Do You Really Need Travel Insurance?
Planning a vacation? Before you begin fantasizing about the colorful sites and delicious meals you’ll enjoy, consider what could go wrong. Unexpected delays, injuries or rental car mishaps can end a trip early or cost you thousands. While nearly 2 in 3 Americans (63%) risked traveling without it in 2025, experts recommend travel insurance to safeguard against these financial risks.
Depending on your policy, it can cover medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost items,and even liability protection if you’re responsible for accidental harm to others while away.[1]
Is Travel Insurance Worth It?
Personal finance expert Andrew Lokenauth seconds those sentiments.
“Consider that you can spend merely 4% to 8% of your total trip cost to protect against losses that can be 10 to 100 times larger. A medical evacuation from a remote destination, for example, can run $50,000 and up without coverage,” he says.[3]
That being said, travel insurance isn’t always worth it. “If you are taking a short domestic trip and lodging with family, your existing health insurance and credit card protections may be enough,” Lokenauth adds.
The best candidates for buying travel insurance include international travelers, anyone with large non-refundable bookings like cruises or multi-city itineraries, those with health conditions that could flare up unexpectedly and older travelers where medical risks rise with age.
Common Exclusions
Travel insurance typically will not cover known events, pre-existing medical conditions (unless you get a waiver) or pregnancy.
“Many travelers are also surprised to learn that supplier bankruptcy, weather disruptions, missed connections and airline operational issues may only be covered under very specific circumstances,” Calvin points out.
Palmer adds that acts of war, civil unrest, intoxication, pandemics and epidemics are among other common exclusions. Lokenauth cautions, “If you have trip cancellation coverage in place, note that it only applies to a defined list of covered reasons. It’s not an ‘if anything goes wrong’ fail-safe.”
Can I Get Insurance Through My Credit Card?
The good news is that the credit card you used to book your trip could have your back. While the details and rules vary by card, there are three main types of protection often available:
- Interruption Coverage: Protects you if travel is delayed or canceled while you’re already traveling. For example, if a connecting flight is canceled, your card might reimburse expenses like train tickets to get you to your destination.
- Delay Coverage: Reimburses for reasonable purchases made while you’re delayed. If a snowstorm postpones your flight, your card might cover a hotel night or meals. Just remember to keep your receipts.
- Cancellation Coverage: Protects you if the entire trip is canceled before you leave due to factors out of your control—like severe weather, jury duty or illness.
⚠️ Don’t forget: You must have purchased the trip with that specific card to be eligible. Furthermore, these protections are often limited and rarely include meaningful medical or evacuation coverage.
Additionally, your existing homeowners or renters insurance can safeguard personal belongings against theft while traveling and provide liability protection. However, they won’t reimburse you for flight delays or emergency medical bills abroad, and coverage for items may be capped at a small percentage of your policy’s total limit. Understanding your personal property insurance at home can help you decide how much extra coverage you need for a trip.
Getting a Travel Insurance Policy
Determine what protections you already have through your credit cards or home insurance, then choose a separate policy to fill the gaps. You can research the best travel insurance policies on comparison sites (similar to what TheZebra.com does for home and auto) or through offers embedded in your flight or hotel booking process.