Squaremouth offers an array of plans with some of the most comprehensive travel insurance coverage benefits on the market. Our Product Development team works to identify the most important coverages for travelers and secure plans with new or improved benefit offerings, ensuring we offer policies that cover the most important needs for travelers in all demographics.
Travel Insurance Coverage Benefits Explained
Travel insurance benefits refer to the different types of coverage included within a policy.
Many travelers mistakenly think of "coverage benefits" as separate types of travel insurance, when in reality, every travel insurance plan comes with a mix of different coverages that make up the overall plan and cover a wide variety of concerns. This is to your advantage, as it means you don’t have to buy separate policies to get different protections.
As a whole, travel insurance policies can be broken down into three main benefit groupings:
- Medical-only travel insurance:
focusing on medical protection benefits - Comprehensive travel insurance:
focusing on medical and trip reimbursement benefits - Base plan + add-on coverage:
either a medical or a comprehensive base plan, with your choice of coverage upgrades
The majority of travel insurance policies offered on Squaremouth are comprehensive and consist of benefits that provide coverage both before and during your trip.
Since every travel insurance policy comes with varying degrees of protection and benefit options, Squaremouth’s quote tool was designed to help you filter and compare plans based on the specific benefits that are most important to you.
All Travel Insurance Coverage Benefits
Here is a look at all of the different travel insurance coverage benefits you can find within plans on our site. Click a benefit to read more about what it covers and which policies include it.
Cancel for Covid-19 Sickness can provide reimbursement for prepaid and non-refundable trip payments if a trip is canceled or interrupted due to a traveler contracting the virus.
Trip Cancellation provides reimbursement for prepaid and non-refundable trip payments if a trip is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, including illness, injury, or death.
Trip Interruption provides reimbursement for prepaid and non-refundable trip payments if a portion of a trip is missed, or the traveler must return home early due to unforeseen circumstances, including illness, injury, or death.
Hurricane and Weather can reimburse a traveler in the event they must cancel or interrupt their trip due to inclement weather.
Terrorism reimburses travelers who need to cancel or interrupt their trip due to a terrorist attack.
Financial Default can reimburse a traveler’s trip costs if they need to cancel because of a complete suspension of operations by their travel supplier due to financial circumstances, whether or not bankruptcy is filed.
Employment Layoff can reimburse prepaid and non-refundable trip costs if a traveler cancels their trip due to involuntary layoff or termination of employment.
Cancel For Medical Reason provides reimbursement for prepaid and non-refundable trip payments if a trip is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, including illness, injury, or death.
Cancel For Work Reasons can reimburse a traveler to cancel their trip due to specific unforeseen work-related conditions.
Cancel For Any Reason is an optional upgrade that provides partial reimbursement for prepaid and non-refundable trip payments if a trip is canceled for a reason not otherwise covered by a policy.
Interruption For Any Reason can provide partial reimbursement for unused prepaid and non-refundable trip payments if a trip is interrupted for a reason not otherwise covered by a policy. In order for coverage to be available, the trip must be interrupted at least 48 or 72 hours into the trip, depending on the policy.
Medical Coverage for Covid-19 can reimburse the medical costs a traveler incurs in the event they unexpectedly contract Covid-19 during their trip.
Emergency Medical insurance can reimburse the costs to treat a medical emergency during a trip.
A Pre-Existing Condition is an illness or other medical condition that was treated, diagnosed, or changed during a policy’s lookback period.
Co-Insurance is the percentage of medical expenses, after the Medical Deductible, that are the responsibility of the insured.
The Medical Deductible is a co-pay amount that the insured is responsible for.
Home Country Coverage provides coverage for incidental trips back to a traveler’s home country during an international trip.
Medical Evacuation covers emergency transportation to the nearest medical facility if you fall seriously ill or injured during your trip. Learn more.
Non-Medical Evacuation provides transportation from a place of danger to a place of safety during a natural disaster or a time of civil or political unrest.
Extension of Coverage is the time period a traveler’s policy can provide benefits beyond their scheduled return date if they are unable to return home for a reason out of their control. In the event of a medical-related delay, most providers require a documented diagnosis from a licensed medical professional.
Travel Delay reimburses the costs of meals and accommodations when a trip is unexpectedly delayed.
Baggage Delay provides reimbursement for the purchase of clothing, toiletries, and other essential items if a traveler’s luggage is delayed for a specified period of time.
Baggage and Personal Items Loss provides reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage.
Missed Connection can reimburse the additional costs for a traveler to catch up to their trip if they miss their departure for a covered reason.
