Puerto Rico Travel Insurance: Plans & Prices

James Clark Written By James Clark Author
James Clark
Written By James Clark
Author
| Steven Benna Reviewed By Steven Benna Editor
Steven Benna
Reviewed By Steven Benna
Editor

Last updated: 03/09/2026

Key Takeaways

  • Based on Squaremouth sales data, the top travel insurance plans for Puerto Rico are offered by IMG, Tin Leg, and Travel Insured International.

  • While U.S. health insurance is generally accepted in Puerto Rico, purchasing travel insurance is still strongly recommended to protect your travel expenses and provide additional peace of mind.

  • Severe weather, Zika virus, and petty crime are just a few of the risks involved in traveling to Puerto Rico.

  • Puerto Rico travel insurance costs $28 per day on average, with roughly 80% of policies purchased being comprehensive plans.

  • If you’re visiting Puerto Rico to surf or as part of a cruise vacation, specialized trip protection may be necessary.

  • Try our online travel insurance comparison tool to get multiple Puerto Rico travel insurance quotes at once. For personal assistance, call our award-winning agents at 1-800-240-0369.

Our Top Recommended Puerto Rico Travel Insurance Plans

Planning a trip to Puerto Rico? Consider one of these top-selling plans among Squaremouth users over the past 12 months.

IMG
iTravelInsured Choice


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Tin Leg
Gold


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Travel Insured International
FlexiPAX

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Do You Need Travel Insurance to Visit Puerto Rico?

No, travel insurance is not mandatory to visit Puerto Rico. As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico accepts most U.S health insurance plans, making medical coverage much more accessible than in many other Caribbean destinations.

Despite this, purchasing travel insurance is still highly recommended. The right plan can protect you against common, unavoidable travel disruptions that may impact your trip, such as trip cancellations or significant trip delays due to severe weather. Having coverage in place provides peace of mind and financial protection, especially if your trip involves prepaid, non-refundable flights, resorts, or excursions.

Many travel insurance plans also include strong medical benefits that can supplement your existing coverage while visiting Puerto Rico or replace it altogether. Additional medical coverage can be helpful if you have a high-deductible health insurance plan.

Travel insurance is especially crucial if your Puerto Rico getaway involves adventure activities, like ziplining or surfing, or you’re traveling as part of a cruise that includes other international ports. These situations often bring added risks and may require specialized coverage.

Puerto Rico Travel Warnings & Risks

Despite being a generally safe destination to visit, there are some environmental, health, and safety risks to consider before visiting Puerto Rico. Fortunately, travel insurance can help protect you from these unique challenges.

Natural Disasters & Tropical Storms

Puerto Rico is extremely prone to natural disasters, consistently ranking among the world’s most vulnerable areas to climate-related events. The island faces a high risk of hurricanes, tropical storms, severe flooding, coastal erosion, landslides, and earthquakes. While September and October are known as peak hurricane season, severe weather can happen at any time.

Comprehensive travel insurance can reimburse your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if your trip is cancelled or interrupted by an unforeseen natural disaster. Most plans can also cover the cost of meals and overnight accommodations if your flight is significantly delayed due to inclement weather or other severe weather conditions.

Cruise-Related Emergencies

Puerto Rico is a major Caribbean cruise port, with the San Juan Cruise Port hosting roughly 500 ships every year. Cruise vacations come with their own unique risks, and getting ill or injured while at sea can be extremely costly if you’re not properly protected.

Cruise travel insurance is a specialized type of coverage that includes benefits specifically designed to cover the potential hazards that come with cruise vacations. These plans typically come with high Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation coverage limits, as well as unique benefits like Missed Cruise Departure and Itinerary Change protection.

Crime & Safety Risks

While popular tourist hotspots like Old San Juan, Condado, Isla Verde, and Ocean Park are generally safe, petty theft, pickpocketing, and car break-ins can still occur, particularly in crowded areas or at night. Regardless of your location within Puerto Rico, it’s always recommended to exercise caution and avoid leaving valuables in your car.

