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How Travel Insurance Can Rescue a Ski Trip

Meghan Coyle started as a web producer and writer at NerdWallet in 2018. She covers travel rewards, including industry news, airline and hotel loyalty programs, and how to travel on points. She is based in Los Angeles.

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Table of Contents

Trip delay or cancellation coverage

Accidental injury, travel inconvenience, lost or damaged equipment, should i insure my ski trip.

Snow in the forecast can send winter sports enthusiasts flocking to the mountains for some fresh powder. But unpredictable weather doesn't always make for the easiest travel. Inherently, ski trips might be one of the riskiest to book since you can spend big bucks on ski lift tickets, lodging, airfare and equipment rentals, only to lose the money if the weather doesn't cooperate or an injury occurs.

These kinds of travel woes could affect more travelers as skiing and snowboarding grow in popularity. According to the National Ski Areas Association, there were more than 60 million visits to U.S. ski slopes during the 2021-2022 season, the highest since the organization started keeping track in 1978.

To reduce the risk of losing money on an interrupted or canceled ski trip due to adverse weather, travel insurance can be an option to consider. Some of the more common travel insurance benefits, such as trip delay or cancellation coverage, can come in handy for vacations in winter destinations. Plus, some travelers might already have those benefits through a travel credit card .

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Standalone travel insurance plans, which can offer more specific coverage tailored to ski trips, are also available. With these policies, travelers can get reimbursed for more particular expenses related to winter sports travel. 

Here are the types of coverage travelers can expect to find when shopping for travel insurance for a ski trip.

Trip delay and cancellation coverage is a standard part of most travel insurance plans and can benefit those heading toward winter weather. For example, if flights are delayed because of a snowstorm, this type of coverage can help travelers get money back for days they might've missed at the resort. This usually includes reimbursements for nonrefundable travel expenses such as prepaid lift tickets, equipment rentals and other similar expenses.

Trip delay and cancellation insurance could also pay for extra meals and lodging that travelers may have incurred as a result of a delay.

One important caveat is that this coverage usually kicks in for covered reasons only. An airline delaying a flight would be covered, but a traveler looking at the weather report and wanting to bail on the trip for fear of getting stuck wouldn't be. 

Skiers and snowboarders who want complete flexibility to cancel as they please should consider Cancel For Any Reason insurance. This coverage is a special add-on that costs more, but travelers typically receive 50% to 75% of their travel costs back if they cancel for any reason.

» Learn more: 10 best ski hotels to book with points

Injury is another big risk for ski trips. Injured skiers and snowboarders would most likely have to cut their trip short. That's when ski travel insurance with trip interruption coverage would help pay for the costs associated with returning home early.

Note that this coverage differs from travel medical insurance and medical evacuation insurance . Injured travelers will typically have to use some combination of their regular health insurance and travel medical insurance from their winter sports insurance policy (regardless if it's provided through a credit card or bought separately). 

"Depending on where you're skiing, your home health insurance might cover you for an accident. But it also might not if you're outside of your home health network, and certainly not if you're traveling internationally," says Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com.

Advanced skiers and snowboarders will likely need even more coverage. If adventuring into the backcountry, outside of resort bounds or heli-skiing, consider getting additional insurance coverage for adventure sports. 

» Learn more: How to save on a ski trip

This is a vague name for coverage, but it's a good add-on to a travel insurance policy for winter sports trips. "Travel inconvenience," sometimes called "Lost Skier Days," will reimburse travelers if the resort closes because of too much or too little snow.

This type of coverage is typically available from Dec. 1 to March 31 for resorts in the Northern Hemisphere and can reimburse up to $125 in lost expenses per day.

Many travelers are familiar with baggage loss or delay coverage , but some might not know that expensive ski or snowboarding gear might not be covered entirely. After all, typical travel insurance policies insure up to a certain dollar amount only. So if the airline loses your expensive skis, you might not be reimbursed for the full value.

Getting ski travel insurance with coverage for items like skis and snowboards can help. With this coverage, if your gear is delayed, the ski insurance provider will reimburse you, up to a limit, for equipment rentals.

If you're worried about losing the nonrefundable costs of your winter sports-focused vacation, ski travel insurance can provide some peace of mind. Look for coverage that reimburses you in case of winter weather delays or accidental injuries. In addition, travel inconvenience or sports equipment coverage are add-ons that can help you recoup the costs associated with lift tickets and equipment rentals.

Skiing and snowboarding are always an adventure, but delays and accidents don't have to be so costly.

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June 1, 2020

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Ski Travel Insurance Benefits

White powder, cozy lodges, stunning views: A ski vacation is an unforgettable experience, whether you're traveling solo or with the family. But winter sports are as risky as they are exhilarating, and that's why you need ski travel insurance.

Three Things You Need To Know Before Buying Ski Travel Insurance

Comprehensive ski travel insurance coverage is essential if you're planning a winter adventure anytime soon. Here are the three reasons smart travelers buy trip insurance.

1. Ski travel insurance helps protect your investment.

With lift tickets, ski rentals, airline tickets and peak-season hotel prices, the expenses add up fast for a ski vacation. If you have to make a last-minute trip cancellation , you could lose a lot of money.

A good ski travel insurance policy covers not only trip cancellations, but also travel interruptions and stolen or lost baggage. If something goes awry, having travel insurance may help you recoup your investment and save your vacation.

2. Accidents and medical emergencies happen on a ski trip when you least expect it.

You might glide gracefully down black-diamond trails, but serious accidents can happen to the most experienced skiers. Or a sneaky cold or flu could ruin your long-planned vacation. Ski travel insurance policies may cover emergency medical evacuations and medical care, even on international trips . Look for a ski trip insurance policy that also covers trip interruptions, so if you have to cut your ski trip short, you can get back on the slopes when you're better.

3. When everything depends on the weather, ski travel insurance is a must.

You're wishing for fresh snow, but instead you get slush. Or a record-breaking blizzard closes the airport, leaving you stuck at home. You can't control the weather, but ski travel insurance keeps you from worrying about it. Many travel insurance policies cover ski trip cancellations, interruptions and delays due to weather. Make sure you review your insurance plan carefully before you buy, because not all plans offer the same coverage.

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Ski Travel Insurance Beginners Guide

While you might pride yourself in being an expert-level skier, accidents don't care about the amount of experience you have on the slopes. No matter how long you've been skiing, there is always a chance of getting hurt, damaging your equipment, or losing money on prepaid tickets.

If you are planning a ski trip, you may consider paying for ski travel insurance. It has features similar to other travel insurance plans, but covers costs that are unique to a ski vacation. Buying ski travel insurance could save you a lot of money if there are any unforeseen problems on your trip.

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What is Ski Travel Insurance?

Ski travel insurance covers snow sports like skiing and snowboarding in case of an accident or mishap. Unlike regular travel insurance, ski insurance covers your ski gear in the case that it gets lost or stolen. It can also include travel-related problems like delayed or canceled flights or lost luggage. Most importantly, ski travel insurance covers your health in case of an injury caused by a skiing accident or travel-related illness.

Why Do You Want It?

It is reported that around 600,000 people are injured in ski or snowboard activities in the US each year. You don't have to be taking black diamonds and skiing off cliffs to get hurt. In fact, the most common accident is a 37-year-old male skier that runs into a tree or another skier on a groomed slope.

Even though many of these are minor, any amount of medical attention will cost money. While your health insurance should cover you if you get into an accident within your own country, that won't always help you if you are skiing abroad.

Most of the time, you will only get compensated for medical emergencies abroad if you pay a little extra for travel insurance. Often this includes emergency flights back into your country of origin so you can get treated closer to home.

Ski travel insurance goes a step further than the average travel insurance by covering ski-related mishaps as well as covering other winter sports. By being insured when you ski abroad, you can have the peace of mind that if anything goes wrong with your trip, you could be compensated.

What Does Ski Travel Insurance Cover?

Generally, all of your equipment is covered by ski insurance. That includes your skis, poles, boots, bindings, and helmet. Even if you are planning on renting ski gear at the resort, it is usually covered as well, so you won't have to pay any hefty damage or replacement fees in case of an accident.

Your equipment is also covered if it is stolen or lost as long as the theft is reported to the police.

Most resorts won't refund tickets once you pay for them. If you buy them at the counter five minutes before you get on the lift, it's not likely you'll even want to refund them. However, many resorts offer discounts if you buy several days' worth of lift tickets at once. The problem with buying the tickets days in advance is that while you are saving money, you are also taking the chance that you won't get a refund if for some reason you can't ski.

For example, if you get sick or injured after day one of skiing, you might have to eat your tickets for days two and three. Or if you bought your tickets online and your flight gets canceled or delayed so that you miss your first day of skiing, generally you lose the money you spent on those tickets.

Pro Tip: To find cheap flights to ski resorts, we use Skyscanner , which searches all airlines in one go.

If you buy ski travel insurance, it will most likely cover the price of your tickets in the event that an unforeseen emergency prevents you from skiing one or all days. So you can go ahead and buy those discounted tickets ahead of time or pay for the three-day ski pass without the worry of something happening that prevents you from skiing.

Another instance in which ski insurance will cover your ski pass is if it is lost or stolen. Once you buy your ski pass, it is your responsibility to keep it safe. Most resorts will tell you upfront that they are not responsible for lost or stolen ski tickets. Thankfully companies that provide ski travel insurance will pay you back for the remaining value of your ski pass so you won't have to pay for a second ticket.

Back Country Skiing Protection

If you like to venture off the groomed trails and explore the slopes less skied, you won't have to worry about ski insurance not covering you as long as the area is not deemed unsafe by the ski resort. That means you will be covered for injury and gear damage where you most need the protection.

