Best Travel Insurance Plans in the US (2026)

Why Travel Insurance Matters

A cancelled flight, a lost suitcase, or a medical emergency overseas can turn a dream vacation into a financial disaster. In the US, health insurance plans often provide little to no coverage once you leave the country, and even domestic trips carry risks like trip cancellations, delays, and lost baggage. Travel insurance exists to transfer that risk away from you, for a relatively small upfront cost.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans in the US bundle together several types of protection. You can browse and compare current travel insurance plans on Finzony to see real coverage options and pricing.

• Trip Cancellation & Interruption: Reimburses prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you have to cancel or cut your trip short for a covered reason — illness, injury, death of a family member, severe weather, or job loss.

• Emergency Medical Coverage: Pays for doctor visits, hospital stays, and treatment while traveling, since most US health plans and Medicare don't cover care outside the country.

• Emergency Medical Evacuation: Covers the cost of transporting you to the nearest adequate medical facility, or back home, in a serious emergency. This can run into six figures without coverage.

• Baggage Loss & Delay: Reimburses you if your luggage is lost, stolen, or delayed, and covers essential purchases while you wait for it to arrive.

• Travel Delay: Covers meals, lodging, and incidental expenses if your trip is delayed beyond a certain number of hours.

• Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR): An optional upgrade that lets you cancel for reasons not otherwise covered, typically reimbursing 50–75% of your trip cost.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

As a rough guide, travel insurance typically costs between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. A $5,000 international trip might cost $200–$500 to insure with a comprehensive plan, while a basic medical-only plan for a shorter trip can cost much less. Price depends on your age, trip length, destination, total trip cost, and how much coverage you choose.

Types of Plans to Know

• Single-Trip Plans: Cover one specific trip from departure to return — the most common option for occasional travelers.

• Annual/Multi-Trip Plans: Cover unlimited trips within a year, usually a better value for frequent travelers, though per-trip length limits may apply.

• Medical-Only Plans: Skip trip cancellation coverage and focus purely on emergency medical and evacuation costs — a good fit if your trip cost is low but health coverage abroad is a concern.

How to Choose the Right Plan

Start by listing what you actually need covered: the total non-refundable cost of your trip, your destination's healthcare costs, and any pre-existing medical conditions. Compare plans on:

• Maximum medical and evacuation coverage limits

• Whether pre-existing conditions are covered (and the look-back window)

• Cancellation reasons covered, and whether CFAR is available

• The insurer's claims process and customer reviews

Common Exclusions to Watch For

Almost every policy excludes certain situations, so read the fine print before you buy. Common exclusions include pre-existing medical conditions (unless specifically waived), extreme sports and adventure activities, travelling against government travel advisories, and losses due to negligence, such as leaving bags unattended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need travel insurance for domestic US trips?
It's optional but worth considering if you've prepaid high, non-refundable costs like a wedding venue, cruise, or tour package.

Does my credit card already cover travel insurance?
Many premium credit cards include limited trip cancellation and baggage coverage when you book with that card. Check your card's benefits guide, since coverage limits are usually lower than a standalone policy.

When should I buy travel insurance?
Most benefits, especially CFAR and pre-existing condition waivers, require you to purchase within 14–21 days of your first trip payment.

The Bottom Line

Travel insurance is a small cost relative to the financial protection it offers, especially for international trips where US health coverage typically doesn't apply. Compare a few plans side by side, match the coverage to your trip cost and destination, and buy early to unlock the full range of benefits.