Baggage Loss protection is a travel insurance benefit found in most plans that can cover the cost to replace clothes, valuables, travel documents, and other personal items that are lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip. If you have booked a rental car, some policies offer Rental Car Damage coverage to protect against theft, damage, or vandalism of your vehicle.

Rough Waters at Popular Beaches

From Playa Flamenco to Crash Boat Beach, Puerto Rico is home to countless stunning beaches, but ocean conditions can be unpredictable, and lifeguards are not always on duty. Even on calm days, severe rip currents can result in dangerous swimming conditions, putting inexperienced swimmers and children at risk.

Water-related injuries, such as jellyfish stings, swimmers’ shoulder, or non-fatal drowning, can be covered by the primary Emergency Medical benefit. Even if you have existing health insurance, this coverage can reimburse your unexpected hospital bills, doctor visits, ambulance rides, and other medical expenses throughout your trip.

Zika & Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

Puerto Rico has experienced outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses in the past, and the CDC reports that the island is currently dealing with a Zika outbreak. While risk levels fluctuate year to year, it’s important to use insect repellent whenever possible and check for any recent outbreaks before departing.

Travel insurance can help cover medical expenses if you contract a mosquito-borne illness while traveling. Most policies often include coverage for hospital visits and prescription medications while you recover, as well as emergency medical evacuations to another medical facility if needed for more adequate treatment.

More Details About the Best Puerto Rico Travel Insurance Plans

Most Popular Policy

  • Medical / Med Evac Coverage
    $100,000 / $500,000

  • Cancellation / Interruption Limits
    100% / 150% of trip cost

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  • The best-selling Puerto Rico travel insurance plan on our platform over the past 12 months, selected by roughly 20% of all policy sales that list Puerto Rico as the primary destination

  • Currently ranks as the Best Overall Cruise Insurance Plan due to its strong medical and evacuation coverage, making it a great option if you’re visiting Puerto Rico and other international destinations as part of a cruise vacation

  • Includes up to $100,000 in Non-Medical Evacuation coverage, which can help transport you to safety in the event of a natural disaster on the island

  • Provides up to $1,000 in Baggage Loss protection to cover you if your personal items get stolen or damaged during your time in Puerto Rico

Best for Caribbean Adventures

  • Medical / Med Evac Coverage
    $500,000 / $500,000

  • Cancellation / Interruption Limits
    100% / 150% of trip cost

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  • Covers more than 250 unique adventure sports and activities, including popular Puerto Rico excursions like surfing, hiking, bioluminescent kayaking, and ziplining

  • Comes standard with up to $500,000 in primary Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation coverage, which is beneficial if you don’t have U.S. health insurance or have a high-deductible plan

  • Offers up to $500 in reimbursement for food and accommodation expenses if your flight to Puerto Rico is delayed by at least six hours due to weather-related disruptions

Best for Family Vacations

  • Medical / Med Evac Coverage
    $100,000 / $500,000

  • Cancellation / Interruption Limits
    100% / 150% of trip cost

Check Prices
  • Provides free coverage for children under the age of 18, making it an excellent option for families traveling to Puerto Rico with young kids

  • Covers up to $100,000 in prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses, as well as the option to add Cancel For Any Reason and Interruption For Any Reason coverage for maximum flexibility

  • Provides coverage for pre-existing conditions if you purchase your policy within 21 days of your initial trip payment

How Much Does Puerto Rico Travel Insurance Cost?

At the time of writing, the average Puerto Rico travel insurance plan costs roughly $28 per day. This is based on Squaremouth policy sales over the past 12 months, in which the average Puerto Rico premium was $256 with an average trip length of 9 days.

Approximately 80% of Puerto Rico visitors purchase comprehensive travel insurance, a type of policy that protects against cancellations, medical emergencies, delays, and other common disruptions. As a rule of thumb, comprehensive coverage costs 4-10% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. Other factors that impact the cost of travel insurance include your age, trip length, and coverage needs.

To help you get an idea of travel insurance prices, we created sample quotes for each of the best Puerto Rico travel insurance plans. The premiums below are based on a 32-year-old couple taking a 7-day, $5,000 trip to Puerto Rico.

