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What is Travel Abandonment?

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The day has come and you’re finally off on holiday. Your flight is delayed, and you’re left waiting for news, staring at the departure board, tired and frustrated – not the best start to your trip.

One of the biggest worries when you’re going on holiday are travel delays. But what if you’re left waiting so long because of a delay that you just want to abandon your travel plans?

What does travel abandonment cover me for?

If you decide to no longer go on your trip because of a delay and you are not offered any alternative transport within 24-hour time frame, travel abandonment will cover you if you want to cancel your trip.

Travel Abandonment cover will vary depending on your travel insurance provider so, make sure you check the policy wording before purchasing. Also bear in mind, this cover will only be available if you choose to abandon your travel plans whilst you are still the UK.

If alternative transport is offered within the time frame stated in your policy wording (usually 24hrs) and you still choose to abandon your travel plans, you may not be compensated.

It is important to note if the reason for you delay was foreseen or you didn’t check in/arrive at your boarding gate when instructed by the transport provider, be it airline, train line or ferry, then you also may not be covered under travel abandonment.

Do I need travel abandonment on my travel insurance policy?

When purchasing travel insurance, it’s better to be safe than sorry. This way you are not at risk of being left out of pocket, should you need to make a claim.

Depending on the policy you buy, the cover level for travel abandonment will vary, therefore it’s important that you read through the policy wording (don’t skim it) to ensure you are buying a policy that is best for you.

Is travel abandonment covered as standard under my policy?

Not all travel insurance policies will cover for travel abandonment as standard. If you would cover for this, then you should speak to your travel insurance provider or check the policy wording carefully before buying.

Keep in mind that your travel insurance policy is there to help you get back to the same financial position you were in before the event took place. Therefore, if your transport is delayed but you are offered alternative transport within the time frame (usually 24 or 12 hours) you may not be eligible to make a claim under your travel insurance.

It may also be worth opting for no excess if you want cover for travel abandonment. The policies tend to be a little bit more expensive but, you’ll be relieved you spent extra should you need to claim.

How does travel abandonment work when making a claim?

If you choose to abandon your plans, then you can claim back through your travel insurance.

To submit a claim, you will need to fill out a claims form, which should be on the insurer’s website, or you can call your provider for further instruction. This differs depending on your insurer, so check their ‘contact us’ or ‘claim information’ page.

Bear in mind that your travel insurer will only pay up to the limit of the policy, if your flight cost £700 but your cover limit is £500, then you would be at a £200 loss. So, make sure you are happy with these limits before purchasing your policy.

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Table of Contents

What travel insurance covers

How much does travel insurance cost, types of travel insurance, how to get travel insurance, what to look for in travel insurance, best travel insurance comparison sites, which insurance company is best for travel insurance, when to skip travel insurance, travel insurance, recapped.

Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, emergencies, trip interruptions, baggage, rental cars and more.

Cost is affected by trip length, pre-existing medical conditions, depth of coverage, your age and add-ons.

You can get it through credit cards or third-party companies, & can shop on travel insurance comparison sites.

Before buying, evaluate risks, know existing coverage, obtain quotes online and review policy details warily.

Skip it if you buy flexible airfare and hotels, already have coverage or only book refundable activities.

Booking travel always carries some degree of uncertainty. Travel insurance provides a safety net so you can step out with confidence. You may not need travel insurance for inexpensive trips, but it can provide a sense of security when you prepay for pricey reservations, a big international trip or travel during cold and flu season, which can be unpredictable.

According to insurance comparison site Squaremouth, travelers in 2023 spent an average of $403 for comprehensive coverage, compared to $96 for medical-only policies. Comprehensive plans typically cost between 5% and 10% of the insured trip cost.

Since that price tag is no small amount, it helps to know how to shop smart for travel insurance. Here's how to find the right travel insurance plan for you and your next adventure.

Depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for, the chart below will help you determine what to look for when selecting a policy:

Depending on the policy, travel insurance reimburses you or offers services when something goes awry. There’s even coverage for the worst-case scenario: if you die in an accident while traveling. Accidental death coverage pays your beneficiary a lump sum in that case.

Before you buy, take a little time to get familiar with different types of travel insurance products, how it’s priced, and what it covers and excludes. If you’re traveling during these uncertain times, you’ll want to make sure that the policy you select covers coronavirus-related emergencies. Usually, the more thorough the coverage, the more it will cost.

Travel insurance costs vary depending on:

Length and cost of the trip: The longer and more expensive the trip, the higher the policy cost.

Cost of local health care: High health-care costs in your destination can drive up the price of trip insurance.

Medical conditions you want covered: Conditions you already have will increase the cost of travel insurance coverage.

Amount and breadth of coverage: The more risks a policy covers, the more it will cost.

Your age: Generally the older you are, the higher the price.

Any optional supplement you add to your policy : Cancel For Any Reason , Interrupt For Any Reason and more.

Keep these factors in mind when considering different travel insurance options.

You’ll find a wide selection of travel protection plans when you shop for a policy.

Typically, travel insurance is sold as a package, known as a comprehensive plan, which includes a variety of coverage.

Here are seven of the most common types of travel insurance:

Travel medical insurance

These plans provide health insurance while you’re away from home. Although in some ways these policies work like traditional health plans, generally you cannot use travel health insurance for routine medical events. For example, a routine medical checkup is usually not covered. In addition, these policies often include limitations on coverage and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Although most travel insurance plans cover many recreational activities, such as skiing and horseback riding, they often exclude adventure sports, such as skydiving or parasailing, or competition in organized sporting events. You may need to buy a special travel policy designed for adventure or competitive sports.

International travel insurance

Most likely, your U.S.-based medical insurance will not work while you’re traveling internationally, and Medicare does not provide any coverage once you leave the United States outside of a few very specific exemptions. If you plan on traveling abroad, purchasing travel medical insurance could make a lot of sense.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: Emergency coverage while you travel internationally

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay

Trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if the tour operator goes out of business or you have to cancel the trip for one of the covered reasons outlined in the policy, such as:

Your own illness.

The illness or death of a family member who’s not traveling with you.

Natural disasters.

Trip interruption insurance covers the nonrefundable cost of the unused portion of the trip if it is interrupted due to a reason outlined in the policy.

Trip delay coverage reimburses you for expenses such as lodging and meals if you’re delayed during a trip (e.g., your flight gets canceled due to weather ).

Many package policies cover all three. These policies are different from the cancellation waivers that cruise lines and tour operators offer, the Insurance Information Institute says. Waivers are cheap, ranging from $40 to $60, and often include restrictions. For example, according to the institute, waivers might not refund your money if you cancel immediately before departure. Waivers are technically not insurance policies.

Some companies offer additional layers of coverage at extra cost. “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage will reimburse a large part of the trip cost, no matter why you back out. And some companies let you pay extra to cover pre-existing conditions if you cancel for medical reasons.

Some insurers and comparison sites let you customize a policy by choosing types of coverage a la carte. For example, TravelInsurance.com is a comparison site that provides quotes from different providers.

Baggage and personal belongings

How does lost luggage insurance work? This coverage reimburses you for baggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged during the trip. Some plans also reimburse you for extra expenses if you experience a baggage delay for more than a certain period, such as 12 hours.

Your renters or homeowners insurance may cover personal belongings while you are traveling. It’s best to review your homeowners insurance policy to determine the level of coverage it provides so you do not end up paying for a benefit you already have.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Emergency medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation

This coverage pays medical expenses if you get sick or injured on a trip . Medical evacuation coverage pays for transporting you to the nearest hospital, and medical repatriation pays for flying you to your home country.

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

24-hour assistance

This service is included with many package plans. The insurer provides a 24-hour hotline that you can call when you need help, such as booking a flight after a missed connection, finding lost luggage, or locating a doctor or lawyer.

Generally, travel insurance companies do not cover sports or any activity that can be deemed risky. If you’re thinking of incorporating adventurous activities into your vacation, choose a plan that includes adventure sports coverage.

Most travel insurers cover a wide array of services, but the specific options vary. Some plans include concierge services, providing help with restaurant referrals, tee time reservations and more. Many services also offer information before the trip, such as required vaccinations. The only way to know what’s included is to read the policy.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

This coverage pays a lump sum to your beneficiary, such as a family member, if you die in an accident while on the trip. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies also pay a portion of the sum to you if you lose a hand, foot, limb, eyesight, speech or hearing. Some plans apply only to accidental death in a plane.

This coverage may be duplicative if you already have sufficient life insurance, which pays out whether you die in an accident or from an illness. You may also already have accidental death and dismemberment insurance through work, so it's best to check your policies to ensure you’re not overpaying.

» Learn more: NerdWallet's guide to life insurance

Rental car coverage

Rental car insurance pays for repairing your rental car if it’s damaged in a wreck, by vandals or in a natural disaster. The coverage doesn't include liability insurance, which pays for damage to other vehicles or for the medical treatment of others if you cause an accident and are held responsible.

Ask your car insurance company whether your policy will cover you when renting cars on the trip. U.S. car insurance policies generally don’t cover you when driving in other countries, except Canada.

Car insurance requirements are complex because they vary among countries. You can usually purchase liability insurance from the rental car company. Learn about car insurance requirements by searching for auto insurance by country on the U.S. Embassy website .

