does travel insurance cost go up closer to the date

Travel Erudition

Does travel insurance go up closer to the date?

With summer vacation season upon us, many people are finalizing their travel plans. If you’re one of them, you may be wondering if it’s worth it to purchase travel insurance. After all, isn’t the cost of insurance just another expense that cuts into the budget for an already expensive trip? The short answer is that, yes, the cost of travel insurance does go up the closer you get to your departure date. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy it. Here’s a closer look at why travel insurance costs more as your departure date nears, as well as some tips on how to save money on this important coverage.

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the insurer and the policy. Some insurers may increase the premium if the policy is purchased closer to the date of travel, while others may not. It is advisable to shop around and compare policies to get the best rate.

What is the effective date of travel insurance?

This is the date that your coverage begins, and it is usually the date that you purchase your policy. But, in some cases, the Effective Date can be different from the date of purchase. For example, if you purchase a policy today for a trip that starts next week, the Effective Date would be next week.

It’s always best to buy travel insurance as soon as you make your reservations. The sooner you buy travel insurance, the sooner you’ll be protected and the more benefits you may be eligible to receive.

Do I buy travel insurance before or after booking

If you’re planning a trip, it’s a good idea to buy travel insurance as soon as possible. That way, you’ll be covered in case anything goes wrong before or during your trip. However, you can still purchase travel insurance even if you’ve already booked your trip. Just be aware that you may miss out on some benefits if you don’t buy the insurance right away.

When it comes to booking your next vacation, you may be ready to go but it’s always smart to consider buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy. This will help protect you from any financial losses you may incur due to unexpected issues, both before your trip and during it. By doing this you can help ensure that your vacation goes smoothly and you can relax and enjoy yourself without worry.

Does travel insurance get less expensive closer to departure date?

This is good news for travelers who like to wait until the last minute to buy their travel insurance. Unlike other aspects of your travel experience, you won’t be penalized financially for waiting to buy travel insurance. So, if you’re looking to save some money, you can wait until closer to your travel date to buy your travel insurance policy.

This is important to remember when you are buying a policy, as it means that if you have an emergency and need to cancel your trip, you will not be covered until the day after you purchase the policy. Make sure to take this into account when you are buying travel insurance.

How late can you book travel insurance?

There is no set time when it is too late to buy travel insurance. You can purchase it up until the point you leave home for your trip. However, the earlier you purchase it, the better. This is because if you have to cancel your trip for any reason, you will be covered.

If you are planning a trip, it is a good idea to purchase travel insurance. Travel insurance can protect you from many unexpected events, such as cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost or stolen baggage.

Can I get travel insurance the day before I fly

This is a good thing to know, in case you forget to get travel insurance or think you don’t need it.

When buying travel insurance, there are a few things you should keep in mind in order to get the best possible coverage. First, make sure to get a policy that covers the duration of your trip. Secondly, ensure that all of the destinations you will be visiting are included in the policy. Third, be aware of what is considered a pre-existing medical condition, as this can exclude you from coverage. Fourth, if there is any element of danger involved in your trip, make sure to get extra coverage. Fifth, be sure you can afford the policy excess. And finally, report any theft immediately.

Is it cheaper to buy travel insurance separately?

A single trip travel insurance policy is a good idea if you are planning a one-time trip. This type of policy will cover you in case you need to cancel your trip for one of the reasons covered by your policy. A single trip policy is usually cheaper than an annual policy.

Travel insurance is vital for any trip, both domestic and international. It can cost as little as $2 a day, depending on your age, travel destination, cover level and if you have any pre-existing health conditions. Pre-existing health conditions can often be covered with an additional rider on your policy. Be sure to check with your insurer before you travel.

What are two disadvantages travel insurance

There are a few drawbacks to purchasing travel insurance that are worth considering before buying a policy. First, travel insurance can be expensive, and the cost can add up, especially if you are insuring multiple people or travelling for an extended period of time. Second, travel insurance might not provide coverage for pre-existing diseases, which could leave you vulnerable if you were to fall ill while on your trip. Finally, travel insurance claims can sometimes be rejected, so it’s important to read the fine print of your policy carefully to understand the risks.

If you’re planning on traveling, it’s important to be aware that travel insurance typically doesn’t cover cancellations or interruptions due to known, foreseeable, or expected events. This includes things like epidemics or fear of travel. So if there’s a chance that something might happen that would cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip, you may want to look into other options to protect your investment.

Is travel insurance more expensive last minute?

If you’re planning a trip, it’s always a good idea to buy travel insurance in case of any unforeseen events. Although you can buy a policy after your trip has started, it’s not ideal. These types of policies can be more expensive, your choice could be limited, and your cover may be restricted. If something happens while you’re on your trip, you’ll be glad you have travel insurance!

The prime booking window refers to the time frame 21–115 days before departure day, during which airfares are generally at their lowest. This is the best time to book your flight if you’re looking to get the best deal. Keep in mind that prices can fluctuate within this window, so it’s important to stay up to date on fare changes and book as soon as you see a good price.

How can I lower my travel insurance

1. Shop around for quotes to get the best deal on your insurance. 2. Avoid buying insurance from travel agents as they often charge high commissions. 3. Buy your insurance online to save money. 4. Get an annual policy to save money in the long run. 5. Only get the cover you need so you’re not paying for unnecessary extras. 6. Avoid paying twice by using a policy that covers you for both medical and emergency evacuation costs. 7. Get a family policy to insure all your family members for one low price. 8. Remember to get a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) if you’re travelling within the European Union.

Pre-existing medical conditions are usually defined as an illness or injury you had before or when you take out a travel insurance policy. This includes physical conditions such as cancer, diabetes or respiratory issues, as well as non-physical conditions such as anxiety and depression. If you have a pre-existing condition, it’s important to disclose this to your travel insurer when you purchase a policy, as it may affect your coverage.

There is no definitive answer to this question as insurance companies calculate premiums based on a variety of factors, including the perceived risk of the destination and the length of the trip. However, it is generally advisable to purchase travel insurance as soon as possible after booking your trip, as this will provide the most comprehensive coverage.

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors, including the insurer, the destination, and the type of trip. However, it is generally advisable to purchase travel insurance as soon as possible to avoid any potential increases in premiums.

Scott Johnson

Scott Johnson is passionate about traveling. He loves exploring new cultures and places, and discovering the world around him. He believes that travel can open up new perspectives and opportunities for growth and development. Scott has visited many countries in Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, and he continues to seek out new destinations for his adventures.

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The Cost of Travel Insurance in 2024

Last Updated: February 23, 2021 January 23, 2024

The cost of travel insurance varies from traveler to the next, and depends on multiple key factors including trip length, traveler ages, type of coverage, and the coverage limits.

Each travel insurance provider calculates premiums slightly differently to appeal to their target demographic. So pricing for policies that offer near identical coverage can also range dramatically between travel insurance companies.

The Average Cost of Travel Insurance in 2024

For the most part, travelers can expect to pay between 5-10% of their insured trip costs. So for a $5,000 trip, for example, a traveler may see premiums ranging from $250 to $500 for comprehensive coverage.

With that in mind, some travelers opt for medical-only travel insurance policies, which offer less benefits but come at a significantly lower price point.

Based on Squaremouth data , the average cost of travel insurance plans is $308. Comprehensive plans, which include Trip Cancellation coverage, average $403, while travel medical plans average $97.

When shopping for travel insurance, it’s important to understand the higher premiums don’t always equate to better coverage. Oftentimes, you can find adequate travel insurance coverage at an affordable price by comparing policies from different providers.

What Determines the Cost for Travel Insurance?

The premium varies by policy, depending on five primary factors: total trip cost, age of travelers, length of travel, the policy type, and total coverage amounts.

Other factors may have an impact for select policies, such as state of residence, and the traveler’s destination , and any policy add-ons a traveler chooses to purchase.

Total Trip Cost

In the context of travel insurance, your total trip costs refers to your prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses relating to a trip. In most cases, this will include expenses such as hotel accommodations, flight costs, pre-booked excursions, and tours.

Travelers that want Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption coverage will need to insure all or some of their trip costs when they buy travel insurance. How much you insure dictates how much reimbursement you are eligible for in the event you need to cancel your trip.

The cost of your trip will usually impact your travel insurance premium, with more expensive trips resulting in higher premiums.

Age of Travelers

Each provider has a different target demographic, and will structure their premiums to attract customers in that age group. However, in general, travel insurance policies are more expensive for older travelers.

In addition to the age of travelers, the number of travelers on a policy can also impact its cost. Generally, the cost of travel insurance increases with each additional insured traveler.

Length of Travel

Travel insurance is designed to cover you from door-to-door, starting when you leave home and ending when you return. The longer your trip duration, the higher a policy’s premium. Most travel insurance companies allow a Maximum Trip Length of 90 days or less.

If you need to purchase travel insurance for a trip that exceeds 90 days, Squaremouth recommends considering an Annual travel insurance plan .

Policy Type

The cost of travel insurance can vary dramatically depending on what type of travel insurance policy a traveler wants for their trip.

Comprehensive travel insurance policies are the most common type of plan, and provide coverage for the most common travel disruptions, such as cancellations, trip delays , medical emergencies, and personal belongings.   While popular, this type of plan is often more expensive than other options.

Policies without the Trip Cancellation benefit are often significantly less expensive. Purchasing an annual or group travel insurance policy may also impact the overall premium.

