The cheapest travel insurance companies in 2025 are Nationwide, Trawick and Travelex, according to our most recent industry study. However, the lowest rate doesn’t always mean the best policy or coverage for your needs, since the level of protection and customer support vary between plans and providers.
In this guide, we at the MarketWatch Guides team highlight the cheapest travel insurance companies that provide quality coverage and service. We provide a detailed look at the costs, coverage and features of each provider on our list. You’ll also find a few tips to help you get cheaper travel insurance rates for your next trip.
The 7 Best Cheap Travel Insurance Companies Worth the Cost
Here are our picks for the best and cheapest travel insurance companies.
- Nationwide Travel Insurance Cheapest Travel Insurance
- Trawick International Travel Insurance Best for Student Travel Insurance
- Travelex Best Family-Friendly Coverage
- Seven Corners Best Plan Variety
- Generali Global Assistance Best for Trip Interruption Coverage
- Allianz Global Assistance Best for Year-Round Plans
- Faye Best Claims Experience
How We Chose the Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies
To determine the cheapest travel insurance plan options, MarketWatch Guides gathered sample quotes for all plans offered by 24 travel insurance companies. We gathered quotes for eight trips with varying traveler ages, destinations, number of travelers and trip costs, which are outlined in our methodology. Total trip prices ranged from $1,800 to $8,000, with destinations to Mexico, England, France, Greece, Spain, Italy and Ireland.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
| Company | Average Cost | Cheapest Plan | BBB Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$175
|
Essential
|
A+
|
||
|
$212
|
Safe Travels First Class
|
B
|
||
|
$212
|
Travel Basic
|
A+
|
||
|
$216
|
Trip Protection Basic
|
A+
|
||
|
$255
|
Standard
|
A+
|
||
|
$275
|
Allianz OneTrip Basic
|
A+
|
||
|
$298
|
Faye Travel Insurance
|
Not Rated
|
| Company | BBB Rating | Average Cost | Cheapest Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A+
|
$175
|
Essential
|
||
|
B
|
$212
|
Safe Travels First Class
|
||
|
A+
|
$212
|
Travel Basic
|
||
|
A+
|
$216
|
Trip Protection Basic
|
||
|
A+
|
$255
|
Standard
|
||
|
A+
|
$275
|
Allianz OneTrip Basic
|
||
|
Not Rated
|
$298
|
Faye Travel Insurance
|
Our team reviewed travel insurance companies in-depth to provide the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information available. While your policy price will vary based on your trip details, traveler ages, number of travelers, destination, and more, we took the following steps when collecting data to get a full scope of industry pricing.
- Overall cost averages: We pulled individual quotes for 24 travel insurance companies and 75 travel insurance policies for eight trip profiles. The trips we collected quotes for are the following:
- 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico
- 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to London
- 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to London
- Family of 4 taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico
- 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to Paris, France
- 27-year-old taking a $1,800 trip to Athens, Greece
- 23-year-old taking a $4,000 trip to Europe (Italy, Spain, Ireland, Greece, longest time spent in Italy)
- 51-year-old taking a $2,000 vacation to Madrid, Spain
- Cost data by provider: To figure out the average cost for each provider, we collected sample quotes for all the insurance policies they offer. Then, we took the average of these estimates for each type of trip across all their policies to find out the provider’s average cost.
- Cost data by age: We analyzed travel insurance costs by age by reviewing price data for seven ages in increments of ten years, starting at 20 years old. We collected 20 sample quotes for each age and averaged them to get the typical cost for that age group. Sample quotes were collected for a variety of policies, from medical-only coverage to comprehensive travel insurance plans.
- Cost data by number of travelers: We looked at sample quotes for four groups of travelers going on a trip to the UK for two weeks. We collected 25 sample quotes for each group and averaged them. The group details are as follows:
- One 30-year-old traveler
- A 30-year-old couple
- Two 30-year-old adults and one 5-year-old child
- Two 30-year-old adults, one 5-year-old child and one 7-year-old child
- Cost by trip price: To get accurate pricing by trip price, we collected 20 quotes each for 11 differently priced trips. We started at a $1,000 trip and increased the trip price by $1,000 increments until $10,000, then collected quotes for a $15,000 trip. We averaged 20 quotes for each trip.
We manually collected all cost information from each travel insurance company’s website.