» Learn more: Best credit cards for rental car coverage

A note about single vs. long-term policies

Single trip insurance plans are a great option for those going on a single trip for a specific length of time (e.g., a two-week vacation) and then returning home. The price of the policy is usually determined by the cost of the trip.

Long-term travel policies cover you for multiple trips, but there are limitations to how long you can be away from home, if you can return home during your travels and how many trips you can take. In addition, trip cancellation and interruption coverage is either not offered or capped at a dollar amount that can be significantly below the total cost of all the trips taken during the covered period.

Long-term travel insurance plans — often called 'multi-trip' or 'annual travel insurance' — are a suitable option for those who travel often and are satisfied with the amount of trip cancellation coverage for all the trips they take over the duration of the policy.

» Learn more: How annual (multi-trip) travel insurance works

Below, we include how to obtain travel insurance, along with the pros and cons of each option.

Some credit cards offer trip cancellation and rental car insurance if you use the card to book the trip or car.

When you book a trip with your credit card, depending on the card you use, you may already receive trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

» Learn more: 10 credit cards that provide travel insurance

Here are a handful of credit cards that offer varying levels of travel insurance coverage for purchases made with the card.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

Pros: Coverage is free.

Cons: You can’t customize the insurance to meet your needs. Most credit cards offer secondary car rental insurance, which pays for the costs not covered by your regular car insurance plan.

Travel agents and travel reservation sites

You can buy travel insurance when you book your flight, hotel and car rental.

Pros: Buying is as quick and easy as clicking “yes” when you book reservations. Coverage is inexpensive.

Cons: You can’t customize the coverage.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance vs. independent travel insurance

Travel insurance comparison sites

You can compare different policies and review quotes at once based on the trip search criteria you’ve input into the search form. Examples include marketplaces like Squaremouth or TravelInsurance.com.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs and compare policies and pricing in one place.

Cons: Comparing multiple policies takes time.

Travel insurance companies

You can purchase travel insurance directly from an insurance provider.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs. Many travel insurer websites also offer information to help you understand the coverage.

Cons: You’ll need to go to multiple websites to compare coverage and pricing.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies right now

Keep these tips in mind when you’re considering a trip insurance policy.

Evaluate the financial risks you face when traveling. Can you bear those costs yourself, or do you want insurance?

Examine what coverage you already have: Does your credit card offer travel insurance? Do you have renters or homeowners insurance to cover belongings? What is the deductible? Will your health plan cover you in all the locations where you travel?

Get quotes for trip insurance online. Choose a package of the benefits you need and compare prices for similar coverage among carriers.

Narrow your choices and then read the policy fine print to understand what’s covered, what’s excluded and the limits on coverage. You may find that the lowest-priced policy is too restrictive and that paying a little more gets you the coverage you need. Or you might find that the cheapest, most basic policy fits the bill.

If you don’t know which provider to go with, it makes sense to browse a list of plans on a travel insurance comparison site. These online marketplaces will often include plans from the best travel insurance companies along with customer reviews.

Squaremouth

Compare plans from more than 30 providers.

Over 86,000 customer reviews of insurers.

Under its Zero Complaint Guarantee, Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) will remove a provider if any customer complaint isn't resolved to its satisfaction.

Has a filter option to see policies that provide COVID-coverage.

TravelInsurance.com

Compare plans from 13 providers.

See good and poor customer ratings and reviews for each insurer when you receive quotes.

“Learning Center” includes travel insurance articles and travel tips, including important how-to information.

Quotes provided from each provider include a link to COVID-19 FAQs, making it easy for customers to review what’s covered or not.

InsureMyTrip

Compare plans from more than two dozen providers.

More than 70,000 customer reviews.

“Anytime Advocates” help customers navigate the claim process and will work on behalf of the customer to help with appealing a denied claim.

Includes a link to plans that offer COVID coverage.

Compare plans from 11 providers.

Search coverage by sporting activity, including ground, air and water sports.

Many types of plans available for students, visiting family members, new immigrants, those seeking COVID quarantine coverage and more.

Compare different insurance plans from 35 providers.

Over 5,600 customer reviews on Trustpilot, with an average 4.9 stars out of five.

Formerly known as AardvarkCompare, AARDY includes a “Travel Insurance 101” learning center to help customers understand various policies and benefits.

Quote search results page includes COVID-coverage highlighted in a different color to make it easier for customers to review related limits.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care, COVID coverage or a policy that includes extreme sports, these providers have you covered.

Our full analysis and more details about each organization can be found here: The Best Travel Insurance Companies Today .

Allianz Global Assistance .

Travel Guard by AIG .

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services .

Travel Insured International .

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Seven Corners .

AXA Assistance USA .

There are a few scenarios when spending extra on travel insurance doesn't really make sense, like:

You booked flexible airline tickets.

Your hotel room has a good cancellation policy.

It's already included in your credit card.

You haven't booked any nonrefundable activities.

» Learn more: When you don't need travel insurance

Yes, especially for nonrefundable trips and travel during the COVID-era. Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or have travel insurance from your credit card, you shouldn't travel without having some sort of travel protection in place to safeguard you and your trip. Travel insurance can protect you in case of an unexpected emergency such as a canceled flight due to weather, a medical event that requires hospitalization, lost luggage and more.

There are many good travel insurance policies out there and a policy that may be great for you may not be good for someone else. Selecting the best plan depends on what coverage you would like and your trip details.

For example, World Nomads offers a comprehensive travel insurance policy that has excellent coverage for adventure sports. Allianz provides coverage for trips of varying lengths of time through its single trip plans and multi-trip plans. Some providers offer add-on options like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance. If you’re not sure which plan to go with, consider looking at trip insurance comparison sites like Squaremouth or Insuremytrip.

Yes, you can. However, it's better to purchase it sooner rather than later, ideally right after booking your trip because the benefits begin as soon as you purchase a policy.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your trip cancellation benefits to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans offer trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and dental, medical evacuation, trip delay and lost luggage coverage. Many plans offer COVID coverage, but you’ll always want to check to ensure that the policy you choose provides that benefit if you’re traveling during these times. Some plans may also allow you to add features like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

However, the coverage provided by the credit cards is usually lower than if you purchased a standalone policy. Review the travel insurance benefits on your credit card and check that the limits are adequate before foregoing from purchasing a separate plan.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your

trip cancellation benefits

to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Platinum Card® from American Express

offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

Unpredictability is one of the mind-opening joys of travel, but travel insurance should contain no surprises. The time you spend to understand your options will be well worth the peace of mind as you embark on your next adventure.

Whether you’re seeking a single or a long-term policy, each travel insurance option offers different strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right policy depends on your trip needs, your budget and how important various benefits are to you.

Keep reading

If you want to dig in deeper to world of travel insurance, these resources will point you in the right direction.

What is travel insurance?

How much is travel insurance?

Is travel insurance worth it?

What does travel insurance cover?

Does travel insurance cover COVID?

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

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.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 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.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 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.

Will your travel insurance cover you in case of vendor bankruptcy?

With airport meltdowns , record numbers of canceled flights and baggage problems multiplying , travelers are facing unprecedented levels of disruptions this summer. Because of this, travel insurance is increasingly becoming an essential part of trip planning for people keen on protecting their vacation investments.

These are not the only reasons why you should consider travel insurance, though. There's a new concern you'll want to be mindful of as you browse travel insurance plans and review the fine print of policies: bankruptcy.

After two travel companies, Scandinavian Airlines and Crystal Cruises , recently announced they were bankrupt, some customers not only found themselves with canceled trip plans, but also with no way to get refunded due to the companies entering bankruptcy protection.

If you find yourself in a similar situation where an airline, cruise company or other travel operator ceases operations, what can you expect when it comes to recouping your investment if you have travel insurance? Will you get your money back, or are there certain bankruptcy scenarios where you may lose your investment?

TPG looked at different situations and coverage options to help you decide which plan is best for you.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Why you may need bankruptcy travel insurance

Like any company, a travel group like an airline, a tour company or a cruise line can go bankrupt. When a company enters bankruptcy protection, customers who have paid for trips are often left with no choice but to join a long line of creditors waiting for reimbursement. Because the amount they're owed is significantly less than other affected parties like banks, they will likely be low on the reimbursement list, meaning it could take a considerable amount of time for them to get their money back.

Even travelers who have credit card travel insurance or a standard travel insurance policy may be out of luck when it comes to having their costs covered, as many credit card companies introduced language in recent years that specifically excludes coverage in the event of vendor bankruptcy or the cessation of operations. For example, the current exclusions for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card include a note that the card does not cover you in the case of "Financial insolvency of the Cardholder's travel agency, tour operator, or travel supplier."

Other cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express , do not have specific exclusions due to vendor bankruptcy but do note that their travel insurance policies will not cover a flight disruption in the event of an industrial action (like a labor strike) that "has commenced or has been announced prior to booking a Covered Trip."

So what will happen if you run into a bankruptcy issue this summer? You'll face a lot of uncertainty, if you don't have a policy that covers bankruptcy.

Anna Chiu, who planned to fly on SAS from California to Germany with her family of six this week, told TPG how nerve-wracking it's been trying to get her money back from the newly bankrupt airline.

"It's been very stressful," Chiu says. "They just canceled our flight two days before departure. Supposedly we are able to get a refund and a reimbursement for the difference in the new flight with a different airline, but we will see what that shakes out to be."