Package Deals

In the long run, it will save you a lot of money to buy a package deal and pay for ski-school, ski rentals, and a lift ticket all at once. Unfortunately, that means losing a lot of money all at once as well if you are sick or injured.

Thankfully, ski travel insurance covers package deals and will pay for anything that cannot be refunded.

Other Winter Sports

Many insurance companies put ski travel insurance into the same category as winter sports travel insurance. So while you're mainly paying for protection while skiing on your vacation, you can try out other fun winter sports while you're there without the worry of not being protected by your insurance. Other winter sports covered by many insurance companies include:

• Cross country skiing
• Snowboarding
• Off-piste skiing/snowboarding
• Freestyle skiing
• Heli-skiing
• Mono skiing
• Recreational ski racing
• Ski acrobatics
• Ski bob racing
• Ski stunting
• Ski touring
• Bobsleighing
• Glacier walking
• Supervise ice climbing
• Ice fishing
• Ice Skating
• Snowmobiling
• Tobogganing

Before you head out into the snow, make sure you fully understand your policy as coverage varies between insurance companies.

What Does It Not Cover?

Knowing ahead of time what your ski insurance won't cover is just as important to understand as what it will cover. If a scenario could have been easily avoided, ski travel insurance typically won't cover it.

For example, if you decide not to lock up your backpack and extra gear in a locker and leave it vulnerable to the public, your insurance company probably won't cover the costs of anything that was stolen.

Also, if anything is stolen despite your best efforts to keep it safe, you must report it to the police within 24 hours. Failing to do so could mean your belongings are not covered.

The same goes for if you take unnecessary risks while skiing. If you choose to go past blocked off areas of the ski resort considered dangerous and prohibited and you get hurt, again,  your insurance will not cover those medical costs.

Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while skiing is also an unnecessary and dangerous risk that could cause your insurance company to deny your claim.

Again, do your research to understand how you are covered on a ski trip by your insurance. Then make sure you are doing everything in your power to prevent having to make a claim, especially if your policy does not cover that claim.

Cost of Ski Travel Insurance

The price of ski travel insurance is different for everyone, and it will depend on a variety of factors that your final cost ends up being. The following circumstances will affect how much you pay into ski travel insurance:

Ski travel insurance and other travel insurance policies have this in common. The older you are, the more you will have to pay to be covered. Yes, it isn't fair, but insurance companies deem you more of a liability the older you are. The risk of falling and getting hurt increases with age, as does the chance that you have a pre-existing medical condition.

Your Health

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or previous injuries that could easily be reinjured, make sure your insurance company knows before you pay for the policy. You might have to pay more upfront for insurance when you disclose this information. In the long run, however, it could protect you if you need to make a claim later. Not being upfront about pre-existing conditions might mean that they are more likely to deny your request.

The Country to Which You Are Traveling

The cost of healthcare is not international. It changes from country to country. Therefore, if you are traveling to the United States or Canada, travel insurance will be more expensive because healthcare in these countries generally costs more. On the other hand, traveling to certain European or South American countries for skiing will cost you much less in travel ski insurance. Again, that is because those countries have much more affordable healthcare, to begin with.

The Size of Your Family

Bundling insurance with other members of your family could save you quite a bit per person. The more people you have under a specific policy, the bigger discounts you will get in many cases. If you travel on your own, you can count on paying a bit more.

Length of Policy

Ski travel insurance allows you to pay only during your ski holiday, and the payment and coverage end when you return home. This route is your best option if you are only planning on taking one ski trip in the year.

In other cases, some families take multiple trips per year. For them, it would be cheaper to choose an annual plan.

Because there are so many variables that go into the price of travel insurance, we will give just a couple of examples so you can estimate how much you are going to pay for ski travel insurance.

On average, you can expect to pay between $40 and $70 to be covered for one week. For a family of four, the price ranges from $165 to $350 for a week.

It may be more economical for your family to pay for annual ski travel insurance if you plan on taking several ski trips over the course of the year.

Other Coverage You Might Need

Having basic health insurance is always a good idea, especially if you are spending time skiing or doing other winter sports. That way, even if you are skiing locally, you will be covered by medical insurance in case of any accidents. Don't think that you only need to be protected abroad. You can just as easily get injured skiing in your back yard. Make sure you're protected.

You might also want to consider getting a regular traveler's insurance if you are skiing abroad. Not all skiing travel policies cover things like hotel stays because of canceled or late flights, or loss of luggage. Traveler's insurance will also cover you if you get sick or injured outside the ski resort and need medical attention.

Best Rated Ski Travel Insurance Companies

It is hard to know where to begin when you shop for ski travel insurance. These highly rated companies are an excellent place to start. They will offer you free quotes after you answer a few simple questions about your health, age, and ski trip plans.

• Travel Guard
• Allianz Travel
• Generali Global Assistance
• World Nomads
• Square Mouth

Is It Really Worth It?

Ski travel insurance is only worth it if you pay for the right policy. Don't take the first policy you can afford. Instead, take time to research all the ins and outs of your policy. All insurance companies offer varying plans, so make sure you're covered for things like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, equipment that is lost, stolen, or damaged, and prepaid non-refundable ski passes.

Ski vacations should be remembered for the fun you had on the slopes deep within nature. Don't let an accident or unforeseen problem add stress and cost to your trip. By paying ahead of time for ski travel insurance, you can ski free from worry and stress.

Hello, I'm Simon & I love skiing. I started skiing in 2007 and I founded this website to help new skiers learn everything there is to know about skiing. NewToSki.com has grown to be a trusted resource for over a million skiers to plan their ski trips each year and learn more about every aspect of skiing. Be sure to join my email list for the best tips and handpicked deals each week.

About The Founder

Hello, I'm Simon & I love skiing. I started skiing in 2007 and I founded this website to help new skiers learn everything there is to know about skiing.

NewToSki.com has grown to be a trusted resource for over a million skiers to plan their ski trips each year and learn more about every aspect of skiing.

Be sure to join thousands of clever skiers who read my emails for the best tips and handpicked deals each week.

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7 of the best ski holiday insurance providers to cover you on the slopes

From annual insurance to one-trip coverage, these policies offer protection when on the snow, article bookmarked.

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After analysing the snowfall, quality of mountain runs and apres-ski vibes to choose your ideal spot to strap on your skis this winter, it's time to consider which winter sports travel insurance is best suited to keep you safe as you reach new altitudes.

Whether resorts without snow , slips causing broken bones, and unpredictable avalanches, plenty can go wrong on the pistes and it's always best to travel prepared.

In the event a ski pole slips through a cable car into the abyss – an not unlikely affair with small children – pistes are closed or lift passes are misplaced, having the right insurance to hire replacement equipment and receive financial compensation to tackle cancellations and medical costs is the key to smooth skiing.

Here are the best providers with which to purchase your winter sports travel insurance policies, allowing you to protect yourself before this season's ski holiday .

Read more on ski holidays :

• 8 of the best ski hotels across Europe
• 6 best ski holidays for beginners: Resorts and all-in packages to reach the pistes
• 8 of the best apres-ski holiday destinations

Do I need insurance for a ski holiday?

Yes – many standard travel insurance policies will not allow you to claim for accidents while taking part in winter sports if you have not taken out specific cover for medical expenses, equipment and piste closures before your ski holiday.

Will I be insured if I ski off-piste?

Several winter sports insurance providers cover off-piste skiing provided you are with a qualified guide and remain on recognised runs – check with your provider to see if off-piste skiing is inclueded in your policy.

Should I get an annual or one-trip policy?

Annual policies tend to provide 21-31 days of winter sports cover, which might work best for avid skiers hitting the slopes every season, whereas a one-trip winter sports extension policy could be better suited to cover a one-off week on the pistes.

Will I be insured if I ski while drunk?

No. You risk your insurance cover being invalid if you injure yourself, your equipment or others while skiing intoxicated with impaired judgement and reaction times or you are not wearing a helmet.

Ski equipment cover:  £500

Piste closures:  £500

Medical expenses:  £5 million

Lost lift pass:  £500

NFU Mutual  offers winter sports cover for you and your equipment for up to 30 days as an add-on to their standard travel insurance policies. Activities covered include piste skiing, sledging, monoskiing and snowshoeing. Reasonable extra accommodation and transport expenses in the event of avalanche delays are also insured under the policy.

Admiral Gold

Ski equipment cover:  £750

Piste closures:  £250

Medical expenses:  £15 million

Lost lift pass:  £250 per week

Admiral Gold  features winter sports insurance from just £25 as part of its upgrade package. Cancellation cover and piste closures are included for a maximum of 21 days of winter sports in the annual gold cover and the policy will pay out £200 in the event of an avalanche. Off-piste skiing is also included provided you “go with a qualified guide or instructor and remain on recognised paths”.

Ski equipment cover:  £500

Piste closures:  £300

Medical expenses:  £10 million

Lost lift pass:  £250

Barclays  offers winter sports cover (excluding freestyle skiing or snowboarding) for 31 days a year, and skiing equipment and piste closures are part of its standard travel insurance policies. The insurance covers emergency rescue services and you can claim back up to £200 for delays should there be an avalanche.

Virgin Money 

Piste closures:  £400

Virgin Money  provides single and multi-trip winter sports insurance for theft or damage to ski equipment, emergency medical treatment caused by skiing slip-ups, and piste closures. Policyholders can also claim up to £400 if their arrival at a ski resort is delayed by an avalanche.

