Top travel insurance providers for 2026: How costs and coverage stack up

Travel insurance can help safeguard the money you put into a trip, whether a sudden illness forces a cancellation, a flight delay leaves you stuck, or an overseas medical emergency arises. That protection, however, comes at a price. According to travel insurance marketplace SquareMouth, comprehensive policies averaged $482 between September 29 and October 29, 2026, or about 6.6% of the average insured trip cost.

Choosing the right travel insurance is not just a matter of finding the lowest premium. Coverage caps, exclusions, optional add-ons and reimbursement rules can differ widely from one insurer to another. To identify the best travel insurance companies of 2026, we reviewed major providers using those factors, along with policy flexibility and the kinds of travelers each company is designed to serve.

Travel insurance companies compared

The strongest travel insurance providers each shine in different situations, depending on your itinerary and priorities. A useful comparison should take several factors into account. Some plans are notable for strong medical and evacuation coverage, while others are better suited for families, flexible cancellation needs or protection across multiple trips.

Because premiums depend heavily on a traveler’s age, destination, trip length, insured trip value and selected benefits, we focused on verified policy features instead of company-wide average prices that may not reflect what a specific traveler would actually pay.

Travel Guard: Best overall

Plan reviewed: Deluxe

Key coverage

• Trip cancellation: 100% of insured trip cost, up to $150,000
• Trip interruption: 150% of insured trip cost, up to $225,000
• Trip delay: Up to $1,000 after more than five hours
• Emergency medical: Up to $150,000
• Emergency evacuation: Up to $1 million
• Baggage loss or damage: Up to $2,500
• Baggage delay: Up to $500 after more than 12 hours

Travel Guard earns the top overall spot because its Deluxe plan pairs high coverage limits with benefits that address a broad range of travel disruptions. Along with standard cancellation and interruption protection, it includes medical coverage, emergency evacuation benefits and reimbursement for certain travel inconveniences.

One especially helpful feature is the Trip Saver benefit, which can pay up to $2,500 when qualifying flight disruptions affect departure. The plan also includes family coverage, allowing one eligible child age 17 or younger to be included at the rate for each paying adult, subject to restrictions. Those features make it a flexible choice for international vacations, costly trips and family travel.

Pros

• Broad coverage with relatively high benefit limits
• $1 million in emergency evacuation protection
• Extra benefits for certain flight disruptions
• Eligible children may be included without an added base-plan premium

Cons

• Higher coverage levels can raise the premium
• Some benefits include waiting periods, daily caps or other restrictions
• Not every travel inconvenience is reimbursable

Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for annual coverage

Plan reviewed: AllTrips Premier

Key coverage

• Trip cancellation/interruption: $2,000 to $15,000, depending on the selected tier
• Trip delay: Up to $1,500 after six hours
• Emergency medical: Up to $50,000
• Emergency evacuation: Up to $500,000
• Baggage loss or damage: Up to $2,000
• Baggage delay: Up to $2,000 after 12 hours

Buying a separate policy for every trip can become tedious, especially for frequent travelers. Allianz addresses that problem with its AllTrips lineup, which covers multiple qualifying trips during a 12-month period.

AllTrips Premier stands out because it combines annual protection with several trip cancellation and interruption limits. It also includes emergency medical coverage, baggage protection and rental car coverage in eligible states. Families can insure multiple members under one policy, though cancellation and interruption limits are shared at the policy level rather than being applied separately to each traveler.

Pros

• Covers multiple qualifying trips under one annual policy
• Several cancellation coverage tiers
• Household coverage available
• Includes medical, evacuation and baggage benefits

Cons

• Trips longer than 90 days are not covered
• Cancellation and interruption limits apply per policy, per year
• Rental car coverage is unavailable to residents of certain states

Seven Corners: Best for cancel-for-any-reason coverage

Plan reviewed: Trip Protection Choice

Key coverage

• Trip cancellation: 100% of insured trip cost, up to $100,000 per person
• Trip interruption: Up to 150% of insured trip cost
• Trip delay: Up to $2,000 after six hours
• Emergency medical: Up to $500,000
• Emergency evacuation: Up to $1 million
• Baggage loss or damage: Up to $2,500
• CFAR: Up to 75% of eligible nonrefundable trip costs

Standard travel insurance only reimburses cancellations for reasons specifically listed in the policy. Seven Corners offers extra flexibility through optional cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) coverage, which can reimburse up to 75% of eligible nonrefundable costs when travelers cancel for reasons that would not otherwise qualify.

That flexibility can be especially valuable for costly trips or travelers worried about changing plans. However, the benefit generally must be purchased within 20 days of the initial trip deposit, and other conditions apply. Seven Corners also offers optional interruption-for-any-reason coverage, along with strong medical and evacuation benefits through its Trip Protection Choice plan.