Finding new flights with enough seats grouped together to accommodate a family with small children (as in Chiu's situation) is extremely difficult at a time when everything related to travel is overbooked and expensive, to say the least. For those who are unable to secure replacement flights, the situation has the potential to force them to cancel their entire vacation, resulting in additional losses for prepaid activities and lodging.

This is where travel insurance policies that cover bankruptcy can prove incredibly useful. While you may still lose some money due to listed exclusions to that policy's bankruptcy coverage, you'll at least recoup some of your investment.

"Typically, the plan will cover financial default of the cruise line, airline or tour company with which you will be traveling; travel agencies are usually not included," InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance marketplace, says on its website.

Related: The best credit cards that offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance

How to know if your travel insurance policy covers bankruptcy

Given the unsettled nature of everything related to travel right now, it's certainly plausible that additional travel vendors will face bankruptcy or financial meltdowns. To be prepared for those situations, you should consider travel insurance policies that specifically cover bankruptcies.

For example, Allianz Global Assistance states that its policies "can help in some cases of businesses ceasing operations due to financial conditions, which may or may not include bankruptcy if it meets certain conditions," according to its website.

Of course, exceptions and conditions may apply, even to policies with this kind of coverage. In the case of Allianz Global Assistance, these eligibility qualifiers are noted on the Allianz website:

• Your policy must have been purchased within 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit.
• The cessation of operations must occur more than seven days after your policy's coverage effective date.
• Your policy was not purchased directly through the tour operator, airline or cruise line ceasing operations, or an affiliate of that entity.
• The tour operator, airline or cruise line was included in the company's list of covered suppliers on your policy's coverage-effective date.

Seven Corners, another travel insurance provider, also offers coverage if there's "financial insolvency or default" with a vendor via its RoundTrip Travel Protection policy. However, the company notes that benefits will be paid "only if no alternate transportation is available," according to the Seven Corners website. "If alternate transportation is available, benefits will be limited to the change fee charged to allow you to transfer to another airline in order to get to your intended destination."

For other companies' travel insurance policies, you may find that you're "covered by the Financial Default benefit if your airline, or other travel supplier, completely suspends operations for financial circumstances," according to Squaremouth, an online insurance marketplace. "The Financial Default benefit is included within some travel insurance policies to reimburse your prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses if your travel supplier suspends services due to financial circumstances, whether or not bankruptcy is filed," the company says on its website.

The key to knowing whether the plan you're considering covers bankruptcies is to read the fine print so you know exactly what the coverage areas, terms and conditions are for that particular policy.

Related: 3 timely tips for finding and using travel insurance this summer

Bottom line

Several big-name travel industry vendors have declared bankruptcy in the past year, including SAS and Crystal Cruises . With the ongoing volatility in the travel industry, the odds are higher than usual that more companies may need to cease operations due to financial or operational problems. If such shutdowns happen, customers will face significant travel disruptions, at the very least.

Purchasing travel insurance policies with specific clauses covering vendor bankruptcies is a good way to protect yourself against the risk of losing money, but not all plans are created equal. Before deciding on a policy, be sure to read the fine print and connect directly with a travel insurance company agent to answer specific questions you may have.

While it may require a little more effort on your part to ensure you're protected, the added peace of mind you'll have will go a long way in helping you enjoy your vacation — or minimizing headaches, should an unexpected situation like a company going bankrupt arise.

Your Trip Didn't Go As Planned? Here's How To File A Claim With Your Travel Insurance

L et's paint an all too familiar picture. You've been carefully planning that dream trip and mapping out each detail, from flights to hotels. But life, as it often does, throws a curveball. Suddenly, you're dealing with lost luggage, a non-refundable hotel room you can't use, or -- to make matters worse -- an unexpected illness.

That's when buying travel insurance comes into play, a financial safety net for unexpected trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage. Travel insurance can make the difference between a total loss and a simple mishap while ensuring you're not left out in the cold and footing the bill.

But filing a claim with your travel insurance company can send you for a spin, especially when you're already dealing with the stress of disrupted travel plans. That's why understanding how, when, and where to file a claim when things go haywire is so important -- and might even increase your chances of getting that money back.

Filing A Travel Insurance Claim

With its fine print, novel-long contracts, and industry jargon, understanding your travel insurance policy can be daunting. Luckily, most providers are clear about what they cover and don't from the get-go. As a rule of thumb, generic travel insurance plans typically take care of baggage delays or losses, accidental death, medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and non-refundable bookings. Beyond that, more comprehensive policies like the ones by World Nomads and Allianz can also cover adventure sports, car collisions, and pre-existing conditions.

Once you've figured out if your situation qualifies within the scope of your plan, the most important thing is to file a claim quickly and efficiently. Many insurance providers impose strict deadlines -- often within 20 to 90 days of the incident, which means time is of the essence! Contact your travel insurance provider immediately after an incident to notify them and express your intention to file a claim.

Then, gather all the necessary documentation to back up what you've told them. This may include everything from medical records to police reports, receipts, confirmation emails, or any other paperwork that support your claim. After submitting your case and paperwork, you can expect to hear back from your provider within two weeks on whether or not your claim has been accepted and when you can expect to receive reimbursement.

Choosing The Right Travel Insurance Provider

When it comes to choosing a travel insurance provider, it's not as simple as picking the plan with the lowest premium. Let's face it: cheap travel insurance isn't always better, and it's worth paying a little extra to make sure you're properly being looked after. After all, peace of mind while traveling is priceless, and the right travel insurance provider can provide just that.

Using comparison tools like SquareMouth , take your time to dive deep into each policy to see what's covered and what's not, and to learn more about the insurer's reputation, their claim handling process, and the flexibility of their plans.

Lastly, don't hesitate to ask questions. If you're unsure about anything, contact the provider for clarification. At the end of the day, the right travel insurance provider won't just sell you a policy -- they'll take the time to educate and support you, so you can be confident about your coverage and jet off without a worry.

Read this next: Hotel Reservation Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making

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• Travel Insurance Features

Trip cancellation/Trip curtailement

Select your Langauge

Varun and Shivani are about to go vacationing with their two kids. They plan to go skiing and accordingly make bookings in a resort which includes skiing package. Three days prior to the flight, the kids fall sick following which they cancel their trip.

With trip cancellation coverage, Varun and Shivani do not need to fret about losing the money they spent on booking flights and accommodation (with the skiing package).

To cater for travel emergencies arising from flight delays, medical crises, loss of baggage and passports, trip cancellation coverage Is standard across travel plans.

Trip cancellation coverage

The trip cancellation coverage is essentially a pre-departure feature. In this, the travel insurance provider reimburses the cost of the non-refundable and pre-paid expenses like unused flight tickets and hotel bookings. Note that the coverage for trip cancellation can be claimed only for reasons that are mentioned in the policy document.

For a travel insurance plan to cover cancellation of a trip for any reason whatsoever, there are specific plans under the label “cancel for any reason travel insurance”. Depending upon the terms and conditions of the policy, the cover can also reimburse the single supplement fee (the termination of the trip of the insured co-traveller only).

Commonly included reasons

Before signing the papers, you must read your travel insurance policy document thoroughly to understand all the inclusions and exclusions well. Common trip cancellation scenarios covered include personal injury, illness, bad weather, natural calamity, terrorist attack at the destination etc.

Several travel insurance policies also cover other personal crises, like a death in the family or other familial commitments (has to be mentioned in the plan), schedule mismatch at the workplace, new joining, assaults on you or your travelling companion.

With trip cancellation coverage, you will be able to recover substantial pre-paid out-of-pocket expenses, if you happen to terminate your trip.

Explore more Travel Insurance Features .

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• Travel Disruption

Trip disruption cover

(including Covid-19, terrorism, natural catastrophes and airspace disruption)

Safeguard against rare but extreme events that could disrupt your travels. Add this option to your travel insurance policy for cover in the event of Covid-19, terrorism, natural catastrophes and airspace disruption

Enhanced protection for unforeseen events

Our travel insurance already covers medical assistance if you’re injured due to a natural disaster, terrorist act or fall ill with Covid-19.

This optional extra provides more reassurance for other disruption they or airspace problems might cause. This includes delays due to unauthorised aircraft like drones. Terms and conditions apply

What’s covered?

It’s simple to add all this extra cover for trip disruption when you get your quote. Terms and conditions apply

Cancelling your trip

If a natural catastrophe or terrorist event happens within 20km of your pre-booked accommodation and within the 14 days before you’re due to leave, you can decide you don't want to go

Abandoning a trip

If a terrorist event or natural catastrophe delays you by more than 12 hours on the outward leg of your journey from the UK, you can make a claim to cancel your trip

Missed departure from the UK

You’re covered against costs if you miss your scheduled departure from the UK. This might be due to terrorist activity or a natural catastrophe. Airspace problems, such as drones or computer failure. Or an event at your departure point that causes the closure or evacuation of your airport

Missed departure and connections outside the UK

If you miss a departure or connections outside of the UK because of a covered event, you can claim for your extra travel and accommodation costs. And if you’re stuck abroad (including in compulsory quarantine), we’ll pay between £50 and £100 per day for up to 10 days beyond your original return date

Cutting short your trip

If a natural catastrophe or terrorism event happens within 20km of the accommodation you're staying in, you’re covered for any extra costs to get you home early and for the unused part of your trip. You’re also covered if you miss the rest of your trip due to self-isolation or compulsory quarantine due to Covid-19

Substitute accommodation

If a covered event forces you to move to alternative accommodation that’s not supplied by your travel provider, we’ll cover the extra cost of somewhere of the same standard up to the sum insured

Choose your travel disruption cover

The table shows the maximum cover limits the trip disruption option offers for each of our cover levels. You can add trip disruption cover for an additional premium

Policy wording

Ready to get a quote?