Provider Plan Name Plan Cost Cost Per Day
IMG iTravelInsured Choice $156 $22
Tin Leg Gold $184 $26
Travel Insured International FlexiPAX $200 $29

The above prices are intended to give a general idea of how much travel insurance will cost for your trip to Puerto Rico, and can vary depending on your upcoming trip details. Prices can vary by state of residence.

Travel Insurance Benefits to Consider When Traveling to Puerto Rico

If you’re planning travel to Puerto Rico in the near future, whether as your primary destination or as a stop on a cruise vacation, we strongly recommend purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes the following benefits:

Trip Cancellation & Interruption Coverage

According to Squaremouth data, the average trip to Puerto Rico costs just over $4,800 in prepaid airfare, hotel, and excursion expenses. If you get sick or injured before your trip and can no longer travel,, you could lose out on all your non-refundable costs.

Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption are two benefits designed to protect your trip investment if your Puerto Rico adventure is cancelled or cut short for reasons outside of your control. In addition to medical cancellations, most plans also cover cancellations due to natural disasters, unexpected job loss, jury duty obligations, and financial default of a common carrier.

Severe Weather Coverage

Puerto Rico averages roughly 4 tropical storms or hurricanes per year, with most activity occurring between June and November. The island also receives numerous warnings for flooding, tropical cyclones, and earthquakes annually, further putting travelers at risk.

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include extensive coverage for weather-related disruptions, including cancellations, interruptions, and delays. This provides crucial protection if your travel plans are impacted by tropical storms, natural disasters, or inclement weather. However, it’s important to purchase your policy before a storm is named to ensure coverage.

Adventure Sports Coverage

Puerto Rico offers endless adventure, including hiking in El Yunque National Forest, night kayaking in bioluminescent bays, and surfing the many popular beaches found around the island. Many standard travel insurance policies exclude these activities from coverage due to the increased risk of injury.

Fortunately, many top-rated travel insurance providers offer policies specifically designed to cover hundreds of popular adventure sports and activities found in Puerto Rico. With this coverage in place, you’re protected if an accident occurs in the water or on land. If you’re planning a trip that involves high-risk activities, consult our list of the Best Adventure Travel Insurance Plans.

Medical Evacuation Coverage

Puerto Rico medical facilities can be hit or miss. San Juan and other major metropolitan areas are known for high-quality hospitals, but facilities in rural areas can be limited and under-resourced, or inaccessible. In the event of a serious injury or illness, you may need to be medically evacuated to a better facility that can offer the time-sensitive treatment you need, which can be extremely expensive in some cases.

Medical Evacuation coverage can cover the cost to medically transport you to the nearest adequate facility for treatment. Many plans also include repatriation coverage, which will cover costs to transport you back to the mainland United States if necessary.

Emergency Medical Coverage

Despite U.S. health insurance being widely accepted across Puerto Rico, there are many situations in which it makes sense to purchase additional medical coverage for the duration of your stay. Since Puerto Rico is a relatively safe destination, extensive travel medical insurance is not really necessary.

We recommend at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage if you are planning travel to Puerto Rico. However, if you are taking a cruise or have high-risk activities lined up, additional protection may be needed. If you’re unsure how much coverage you need, you may contact us for personalized assistance in finding a plan that’s right for you.

Delay & Missed Connection Coverage

Whether you have a connecting flight or are taking one of the 20+ direct routes from the mainland United States to Puerto Rico, any delay can result in out-of-pocket expenses. If you booked a late flight, a delay could force you to purchase overnight accommodations as you wait for your new departure time.

Trip Delay is a travel insurance benefit that covers food and lodging expenses if your trip is significantly delayed due to inclement weather, mechanical breakdowns, or other covered reasons. If a delay forces you to miss a connecting flight or cruise departure, your plan’s Missed Connection benefit may cover the cost to book new travel arrangements.

Baggage Loss Protection

As mentioned above, crime and theft are something to consider as you plan your Puerto Rico trip. While crime is generally not targeted towards tourists, it’s always important to be vigilant and mindful of your surroundings, especially when in crowded areas.

Baggage Loss is a travel insurance benefit that can reimburse you for personal items that are lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip. It’s important to note that a police report may be required when filing a claim for theft.

Common Puerto Rico Travel Insurance Exclusions

Travel insurance is not all-encompassing, and understanding the limitations of your policy is often just as important as knowing its coverage. Below are common exclusions to consider ahead of your Puerto Rico trip.

  • High-Risk Activities: As mentioned, high-risk activities are typically excluded from coverage. If you’re planning an adventure trip, be sure to double-check that all of your itinerary is covered.
  • Unfavorable Weather Conditions: While inclement weather is typically covered by travel insurance if it prevents travel, you are not able to be reimbursed for your trip costs if you cancel due to heavy rain forecasts that may impact your trip enjoyment.
  • Pre-Existing Conditions: Medical issues that existed before you purchased your policy are generally excluded from coverage unless your plan includes a pre-existing condition waiver.
  • Change of Mind: Cancellations due to conflicting schedules, fear of travel, or a general change of plans are not covered by travel insurance. Opt for CFAR coverage for the most cancellation flexibility.

A full list of travel insurance exclusions can be found in your plan’s Certificate of Insurance, which can be referenced at any time.


FAQs: Puerto Rico Travel Insurance

Is U.S. Health Insurance Accepted in Puerto Rico?

U.S. health insurance is generally accepted in Puerto Rico since it is a U.S. territory, but it ultimately depends on your plan.

For example, Medicare (Parts A and B) is generally accepted on the island, while coverage can vary among private insurance policies (PPO/HMO). To be safe, contact your provider before your trip to confirm coverage.

Do I Need Additional Travel Medical Coverage When Traveling to Puerto Rico?

=Since U.S. health insurance is typically accepted in Puerto Rico, and the island is generally a safe destination, additional travel medical insurance is not always necessary. However, having coverage in place will do no harm.

Getting additional travel medical coverage when traveling to Puerto Rico can be a good idea if:

  • You don’t have existing health insurance in the U.S.
  • Your existing health insurance has high deductibles
  • Your policy offers no in-network healthcare providers in Puerto Rico
  • You want coverage for emergency medical evacuation to the U.S. mainland

Does Travel Insurance Cover Rental Car Damage in Puerto Rico?

Yes, many travel insurance policies offer Rental Car Damage protection as an optional add-on that can be purchased during the checkout process. However, this coverage only protects damage to your rental car and would not provide reimbursement for other drivers if you were to get into an accident. Many U.S. car insurance plans cover rental cars in Puerto Rico.

Is Surfing Covered By Puerto Rico Travel Insurance?

Surfing is generally not covered under standard travel insurance, as it is often considered a high-risk or adventure sport. To get coverage, you will need to find a policy that includes Sports & Activities coverage and lists ‘Surfing’ as a covered activity.

Some adventure insurance plans can also cover personal sports equipment, like your surfboard, fins, extra leashes, and wetsuits. This protection includes Sports Equipment Loss coverage that protects against lost, damaged, or stolen gear, as well as Sports Equipment Delay that covers rental equipment while you wait for your surf gear to arrive at your destination.

Do I Need Specialized Coverage If I am Visiting Puerto Rico As Part of A Cruise?

Yes, it is strongly recommended to purchase a cruise insurance policy or a plan that includes cruise-specific benefits before embarking on a high-seas adventure. Purchasing cruise insurance from an independent provider is often more affordable than buying coverage directly from a cruise line and often comes with better coverage limits. If you’re setting sail to Puerto Rico in the near future, see our list of the Best Cruise Insurance Plans to get started.

How Much Does it Cost to Visit Puerto Rico?

Based on Squaremouth travel insurance sales data, the average cost for a trip to Puerto Rico is roughly $4,820, with an average trip length of 9 days. Puerto Rico is among the most affordable Caribbean destinations. How much you pay will depend on your itinerary, trip length, and the level of comfort you desire.


Meet Our Team

About James Clark is an in-house Senior Copywriter at Squaremouth with over a decade of writing experience across industries like travel, hospitality, and FinTech.
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About Steven Benna is the Senior Marketing Manager at Squaremouth, where he oversees the production, review, and editing of the company’s travel insurance content.
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