24-Hour AD&D provides a cash payment in the event of accidental loss of life or limb during a covered trip.
Flight Only AD&D provides a cash payment in the event of accidental loss of life or limb that occurs while flying during a covered trip.
Common Carrier AD&D provides a cash payment in the event of accidental loss of life or limb that occurs while traveling on a common carrier during a covered trip.
The Sports & Activities benefit is designed to cover travelers who are participating in sports and adventurous activities, some of which may otherwise be excluded. Travelers can indicate the activities they will be participating in by selecting the Sports & Activities filter.
Sports Equipment Loss can reimburse a traveler in the event their own sports equipment is lost or damaged during a covered trip.
Sports Equipment Delay can cover the cost of renting equipment in the event a traveler’s own equipment is delayed while on the way to their destination.
Sports Weather Loss can reimburse a traveler’s prepaid and non-refundable trip payments when they are not able to participate in a sport or activity due to inclement weather.
Search and Rescue coverage pays for the costs associated with finding a traveler in the event they become lost, disoriented, or go missing while participating in a recreational activity during their trip.
Sports Fees can reimburse a traveler’s prepaid and non-refundable payments that are specific to sports and activities.
Rental Car Damage provides reimbursement for damage to, or theft of, a rental vehicle during a covered trip.
Money Back Guarantee is the “free-look” period when a traveler can decide if the policy they purchased is right for them, and cancel for a full refund.
Travel insurance providers have a 24-Hour Assistance Service department to help travelers 24/7 during their trip.
Identity Theft provides assistance with the services and costs associated with recovering a traveler’s identity and credit.
Renewable Policies can be extended during a trip, for periods of 6-36 months, depending on the policy.
Maximum Trip Length applies only to Annual travel insurance policies. This is the longest single trip a traveler can take during the year they are covered.
Maximum Number of Trips applies only to Annual travel insurance policies. This is the most trips a traveler can take during the year they are covered.
Many travel insurance providers offer additional benefits to differentiate themselves against their competitors.
Top Recommended Coverage Benefits
Based on over 20 years of experience and helping over 4.2 million customers find travel insurance, we have come to understand the most popular benefits among travelers. We recommend buying a travel insurance plan that includes:
Emergency Medical Coverage
The Emergency Medical benefit helps pay for healthcare costs if you get sick or injured while traveling. Travel medical insurance covers unexpected expenses like overseas hospital stays and doctor visits not covered by your domestic health insurance.
Recommended Limits:
- $50,000+ for International Travel
- $100,000+ for Cruises
Best for Travelers with:
- International Destinations
- Pre-Existing Conditions
- Adventurous Activities
Medical Evacuation Coverage
Emergency evacuation insurance covers getting you to a nearby medical facility or home if you're seriously ill or injured. It pays for medical flights or other transportation when local care isn’t enough.
Recommended Limits:
- $100,000+ for trips abroad
- $250,000+ for cruises & remote destinations
Best for Travelers with:
- Remote Destinations
- Cruises
- High-Risk Activities
Trip Cancellation Coverage
Trip Cancellation coverage reimburses your prepaid travel expenses if you’re forced to cancel your trip for a covered reason. This can include unexpected medical emergencies, the death of a family member, or inclement weather, among other reasons.
Recommended Limits:
- 100% of Trip Cost
Best for Travelers with:
- High Non-Refundable Bookings
- Long-Planned Vacations
- Large Groups
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR)
Purchasing this optional CFAR add-on lets you get some of your travel costs back if you cancel your trip for any reason, not just emergencies covered by your policy's Trip Cancellation benefit.
Recommended Limits:
- 75% of Trip Cost
Best for Travelers with:
- Unpredictable Plans
- Trips During Global Events
Trip Interruption Coverage
Trip Interruption insurance helps you recover costs if you have to cut your trip short and go home early due to unexpected issues, like a family emergency. It covers unused travel expenses and extra costs for getting home.
Recommended Limits:
- 150% of Trip Cost
Best for Travelers with:
- Long, Expensive Trips
- Scheduled Events
Pre-Existing Conditions
Pre-existing Condition insurance covers you if you suffer financial loss as a result of a pre-existing medical condition during a covered trip. This includes trip cancellations or seeking medical care while traveling.
Recommended Limits:
- A 60-day Look-Back Period
Best for Travelers with:
- Stable Pre-Existing Conditions
Trip Delay Insurance
Trip Delay insurance reimburses you for extra costs, like meals and lodging, if your trip is delayed for reasons like flight cancellations. It helps cover expenses while you wait to continue your journey.