Let’s find the protection that’s right for your travels. Get a quote for Post Office Travel Insurance

An award-winning provider

Best travel insurance provider.

Post Office won a ‘Best Travel Insurance Provider’ award at the Your Money Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023

Post Office won a “Best Travel Insurance Provider” award at the British Travel Awards in 2023

Defaqto 5-star rated cover

Our travel insurance policies with premier level cover are Defaqto 5-star rated

Common Trip Disruption (including Terrorism, Natural Catastrophe and Air Space disruption) questions

What is terrorism cover.

Terrorist attacks can be indiscriminate. They don’t only occur in areas already steeped in conflict. While we hope no one is the victim of a terrorist attack, it’s important to have the right protection in place for peace of mind.

Terrorism cover enhances your existing travel insurance with cover:

• Travel disruption and alternative travel arrangements if you’re already at your destination when an attack occurs
• Having to return home after receiving medical attention for shock, due to stress or trauma following a terrorist event.
• Cancellation before departure or if you decide to call it a day due to excessive delay

And, should something happen to your baggage as a result of a terrorist act– we’ll cover this up to certain limits. This could be damage, loss or even your baggage not arriving at all.

Where can I travel with terrorism cover?

Having cover for terrorist events doesn’t mean that you can travel to areas that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have advised against all travel to. Doing so will likely invalidate your insurance so always  check the latest foreign travel advice . You’re still limited by the same rules governing travel safety as general travel insurance.

What is natural catastrophe cover?

Nature is unpredictable. Extreme weather events are becoming more commonplace. And while natural catastrophes are more likely to happen in some regions of the world it’s impossible to know for sure when and where they’ll occur.

Our travel disruption add-on can bring peace of mind knowing you’re covered if you find yourself at the mercy of Mother Nature before you leave, are in transit or while you’re on holiday.

It defines the following as natural catastrophes:

• Volcanic activity
• Volcanic ash
• Flooding of more than 50 square km
• Wildfire of more than 50 square km

Natural catastrophe cover can provide reassurance you’ll be covered if such events:

• Disrupt your holiday while you’re already there
• Prevent or delay you getting there by more than 12 hours, or
• Mean you have to turn back home in transit

Whether you need it depends how much you want to leave to chance and what extra reassurance you need. Especially if you’re travelling somewhere with a higher risk of natural catastrophes. 

What is airspace disruption cover and do I need it?

Airspace disruption can take many forms. They include:

• Air traffic control restrictions (eg airspace closure)
• Unauthorised, unmanned aircraft used close to airports causing flights to be grounded
• Failure of air traffic control or airport computer systems (except those caused by cyber terrorism)
• An event at your departure point that causes its closure or evacuation 

While it's uncommon, airspace disruption can cause major delays. And its causes may not be obvious.

If you add our trip disruption option to your travel insurance it includes airspace disruption cover. If airspace closure lasts over 24 hours, your pre-booked travel and accommodation expenses are covered. And, if you’ve already left, it covers additional travel and accommodation expenses for every day you can’t reach your destination or get home (up to a limit).

What extra cover does this add-on provide for disruption caused by Covid-19?

Our standard travel insurance policies cover travel disruption due to Covid-19 in some circumstances. But you may want cover for other situations. You can pay a little extra to add it to your policy with our trip disruption option.

It covers missing a scheduled departure if:

• You or someone you’re travelling or staying with tests positive for Covid-19 and you have to self-isolate (2)
• Your hotel or cruise ship (3) gets put into compulsory quarantine (2) due to Covid-19

It covers the unused part of your trip on your return if:

• You have to self-isolate and miss the rest of your trip (2) if someone you’re travelling or staying with tests positive
• Compulsory quarantine (2) of your hotel or cruise ship (3) prevents you completing the rest of your planned trip
• You return home early when UK rules for your destination change to avoid having to quarantine away from home (4)
• You have to self-isolate due to testing positive so miss the rest of your trip

If regulations for your destination change while you’re there, you can claim for:

• A contribution towards mandatory quarantine accommodation costs on your return to the UK
• Costs towards Covid-19 tests you weren’t liable for when you booked your trip or bought your policy – whichever you did last (5)

What isn’t covered?

Some exclusions apply to our trip disruption cover. You’ll find full details in the policy wording.

We can’t cover you if:

• You decide to abandon your holiday before it’s been delayed by 12 hours
• You buy your cover after a terrorist event or natural catastrophe that impacts your trip has been announced in the media
• Acts of terrorism involve nuclear, biological or chemical weapons or cyber terrorism

Claiming compensation

If your travel is delayed or cancelled, you’ll need to try to claim compensation from all other relevant sources first before we’ll consider a claim. For instance, your airline or holiday provider.

Compensation for airspace disruption

If you're faced with airspace disruption, you'll need to exhaust all other avenues for claiming compensation before making a claim on your travel insurance policy. There are certain situations where airlines must give you compensation and some where it’s discretionary. So they should be your first port of call.

• Read more travel insurance FAQs

Need some help?

Travel insurance help and support.

For emergency medical assistance, to make a claim, find answers to common questions about our cover or get in touch:

Visit our travel insurance support page

Travel insurance policy types

Single-trip cover.

• Cover for a one-off trip in the UK or abroad
• Perfect for one-off trips or longer holidays of up to 365 days (6)
• No age limit

Annual multi-trip cover

• Cover for multiple-trips for a 12-month period
• 31-day trip limit, with extensions available up to 45 and 60 days
• Available for everyone aged up to 75 years

Backpacker cover

• Cover for a one-off trip up to 18 months
• Option to return home for up to 7 days on 3 occasions
• For people aged 18 – 60 wanting to travel the world for a gap year or career break

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About our travel insurance

Post Office® Travel Insurance is arranged by Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited.

Post Office Limited is an appointed representative of Post Office Management Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 630318. Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited are registered in England and Wales. Registered numbers 2154540 and 08459718 respectively. Registered Office: 100 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7ER. Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trademarks of Post Office Limited.

These details can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting the Financial Conduct Authority website and searching by Firm Reference Number (FRN).

(1) If you buy our trip disruption upgrade (including Covid-19, terrorism, natural catastrophe and airspace disruption), only one benefit will be applicable per person, per claim. There is no cover under this upgrade for single-trip policies. For annual multi-trip policies, UK cover is only available for cancellation and cutting short your trip.

(2) By a medical practitioner, health authority or government body.

(3) Cover only applies to your immediate accommodation, not a mandatory quarantine applied to a wider geographical area around it.

(4) Providing you cut short your trip and fly home before the quarantine restriction comes into force.

(5) There is no cover if the UK government changes the quarantine requirements before your trip starts. Additional Covid-19 cover is not applicable for trips taken solely within the UK.

(6) For economy, standard and premier policies, the single-trip policy will cover you for one trip up to:

• 365 days for persons aged up to and including age 70
• 90 days for persons aged between 71 and 75
• 31 days for persons aged between 76 and above

To enable us to direct you to the right agent, please select from below

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• FAQ’s

Cancellation and Curtailment Cover

Here at Postcard we understand that needing to cancel, abandon or cut short your trip can be extremely stressful, which is why we include the following cover on all of our policies.

• Cancellation cover of up to £7,500 per person. 
• Abandonment of your trip and a full refund of pre-paid costs after a 24-hour delay. 
• Cover if you need to cut short your trip.
• Cancellation cover based on your holiday value, to ensure you are fully covered for the right price. 

What is Cancellation, Curtailment and abandonment?

What is cancellation cover.

This is cover in the event that you need to cancel your trip before you have started your journey. Usually this cover is for when something has happened which means you can no longer go on holiday and need to claim either your deposit or the full cost of the holiday back. You can check your IPID document and/or your policy wording for specific exclusions relating to the cancellation cover on your policy, but some examples could include no longer wanting to travel because the weather at your destination is poor, if you are claiming due to a known event, or if you knew you’d have to cancel your trip when you purchased the policy.

What is Curtailment Cover?

This sounds complicated, but it actually only means that you’re covered in the event that you have to cut short your trip and come home unexpectedly. Please ensure that you check your IPID document and/or policy wording for exclusions, as often curtailment exclusions mirror the same exclusions set for cancellation cover. Postcard policies will cover you for ‘effective curtailment’. This means that should you be hospitalised overseas and have to return home without ‘using’ the remainder of your holiday, we will reimburse you for the unused elements of your holiday from the date you are hospitalised. Does your travel insurance provider offer this?

What is Abandonment Cover?

Most travel insurance policies (including ours!) provide cover in the event that you ‘abandon’ your trip after a delay. This means that should you turn up to the airport to a ‘Delayed’ message on the departure board, to the point that you give up waiting after a certain amount of time, you should be covered. The time limit varies from policy to policy but on Postcard, we cover you for abandonment after 24 hours within all our policies.