Nationwide FlexPlus

Piste closures:  £5,000

Nationwide’s  FlexPlus travel insurance features cover for accidents needing medical help on the slopes, lost or stolen ski equipment, and piste or avalanche closures that cause delays or a cancellation of your snow-capped holiday. All FlexPlus current account holders are automatically covered with the travel insurance.

Staysure Signature

Piste closures:  £200

Medical expenses:  Unlimited

With  Staysure Signature , 28 days of winter sports cover are included in “signature” policies, but you can add winter sports travel insurance to other policies for 11 sports (such as skiing, snowshoeing and ice-skating), unused ski-school fees and up to £160 back if you encounter avalanche delays.

Covered 2Go 

Ski equipment cover:  £1,000

Covered 2Go  offers a winter sports travel insurance extension to gold and platinum coverage, including personal liability in case you injure someone else, and there’s up to £500 compensation available in the event of avalanche delays. The winter sports policy also covers guided skiing off-piste, ice-skating and tobogganing – but you must be wearing a helmet and skiing sober for your policy to be valid.

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1. Ski Travel Insurance

We provide a Skiing Travel Insurance that includes cover for skiing abroad for leisure or competition. The policy includes cover for medical and repatriation costs, trip cancellation and curtailment, plus more.

2. Ski Travel Insurance Bolt-On

If you have an existing travel insurance policy in place with another provider, such as your bank, but it does not include cover for skiing, we can provide a bolt-on style of protection for your trip.

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Why choose our Skiing Insurance

30 years experience.

We have been providing tailored Sports Insurance policies for over 30 years, and today protect more than 57,000 customers a year.

Professional Claims Handling

We work with leading claims handlers to make sure our customers experience a prompt and professional service when making a claim.

Underwritten by Experts

We’re pleased to offer tailored cover from AXA XL, a leading provider of insurance in the sports and leisure industry.

UK Based Customer Service Team

Our highly experienced Sales team are available to help support you with any questions that you might have.

5-Star Customer Service Rating

Thousands of happy customers have awarded us a 5-star customer service score on the independent feedback platform, Feefo.

500+ Sports Covered

Being a specialist in Sports Insurance, we provide cover for over 500 different sports & activities, including various skiing disciplines such off-piste and ski racing.

What makes our ski insurance policy different?

Be aware that some travel insurance policies will exclude skiing, snowboarding and many other activities on the slopes. So, if you have an accident and are not covered, you could be left to pick up the bill. Make sure you have the correct cover.

At SportsCover Direct we cover a variety of winter sports disciplines including off-piste skiing, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined, ski jumping and a whole host of other activities on the mountain.

Our policy comes with benefits such as 24 hour emergency medical assistance, search and rescue, cancellation cover and more. If you need to be evacuated from the mountainside or repatriated back home, this will be covered under our policy.

Our Sports Travel Insurance policy lets you choose the skiing insurance that suits you. Just tell us exactly what you will be doing on your ski holiday and we’ll provide you with the cover you need.

Find out more when you get an instant quote for Skiing Insurance.

What’s covered with ski insurance?

Due to the nature of the sport, there are risks attached to yourself and others, so it is worth ensuring you have appropriate insurance to cover unexpected incidents. 

Our Skiing Insurance cover will include:

• Emergency Medical Expenses & Repatriation
• Cancellation & Curtailment
• Personal Accident cover
• Personal Liability
• Delayed, lost or stolen baggage
• Activity & Race Entry Fees
• Sports Equipment

What winter sports are covered?

A comprehensive ski travel insurance policy will cover multiple winter sports. Our ski insurance can include and not limited to:

• Skiing (on and off-piste)
• Snowboarding (on and off-piste)
• Snowshoeing 
• Cross-country skiing 
• Ski Touring

Why you need ski travel insurance?

The possibility of getting injured whilst skiing is relatively high due to the nature of the sport. With this in mind, it’s important to financially protect yourself from the costs of receiving medical treatment in a foreign country. 

Taking out specialist ski insurance ensures you will have comprehensive cover for your winter holiday. Find out more when you get a quote online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Standard travel insurance policies do not normally cover hazardous activities. Our Sports Travel Insurance is specifically designed to cover over 500 high risk activities such as bungee jumping, skateboarding, ski-acrobatics and many more.

Our Sports Travel Insurance policy provides up to £5,600 worth of equipment cover as an optional add-on. This not only protects your  own equipment, but also any gear you hire during your trip. It also covers your paragliding equipment in transit to and from your destination.

Yes, our Ski Travel Insurance can generally be taken out even if you have a medical condition. We can almost always offer cover at no extra cost, but occasionally our underwriters may apply special terms if you subsequently needed to make a claim relating to your condition.

You can purchase our Ski Travel Insurance online up until 74 years old. Above this age, you would need to call us on 01494 484800 and we will be able to refer your quote to our underwriters. Please note, our quotes are based on your age at the start date of cover.

* 10% online discount applies to our Sports Travel Insurance and Activity TopUp policies only. 

** Data relates to Sports Travel Insurance claims from Jan 2023 to Dec 2023 inclusive.

*** Feefo rating relates to Sports Travel Insurance claims review score from Jan 2023 to Dec 2023 inclusive. 

Get an instant quote and buy  online now!

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Travel Insurance for Skiing and Snowboarding Trips

Planning a snowsports vacation? Find the best skiing insurance to cover your trip and yourself.

with our comparison partner, TravelInsurance.com

Molly Corry is a writer and PR professional specializing in travel advice. When she’s not writing, Molly enjoys attending dance classes and exploring new travel destinations.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Whether you’re a skiing or snowboarding newbie or a slalom expert, there’s nothing like the thrill of hitting the slopes. But amidst the excitement, it’s important to remember these winter sporting vacations come with certain health risks and dangers.

The last thing you want to experience during your vacation is an injury that puts you in line for travel medical care . Travel insurance for skiing or snowboarding trips is an important way to protect your vacation investment and your health on your trip.

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

Companies Reviewed

Quotes Collected

Rating Factors

The Risks of Skiing and Snowboarding

The main risks associated with skiing and snowboarding, especially when traveling internationally, are the following:

• Injury: These sports both involve speed and navigating down steep, snowy slopes. This creates inherent injury risks. Common injuries include fractures, torn ligaments, dislocated shoulders, concussions, etc. Risk may be higher when skiing/riding at unfamiliar resorts with unknown terrain.
• Remote areas: Many resorts are located in very remote mountainous regions, miles from advanced medical care. This can be concerning if injured or in a serious accident when abroad, as access to good hospitals may be limited. Evacuations can also be complex.
• Extreme weather: Mountain weather can change rapidly, leading to low visibility, high winds, frigid temperatures, etc. This is especially dangerous if unprepared gear- or experience-wise.
• Altitude sickness: Most resorts are at high elevations of several thousand feet or more. This can trigger headaches, nausea, fatigue and other altitude illness symptoms in some people, especially when arriving from lower elevations. Staying properly hydrated and allowing time to acclimate is key.
• Costs of medical care: Any injury or illness requiring medical treatment will likely be very expensive if overseas without ample travel insurance. Skiing and medical transport from the slopes can rapidly escalate into thousands or tens of thousands in costs without insurance.

The risks can be managed with proper lessons, smart terrain choices, measured pace of advancement, use of protective gear, staying apprised of conditions, traveling with a companion, and securing travel insurance for the trip dates and locations. But the risk profile is inherently a bit higher than most other types of vacations. Careful preparation is a must to minimize this.

Snow or Winter Storm Interruptions

Choosing specialized travel insurance for skiing and snowboarding vacations will supply you with a backstop if you miss a curve and can’t control your skis or snowboard. These policies are tailored to cover the unique risks associated with these activities.

With insurance in place, you can enjoy your vacation knowing you’re protected against an array of potential mishaps and emergencies. Medical expenses for injuries on the slopes can be expensive, particularly in cases that require emergency evacuation, such as air ambulance rescue from the mountains or medical repatriation. Costs only go up if you have an injury that requires immediate surgery.

Beyond medical coverage, your insurance can also pay for trip interruptions and cancellations. You can claim reimbursement for the remaining costs if an unexpected injury forces you to cancel or cut your trip short.

You also may be eligible for compensation if an avalanche causes delays or piste closures. Your insurance might also protect against the loss, theft or damage of sports equipment — a valuable benefit given the high cost of such equipment and rentals.

Specialized insurance tailored for adventure sports vacations ensures that you’re protected against potential financial setbacks, allowing you to enjoy your adventure without unnecessary worries.

Skiing and Snowboarding Equipment Coverage

Equipment coverage is often considered essential for people who embark on skiing or snowboarding trips. Here are the typical available coverage options.

Equipment Theft Coverage

Equipment theft coverage supplies financial reimbursement if your gear gets stolen during your trip. However, you must review the policy’s fine print to decide the specific circumstances in which you are protected. For instance, confirm whether you are covered for theft at the ski resort, in your accommodation or during transit.

Equipment Damage Coverage

Equipment damage coverage protects you if your equipment sustains damage. Whether it occurs on the slopes or during transportation, this coverage ensures you’re covered for repairs or replacement.

Equipment Loss Coverage

It is always worth checking to see if your policy includes coverage for lost equipment. Losing your gear can be a frustrating and costly experience, so it’s best to have the appropriate protection in place should anything go missing.

Rental Equipment Coverage

Rental equipment coverage is an invaluable feature for people renting their skiing or snowboarding gear on their winter sports holiday. This coverage protects you if your rented equipment gets damaged or stolen or goes missing.

Choosing the Right Ski Travel Insurance Policy

When choosing a travel insurance policy for your snowboarding or ski trip, it’s important to prioritize protection for potential medical emergencies, trip cancellations and interruptions.