Total Coverage Amounts

Coverage amounts refer to the level of travel protection offered by a policy. The best travel insurance companies offer plans that provide strong coverage across all major benefits.

Coverage amounts included in a travel insurance policy can vary significantly from one plan to the next, especially the medical coverage. Policies with higher amounts of coverage are often more expensive.

Before you buy travel insurance, consider which benefits are most important to you and will provide the most peace of mind. Doing so will help you determine what coverage amounts make the most sense for your trip.

Optional Coverage That Will Directly Increase Your Policy’s Premium

Certain travel insurance benefits are considered add-ons or “optional upgrades,” and will result in a direct increase in the cost for travel insurance policies. Those benefits include Cancel For Any Reason, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, and Rental Car Damage.

Cancel For Any Reason

Cancel For Any Reason partially refunds your trip payments if you cancel for a reason that is not specifically covered by your policy. This benefit is only available for up to 30 days after your initial trip booking, and will generally increase your policy’s premium by about 40-50%. In 2024, the average CFAR policy costs travelers $632.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment

Accidental Death and Dismemberment is the only travel insurance benefit that will provide a lump sum payment to travelers. There are three types of Accidental Death and Dismemberment protection . This coverage will pay a predetermined amount in the event of loss of life or a limb during your trip.

Rental Car Damage

Coverage for Rental Car Damage is an optional add-on that many providers offer. This benefit can cover the cost of damage or theft of a rental vehicle during your trip.

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

Travel insurance is absolutely worth the cost if you have concerns about your trip. Many travelers purchase insurance for the peace of mind that if something goes wrong before or during their trip, they’re covered.

The most common reason travelers get coverage for their trips is for international medical insurance. Since most primary health insurance providers don’t cover policyholders overseas, travel insurance can reduce the risk of paying hefty out-of-pocket medical expenses.

With that said, travel insurance is not a requirement for most destinations, and many travelers can utilize existing coverage they may already have through their travel credit cards. Most credit card travel insurance plans provide a wide-range of other travel disruptions, including travel delays, baggage delays, baggage loss, and emergency evacuations. WIth that said, few travel credit cards offer cardholders cover medical evacuations and emergencies.

To get the best price, Squaremouth recommends getting travel insurance quotes from multiple providers. As always with insurance, it’s recommended to pay attention to the fine print and be aware of any exclusions listed in the plan’s details before making a decision.

Downselling to Help Travelers Save Money

Squaremouth understands that many travelers have the misconception that more expensive is better. However, the cost of a travel insurance policy does not dictate the quality.

Squaremouth ’s core goal is making sure travelers don’t spend more than they need to on travel insurance. For that reason, Squaremouth always recommends that travelers look for the least expensive policy that offers the coverage they need.

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Planning a trip involves a lot of moving parts, and while you want everything to go smoothly, the truth is that unexpected things can happen. In these cases, travel insurance can help make those issues easier to deal with — whether it’s by paying for your hospital bills in another country or reimbursing you for lost luggage.

However, the types of travel insurance that are available to you depend on when you purchase your policy. Let’s look at when to buy travel insurance, how late you can buy travel insurance and what different policies can offer.

The different types of travel insurance

There are many different kinds of travel insurance coverage depending on your needs. Here are some of the most common.

Trip cancellation insurance . Will reimburse nonrefundable costs when your trip is canceled due to a covered event. 

Trip interruption insurance . Pays costs incurred when a trip is cut short for a covered reason. 

Trip delay insurance . Provides financial assistance in case your flight is delayed beyond a certain amount of time.

Travel medical insurance . Covers medical costs for illness or accidents that arise during your travels.

Emergency evacuation insurance . Pays for the cost to evacuate you elsewhere (reasons can vary from medical to extreme weather).

Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance . Like life insurance, it provides a payout to a beneficiary in the event of death or dismemberment during travels. 

Baggage loss insurance . Will reimburse you if your bag is lost, stolen or damaged.

Rental car insurance . Provides insurance for collision and damage to a rental car.

Cancel for Any Reason insurance (CFAR). An optional add-on that covers a portion of nonrefundable costs if you choose to cancel your trip for any reason.   

» Learn more: What does travel insurance cover?

How early can you buy travel insurance?

Understanding when to get travel insurance can make a big difference in the policies you’re able to purchase. Typically, you can’t buy one before knowing some details about your trip.

While it’s possible to purchase a policy before you’ve booked your flights or made other travel plans, many insurers ask you for information about your trip to help you find the correct insurance. This means you’ll need to at least know where you’re going, when you’re going and the cost of your trip before purchasing travel insurance.

Multi-trip or annual travel insurance can cover you for a year with a single purchase. This is convenient if you travel frequently or take last-minute trips.

When to purchase travel insurance

So if you can’t buy travel insurance before doing some preliminary trip planning, you might be wondering “When should I buy travel insurance?” The answer to that is that it depends on what you want covered.

This is because not all types of coverage are available at all times. Two notable examples include CFAR insurance and pre-existing medical conditions.

CFAR insurance is a supplement to your existing policy that allows you to cancel your plans for any reason. Standard trip cancellation or interruption insurance requires that you cancel for a covered reason to receive reimbursement. Covered reasons may include sickness, death, job loss or financial insolvency, but CFAR insurance faces none of these limitations.

Many insurance companies only give you a short window to purchase a CFAR add-on. This will generally be within two to three weeks of your initial trip deposit, but the deadline varies by insurer so be sure to double-check if you’re interested in this type of coverage.

Likewise, many travel medical policies specifically exclude coverage of pre-existing health conditions — unless you take some additional steps in a timely manner. Some policies will cover acute re-occurrence of the pre-existing condition, provided you complete a waiver within a specific time period, usually within two weeks of your first trip payment.

» Learn more: Can I get travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

When is it too late to buy travel insurance?

It’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance sooner rather than later, especially if you’re interested in any time-sensitive add-ons. However, running late on buying insurance doesn’t mean that you’re out of luck.

While you’ll likely get better coverage if you buy a policy soon after making an initial payment on your trip, it’s still possible to buy a plan if your trip is days away — or if you’ve already departed. Typically, these plans may include things like trip interruption, emergency medical and baggage delay coverage, but they won’t provide trip cancellation or other pre-departure benefits.

Credit cards that offer travel insurance

It’s tempting to purchase a travel insurance policy when planning a trip, but before you do, you’ll want to do some research. Many travel credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance. To qualify, you’ll need to pay for your trip with your card. Keep in mind that different cards have different coverage limits.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, for example, is a premium travel credit card that provides a wide range of coverage:

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance. 

Baggage delay and lost luggage insurance. 

Emergency medical and evacuation insurance. 

Travel accident (AD&D) insurance. 

Rental car insurance. 

The coverage offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve® isn’t limited to just the cardholder; immediate family members are also included in this policy. They don’t even need to be traveling with the cardholder to receive coverage as long as the trip was charged to the card.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for travel insurance benefits

When should you buy travel insurance?

Purchasing travel insurance isn’t mandatory for a good vacation, but it can certainly come in handy if your plans go awry. While it’s possible to buy travel insurance up until just before — or even after — you depart, the best time to do so is shortly after you begin booking the trip. This allows you to provide the information required to buy a policy while also remaining eligible for time-sensitive add-ons and benefits like trip cancellation.

Before you purchase travel insurance, however, you’ll want to take a look at any travel credit cards you own to see what types of complimentary insurance they offer.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Travel Insurance

Average cost of travel insurance in 2024

Heidi Gollub

Megan Horner

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 4:18 a.m. UTC April 1, 2024

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• Travel insurance costs an average of 5% to 6% of the cost of your trip. 
• Your travel destination and your age impact the cost of travel insurance. 
• Senior travelers need to budget extra for travel insurance as they pay a higher percentage of their trip cost — an average of 18% for 80-year-olds.

There are several factors that influence how much you’ll pay for travel insurance, from your age and travel destination to the cost of your trip and the coverages you choose. Our insurance experts analyzed rates from the best travel insurance companies, and we’ve used that data to break down the average cost of travel insurance for you.   

Compare travel insurance costs personalized for your trip

Travel insured.

Via TravelInsurance.com’s website

Top-scoring plan

Worldwide Trip Protector

Covers COVID?

Medical & evacuation limits per person

$100,000/$1 million

Atlas Journey Preferred

Seven Corners

RoundTrip Basic

$500,000/$1 million

How much is travel insurance?

The average cost of travel insurance is 5% to 6% of your nonrefundable trip expenses. To insure a $1,000 trip, for instance, costs an average of $61 (6%). 

Average cost of travel insurance by trip cost 

Average cost of travel insurance is based on quotes for a 30-year-old female traveling from California to Mexico for a 14-day trip. Source: Squaremouth.

Average cost of travel insurance by age

While the cost of your trip is a key factor in how much you’ll pay for travel insurance, your age can also impact your rate. This is particularly true for travelers over 60. The average cost of travel insurance for a 70-year-old increases to 11% of total trip cost, and 80-year-old travelers pay an average of 18% for a senior travel insurance policy. 

Average cost of travel insurance by number of travelers in your group

If you’re traveling with others, it’s typically cheaper to insure everyone in your group with a single travel insurance policy. Some plans even cover kids younger than 17 for free, as long as they’re traveling with their parents on the same itinerary. 