Why choose Postcard’s Cancellation Travel Insurance?

Postcard isn’t like other insurance providers. We combine speed and online efficiency with the individual attention and service you deserve. We have based our cover on what you, the customer, would expect and need from a travel insurance policy.

Cancellation cover is one of the most important parts of a travel insurance policy. We bet you know someone who has had to cancel a trip in the past. At Postcard we like to innovate and are set on changing the travel insurance market. We’re proud to be able to offer cancellation cover for a host of reasons that most typical providers would not cover, including your pet being poorly or your relationship breaking down.

• We base your cancellation cover on what you pay for your holiday

You may have already noticed if you’ve started a quote with us, but here at Postcard we ask you for the value of your holiday per person up front. This is because we want to make sure you have the correct cancellation cover for your trip.

Usually, travel insurance providers will have a set amount of ‘cancellation cover’ detailing the maximum amount they will pay in the event of a claim. If you enter or choose an amount which is less than the cost of your holiday, then you may not be fully covered in the event of a claim.

At Postcard, your satisfaction is paramount, which is why we ask you directly for the value of your holiday to make sure we have everything covered for you. For example, if you are going on a trip that cost you £1,000 ( per person) , and you enter this, your cancellation cover will be £1,000 ( per person) . This ensures that you are not paying over the odds for travel insurance cover that you do not need, but also ensures you, the customer, are not left out of pocket in the event of a claim.

• We cover you if a close relative was to fall ill unexpectedly

Most of us have family that are staying at home when we are due to go abroad. If a member of your close family was to fall ill or become injured unexpectedly and you needed to cancel your trip, many travel insurance policies wouldn’t provide cover if your relative had existing medical conditions. That’s not a problem with Postcard Travel Insurance.

At claims stage, our claims team may request further detail from your relative’s GP regarding their health at the time the travel insurance was purchased. This is just to establish whether or not the cancellation or curtailment of your trip was due to an unexpected change in health that you could not have predicted or foreseen.

• Separation from a partner

We all book holidays with partners, but in the unfortunate circumstances of a relationship break-up or separating from a partner after both your holiday and travel insurance has been purchased, claiming for cancellation from either your operator or a travel insurance provider can be next to impossible. We’ve based our cover on customer feedback, so in the event that you no longer want to go on your trip due to relationship breakdown, Postcard will provide cancellation cover.

• Force Majeure or Terrorist attack

With the increase in force majeure events, such as a terror attack or hurricane, Postcard has sourced and included specialist force majeure cover that will deliver cover if your trip were to be cancelled or disrupted. This will also be applicable if a terrorist attack occurs in the country, you are wishing to travel to.  Here at Postcard we understand that this could cause concern for you and your family, therefore we wanted to include this cover.

• If your pet were to unexpectedly fall ill or die

We don’t want to even think about it, but having a pet unexpectedly fall ill or die can be another reason that you could need to cancel your trip. Make sure your travel insurance covers you for this instance. Postcard will provide cancellation cover for your trip or allow you to return home early if something were to happen to your pet on all our policies.

To read more about our Postcard cover benefits, take a look at our ‘Experience the Postcard Difference’ page here.

We have designed innovative and industry-leading policy wordings which are simple and easy to read. We’ve decreased the amount of insurance jargon, so that everyone can read and understand our policy wordings instead of being overwhelmed by blocks of long text.

By removing a lot of insurance jargon, our cancellation section of our policy wordings is simply labelled by scenario: ‘If you are unable to go on your trip’ and the curtailment section is labelled ‘If you decide to abandon your travel plans’.

Almost certainly! After booking a holiday, something could happen that would mean you would need to cancel your holiday. Most travel insurance policies do cover for cancellation, so double check your paperwork. If you’ve bought a last-minute policy or opted-out of cancellation cover then understandably you won’t be covered for this type of claim. Although it might not be top of your must-have-cover list, cancellation cover is an important feature of your travel insurance.

The best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as you have booked your holiday. This is because the sooner you purchase your travel insurance, the sooner you have cancellation cover in place if an unexpected event were to happen. For example, if you waited until a volcano erupted or a hurricane hit the country you are travelling to before purchasing your travel insurance, you will not have cover, because it is not an unexpected event. This is why we would advise you purchase your insurance cover the same time as booking your holiday.

In particular cancellation is an important feature to consider. It is quite common that travel insurance becomes a last-minute thought however, the sooner it is purchased, the more protection you get for your money.

On Single Trip policies your cover for cancellation will kick in the moment you purchase the policy. However, if you opt for an Annual or Multi Trip policy, your cover won’t begin until the start date you choose for the policy – something to seriously consider when purchasing!

An increasing number of people are now choosing to travel within the UK and are opting for a ‘staycation’ instead of travelling abroad, yet it’s not always an obvious choice to book travel insurance for a holiday in the UK. You still pay a deposit when staying in the UK on holiday, so getting a travel insurance policy with cancellation cover is important to protect the money you’ve put into that well-deserved trip.

For full information on how to make a claim, please visit our ‘How to make a claim’ page here . We have provided claims forms for each scenario, including a cancellation claims form and a curtailment claims form. To download a claims form please click here. For travel insurance flight cancellation, you will need our Cancellation claims form.

The cancellation cover will be dependent on the holiday value entered when purchasing the policy. For example, if £1,000 per person was entered as the holiday value, then £1,000 per person on the policy will be the cancellation cover you have. We can provide up to £7,5000 per person under our policies.

Cancellation cover for Single Trip and Longstay policies starts the day the policy was purchased. For Multi Trip policies, your cancellation cover starts on the day you selected the policy to start but not on the day it was purchased.

All the cover levels are per person and available for each insured person on the policy.

If the holiday has been paid in full by your friend, we would not be able to offer you cover for your return flight being cancelled, this is because you are unable to claim for something that you did not originally pay for.

If after booking your holiday and travel insurance, the Foreign Office travel advice changes to now state it is no longer safe to travel to that country, you will need to submit a claim for cancellation. Postcard claims for cancellation need a form to be submitted first – these can be found here .

If you have any other questions please visit our FAQ’s page here .

Force Majeure is defined as “a claim directly or indirectly occasioned by, happening through or in consequence of war, invasion, acts of foreign enemy, hostilities or warlike operation (whether war be declared or not), civil war, mutiny, military rising, insurrection, rebellion, revolution, military or usurped power, climatic conditions and acts of nature which first arise during the period of insurance and give rise to your pre-booked outward or return journey being delayed by more than 24 hours.”

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Postcard is a trading name of Travel Insurance Facilities Plc, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN306537. tifgroup is trading name of Travel Insurance Facilities Plc registered in England No. 3220410 ©. tifgroup ; all rights reserved. Registered Office: 1 Tower View, Kings Hill, West Malling, ME19 4UY. All policies offered are on a non-advised basis

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AIG Travel Guard insurance review: What you need to know

Whether you need an annual plan or a policy for a last-minute trip, travel guard can deliver..

Travel Guard is one of CNBC Select 's picks for best travel insurance , thanks to its wide range of customizable policies. But are any of them right for you? Below, we review the provider and its offers and how they compare to the competition to help you choose the right travel insurance for your next trip.

Travel Guard review

Other insurance offered, how it compares, bottom line, travel guard® travel insurance.

The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

Policy highlights

Travel Guard offers a variety of plans to suit travel ranging from road trips to long cruises. For air travelers, Travel Guard can help assist with tracking baggage or covering lost or delayed baggage.

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• A variety of plans are available to help cover different types of trips
• Not all products are available for purchase online

Travel Guard® is a global travel insurance provider specializing in plans for leisure and business travelers. Its online travel insurance packages include five options, from basic and last-minute trip coverage to more comprehensive plans. This allows travelers to pick a plan that best matches their situation.

For example, budget-minded travelers might go for the Essential Plan which offers basic protections, such as trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance, coverage for lost, damaged and delayed baggage, and medical, evacuation and death coverage.

On the other hand, the Deluxe Plan — the most comprehensive option — adds such extras as missed connection coverage, security evacuation, travel inconvenience benefits and more. It also boosts high limits for essential coverages.

Last-minute travelers can opt for the Pack N' Go Plan which only includes certain post-departure coverages. Or, if you travel often, the Annual Plan can cover your trips throughout the year.

Finally, Travel Guard offers "offline" travel insurance packages, meaning you'll have to call if you're looking for a specialty plan.

Coverage types

Depending on the plan, here are the types of protection Travel Guard can include in your package:

• Trip cancellations
• Trip interruption
• Baggage coverage
• Baggage delay
• Travel medical expenses
• Travel inconvenience benefits (reimbursement for such situations as runway delays, cruise diversion and other unforeseen situations)
• Medical evacuation
• Trip Saver (reimbursement for meals, hotels and transportation if you need to begin your trip sooner due to weather or airline changes)
• Trip exchange (reimbursement in case you have to cancel your trip and book a new one due to covered unforeseen circumstances)
• Security evacuation (due to a riot or civil disorder)
• Flight guard (coverage for accidental death or dismemberment that occurs when traveling by plane)
• Pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver

You can also customize your plan with add-ons, such as car rental insurance and "cancel for any reason" coverage .

Travel Guard landed on our list of the best travel insurance companies thanks to its variety of coverage. With plenty of options to choose from, both online and offline, it's easy to build a policy that meets your needs.

