Important Travel Insurance Information
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions from travelers like you.
Who Needs Travel Insurance?
Travelers should consider buying insurance if they want to protect themselves from a financial loss before or during their trip, especially if they have planned an expensive trip, or have a specific concern that would impact their vacation. Most policies include benefits that can cover major concerns, including trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and travel delays, among others.
What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
Trip insurance is designed to cover the most common concerns that may impact a trip, including cancellations, medical emergencies, travel delays, and lost luggage. Common covered scenarios include an illness or injury preventing a traveler from departing, severe weather impacting their plans, or a medical emergency during their vacation, among others.
How Much Does a Policy Usually Cost?
The cost of a travel insurance policy depends on four primary factors: trip cost, traveler age, trip length, and coverage amounts. In general, a comprehensive policy with Trip Cancellation typically costs between 5% and 10% of the total trip cost. However, a policy without an insured trip cost will be significantly less expensive.
When is the Best Time to Buy a Travel Insurance Policy?
The best time to buy depends on the coverage a traveler needs. Trip Cancellation policies can be purchased up until the day before they leave. However, only unforeseen events can be covered, so we recommend travelers who want cancellation benefits buy as soon as possible. Travelers who primarily want medical coverage during their trip can buy anytime up until the day before they leave.
How Does Travel Insurance Work?
Trip insurance is designed to protect travelers in case something goes wrong that impacts their trip. This includes financial reimbursement if their trip is canceled before they depart, as well as medical benefits, travel delay coverage, and other benefits that can cover them while they are traveling.
Where Can I Buy Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance can be purchased directly from providers, through a comparison site like Squaremouth, or directly through a travel supplier when booking. To find the best policy, travelers should always compare premiums, coverage amounts, and reviews to find the coverage they need at the best price.
Squaremouth provides a list of the top destinations for US travelers, including information about countries that require travel insurance, and our recommended coverage amounts per destination.
Over the past few years, it has been a growing trend for countries to implement travel insurance requirements for foreign travelers. Typically, these countries mandate a travel medical insurance policy to avoid unpaid medical bills from tourists. International travelers who do not meet their destination’s requirements will be unable to gain entry.
However, even for international travelers who are visiting a country without specific mandates, trip insurance is still advised to protect travelers from a financial loss during their trip.
Squaremouth’s experts maintain a list of the top destinations, breaking down which countries have requirements and sharing our coverage recommendations to help travelers find the best coverage for their trips.
View Destination Information
Compare Plans From the Best Travel Insurance Providers
Squaremouth’s core goal as a company is helping every traveler find the best travel insurance policy for their trip at the most affordable price.
A great travel insurance plan offers much more beyond trip protection. When searching for a policy for your upcoming trip, it’s important to consider everything from coverage to cost.
Coverage: The best travel insurance policies come with comprehensive benefits. While policies typically include most of the same benefits, some offer higher and more generous coverage limits.
Affordability: When it comes to travel insurance, higher premiums don’t always mean more or better coverage. The best coverage will include the benefits you need for the lowest possible price.
Customer Support: From Emergency Assistance to filing a claim, the best plans are backed by providers that offer a superior traveler experience - before, during, or after your trip.
Squaremouth ranks the best travel insurance providers for travelers based on their specific trip information and coverage needs, to help every traveler find the right coverage for the best price.
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Our topic experts keep a constant pulse on the travel industry so we can provide the most current information and recommendations based on today's traveler needs.
In general, the cost for a comprehensive policy with Trip Cancellation is typically between 5% and 10% of the total trip cost. Travelers who choose not to insure the cost of their trip can expect to pay much less.
What is the cost of travel insurance?The financial cost of traveling can be significant, as airfare, hotels, and other trip activities can compound quickly. Adding to that total by buying trip insurance may not sound great, but it can help travelers save a lot of money.
Is travel insurance worth it?Squaremouth Customer Reviews
As of May 2023, Squaremouth has been reviewed by 47,357 customers on ResellerRatings.com and has an average rating of 5 stars.
Trip Insurance Made Simple
Love that I can compare commodities and coverage across many available insurers. A comprehensive side-by-side of your selected options allow for ease of comparison, as well as a multitude of options that can meet any traveler's needs. Squaremouth makes it all possible and so painless!
Debra from WA
05/22/2023
Helpful Customer Service
"Website was easy, and phone support was great. We had an additional question that was answered quickly over the phone and allowed us to book our policies right then."
Pat from CA
05/16/2023