The right coverage will allow you to enjoy your time on the slopes without worrying about unforeseen circumstances. Finding the most suitable travel insurance plans involves researching insurance companies, comparing prices and coverages and looking at claims performance. Price comparison websites can be useful when trying to find cheap skiing or snowboarding vacation options.

You’ll first want to check the limit on how much coverage you can buy from various plans. You should also pay attention to age restrictions. Some policies may not cover senior travelers or those above 65, while others don’t have any age limit.

If you have pre-existing medical conditions , obtaining travel insurance coverage is possible but it usually costs more. Check whether your conditions are covered under the policy.

You’ll also want to verify that the cost of lost, damaged and stolen equipment is covered because snowboards and skis are expensive. Lastly, review the exclusions to know exactly what the policy’s limitations are.

By weighing these factors and looking at your trip cost, you can make an informed decision about picking the best travel insurance for your skiing or snowboarding vacation.

Benefits of Winter Sports Travel Insurance

Obtaining health insurance specific to winter sports vacations like ski trips offers multiple benefits. You get coverage for a range of situations, including healthcare expenses, trip interruptions and cancellations, medical evacuation and equipment loss, theft or damage.

You can also expect coverage for piste closures and delays caused by avalanches. And if you can’t use lift tickets you bought because of unforeseen circumstances, you may be eligible for reimbursement for those, too.

Securing the proper insurance coverage will allow you to relax and enjoy your trip, knowing that you are protected against all of the most common issues that could arise.

Tips for a Safe Skiing and Snowboarding Trip

Here are some tips for keeping safe on your snowboard or ski vacation.

Wear Appropriate Safety Gear

One of the most effective ways to stay safe on the slopes is to wear the right safety gear. Wear a well-fitted helmet to protect against potential head injuries , invest in goggles or sunglasses to shield your eyes from the sun, and consider using wrist guards for added protection.

Know and Follow the Mountain Rules

Take time to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations of the mountain before hitting the slopes. Pay attention to speed limits, warning signs and any specific guidelines the ski resort provides. Adhering to these rules will help maintain a safe environment for all skiers and snowboarders.

Learn Trail Difficulty Levels

Know your skill level and choose slopes that align with your capabilities. Don’t overestimate your abilities and venture onto trails that may be too challenging. Selecting appropriate routes will reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.

Practice Responsible Skiing and Snowboarding

Practice responsible skiing and snowboarding by being mindful of others on the slopes. Stay on marked trails, keep a safe distance from fellow skiers and snowboarders when passing or merging, and avoid attempting maneuvers or slopes beyond your skill level. Respecting mountain etiquette ensures a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone.

Is Ski Insurance Worth it?

Opting for specialized travel insurance for skiing and snowboarding vacations is the best way to ensure financial protection if unforeseen circumstances alter your trip. These policies are specifically designed to cover the risks associated with adventure vacations: medical emergencies, equipment issues and trip interruptions.

Choosing specialized sports coverage will leave you confident that you’re ready for challenges that may arise during your adventure on the slopes.

When choosing insurance for skiing and snowboarding vacations, carefully review the policy and understand its exclusions. This ensures that you have the coverage you need to enjoy your trip to the fullest.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance for Winter Sports

What is travel insurance.

Travel insurance is financial protection for travelers in case some event alters the trip in a major way. It offers a range of benefits that can safeguard against various risks and unexpected events that may arise before or during a trip.

Are skiing accidents covered by insurance?

Should you get into an accident while skiing, your travel insurance will pay some expenses, depending on the policy. Your policy can cover you for injuries and emergency help. However, you must review the specific terms and conditions of your policy to understand the extent to which you’re covered.

Do I need travel insurance for skiing in France?

Whether you’re skiing in France or any other winter sports destination, we highly recommend getting travel insurance. Engaging in adventure sports always involves an element of risk, and having the right coverage in place is the best way to ensure that you’re protected against circumstances that negatively affect your trip.

What is the difference between travel insurance and trip cancellation insurance?

Travel insurance provides comprehensive coverage across different parts of your vacation, such as medical and trip interruption coverage. Trip cancellation insurance is more limited. It specifically focuses on protecting you if you need to cancel your trip or cut it short because of unforeseen circumstances.

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at  editors@marketwatchguides. com .

More Resources:

• Best overall
• Best for cruises
• Best for reputation
• Best for preexisting conditions
• Best for digital nomads
• Best low-cost
• Best for road trips
• How we reviewed travel insurance companies

Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Insurance in June 2024

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.

Traveling is an adventure, a leap into the unknown, a story waiting to unfold. But every story needs a safety net, and that's where travel insurance comes in. In this guide to the best travel insurance, we'll embark on a journey to help you better understand travel insurance and uncover the benefits that make it an indispensable companion for any traveler.

Our Picks for the Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best overall: nationwide travel insurance.

• Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA
• Best for Cruises: Travel Guard
• Best Reputation:  C&F Travel Insured
• Best for Pre-existing Conditions:   Tin Leg Travel Insurance
• Best for Digital Nomads:   WorldTrips Travel Insurance
• Best Low-Cost Option:   Trawick International Travel Insurance

Best for Road Trips: Travelex Travel Insurance

How we rate travel insurance »

Compare the Best Travel Insurance Companies

The best travel insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage options for a wide range of people and needs. For this guide, we looked at coverage options, customizability, and the best companies for specific situations, such as pre-existing conditions.

Here are Business Insider's picks for the best travel insurance companies in 2024. 

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

Nationwide Travel Insurance is of the largest players in the travel insurance space, offering nearly endless options for any customer on the travel spectrum, including annual travel insurance plans which can offer frequent travelers the flexibility to "set it and forget it" on their travel insurance coverage.

Nationwide Essential also offers some of the most affordable policies in the market compared to similar plans from competitors, which makes it a great pick for just about anyone. Buyers can discuss bundling options as Nationwide also sells homeowners, auto, pet, and other insurance products. Its travel insurance quoting is just as easy as it has been with other Nationwide insurance products.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Travel Insurance Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

AXA Assistance USA  offers consumers a great option for no-stress travel insurance: low-priced plans, generous coverage limits on key categories including primary insurance on lost luggage, and up to 150% reimbursement for qualifying trip cancellations.

While add-ons are limited and rental car coverage is not included by default on cheaper plans, AXA is a perfect fit for travelers who don't plan to drive (or who already hold a travel credit card with rental car coverage), and don't need any additional bells and whistles.

Read our AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance review here.

Best for Cruises: AIG Travel Guard

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
• Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Travel Guard is well-known insurance provider, and a great fit for travelers who want to ensure that they can get their money back in the event of canceled or interrupted travel plans.

While the company's policies can be pricey compared to its competitors, the high medical and evacuation limits make AIG a solid choice for older travelers who value peace of mind and simplicity over highly customizable plans that may be bolstered with medical upgrades.

Read our AIG Travel Guard review here.

Best for Reputation: C&F Travel Insured

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 2 major plans including CFAR coverage on the more expensive option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancellation for job loss included as a covered reason for trip cancellation/interruption (does not require CFAR coverage to qualify)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Frequent traveler reward included in both policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is only $100,000
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews on claims processing indicate ongoing issues
• C&F's Travel Insured policies allow travelers customize travel insurance to fit their specific needs. Frequent travelers may benefit from purchasing an annual travel insurance plan, then adding on CFAR coverage for any portions of travel that may incur greater risk.

While every travel insurance company has negative reviews about its claims process, C&F Travel Insured 's claims process has a consistent stream of positive reviews. One customer wrote that C&F processed a claim within 48 hours. Additionally, C&F regularly responds to customer reviews within one business week, making reviews a consistent way to reach the company.

Additionally, in C&F's fine print, it mentions that any claims that take more than 30 days to pay out will begin to accrue interest at 9% APY.

C&F's reputation isn't the only thing to speak highly of. It offers an array of add-ons uncommon in the travel insurance industry, such as Interruption for Any Reason insurance and CFAR coverage for annual plans. C&F also offers discounts for children on its Protector Edge plan and free coverage on its Protector plan.  

Read our C&F Travel Insured review here. 

Best for Pre-Existing Conditions: Tin Leg Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policy coverage includes most pre-existing health conditions
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical and evacuation amounts for peace of mind
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. COVID coverage included by default on all insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a wide range of plans for various budgets and travel needs
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans offer CFAR, “cancel for work reasons,” financial default, and unemployment coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited add-on coverage options
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage loss and delay coverage is low compared to competitors

Tin Leg travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans to meet the unique needs of travelers.

• Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the travel insurance industry experts at Squaremouth. Designed to meet the most common needs of travelers, these policies offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is a great fit for travelers with medical issues in particular. Seven of Tin Leg's eight travel plans include coverage for pre-existing conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of your initial trip payment.

Thanks to coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as well as for potential COVID-19 infection while traveling, this company offers some of the best financial investment options for travelers who are or will be exposed to higher health risks and issues.

Read our Tin Leg Travel Insurance review here.

Best for Digital Nomads: WorldTrips Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable base plans that can be customized with add-ons including rental car, pet care, hunting and fishing, and vacation rental coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Insurance plans available for international student travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage benefit that kicks in after just five hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Pre-existing conditions waiver can be purchased within 21 days of initial trip payment
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Lower medical, evacuation and accidental death limits
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited, secondary baggage loss coverage although baggage protection can be upgraded at a low cost
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc.

WorldTrips has been a reputable travel insurance provider for more than 20 years. Unsurprisingly, it boasts an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and positive reviews from thousands of customers.