In our analysis of travel insurance rates, we found that a family of four taking a 14-day trip from California to Mexico valued at $5,000 only pays about $29 more than a solo traveler buying travel insurance for the same trip. A couple, both age 40, will pay an average of $17 more than a single traveler of the same age. 

What determines travel insurance costs?

One of the biggest factors to influence the cost of travel insurance is the travel insurance plan you select. The best travel insurance plans bundle several types of insurance, including coverage for trip cancellation, trip delay, trip interruption, travel medical, emergency medical evacuation and baggage loss and delay. The more comprehensive the plan, the more you’ll pay for travel insurance. 

The coverage limits of your policy will also affect its cost. The limits dictate how much you’ll be reimbursed if you use your insurance. All of the 5-star plans in our best travel insurance rating offer medical reimbursement limits of $1 million. The higher the reimbursement limit, the more expensive your coverage will be. 

Sample rates for different travel insurance plans

Average cost of travel insurance is based on quotes for a 30-year-old female traveling from California to Mexico for a 14-day trip. Different levels of benefits can account for price differences. These rates do not include a “cancel for any reason” upgrade. Source: Squaremouth.

Average travel insurance cost for “cancel for any reason”coverage

Based on our analysis of 16 travel insurance policies, adding CFAR coverage to a travel insurance policy will increase your cost by about 50%. 

If you want to be able to cancel your trip for any reason — not just those listed in your policy — consider buying a travel insurance plan that offers “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage .

“In 2023, the travel industry has faced a number of challenges including a rise in inclement weather, staffing shortages and strikes,” said Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO of VisitorsCoverage. “Consequently, we’re seeing an increase of canceled trips, disrupted flights and stranded travelers.” 

“To prepare for these uncertainties,” said Shrivastava, “travelers should consider choosing flexible insurance coverage options like ‘cancel for any reason’ and ‘interruption for any reason,’ which protect trip investments in case of cancellations or disruptions.”

“Interruption for any reason” (IFAR) coverage isn’t as readily available as an upgrade, but it typically adds only 3% to 10% to the cost of your travel insurance.

Travel insurance costs for your vacation

What travel insurance covers.

“Travel insurance provides coverage for prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses — up to the limits of the policy — should a trip be canceled or interrupted for a covered reason,” said Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA. 

The trip cancellation insurance part of your travel insurance can reimburse up to 100% for lost trip deposits, such as airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, tours and cruises, if you cancel your trip for a reason listed in your policy.

“Examples of acceptable reasons to cancel a trip include illness or injury for the traveler, a close family member or a traveling companion,” said Durazo. “Other reasons may include your travel supplier stops offering services for 24 hours due to a natural disaster, severe weather or a strike, your home or destination becomes uninhabitable, or you or a travel companion are laid off after you purchase your policy.”

Once you start your trip, travel insurance continues to offer financial protection, said Durazo. “Post-departure benefits can help cover expenses like lost bags and travel delays and most importantly, can include emergency medical coverage and emergency medical transportation.” 

If you do become ill or injured while traveling, travel insurance can cover your medical costs including doctors’ fees and hospital costs that may not be covered by your health insurance. “Domestic health care plans are usually not accepted outside the U.S.,” Durazo said. “So it’s especially important to get travel insurance with medical coverage and emergency medical transportation when traveling internationally.” 

Even if you’re not traveling out of the country, travel insurance with medical coverage can be a good idea, Durazo said. “As many Americans now have high deductible health insurance plans, trips to urgent care or the ER can be expensive but could be covered by travel insurance while traveling.” 

Methodology

Using data from Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison website, our insurance experts analyzed rates for 23 travel insurance plans. The average rates were determined by comparing quotes for trips with a variety of costs, traveler ages, traveler groups and travel plan benefits.

Travel insurance costs FAQs

The average cost of travel insurance is between 5% and 6% of the cost of the trip. How much you pay for travel insurance will depend on the travel insurance company and plan you select, the total cost and destination of your trip, the age of travelers and the number of travelers you’re insuring. 

You may wonder: Is travel insurance worth it?  

A comprehensive travel insurance plan will include coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, medical expense, emergency medical evacuation and baggage delay and loss. 

Read your travel insurance policy carefully to understand what is covered and what is excluded. You can sometimes purchase add ons such as “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage. 

Do you need trip insurance? What travel insurance covers

Yes, travel insurance is typically more expensive for older travelers. While the average cost of travel insurance for a 20-year-old traveler is $224, the average cost increases at age 60 to $420 and to $907 for an 80-year-old. 

Find the best coverage: Best senior travel insurance companies

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

Megan Horner is editorial director at USA TODAY Blueprint. She has over 10 years of experience in online publishing, mostly focused on credit cards and banking. Previously, she was the head of publishing at Finder.com where she led the team to publish personal finance content on credit cards, banking, loans, mortgages and more. Prior to that, she was an editor at Credit Karma. Megan has been featured in CreditCards.com, American Banker, Lifehacker and news broadcasts across the country. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and editing.

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When To Buy Travel Insurance and How To Best Time Your Purchase

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What Is Travel Insurance?

Benefits of buying travel insurance when you book, drawbacks of buying travel insurance when you book, pre-travel insurance benefits, how early you can purchase travel insurance, how late you can purchase travel insurance, what happens if you buy travel insurance after departure, is credit card travel insurance enough, final thoughts.

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Timing is key when buying travel insurance. It’s best to buy travel insurance within 2 weeks of making your first trip payment . You can buy travel insurance at any time, even after departure with some travel insurance providers. Still, the coverage and policy pricing is better when you buy travel insurance shortly after booking .

The sooner you buy travel insurance, the sooner you’re covered for your travel insurance policy, whether the tour company goes out of business or you get sick before your trip.

Let’s look at the best time to buy travel insurance and the advantages you get when you purchase your travel insurance policy right after booking.

Travel insurance is a type of insurance coverage that offers financial protection and assistance when you’re traveling . Benefits often include trip cancellation, trip interruptions, medical emergencies, baggage loss or delay, and rental car coverage.

When To Buy Travel Insurance

The best time to buy travel insurance is within 2 weeks of making your first travel payment , whether that’s booking a flight or putting down a cruise deposit. Generally, any time you make a nonrefundable travel deposit, it’s a good idea to get travel insurance shortly thereafter. 

For example, you should get travel insurance after you buy nonrefundable airfare, or when cancellation penalties kick in for cruises or tours.

Buying travel insurance shortly after booking gives you immediate coverage for your nonrefundable travel expenses . While you don’t have to get travel insurance right at the booking process, earlier is better. Once you get travel insurance, you’re covered when a trip has to be canceled due to covered reasons. 

When you buy travel insurance at booking, you’ll maximize your coverage period for trip cancellation insurance. As long as your trip cancellation insurance is active, you’re covered if you need to cancel your travel due to a covered reason such as illness, injury, death of a family member, natural disaster, or job loss.

Also, your coverage options are usually better when you purchase travel insurance shortly after booking. Some travel insurance companies consider the 2 weeks after booking travel arrangements an advantage period and offer additional coverage or options during this period. 

For example, some travel insurance policies offer preexisting medical condition coverage if purchased shortly after booking. If you want preexisting medical condition coverage, you may need to purchase your travel insurance either before or within a day of your final trip payment. 

In an advantage period, insurance providers may also offer coverage for the financial default of travel suppliers and may allow you to add optional coverage such as cancellation insurance.

You also lock in pricing when you purchase travel insurance early. Your premium rate won’t increase if you’ve locked it in when you buy travel insurance. But rates could change if you wait until later to secure your travel insurance policy.

Coverage and maximum benefits aside, buying travel insurance when you book just makes sense so you don’t forget to buy it later.

Paying for a travel insurance policy at booking could strain your travel budget , as it adds another expense on top of the cost of your trip. It could be a lot to pay for at the same time as trip deposits. While you get the most value from your coverage when you buy it early, it could be easier on your budget if you wait and spread out the expense .

You’ll have to estimate the total trip cost you want to cover when you buy your travel insurance policy. If you’re not done booking everything before you buy travel insurance, you might estimate wrong. That means you could have too much or too little coverage for your actual travel costs.

When you buy travel insurance before your trip departure, you’re covered for cancellation due to covered reasons such as illness or injury before your trip, the death of a family member, job loss, or the airline or tour operator going out of business.

Timing varies between insurance companies, but you can generally get travel insurance up to 12 to 18 months prior to departure . On an annual plan, you can get 12 months of coverage before you need to renew.

You can buy travel insurance before you’ve made your final payment. Even if you’ve only made a deposit, you can enter the total trip costs when you get your travel insurance policy.

Generally, you can purchase travel insurance up to the day before your departure date, though some policies are available post-departure. When you purchase your coverage that close to departure, you generally can’t use your trip cancellation benefit. And you probably won’t be eligible for preexisting condition coverage or Cancel for Any Reason coverage . But you’ll still have the advantage of other coverages such as trip interruption and emergency medical benefits. 

It’s fine if you need to pick up travel insurance for last-minute bookings . You generally won’t pay more compared to paying weeks earlier, but you may miss out on coverage features.

Some travel insurance companies allow you to buy a policy after departure. However, your coverage will be subject to waiting periods, conditions, and restrictions. For example, you generally have to wait up to 24 hours for your plan’s trip cancellation and interruption benefits to become active.

Travel insurance is available with many credit cards, but it’s generally less comprehensive than a travel insurance policy. When you consider whether your credit card travel insurance benefit is adequate for your trip, check the coverage limits, what’s covered, and how long it’s covered.

