Does Travel Insurance Cover the Flu?
Key Statistics:
- Influenza is a year-round virus, but it’s especially prevalent in the fall and winter months from October to May, commonly referred to as “flu season”.
- As of January 2026, a fast-spreading Influenza A strain is becoming the catalyst for a severe flu season. At this time, flu levels are as high as they’ve been at any point over the past 25 years.
- So far this flu season, over 15 million cases of the flu have been reported.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu season peaks in the fall and winter months, however the virus is detected year-round.
- Travel insurance is an important consideration for flu season as it can reimburse you for cancelling your trip if you catch the flu, and it can pay for medical treatment if you fall ill while traveling.
Since we’re in the peak of flu season, it’s crucial for travelers to understand how travel insurance can protect you if you get sick or your trips are impacted in any way.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Flu Sickness?
Most travel insurance policies can provide comprehensive coverage for scenarios related to catching the flu.
Travel insurance flu coverage can typically apply both before and during your trip, depending on the plan you purchase. Comprehensive travel insurance plans can provide reimbursement if you, a family member, or a travel companion becomes sick and cannot travel.
The medical benefits included in most plans can cover the cost of treatment if you get sick while you’re on your trip, and can even cover travel costs if you have to return home early.
However, it’s important to note, that travel insurance only covers unforeseen events. This means that you must be healthy and able to travel at the time of buying your policy. If you are sick with the flu when you buy travel insurance, your policy will not cover your flu illness.
For this reason, it’s important to buy travel insurance early to maximize your coverage against unforeseen events, like an unexpected flu.
How Does Travel Insurance Cover the Flu?
Travel insurance is meant to cover unexpected illnesses. Below, we break down the key travel insurance benefits to look for if you’re concerned about getting the flu around the time of your trip.
Trip Cancellations Due to Flu Illness
If you get sick with the flu and cannot travel, the Trip Cancellation coverage on most policies can reimburse you for all of your prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses.
This benefit is designed to prevent you from financial losses if you can’t travel due to an illness, like the flu, that is substantiated by a medical report from a licensed physician.
When it comes to canceling your trip, many plans can cover up to 100% of trip costs like airfare, hotel accommodations, cruise expenses, and tours, minus any eligible refunds.
Emergency Medical Care
Most travel insurance plans include Emergency Medical coverage to prevent you from facing out-of-pocket medical expenses if you get sick while traveling.
The Emergency Medical benefit of travel insurance can cover the following expenses related to catching the flu:
- Doctor visits
- Diagnostic tests and fees
- Ambulance services
- Hospital stays
- Prescription medication
If you’re concerned about getting sick during your trip, Squaremouth recommends a plan with at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage. For the smoothest possible travel insurance claims process, look for a plan with primary medical coverage. This will allow you to bypass your primary health insurance, if applicable, and file directly with your travel insurance provider.
Medical Evacuation due to Flu Complications
In rare cases, severe flu symptoms could warrant an emergency evacuation to a more suitable hospital. Medical Evacuations are covered within most travel insurance plans and can transport you to the nearest hospital in the event of an emergency. If necessary, it can even pay to send you back home for necessary treatment.
Medical evacuations from abroad can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the situation and proximity to the nearest adequate hospital. For this reason, we recommend a plan with at least $100,000 of Medical Evacuation coverage.
Trip Interruption Protection
Similar to Trip Cancellation, the Trip Interruption benefit is also designed to protect your financial investment in your trip if you get sick and need to cut your trip short or quarantine. However, this is a post-departure benefit, meaning it covers you while you are already traveling. For example, if you get the flu and need to cut your trip short, the Trip Interruption benefit can reimburse your unused trip expenses, plus additional travel expenses incurred while returning home.
Most plans offer coverage between 100% and 200% of your total trip costs under Trip Interruption. Because this benefit can cover additional transportation expenses if you need to return home early, if getting sick while traveling is a main concern of yours, look for a plan with at least 150% coverage.
Cancel For Any Reason & Interruption For Any Reason Coverage
If you have concerns about traveling during flu season, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR) provide the most amount of flexibility.
While Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption only cover you if you get sick, CFAR and IFAR can cover you if you simply change your mind and no longer feel comfortable traveling. For example, if there’s an uptick in new flu diagnoses at your destination, or there is a viral outbreak on the cruise before yours, these benefits can allow you to cancel or cut your trip short.
While CFAR and IFAR allow you to cancel or interrupt your trip for reasons that aren’t otherwise covered, it’s important to note that they only offer partial reimbursement for your trip expenses.
CFAR and IFAR are time-sensitive benefits that can only be purchased shortly after your initial trip deposit date. Depending on the plan, these benefits are only available for 10-21 days after this date.
