Important note: I am not a licensed insurance agent, and the information below is shared for general educational purposes only. It is not legal or insurance advice. Coverage varies by policy and provider, so it’s important to review policy documents carefully and contact the insurance company directly with any specific questions.

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As many clients begin planning and making payments for 2026 travel, I wanted to share some general information about travel insurance to help you think through how to protect the investment you’re making in your trip.

Trips are often booked far in advance, and with that time gap can come unexpected changes—illness, delays, or emergencies. My goal here isn’t to tell you what to buy, but simply to help you understand why travelers consider insurance and what factors they weigh when deciding what feels right for their situation.

I can’t interpret coverage or advise on specific policies, but I can explain common reasons travelers choose insurance and highlight broad differences you may see between options. I always recommend reading the full policy details and calling the insurance provider directly using the support number listed in the policy for clarification.

Is travel insurance worth it?

A helpful starting point is asking yourself a few practical questions:

• Would you be comfortable losing the full cost of your trip if you had to cancel close to departure?
• Could you absorb part of the cost if delays caused you to miss part of your stay?
• Are you prepared to pay out of pocket for unexpected expenses such as:
  • Clothing and toiletries if luggage is delayed or lost
  • Extra hotel nights due to flight delays or cancellations
  • Medical care while traveling, from a doctor visit to a hospital stay

To give context (not guarantees of coverage), these are real situations I’ve seen travelers experience:

• A last-minute cancellation after testing positive for the flu
• A child needing a doctor visit in Mexico for an ear infection
• An emergency appendectomy during a resort stay, requiring surgery and additional nights
• A missed connection that led to arriving two days late, delayed luggage, extra hotel nights, and replacement clothing
• Medical evacuations from cruise ships
• A cancellation due to a parent being in critical condition

Supplier insurance vs. third-party insurance (general differences)

Policies vary widely, but some common structural differences include:

Supplier-provided insurance

• Pricing is usually based on total trip cost, not traveler age
• May be relatively less expensive for older travelers and more expensive for younger travelers compared to third party plans
• Some offer Cancel For Any Reason options
• Often must be purchased at deposit (cruise lines may allow purchase until final payment)
• Coverage limits (amount they pay for certain things) may be lower
• Coverage typically applies only to that supplier’s portion of the trip

Third-party travel insurance

• Pricing is usually based on age and cost per person
• Children may be included at no additional cost with insured adults
• Can be more expensive for older travelers, less for younger travelers
• Cancel For Any Reason options may be available if purchased within a specific window (often 14–21 days after initial deposit)
• When offered, Cancel For Any Reason usually reimburses a percentage of trip cost
• Policies are often tiered with different coverage limits
• Multiple trip components can often be included under one policy if costs are listed correctly

What is the difference between all these plans?

When you look at different tiers within the same insurance provider, the plans often differ in coverage limits, eligibility, and optional features. Common areas where tiers vary include:

• Trip cancellation
  Most plans cover up to 100 percent of insured trip costs when cancelling for a covered reason. The list of covered reasons may differ by plan tier.
• Trip interruption
  Coverage limits and covered reasons may vary, including how much of the unused portion of the trip may be eligible for reimbursement.
• Emergency medical coverage
  Coverage limits for illness or injury while traveling often increase with higher-tier plans.
• Emergency medical evacuation
  Evacuation coverage limits can differ significantly between plan levels.
• Pre-existing medical condition coverage
  Some plans offer a waiver, but eligibility requirements vary. This coverage is often only available on certain plans and usually must be purchased within a specific number of days after the initial trip deposit.
• Trip delay
  Coverage amounts and the minimum length of delay required before benefits apply can differ by tier.
• Missed connection
  Coverage limits for missed connections may vary between plans.
• Baggage loss
  Maximum reimbursement amounts for lost luggage can differ by plan level.
• Baggage delay
  Coverage amounts and the required delay period before reimbursement applies may vary.
• Supplier default coverage
  Some plans include coverage if a travel supplier goes out of business, while others do not.
• Maximum benefit limits
  Plans may differ in maximum benefits per person versus per trip.
• Policy exclusions and limitations
  These can vary by tier and are important to review carefully.
• Optional add-ons
  Some plan tiers allow additional options to be purchased such as rental car coverage, cruise-specific bundles, or adventure activity packages.

Reviewing policy documents side by side and contacting the insurance provider directly are the best ways to understand how one plan tier differs from another.

Practical tips if you ever need to file a claim

If you decide to purchase insurance, these general best practices can help make the claims process smoother:

• Keep all receipts for expenses related to delays, cancellations, medical care, or baggage issues
• Take photos of delayed or damaged luggage and contents
• Save documentation from airlines, cruise lines, or hotels showing delays or cancellations
• Request written confirmation when possible (delay notices, medical summaries)
• Keep copies of original invoices and payment records
• File claims promptly and follow the insurer’s instructions closely

Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all, and policies can differ significantly. Taking time to read the policy details and speaking directly with the insurance provider is the best way to understand whether a specific plan aligns with your comfort level and financial risk tolerance.

Final reminder: I am not a licensed insurance agent, and this information is provided for general educational purposes only, not legal or insurance advice. Always rely on the policy documents and the insurance provider for definitive coverage details.