Should I Get Travel Insurance in 2026?

As travel rebounds in 2026, many people find themselves asking, "Should I get travel insurance?" With rising trip costs, complex itineraries, and lingering uncertainty around health and global events, it’s a fair question. For seasoned and new travelers alike, weighing the need for coverage is now part of the planning process.

‍

The answer often depends on your trip’s cost, destination, timing, and your own health status. Whether you're heading overseas or exploring new stateside adventures, travel protection cancan help by offering peace of mind and financial protection when plans go awry. That’s in part due to each plan containing both insurance benefits and 24/7 non-insurance assistance services.

‍

Still, many travelers only consider insurance after facing a costly cancellation or medical emergency. In 2025, a growing number of people are proactively asking: Should you get travel insurance? The answer lies in understanding what you stand to gain, or lose, depending on your circumstances.

When Travel Insurance Is Worth It

In many cases, the answer to "Is travel insurance worth it?" is a resounding yes. Here are the situations where trip protection adds real value:

‍

• High-value, nonrefundable trips
  
  • If you've booked prepaid airfare, resorts, or guided tours that don’t offer refunds, travel protection with trip cancellation coverage can help protect your investment.

• International travel without health coverage
  
  • Most domestic health insurance may not cover care abroad. Accident & Sickness medical expense benefits can help with reimbursement for emergency care and hospital stays. You may even get coverage for a medical evacuation if needed.

• Cruises and tours with strict policies
  
  • Many cruises and tour companies enforce nonrefundable deposits and fees. Trip protection plans help mitigate these financial risks.

• Older travelers or those with health conditions
  
  • A sudden health issue could force you to cancel a trip or seek care overseas. Look for plans that include a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver.

• Families traveling with kids
  
  • Family travel protection offers added protection for bookings, especially if a child gets sick or a trip is delayed.

• Traveling during volatile seasons
  
  • Natural disasters, airline strikes, or illness spikes can derail plans. Trip protection can help you adjust without bearing the full cost.

‍

If you fall into any of the above categories, travel protection can help you recoup costs and navigate emergencies with less stress.

When Travel Insurance May Not Be Necessary

While travel protection is helpful in many scenarios, there are times when you might not need it. Here's a closer look at situations where you might skip coverage:

‍

Skip insurance if:

‍

• You're taking a domestic trip with good health insurance

• If your current health plan offers adequate coverage in your destination, and the trip doesn’t involve non-refundable costs, you may not need additional protection.

• Your bookings are fully refundable

• Flights, hotels, and tours that offer full refunds lessen the risk of losing money if you cancel.

• You're planning a short, inexpensive getaway

• A weekend road trip or quick visit that doesn’t require major investments may not justify the cost of coverage.

‍

However:

‍

• Even low-cost trips can benefit from 24/7 non-insurance emergency travel assistance and other coverages like baggage protection. If you're traveling during the high-risk season or to remote areas, even a small investment in coverage can be worth it.

‍

Ultimately, the decision comes down to weighing your comfort with risk against the potential for losing some trip costs.

Comparing Coverage Types: What You’re Really Buying

When choosing a travel protection plan, it helps to know what you're actually getting. Here’s a breakdown of the main types of coverage and who benefits most:

‍

• Trip cancellation benefit
  
  • Reimburses prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses if you cancel due to a covered reason (e.g., illness, injury, family emergency).

• Medical expense coverage
  
  • Can cover emergency medical care while traveling, could be helpful outside your home country.

• Baggage protection
  
  • Offers reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage. Also can cover essential purchases like clothes and toiletries, if you are separated from your bags

• CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) benefit
  
  • Cancel for Any Reason benefit can offer the most flexibility. If you’re unsure about travel plans or want the option to cancel for personal reasons that aren’t otherwise covered, CFAR may be right for you.

• Trip delay
  
  • Can help cover expenses if your trip is delayed due to unforeseen events, like airline strikes or inclement weather. May include reimbursement for hotel stays, meals, and additional transportation cost.

‍

Each benefit plays a role, but the most valuable coverage will depend on your trip type, destination, and personal priorities.

Credit Card Travel Insurance vs. Extensive Plans

Many travelers wonder: Is trip protection worth it? The answer often depends on what kind of coverage you already have—and what you might be missing. Credit card travel insurance is a popular perk, but it may not always be enough. Let’s explore how it may stack up against standalone, robust coverage options.

‍

Credit card travel insurance can include:

‍

• Trip delays and cancellations — Coverage can apply only to certain qualifying reasons, and may be with strict documentation requirements.

