefits that won’t be available if you wait.
Pre-existing condition exclusion waiver
Many comprehensive travel insurance plans waive the pre-existing medical condition exclusion if you meet certain eligibility requirements. These often include:
- Buying your policy within a set number of days after making your first trip payment
- Insuring your full prepaid trip cost
- Being medically able to travel on the date you purchase the policy
Optional cancel for any reason coverage
Some travel insurance plans offer cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage as an optional upgrade. This coverage gives you greater flexibility to cancel, even for a reason your standard policy wouldn’t otherwise cover.
Don’t love the weather forecast for your trip? With CFAR, you could still cancel and get reimbursed for a percentage of your insured trip cost.
Since CFAR is time-sensitive, you’ll generally need to buy it shortly after your initial trip payment and meet the insurer’s eligibility requirements. Interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage may also be available, depending on the plan.
Higher coverage limits and optional upgrades
Buying early also gives you more room to customize your coverage. Depending on your insurer, you may be able to add optional benefits including:
- Higher emergency medical coverage
- Higher medical evacuation limits
- Rental car protection
- Baggage coverage upgrades
- Additional trip delay benefits
- Pet care or specialty activity coverage
These upgrades may only be available when you first purchase your policy, so it’s worth comparing your options soon after making your first trip payment.
Is it ever too late to buy travel insurance?
Not necessarily. Many travel insurance plans can still be purchased after you’ve made additional trip payments, or even close to departure. However, waiting may reduce the number of benefits available to you.
If you put off buying coverage until just before you leave, you may no longer qualify for:
- Pre-existing condition waivers
- Cancel for any reason coverage
- Financial default coverage
Even so, a later purchase can still offer valuable protection for things like emergency medical expenses, evacuation, baggage, travel delays, and trip interruption, depending on the coverage you choose.
When is waiting to buy travel insurance a good idea?
Although buying early is generally the best approach, it can make sense to hold off if your itinerary isn’t finalized yet. If your plans shift significantly after you’ve already bought coverage, reach out to your provider as soon as you can to see whether your policy can be updated.
Many plans let you increase your insured trip cost after purchase, but it’s worth checking your policy’s requirements and contacting your insurer directly if anything’s unclear.
What common mistakes should you avoid when buying travel insurance?
Buying travel insurance is only part of protecting your trip. Avoid these common mistakes to help ensure you have the coverage you need.
Waiting until the last minute
You can usually buy travel insurance right up until departure, but waiting often means missing out on benefits only available during the insurer’s early-purchase window. It can also shut you out of coverage for known events. Once a hurricane has been named, for instance, it won’t be covered by a brand-new policy.
Insuring the wrong trip cost
Trip cancellation coverage is typically based on the insured trip cost you declare when purchasing your policy. If you underestimate your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses, you may end up underinsured if you need to cancel.
Assuming every policy offers the same benefits
Travel insurance plans vary widely. Some offer higher emergency medical limits, while others feature stronger evacuation benefits, optional coverage upgrades, or broader trip delay protection. Comparing plans helps you choose coverage that matches your destination, activities, and budget.
Overlooking policy exclusions
Travel insurance covers a lot, but not everything. Before you buy, take a look at the policy’s exclusions, benefit limits, waiting periods, and documentation requirements, so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered.
How do you choose the right travel insurance policy?
The best policy for you isn’t necessarily the most expensive one. It’s the one that fits your trip and your needs.
A few questions worth asking yourself before you buy:
- How much of your trip is prepaid and nonrefundable? You only need to insure that amount.
- Are you traveling internationally? Robust emergency medical coverage (ideally primary coverage) is likely worth prioritizing.
- Are you heading somewhere remote? A higher evacuation limit could offer greater peace of mind.
- Does your itinerary have multiple flight connections? Travel delay benefits will be especially important.
- Do you want any optional benefits, such as cancel for any reason coverage or rental car protection?
- Are you traveling with expensive luggage, sports equipment, or electronics that may require higher baggage insurance limits?
Answering these questions can help you narrow your options down and avoid paying for coverage you don’t actually need.
Frequently asked questions
Can you add more trip costs after buying travel insurance?
In many cases, yes. If you make additional prepaid, nonrefundable trip payments after purchasing your policy, you may be able to increase your insured trip cost. Contact your insurer for help with this.
Does buying travel insurance before booking flights make sense?
Generally, no. It’s better to wait until you’ve made your first prepaid trip payment, so you actually have an insurable trip cost to work with.
If you book your trip in stages, when should you buy insurance?
Purchase your policy soon after making your first trip payment, rather than waiting until every reservation is locked in. Just be sure to check whether your policy lets you update your insured trip cost as you go.
Can you buy travel insurance after making your final payment?
Often, yes. Many insurers let you purchase coverage up to the day before (or even sometimes on the day of) your departure. However, waiting until your final payment may mean you no longer qualify for certain early-purchase benefits or optional coverage upgrades.
Does travel insurance start immediately after you buy it?
Not all benefits begin at the same time. Trip cancellation coverage generally takes effect once your policy is active, while benefits like emergency medical coverage and baggage protection typically start when your covered trip begins. Always check your policy to understand when each benefit becomes active.
Should you still buy travel insurance if your trip is refundable?
It depends. If most of your trip is fully refundable, you may not need as much trip cancellation coverage. However, you may still want travel insurance for things like emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, travel delays, baggage loss, and trip interruption.
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