You might not need a standalone travel insurance policy if you’re traveling domestically, have health insurance coverage at your destination, and your major costs, such as air travel and hotel bookings, are flexible or refundable.

The timing of buying travel insurance can influence the value and coverage you get from your travel insurance policy. When you buy travel insurance early, ideally at booking or within 2 weeks of your first trip payment , you’ll get additional benefits such as maximizing your trip cancellation coverage period and access to Cancel for Any Reason coverage. Read our guide to find some of the cheapest travel insurance policies available.

Getting travel insurance closer to your trip departure — or even after departure — is still an option and will offer major travel insurance benefits, but you won’t get as much coverage as you could with an early travel insurance purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to buy travel insurance early or late.

It’s best to buy travel insurance as early as you can. The sooner you get travel insurance, the sooner your trip is covered, and you’ll likely be eligible for more benefits.

How far ahead should you get travel insurance?

You should get travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked travel. Generally, travel policies are available as early as 12 to 18 months before departure, but availability depends on the insurance company and policy.

Does travel insurance get more expensive closer to your trip departure date?

Don’t expect your travel insurance costs to increase or decrease as you get closer to your trip departure date. The cost of travel insurance generally stays the same no matter when you buy it, though the value differs because the later you book, the less value you’ll get.

Does it matter when I buy travel insurance?

The timing of buying travel insurance matters because the earlier you buy your coverage, the earlier your trip is protected. This early trip protection is especially important concerning trip cancellation, which reimburses your prepaid nonrefundable trip costs if you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason.

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About Jessica Merritt

A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little cash as possible.

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With Flight Cancellations on the Rise, Is Travel Insurance Worth the Cost?

Flight prices are trending down, but the airline industry continues to be challenged by flight cancellations.

Travel insurance and trip protection plans can protect travelers from unexpected cancelations, but the two options are very different. 

While the cost of airfare slightly declined last month, falling by 1.8% in June , it's still more expensive to travel right now than it was one year ago. Considering the uptick in plane ticket prices, an increase in flight cancellations due to labor shortages and a new, possibly more contagious, COVID variant floating around, should you purchase travel insurance to protect the cost of your trip?

Since many of the factors causing travel disruptions are out of your control, travel insurance is worth considering. A travel insurance policy can provide protection against unforeseen circumstances that throw a wrench in your travel plans, while also offering peace of mind during uncertain times.

Travel insurance, which is a regulated product underwritten by an insurance company that provides financial and medical coverage and reimbursement, is not the same as trip protection or credit card travel insurance. Trip protection is less comprehensive and less expensive -- and it generally only offers to waive a fee or to give you a credit for canceling your trip. 

If you're  traveling this summer , we'll walk you through what travel insurance actually covers, how it differs from trip protection and how much it costs, so you can decide if it's worth adding on to your summer trip. 

Read more:   Best Travel Credit Cards

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a major type of insurance policy overseen by state insurance regulators. By purchasing a travel insurance plan, you could be reimbursed for losses that may arise while you travel. Covered incidents can range from unexpected inconveniences such as delayed baggage, to major interruptions such as illness or injury. 

As always, check with official sources regarding visa and travel requirements to your specific destination, since you don't want to be caught off-guard. If you want to take a trip to Cuba, for instance, you may be surprised to find you need non-US medical insurance, according to the  Department of State . A trip insurance policy will cover this requirement.

What does travel insurance actually cover?

The typical travel insurance policy consists of two elements: trip cancellation services and health costs. 

Trip cancellation

If you're unable to travel due to an unforeseen event, travel insurance will reimburse you for the nonrefundable upfront costs, like flights and hotel reservations that otherwise can't be refunded. Unforeseeable events typically include things you have no control over that prevent you from traveling, such as inclement weather, an injury or a sickness -- which now includes COVID-related illness in most (but not all) cases. 

This wasn't on offer when COVID-19 shutdowns began in 2020. "[The public] was nervous because most insurance policies had pandemic exclusions," said Michael Giusti, an analyst at Insurance Quotes . "But the travel industry pivoted toward the consumer and included COVID under the policies. And so, if you get sick with COVID and can't travel, they'll cover your expenses."

Unforeseen events caused by preexisting conditions are even covered. For instance, if you have asthma and experience an attack, that still counts as an unforeseen event, according to Giusti. Foreseen events, such as traveling during your eight month of pregnancy, are not covered.

Government mandates that may come into effect while you're traveling aren't necessarily covered either, Giusti said. This means that, if you can't get on a flight because of a new mandate, you may not be covered by your policy. And fear of travel is also not covered -- so if you're afraid to travel due to concerns of contracting COVID, your travel insurance policy won't reimburse your trip.

Health expenses

The second portion of the typical travel insurance policy covers health costs if you're outside of your home insurance network while traveling. This often includes doctor's visits for smaller illnesses, say, a stomach bug, as well as emergency services, including medical evacuations. Your travel insurance company will pick up the tab for whatever your health insurer won't cover (depending on your plan and deductible). Read the fine print to ensure this is included in your plan.

Read more on travel

• Flight Delays and Lost Luggage: How to Get Reimbursed for Terrifying Travel Nightmares
• 9 Travel Hacks to Avoid Headaches

What about trip protection? How is it different? 

While travel insurance can offer financial coverage for rental damages, lost luggage, flight delays, medical bills and ticket cancellation, trip protection usually only lets you change, cancel or refund a trip purchase (such as a flight or hotel). You'll often find airlines offering the option to purchase trip protection when you purchase a ticket online, which can help you recoup your money or offer you a travel credit if you have to cancel a flight.

Trip protection, also called travel protection, is not offered by hotels but can be purchased when booking a cruise. Footing the bill for cruise line trip protection is generally not recommended though, since the coverage is extremely limited when you dig into the fine print, according to Benét J. Wilson, a senior editor for The Points Guy .

Premium credit cards may also offer coverage for some travel expenses as a cardmember perk. This coverage is usually labeled as travel insurance, but offers a modicum of what you would typically get when purchasing through an insurance agency. What's covered depends on the card, but typically, you're looking at coverage for emergency evacuation, death, loss of eyesight or losing limbs, according to Wilson.

To make sure you're purchasing a true travel insurance policy, don't just look for the word "insurance" -- make sure to look for a well-known travel insurance brand that works with a travel insurance underwriter, like Allianz Travel Insurance. Additionally, you can make sure the company you're purchasing from is listed on  AM Best and the US Travel Insurance Association  before buying.

How much does travel insurance cost?

The amount you'll pay for trip insurance depends on a few factors:

• Cost of your trip
• Trip destination
• Duration of trip
• Your coverage selections (flights and hotels, prepaid excursions, etc.)

That said, a good rule of thumb when budgeting for travel insurance is 5 to 10% of the overall trip cost, according to Giusti.

Abnormal times call for abnormal measures, which might include insuring your travel. 

What is cancel-for-any-reason insurance?

Cancel-for-any-reason insurance, or CFAR, does exactly what its name promises: It lets you cancel for any reason and receive reimbursement, going beyond the bounds of typical travel insurance. However, not only are these policies more expensive, they also typically don't cover 100% of your costs in the event of cancellation. And you need to purchase this insurance soon after you book your travel. 

"As soon as you put your deposits down for your trip, the clock starts ticking," Giusti said. "So, you have to buy that insurance policy in the set amount of time. They don't want you buying the policy six months later when you're about to take the trip and you hear about a new COVID variant."

"CFAR can reimburse up to 75% of the traveler's trip cost in the event they need to cancel for a reason otherwise not covered by their policy," said Megan Moncrief, chief marketing officer at SquareMouth.com , a travel insurance quoting and comparison engine. "It costs an additional 40 to 50% premium, and is only eligible within 21 days of the first booking toward the trip."

Do all travel insurance companies cover COVID-related claims?

While most travel insurance carriers generally pivoted into covering COVID-related cancellations, not all did. Moreover, while most plans offer COVID-related protections, they'll only cover you if you're sick, not if you're apprehensive about traveling because of an outbreak. 

Coverage amounts vary by policy, and they can range anywhere from $50,000 to $1 million in coverage per traveler, according to Moncrief. SquareMouth.com suggests looking for a policy with at least $50,000 in medical coverage and $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage.

If you're specifically concerned about contracting COVID, or if you're at high risk and concerned about hospitalization expenses, you may want to consider policies with higher medical benefits. Some companies offer plans for $500,000 of COVID medical coverage per person and reimburse 100% of trip costs for COVID-related illness cancellations. These companies include:

• HTH Worldwide
• USI Affinity

It's important to talk to the insurance provider and read the fine print if you have any questions about your coverage. 

Does travel insurance cover quarantine costs?

Here's where it gets tricky. Say you're on a trip to London and you contract COVID right before your outbound flight, and now you have to quarantine until you test negative. You'll suddenly need extra cash for lodging, meals and, potentially, medical attention while you're away from home. 

Will travel insurance cover these costs? It depends. "This is going to be policy by policy," Giusti said. Some plans may have additional coverage for hotel stays and airfare in the event you have to quarantine. That said, the plank may not cover the entirety of the quarantine, just a portion of it. You'll want to look at the Travel Delay or Trip Interruption benefits of your plan to see if quarantine interruptions are included.

