A missed connection is annoying; a medical emergency abroad can be financially devastating. Travel insurance is mostly about the second.
Key points
- Travel insurance can cover trip cancellation, interruption, delays, lost bags, medical care and emergency evacuation.
- Your U.S. health plan may offer limited or no coverage abroad, and Medicare generally doesn’t cover care outside the U.S.
- Trip cancellation only covers listed reasons unless you buy a more expensive ‘cancel for any reason’ upgrade.
- Pre-existing conditions, risky activities and some destinations may be excluded.
- Credit cards sometimes include travel protections, so check before buying a policy.
Travel insurance bundles several kinds of protection. Some are nice to have; others can prevent a financial disaster.
What it can cover
- Trip cancellation: reimburses prepaid, nonrefundable costs if you cancel for a covered reason, such as illness.
- Trip interruption: covers costs if you have to cut a trip short for a covered reason.
- Travel delay and baggage: pays for meals, hotels and essentials during long delays, and for lost or delayed bags.
- Emergency medical: pays for care if you get sick or hurt while traveling.
- Medical evacuation: pays to transport you to appropriate care or home.
Why medical coverage matters abroad
Many U.S. health plans offer limited coverage outside the country, and Medicare generally doesn’t cover care abroad except in rare situations. Hospitals overseas may also require payment up front. The State Department encourages travelers to check their coverage before they go.
Helpful tip
Before buying, check what you already have. Your health plan, credit cards and even your homeowners or renters policy may cover parts of a trip.
Common exclusions
- Pre-existing conditions, unless a waiver applies.
- Risky activities, such as skydiving or mountaineering.
- Cancelling because you changed your mind, unless you buy “cancel for any reason” coverage, which costs more and typically refunds only part of your costs.
- Known events, such as a storm that was already named when you bought the policy.
Choosing a policy
Match the coverage to the trip: for an expensive cruise or international trip, prioritize medical and evacuation coverage; for a domestic weekend, cancellation coverage may be enough.
Related guides
Our guide to health insurance terms explains the medical cost terms you’ll see in travel policies, and our pet insurance guide covers the companions you leave at home.
Frequently asked questions
When should I buy travel insurance?
Soon after booking. Some benefits, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions, may only be available if you buy within a short time of your first trip payment.
Does travel insurance cover pandemics?
It depends on the policy wording. Read how it treats illness, quarantine and government travel advisories.
What is medical evacuation coverage?
It pays to transport you to a suitable hospital or back home if medically necessary, which can be extremely expensive without insurance.
Do I need it for a domestic trip?
Medical coverage is usually less important at home, but trip cancellation coverage may still be useful for expensive, nonrefundable trips.
This guide is general information, not insurance, tax or legal advice. Rules, limits and deadlines change each year, so check HealthCare.gov, Medicare.gov or your insurer for your situation.