Cheap Travel Insurance Plans in Detail
Nationwide offers two standard travel insurance plans with up to 200% reimbursement for trip interruptions and up to $150,000 in medical expense coverage. However, baggage limits and medical evacuation coverages are higher, which is beneficial for travelers with independent international health insurance.
Nationwide also offers three unique tiers of cruise protection, with up to 200% reimbursement if your vacation is interrupted or an unavoidable delay causes you to miss your cruise. This can offer peace of mind if you’re flying out of state to a departure port.
Offers 24-hour emergency assistance
Has cruise-specific insurance plans
Multiple coverage levels for cruises
Medical coverage acts as a secondary policy to your health insurance
Plans and Coverage
The chart below outlines Nationwide’s two single-trip travel insurance plans.
| Coverage Item | Essential Plan | Prime Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Trip cancellation | $10,000 | $30,000 |
| Trip interruption | 125% of trip costs | 200% of trip costs |
| Lost or stolen baggage | $600 | $2,000 |
| Baggage delay | $100 | $600 |
| Medical expenses | $75,000 | $150,000 |
| Emergency evacuation | $250,000 | $1 million |
Add-On Options
You can add the following optional coverages to Nationwide’s cruise and single-trip travel insurance plans:
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- Cancel-for-any-reason coverage
- Vendor financial default coverage
- Preexisting medical conditions waiver
- Rental car collision coverage
Trawick International
Trawick International Travel Insurance ReviewTrawick Travel Insurance offers low-cost medical evacuation insurance that meets the minimum requirements for some of the most common student and academically oriented visa types.
Trawick Travel Insurance offers up to $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage as a standalone policy, meeting the insurance requirements of the J1, F1 and H1 visas. This policy is available to both students and faculty approved for select education-related visas and includes access to 24/7 assistance from a qualified, live nursing line.
If you’re a U.S. student traveling internationally, you might benefit from one of Trawick’s standard trip-cancellation insurance plans. Trawick sells a range of 10 individual plan options, varying in terms of coverage levels and benefits. CFAR coverage is available as an upgrade, and budget policy choices can be especially valuable for college students.
Offers visa-compliant policies for international students traveling to the U.S.
All policies include 24/7 assistance
Has 10 medical and evacuation policy options
Does not have study-abroad plans geared toward U.S. students
Safe Travels Flex coverage options vary by state
Plans and Coverage
If you’re an international student shopping for study-abroad coverage, Trawick offers one specific option: a medical evacuation and repatriation plan. The company offers 10 standard round-trip policies, ranging from its budget-friendly Safe Travels Explorer plan to its all-inclusive Safe Travels First Class. You can even create your own travel insurance plan with the customizable Safe Travels Flex policy — though most options have state-related limitations.
Add-On Options
Trawick Travel Insurance currently offers the following add-ons for its round-trip plan options:
- CFAR coverage
- Interruption-for-any-reason coverage
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- Adventure activity coverage
- Rental car damage
- Rental property damage
- Trip delay coverage upgrades
Specific upgrades may vary by policy and destination. Some policies automatically include coverage that other plans don’t unless you pay extra for an add-on, like AD&D coverage.
Travelex earned a spot on our list because of its affordable pricing and unique benefits that make it a great choice for traveling families, such as its higher-than-average baggage allowances and emergency medical coverage for pets. Its basic travel insurance coverage can cost as low as $60 and includes all the standard protections you’ll find with more expensive providers.
Travelex bills its travel insurance policies as flat-rate coverage, making your pricing more predictable. Plans also include access to 24/7 emergency assistance services, which can connect you with travel and legal assistance anywhere in the world.
CFAR upgrade available
Insurance coverage starts at $60 per trip
Higher-than-average baggage allowances
Low coverage for medical bills
Some add-ons not available with basic plan
Plans and Coverage
Travelex offers three travel insurance plans. The Travel Select and Travel America plans include coverage for sporting equipment delays. Travel America also offers medical emergency protection for your pet.
| Coverage Item | Travel Basic | Travel Select | Travel America |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trip cancellation | 100% of trip costs | 100% of trip costs | 100% of trip costs |
| Trip interruption | 100% of trip costs | 150% of trip costs | 150% of trip costs |
| Lost or stolen baggage | $500 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Baggage delay | $100 | $200 | $1,000 |
| Medical expenses | $15,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Emergency evacuation | $100,000 | $500,000 | $250,000 |
Add-On Options
Travelex allows you to add the following coverage to your travel insurance:
- CFAR coverage
- Adventure sports coverage
- AD&D and medical benefit upgrades
With six policy options, Seven Corners offers many opportunities to customize your coverage and adjust your travel insurance price. For example, Seven Corners offers a plan that covers a single trip with more than one international destination. In addition, the company sells a medical travel plan for non-U.S. citizens to help cover emergency medical costs while traveling within the U.S.