"Most policies extend seven days beyond the scheduled return date, although some policies may extend for longer," Moncrief said. The travel delay benefit can shift between a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand dollars in coverage. At the highest end is a max payout of $2,000 per traveler, which breaks down to about $150 to $250 per day. 

If quarantine is included under your Trip Interruption benefit, your plan may also provide reimbursement for missed prepaid portions of your trip, including excursions.

We reached out to travel insurance carriers to see their offerings, but did not receive an immediate response. We'll keep this article updated as we receive new information. 

Should you purchase travel insurance?

It depends. If you've put down deposits for your trip, especially for all-expenses-paid trips like cruises, it may be worth purchasing travel insurance. If something happens, you risk losing all the money you've deposited, and travel insurance would bar that risk. 

On the other hand, if you're just flying to visit your family, and you aren't paying for lodging, it may not make sense to purchase travel insurance, especially if the airline offers a straightforward cancellation policy. But if you're worried about having to cancel your trip from contracting COVID, then opting for travel insurance with broad coverage can provide peace of mind.

For more, check out CNET recommendations for the best airline credit cards , tips for safe travel in 2022 and how to make travel more affordable despite the rising cost of flights.

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When to Buy Travel Insurance and Assistance Services: Timing is Everything

Read below for more about timing your travel protection purchase.

Jump to these sections:

• When should I buy travel protection?

Can you buy travel protection after booking a flight? 

• Last minute travel protection
• Top reasons to buy early

During the complications of trip planning and booking, the last thing you should have to worry about is when to buy travel insurance and assistance services for the trip. We’ll help you answer that question, so you can focus on having a great trip.

In this post, we break down the best time to buy travel protection and when it's possible to get a plan, including buying last minute and details on when you should buy in order to qualify for coverage for  pre-existing medical conditions  and  Trip Cancellation for Any Reason .

Some coverages and features of  our travel protection plans  include time sensitive factors that are important to understand in order to get the most out of what you pay for. At Generali Global Assistance, we try to make our plans  easy to understand . 

Imagine.... you set up your trip way in advance, paid for it all and even  shopped around for travel protection . You didn't buy a plan right away, thinking you had plenty of time before you leave. But, when you get around to making the purchase to help protect your trip, you realize it's too late to qualify for coverage for your pre-existing medical condition! You can avoid this kind of situation by considering a key factor—timing when to buy travel insurance and assistance services.

When is the best time to buy travel protection?

We suggest you  buy a travel protection plan  when you make your first trip payment, like airfare or a cruise. That way you maximize your coverage period in case you need to cancel your trip.

For  cruises  and tours, it may not be an issue until cancellation penalties start to kick in. That could be at six months prior to departure.

Later on, you can  add coverage to the same plan  for your hotel, tours and other pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs. It’s best to contact us to add coverage as soon as possible after you make new trip payments to be sure you have coverage for your full trip cost.

When can you buy travel insurance and assistance services?

Generali Global Assistance travel protection plans can be purchased  online up to 18 months before the trip departure date and up until the day prior to departure.

Often travelers will pay for a trip in installments, and they wonder when they can buy travel protection, since they haven't paid fully yet. Rest assured—you can. When getting a quote, simply enter the total  trip costs  that you will be paying and you can modify the plan if those costs change, as long as you have not left on your trip, filed a claim or incurred any losses.

When is it too late to buy travel insurance and assistance services?

You are not able to buy a Generali Global Assistance travel protection plan on the day you are leaving on your trip or once you are on your trip. At 12 a.m. the day you depart for your trip it becomes too late to buy travel protection.   

Yes, you can buy travel protection once you've booked your flight. In fact, you should wait to buy it until you book your flight and know the ticket price.

Generali Global Assistance travel insurance  can be purchased  up to 18 months before the trip departure date and up until the day prior to departure.

Often times travelers will pay for a trip in installments, and they wonder when they can buy travel insurance, since they haven't paid fully yet. Rest assured—you can. When getting a quote, simply enter the total  trip costs that you will be paying and you can modify the plan if those costs change, as long as you have not left on your trip or incurred any losses.

When is it too late to buy travel insurance?

You cannot buy a Generali travel insurance plan on the day you are leaving on your trip or once you are on your trip. At 12 a.m. the day you depart for your trip it becomes too late to buy travel insurance.

Can you buy travel insurance after booking a flight? 

Yes, you can buy travel insurance once you've booked your flight. In fact, you should wait to buy travel insurance until you book your flight and know the ticket price.

Also read: •  How Travel Insurance Can Help When You Fly •  What to do if Your Flight is Canceled: Tips to Work with Airlines & Travel Insurance •  Reasons to Get Air Travel Insurance

Last Minute Travel Protection

Procrastinators are welcome here. While we don't suggest waiting too long before insuring your trip, you can get a last minute travel protection plan from Generali Global Assistance. The last chance for you to buy a plan from us is the day before you leave on your insured trip. Sorry—you won't be able to buy a plan at the airport as you're leaving, when you leave your home or once you arrive at your destination.

Trip Cancellation coverage starts the day after purchase at 12:01 a.m. We'll email your plan confirmation, so you'll have all of the information you need when you leave in case you need to  contact us  for assistance on your trip. 

One downside to buying last minute travel protection is that certain coverages are dependent on when you buy your plan and may not be available if you buy last minute. Read the next section for more details.

Learn more about travel protection: •  What is Travel Insurance? •  How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost? •  Top 5 Reasons to Get Travel Insurance

Top Reasons to Buy Early

Trip cancellation.

Life is unpredictable, so it makes sense to be covered for as much time as possible before you start traveling. All sorts of things can throw a wrench into your travel plans after you've paid for the trip, forcing you to cancel. Why wait to insure your trip until the week before you leave?

When travelers can’t go on their trip due to a covered reason,  Trip Cancellation  coverage pays for forfeited, pre-paid, non-refundable travel arrangements. Travelers can get maximum coverage for Trip Cancellation if they purchase their plan as soon as they make their first trip payment, like airfare. 

If you're interested in Trip Cancellation for Any Reason*, an available add-on coverage with our Premium Plan, don't wait to insure your trip. Your plan must be purchased within 24 hours of the initial deposit for your trip in order to qualify for the coverage.  Learn more about Trip Cancellation for Any Reason  and other requirements that must be met.

Also read:  Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance—Is it Really that Simple?

Pre-Existing Conditions

Some travelers may need to look for plans that offer coverage for  pre-existing medical conditions  when they insure their trip, and it’s important to understand the purchase window to qualify for that feature. If you don't buy a plan during the right timeframe, you might not be covered for Trip Cancellation, Medical and Dental and other claims related to that pre-existing condition.

Coverage for pre-existing conditions is included with our  Premium Plan , but coverage must be bought prior to or within 24 hours of the final trip payment, travelers must be medically able to travel at the time the coverage is purchased and they must insure 100% of their pre-paid trip costs that would be subject to cancellation penalties or restrictions. Coverage for pre-existing conditions isn’t available with all our plans.

An important advantage offered by our plans is that the exclusion for pre-existing conditions does not apply to non-traveling family members. In other words, if a family member who is not traveling with you has a pre-existing medical condition, and you must cancel your trip because their illness unexpectedly arises, you can still be covered.

Also read:  Pre-Existing Conditions and Travel Insurance—5 Things Most People Get Wrong

Travel Protection Review Period

Another reason to buy travel protection soon after booking is how easy it is to get a refund of the plan cost if you review the details and decide it’s not right for you.

Travelers who have bought a plan but wish to cancel it and receive a full refund of their plan cost, may do so within a designated number of days from the date of purchase as long as they haven’t left for their trip or filed a claim. This is referred to as a  “free look” period  and is available with all Generali Global Assistance travel protection plans.

While the timeframe for the free look period varies from state to state, it is generally 10 days from purchase. Travelers should refer to their  Plan Documents  to determine the number of free look period days available in their state of residence.

When you’re ready to buy, what do you do first?

The first step to get travel protection is to give us some information about your trip so you can compare plans and prices. It’s easy and you can jump right into it at our Get a Quote page . We’ll take you through the step-by-step process of choosing and buying a plan and if you need more guidance you can follow our How to Buy Travel Protection Guide .

Other Timing FAQs

The Trip Cancellation coverage included with your plan goes into effect the day after you purchase travel protection at 12:01 a.m. Coverage ends on your scheduled departure date and once you begin your trip, you can no longer be reimbursed for Trip Cancellation.

As soon as you depart, the other coverages in your plan become effective, including Medical and Dental, Trip Interruption, Travel Delay, Emergency Assistance and Transportation, Baggage  and more . Those coverages end as soon as one of these occurs: You return from your trip, the trip is completed, your scheduled return date arrives (unless you qualify for  extension of coverage ), or your arrival at the destination on a one-way trip.

Once you’re home, you can continue to claim for covered Medical and Dental costs that occur within one year from the date of your Sickness or Injury that occurred during your trip.

A variety of  Travel Services  are included with your plan. Concierge Services are available to use as soon as you purchase your plan and end when you return. Travel Support Services can be used during your trip. ID Theft Resolution Services are also available for a full 180 days starting on the scheduled departure date.

If you buy travel protection after a storm is named, your plan will not provide coverage for storm-related claims.  See our Storm Coverage Alerts  for more information.

We suggest you buy travel protection when you make your first trip payment, like airfare or a cruise. That way you have a long coverage period in case you need to cancel your trip, and if you need to file a claim related to a storm, you will have bought the plan well before the storm was forecasted.