• Travel medical insurance (Premium, Group, Annual, and International Student options)
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Trip protection insurance

WorldTrips Travel Insurance has affordable premiums, highly customizable add-ons, and generous coverage for core categories of travel insurance. All this makes it a great option for digital nomads, students studying abroad and backpackers.

However, travelers should keep in mind that plans are not particularly flexible, and coverage amounts are limited unless you plan ahead to pay for the areas and amounts that you need.

Read our WorldTrips Travel Insurance review here.

Best for Affordability: Trawick International Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Useful for adventurous travelers headed to higher-risk destinations
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable plans with varying levels of coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 10-day free look option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage loss replacement policy
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some policies allow a CFAR add-on
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million medical evacuation coverage limit
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage and trip delay coverages don’t kick in until after the 12-hour mark
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. International student policies available for temporary stints abroad
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Complaints about claims not being paid or involving an intermediary to resolve claims

Trawick International travel insurance offers plans customized to diverse travelers' needs. We look at coverage options, claims processing, pricing, and other important factors for savvy travelers.

• Travel medical insurance
• Trip protection and cancellation
• International student insurance
• Visitor medical insurance (for traveling to the US)

Trawick International Travel Insurance is another insurance provider with robust medical travel insurance  that can help higher-risk and anxious travelers find peace of mind while on the road. This company offers one of the most generous medical evacuation policies in the market, although travelers will need to remember to add on rental car coverage if they need it.

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review here.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

• Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
• Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
• Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Travelex Travel Insurance  offers three plans:

• Travel Basic
• Travel Select
• Travel America

The Travelex America plan is meant for trips limited to the U.S., but it has the highest coverage limits in many areas compared to its other programs. If you're flying somewhere, the lost baggage limits are higher. Its natural strengths shine for road trippers, though. Travelex America adds coverage for roadside service and rental car coverage for unexpected accidents. It also covers pets should you be involved in an accident while on the road.

While your standard auto insurance does extend to car rentals within the U.S. for a limited time, any accident would affect future rates. Travelex would eliminate the risk of reporting to your auto insurance provider for minor incidents within its purview.

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review here.

Introduction to Travel Insurance

Why travel insurance is a must-have.

The unpredictable nature of traveling – from flight cancellations to medical emergencies – can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Travel insurance acts as a personal safeguard, ensuring that unexpected events don't drain your wallet or ruin your trip.

Understanding Different Types of Travel Insurance

Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. From single-trip travel insurance policies to annual travel insurance plans , from minimal coverage to comprehensive protection, understanding the spectrum of options is your first step in finding the right fit for your journey.

Key Features to Look for in Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance for medical emergencies.

Imagine falling ill in a foreign country; daunting, right? A robust travel insurance plan ensures you don't have to worry about how much emergency medical care while traveling will cost, even in the most remote corners of the globe. This coverage will often come in tandem with emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits

Life is full of surprises, some less pleasant than others. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage ensures that you're not left out of pocket if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short. You may also look for cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason options, which will reimburse you for a percentage of your nonrefundable fees, but expands the covered reasons you can cancel a trip. You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance companies here.

Coverage for Personal Belongings and Baggage Loss

Losing your belongings is more than an inconvenience; it's losing a piece of your world. Insurance that covers personal belongings and baggage loss ensures that you're compensated for your loss, helping you to rebound and continue your adventure.

Support and Assistance Services

In times of trouble, having a lifeline can make all the difference. Look for insurance that offers 24/7 support and assistance services, giving you peace of mind that help is just a phone call away. Also, check websites that field customer reviews like Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and InsureMyTrip , to see how well a company responds to customer requests.

Choosing the Best Travel Insurance

Reputation and reliability of the travel insurance provider.

A provider's reputation is not just about being well-known; it's about reliability, customer satisfaction, and the ability to deliver on promises. Researching and choosing a reputable provider is a cornerstone in ensuring your safety and satisfaction.

Understanding the Policy's Fine Print

The devil is in the details, and understanding the fine print of what your travel insurance policy covers is crucial. Be aware of coverage limits, exclusions, and the process for filing a claim to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

In the age of information, customer reviews and feedback are goldmines of insight. Learn from the experiences of others to gauge the reliability and customer service of the insurance provider you're considering. While the ratings are important, you should also look at whether or not a company responds to customer complaints.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance

Knowing your policy inside out.

Familiarize yourself with every aspect of your policy – what it covers, what it doesn't, how to file a claim, and who to contact in an emergency. Being informed means being prepared. 

Steps to Take When a Problem Arises

If you face an issue during your travels, knowing the immediate steps to take can make all the difference. Keep important contacts and your policy details handy, and remember, your insurance provider is there to assist you.

How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance Company for You

There isn't a one-size-fits-all policy that works perfectly for every traveler. Young, healthy solo travelers can opt for much cheaper plans that offer bare-bones coverage, while families juggling complex itineraries will do best by investing in a robust policy that can help defray any costs associated with lost baggage, delayed transportation or other trip-impeding obstacles.

That being said, you can't go wrong with a travel insurance provider that boasts a reputable history and offers a wide range of customizable plans. In some cases, you may be comparing plans that are only a few dollars' apart from each other. In such situations, you should generally opt for the insurance company that offers the strongest customer service. It's also worth considering whether or not the travel insurance provider has been reviewed by other travelers with similar itineraries to your own. 

An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth is one of the best tools for searching travel insurance policies. Once you input the specifics of your travel itinerary, you'll be able to see hundreds of search results to compare the ones that catch your eye. If the options are too overwhelming, use the filters to the left of your search page to eliminate as many irrelevant plans as possible.

How We Reviewed the Best Travel Insurance Companies

To come up with our list of the best travel insurance companies, we evaluated each insurer based on the following factors:

Guide Methodology: What We Considered

Policy Types

Travel insurance is essential, but often underused partly because people aren't getting what they want. Business Insider's 2023 travel study showed 10.65% of travelers surveyed bought cancel for any reason insurance. Cost may be a factor, but in many cases, the coverage is more affordable than you might think. Regardless, companies must offer a diverse range of coverage options. We award five stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.

Our 2023 travel study indicated the majority of purchases were made through the travel provider (ex: flight protection insurance when you're purchasing your airline tickets). While these may be sufficient for some customers, we look for companies offering a more comprehensive range of services.

According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, the average cost of travel insurance will be between 4% and 8% of total travel expenses. Anything beyond that price point should include additional benefits beyond the standard inclusions, such as CFAR protection or upgraded medical coverage. Anything below that 4% threshold may leave you lacking important or sufficient coverage in an emergency.

Convenience and Flexibility

Whether you're an infrequent traveler or a suitcase warrior, a good travel insurance company should have you covered. In many cases, you might not even have to talk to a person in order to purchase your policy.

Many people think of travel insurance in context with specific trips, but most of these top contenders sell both single-trip and multi-trip policies, also known as annual travel insurance. Some companies also offer plans specifically designed for cruisers, students abroad, and business travelers. (Read our guide to the best cruise travel insurance companies for more details.) Finally, all of these providers offer multiple options for getting the specific areas and amounts of coverage that you want.

Claims Handling

Most travelers never have a large claim. Premiums are low, and it provides peace of mind for the just in case situations. So they leave reviews based on their reduced stress levels. But what happens if you lose your luggage or have to stay a few extra days due to an unexpected accident? Will your insurance carrier cover your claim without all the hassle? We check real customer reviews to sort this out for you.

Ease of Use and Support

When purchasing, during your trip, and throughout the claims process, you may need extra support. Does the company have a 24/7 help line? Does it have an online or mobile system allowing you to self-manage? Essentially, what are the options when you need help? We look at the big picture to evaluate the average customer experience with each company.

You can read our full insurance rating methodology for even more details.

Best Travel Insurance FAQs

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for every traveler. Determine the benefits that are most important to you, like baggage delay coverage, medical coverage, and trip delay coverage, then look for a company with solid customer ratings, especially when it comes to processing claims.

Travel insurance will pay out if you experience a covered event, such as a travel delay or delayed or lost baggage. If you're looking to get travel insurance for a specific reason, such as needing to potentially cancel your trip due to work reasons, make sure your policy will cover you in that situation before purchasing it. You should also check customer reviews to see other travelers' claims experiences, as it varies wildly from company to company.

The average cost of travel insurance is 4% to 8% of your total trip cost, so it could vary widely depending on where you're traveling and the length of your trip. Your age, the number of people in your group, and other factors can also influence how much you'll pay.

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include travel medical coverage that can come in handy if an emergency occurs and you need medical evacuation. Some travel insurance plans offer more specialized coverage for travelers with pre-existing conditions , so shop around if medical coverage is a top priority for you. 

$100,000 should be a sufficient medical coverage limit for travel insurance. If you're planning on doing extreme sports or anything particularly risky on your trip, you may want to increase your coverage level. A high medical coverage limit is especially useful when you're purchasing cruise travel insurance, since medical evacuations are more involved at sea.

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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Travel insurance

Best travel insurance companies of June 2024

Amy Fontinelle

Heidi Gollub

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

Updated 2:16 p.m. UTC June 7, 2024

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Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

WorldTrips is the best travel insurance company of 2024 , based on our in-depth analysis of travel insurance policies. Its Atlas Journey Elevate plan gets the top score in our rating because of the extensive coverage it provides for the price. It offers best-in-class emergency medical and evacuation benefits, as well as high limits for baggage insurance.

Best travel insurance of 2024

• WorldTrips : Best travel insurance.
• Travel Insured International : Best for emergency evacuation.
• TravelSafe : Best for missed connections.
• Aegis : Cheapest travel insurance.
• Travelex : Best for families.
• AIG : Best for add-on coverage options.
• Nationwide : Best for cruise itinerary changes.