Travel Guard also features 24-hour concierge services that you can use to book a new flight in case of an emergency or delay.

The provider's website also offers informational resources — here, you can check travel news, read safety tips and find general travel advice. Additionally, the website lets you modify your plan, file a claim and check its status, or apply for a voucher or refund.

As of writing, Travel Guard doesn't offer any discounts. That's common for travel insurance — you're more likely to find deals when shopping for other types of insurance, such as home and auto insurance .

Travel Guard is a portfolio of travel insurance and travel-related services offered by AIG Travel, a member of American International Group (AIG). AIG also offers life insurance and a variety of business insurance products.

Travel Guard makes it easy to get a travel insurance policy customized to your needs. But before you purchase coverage, it's always a good idea to shop around.

For example, if you're going on a cruise, you might want to look at Nationwide Travel Insurance . The provider advertises cruise-specific insurance with three plan options available. This type of coverage is designed with issues unique to cruises in mind — from ship-based breakdowns to missed pre-pard excursions.

If you're planning a more active trip filled with rock climbing or sky diving, Berkshire Hathaway offers the AdrenalineCare® plan which features coverage for unforeseen costs that result from participating in extreme sports on your trip, as well as reimbursement for sporting equipment delay. Pre-existing conditions are covered under this plan (if you meet qualifying conditions).

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has multiple plans to cover vacations from luxury travel to adventure travel. The brand's LuxuryCare offers the highest limits of travel insurance coverage offered by the company. Quotes and policies are available online.

As you can see, offerings vary by provider. It can be helpful to compare multiple companies and the plans they offer to find what works best for you. It's even better if you gather several quotes to ensure you're getting a good price for your policy.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Travel Guard offers plenty of ways to customize your policy, making it a solid choice for travel insurance. You can also access additional options by giving Travel Guard a call. However, make sure to check out other travel insurance companies too — comparison shopping is essential when picking any type of financial product.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products . While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The most frequently asked questions from our customers, compiled together to help you.

I have a question regarding your policies and COVID-19.

To visit our dedicated COVID-19 information page please click here .

Should I choose an Annual Multi Trip Policy?

If you are taking more than one trip a year, an Annual Multi-Trip policy may be more suitable. This covers you for multiple trips within the destination area you have chosen during a 12 month period for up to 22, 32 or 45 days depending on the level of cover you select.

What is a Backpacker Policy?

The Backpacker policy is great if you're out of the country for a long period of time. This policy provides cover for trips lasting up to 547 days.

What is Travel Disruption Cover?

If you make your own holiday arrangements and book your flights, accommodation and car hire separately and not as part of a package holiday, our extended travel disruption cover option could be ideal as it'll cover you for unexpected events such as natural disasters, outbreak of infectious diseases, strikes or airport closures.

Silver cover provides cover up to £1,000 for each insured person, Gold insurance gives you up to £2,000 of cover, while Ultimate will cover you for £3,000 if your trip is cancelled or cut short as a result of:

• The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advising against travel to or evacuation from your holiday destination;
• A natural disaster making your accommodation uninhabitable;
• Strike action leading to the cancellation of your international transport from the UK; or
• An airport, port or airspace being closed for 24 hours.

As well as cover for cancelling or cutting short your trip, our insurance also covers you for:

• Reasonable additional accommodation and transport costs incurred, up to the standard of your original booking. This applies if you can't use your accommodation due to fire, flood, tsunami, hurricane or infectious disease; and
• Enforced stay if you're stuck abroad due to airspace or the airport or port, or the Channel Tunnel being closed for more than 24 hours.

Where can I get information on any country I plan to visit?

You can get help from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website , which offers a wealth of travel advice, tips and up-to-date, information on most countries.

I have (or have had) medical problems, will my insurance cover this?

Our policies can cover many medical conditions. We offer a medical screening process, and this will tell you whether claims for your existing medical condition will be covered. Some conditions may mean you have to pay a bit more to make sure you're fully covered.

I want to take a break for over three weeks, will this be covered under your annual policy?

Yes. Our annual insurance allows up to 22 days for any one trip if you choose Silver cover, up to 32 days if you choose Gold cover, or up to 45 days if you select Platinum cover.

I live with my partner, but we're not married, are we still eligible for a family policy?

Yes, we can cover you and up to 5 of your children with a family policy. If it's just the two of you, please select a couple policy.

I'm a single parent, do I have to pay the full family price?

No, our pricing is based on who the policy covers.

My child is 18, will they be covered under a family policy?

Our Family policies cover your children aged 17 and under. If your child is 18 or over you can purchase a policy in their own name or purchase a Group policy that can cover you all.

Is there anything I won't be covered for?

There are some exclusions which are detailed fully in the policy wording. Here are some of the main ones:

• This policy will provide Coronavirus cover under the Emergency Medical and Repatriation Expenses section only. This will only apply if you do not travel against the published advice of the FCO and are not travelling to a country where the World Health Organisation has declared a pandemic or epidemic (other than a previous declaration of pandemic or epidemic that predated FCO advice allowing travel to that country).
• Travelling against medical advice or to obtain medical treatment;
• Pre-existing medical conditions that haven't been agreed by us;
• Hazardous sports or activities that haven't been agreed by us;
• Pregnancy or childbirth, if the due date is less than 12 weeks (16 weeks for a multiple birth) after the end of the trip;
• Theft from unattended vehicles in some circumstances;
• Loss or theft of baggage not reported to the police within 24 hours or as soon as possible after that; and
• Flying, except as a fare-paying passenger in a licensed passenger carrying aircraft

How will my policy documents be sent to me?

Your policy documents can be downloaded from this site on completion of your purchase and will also be emailed to you. If you'd prefer to receive a paper copy of your policy documents, please email: [email protected]

My flight has been cancelled – what should I do?

When an airline cancels a flight you are entitled to certain refunds and compensation from the airline.

We ask that before you contact us in relation to costs arising from the recent spate of flight cancellations that you first directly approach your airline, tour operator or packaged holiday organiser.

If you are unable to get a refund or compensation from any of the above companies and you paid for your trip with a credit card you may also be able to recover your costs through section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act or via a 'chargeback claim'.

Please be aware that our claims team is currently handling a large volume of calls and cases and we would appreciate your patience as there may be a delay in responding to calls or claims submitted.

Our 24-hour medical emergency helpline remains open and operating as normal, but we would politely remind customers that this line should only be used for medical emergencies when travelling.

I’m currently overseas and my scheduled return flight has been cancelled. Can you extend my cover?

We can extend your cover for an initial period of 72 hours, but this only applies if you accept the first return flight that you are offered. Please also be aware that an additional premium may be payable. Should you find that you need to extend your cover for more than 72 hours please contact our team on 0330 041 8266 as soon as possible.

I have additional accommodation and travel expenses due to my flight being cancelled. Who should I claim this back from?

If you wish to claim for any additional expenses that you have incurred because you are stranded overseas due to your flight being cancelled, in the first instance you must contact your airline, tour operator or other carrier to obtain compensation to cover these additional costs.

This is covered by the EU Regulation No. 261/2004 and more information on it can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2004/261/contents

If you paid for your trip by credit card you may also be able to recover your costs through section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act or via a 'chargeback claim'.

More information about consumer rights can be found by visiting the Citizens Advice Bureau website or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO): www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Six Travel Mistakes to Avoid

No travel medical insurance? Unnecessary luggage and hotel fees? Here are the biggest travel mistakes people make and how you can avoid them.

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Even the most seasoned tourists can make travel mistakes when planning a vacation. Some blunders can be minor infractions, but others can cost travelers a lot of money and heartache. 

But there are steps you can take to avoid travel mistakes. Here are six slip ups that travelers may make this year, plus tips on how to avoid them.

1. Overlooking travel medical insurance

Christopher Elliott , a consumer advocate and founder of the nonprofit Elliott Advocacy , says many people don’t consider purchasing travel medical insurance . “People often think nothing bad will happen before or on their vacation, but then they get injured overseas and need to go to the hospital, and the next thing they’re looking at is a $10,000 hospital bill.” Indeed, nearly one in four Americans report they’ve experienced a medical issue while traveling abroad, according to a 2023 survey sponsored by GeoBlue, an international health insurance company. 

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Unfortunately, most U.S. healthcare plans — including employer group plans, Medicare and Affordable Care Act plans — offer limited or no medical coverage outside the U.S. 

How to avoid: One solution is to purchase a travel medical insurance policy, a type of insurance that provides coverage for a range of medical emergencies while traveling abroad, from minor injuries to major events like heart attacks and strokes, to medical evacuation and emergency transport in the case of severe emergencies. 

The average travel medical insurance plan costs $89, according to Squaremouth , a travel insurance comparison website. Squaremouth advises international travelers to obtain a policy that provides a minimum of $50,000 in emergency medical coverage and at least $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage. 

Note: Some travel insurance policies include emergency medical coverage and medical evacuation coverage up to certain limits.

2. Getting hit with unnecessary luggage fees

You may have heard that a number of airlines — including American Airlines , Delta , and JetBlue Airways — recently raised their prices for checked bags. But one thing a lot of travelers aren’t aware of, Elliott says, is that some are now charging customers more if they check a bag at the airport versus paying to check a bag in advance. For instance, JetBlue customers flying within the U.S., Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada can save up to $20 on their first two checked bags ($10 savings per bag) when they add them to their flight reservation at least 24 hours before departure.