Generali travel protection plans can be purchased online up to 18 months before the trip departure date and up until the day prior to departure.

Learn more: How does travel insurance work?

No surprise, the best time to buy travel protection is usually as early as possible, just in case you need to cancel your trip. But, no matter when you decide to help protect your trip, travelers should remember to  consider travel protection  from a reputable provider such as Generali Global Assistance.

If you have other  questions about travel insurance  and assistance services, we're here to help.

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Travel insurance: What you need to know

Travel insurance can cover everything from lost luggage to trip cancellations. Find out more about this protection and whether it’s right for you.

Chris Kissell is a Denver-based writer and editor with work featured on U.S. News & World Report, MSN Money, Fox Business, Forbes, Yahoo Finance, Money Talks News and more.

Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance expert with four years of direct agency experience and over a decade of creating educational content to help insurance shoppers make confident, informed decisions.

At Insurance.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards . Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry.

Travel is expensive, with airfare costs higher since the pandemic, even as everyone wants to get out of town. Travel insurance offers financial protection in the event that something goes wrong with a non-refundable trip.

Travel insurance is available in many tiers and coverage levels. One policy may limit emergency coverage, while another protects against trip cancellations. So, it’s important to understand what these policies cover and how they work before purchasing one. 

Key takeaways

• Travel insurance protects your financial investment in a trip and can cover many aspects, from lost luggage to medical emergencies and trip cancellations.
• There are different types of travel insurance available depending on your needs, including flight insurance, cruise insurance, international insurance and travel medical insurance.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage is the most comprehensive type of travel insurance.
• Travel insurance does not cover everything, and precise coverage details vary from policy to policy.

What is travel insurance?

How much does travel insurance cost, what does travel insurance cover, what doesn’t travel insurance cover, types of travel insurance, travel insurance plans, how to get travel insurance, is travel insurance worth it.

Travel insurance protects the financial investment you make in a trip. Coverage varies from policy to policy but often includes things such as:

• Reimbursement for a lost or damaged suitcase
• Paying for care during a medical emergency
• Making you whole after a trip cancellation.

There are many other types of coverage available. For example, the Insurance Information Institute notes that you can purchase coverage that will reimburse you for lost travel loyalty plan points.

For this reason, it’s important to shop around to make sure you get the coverage you need at the best price.

The cost of travel insurance varies from provider to provider. The nature of your trip and the types of coverage you need will impact how much you will pay for travel insurance. Other factors will include your age, the number of people traveling with you, and the number of days you expect to be away. 

However, as a ballpark rule, you can expect to pay between 4% and 12% of your total trip cost for travel insurance. You may have free coverage available through your credit card but read the fine print. This type of coverage usually isn’t as comprehensive as what you would get from purchasing a separate travel insurance policy.

The coverage you get with travel insurance depends on the type of policy you purchase. A few of the most common policies include:

• Cancel for any reason (CFAR)
• Trip interruption
• Trip cancellation

CFAR coverage is the most comprehensive type of travel insurance. You may purchase this as an add-on benefit for your policy.

In most cases with CFAR coverage, as long as you cancel within a specified period before your trip, you will recoup most of the money you paid to that point.

For example, Progressive notes that those with CFAR coverage must cancel with their travel supplier within 48 to 72 hours before their trip, depending on the policy they purchase.

Travel insurance coverage for COVID

CFAR coverage can come in handy if you intend to plan a trip but fear a sudden cancellation due to a sudden change in COVID travel laws.

For example, if the virus flares up and you suddenly don’t feel comfortable traveling, CFAR coverage allows you to get your money back because the nature of the policy allows you to cancel “for any reason.”

However, many other travel insurance policies may not reimburse you for a trip interrupted or canceled due to COVID-19. Policies often have exclusions for “foreseeable events,” and many insurers now view COVID as included in this category.

For this reason, you must understand what a policy does and does not cover before you purchase it and book a trip.

Travel insurance has exclusions and exemptions.

Some things your travel insurance policy might not cover include:

• Reckless behavior or intentionally engaging in dangerous behavior, such as skydiving.
• Filing a medical coverage claim but having a pre-existing condition associated with the claim.
• Claims linked to foreseen events, such as a hurricane.
• Trip cancellations tied to being detained by customs or related to work obligations.
• Simply changing your mind about going on the trip.
• Canceling your trip due to bad weather.
• Epidemics and pandemics.

There are multiple types of travel insurance. The type you need depends on your travel plans and how much you are willing to risk. Many plans combine several of these coverage options.

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Trip cancellation coverage will typically reimburse you for canceling a trip as long as you do so before leaving on vacation and the reason for your cancellation is covered by the policy.

Trip interruption coverage is similar, but this coverage kicks in the day you leave on vacation and reimburses you if the trip is cut short for a reason covered under your policy. Typically, you would be reimbursed for any prepaid or nonrefundable expenses associated with the trip. 

Travel medical insurance

Travel medical insurance helps reimburse you for medical emergencies while traveling.

This type of coverage can be especially valuable if you travel overseas and your standard health insurance does not cover the medical provider in another country.

Baggage and personal belongings coverage

If your baggage or other items are stolen, lost or damaged, baggage and personal belongings coverage can help reimburse you for the loss. 

However, there may be a ceiling on how much coverage you receive, including a per-item limit that might not fully cover items such as costly jewelry. You might get better coverage by purchasing a floater or endorsement to cover the item as part of your homeowners' insurance policy.

Emergency assistance, medical evacuation and repatriation

Medical evacuation coverage helps reimburse expenses you incur when you need to be transported to a medical facility after a medical emergency.

Repatriation coverage helps reimburse the costs of transporting a traveler’s remains back home if the traveler dies while on vacation.

Accidental death and dismemberment

Accidental death and dismemberment travel insurance offers financial support should you die or become injured in specific ways due to an accident during travel.

For example, if you lose a limb or vision, this coverage can provide financial support.

If you die due to an accident, your benefit is paid to a beneficiary who can use the money for things such as funeral costs or medical expenses related to the accident. You might not need this coverage if you have a life insurance policy.

Rental car coverage

Some travel insurance policies may offer rental car coverage that covers damages to a rented vehicle.

However, it is important to note that your auto insurance policy might provide coverage when renting a car; however, this usually only applies in the U.S. and Canada. Check with your insurance company to find out.

Some credit cards also offer rental car coverage when you use the card to rent the vehicle. Make sure to check what your credit card covers.

Other travel insurance coverage

Other types of travel insurance coverage include:

• Flight insurance -- Some companies offer flight insurance, which provides  accidental death and dismemberment  insurance for injuries suffered during a flight. Flight insurance won’t help if your flight gets canceled or an airline loses your luggage. You’ll find that in a general travel insurance policy.
• Cruise insurance -- This coverage helps you with cruise cancellations or if you miss the ship before it leaves. Cruise insurance can also assist if you become ill on a cruise.
• International insurance -- Traveling internationally can be exciting, but you also lose some insurance protections from home. International insurance covers people who travel outside of the country. This insurance can include trip cancellation, medical emergencies and lost and damaged property coverage, among other things. International insurance can be especially vital to people who plan to spend months in another country.

When choosing travel insurance, selecting the plan that makes the most sense for your situation is important.

Options may include:

• Single-trip travel insurance. This policy will cover you throughout a single trip, even if it involves visiting multiple places.
• Multi-trip travel insurance. For this policy, you make a single purchase that provides coverage throughout the year. This type of policy can be a good option for those who make multiple trips in a year.

Many companies specialize in selling travel insurance. Some examples include:

• Allianz Global Assistance
• USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
• Travelex Insurance Services

It is also possible to buy travel insurance through major insurance providers such as Progressive, John Hancock and AAA.

Some credit card companies might offer travel insurance to cardholders, although the coverage is unlikely to be as robust as what you would get through a separate travel insurance policy.

Finally, some businesses offer travel insurance coverage to employees when they travel as part of their job. This coverage might reimburse you for lost or stolen belongings, for example.

Only you can decide whether travel insurance is worth what you pay for it. Here are some factors to weigh when deciding whether or not to purchase this coverage.

What are the reasons you might need coverage? Think about what your risks might be when traveling. For example, would you be covered if you needed medical coverage when traveling internationally? Could you afford to take the financial loss if your trip was suddenly canceled? Will you take valuable items with you when traveling?

Do you already have coverage from other providers? Some credit cards might offer a comprehensive travel protection plan. Or perhaps your current  health insurance plan will cover you for treatment where you will be traveling. Maybe you are traveling for work and your employer will provide insurance protection.

Other insurance policies you currently carry – such as homeowners insurance, health insurance or life insurance – might provide the coverage you need without adding a separate travel insurance policy.

All of these types of coverage can save you money on travel insurance. You might not need additional coverage at all, or you might be able to purchase a plan with reduced coverage at a lower price.

How often do you travel? If you are a homebody who rarely travels – and only drives to a neighboring state to see family when you do – you might not need travel insurance.

However, true road warriors may find a travel insurance policy a worthwhile investment.

• Doi.gov. " Travel Insurance and Coronavirus " Accessed February 2023
• CoverTrip. " What Travel Insurance Does Not Cover " Accessed February 2023
• DISB. " Information About Travel Insurance " Accessed February 2023

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Factors Influencing the Cost of Travel Insurance

Cheapest travel insurance by company, how to save money on travel insurance.