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our travel insurance experts evaluate hundreds of insurance products and analyze thousands of data points to help you find the best trip insurance for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content . You can read more about our methodology below.

• 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
• 567 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact-checking.

Travel insurance quotes comparison

Best travel insurance companies, best travel insurance.

Top travel insurance plans

Average cost, medical limit per person, why it’s the best.

If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel , WorldTrips’ Atlas Journey Elevate plan gives you $250,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage. This plan is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority. It also has $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage. 

See our full WorldTrips travel insurance review .

Pros and cons

• $250,000 in primary medical coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Primary damage or loss baggage coverage of $500 per item, up to $2,500.
• 5 optional upgrades, including pet care, adventure sports and rental car damage and theft.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Customer reviews

WorldTrips has a rating of 4.27 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 428 reviews of policies purchased through the travel insurance comparison site since 2008. 

Heidi’s expert take:   “WorldTrips offers primary coverage for emergency medical expense and for baggage damage or loss. This means the insurer will pay for your claim first and then seek recovery from any responsible third party, such as your health insurance provider, airline or homeowners insurance company (if your belongings are stolen). Travel insurance with secondary medical coverage might be cheaper, but then you’d have to file claims with third parties yourself, before you could turn to your travel insurance for help.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for emergency evacuation

Travel insured international.

Top travel insurance plan

If you’re traveling to a remote area, consider Travel Insured International’s Worldwide Trip Protector. It has the best travel insurance for emergency evacuation of travel insurance policies in our rating. This top travel insurance plan provides up to $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits.

• Only plan in our rating that offers $150,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
• Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
• Missed connection benefit of $500 per person is only available for cruises and tours.

Travel Insured International has a rating of 4.39 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 3,402 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Heidi’s expert take:   “The Worldwide Trip Protector plan provides rare non-medical evacuation benefits of up to $150,000. If you’re traveling to an area at risk of a political, security or national disaster, this emergency evacuation coverage could help get you back to safety.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for missed connections

TravelSafe offers good travel insurance for missed connections , with $2,500 in missed connection coverage for each person on the plan.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
• Most expensive of our best-rated travel insurance plans.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage option.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

TravelSafe has a rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 1,506 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Heidi’s expert take:   “If you miss out on prepaid vacation plans because you didn’t make a connecting flight, you’ll be glad for the $2,500 missed connection coverage. Some policies only provide missed connection coverage for cruises and tours, but TravelSafe Classic doesn’t impose that restriction.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Cheapest travel insurance

Go Ready Choice by Aegis has the most affordable travel insurance of the best-rated travel insurance companies in our rating. This is based on the average cost of seven international trips of varying lengths and values for travelers of different ages.

See our full Aegis travel insurance review .

• Cheapest of our best trip insurance plans.
• Pet care benefit of $500 under travel delay benefits.
• Low emergency medical and evacuation limits.
• Low missed connection benefit of $500 per person for cruises and tours only.
• Low baggage and personal items loss benefit of $500 per person.

Aegis has a rating of 4.06 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 1,111 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2013.

Heidi’s expert take:   “If you’re looking for a  budget travel insurance policy , Go Ready Choice may fit the bill. It has comparably low coverage limits, but if you have health insurance that will cover you on your trip, its $50,000 in secondary medical coverage may be sufficient.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for families

Top-scoring plan

Travelex Insurance Services has the best travel insurance for families because you can add kids aged 17 and younger to your Travel Select plan at no additional charge.

See our full Travelex travel insurance review .

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• Robust travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Low emergency medical coverage of $50,000 per person.
• Non-medical evacuation is not included.
• Low baggage delay coverage of $200 requires a 12-hour delay.

Travelex has a rating of 4.43 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 2,048 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Heidi’s expert take:   “If you’re traveling with kids, a Travelex policy will cover them, too. The number of children you can add to your policy is unlimited and they’ll get travel protection at no additional cost.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for add-on coverage options

Travel Guard Preferred from AIG allows you to customize your policy with a host of available upgrades, making it the best traveler insurance for add-on options . These include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings.

There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million. This is a good option if you’re looking for foreign travel health insurance.

See our full AIG travel insurance review .

• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
• Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Heidi’s expert take: “You can add riders to your AIG travel insurance policy to maximize your coverage. Choose from these bundles: adventure sports, medical, pet, quarantine, security and wedding. You may also want to add “cancel for any reason” coverage and rental vehicle damage coverage.”  Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for cruise itinerary changes

Nationwide’s Choice Cruise is good travel insurance for cruises . It has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion.

Choice Cruise also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay when you’re taking a cruise or tour. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.

See our full Nationwide travel insurance review .

• Benefits for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
• Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.
• Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel medical coverage is secondary.
• Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
• No “cancel for any reason” upgrade available.

Nationwide has a rating of 4.02 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 570 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2018.

  Heidi’s expert take: “This plan has protections for cruisers when it comes to prepaid expenses. But its emergency medical coverage is secondary, which means you’d have to file medical claims with your health insurance company first. Since U.S. health insurance won’t help you at sea, you may want to look for cruise travel insurance with primary medical coverage instead.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Compare the best travel insurance plans

Via Compare Coverage’s website

Heidi’s expert take: “Here are my tips on how to buy travel insurance that gets you the most coverage for the lowest price: Buy early . Getting travel insurance within two weeks of making your first trip deposit may qualify you for coverage of pre-existing medical conditions, and it won’t cost you any extra.  Look for primary emergency medical coverage . If you buy a plan with secondary coverage, you’ll have to file a claim with your health insurance first, even if you know it will be denied.  Don’t overinsure . Calculate the value of only your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses that are not already covered by other insurance (like credit card travel insurance or health insurance, if your coverage extends to where you are traveling). Even if this value is $0, you can still buy travel insurance for the travel medical insurance benefits, and you’ll only be paying for the insurance you need.  Understand exclusions . If you are planning to go scuba diving, for instance, make sure this adventure activity is not excluded from a policy’s coverage. If so, you may need to pay for a rider or shop for another plan that offers the coverage you need.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

What is the best travel insurance?

The best travel insurance for international travel is sold by WorldTrips, according to our in-depth trip insurance comparison.

The best travel insurance plan for you will depend on the trip you are planning and the coverage areas that are most important to you.

• Best cruise travel insurance
• Best COVID travel insurance
• Best “cancel for any reason” travel insurance
• Best senior travel insurance

Best travel insurance for cruises

The best cruise travel insurance is Atlas Journey Preferred sold by WorldTrips . This plan offers solid travel insurance for cruises for a low rate.

Best travel insurance for COVID-19

The best COVID travel insurance is the Trip Protection Basic plan sold by Seven Corners . It is a relatively low cost travel insurance plan with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Best travel insurance for “cancel for any reason” 

The best “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance is Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Basic. Adding CFAR coverage to a RoundTrip Basic plan only increases the cost by about 40%, which is lower than other plans we analyzed. For the extra cost, you get coverage of 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, as long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Best travel insurance for seniors

The best senior travel insurance is the Gold plan sold by Tin Leg . It is an affordable travel insurance plan with travel medical primary coverage of $500,000 and a pre-existing conditions waiver if you insure the full amount of your trip within 14 days of your first trip deposit.

How much is travel insurance?

The average cost of travel insurance is 5% to 6% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs . 

How much you pay for travel insurance will depend on:

• The cost of your trip.
• Your destination.
• The length of your trip. 
• The ages of travelers being insured.
• Your state of residence.
• The travel insurance policy you choose.
• The total coverage amounts in your policy.
• Any travel insurance add-ons you select. 

Here are average travel insurance rates for a 30-year-old female who is insuring a 14-day trip to Mexico.

Looking to save? Discover cheap travel insurance options.

How much travel insurance should I buy?

Travel insurance companies typically offer several plans with varying maximum limits. The higher the coverage limits, the more you’ll pay for travel insurance. 

Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, recommends the following coverage limits for international travel: 

• Emergency medical coverage: At least $50,000. 
• Medical evacuation coverage: At least $100,000. 

If you’re going on a cruise, or to a remote location, Squaremouth recommends: 

• Emergency medical coverage: At least $100,000. 
• Medical evacuation coverage: At least $250,000.

When evaluating travel insurance plans, our team of insurance analysts considered the best medical travel insurance policies to have at least $250,000 in emergency medical coverage and at least $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage. 

When should I buy travel insurance?

The best time to buy travel insurance is within two weeks of making your first nonrefundable travel payment, whether it’s for a plane ticket, hotel stay, cruise or excursion. 

Travel insurance costs the same whether you buy it early or last minute, and buying it early has added benefits: 

• You may be able to add on “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , an upgrade that is typically only available for a limited time after you’ve started paying for your trip. 
• You may qualify for a pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver, meaning your pre-existing conditions will be covered by travel insurance. This waiver is generally added to your policy automatically, provided you buy the travel insurance within a certain window after your first trip deposit.
• You will be covered over a longer period of time for unforeseen events that could cause you to cancel your trip, such as medical emergencies, inclement weather and natural disasters. 

Expert tip: You can buy travel insurance up to the day before you leave on your trip, but waiting may cost you the opportunity to qualify for a pre-existing conditions exclusion waiver or to buy a “cancel for any reason” upgrade.

Where can I buy travel insurance?

You can buy a travel insurance plan:

• Online. Visit a travel insurance company’s website to buy a policy directly or use a comparison website like Squaremouth or Travelinsurance.com to see your options and compare plans. You may also be able to purchase travel insurance online through an airline, cruise, hotel, rental car company or other provider you book a ticket with.
• In person. A travel agent or insurance agent may be able to assist you in buying travel insurance.

