Key takeaways
- When you compare travel insurance, look beyond the cost to see what each plan covers, where its limits fall, and what it excludes.
- Two similarly priced plans may offer very different coverage once you get into the details.
- A trip insurance comparison tool makes it easy to review plans side by side and choose the best coverage for your trip.
Travel insurance plans can start to look alike after you’ve opened a few tabs. In a sea of similar names, similar prices, and long lists of benefits, how do you know which policy fits your trip?
It all comes down to comparison. Whether you’re planning a domestic trip, an international adventure, or a cruise, taking a few minutes to compare travel insurance before you buy can help you see what you’re actually getting for the price. You may find that one plan offers stronger medical coverage, while another is better suited to the nonrefundable cost of your trip. Travel insurance comparison can also reveal potential gaps in coverage, helping you avoid surprises if you need to file a claim.
Ultimately, the right coverage for your trip comes down to your itinerary, your budget, and the risks you’re most concerned about. This guide breaks down how to compare travel insurance plans based on the details that can make the biggest difference.
Why travel insurance comparison is about more than price
The lowest-priced plan isn’t always the best value. No one wants to pay more than necessary for travel insurance, but a cheaper policy may not provide the coverage you need if something goes wrong.
Say you’re comparing two policies that are only $20 apart. The less expensive plan offers $25,000 in emergency medical coverage, while the other offers $100,000. If you’re traveling overseas and your health insurance provides limited coverage abroad, that difference may end up being worth far more than the extra $20.
As you review your options, think about the situations you’re most concerned about:
- Would you lose a significant amount of money if you had to cancel?
- Will you be bringing expensive equipment?
- Are you traveling for an event you can’t afford to miss due to a delay or cancellation?
These answers can help you decide which benefits require the closest look.
Use our quote comparison tool to review travel insurance plans side by side and find coverage based on your trip.
How to compare travel insurance: the criteria that matter most
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) recommends reviewing policies carefully, understanding coverage limitations, and asking questions before buying travel insurance.
With that in mind, a successful trip insurance comparison starts with understanding the parts of a policy that can make the biggest difference when you need them.
The most important details to review include:
- Coverage types and included benefits
- Coverage limits
- Exclusions and limitations
- Pre-existing condition considerations
- Provider reputation and support
- Available upgrades and add-ons
- Overall price and value
Think of each policy as a package. One might be a strong fit for a high-cost international trip, while another provides the basics for a quick domestic getaway. When you drill into the details, some plans may offer higher medical coverage, while others may have stronger cancellation benefits or more flexible upgrade options. The “best” plan depends on where you’re going, what you’re spending, and what could realistically disrupt your plans.
The “best” plan depends on where you’re going, what you’re spending, and what could realistically disrupt your plans.
Coverage types and included benefits
Most comprehensive travel insurance plans include several core benefits. As you compare travel insurance options, check which benefits are included, which require an upgrade, and the limits that apply.
Trip cancellation
Trip cancellation coverage typically reimburses up to 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs if you need to cancel for a covered reason listed in your policy.
Common covered reasons include:
- Illness or injury
- Severe weather
- A family emergency
- Certain travel supplier issues
The phrase “covered reason” is important. Standard trip cancellation coverage doesn’t allow you to cancel for anything that comes up. If the reason isn’t named in your policy, it generally won’t qualify for reimbursement.
Tip: Want more flexibility? Look for a plan that offers a cancel for any reason (CFAR) upgrade. CFAR has its own eligibility requirements, and it typically reimburses only a percentage of your insured trip cost, so check the details carefully.
Trip interruption
Trip interruption coverage may reimburse you for unused prepaid expenses and additional transportation costs when you cut a trip short for a covered reason. For example, if a close family member becomes seriously ill while you’re away, the benefit may help cover a last-minute flight home.
Many plans provide up to 150% of your insured trip cost for interruption benefits. That additional amount can help account for the higher cost of making new travel arrangements on short notice.
Emergency medical
Emergency medical coverage can help pay for medical treatment if you become sick or injured during your trip.
This benefit can be especially critical if you’re traveling internationally from the United States. U.S. health insurance plans don’t always cover medical care abroad, while Medicare and Medicaid typically provide little or no international coverage. The U.S. Department of State recommends getting emergency medical coverage for international travel.
As you compare plans, ask a few questions:
- Is the medical limit appropriate for the destination?
- Does the plan have a deductible?
- Is the medical coverage primary or secondary?
Primary coverage pays before other applicable insurance, which can make the claims process more straightforward. Secondary coverage may require you to file with another insurer first.
Tip: For international trips, we recommend considering plans with at least $100,000 in travel medical coverage. Primary coverage is usually the better option because it simplifies the claims process.
Emergency medical evacuation
A serious injury is difficult enough to manage. It can become even more complicated while away from home, especially if the nearest facility isn’t equipped to provide the care you need.
Emergency medical evacuation coverage helps pay for transportation to an appropriate medical facility. Depending on the policy and circumstances, that could mean an ambulance, a helicopter, or a medically equipped flight.
This benefit can be especially important for cruises, adventure travel, and trips to remote destinations, where sufficient medical care might otherwise be inaccessible.
When you compare medical evacuation benefits between plans, consider:
- Maximum evacuation limits
- Whether transportation back home is included
- Whether a travel companion can receive benefits if needed
Tip: We recommend $250,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage for international trips and at least $500,000 for cruise travel insurance, adventure travel, and trips to remote destinations.
Trip delay
Picture this: thunderstorms cancel your evening flight, and the next available departure isn’t until the next morning. Now, you need dinner, a hotel room, and transportation from the airport.
