Travel insurance feels like an unnecessary expense — until you need it. Here's an honest assessment of when it's worth the cost and when you can skip it.
What Travel Insurance Covers
- Trip cancellation: Reimbursement if you cancel for covered reasons (illness, death in family, natural disaster)
- Medical emergencies: Hospital bills abroad (your regular insurance often doesn't cover this)
- Medical evacuation: $50,000-$100,000+ for emergency transport home
- Lost/delayed luggage: Reimbursement for essentials and lost items
- Trip delay: Hotel and meal costs during covered delays
When You Need It
International trips (U.S. health insurance rarely covers overseas care). Expensive trips over $5,000 (protect your investment). Adventure travel (activity-specific coverage). Trips to remote areas (evacuation coverage is critical).
When You Can Skip It
Cheap domestic trips. Road trips where you can easily turn around. If your credit card includes travel protection (many premium cards do).
Expect to pay 5-10% of your total trip cost. World Nomads, Allianz, and Safety Wing are consistently well-rated.