Travel insurance trends in 2024

Americans are changing the way they travel and this includes buying travel insurance when they might have skipped it in the past. As spending on trips continues to rise , travelers have more to lose if their plans are disrupted. 

Based on travel insurance quote requests on the Squaremouth website last month, these are the main benefits travelers are looking for in a travel insurance policy.

*Source: Squaremouth.com. Travel insurance quote filter usage from April 28 to May 28, 2024.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance of 2024. For companies with more than one travel insurance plan, we shared information about the highest-scoring plan.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

• $3,000, 8-day trip to Mexico for two travelers age 30.
• $3,000, 8-day trip to Mexico for two travelers age 70.
• $6,000, 17-day trip to Italy for two travelers age 40.
• $6,000, 17-day trip to Italy for two travelers age 65.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to Italy for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to France for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to the U.K. for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

If you’d like to dig in deeper, head over to our travel insurance ratings methodology page.

Best travel insurance FAQs

According to our analysis, WorldTrips has the best trip insurance. Two of its plans — Atlas Journey Explore and Atlas Journey Elevate — get 5 stars in our rating.

The best travel insurance policy for you will depend on what type of coverage you need. With so many different policies and carriers, the policy that was best for your friend’s trip to California might not be ideal for your trip to Japan. If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel, you may be willing to pay more for higher coverage levels.

A comprehensive travel insurance plan bundles several types of travel insurance coverage, each with its own limits. To ensure you have adequate financial protection for your trip, your travel insurance policy should include the following travel insurance coverages:

• Trip cancellation . With trip cancellation insurance , you’re covered if you need to call off your trip because of a reason listed in your policy, such as unexpected illness, injury or death of you, a family member or a travel companion, severe weather, jury duty and your travel supplier going out of business. 
• Travel delay. Once your trip has started, travel delay insurance reimburses you for unexpected expenses you incur after a minimum delay, such as five hours. It can cover needs like airport meals, transportation and even overnight accommodation. 
• Trip interruption. If you need to cut your trip early for a reason listed in your policy, trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for any prepaid, nonrefundable payments you’ll lose by leaving early. It can also pay for a last-minute one-way ticket home. 
• Travel medical . Emergency medical benefits are especially important if you need international health insurance for travel outside of the country. Your domestic health insurance may provide limited coverage once you leave the U.S. The best travel medical insurance pays for ambulance service, doctor visits, hospital stays, X-rays, lab work and prescription medication you may require while traveling. 
• Emergency medical evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote area, or planning excursions such as boating to an island, emergency medical evacuation coverage is a good idea. This coverage pays to transport you to the nearest adequate medical facility if you are injured or sick while traveling. 
• Baggage delay. After a certain waiting period, such as six or 12 hours, this coverage will reimburse you for necessities you need to buy to tide you over while you wait for your bag to arrive. Be sure to save your receipts and look at your coverage limit, as some caps are low, like $200. 
• Baggage loss. Baggage insurance can reimburse you if your bag never arrives, or if your personal belongings are stolen during your travels. Coverage limits apply here, as well as exclusions for certain items such as electronics.  

“Typically, travelers are expected to pay their expenses out of pocket, and then file a claim for reimbursement,” said James Clark, spokesperson for Squaremouth. “However, there are medical situations in which a provider may be required to pre-authorize payment to make sure the policyholder receives the treatment they need.”

According to Clark, “Providers can pre-authorize payment for medical care and emergency evacuations. With that said, every circumstance is unique, and providers will handle each situation on a case-by-case basis.”

Travel insurance covers your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs — as well as extra money you may need to spend due to unforeseen circumstances and emergencies — both before and during your trip.

Travel insurance coverage varies by plan, but in general travel insurance covers costs associated with these problems: 

• Bankruptcy of a travel insurance company, such as your airline or tour operator. 
• Dangerous weather conditions.
• Delayed and lost luggage.
• Illness or death in your family that requires you to stay home or cut your trip short.
• Illness that needs medical attention.
• Injury requiring medical evacuation.
• Jury duty. 
• Travel delays and missed connections.
• Theft of your personal belongings while traveling.
• Unexpected job loss. 

Travel insurance policies often exclude or limit “foreseeable” losses. Typical travel insurance exclusions include:

• Accidents or injuries caused by drinking or drug use.
• Canceling your trip because you changed your mind.
• Ending your trip early because you changed your mind.
• Losses caused by intentional self harm, including suicide.
• Losses due to war, civil disorder or riots.
• Medical tourism.
• Medical treatment for pre-existing conditions.
• Mental health care.
• Natural disasters that begin before you buy travel insurance.
• Non-medical evacuation.
• Normal pregnancy. 
• Medical treatment related to high-risk activities.
• Routine medical care, such as physicals or dental care.
• Search and rescue.

Your U.S. health insurance may provide little or no coverage in foreign countries. Check with your health insurance company to see if you have any global benefits and ask how they work. If your health care does extend across the border, the benefits it provides abroad may not be the same benefits it provides domestically. 

Medicare usually won’t pay for health care outside of the United States and its territories, so older travelers planning an international trip should look into the best senior travel insurance with robust medical benefits. 

The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after booking your trip and making a nonrefundable payment — in other words, as soon as you’re at risk of losing money. This way, you’ll know the total cost that you need to insure and you’ll have the longest window to take advantage of your policy’s benefits if something goes wrong.

You can’t wait until something goes wrong and then buy travel insurance to get reimbursed for your loss. Travel insurance only covers unexpected losses.

Travel insurance companies can decline to cover travel to certain countries. For example, you may find that some trip insurance companies don’t offer coverage to countries with a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory from the U.S. State Department. 

Travel insurance policies also frequently exclude certain risks that you’re more likely to encounter in Level 4 or Level 3 countries. For example, your policy may not cover losses related to declared or undeclared wars or acts of war or losses related to known or foreseeable conditions or events. 

Some credit cards , such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , offer benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement when you use your card to pay for your trip.

Ask your credit card issuer for your card’s benefits guide to see what coverage you may have. Keep in mind that it may not cover all the risks you want to protect against, such as the cost of international health care or emergency medical evacuation .

Business travel insurance makes sense if you are self-employed and paying for your own travel expenses, or if you are traveling internationally and want medical coverage abroad.

You might also consider buying travel insurance for a business trip if your company won’t cover extra expenses if your flight is delayed or you need to head home early.

Cruise travel insurance can help protect you financially if you need emergency medical care in a remote location, or if a delayed flight causes you to miss embarkation and you need to pay extra to catch up to your cruise.

Experts caution that travel insurance you buy through a cruise line may not be as comprehensive as plans you can buy directly from travel insurance companies.

Some travel insurance plans cover rental cars as an optional upgrade, for an additional cost. The 5-star rated travel insurance companies in our rating offer these optional rental car benefits:

• Travel Insured International — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000.
• WorldTrips — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000 with a $250 deductible. 

Travel insurance typically only covers a single trip, although your insured trip can have multiple destinations. 

If you’re looking to insure several trips in the same year, annual travel insurance may be a good option for you.

Travel insurance may be required, depending on the country you plan to visit. But it’s smart to consider buying a travel insurance policy for international travel, even when it is not required. A good travel insurance policy can protect you financially if you need emergency medical assistance when traveling, or if you need to cut your trip short and buy a last-minute plane ticket home because an immediate family member is ill. 

Wondering if travel insurance is worth it? What travel insurance covers

Editor’s Note: This article contains updated information from previously published stories:

• Spirit Airlines scrubs 60% of its Wednesday flights, says cancellations will drop ‘in the days to come.’
• 'Just a parade of incompetency': Spirit Airlines passengers with 'nightmare' stories want more than apology, $50 vouchers
• ‘This is not our proudest moment’: Spirit Airlines CEO says more flight cancellations expected this weekend
• Hurricane Irma: Flight cancellations top 12,500; even more expected
• Is an annual travel insurance policy right for you?
• How 2020 and COVID-19 changed travel forever – and what that means for you
• COVID-19 or delta variant have you ready to scrap your trip? Here’s how to cancel like a pro
• Sunday: Snow is over, but flight cancellations top 12,000
• After nearly 13,000 Harvey cancellations, Irma is new threat to airline flights
• What’s the difference between travel insurance and trip ‘protection’?
• How to choose the right travel insurance for your next vacation
• Travel insurance can save the day
• Angry passengers brawl after Spirit cancels flights
• What to do when travel insurance doesn’t work
• How lockdowns, quarantines and COVID-19 testing will change summer travel in 2021
• Travelers will pay and worry more on summer vacation this year. But they won’t cancel
• How to find a hotel with COVID testing and quarantine facilities wherever you travel
• Yearning to travel in 2022? First, figure out your budget – then pick a destination
• Pro tips for surviving a long flight during a pandemic: Get the right mask, bring a pillow
• Want to steer clear of contracting COVID-19 on your next vacation? Follow these guidelines
• Post-pandemic travel: Is it OK to ask another passenger’s vaccine status or request they mask up?
• These days, forgetting these important travel items could cost you thousands of dollars
• International travel hacks: When to book flights and hotels, how to deal with COVID-19 rules
• Traveling post-coronavirus: How do you book your next trip when so much remains uncertain?
• The COVID-19 guide to holiday travel – and the case for why you shouldn’t go this year
• Should you travel during the holidays? Americans struggle with their decision
• ‘There’s still pent-up demand’: What you should know about fall travel
• Planning for life after coronavirus: When will we know it’s safe to travel again?
• ‘Busiest camping season’: Travelers choose outdoor recreation close to home amid COVID-19 pandemic
• Considering a camping trip this summer? Tips to make sure your gear is good to go
• RVing for the first time? 8 tips for newbies I wish I’d known during my first trip
• Five myths about travel agents
• Should I buy travel insurance?
• Is travel insurance stacked against you?
• Five myths about travel insurance and terrorism
• These eight things could get your travel insurance claims rejected
• There’s a good chance that your credit card already gives you some kind of travel insurance coverage
• How to avoid a hotel cancellation penalty
• Change fees and travel insurance continue to rise

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

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

Amy Fontinelle has more than 15 years of experience helping people make informed decisions about their money, whether they’re refinancing a mortgage, buying insurance or choosing a credit card. As a freelance writer trained in journalism and specializing in personal finance, Amy digs into the details to explain the products and strategies that can help (or hurt) people seeking greater financial security and wealth. Her work has been published by Forbes Advisor, Capital One, MassMutual, Investopedia and many other outlets.