Pros

• CFAR can reimburse up to 75% of eligible costs
• Optional interruption-for-any-reason protection
• High emergency medical and evacuation limits
• Pre-existing condition exclusion waiver available for eligible travelers

Cons

• CFAR requires an extra premium and timely purchase
• Availability varies by state
• Some destinations may be excluded

Travelex Insurance: Best for families

Plan reviewed: Ultimate

Key coverage

• Trip cancellation: 100% of insured trip cost, up to $50,000
• Trip interruption: 150% of insured trip cost, up to $75,000
• Trip delay: Up to $2,000
• Emergency medical: Up to $250,000
• Emergency evacuation: Up to $1 million
• Baggage loss or damage: Up to $2,000
• Optional upgrades: CFAR, additional medical coverage and more

Travel insurance can get expensive quickly when several family members need coverage. Travelex’s Ultimate plan helps address that issue by including eligible children age 17 and under in the base plan price at no extra charge.

That benefit applies to one qualifying child per insured adult, as long as the child’s insured trip cost does not exceed the adult’s. Optional upgrades are priced separately.

In addition, Ultimate offers strong medical and evacuation benefits, coverage for trips lasting up to 180 days and several optional upgrades. Families may also qualify for a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver if they buy coverage within 21 days of their initial trip payment and meet the other requirements.

Pros

• Eligible children included in base-plan pricing
• $1 million in emergency evacuation protection
• Several optional coverage upgrades
• Coverage available for trips up to 180 days

Cons

• Children’s coverage has eligibility restrictions
• Optional upgrades raise the total premium
• Some benefits and limits vary by state

Travel Insured International: Best for emergency medical coverage

Plan reviewed: Worldwide Trip Protector Platinum

Key coverage

• Trip cancellation: 100% of eligible insured trip cost
• Trip interruption: Coverage for qualifying reasons
• Trip delay: Up to $2,000 after three hours
• Emergency medical: Up to $500,000
• Baggage loss or damage: Up to $2,500
• Baggage delay: Up to $750 after three hours

Medical bills can be one of the biggest financial risks of overseas travel, especially when a serious illness or injury leads to hospitalization. Travel Insured International’s Worldwide Trip Protector Platinum plan stands out for its $500,000 emergency medical benefit, which is far above what many basic policies offer.

The plan also reimburses some travel delays starting at just three hours, and it includes coverage for lost or delayed baggage. Optional benefits include cancel-for-any-reason protection and add-ons tailored to specific travel needs, making it a strong option for travelers seeking broader protection.

Pros

• $500,000 in emergency medical coverage
• Trip delay benefits can start after three hours
• Multiple optional coverage upgrades
• Strong baggage protection

Cons

• Higher-tier coverage may cost more than basic plans
• Optional benefits increase premiums
• Coverage limits and requirements should be confirmed in the applicable state policy

Other travel insurance policies worth considering

The providers above are not the only ones worth comparing. Depending on your destination, activities and coverage goals, another plan may be a better fit. Two other options to keep in mind are:

Allianz Travel Insurance: OneTrip Premier

Standout feature: Up to $200,000 in trip cancellation protection.

Travelers planning expensive international trips may want to look at Allianz’s OneTrip Premier plan. It offers up to $200,000 in trip cancellation coverage, $300,000 in trip interruption protection and $1 million in emergency medical transportation benefits. It also includes coverage for certain epidemic-related disruptions and other covered events, subject to policy conditions.

Travelex Insurance: Travel Med Go

Standout feature: Medical coverage without extensive trip cancellation protection.

Travelers who do not need to insure major prepaid expenses may find Travelex’s Travel Med Go plan useful. It includes up to $50,000 in emergency medical benefits and $250,000 in evacuation protection, plus limited interruption, delay and baggage benefits. It may be a good fit for travelers whose main goal is medical protection while away from home.

How much travel insurance costs

Travel insurance typically costs between 4% and 10% of a trip’s prepaid, nonrefundable expenses, though the actual premium depends on the traveler and the policy. If you are looking for budget-friendly coverage, you generally should not pay much more than that range.

Recent industry data gives a more specific benchmark. SquareMouth says comprehensive travel insurance policies purchased between September 29 and October 29, 2026, averaged $482, or about 6.6% of the average insured trip cost of $7,277.

At that 6.6% average, coverage would work out to about $99 for a $1,500 trip, $198 for a $3,000 trip and $330 for a $5,000 trip. For pricier travel, 6.6% would equal roughly $495 on a $7,500 trip, $660 on a $10,000 trip or $990 on a $15,000 trip. These examples are based on the 6.6% industry average and are not actual quotes.

Age is another major pricing factor. Older travelers often pay more, especially when a policy includes substantial medical benefits. Trip length, destination, coverage caps and optional benefits can also affect the premium.