Seven Corners also has a generous range of travel insurance plans suitable for international destinations. Its two plans covering international travel offer protection for cancellation, regardless of the reason, and a range of medical-only options at reduced price points.
In addition to offering specialized plans, Seven Corners provides more generous baggage coverage than some other providers. You’ll be able to claim a reimbursement for a baggage delay after just 12 hours, which can offer peace of mind if you’re traveling to multiple international destinations in a single trip. For most coverage, the provider’s premiums cost less than average.
Offers six total plan options
Features lower-than-average pricing on basic plans
Has a 12-hour minimum for delayed baggage claims
Requires a 48-hour travel delay for hurricane and weather-related claims
Medical coverage is secondary to the policyholder’s domestic health insurance
Plans and Coverage
Seven Corners has two base plan options: Trip Protection Basic and Trip Protection Choice. These policies cover one-way and round-trip travel itineraries in the U.S. and abroad, with up to $100,000 in medical coverage and up to 100% in compensation for trip interruption on the most affordable plan.
Add-On Options
Seven Corners currently offers the following add-ons for its round-trip plan options:
- CFAR coverage
- IFAR coverage
- Rental car damage
- Sports and golfing equipment coverage
Generali Global Assistance
Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance ReviewGenerali Global Assistance earns a place on our list for its generous trip interruption coverage. If your trip is cut short due to a family emergency or other covered event, Generali reimburses you for up to 175% of the costs of the trip, which is much higher than competitors.
Generali also extends emergency evacuation coverage of up to $1 million and medical expense coverage of up to $250,000. Plans feature identity theft protection, a common problem abroad that some travel insurance companies don’t consider.
Each plan includes 24/7 travel assistance
Can add coverage for preexisting conditions up to 24 hours before departure date
Offers up to 175% trip interruption coverage
CFAR upgrade only includes 60% reimbursement, lower than some other providers
Must purchase CFAR coverage within 24 hours of your policy deposit
Plans and Coverage
Generali offers three plans with coverage levels detailed below. In addition, the Preferred and Premium plans offer reimbursement if you experience any delays when renting sporting equipment on your trip.
| Coverage Item | Standard Plan | Preferred Plan | Premium Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trip cancellation | 100% of trip costs | 100% of trip costs | 100% of trip costs |
| Trip interruption | 125% of trip costs | 150% of trip costs | 175% of trip costs |
| Lost or stolen baggage | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| Baggage delay | $200 | $300 | $500 |
| Medical Expenses | $50,000 | $150,000 | $250,000 |
| Emergency evacuation | $250,000 | $500,000 | $1 million |
Add-On Options
Generali offers the following coverage add-ons:
- CFAR upgrade
- Rental car collision coverage
- Preexisting medical conditions waiver
We recommend Allianz Global Assistance for people who travel frequently, whether for business or pleasure, and who prefer the simplicity of a single annual policy. Allianz features a formidable offering of single-trip policies, but it’s the insurer’s year-round travel coverage options that make the company stand out. Paying a flat fee for a year’s worth of travel insurance may not be the best option for everyone, but for frequent travelers, year-round coverage can offer tremendous value.
If you travel more than a couple of times per year, a 365-day policy is likely to be cheaper than buying individual policies, especially at the competitive rates we found from Allianz. But it’s also a simpler way to stay covered without having to go through the process of buying a new policy every time you plan to leave town.