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How to Get the Cheapest Travel Insurance

Learn how to make travel insurance affordable.

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Traveling is often expensive and comes with risks you don’t face at home. If you end up getting hurt, losing your luggage, or getting stuck overnight in the airport, the costs can add up quickly. 

Travel insurance offers a way to protect yourself from unexpected travel costs. It covers or reimburses a wide range of expenses so you don’t have to worry too much about the financial fallout of traveling mishaps. And, the good news is, it can be cheap!

Here’s a closer look at how to get the cheapest travel insurance and what else to consider when picking a policy.

As you shop around for travel insurance, you’ll find some of the best travel insurers have a range of policies and price points that include different levels of coverage types and amounts. Here’s a closer look at the common coverage types and how they work. 

Medical Coverage

A prominent feature of travel insurance is medical coverage that kicks in if you get hurt or sick while traveling. It can cover you up to a max limit that often ranges from $50,000 up to $5 million or more. 

Typically, the emergency accident and sickness coverage comes with a deductible and may also have a copay amount and coinsurance percentage . Insurers cover eligible costs after you pay your deductible and they subtract any copay or coinsurance you pay. 

After you pay your deductible, some travel insurance plans cover 100% of approved medical expenses up to your maximum limit.

Emergency Dental

Emergency dental can help to cover the costs of dental care while traveling. Providers will often outline maximum limits, the type of care that’s covered, and specific situations in which it’s covered. 

For example, Seven Corners’ basic plan includes $750 of coverage for emergency treatment if sound natural teeth are causing pain.  

Trip Cancellation, Delay, or Interruption

Some insurers offer trip cancellation, travel delay, and trip interruption coverage. Each of these coverage types typically stands alone and comes with its own respective maximum limit. 

• Trip cancellation: If you need to cancel a trip because of a covered event and can’t get a refund, this coverage can help you recoup your costs. Covered events may include situations such as you or a family member getting sick, injured, or dying before the trip. 
• Travel delay coverage: If you happen to encounter travel delays that result in the need to pay for reasonable expenses like accommodations and extra meals, travel delay coverage can help to reimburse you for the costs. Restrictions may apply, such as requiring you to be abroad or requiring a minimum delay length of 10 hours.  
• Trip interruption coverage: If you need to end a trip early due to extenuating circumstances (death of a family member, serious damage to your home, etc.), this coverage reimburses you for certain costs you’ll incur. For example, it may provide reimbursement if you have to book an earlier return flight.

Loss of Checked Baggage

Baggage and personal effects coverage reimburses you for lost baggage and personal items that you check with a common carrier. Insurers may provide limits per item and per occurrence. 

Baggage Delay

If your baggage ends up getting delayed, this coverage reimburses reasonable amounts you spend on additional clothing and other necessary personal items. It may also cover the cost of locating and retrieving your luggage. 

Insurers often set a maximum limit on the amount they’ll reimburse and may require your baggage to be lost for a minimum amount of time before you qualify (e.g. 24 hours).

Natural Disaster or Emergency Medical Evacuation 

Many insurers include coverage for emergency evacuations with maximums that are separate from your medical limits. However, companies vary in the amount that’s covered, the situations which warrant a covered evacuation (e.g. medical, non-medical, natural disaster), and who can be evacuated (e.g. policyholder, spouse, children). 

Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)

Accidental death and dismemberment coverage pays a benefit if you’re involved in an accident while on your trip that results in your death or the loss of one or more limbs. In the event of death, the insurer pays the plan’s benefit to your chosen beneficiary. Insurers will vary in the benefit amount they include for this coverage and their criteria for when a situation qualifies. 

Personal Liability 

If you are sued and found personally liable for injuries to another person or damage to another person’s property—due to an event that happened while on your trip—this coverage could help to cover the costs up to your plan’s limits. Insurers may or may not provide this coverage and will vary in their coverage limits. 

Adventure Activities

Many people participate in adventure activities while they’re on vacation. Adventure activities coverage is often an optional add-on that will ensure your medical coverage will still apply, even if you’re injured due to an adventurous activity like bungee jumping, riding a motor scooter, or parasailing. 

Which travel insurance is cheapest? Here’s a look at quotes from five reputable providers.

The above quotes are based on seven-day trips to Mexico and Canada. We chose the entry-level travel insurance plan for each provider and we requested $50,000 in medical coverage. Where a deductible option was present, we chose $250. Further, we requested quotes for 35- and 60-year-old travelers.

Beyond the medical maximum coverage limit, the insurers offered a variety of coverage types and amounts. For example, accidental death and dismemberment coverage varied from $10,000 up to $50,000 between the providers. Baggage delay, trip delay, trip interruption, and evacuation coverage varied. Some offered the above coverage types while others didn’t, and coverage amounts varied for those that did. So, when comparing travel insurance quotes, it’s essential to review what you get for the price. 

Compare the cheapest travel insurance quotes on SquareMouth .

If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, the best thing you can do is shop around. Most providers have a variety of plan tiers. So, figure out the minimum amount of coverage you need, and then browse the plan options to find the best overall value. Be sure to read the fine print. 

It may also be helpful to know that you can adjust your medical coverage and deductible amounts to impact your premium price. Lower coverage limits and higher deductibles will mean a lower premium. However, if you end up filing a claim, high deductibles and low coverage limits could put you in financial trouble.

In the end, if something happens, you might be able to save a significant amount by paying a few more dollars each month on your premium. 

If you’re going to live abroad, you’ll want to research best health insurance for expats instead of travel insurance because travel insurance isn’t designed for long-term coverage that extends beyond emergencies. 

What Is the Cheapest Travel Insurance and Who Offers It?

Of the insurers we compared, International Medical Group Inc. (IMG) offered the cheapest travel insurance plan for 35-year-olds while Trawick International offered the cheapest plan for 60-year-olds. However, most of the quotes were within a few dollars of each other, so it’s a good idea to shop around and compare more than just pricing. If you’re older than 60, check out the best travel insurance options for seniors .

Does Travel Insurance Cover 100% of the Trip?

Some travel insurance plans cover 100% (or more) of your trip costs in certain scenarios while others don’t. For example, Generali Global Assistance’s Standard plan covers up to 100% of a trip’s cost if you need to cancel and 125% if it’s interrupted. Seven Corners, on the other hand, lists a $2,500 max limit on trip interruption coverage for its basic plan. You’ll have to carefully review the benefits of the policies you’re considering to see if your trip costs are covered, how much is covered, and under what circumstances the coverage applies. 

How Much Does Travel Insurance Usually Cost?

The cost of travel insurance can vary greatly depending on your age, the company you choose, the coverage types you want, and the coverage amounts you need. Rates can start as low as $7 to $10 for 35-year-olds and around $27 for 60-year-olds, depending on the destination. Find out exactly how much it’ll cost you by getting quotes from a few of the best travel insurance companies of 2023 . 

Squaremouth. " Co-Insurance Coverage ."

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Generali Global Assistance. “ View Travel Insurance Plan Documents ,” Enter date "3/16/2023" and "California." View Page 8.

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• The average travel insurance premium this week is $292.04, about the same as last week.
• For travel in the United States, the average premium is $90 to $403.
• Travel insurance protects against delayed baggage, trip cancellation, and more.

The average cost of travel insurance fluctuates throughout the year, based on demand and whether or not school's in session. Also keep in mind that where you're traveling and how many people are taking the trip will affect your exact premium.

The average travel insurance premium this week is about the same compared to last week.

Travel insurance rates this week:

• Average premium: $292.04
• Average trip cost: $6,909.32
• Average trip length: 15 Days

Understanding Travel Insurance

Travel insurance plans can cover both domestic and international travel. It could protect against something as familiar as delayed baggage (experts estimate 85% of lost luggage is returned to its owner within 48 hours) or as complicated as trip cancellation.

The benefits and limitations of travel insurance vary based on the company and plan. Above all else, this insurance coverage offers peace of mind.

Some credit cards offer a limited amount of travel insurance annually. If you need clarification on what your credit card offers, contact your provider to verify. These plans are great for cancellations and interruptions but may not cover more costly losses associated with unexpected medical expenses or emergency evacuations.

Individual travel insurance plans include this and much more. Travel insurance protects travelers from the unexpected when away from home.

Average Cost of Travel Insurance by Destination

Some countries are naturally more expensive travel destinations due to higher flight and lodging costs, which could increase travel insurance costs. Travel insurance will generally cost 5% to 10% of your total trip price, according to SquareMouth.

Here's how the prices stack up:

Source: SquareMouth

How Far in Advance to Purchase Travel Insurance

According to an AAA travel survey , 88% of travelers say that reimbursement after a trip cancellation is the most valuable benefit of trip insurance.

According to data gathered by SquareMouth in the last six months, travelers tend to purchase trip cancellation travel insurance 53 days before their trip. Meanwhile, travelers without trip cancellation insurance will buy a policy approximately 16 days before their trip. Regardless of when you buy, cancellation protection can kick in to protect you against the unexpected.

Average Cost of Travel Insurance by Age

A traveler's age is a significant factor in determining the cost of travel insurance. The older a traveler is, the higher travel insurance premiums are. For instance, a senior traveler may need more insurance for health-related emergencies than a millennial.

When calculating your travel insurance premium, travel insurance providers consider the likelihood of a medical emergency.

Get your free travel insurance quote with SquareMouth »

Travel Insurance Rate Tips

How much does travel insurance typically cost.

