Here’s what you need to know to get started when shopping for travel insurance
Booking travel always carries some degree of uncertainty. Travel insurance provides a safety net so you can step out with confidence. You may not need travel insurance for inexpensive trips, but it can provide a sense of security when you prepay for pricey reservations, a big international trip or travel during cold and flu season, which can be unpredictable.
According to data from insurance comparison site Squaremouth, travelers spent an average of $414 for comprehensive coverage, compared to $92 for medical-only policies from June 2024 to June 2025. Comprehensive plans typically cost between 4% and 10% of the insured trip cost.
Since that price tag is no small amount, it helps to know how to shop smart for travel insurance. Here’s how to find the right travel insurance plan for you and your next adventure.
What travel insurance covers
Depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for, the chart below will help you determine what to look for when selecting a policy:
Depending on the policy, travel insurance reimburses you or offers services when something goes awry. There’s even coverage for the worst-case scenario: if you die in an accident while traveling. Accidental death coverage pays your beneficiary a lump sum in that case.
Before you buy, take a little time to get familiar with different types of travel insurance products, how it’s priced, and what it covers and excludes. Usually, the more thorough the coverage, the more it will cost.
Travel medical insurance
These plans provide health insurance while you’re away from home. Although in some ways these policies work like traditional health plans, generally you cannot use travel health insurance for routine medical events. For example, a routine medical checkup is usually not covered. In addition, these policies often include limitations on coverage and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
Although most travel insurance plans cover many recreational activities, such as skiing and horseback riding, they often exclude adventure sports, such as skydiving or parasailing, or competition in organized sporting events. You may need to buy a special travel policy designed for adventure or competitive sports.
