Trusted Provider of: Trusted Provider Logo

Best Travel Insurance for Flights

Flight delays, cancellations, and missed connections can quickly derail your travel plans and your budget. Flight insurance provides reimbursement if these disruptions impact your travel plans, offering some much-needed financial protection and peace of mind.

We analyzed 100+ flight travel insurance policies from the nation’s top insurance companies to find the best flight insurance coverage for your journey.

See a full breakdown of our picks for the best flight insurance plans.

What is Flight Insurance?

Flight insurance is a specialized type of coverage that protects your financial investment in airfare. It typically covers a range of scenarios, including flight cancellations, delays, and interruptions.

For example, if your flight gets canceled due to inclement weather, or you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason, flight insurance may help you recover the cost of the tickets. Many policies also offer protection for missed connections, delayed luggage, and medical emergencies, ensuring you're covered if your trip takes a turn for the worse.

What Types of Flight Insurance Plans are Available

When purchasing flight insurance, you can choose between plans offered:

  1. Directly by your independent travel insurance companies
  2. Through an airline when booking a flight

Oftentimes, you can find better value by taking time to compare policies side-by-side.

Flight Insurance From Third-Party Providers

Many travelers purchase flight protection from reputable, independent insurance companies. This approach can often lead to superior coverage for less.

  • Comprehensive Coverage: Covers a wider range of travel risks, including medical emergencies, trip interruptions, and even adventure sports.
  • Competitive Pricing: Shopping around allows you to see how various plans compare when it comes to pricing and coverage.
  • More Customization: Many independent providers allow you to enhance your coverage with add-ons and upgrades.

Flight Insurance From Airlines

Major airlines often partner with large travel insurance companies to offer basic trip protection to their customers. This coverage is often specific to your flight and is not intended to cover the entirety of your trip.

  • More Convenient: Easily added when booking your flight, requiring minimal effort.
  • Limited Options: Most airlines only offer one or two plans to passengers, with little to no customization.
  • Less Value for Money: Plans offered by airlines usually offer lower coverage limits and higher premiums.

See our full review of flight insurance policies from major airlines.

How Does Flight Insurance Work?

Flight insurance, like other types of travel insurance, provides reimbursement for covered financial losses caused by unexpected events such as flight cancellations, lengthy delays, medical emergencies, and mishandled luggage. These plans are not designed to cover costs if you choose to cancel your flight on a whim.

To receive compensation, you must file a claim with your insurance company and provide any available supporting documentation. The claims process typically takes 4-6 weeks.

What Does Flight Insurance Cover?

Unlike policies purchased directly through airlines, flight travel insurance plans from independent providers protect you for the entirety of your trip, beyond just your time in the sky. Flight insurance coverage varies by provider, but most offer the coverage listed below.

Cancelled Flights

Flight cancellation insurance can reimburse up to 100% of your non-refundable trip costs if you cancel for a covered reason, such as an illness, injury, or a family emergency. Without this coverage, airlines refuse refunds or charge sizable rebooking fees.

Delayed Flights

Flight insurance can reimburse you for significant delays (typically 3+ hours). Covered expenses typically include food, overnight accommodations, and transportation while you await your new departure time.

Missed Flight Connections

If an unexpected travel delay results in a missed connection, flight insurance can reimburse additional expenses incurred to make new travel arrangements in order to catch up to your trip.

Medical Coverage

Flight insurance plans can cover you for unexpected medical emergencies while traveling, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription medication. Most plans also include coverage for emergency evacuations.

Trip Interruptions

Trip Interruption coverage can reimburse your unused travel expenses if you are forced to end your trip early due to an unforeseen event, such as a natural disaster or family emergency.

Baggage Loss & Delay

Airlines mishandle millions of bags each year. Most flight travel insurance plans include reimbursement for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage, ensuring you’re not stuck without your belongings.

Compare policies to find the best flight insurance.

What Does Flight Insurance Not Cover?

Common flight travel insurance exclusions include:

  • Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: Flight insurance does not cover medical expenses relating to an existing health issue unless you purchase a policy with a pre-existing condition waiver.
  • Acts of War or Civil Unrest: Most policies exclude coverage for disruptions caused by war, civil unrest, or government travel bans.
  • Alcohol- or Drug-Related Incidents: If you suffer financial loss due to an issue that arises due to intoxication, your claim may be denied.
  • High-Risk Activities: Adventure sports like skydiving, scuba diving, or mountaineering often require additional coverage.
  • Uncovered Cancellations: Canceling your trip due to a change of mind, planning conflict, or other uncovered reasons will not be covered unless you purchase a policy with Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR).

As coverage varies based on the individual plan you choose, it’s important to review the fine print to understand its exact limitations and exclusions.

How Much is Flight Insurance?

Comprehensive coverage that includes flight cancellation insurance, medical coverage, and other popular benefits costs $30 per day on average.