Travel delay coverage may reimburse necessary expenses when your delay meets the policy’s requirements, such as:
- Meals
- Hotel accommodations
- Transportation to and from your planned point of departure
- Other necessary expenses
Note that plans often have a minimum delay period before benefits begin, so compare both the dollar limit and the time trigger. If, for example, you tend to travel in the evenings, a benefit that begins after six hours may be more useful than one that requires a 12-hour delay.
Baggage and personal belongings
Baggage coverage helps protect your belongings if they are lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed. The exact protection varies by plan.
When comparing plans, check more than just the total baggage reimbursement limit. You should also review:
- Per-item limits
- Per-person limits
- Items excluded from coverage, such as cash and credit cards
- Whether coverage is primary or secondary (primary coverage means travel insurance pays before other providers, so it can make getting reimbursed easier)
- Requirements for reporting lost or stolen items (you may need to file a police report)
If you’ll be traveling with expensive belongings, you should pay close attention to these details. Electronics, cameras, jewelry, and specialty equipment, for instance, may be subject to lower per-item caps.
Coverage limits
Coverage limits determine how much a travel insurance plan may pay for a covered claim. A plan may list every benefit you’re looking for and still leave you underinsured if the limits are too low.
When you compare travel insurance plans, be sure to review the limits for each individual type of coverage.
Coverage type |
What to consider |
Emergency medical |
For international trips, choose higher limits, such as $100,000. |
Emergency evacuation |
Look for minimum limits of $250,000 for international trips and $500,000 for cruises or remote travel. |
Trip cancellation |
Look for a limit equal to 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses. |
Trip interruption |
A limit of 150% can help cover expenses such as last-minute transportation home. |
Baggage |
Check both overall limits and caps for individual items. |
Exclusions and what isn’t covered
Every travel insurance policy has exclusions. These are situations, activities, or circumstances the plan doesn’t cover.
Understanding exclusions is one of the most important parts of any travel insurance comparison. Common exclusions include:
- Certain adventure activities
- Traveling against medical advice
- Losses caused by alcohol or drug use
- Pre-existing medical conditions (unless you qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver)
- Specific destinations or travel warnings
If your trip includes activities such as skiing, scuba diving, hiking, or other higher-risk activities, confirm that your plan covers them before purchasing. Don’t assume your activity is covered just because the plan includes emergency medical benefits.
Tip: Check out SOVENTURE, an InsureMyTrip brand, to compare insurance plans built for adventure travel. Use the covered activities filter to view policies that cover your planned activities and excursions.
Provider reputation and claims process
Travel insurance matters the most when you need to use it. That means the provider and claims experience should be part of the comparison, too.
When you compare providers, consider:
- Customer reviews and ratings
- Available support options
- What the claims filing process looks like
- Whether 24/7 emergency assistance is offered
Tip: Plans in our quote tool display a star rating based on customer reviews. Click the stars to read feedback from InsureMyTrip customers.
Travel insurance comparison checklist
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, use this checklist to review the remaining plans side by side.
Comparison point |
What to consider |
Coverage and benefits |
Which situations are covered, and under what circumstances? (If a reason isn’t listed, it may not be covered.) |
Coverage limits |
Are the maximum benefits high enough for your trip and destination? |
Exclusions |
Are any planned activities or likely concerns excluded? |
Pre-existing condition coverage |
Is a pre-existing condition waiver available? If so, how long is the look-back period? |
Provider and claims process |
What support is available, and how are claims handled? |
Optional upgrades |
Would an add-on such as CFAR or rental car coverage be useful? |
Price |
Does the coverage justify the premium based on your budget and priorities? (Read more on how to save money when purchasing travel insurance here.) |
What matters less than you’d think
The price of a plan is an important factor when you compare travel insurance, but it’s not the only factor. The goal is to find coverage that matches your trip, so make sure you review the policy details carefully before buying.
A lower-priced plan may look appealing, but it could have:
- Lower medical coverage limits
- More exclusions
- Fewer optional benefits
- Less flexibility for your travel needs
- No trip cancellation benefits
One way to think about it: price tells you what the policy costs, but value tells you what that cost gets you.
Imagine you’re insuring an expensive cruise. A basic plan might save you money upfront but offer less cancellation coverage or no protection for a concern that matters to you. On the other hand, for a short domestic trip with refundable reservations, you may decide you don’t need the same level of coverage.
That’s why the details of your trip are so important. Rather than automatically choosing the cheapest plan or the one with the longest list of benefits, focus on the risks and expenses that could have the biggest impact on your particular trip.
Price tells you what the policy costs, but value tells you what that cost gets you.
Choosing between single-trip and annual plans
If you travel several times a year, an annual plan can save money and simplify planning.
| Plan type | Coverage | May be a good fit for |
| Annual | Unlimited trips in 12 months | Frequent travelers taking several trips a year |
| Single-trip | One trip | Travelers planning an expensive vacation, international trip, or cruise |
For a complete guide, learn more about choosing between single-trip and annual travel insurance here.
Comparing plans on InsureMyTrip
InsureMyTrip makes travel insurance comparison easy.
Just enter a few details about your trip, and you can:
- Compare plans from multiple providers
- Review benefits side by side
- Filter by coverage options and benefits, like pre-existing condition waivers
- Compare plan prices
Be sure to read the policy certificates so you know exactly what you’re buying. If you have any questions, call our travel insurance agents. They’re happy to guide you through the process and help you find the policy that’s best for your trip.
The bottom line
The best travel insurance plan is not necessarily the cheapest or the one with the longest list of benefits. It’s the plan that fits your trip. InsureMyTrip makes it easy to compare travel insurance plans from top providers all in one place.