• Lost or delayed baggage — May reimburse for essentials, but limits may often be capped.

• Rental car protection — May cover damage or theft of rental vehicles (but may not cover liability).

• Travel accident coverage (AD&D) — May offer a benefit for accidental death or dismemberment.

‍

While this protection may offer some peace of mind, it's usually basic—and may not extend to the full spectrum of what many travelers may need today.

‍

Extensive travel protection plans go further, offering:

‍

• Broader trip cancellation benefit — Protects nonrefundable expenses when canceling for covered reasons like illness, injury, or inclement weather.

• Medical expense coverage — Can covers unexpected doctor visits, hospital stays, and medications abroad. Many U.S.-based health plans may not apply internationally, making this desired by travelers. See plan document for full medical expense benefits.

• Medical evacuation and repatriation — Provides reimbursement for transportation to the nearest suitable medical facility where medically necessary treatment is available when your condition is determined to be acute, severe or life threatening, or back to your scheduled return destination when needed.

• CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) — Gives travelers the ability to cancel for nontraditional reasons that are not otherwise covered and still recover a portion of their costs.

• Higher reimbursement limits — Extensive plans may offer more generous maximum benefit amounts

‍

The bottom line: Is travel insurance worth it? Yes—especially when your trip is expensive, international, or complex. For anyone asking, Should I get travel insurance in 2025?—the added coverage, convenience, and support of a dedicated plan can help support your trip.

Annual vs. Per-Trip Insurance: Which Should You Choose?

If you travel frequently, you may be wondering whether annual travel protection plans offer better value. Here’s a quick comparison:

‍

Annual Travel Protection

‍

• Ideal for frequent travelers (3+ trips per year)

• Covers all trips within a 12-month period

• Saves time (one purchase covers all trips)

• Great for families, business travelers, or retirees

‍

Per-Trip Travel Protection

‍

• Good for occasional travelers

• Choose specific coverage levels for each trip

• May be more cost-effective for single trips

‍

When deciding, consider how often you travel and whether you want the convenience of one plan or the customization of choosing per trip.

FAQs About Whether Travel Protection Is Worth It

How much does travel protection cost?

The price of a travel protection plan depends on your age, trip length, and coverage level. Get a quote for exact pricing.

What can travel protection cover?

Coverage varies by plan, but typically includes benefits for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, evacuation, baggage loss, and travel delays.

Do you really need travel insurance for domestic trips?

It depends. If your personal health insurance covers you out of state and bookings are refundable, you may not need it. But travel protection can add peace of mind when trips are nonrefundable or involve high trip costs.

Can credit card travel insurance provide enough coverage?

What coverage you want for your trip varies from person to person. Credit card travel insurance may have lower benefit amounts and may not include medical expense benefits or evacuation coverage.

When is the best time to buy travel protection?

The ideal time is right after booking your trip. Buying a plan early could mean access to time-sensitive benefits like Cancel for Any Reason.

What are the common exclusions in travel insurance?

Most travel protection plans may exclude coverage for:

‍

• Pre-existing conditions* (unless you are eligible for a Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver)

• Risky activities (unless optional extreme sports medical upgrade is added)

• Changing your mind (unless you add optional CFAR benefit)

• Routine medical care

‍

Review your plan documents for full terms and exclusions before purchasing.

Final Thoughts: Should You Get Travel Insurance?

So, should you get travel insurance in 2025? If your trip is costly, international, or comes with any uncertainty, travel protection can offer peace of mind. And with options tailored for older travelers, families, and business professionals, it’s easier than ever to find the right fit.

‍

Before you book, consider:

‍

• The total nonrefundable cost of your trip

• Your destination’s healthcare and safety environment

• Your personal risk tolerance

‍

It’s also important to think about when to buy travel protection. The best time is usually as soon as you book your trip, especially if you want to take advantage of benefits like a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver or CFAR. Early enrollment can help provide the most robust protection and get you access to the full range of benefits available to you.

‍

Explore options, compare travel protection plans, and find the option that fits your needs. Whether you're a frequent flyer or a once-a-year traveler, having a plan in place can help you travel with more confidence.

‍

* Losses due to, arising or resulting from pre-existing medical conditions are normally excluded from coverage. However, such losses are covered on the same basis as losses due to, arising or resulting from all other sicknesses and injuries if you qualify for the Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver.

‍

Plans may vary by state. For full details of coverage, terms, and conditions, please refer to the plan document.