When Does Travel Insurance Not Cover the Flu?
While most travel insurance policies can provide coverage for the flu, there are some situations where coverage may not apply. Below are the most common exclusions.
You’re Already Sick When You Buy the Policy
Travel insurance only covers unexpected events. If you already have flu-like symptoms or have been diagnosed before purchasing travel insurance, it is too late to buy a policy. Any claims related to the illness would be excluded.
However, if you get sick after buying your policy, it can be covered as a normal illness under your travel insurance plan.
You Cancel Without a Diagnosis from Your Doctor
All travel insurance claims relating to an illness require documentation from a legally licensed physician advising against travel. If you are sick and cancel your trip without seeing a doctor, your claim will unfortunately be denied.
You Travel Against Your Doctor’s Orders
If you’ve been diagnosed with the flu but decide to travel against your doctor’s orders, your travel insurance benefits will likely be nullified. With any medical condition, travel insurance companies require you to follow the medical guidance you receive from your doctor.
You’re Scared to Travel During Flu Season
Canceling because you’re worried about getting sick is never covered by standard travel insurance plans. Only policies with Cancel For Any Reason and/or Interruption For Any Reason coverage allow you to cancel or cut your trip short out of fear of catching the flu.
Tips to Ensure You’re Covered if You Get the Flu
Taking a few simple steps before and during your trip can help you reduce the risk of having your claim denied. Here are our tips for maximizing your travel insurance coverage during flu season.
- Buy your policy early: Standard travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen events, so buy your policy early to maximize your coverage window in case you get the flu.
- Read the full policy wording: Misunderstanding coverage is one of the most common reasons for denied claims. Before buying a plan, read the certificate of insurance to be sure it has the coverage you need.
- Choose the right coverage amounts: Medical treatment can be expensive, especially overseas or in remote areas. If you’re worried about the flu, look for a plan with at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical and $100,000 in Medical Evacuation. This should be sufficient if you need treatment during your trip.
- Keep your emergency assistance contact handy: If you get sick during your trip, contact your provider’s 24-Hour Emergency Assistance team as soon as reasonably possible. They can explain your coverage and can even help arrange medical treatment.
- Keep all receipts and documentation: Travel insurance reimburses you for unexpected expenses. When filing a claim, you will need to provide receipts and doctor’s notes, so be sure to hold on to any documentation you receive.
FAQs: Travel Insurance for the Flu
Is it too late to buy travel insurance for flu season?
No, it is not too late to buy travel insurance for a trip during flu season. As long as you do not currently have the flu, you can still buy a travel insurance plan that covers you if you get sick before or during your trip.
Because of the risks of traveling during flu season, we recommend buying a plan with comprehensive coverage. These plans include coverage for cancellations and medical expenses if you get sick, plus other non-illness related benefits for travel delays and luggage. If you want the most possible flexibility, consider upgrading your plan to include CFAR and IFAR.
Can I cancel if I’m uncomfortable traveling during flu season?
The only benefit that can cover you to cancel due to fear of contracting the flu is Cancel For Any Reason. This benefit reimburses 50-75% of your prepaid trip expenses if you decide to cancel. However, in order to be covered, you must cancel your trip at least 2-3 days before your departure date.
Am I covered to cut my trip short without seeing a doctor if I think I have the flu?
No, cutting your trip short without a note from a doctor is not covered by standard travel insurance. In this situation, you would not be eligible for reimbursement for your unused trip expenses. To be covered for any events related to the flu, you must visit a licensed physician and provide documentation proving the diagnosis and their recommendation against travel.
However, if your plan includes Interruption For Any Reason coverage, you can choose to return home without seeing a doctor. In this case, you will only be partially reimbursed for 50-75% of your trip expenses.
What if I only want medical coverage?
If you only want medical coverage during your trip and aren’t concerned about covering your trip expenses, you should consider a travel medical insurance plan. These plans are primarily built to protect you from out-of-pocket medical expenses while you’re traveling, such as the cost of diagnosing and treating the flu. Travel medical plans are significantly less expensive than comprehensive policies, as they don’t provide any cancellation benefits for your trip costs.
What do I do if I get the flu during my trip?
If you get the flu while traveling, contact your travel insurance provider as soon as reasonably possible. They will explain your coverage and can help arrange medical care. Every travel insurance company has a 24/7 assistance team that is available to help you.
Once you’ve seen a doctor, remember to keep all documentation and receipts. You will be required to send this to your provider when you file a travel insurance claim for reimbursement.
Can I cancel my trip if flu season gets worse this year?
No, flu season getting worse is not a covered reason to cancel your trip under standard travel insurance plans. Similar to canceling because you’re worried about traveling, this can only be covered by Cancel For Any Reason.