Where To Buy Travel Insurance: Choosing the Best Option for Your Needs

It’s much less exciting to buy travel insurance than to plan the trip you’re going on, but it can be a real lifesaver if things go awry during your travels. With the average trip cost in 2025 nearing $4,000 for a couple,¹ a travel insurance policy can help you recoup those funds and cover any unexpected expenses that arise.

With over 4,800 travel insurance businesses in the U.S.,² picking a travel insurance policy that fits your needs can seem nearly impossible. Like any insurance policy search, choosing the right provider and travel insurance policy can be overwhelming.

Here’s everything you need to know about where to buy travel insurance and some of our favorite travel insurance providers.

Where To Buy Travel Insurance

Most travel insurance policies can be purchased online, and you can easily customize the policy to your exact needs. However, like other insurance policies, each provider will charge different amounts for various coverages, so the best first step is to get quotes from several travel insurance providers.

If you prefer to purchase an insurance policy in person, visit a local insurance broker to see if they offer it. For example, AAA, Progressive, and Travelers offer travel insurance and may have an office in your area to visit. However, you should call your local office first, as they may direct you to purchase a plan online.

Another factor to consider is how efficient the claims process is if you need to file one. Insurance claims can always be somewhat of a headache, so keep that in mind. My recent travel insurance claim was a pain that lasted for months. Knowing the claims process and experience beforehand is impossible, but it may be worth looking at online review boards to hear about other travelers’ experiences.

Travel Insurance Provider Reviews

We’ve covered several large travel insurance providers for their pros and cons. Consider checking out one of these brands for your travel insurance needs:

How To Compare Travel Insurance Providers

There is an endless list of travel insurance policy providers, but each will likely provide slightly different coverages at different costs. Like any other insurance policy, shopping around is the best thing to do. Here are the line items to be on the lookout for to give you the best coverage:

• Medical and Health Coverage — If you fall ill or are injured during your travels, your policy could cover those unexpected expenses. However, if you have existing healthcare coverage, refer to that policy to see your current coverage.
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption — If your trip is canceled or interrupted for a qualifying reason, your travel insurance coverage could cover expenses, including food, accommodations, and rebooking fees.
• Lost or Damaged Baggage — This coverage may cover the replacement cost if a travel provider damages or loses any qualifying possessions.
• Travel Delays — It’s not abnormal to experience a travel delay, but you may have to make adjustments like canceling a tour or purchasing extra meals. This coverage could potentially cover those costs.
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) — This coverage is in case of severe injuries or death caused by an accident while traveling and typically excludes dangerous activities like hiking or scuba diving.
• Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) — CFAR is a pricey add-on that allows you to cancel the entire trip without any justification. You will typically get a portion of your nonrefundable costs back. Each policy varies in its rules, but you must cancel at least a few days before the start of the trip to qualify. Keep in mind that this coverage could significantly increase the policy premium.
• Rental Car Insurance — This coverage could be useful if you rent a car during your travels. However, you may already have coverage if you use a travel rewards credit card to pay for the rental car.

You can get several other coverages, including personal liability, high-value item coverage, and more. As you shop around, find out what each insurer offers and determine whether or not you need the coverage.

How To Assess Your Travel Insurance Needs

There are several ways to assess your travel insurance needs based on how you travel and your budget. Here’s how you can think about your travel insurance policy needs:

• Travel Duration — There are policies specifically to cover only a single trip. However, a seasonal travel policy could work if you plan on traveling regularly over a fixed period.
• Purpose of Travel — Factors such as where you’re traveling (domestic or international), the type of activities you’re participating in, and other external factors can impact your coverage.
• Cost of Travel and Number of People Covered — If you’re a backpacker staying in hostels, your policy premium will likely be much lower than someone planning a large family trip to a 5-star resort. As trip costs increase, expect trip premiums to rise in tandem. Additionally, the more people covered under the travel insurance policy, the higher the insurer’s risk. Keep this in mind as you plan and build your trip itinerary.
• Potential Medical Needs — If you have preexisting conditions potentially requiring medical care during your trip, a travel insurance policy could help offset those costs.

Travel Insurance Red Flags

There are a few things to look out for when searching for travel insurance:

• High Deductibles — Like other insurance policies, there will likely be a deductible to pay before the coverage takes effect. If your deductible is high, consult the provider to see how to lower your deductible.
• Unrealistically Low Premiums — If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. As you search, check online reviews and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to ensure the company’s reputation.
• Vague Policy Terms — If the coverage terms are vague, consider selecting another provider that is specific about what it covers and doesn’t cover.
• Hidden Fees — Like any financial product, fees could be snuck into the premium cost that could be missed. Be on the lookout for administrative fees, change fees, upgraded fees, policy insurance fees, and more.

How To Get Travel Insurance for Free

You can get your travel insurance covered at no additional cost instead of purchasing travel insurance policies regularly. Many travel rewards credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance. The only stipulation to have this is using the card for your travel expenses.

I’ve had dozens of travel credit cards, many of which come with comprehensive travel insurance policies that give me coverage as I travel. Thankfully, I’ve only had to make 1 travel insurance claim with my Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card, giving me coverage when my rental car had $7,000 in damage from a hail storm.

For example, my favorite credit card is the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card for its benefits and earnings. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card’s comprehensive travel insurance is a major reason it’s my staple credit card. The travel insurance coverage includes:

• Lost luggage coverage
• Primary rental car insurance
• Travel accident insurance
• Travel and emergency assistance
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
• Trip delay reimbursement

This coverage is pretty broad, so if you don’t need any specific travel insurance coverage, a travel credit card with travel insurance may offer enough. If you have a specific trip that needs further coverage, purchasing a travel insurance policy could be a good idea.

Final Thoughts

Travel insurance is always worth having, regardless of your travel plans. You never know when travel plans go awry, you need to cancel at the last minute, or you need unexpected medical care.

If you’re just starting your search, get several quotes online or in-person to find the most coverage for the lowest price possible.