Find the Right Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects against financial losses from trip cancellations, medical emergencies abroad, lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency evacuations. With international trip costs frequently running $3,000 to $10,000 or more per person, a comprehensive travel insurance policy typically costs just 4% to 8% of the trip price and can save you from catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses, especially for medical emergencies in countries without universal healthcare. The travel insurance market includes comprehensive plans that bundle multiple coverages, specialty plans focused on specific risks like adventure sports or medical evacuation, and annual multi-trip plans for frequent travelers. The most important coverage for most travelers is emergency medical and evacuation insurance, since a hospital stay abroad can cost tens of thousands of dollars and a medical evacuation can exceed $100,000 -- costs that domestic health insurance typically does not cover. When comparing plans, pay close attention to coverage limits, exclusions, and the difference between primary and secondary coverage. Primary medical coverage pays first regardless of your domestic health insurance, while secondary coverage only kicks in after your regular insurance has paid. For trip cancellation, understand exactly which reasons are covered, as standard policies cover illness, injury, and death but typically exclude changing your mind or schedule conflicts unless you purchase a Cancel for Any Reason upgrade.