This figure is based on data from all Squaremouth sales for flight insurance over the past 12 months. The average flight insurance cost was $415, with an average trip length of 14 days.

Several factors determine your flight insurance cost, including trip length, coverage limits, and traveler age, and insured travel expenses. Flight insurance premiums typically range from 4-10% of your prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses.

Quick Tips

Before purchasing a flight insurance policy, consider the following tips from Squaremouth:

  • Purchase your policy early
  • Compare multiple providers
  • Insure only non-refundable expenses
  • Read past traveler reviews
  • Keep important trip documents organized

We're here to help!

Have questions about travel insurance coverage? Call us!

1-800-240-0369

Our Customer Service Team is available everyday from 8AM to 10PM ET.

Is Flight Insurance Worth It?

Flight insurance isn’t always necessary, but it can save you time and money when travel headaches strike.

For many, flight insurance coverage may be worth the cost if:

  • You’ve booked a non-refundable or expensive international flight
  • You’re traveling during high-risk seasons (e.g. hurricane season or winter holidays)
  • Your trip involves multiple connecting flights or tight schedules
  • You’re traveling with children, seniors, or someone with a medical condition
  • You’d face significant financial stress from unexpected delays, cancellations, or lost baggage

That said, whether flight insurance is worth it for you depends on your unique travel situation, the cost and complexity of your trip, and your personal risk tolerance. For some travelers, insurance might be a wise investment. For others, it could be an unnecessary added expense.

How to Choose the Right Flight Insurance Plan

Finding the best flight insurance plan comes down to comparing your options and choosing coverage that matches your needs. Instead of settling for limited airline-offered plans, take a moment to shop around and get better protection at a better price.

When searching for the best coverage, you should:

  • Use a Travel Insurance Comparison Tool: Websites like Squaremouth let you compare multiple providers side by side to find the best deal
  • Look for Comprehensive Coverage: Consider policies that go beyond your flight, and provide financial protection for the entirety of your trip
  • Customize Based on Your Needs: Build the perfect policy for your adventure with the help of optional add-ons and coverage upgrades
  • Check the Exclusions: Read the fine print to understand what’s not covered, such as pre-existing conditions and high-risk activities.
Compare Flight Insurance Quotes

Flight Insurance FAQs

Squaremouth shares their tips and recommendations based on the most frequently asked questions from passengers.

Can You Buy Travel Insurance After Booking a Flight?

Yes, you can purchase travel insurance anytime after booking your flight up until your departure date. With that said, it’s best to buy coverage as soon as possible.

The earlier you purchase, the more coverage options you’ll have. Buying travel insurance early also allows you to qualify for time-sensitive benefits like pre-existing condition waivers and Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Flight Changes?

Travel insurance covers flight cancellations and delays that result from covered events, such as inclement weather or a mechanical breakdown. In the event your travel plans are impacted, your policy may cover the cost to book new travel arrangements.

Travel insurance does not cover voluntary changes to your plans, like wanting a new departure time or no longer wanting to travel. For the most cancellation flexibility, purchase a policy that includes the CFAR upgrade.

Does Flight Insurance Refund Your Ticket?

Flight cancellation insurance can reimburse you for non-refundable travel expenses, including airline tickets, if you cancel your trip for a covered reason. Most plans cover cancellations relating to an unexpected illness, injury, family emergency, or severe weather events.

How Do I File a Flight Insurance Claim?

To file a flight insurance claim, start by checking your coverage and collecting the right documents. These quick steps can help speed up your reimbursement.

  1. Check Your Coverage: Confirm your policy covers the reason for your flight disruption (e.g., delays, cancelled flights, missed connections).
  2. Collect Documents: Gather your flight itinerary, airline notices, receipts for expenses, and any required proof (like a baggage report or doctor’s note).
  3. Complete the Claim Form: Go to your insurer’s website, fill out the claim form, and upload all supporting documents.
  4. Submit and Monitor: Submit your claim and check your email regularly—most providers respond within 4–6 weeks, but follow up if needed.

How Does Airline Travel Insurance Differ From Third-Party Travel Insurance?

Airline travel insurance is typically offered during the booking process and provides basic protection focused on flight-related issues, like cancellations or delays. It’s fast and convenient—just a few extra clicks—but it usually comes from a single provider with limited customization.

Third-party flight travel insurance, on the other hand, gives you access to a broader selection of policies from multiple insurers. You can shop directly or use a comparison site like Squaremouth to get multiple flight insurance quotes and find a plan that better fits your trip.

Here’s how they compare:

  • Options: Airlines usually offer one plan. Third-party providers let you compare over 100 policies from top insurers.
  • Coverage: Airline insurance often covers only basic disruptions. Third-party plans can include medical emergencies, evacuations, baggage loss, and even “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) options.
  • Cost: Prices vary, and similar coverage might cost more through an airline. Comparing third-party plans can help you find better value.