How to avoid: Make sure to pay ahead of time for any bags that you plan to check.

3. Incurring hidden hotel fees

Wi-Fi fees, early check-in fees, gym fees—hotels today charge guests no shortage of extra fees and surcharges . It’s a widespread problem: In an April 2023 survey by Consumer Reports , nearly four out of 10 (37%) U.S. adults said they had experienced a hidden or unexpected hotel fee in the previous two years.

How to avoid: Many hotels offer to reduce or, in some cases, waive certain fees to guests who join their loyalty program, which is free in most cases. Also, sometimes simply asking an employee at check-in to waive certain fees could do the trick.

4. Not utilizing a key search feature on Airbnb

Like hotels, Airbnb rental property owners often tack on extra fees, such as cleaning fees, fees for additional guests beyond a certain number, and service fees. These additional costs can add hundreds of dollars to your bill.

How to avoid: Elliott praised Airbnb for introducing a feature in December 2022 that allows guests to view a stay’s total costs, before taxes, when searching for rental properties. But he says there’s a caveat: “If you’re in the U.S., you need to change a setting in order to see the full rate when you search for rentals.”

To enable the feature, click the slider on the upper right of the search page that says, “Display total before taxes.”

5. Paying full price for a rental car

First, the good news: “The rental vehicle shortage has improved,” Elliott says. That’s resulted in a stabilization of rates, with rental car prices recently averaging $42 a day, up only 3% from last year, according to a report from the travel search company Hopper. The bad news? Renting a car is still more expensive than it was before the pandemic, especially for travelers who pay full freight.

How to avoid: There are several ways you can avoid paying full price. Big-box stores such as Costco , BJ’s and Sam’s Club provide their members discounts on certain rental cars. AARP and AAA also offer their members discounted rates. ( AARP members save up to 30% on base rates at Avis and Budget Rent A Car; AAA members save up to 20% on Hertz rentals). In addition, a number of credit card companies offer certain cardholders rental car discounts when they book a vehicle from specific rental car companies.

You may also be able to nab a lower rate by prepaying when you book a reservation. And, some rental car companies offer limited-mileage plans at a lower cost, which could be a good option if you’re planning to take just a short trip.

Tip: See if your credit card offers rental car insurance before you pay for insurance from a rental car company.

6. Encountering sky-high hotel rates because of Taylor Swift’s European tour

When Taylor Swift performs a concert, sometimes tens of thousands of out-of-town fans descend on the city, causing hotel prices to spike. Consider: the median rate for a standard hotel room during an Eras Tour date in Europe this year is projected to jump by 44%, with average hotel room prices in Warsaw surging a staggering 154% during her tour date there, according to a recent study by Lighthouse , a travel and hospitality research company.

How to avoid: The simplest approach for Europe-bound travelers in 2024, Elliott says, is to avoid traveling to a destination during a Taylor Swift tour date in that city. “When Taylor Swift comes to town all of the hotels sell out, and it becomes very difficult to find a reasonably priced hotel,” he says.

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Daniel Bortz is a freelance writer based in Arlington, Va. His work has been published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Consumer Reports, Newsweek, and Money magazine, among others.  

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Introduction to Aegis Travel Insurance

• Coverage Options
• How to Purchase and Manage Your Policy
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Compare Aegis Travel Insurance

• Why You Should Trust Us

Aegis Travel Insurance Review 2024 (Formerly GoReady)

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

No one likes thinking about the ways things can go wrong, but the truth is that anything can happen. Travel insurance can protect you from financial loss if something goes wrong while you're away and even cover pre-paid trip costs if you must cancel your trip for a qualified reason.

There are many different types of travel insurance, so it's important to choose the right policy for your needs. And Aegis General Travel Insurance offers a variety of policies to suit different travelers. Keep reading to find out how Aegis Travel Insurance performs and whether its coverage makes sense.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a CFAR upgrade add-on on certain plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Comprehensive insurance plans include generous coverage for baggage loss, plus protection from hurricane and other intense weather-related issues
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Competitive pricing
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Online complaints about claims not being paid and non-responsiveness
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not all more expensive plans include CFAR coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Dropping rating with AM Best
• Annual and multi-trip plans available
• All plans include pandemic coverage for COVID-19
• Coverage for weather-related delays, cancellations and other incidents

Aegis General Insurance Agency provides several types of insurance such as homeowners, life, and pest insurance. Aegis Travel Insurance added travel insurance to its list of offerings, when it acquired April Travel Protection in early 2021, operating as GoReady.

Now Aegis General, the Pennsylvania-based company offers five single-trip insurance plans and two multi-trip plans that have a wide range customization options including CFAR and sports coverage. The plans also offer a diverse range of coverage from its more comprehensive VIP and Pandemic Plus options to its Trip Cancellation, which offers low-cost coverage for cancellations and trip interruption. The Aegis Travel Insurance Trip Cancellation plan is even included in our guide on the best affordable travel insurance .

That said, Aegis Travel Insurance has a relatively complicated claims process that has received mixed reviews from customers. You're required to get in contact with a claims agent to start the process, which can be difficult.

Coverage Options with Aegis

Aegis Travel Insurance travel insurance offers a variety of plans from which to choose. Picking the right one will depend on your trip and whether you want single-trip coverage or something like an annual plan. The answer to the question of what does travel insurance cover varies.

If you're looking for a single-trip plan, you'll have a few different choices:

Aegis Annual Multi-Trip Plans Available

Annual/Multi-Trip Preferred plan – This annual travel insurance plan is ideal for those who take multiple trips per year that are less than 31 days. It provides comprehensive coverage for an unlimited number of trips, including important types of protection like travel delay ($750), trip inconvenience ($200), baggage coverage ($1,000), and baggage delay ($200). In addition, the plan includes $100,000 per person for medical emergency assistance and transportation. The Preferred plan is not available for New York residents.

Annual/Multi-Trip Primary plan – This policy is ideal for you if you're a frequent flyer who goes on three or more trips each year or travels for up to 90 days at a time. It includes baggage coverage ($1,000), baggage delay ($100 per person, $300 policy limit), and $30,000 in initial coverage for emergency accident and sickness medical expenditures.

Aegis Additional Coverage Options

Some Aegis Travel Insurance travel insurance plans offer the option to upgrade for improved coverage. For instance, Aegis Travel Insurance's Choice plan includes $250,000 in emergency medical assistance and transportation — but with an upgrade, you can buy up to double that amount ($500,000).

There are add-ons, too, like CFAR (cancel for any reason) coverage , which reimburses you 75% of your prepaid trip expenses, or "cancel for work reasons." which covers 100%. CFAR coverage is only available for the Choice, Pandemic Plus, and Cruise plans.

Depending on the play you choose, other upgrades include coverage for rental car damage, missed port of call, sporting equipment coverage, and more.

Aegis Travel Insurance Cost

The premium you pay will depend on various factors, including the age of the travelers, destination, and total trip costs. The  average cost of travel insurance  is 4% to 8% of your travel costs.

After inputting some personal information, such as your age and state of residence, along with your trip details, like travel dates, destination, and trip costs, you'll get an instant quote for the plans available for your trip. And from there, it's easy to compare each option based on your coverage needs and budget.

Now let's look at a few examples to estimate Aegis Travel Insurance's coverage costs.

As of 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a week-long, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following Aegis Travel Insurance travel insurance quotes:

• Trip Cancellation: $43
• Choice: $53
• Pandemic Plus: $105
• Cruise: $112

Premiums for Aegis Travel Insurance plans are between 2.7% and 4.2% of the trip's cost, well below the average cost of travel insurance. It's also relatively cheap compared to many of its competitors

Aegis Travel Insurance provides the following quotes for a 30-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for two weeks on a $4,000 trip:

• Trip Cancellation: $59
• Choice: $70
• Pandemic Plus: $140
• Cruise: $142

Once again, premiums for Aegis Travel Insurance plans are between 3.6% and 3.8%, below the average cost for travel insurance.

A 65-year-old couple looking to escape New York for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following Aegis Travel Insurance quotes:

• Trip Cancellation: $438
• Choice: $404
• Pandemic Plus: $372
• Cruise: $620

Premiums for Aegis Travel Insurance plans are between 6.5% and 9.2%, which is roughly in line with the average cost for travel insurance. This is to be expected, as travel insurance is often more expensive for older travelers.

Aegis Annual Travel Insurance Cost

Quotes for Aegis Travel Insurance' annual plans are as follows for a 35-year-old from Iowa:

• Preferred Plan: $145
• Primary Plan: $198

How to Purchase and Manage Your Aegis Policy

To purchase an Aegis Travel Insurance policy, you'll have to obtain a quote on its website. You'll need to be able to provide information about yourself and your trip including: 

• Destination(s)
• Total trip cost
• Age of traveler(s)
• Primary email
• Travel dates
• Date of deposit
• State of residence

Aegis Travel Insurance gives you quotes on all five of its policies on one page. Once you make a decision, you can also add any available upgrades to your policy, such as pre-existing condition waivers, CFAR coverage, rental car damage, and higher coverage limits. 