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

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Protect Your Trip »

Best ski trips in the u.s..

For those who embrace winter's icy winds and heavy snowfall, a ski vacation is the perfect getaway. To help you decide which domestic ski destination to visit, U.S. News weighed the most important considerations – accessibility, accommodations, acreage and annual snowfall – to determine the best ski trips in the USA. Whether you're seeking premier ski resorts or the best après-ski scenes, there's a destination for you on this list. Have a favorite ski town? Vote to help determine next year's list.

Big Sky, MT

Jackson hole, breckenridge, mammoth lakes, steamboat springs, sugarloaf mountain.

With nearly 6,000 skiable acres, Big Sky Resort in southwestern Montana is one of the country's largest ski resorts, offering plenty of terrain for winter sports enthusiasts. Excellent ski conditions are practically guaranteed here thanks to an annual snowfall total of more than 400 inches. What's more, with more than 300 ski runs, the ski resort offers slopes for all skill levels, from bunny hills to triple black diamonds. After a day of zipping down ski runs, travelers can head to the Mountain Village to relax with a drink by the fire or enjoy a meal at one of the many eateries in town.

Vail, Colorado, is one of the country's most popular wintertime destinations thanks to its two top-notch ski areas: Vail Ski Resort and Beaver Creek Resort. Combined, these ski resorts boast more than 7,000 acres of skiable area and 350-plus ski trails. The nearby mountain ranges also feature a variety of cross-country paths and snowmobiling tours . Beyond the slopes, Vail stands out from other ski destinations for its charming atmosphere – Vail Village and Lionshead Village lend the town a European aesthetic. But be prepared to splurge: Lodging here is pricey during ski season, especially around holidays like Christmas and Presidents Day.

The chilly temperatures and powder-covered slopes in this Wyoming valley beckon to avid skiers and snowboarders. Though Jackson Hole Mountain Resort features some of the region's best trails, downhill devotees can also schuss the slopes at Snow King Mountain (a more affordable option) and Grand Targhee Resort (great for families). After shredding powder, take advantage of Jackson Hole's off-slope attractions by snowshoeing in Grand Teton National Park, taking a tour of the National Elk Refuge or going for a dip in the Granite Hot Springs Pool, the latter of which is heated to 112 degrees during winter.

This Utah ski haven boasts two premier resorts, Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort, which offer dozens of diverse runs. The ski-only Deer Valley is known for its top-notch amenities and ski-in, ski-out lodging, while Park City Mountain is the second largest ski resort in North America and features terrain parks for snowboarders. Sports fans will enjoy visiting the Utah Olympic Park (Park City played host to the 2002 Winter Olympics), while families will appreciate kid-friendly Woodward Park City. What's more, the presence of the town's many luxury accommodations and dining venues up the après-ski ante.

Though this remote Colorado town can be harder to get to, Telluride is worth the trip for its 2,000-plus skiable acres, stunning scenery and unfussy ski culture. Plus, the extra legwork required usually keeps long lift lines at bay. The massive Telluride Ski Resort boasts 148 trails and a 4,425-foot vertical drop. Once the ski lifts shut down for the day, the chalets in Mountain Village provide a warm place to thaw. While you'll likely stay close to the slopes, make sure to pencil in time for exploring the boutiques and eateries lining downtown's charming Main Street.

Another highly touted Colorado ski resort , Breckenridge Resort (or Breck as the locals call it) offers travelers nearly 3,000 acres of skiable terrain spread across 187 trails. And with annual snowfalls averaging roughly 300 inches every winter, odds are winter sports enthusiasts will enjoy superb conditions while on the mountain. The resort is a great spot for both novice and expert skiers, while the Breckenridge Nordic Center is an excellent place to go snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Once you've stored your skis, head to this former mining town's Main Street or replenish your energy at a local brewery.

This tried-and-true winter locale in Colorado caters to all skill levels at its four major ski areas that make up Aspen Snowmass –Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands. For backcountry skiers, the Aspen Snowmass area also features off-piste trails for experts, while nearby White River National Forest provides plenty of picturesque cross-country skiing trails . Visitors and celebrities alike flock to Aspen for the ambiance as much as the skiing; attend a Champagne party at Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro or have lunch at the Sundeck to experience this ski town's legendary après-ski scene.

Averaging significant snowfall from November to June, Mammoth Lakes' extraordinarily long ski season entices downhill skiers, snowboarders and backcountry trekkers well into the summer. Mammoth Mountain is sure to please adventure lovers with 150-plus trails, 3,500 skiable acres, 10 terrain parks and two halfpipes. Meanwhile, beginners, families or those just looking to escape the crowds can head to June Mountain, where kids 12 and younger ski free. For an après-ski treat, soothe aching muscles with a dip in one of the hot springs in the area, or cozy up at a local wine bar (this is California, after all).

Steamboat Springs, Colorado's six peaks feature roughly 3,000 acres of trails, making the town a popular place for skiers who desire variety. In "Ski Town, U.S.A.," Steamboat's moniker, visitors will find everything from expert chutes covered in "Champagne Powder" snow to kid-friendly ski areas. For travelers who prefer snowboarding, the mountain offers three terrain parks. Following a busy day on the slopes, vacationers can head to Strawberry Park Hot Springs to enjoy a relaxing soak in 104-degree mineral springs.

Sun Valley is home to one of America's oldest designated ski resorts; in fact, Sun Valley Resort operated the world's first chair lift. Located northeast of Ketchum, Idaho, Sun Valley appeals to skiers who seek short lift lines (in comparison to other top skiing destinations), expansive terrain (stretching 2,400 acres and 3,400 vertical feet) and top-notch trails (121, to be exact). When winter sports enthusiasts are not traversing Sun Valley Resort's downhill trails, they can enjoy approximately 25 miles of Nordic trails at the Sun Valley Nordic & Snowshoe Center.

Lake Tahoe is beautiful from any vantage point, but the California-Nevada area is quite stunning from the slopes. Lake Tahoe is home to more than a dozen ski resorts, and top-notch options like Heavenly Ski Resort, Palisades Tahoe and Northstar California Resort lure powder hounds from around the U.S. with their thousands of acres of skiable terrain. In addition to premier skiing, Lake Tahoe's other winter activities like ice skating, snowshoeing and sledding will keep non-skiers content. Keep in mind that room rates here can be pricey, so consider making reservations in advance or booking a vacation rental to share with family and friends.

As the largest ski area east of the Rocky Mountains, this Maine destination is a winter playground for East Coasters. And with a trail and ski lift expansion planned through 2030, Sugarloaf is only getting bigger. Sugarloaf gives Western ski resorts a run for their money with 24 double black diamond trails, including The Snowfields – the only lift-served runs above the treeline in the East. Visitors can also explore the mountain with snowcat skiing, Sno-Go Skibiking and fat biking. Plus, in line with Maine's foodie allure, on-mountain restaurants serve up slope-side goodies ranging from craft beer to food truck grilled cheese to renowned burgers.

The highest point in Oregon, it's no wonder Mount Hood is home to some highly regarded ski options. Mount Hood's most popular ski resorts include Timberline Lodge (which boasts scenic views at 4,540 vertical feet), Mt. Hood Meadows (known for its wide-open terrain) and Mt. Hood Ski Bowl (the largest night ski area in the U.S.). Meanwhile, Nordic skiers won't want to miss cross-country trails through Mount Hood's Pacific Northwestern terrain, including lakes, rivers and forests. What's more, with nearly year-round ski conditions at some resorts, Mount Hood's long season keeps accommodation prices reasonable.

With 485 skiable acres, 116 trails and 300-plus inches of annual snowfall, it's no surprise that Stowe is dubbed the "Ski Capital of the East." Nestled between two mountains, Stowe Mountain Resort boasts long ski runs and is lauded for its cross-country trails. First-time skiers should head to Spruce Peak's dedicated beginner mountain while intermediate and advanced thrill-seekers shred powder on Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak. In addition to terrific slopes, Stowe offers dog sledding, snowboarding and ice skating.

Taos is often lauded for its small-town charm and its cultural wonder, Taos Pueblo, but what many don't know is that it's also touted as the best place to ski in New Mexico. Taos Ski Valley features 110 trails, more than half of which cater to expert skiers thanks to the ski resort's placement on the sky-high Kachina Peak. Beginners will appreciate its equally impressive bevy of easier runs, some of which are located high up on the mountain to provide stunning views, while budget-conscious travelers will love the abundant low-cost accommodation options available in Taos proper.

Vote to Add these Destinations to the Rankings

Mount Bachelor

North Conway

Crested Butte

Adirondacks

You may be interested in.

Best Ski Vacations in the World

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