Travel insurance rates through most providers fall between 4% and 8% of the total trip cost. Like the cost of flights, cruises, etc., rates may vary substantially based on the season, your original location, your destination, and other factors. This week, the average cost of a policy was close to $300.

How can I save money on travel insurance?

To save money on travel insurance, tailor your policy to your specific needs and avoid unnecessary extras. You should also shop around to compare quotes from multiple insurers. Opting for an annual plan if you're a frequent traveler, checking existing coverages from other insurance policies or credit card benefits, and choosing a policy with a higher deductible can significantly lower your premiums. Always read the fine print to understand your coverage fully, ensuring you don't pay for redundant or irrelevant features.

Where are the cheapest places to buy travel insurance?

To find affordable travel insurance, consider using online comparison websites like SquareMouth or InsureMyTrip to see rates from various providers. Other ways to save include purchasing directly from insurance companies, exploring package deals from travel agencies or airlines, utilizing included coverage from credit card benefits, and checking for discounts through membership organizations such as AAA or AARP.

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Here's who could be responsible for paying for the Baltimore bridge disaster

• The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after a container ship collided with it.
• Several entities could be on the hook to foot the bill in the aftermath of the disaster.
• The maritime insurance industry will likely be saddled with the highest costs. 

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed on Tuesday after a large container ship ran into it, leading to six presumed deaths and millions of dollars in possible damage.

It's still too early to estimate the total economic impact of the disaster, but between the cost of rebuilding the decades-old bridge, compensating the victims' families , and paying out damages for disruptions to the supply chain, the eventual cost of the disaster is expected to be significant.

Who will pay to rebuild the bridge?

President Joe Biden said on Tuesday the federal government should be responsible for paying to reconstruct the damaged Francis Scott Key Bridge.

"It is my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect Congress to support my effort," Biden said.

The bridge was built in the 1970s for about $60 million, but the cost of rebuilding it could be 10 times its original price tag, an engineering expert told Sky News. 

Baltimore is among the busiest ports in the nation , with more than a million shipping containers passing through each year. The collapse — which closed the port to all maritime and most road traffic until further notice — is already beginning to wreak havoc on the supply chain.

The cost of building the bridge back fast enough to offset diversions as much as possible could saddle the government with a more than $600 million bill, David MacKenzie, the chair of the engineering and architecture consultancy COWIfonden, told Sky News.

Who will pay for damages to the ship and its cargo?

The container ship, the Dali , is owned by a Singapore-based firm. The ship's charterer, Maersk, confirmed to Business Insider that vessel company Synergy Group operates the ship. 

However, the companies with cargo aboard the Dali could ultimately be responsible for some of the ship's damages and cargo costs, according to Ryan Petersen , the CEO of the supply-chain-logistics company Flexport, which had two containers on the ship.

Related stories

The Dali was carrying 330 containers that must now be rerouted, Petersen said in an X thread.

An ancient maritime law known as " general average " dictates that companies with even a single container aboard a ship split certain damages pro rata based on the number of containers they had on board, ensuring all the stakeholders benefiting from the voyage are splitting the risk, Petersen said.

General average situations can occur when a ship is stranded or when cargo is damaged or thrown overboard to save the vessel, according to Flexport . The concept helps ensure that all parties who have a vested interest in the vessel share the cost and concern of protecting it.

It's too soon to know whether damages incurred to free the Dali in the coming days will qualify as a case of general average.

Who will pay for everything else?

The majority of the financial fallout is likely to lay primarily with the insurance industry, according to media reports.

Industry experts told the Financial Times that insurers could pay out losses for bridge damage, port disruption, and any loss of life.

The collapse could drive "one of the largest claims ever to hit the marine (re)insurance market," John Miklus, the president of the American Institute of Marine Underwriters, told Insurance Business.

He told the outlet that the loss of revenue from tolls while the bridge is being rebuilt will be expensive, as will any liability claims from deaths or injuries.

The Dali is covered by the Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association Ltd., known as Britannia P&I Club, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.

In a statement to Business Insider, Britannia said it was "working closely with the ship manager and relevant authorities to establish the facts and to help ensure that this situation is dealt with quickly and professionally."

Britannia is one of 12 mutual insurers included in the International Group of P&I Clubs, which maintains more than $3 billion of reinsurance cover, sources familiar with the matter told Insurance Business.

Britannia itself is liable for the first $10 million in damages, both FT and Insurance Business reported. Whatever remains is dealt with by the wider mutual insurance group and Lloyd's of London, a reinsurance market in the UK, the FT reported.

Update: March 28, 2024 — This story has been updated to include additional information about general average and clarify that it is too soon to know whether general average will apply in the case of the Dali.

Watch: The container ship that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge has crashed before

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Total solar eclipse April 8, 2024 facts: Path, time and the best places to view

In the U.S., 31 million people already live inside the path of totality.

Scroll down to see the list of U.S. cities where the April 8 total solar eclipse will be visible, the duration of the eclipse in those locations and what time totality will begin, according to GreatAmericanEclipse.com .

"Eclipse Across America," will air live Monday, April 8, beginning at 2 p.m. ET on ABC, ABC News Live, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Disney+ and Hulu as well as network social media platforms.

On April 8, 2024, a historic total solar eclipse will cast a shadow over parts of the United States, prompting a mass travel event to the path of totality -- from Texas to Maine and several states and cities in between.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth and, for a short time, completely blocks the face of the sun, according to NASA .

The track of the moon's shadow across Earth's surface is called the path of totality, and to witness the April 8 total solar eclipse, viewers must be within the 115-mile-wide path. To discover when to see the solar eclipse in totality or the partial eclipse in locations across the U.S. outside of the path, check out NASA's Eclipse Explorer tool .

Eclipse travel

In the U.S., 31 million people already live inside the path of totality, bringing the celestial phenomenon to their doorsteps, Michael Zeiler, expert solar eclipse cartographer at GreatAmericanEclipse.com told ABC News.

MORE: Eclipse glasses: What to know to keep your eyes safe

But for individuals outside of the path, investing time and money are needed to experience the event in totality.

Eclipse chasers, or umbraphiles, are individuals who will do almost anything, and travel almost anywhere, to see totality, according to the American Astronomical Society .

"There's a very active community of solar eclipse chasers and we will go to any reasonable lengths to see solar eclipses anywhere in the world," Zeiler said. "All of us are united in pursuing the unimaginable beauty of a total solar eclipse."

MORE: The surprising reason why a Texas county issued a disaster declaration ahead of April total solar eclipse

Bringing together both eclipse experts and novice sky watchers, the total solar eclipse on April 8 is projected to be the U.S.'s largest mass travel event in 2024, according to Zeiler, who likened it to "50 simultaneous Super Bowls across the nation."

"When you look at the number of people expected to come to the path of totality for the solar eclipse, we estimate those numbers are roughly the equivalent of 50 simultaneous Super Bowls across the nation, from Texas to Maine," he said.

Eclipse map, path of totality

In the U.S., the path of totality begins in Texas and will travel through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse, according to NASA.

Best times, places to view eclipse

Below is a list of some American cities where the April 8 total solar eclipse will be most visible -- pending weather forecasts -- the duration of the eclipse in those locations and what time totality will begin, according to GreatAmericanEclipse.com.

• Eagle Pass, Texas, 1:27 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 23 seconds
• Uvalde, Texas, 1:29 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 16 seconds
• Kerrville, Texas, 1:32 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 23 seconds
• Austin, Texas, 1:36 p.m. CDT: 1 minute, 53 seconds
• Killeen, Texas, 1:36 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 17 seconds
• Fort Worth, Texas, 1:40 p.m. CDT: 2 minutes, 34 seconds
• Dallas, Texas, 1:40 p.m. CDT: 3 minutes, 47 seconds
• Little Rock, Arkansas, 1:51 p.m. CDT: 2 minutes, 33 seconds
• Jonesboro, Arkansas, 1:55 p.m. CDT: 2 minutes, 24 seconds
• Poplar Bluff, Arkansas, 1:56 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 8 seconds
• Cape Girardeau, Missouri, 1:58 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 6 seconds
• Carbondale, Illinois, 1:59 p.m. CDT: 4 minutes, 8 seconds
• Mount Vernon, Illinois, 2:00 p.m. CDT: 3 minutes, 40 seconds
• Evansville, Indiana, 2:02 p.m. CDT: 3 minutes, 2 seconds
• Terre Haute, Indiana, 3:04 p.m. EDT: 2 minutes, 57 seconds
• Indianapolis, Indiana, 3:06 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 46 seconds
• Dayton, Ohio, 3:09 p.m. EDT: 2 minutes, 46 seconds
• Wapakoneta, Ohio, 3:09 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 55 seconds
• Toledo, Ohio, 3:12 p.m. EDT: 1 minute, 54 seconds
• Cleveland, Ohio, 3:13 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 50 seconds

Pennsylvania

• Erie, Pennsylvania, 3:16 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 43 seconds
• Buffalo, New York, 3:18 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 45 seconds
• Rochester, New York, 3:20 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 40 seconds
• Syracuse, New York, 3:23 p.m. EDT: 1 minute, 26 seconds
• Burlington, Vermont, 3:26 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 14 seconds
• Island Falls, Maine, 3:31 p.m. EDT: 3 minutes, 20 seconds
• Presque Island, Maine, 3:32 p.m. EDT: 2 minutes, 47 seconds

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