Provides global customer support in different languages
Offers both single-trip and multi-trip coverage
Strong ratings from customers on multiple review sites
Single-trip policies more expensive than competitors
Medical expense coverage limited to $75,000
Plans and Coverage
Allianz offers nine policy options for both single-trip and multi-trip travel insurance.
| Policy Tier | CFAR | Trip Delay | Trip Interruption and Cancellation | Baggage | Medical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OneTrip Basic Plan | No | $300 ($150 per day limit) | Trip cancellation $10,000; trip interruption $10,000 | Baggage loss/damage $500; baggage delay $200 | Emergency medical $10,000; emergency medical transportation $50,000 |
| OneTrip Prime Plan | Optional upgrade | $800 ($200 daily limit) | Trip cancellation $100,000; trip interruption $150,000 | Baggage loss/damage $1,000; baggage delay $300 | Emergency medical $500,000; emergency medical transportation $50,000 |
| OneTrip Premier Plan | Optional upgrade | $1,600 ($200 daily limit) | Trip cancellation $200,000; trip interruption $300,000 | Baggage loss/damage $2,000; baggage delay $600 | Emergency medical $75,000; emergency medical transportation $1,000,000 |
| OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan | No | $1,000 ($200 daily limit) | No | Baggage loss/damage $2,000; baggage delay $600 | Emergency medical $50,000; emergency medical transportation $250,000 |
| OneTrip Cancellation Plus Plan | No | $150 ($150 daily limit) | Trip cancellation $5,000; trip interruption $5,000 | Baggage loss/damage $1,000; baggage delay $200 | No |
| AllTrips Basic Plan | No | $600 ($200 daily limit) | No | Baggage loss/damage $1,000; baggage delay $200 | Emergency medical $20,000; emergency medical transportation $100,000 |
| AllTrips Prime Plan | No | $600 ($200 daily limit) | Trip cancellation $3,000; trip interruption $3,000 | Baggage loss/damage $2,000; baggage delay $600 | Emergency medical $20,000; emergency medical transportation $100,000 |
| AllTrips Premier Plan | No | $1,500 ($300 daily limit) | Trip cancellation $15,000; trip interruption $15,000 | Baggage loss/damage $2,000; baggage delay $2,000 | Emergency medical $50,000; emergency medical transportation $500,000 |
| AllTrips Executive Plan | $1,600 ($200 daily limit) | Trip cancellation $10,000; trip interruption $10,000 | Baggage loss/damage $1,000; baggage delay $1,000 | Emergency medical $50,000; emergency medical transportation $250,000 |
Optional Add-Ons
- Terrorism extension cover: Covers injuries and other losses suffered as a result of an act of terrorism up to $100,000.
- Hazardous sports coverage: Provides coverage for high-risk activities like climbing, skateboarding and diving, which aren’t covered under standard policies. Also provides up to $500 in trip cancellation coverage for ski vacations and $300 of coverage for lost, damaged or stolen skiing equipment.
- OneTrip rental car coverage: Covers damages to rental cars up to $50,000 and comes with 24-hour emergency roadside assistance coverage.
- Cancel any time: Adds CFAR coverage to premium travel insurance policies for up to 80% of the cost of non-refundable expenses when you cancel your plans, regardless of the reason.
- Required to work: Provides trip interruption and trip cancellation coverage due to work-related emergencies. This coverage is included in some Allianz plans, such as OneTrip Prime.
Faye leverages insurance tech to help you get enrolled in a policy quickly and file a claim on the go. Faye features an all-online quote process with just a handful of questions, as well as an online enrollment and claims-filing process. You can enroll in coverage and file claims directly through its mobile app, and even be reimbursed on approved claims to your phone’s Faye wallet. Faye also offers real-time alerts and 24/7 customer service before and during your trip.
We recommend Faye to travelers who want a quick, all-online experience that doesn’t require wading through complicated coverage options.
Offers quick, all-online quotes, enrollment and claims processing
Can pay you $200 if your bags get delayed for six hours or more*
Optional cancel-for-any-reason add-on covers up to 75% of trip costs*
Only offers one plan option
Does not offer add-on coverage for accidental death and dismemberment
Coverage
Faye offers one plan with several optional add-on options.
| Coverage Item | Faye Travel Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|
| Trip Cancellation | Up to 100% of non-refundable trip costs |
| Trip interruption | Up to 150% of non-refundable trip costs |
| Lost or stolen baggage | $150 per item, up to $2,000 |
| Baggage delay | $200 if bags are delayed 6+ hours, $300 if bags are delayed 12+ hours |
| Medical expenses | Up to $250,000 (for international trips) |
| Emergency evacuation | Up to $500,000 (for international Trips) |
Optional Add-Ons
- CFAR travel insurance
- Rental car damage or theft
- Adventure and extreme sports protection
- Vacation rental damage protection
- Pet care
How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?