Adding CFAR coverage can significantly raise the cost because it broadens the situations in which travelers may be reimbursed. That extra expense may be worthwhile for someone worried about changing plans, but it may be less useful for travelers whose main concerns are already covered by a standard policy.

What travel insurance covers

Travel insurance can cover canceled trips, baggage loss, damage or delays, interrupted itineraries, missed flight connections, urgent dental or medical care and medical evacuation needs. Add-on benefits can widen that protection and help shape a policy around your budget and travel plans. A reliable provider should clearly list coverages and exclusions for each policy.

What travel insurance does not cover

Even a strong policy can still leave some expenses uncovered. For example, if a pre-existing medical condition worsens during your trip, a plan is unlikely to cover related costs unless the policy includes an applicable waiver. Incidents involving drugs or alcohol are also commonly excluded. Likewise, high-risk activities such as mountain climbing or skydiving are usually not covered unless you buy specific add-on protection before traveling. Pregnancy, childbirth, acts of war, known or foreseeable events such as forecast natural disasters, and fear of travel that leads to cancellation or delay are also typically excluded. Because policies vary by provider, it is important to read the fine print and confirm exactly what is and is not included.

Common travel insurance add-ons

Common add-ons include Cancel For Any Reason coverage, rental car damage protection, upgrades for higher-risk activities, pet care and more depending on the insurer. These extras cost more, but they may be worth it if you want protection tailored to your specific trip.

Is travel insurance worth it?

Travel insurance is often worthwhile for expensive, nonrefundable or international trips. The value depends on the traveler, their budget and whether they could comfortably absorb unexpected costs without dipping into savings. A policy may make sense in these situations:

• There is a realistic chance part of the trip could be rescheduled or canceled
• You plan to take part in higher-risk activities while traveling
• You rely on Medicare or Medicaid, which generally do not cover treatment outside the U.S.

There are also situations when skipping travel insurance may be the better choice:

• Your existing health insurance covers the places you plan to visit.
• You can easily pay for any cancellation or rescheduling costs yourself.
• You already have travel protections through the credit card used to book the trip or through another insurance policy, such as homeowners or renters insurance in some cases. Keep in mind that most card-based coverage usually excludes emergency medical care and evacuation.

Still, these are only some of the situations in which travel insurance may or may not be worthwhile. The lists above are not exhaustive. It can be useful to speak with a travel agent or a representative from a travel insurance company, since they can explain when a policy makes sense based on your specific plans.

How to choose the best travel insurance

There are several ways to improve your odds of choosing the right travel insurance for an upcoming trip. A few practical steps can help:

• Review coverage you may already have: You may already have protection through a credit card, health insurer, airline or even homeowners or renters insurance. That existing coverage could be enough, or it may let you buy only a small add-on.
• Decide what kind of coverage you actually need: Do not rush into a policy without thinking it through. A careful approach helps avoid paying for benefits you are unlikely to use.
• Compare single-trip and annual policies: Annual plans can save money for frequent travelers, but if you will not travel more than a few times in a year, individual policies may be more cost-effective. Compare both against your travel schedule before committing.
• Match the policy to the trip: Coverage for domestic travel may not fit an overseas trip and vice versa. Choose a plan that aligns with the risks and needs of each journey instead of assuming one policy works for everything.

Travel insurance FAQs

Before buying a policy, it helps to know the answers to these common questions:

What is the best travel insurance?

Based on our research, analysis and price tracking, Travel Guard currently offers the best value overall largely because of its broad coverage options.

When should you buy travel insurance?

In most cases, it makes sense to buy travel insurance when you book your trip. However, buying within 14 to 21 days of your first payment can sometimes unlock extra benefits such as pre-existing condition waivers or CFAR upgrades, so in some cases it may be worth waiting a few weeks before finalizing coverage.

What is the best travel insurance for international travel?

Travel Insured International is our top pick for international travelers based on the research and reviews we examined. Its $500,000 emergency medical benefit makes it a particularly strong option for trips abroad.

Does travel insurance cover flight cancellations?

Yes, travel insurance usually covers flight cancellations. Still, the reason for the cancellation matters, and exclusions apply, so review your policy carefully to understand what is and is not protected.

Do you need travel insurance for a cruise?

You are not required to buy travel insurance for a cruise, but it is often recommended to help protect against medical emergencies, weather-related cancellations, delays and other problems.

How we select the best travel insurance companies

CBS News evaluates travel insurance providers through editorial research, reporting, interviews and long-running experience covering the industry since 2022. The review process looks at a range of factors, including coverage, exclusions and policy types. It is updated over time to reflect changes in policies, seasonality, costs and coverage limits. This assessment reflects the state of the market at the time of publication and is not influenced by commissions or compensation from insurers, providers, travel agents or policyholders.