How to Book Travel Insurance the Right Way

Buy a policy within 14 days of your first trip deposit to qualify for 'cancel for any reason' and pre-existing condition waivers. Always choose a plan that includes primary medical coverage of at least $100,000 and medical evacuation coverage of at least $250,000.

  1. Check your existing coverage. Review your current health insurance and credit card benefits. Many premium credit cards provide basic trip delay or baggage insurance, but rarely offer sufficient emergency medical coverage for international travel.
  2. Use an aggregator to compare. Use sites like SquareMouth or InsureMyTrip to compare policies side-by-side. Do not buy directly from the airline or tour operator, as their policies are often overpriced and provide limited coverage.
  3. Verify the 'Primary' status. Ensure the medical insurance is 'primary.' This means the insurance company pays your medical bills first without you having to file a claim with your home health insurance provider first.
  4. Read the exclusions. Look specifically at the 'General Exclusions' section. Most standard policies exclude adventure sports (scuba, skiing, mountaineering) or incidents involving alcohol. Add a 'sports rider' if necessary.
  5. Save your documents. Download the policy PDF and the 24/7 emergency assistance number to your phone. Print a hard copy and leave it with a contact at home.
What is 'Cancel For Any Reason' (CFAR) coverage?
It is an add-on that allows you to cancel your trip for reasons not covered by standard policies (like fear of travel or a change of heart). It typically only reimburses 50-75% of your trip costs and must be purchased within 14-21 days of your initial trip payment.
Does my credit card insurance cover me?
Usually only for things like lost luggage or minor trip delays. They rarely cover expensive emergency medical evacuations or hospital stays in foreign countries.
When does the policy take effect?
Trip cancellation coverage starts the day after you buy the policy. Medical and travel delay coverage begin when you actually depart for your trip.