Recommended Limits:
- $500+ per Traveler
- With Delays Starting at 6 hours
Best for Travelers with:
- Multi-Leg Journeys
- Cruises
- Trips During Peak Season
How Squaremouth Helps You Compare Travel Insurance Coverage
Apart from providing in-depth information about the different travel insurance benefits and how they work, our comparison tool allows you to filter policies by the following coverage options:
Our Medical Coverage Filters
- Emergency Medical - find plans meeting your minimum desired medical limits
- Pre-existing Medical - find plans that cover flare-ups of pre-existing conditions
- Coronavirus Pandemic - find plans that cover COVID-19 treatment
- Primary Medical - find plans that include primary coverage
- Medical Deductible - choose plans with your desired deductible amount
- 24 Hour AD&D - find plans with 24/7 accidental death and dismemberment insurance
Our Evacuation Coverage Filters
- Medical Evacuation - find plans meeting your minimum desired medevac coverage limits
- Non-Medical Evacuation - find plans that can cover you for non-medical evacuations
Our Cancellation and Interruption Coverage Filters
- Trip Interruption - find plans that cover trip interruptions
- Cancel For Any Reason - find plans that offer optional CFAR add-ons
- Cancel For Medical - find plans that cover cancelling due to medical reasons
- Hurricane & Weather - find plans that let you cancel or interrupt due to extreme weather
- Terrorism - find plans that let you cancel or interrupt due to terror threats
- Interruption For Any Reason - find plans that offer optional IFAR add-ons
- Cancel For Work Reasons - find plans that let you cancel due to job issues
- Financial Default - find plans that let you cancel if your travel supplier defaults
Our Delay & Luggage Coverage Filters
- Travel Delay - filter by minimum limits of delay protection
- Missed Connection - find plans that reimburse missed connections
- Baggage Loss - find plans meeting your minimum desired claim limits
- Baggage Delay - find plans that pay out for delayed bags
- Sports Equipment Delay - find plans that pay out for delayed equipment
- Sports Equipment Loss - find plans that reimburse lost equipment
Our Trip-Specific Coverage Filters
- Cruise - find plans designed specifically for cruises
- Sports & Activities - find plans that cover specific sports
- Rental Car - find plans that include rental car damage protection
- Schengen Visa - find plans that satisfy the Schengen visa requirements
Other Provider Features Filters
- Money Back Guarantee - find plans that include a 10-14 day money-back guarantee
- Provider Rating - filter plans by minimum star rating
- 24 Hour Assistance Service - find plans that include 24/7 assistance
- Cancel for Covid-19 Sickness
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Hurricane & Weather
- Terrorism
- Financial Default
- Employment Layoff
- Cancel For Medical Reasons
- Cancel For Work Reasons
- Cancel For Any Reason
- Interruption For Any Reason
- Medical Coverage for Covid-19
- Emergency Medical
- Pre-Existing Condition
- Co-Insurance
- Medical Deductible
- Home Country Coverage
- Sports & Activities
- Sports Equipment Loss
- Sports Equipment Delay
- Sports Weather Loss
- Search & Rescue
- Sports Fees
- Rental Car Damage
- Money Back Guarantee
- 24 Hour Assistance Service
- Identity Theft
- Renewable Policy
- Maximum Trip Length
- Maximum Number of Trips
- Additional Benefits
The policies available through Squaremouth.com offer a range of comprehensive travel insurance benefits to cover the main concerns of travelers.
Travel Insurance Benefits FAQs
At Squaremouth, we allow you to compare plans side by side using our quote tool, which lets you see the main benefits offered in each selected plan.
Every travel insurance policy sold on Squaremouth is accompanied by a Certificate of Insurance that you can access anytime before or after purchase. This document will provide an in-depth look at the policy details, such as benefits, reimbursement limits, exclusions, and waivers that may be included in the policy.
Many travel credit cards offer trip insurance benefits as part of their cardholder perks. These cards typically offer limited protection for last-minute cancellations, delays, baggage loss, and other common disruptions.
It’s important to note that most cards don’t provide health insurance benefits.
If you need protection for medical emergencies, emergency medical evacuations, or pre-existing medical conditions, we recommend purchasing a travel medical insurance policy from a third-party provider.
If a benefit is time-sensitive, that means that you must purchase the policy within a specific time frame in order to qualify for coverage. This time frame is usually 10-21 days after your initial trip deposit date, depending on the policy.
The two most popular examples of time-sensitive benefits are:
- Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR)
- Pre-existing Condition coverage