After gathering quotes for various traveler profiles from top providers in the industry, our team found that travel insurance costs anywhere from $35 to $765. However, the cheapest travel insurance companies on our list average $188 per trip. After averaging quotes across traveler profiles, we found that Nationwide offers the most affordable basic travel insurance coverage, with an average policy cost of $175.
Note that the cost of a travel insurance policy will depend on factors like your destination, number of travelers, traveler ages, length of the trip and total trip cost.
Keep in mind that cheaper policies often offer less coverage. Be sure to review a policy’s trip interruption and cancellation coverage percentages, as well as coverage limits for baggage loss, missed flight connections and medical benefits, including medical evacuation. We recommend searching for policies with 100% or more cancellation and interruption coverage, and look for options that offer over $500,000 in medical coverage.
To help you better understand how these factors can affect your travel insurance costs, we’ve outlined several traveler profiles and the average cost of coverage for each in the table below.
| Traveler Profile | Plan Cost |
|---|---|
| 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 trip to Mexico | $204 |
| Family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico | $313 |
| 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to London | $484 |
| 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to London | $269 |
| 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to Paris | $83 |
| 27-year-old taking a $1,800 trip to Athens | $85 |
| 51-year-old taking a $2,000 vacation to Madrid | $113 |
“Travel insurance is a way for insurance companies to manage the statistical probabilities of various risks on behalf of travelers. Travel insurance premiums are calculated based on various factors, including the destination, traveler’s age and other conditions, estimating the associated risk and price insurance accordingly.”
Factors That Affect Travel Insurance Cost
Travel insurance is not a one-size-fits-all plan. Several factors determine the cost of your travel insurance, which we’ve listed below.
- Age: You should expect to pay more the older you are, as age often correlates with increased risk. Typically, prices are the same for travelers up to age 50 and increase from there.
- Plan type: The more protection you need, the more expensive your travel insurance will be.
- Add-on coverages: Most plans allow you to add certain features without having to upgrade your entire plan. For example, you may be able to buy basic flight insurance for $30 and add CFAR coverage for an additional $30.
- Number of travelers: While you can buy a single policy for multiple travelers, each traveler will have their own premium, which increases the total cost of the travel insurance. However, many travel insurance companies offer group-rate discounts.
- Trip cost: The more expensive your trip, the more it would cost the travel insurance company to reimburse it. As such, your travel insurance premium will increase alongside your reported total trip cost.
- Trip length: The longer the trip, the more you’ll pay for travel insurance. Longer trips are not only more expensive but also increase the chances of something going wrong.
- Destination: Your travel insurance provider will take the risk factor of your trip destination into consideration when determining the cost of travel insurance.
How To Find Cheap Travel Insurance
Protecting your vacation with travel insurance does not have to break the bank. Consider these tips to find the best possible pricing on travel coverage for your upcoming trip.
Compare Travel Insurance Quotes
Every travel insurance company uses an in-house underwriting formula to determine how much you’ll pay for travel insurance. It’s possible to find the same level of travel insurance from five different travel insurance companies at five different price points.
The only way to know which travel insurance company has the most affordable coverage for your trip is to get a quote from multiple providers. We recommend getting a quote from at least three competing travel insurance companies before making your final choice. While getting a quote takes only a few minutes, it could end up saving you hundreds of dollars on insurance.
Determine the Right Amount of Coverage
Another way to save money on travel insurance is to opt for a policy with only the coverages that you need. For example, most travel insurance providers offer the option to add CFAR coverage, which entitles you to reimbursement for travel expenses no matter why you need to cancel your trip. While this add-on can be convenient, it is also expensive, and you can save a significant amount on coverage by opting out.
Check Credit Card and Employer Benefits
Before purchasing travel insurance, it can be helpful to call your credit card company to learn more about potential travel benefits. Many credit cards, such as Chase Sapphire Preferred, come with built-in perks, including rental car coverage, trip cancellation protection and travel accident insurance. If you’re able to claim these coverages through your credit card company, you won’t need to buy added coverage through a travel insurer, saving you money.
If you’re traveling for business, you can ask if you have any coverage through your employer. Some large employers that fund corporate travel regularly broker discounted group travel plans for their employees, allowing you to avoid buying your own coverage.
Weigh Value Against Cost
As you compare policy options and collect quotes, take the time to understand the exact coverage levels included in each plan. Sometimes, cheap travel insurance is cheap for a reason — a low-priced plan may exclude circumstances you expect coverage for, limiting the usefulness of your policy.
After getting a quote from a travel insurance provider, make a note of important policy details. For example, if you’re opting for CFAR coverage, how much will you be reimbursed if you cancel your trip? What types of medical conditions and injuries does your policy exclude? What is the maximum amount your insurance will pay if you miss a flight, must come home early or face another emergency? These important questions can help you compare policies and determine the value of your coverage.
What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
If you’ve never purchased it before, you might be wondering what travel insurance is and what it covers.
As we’ve seen by comparing companies and policies, travel insurance can cover a wide array of things. But some of the most basic coverages are:
- Trip cancellation protection: Compensates you for nonrefundable trip payments prepaid to your hotel, airline, cruise and other vendors if you’re forced to cancel your trip for a covered reason.
- Trip interruption protection: Compensates you for nonrefundable trip expenses if you’re forced to leave your vacation early for a reason stated in your policy.
- Baggage delay and loss: Compensates you for lost, stolen or delayed baggage costs.
- Emergency medical expenses: This covers the cost of expenses if you’re injured, become ill or experience a medical issue on a trip. Some travel insurance plans also include coverage limits for dental costs.
“One critical factor in evaluating travel insurance policies is what constitutes a covered reason for a cancellation. In general, the cancellation usually must be due to unanticipated circumstances. Examples would possibly include medical treatment for injuries, death of a traveling companion, jury duty, losing your job and weather-related service disruptions.”
Common Add-Ons
If you buy a cheap travel insurance plan, it will likely only protect you from the most basic issues. But if you pay a little extra, you can add on coverage for things you might be more likely to need, including:
- Cancel-for-any-reason coverage: When you claim reimbursement through your travel insurance policy, you’ll need documentation that backs up the reason why you’re canceling. With a CFAR upgrade, you can cancel your trip for any reason and still claim a percentage reimbursement on nonrefundable costs.
- Interrupt-for-any-reason coverage: IFAR coverage is similar to CFAR coverage except that it protects you starting 72 hours after your departure until the end of your trip. If you have to cut your trip short for any reason, IFAR will reimburse up to 75% of the total amount of coverage you purchased for any non-refundable travel arrangements.
- Collision coverage waiver: Extends your rental car coverage to include collision damage.
- Financial default: This type of coverage applies if your airline, resort or other trip vendor declares bankruptcy.
- Pre-existing conditions waiver: Most standard travel insurance policies exclude health conditions if you show symptoms before buying travel insurance. An add-on allows you to extend your coverage to waive pre-existing condition exclusions.
Ask The Experts
We asked five experts what the top money-saving tips are for travelers.
What Are the Top Money-Saving Tips You Would Offer Travelers?
“In addition to the usual tactics of going budget on everything like airlines and hotels,
the key to real savings is asking yourself, ‘Why am I or we are taking the trip?’If the trip is a more cultural and educational experience, such as for young kids, you can save by using public transportation, eating where locals go, and going to museums and cultural centers with free activities.”
Is Cheaper Travel Insurance Worth It?
While many companies offer cheap travel insurance, not all policies are created equal. As you compare the best travel insurance plans, consider which coverages you can sacrifice to maintain valuable protections and save money. For example, if you have a health care policy that covers you abroad or a credit card that provides rental car coverage, you will not need a plan that includes these protections.
No matter what kind of travel insurance coverage you’re looking for, we recommend comparing premiums from at least three of our top travel insurance companies before deciding whether travel insurance is worth it.
Cheap Travel Insurance: FAQ
There are multiple types of cheap travel insurance, including policies that include coverage for trip cancellation, trip delay and medical treatments issued abroad. Some travel insurance providers offer robust plans with various benefits, while others offer more affordable policies with limited benefits. The latter usually only allows you to cancel for a covered reason to receive a reimbursement for airfare, hotel costs and other nonrefundable expenses.
You can expect to pay between 4% and 12% of your total trip cost for your international travel insurance, according to Generali Global Assistance. Actual costs will vary depending on trip details and the type of coverage you select.
The best travel insurance for your needs might vary depending on the specifics of your trip. For example, if you’re a student taking a budget trip to Mexico for spring break, Trawick’s low-cost basic plan might offer the most bang for your buck. If you’re planning a cruise, Nationwide’s cruise-specific coverage might provide peace of mind. We recommend getting at least three quotes from competing providers to be sure you’re getting the best coverage.
Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies
*Data accurate at time of publication.