How to File a Claim with Aegis

To start a claim, you need to first contact a claims agent over the phone at 866-753-0945 (option 3), sending an email on Aegis' website , or through its live chat service. They'll help you determine which benefits you should file for and supplementary documents you should provide. Your files may even be pre-screened to ensure you have the correct information.

You'll receive an email that gives you access to Aegis Travel Insurance's claims portal, where you can file claims and monitor their statuses. Aegis Travel Insurance says that claims will be processed within seven to 10 business days. 

Aegis Customer Service and Claims Process

Customer reviews of Aegis Travel Insurance are almost solely concentrated on SquareMouth, where it has 4.06 stars out of five across over 1,100 reviews. Reviews that focused on the process of buying a policy were almost unanimously positive. Customer service was helpful in adjusting any policies pre-departure.

However, reviews on Aegis Travel Insurance's claims process were more mixed. According to customers, the claims team was hard to get a hold of and the process often took over a month, well over the promised processing window.

Learn more about how Aegis Travel Insurance Travel Insurance stacks up against the competition. 

Aegis Travel Insurance vs. HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance

HTH Worldwide's most popular TripProtector Preferred plan comes with $500,000 in emergency medical coverage, $50,000 in trip cancellation, $2,000 in baggage loss/damage, and $2,000 in trip delay insurance.

With Aegis Travel Insurance's Choice plan, you'll get $250,000 in emergency medical assistance, 150% of trip cost in trip cancellation, $500 in baggage loss/damage coverage, and $200 for baggage delays, and you can get upgraded protection.

In comparing the two plans, you'll see that Aegis Travel Insurance travel insurance offers better coverage when it comes to medical protections, but falls short, compared to HTH Worldwide, when it comes to travel coverages.

Read our HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance review here.

Aegis Travel Insurance vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

Like Aegis Travel Insurance travel insurance, Allianz offers single-trip policies as well as policies for those who plan to travel for a longer period of time. And, like with all insurance, the different plans provide varying degrees of coverage.

Allianz's most popular single-trip option is the OneTrip Prime plan, which offers trip cancellation coverage up to $100,000, trip interruption coverage up to $150,000, emergency medical coverage for $50,000, coverage for baggage loss, theft or damage up to $1,000, and travel delay coverage up to $800.

In comparison, Aegis Travel Insurance's Choice plan offers $250,000 in emergency medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation insurance. And it comes with up to $500 in baggage loss or damage coverage and $200 if your bags are delayed. Upgraded protection is also an option.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

Aegis Travel Insurance vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance

Be sure to take a look at your travel credit card's insurance coverage before buying a separate policy. Some coverages, like rental car coverage, might already be included.

Let's say, for example, you're taking a road trip and have very minimal (if any) pre-paid or non-refundable trip expenses. In that case, the coverage from your credit card will likely suffice. Or maybe your main concern is trip and baggage delay and cancellation coverage because your current health coverage covers you overseas. That's another instance where credit card insurance coverage might do the trick!

Worth noting, though, is that sometimes credit card coverage is secondary. This means you'll have to make a claim with your other applicable insurance before making a claim with your credit card company.

Read our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance here.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Aegis Travel Insurance

When reviewing Aegis Travel Insurance travel insurance travel insurance, we considered various factors such as types of coverage, claim limits, available policy add-ons, and costs. We then compared these findings to similar plans from other top travel insurance companies.

In the end, the best policy is the one that offers an adequate amount and type of coverage depending on your needs and budget. It should also be user-friendly in case you have to make a claim sometime in the future.

Read more about how Business Insider reviews insurance products here.

Aegis Travel Insurance FAQs

Aegis Travel Insurance covers COVID-19 like any other illness under its medical and cancellation coverage. It also offers coverage for travel delay due to COVID quarantine.

No, you cannot purchase an Aegis Travel Insurance plan for a trip in progress.

To file a claim with Aegis Travel Insurance, you must first contact a claims agent, who will email you access to the Aegis claims portal, where you can file your claim and keep track of any updates.

Aegis Travel Insurance will cover pre-existing medical conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 24 hours or 14 days of your initial trip deposit, depending on your policy. Aegis Travel Insurance's Choice plan offers pre-existing condition coverage as an upgrade instead of an inclusion, though the 14-day window still applies.

Aegis Travel Insurance' Pandemic Plus, Choice, and Trip Cancellation coverage can be extended by up to seven days.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Avoiding Altitude Sickness: How to Enjoy the Mountains Safely

By Megan McCrea

At last, you’ve arrived in Cuzco, Peru — you’re ready for your dream trek to Machu Picchu. There’s just one problem: You can barely catch your breath, your stomach is churning and, in the morning, your head is throbbing.

The culprit? Altitude sickness, or in medical terms, acute mountain sickness — the various symptoms tied to your body’s response to the higher altitude. As elevation increases, air pressure drops, meaning you get less oxygen from each full breath. It is temporarily uncomfortable for most people, but in extreme cases, severe altitude sickness can even be fatal.

It sounds scary, but as Paul Nicolazzo, the president of Wilderness Medicine Training Center said, “There’s really no reason to be afraid of going to altitude, as long as you understand what you’re up against, and you obey some very, very basic rules.”

Know the symptoms

A.M.S. has four general symptoms: headache, gastrointestinal discomfort (nausea and lack of appetite), fatigue/weakness, and dizziness/lightheadedness.

Many people experience the morning altitude headache, in which “your skull feels too small for the pulse that’s coming,” said Steve House, the founder of Uphill Athlete , a company that offers high-altitude endurance coaching.

It is also common to struggle with sleep at high altitudes. This occurs partly because the part of your nervous system responsible for keeping you awake has kicked in to increase your respiratory rate, Mr. Nicolazzo said.

Pay attention to elevation

The two main drivers of A.M.S. are how high you’re going and how fast you’re getting there. People with a higher altitude sensitivity might start experiencing challenges not far above 5,000 feet, say in places like Denver and Johannesburg. Anyone traveling above 8,000 feet may be at risk for altitude sickness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Serious adventure travelers — say, those trekking in the Himalayas, or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro — usually know they’re headed for high altitudes. But the elevation of destinations like Mexico City (about 8,000 feet), the summit of Haleakala on Maui (10,023 feet), Cuzco (about 11,150 feet), or even Santa Fe, N.M. (6,996 feet), might come as a surprise. To set expectations, check your destination’s altitude in advance on Google Earth or the U.S. Geological Survey national map viewer .

Listen to your body

If you have a condition like heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, lung disease, C.O.P.D., asthma or sleep apnea, you’ll want to start paying close attention to how you’re feeling at around 5,000 feet.

If you have a pre-existing condition or have had trouble with high altitudes before — or if you’ll be going above 10,000 feet — consider visiting a specialist, who can help you prepare and may be able to advise you about the main drugs used to prevent and treat altitude sickness, Diamox (acetazolamide) and dexamethasone.

Sleep your way up

Traveling to high altitudes is a little like running a marathon: It will go better if you build up to it.

Say you’re headed to a high-altitude ski resort. Consider working your way up from a lower sleeping elevation to a higher one, since the critical factor — for altitude purposes — is where you spend the night.

If you’re traveling from sea level to Breckenridge, a Colorado ski town that sits at about 9,600 feet, first spend a night in Denver, at 5,280 feet, advised Dr. Peter Hackett, the founder of the Denali Medical Research Project and a high-altitude specialist. By doing so, he explained, “you drop the incidence of headache by almost half. So that little bit of extra time that you take to get to 9,000 feet to sleep can make a big difference.”

Skip that fatty steak

When Mr. Nicolazzo worked as a ski patroller, there was a behavior so common — and certain to exacerbate altitude illness — he remembers that local lodges posted warnings about it. People would fly in from sea level, he recalled, drive to the ski areas around Taos, N.M. (which is itself at 6,969 feet), “have a big steak, baked potato with sour cream and a lot of butter,” along with several cocktails. Then, they would feel terrible the next day, he said.

To avoid that feeling, trade the steak and extra butter for something with more carbohydrates, as fats and proteins take more oxygen for your body to metabolize.

And if you’re having a cocktail, keep it to one: Alcohol and other depressants can decrease your oxygen level, particularly while you’re sleeping, Dr. Hackett said.

Above all, drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated will help your kidneys work better, Mr. Nicolazzo explained, which can help you adjust to the altitude and, hopefully, avoid the headache.

Watch for red flags

A mild case of A.M.S. can become moderate or severe if someone ascends too high or too fast. Most — but not all — people progress through the mild symptoms before reaching this level, which includes symptoms like dizziness, disorientation, severe nausea and extreme shortness of breath.

To guard against severe A.M.S., monitor how you feel, and if you’re experiencing a persistent headache, trouble sleeping or other A.M.S. symptoms, tell your companions and don’t ascend any higher.

At the severe end of the continuum, if not treated, A.M.S. could progress into high altitude pulmonary edema , in which fluid builds up in the lungs, or more rarely, high altitude cerebral edema , where fluid builds up in the brain. Both conditions can be fatal.

“There are three cures for altitude illness,” Mr. House said, “descent, descent and descent.” Anyone who appears confused, is coughing up fluid or seems to have trouble breathing or walking — symptoms of severe conditions like HAPE or HACE — needs to be taken down immediately, Dr. Hackett said. “Just a thousand feet is all they have to go. And that could save their life.”

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .