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skiing and snowboarding vacation travel insurance

Travel Insurance for Skiing and Snowboarding Trips

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

in under 2 minutes

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Molly Corry is an English literature graduate, travel writer and PR professional specializing in travel advice. Based in Leeds, England, when she is not writing, she enjoys attending dance classes and exploring new travel destinations to get inspired for her next piece of content.

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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.

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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.

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Are you ready for ski season? Whether you are hitting the bunny slopes or a seasoned pro, there's something for you in our ski travel section; including guides to the best experience, tips for packing and planning, and, how to save money along the way. And remember, a travel insurance plan from Allianz Global Assistance is a great way to protect your investment on and off the slopes.

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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

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Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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Get Ski Travel Insurance

Wander More. Worry Less.

If you're brave enough to take on a black diamond, or maybe vacationing with kids just starting out on the bunny slope, chances are you could use ski insurance. Travel insurance for your ski trip can cover injuries on the slopes and during your vacation and is designed to help with winter travel mishaps like flight delays, cancellations, illness and more.*

What winter sports are covered?

Our travel insurance plans can cover winter sports on your trip, such as skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing/rafting, cross country skiing on marked trails, snow shoeing, sledding, ice skating and more. You can also choose a plan designed to cover your sporting equipment if it gets damaged, lost, stolen or delayed. Just be sure that the purpose of your trip is not to participate in any organized amateur sports, professional athletic competitions or sporting events, as those are not covered by our plans.*

What can wreck a ski trip and how travel insurance can help

  • Injury & Illness
  • Equipment Issues

cheapest travel insurance skiing

Winter Travel Chaos Each year winter storms cause cancellations and delays across the country, wrecking travel plans. If you’re forced to cancel or interrupt your trip, how much of that prepaid trip cost could you get back? Travel insurance can help you recoup losses for 20 different covered events that could cause you to cancel your travel plans. Pre-purchased lift tickets can even be covered.

cheapest travel insurance skiing

Travel Delays Your flight is delayed for who knows how long in a winter blizzard. You need to decide whether to get a hotel, what necessities you'll need to buy, where to get dinner... Don't worry—Travel Delay coverage is included with every Generali travel insurance plan, so you can be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, such as hotel accommodations, meals and transportation if you are delayed during your trip.*

cheapest travel insurance skiing

Emergency Medical Accidents happen. Even to the most experienced skiers. Our travel insurance plans can help you with a wide range of medical needs while you’re traveling. Whether it’s a case of utilizing our emergency assistance services to see a local doctor for a prescription refill, filing a Medical and Dental claim after a visit to the emergency room because you slipped on ice during your trip, or the rare need to use the Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage for medical evacuation by air ambulance, we’re there for you 24/7/365. 

Flu Season Last winter was one of the most severe flu seasons in recent memory. If your trip is canceled or interrupted for certain medical reasons, trip insurance can help you get reimbursed for non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs that weren't used and additional transportation costs to return home or rejoin your group on the slopes.

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Medical Evacuation Get up to $1 Million in Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage — crucial for the slopes. More than 220,000 people a year are treated for winter sports injuries in the U.S. 1  Medical evacuation from a ski resort or even from the mountain could require a helicopter, which is not cheap.*

cheapest travel insurance skiing

Lost, Damaged or Delayed Sporting Equipment Flying with skis, a snowboard or other equipment? Travel insurance is one of the best ways to help protect your gear. Our  Preferred and Premium plans  include coverages especially helpful if your equipment is damaged, lost, stolen or delayed on your trip. And, you can get reimbursed for your rentals while your equipment is lost. INFO: Airlines worldwide lose or misplace more than 22 million bags a year. The property that was returned took an average of 1.76 days to get back to their owners.² How long could you go without your gear on a ski trip?

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Frequently asked questions.

If you lose your job and cancel your trip as a result, you could be reimbursed for your prepaid, nonrefundable, trip costs. Some requirements must be met.

Our plans don't include Trip Cancellation coverage for work obligations that cause you to cancel your trip, except in the case of unexpected active military duty due to a natural disaster or military leave being revoked. If you want travel insurance that can cover for this reason, consider purchasing our Premium plan and adding Trip Cancellation for Any Reason coverage . This coverage reimburses you up to 60% of the penalty amount when you cancel your trip for any reason ( requirements apply ).

If you become critically sick or injured during your trip and no suitable local care is available, all of our plans provide coverage for emergency medical evacuation and coverage to reimburse your medical and dental costs. In addition, Trip Interruption coverage can reimburse you for lost trip costs while you're in hospital, including prepaid lift tickets.

This can be extremely helpful if, for example, you have a ski accident on the slopes — it could even require medical transportation by helicopter, which could cost a lot.

Our plans also include 24-hour emergency assistance services that can provide immediate assistance if a traveler becomes seriously ill or injured on their trip.

Our travel insurance plans can cover skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing/rafting, cross country skiing on marked trails, snow shoeing, sledding, ice skating and more.

The Premium and Preferred plans include Sporting Equipment and Sporting Equipment Delay coverages that can cover winter sports equipment you might bring on a trip, except motorized equipment, dental wear and eyewear.

If your sporting equipment is damaged, lost or stolen during your trip, Sporting Equipment coverage can reimburse the costs to repair or replace your sporting equipment. The Premium plan covers up to $2,000 and the Preferred plan covers up to $1,500.

Sporting Equipment Delay can reimburse you for the cost of locating your delayed Sporting Equipment and having it returned to you, and the cost of renting equipment in the meantime, up to the coverage limit.

The fine print says: "We will not pay for damage to or loss of boats, motors, motorcycles, motor vehicles, aircraft, and other conveyances or equipment, or parts for such conveyances." See the DOC/Policy for more details.

Bad weather is always a risk when traveling during the winter. If a winter storm hits, flight cancellations and delays are bound to happen and you may take on some unplanned costs. If this happens, the Trip Interruption coverage included with travel insurance can cover for additional expenses to help get you to your destination and onto the slopes or back home, in addition to reimbursing you for lost trip costs. Travel Delay coverage is also included for certain out-of-pocket costs, such as meals, local transportation or even additional lodging or parking charges.

If a weather event, like a blizzard is foreseeable prior to you purchasing the insurance plan, then travel insurance may not cover it. If the plan is purchased after a storm is named, coverage is not provided for losses resulting from that named storm.

Read more about how travel insurance can help when you travel during the winter

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*Terms and conditions apply.  See plan details  for more details .

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The Best Ski Travel Insurance in 2022: A Guide

Robert Clarke

By Robert Clarke

Content Editor

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Travelling the World?

Don’t forget to get travel insurance for your journey

Does my travel insurance automatically include ski cover?

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The first thing that you should know is that the majority of travel insurance plans don’t include winter sports cover . Most insurers will allow you to add skiing as an optional, but the level of protection and the things you are covered for vary widely depending on the provider. You should pay particular attention if your holiday insurance is provided as part of a “bonus” on your credit cards or through your bank. These are almost guaranteed not to include winter sports as part of their coverage.

Another thing to watch out for is where your coverage is valid . There are many cases of travellers who head to the United States or Canada thinking that they are covered by their worldwide policy only to find themselves deep in debt when their insurer doesn’t cover an accident they have over the pond. Again, most “free” plans from banks only include European travel so watch out for this as well.

Even customers who have paid for an annual or multi-trip insurance policy , which includes winter sports coverage, may be disappointed to find out that ski trips may be severely limited in the number of days.

Virgin Money , for example, says that ski cover is limited to 10 days a year on their annual winter sports policies. Even when covered, policy exclusions suggest that the actual ski activities covered are very restrictive - activities such as downhill skiing and even snowboarding may not be included.

If you are travelling as a family, as a rule insurers allow two adults and a set number of children. The number of children varies from policy to policy but on average two children are allowed for each adult who is insured on the trip.

Ski Insurance is extraordinarily complex, and this is definitely one case when it’s time well spent if you spend some time comparing deals and checking what is and isn’t included in your policy.

The Essential Things That You Should Look for in a Ski Travel Insurance Policy

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Medical Care

Emergency mountainside rescue, personal liability, loss of use, loss of passes or equipment, curtailment.

There are some activities which are generally not included in standard ski policies. Off-piste (with or without a guide,) freestyle in snow parks, unattended equipment, ski or snowboard racing, heli-skiing and cross-country skiing are often not included in policies. Use of snowmobiles is almost always not covered. If you plan on doing any of these activities, then you should make sure you read your policy documents. It may be that you need to take out specialist insurance.

Best Ski Travel Insurance Providers

Who are the best ski travel insurance companies? Nearly all insurers provide ski cover as an added extra or bolt on. However, these companies aren't specialists in ski holidays and so might not cover the full range of activities that might be necessary.

Advanced skiers or those who plan to do more risky activities on the slopes might want to consider a specialist insurer who can give them a wider range of cover.

We compared the prices and cover of some of the specialist and non-specialist ski holiday insurance policies to help you choose the best option for you. Keep in mind that Snowcard, Sports Cover Direct and Travel Insurance Ski Club are designed for skiing holidays and provide a much wider range of cover than standard suppliers such as Aviva. They're definitely worth checking out if you are a real skiing oficionado.

All material on this page and the selectra.co.uk website is for information purposes only and does not constitute any form of financial advice. Selectra.co.uk is not responsible for any consequences that might arise from your use of the information provided.

The services and products mentioned on this website may only represent a small selection of the options available to you. Selectra encourages you to carry out your own research and seek advice if necessary before making any decisions. We may receive commission from selected partner providers on sales of some products and/or services mentioned within this website. Our website is free to use, and the commission we receive does not affect our opinion or the information we provide.

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U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

9 Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies Worth the Cost

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World Nomads Travel Insurance »

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AXA Assistance USA »

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Trawick International »

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Generali Global Assistance »

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Seven Corners »

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Allianz Travel Insurance »

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IMG Travel Insurance »

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WorldTrips »

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Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies.

Table of Contents

  • Rating Details

World Nomads Travel Insurance

Axa assistance usa.

There are plenty of smart ways to save money on your travel plans, but refusing to buy travel insurance isn't necessarily one of them. Sure, you may not feel you need a travel insurance policy if you are going on a road trip or planning a cheap vacation close to home. However, we all know there are plenty of scenarios – from travel delays and flight cancellations to pandemic outbreaks and political unrest – that can knock any travel plans off track.

Coverage limits and availability may vary by state, and coverage for trip cancellation or interruption due to COVID-19 varies by provider, so you'll want to consult each travel insurance website for further details. Read on to find out more about what each company offers and decide which travel insurance policy is right for you.

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To determine the Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies, U.S. News created sample traveler profiles for three separate eight-day trips to different destinations (the Bahamas, Spain and Hawaii) at a range of price points ($6,000, $8,000 and $12,000, respectively). We used that information to get quotes for the cheapest option for 100% trip cancellation coverage for each trip. We then calculated the average cost of the trips. The travel insurance companies that appear on the list are those that have a high credit rating and offer the lowest average cost, outlined below. (Note: The sample average costs are not price quotes from U.S. News. To find a travel insurance price quote, use the "View plans" link to enter your trip details and find more information.)

Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies in Detail

  • Up to $2,500 worth of trip protection for cancellation or interruption
  • Up to $1,000 in coverage of lost, stolen or damaged baggage; up to $750 for baggage delays on your outward journey
  • Up to $100,000 in emergency medical insurance
  • 100% coverage for trip cancellation and interruption
  • $750 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $200 in coverage for baggage delays
  • $25,000 in accident and sickness coverage
  • Trip cancellation (up to $30,000) and interruption coverage for 100% of the insured vacation
  • $750 in coverage for lost and damaged luggage; $200 for baggage delays
  • Up to $50,000 in emergency medical coverage
  • Coverage up to 100% of the insured vacation for trip cancellation and up to 125% of the insured vacation cost for trip interruption
  • $1,000 per person for lost, damaged or stolen bags; $200 per person in baggage delay coverage
  • Trip cancellation coverage up to $20,000 to $30,000 (depending where you live) and trip interruption coverage up to 100% of the cost of the trip
  • Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $500
  • Emergency accident and sickness medical coverage up to $10,000 to $100,000 (based on state of residence)
  • Trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage up to $10,000
  • Luggage loss and damage protection up to $500 per traveler; delay protection up to $200
  • Emergency medical and dental coverage up to $10,000 ($500 for dental expenses)
  • Up to 100% in coverage for trip cancellation (up to $25,000) and a trip interruption benefit worth up to 125% of the trip cost
  • Up to $750 for lost, damaged or stolen bags; $150 in luggage delay coverage
  • $100,000 in emergency medical coverage
  • 100% of trip cost (up to $10,000); 100% in trip interruption
  • Up to $250 per item in lost, damaged or stolen baggage (max $1,000)
  • Up to $25,000 in emergency medical and illness coverage
  • Trip cancellation (up to $10,000) and trip interruption (up to 125% of the total trip cost), including travel interruptions or delays due to terrorism
  • $600 for lost, damaged or stolen luggage; $100 in baggage delay coverage
  • Up to $75,000 in accident and illness medical coverage

Frequently Asked Questions

Vacations can unexpectedly be interrupted or canceled altogether due to an unexpected illness, a family emergency, or a cancellation by an airline or resort. "If you've spent a material amount for trip expenses, you want to make sure you're protected in case something happens," says Angela Borden, product strategist at Seven Corners . "If you get sick and can't go, if something happens and you need to come home early ... I think it's really important because travel is so expensive right now."

Not only that, but travel insurance can also cover other components of your trip you maybe haven't considered. This could include lost or stolen baggage or a missed connection that requires a sudden hotel stay and a few dinners while you're rerouted on another flight.

Try not to think of travel insurance as just another expense you should avoid while planning your dream trip. Think of travel insurance as protection for the financial investment you made in your vacation. With that in mind, it is thrifty to shop around for the most affordable travel insurance policies.

Buying travel insurance only makes sense if you purchase enough coverage to protect the investment you made in your trip. For that reason, the cheapest travel insurance plan is not always the best. You should compare pricing, but you should also make sure you're buying coverage from a quality provider (like the ones included above). Additionally, check that your coverage comes with inclusions and limits that make sense for your trip.

To find the right travel insurance plan for your needs, start by tallying up the cost you paid for your trip, including prepaid charges for airfare, lodging and transportation. From there, you can select coverage limits for trip cancellation and interruption coverage, and you can also compare plans based on the most important components that could result in major losses, such as medical coverage and emergency evacuation. Also, make sure your policy provides adequate protection for baggage and personal items, as well as the implications of a significant travel delay. Finally, make sure you have the option to include any additional coverage you need, such as cancel for any reason coverage or waivers for preexisting conditions.

Ideally, you will wind up with a travel insurance plan that offers just the right amount of coverage for a price you can afford.

Keep in mind, some of the more basic travel insurance plans do not include certain coverage that everyday travelers may need.

"A lot of people are focused on cost; one consideration is generally the economy level plans aren't going to have a preexisting condition waiver," says Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com . "... and that may not affect everybody but if somebody has a chronic health consideration like asthma, they would want a policy with a preexisting condition waiver."

Travel insurance may cost anywhere from $50 to $1,500 or more. The cost of travel insurance varies depending on the age of the travelers in your group, the total cost of your trip and other factors. Older people will typically have to pay more for a travel insurance policy since these travelers are more susceptible to health issues as they age. The total cost of your trip will also help determine the cost of your travel insurance plan since more expensive trips require higher coverage limits.

Interestingly enough, the length of your trip and the destination you are visiting will not typically affect the cost of travel insurance coverage. Further, your health may not be part of the equation either, and travel insurance companies even refrain from asking health questions when you apply for a travel insurance quote. This doesn't mean that preexisting conditions will be covered, however, so you'll want to check the details.

The price of the plan you select will depend on how much coverage you want.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning content creator who has been writing about travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world, and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. In fact, she has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states, in their family media business.

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Is Travel Insurance Worth It? Yes, in These 3 Scenarios

Holly Johnson

These are the scenarios when travel insurance makes most sense.

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12 Best Travel Insurance Companies of March 2024

Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations.

cheapest travel insurance skiing

5 Best International Travel Insurance Companies

Depending on where you're traveling, international travel insurance may be required.

cheapest travel insurance skiing

Does My Health Insurance Cover International Travel?

Private health insurance typically doesn't cover international travel expenses.

  • Nationwide Travel Insurance
  • AXA Assistance USA
  • Travel Guard
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
  • Tin Leg Travel Insurance
  • WorldTrips Travel Insurance
  • Trawick International Travel Insurance
  • Travelex Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance Tips

  • Why You Should Trust Us

Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Insurance

Our experts answer readers' insurance questions and write unbiased product reviews ( here's how we assess insurance products ). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners ; however, our opinions are our own.

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 travel insurance guide, 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.

Best Travel Insurance Companies

  • Nationwide Travel Insurance : Best Overall
  • AXA Assistance USA : Runner-Up
  • Travel Guard : Best for Cruises
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection : Best Reputation
  • Tin Leg Travel Insurance : Best for Travelers with Preexisting Conditions
  • WorldTrips Travel Insurance : Best for Digital Nomads
  • Trawick International Travel Insurance : Best Low-Cost Option
  • Travelex Travel Insurance : Best for Road Trips

Compare the Top Travel Insurance Offers

Nationwide Nationwide Travel Insurance

  • 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

AXA 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

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

Berkshire Hathaway Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Covers up to 100% of trip cancellation costs, a minimum of up to $750 in luggage losses, and 24/7 worldwide travel insurance

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers up to 100% trip cancellation refund for eligible travel
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Plans are customizable with relevant add-ons
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good customer service and easy sign up according to traveler reviews
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. More affordable plans offer low caps on medical and emergency coverage
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums are on the expensive side relative to comparable competitor plans
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Claims may take longer during peak travel seasons

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection is one of the leading insurance brands on the market. It offers several plans with key add-ons for travelers.

  • This provider underwrites travel insurance policies for a number of other companies in addition to offering its own plans
  • Travelers can file claims directly from a smartphone by using the BHTP app

TinLeg 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.

WorldTrips 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

Trawick 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)

Travelex Travelex Travel Insurance

  • 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

Best Travel Insurance Reviews

Best overall travel insurance: nationwide travel insurance.

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.

Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance

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.

AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Review

AIG Travel Guard Travel Insurance: Best Travel Insurance for Cruises

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.

AIG Travel Guard Review

Best Travel Insurance for Company Reputation: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection  helps travelers make the best of bad situations by simplifying the process of filing a claim down to a simple photo snap and some basic paperwork submitted directly through a dedicated app.

Approved claims are also paid out very rapidly, making it easier to carry through with a trip when luggage has been lost or alternative travel plans need to be made on the fly.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance Review

Best for Travelers with Preexisting Conditions: Tin Leg Travel Insurance

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is a great fit for travelers with medical issues in particular. Thanks to coverage for preexisting 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.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance Review .

Best Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads: WorldTrips Travel 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.

WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review

Best Low-Cost Travel Insurance Option: Trawick International Travel Insurance

Trawick International Travel Insurance  is another medically robust insurance provider 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.

Trawick Travel Insurance Review

Best Travel Insurance for Road Trips: Travelex Travel Insurance

Travelex Travel Insurance  offers three plans:

  • Travel Basic
  • Travel Select
  • Travel America

The Travelex American plan is meant for trips limited to the US, 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 US 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.

Travelex Travel Insurance Review

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 the financial aspect of receiving medical care while traveling , even in the most remote corners of the globe.

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.

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.

Choosing 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.

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.

Yes, travel insurance typically offers some coverage of canceled flights, but if this benefit is important to you, make sure you read the fine print of your policy to make sure it offers adequate reimbursement. If you think you may need to cancel your travel plans, you should consider purchasing cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance .

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, make sure your policy will cover you in that situation before purchasing it.

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include 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 preexisting 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.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose 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 5 stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.

Our 2022 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 US 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.

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.

**Enrollment required.

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How to Find the Best Travel Insurance

Elina Geller

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

What travel insurance covers

How much does travel insurance cost, types of travel insurance, how to get travel insurance, what to look for in travel insurance, best travel insurance comparison sites, which insurance company is best for travel insurance, when to skip travel insurance, travel insurance, recapped.

Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, emergencies, trip interruptions, baggage, rental cars and more.

Cost is affected by trip length, pre-existing medical conditions, depth of coverage, your age and add-ons.

You can get it through credit cards or third-party companies, & can shop on travel insurance comparison sites.

Before buying, evaluate risks, know existing coverage, obtain quotes online and review policy details warily.

Skip it if you buy flexible airfare and hotels, already have coverage or only book refundable activities.

Booking travel always carries some degree of uncertainty. Travel insurance provides a safety net so you can step out with confidence. You may not need travel insurance for inexpensive trips, but it can provide a sense of security when you prepay for pricey reservations, a big international trip or travel during cold and flu season, which can be unpredictable.

According to insurance comparison site Squaremouth, travelers in 2023 spent an average of $403 for comprehensive coverage, compared to $96 for medical-only policies. Comprehensive plans typically cost between 5% and 10% of the insured trip cost.

Since that price tag is no small amount, it helps to know how to shop smart for travel insurance. Here's how to find the right travel insurance plan for you and your next adventure.

Depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for, the chart below will help you determine what to look for when selecting a policy:

Depending on the policy, travel insurance reimburses you or offers services when something goes awry. There’s even coverage for the worst-case scenario: if you die in an accident while traveling. Accidental death coverage pays your beneficiary a lump sum in that case.

Before you buy, take a little time to get familiar with different types of travel insurance products, how it’s priced, and what it covers and excludes. If you’re traveling during these uncertain times, you’ll want to make sure that the policy you select covers coronavirus-related emergencies. Usually, the more thorough the coverage, the more it will cost.

Travel insurance costs vary depending on:

Length and cost of the trip: The longer and more expensive the trip, the higher the policy cost.

Cost of local health care: High health-care costs in your destination can drive up the price of trip insurance.

Medical conditions you want covered: Conditions you already have will increase the cost of travel insurance coverage.

Amount and breadth of coverage: The more risks a policy covers, the more it will cost.

Your age: Generally the older you are, the higher the price.

Any optional supplement you add to your policy : Cancel For Any Reason , Interrupt For Any Reason and more.

Keep these factors in mind when considering different travel insurance options.

You’ll find a wide selection of travel protection plans when you shop for a policy.

Typically, travel insurance is sold as a package, known as a comprehensive plan, which includes a variety of coverage.

Here are seven of the most common types of travel insurance:

Travel medical insurance

These plans provide health insurance while you’re away from home. Although in some ways these policies work like traditional health plans, generally you cannot use travel health insurance for routine medical events. For example, a routine medical checkup is usually not covered. In addition, these policies often include limitations on coverage and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Although most travel insurance plans cover many recreational activities, such as skiing and horseback riding, they often exclude adventure sports, such as skydiving or parasailing, or competition in organized sporting events. You may need to buy a special travel policy designed for adventure or competitive sports.

International travel insurance

Most likely, your U.S.-based medical insurance will not work while you’re traveling internationally, and Medicare does not provide any coverage once you leave the United States outside of a few very specific exemptions. If you plan on traveling abroad, purchasing travel medical insurance could make a lot of sense.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: Emergency coverage while you travel internationally

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay

Trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if the tour operator goes out of business or you have to cancel the trip for one of the covered reasons outlined in the policy, such as:

Your own illness.

The illness or death of a family member who’s not traveling with you.

Natural disasters.

Trip interruption insurance covers the nonrefundable cost of the unused portion of the trip if it is interrupted due to a reason outlined in the policy.

Trip delay coverage reimburses you for expenses such as lodging and meals if you’re delayed during a trip (e.g., your flight gets canceled due to weather ).

Many package policies cover all three. These policies are different from the cancellation waivers that cruise lines and tour operators offer, the Insurance Information Institute says. Waivers are cheap, ranging from $40 to $60, and often include restrictions. For example, according to the institute, waivers might not refund your money if you cancel immediately before departure. Waivers are technically not insurance policies.

Some companies offer additional layers of coverage at extra cost. “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage will reimburse a large part of the trip cost, no matter why you back out. And some companies let you pay extra to cover pre-existing conditions if you cancel for medical reasons.

Some insurers and comparison sites let you customize a policy by choosing types of coverage a la carte. For example, TravelInsurance.com is a comparison site that provides quotes from different providers.

Baggage and personal belongings

How does lost luggage insurance work? This coverage reimburses you for baggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged during the trip. Some plans also reimburse you for extra expenses if you experience a baggage delay for more than a certain period, such as 12 hours.

Your renters or homeowners insurance may cover personal belongings while you are traveling. It’s best to review your homeowners insurance policy to determine the level of coverage it provides so you do not end up paying for a benefit you already have.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Emergency medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation

This coverage pays medical expenses if you get sick or injured on a trip . Medical evacuation coverage pays for transporting you to the nearest hospital, and medical repatriation pays for flying you to your home country.

» Learn more: Can I get travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

24-hour assistance

This service is included with many package plans. The insurer provides a 24-hour hotline that you can call when you need help, such as booking a flight after a missed connection, finding lost luggage, or locating a doctor or lawyer.

Generally, travel insurance companies do not cover sports or any activity that can be deemed risky. If you’re thinking of incorporating adventurous activities into your vacation, choose a plan that includes adventure sports coverage.

Most travel insurers cover a wide array of services, but the specific options vary. Some plans include concierge services, providing help with restaurant referrals, tee time reservations and more. Many services also offer information before the trip, such as required vaccinations. The only way to know what’s included is to read the policy.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

This coverage pays a lump sum to your beneficiary, such as a family member, if you die in an accident while on the trip. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies also pay a portion of the sum to you if you lose a hand, foot, limb, eyesight, speech or hearing. Some plans apply only to accidental death in a plane.

This coverage may be duplicative if you already have sufficient life insurance, which pays out whether you die in an accident or from an illness. You may also already have accidental death and dismemberment insurance through work, so it's best to check your policies to ensure you’re not overpaying.

» Learn more: NerdWallet's guide to life insurance

Rental car coverage

Rental car insurance pays for repairing your rental car if it’s damaged in a wreck, by vandals or in a natural disaster. The coverage doesn't include liability insurance, which pays for damage to other vehicles or for the medical treatment of others if you cause an accident and are held responsible.

Ask your car insurance company whether your policy will cover you when renting cars on the trip. U.S. car insurance policies generally don’t cover you when driving in other countries, except Canada.

Car insurance requirements are complex because they vary among countries. You can usually purchase liability insurance from the rental car company. Learn about car insurance requirements by searching for auto insurance by country on the U.S. Embassy website .

» Learn more: Best credit cards for rental car coverage

A note about single vs. long-term policies

Single trip insurance plans are a great option for those going on a single trip for a specific length of time (e.g., a two-week vacation) and then returning home. The price of the policy is usually determined by the cost of the trip.

Long-term travel policies cover you for multiple trips, but there are limitations to how long you can be away from home, if you can return home during your travels and how many trips you can take. In addition, trip cancellation and interruption coverage is either not offered or capped at a dollar amount that can be significantly below the total cost of all the trips taken during the covered period.

Long-term travel insurance plans — often called 'multi-trip' or 'annual travel insurance' — are a suitable option for those who travel often and are satisfied with the amount of trip cancellation coverage for all the trips they take over the duration of the policy.

» Learn more: How annual (multi-trip) travel insurance works

Below, we include how to obtain travel insurance, along with the pros and cons of each option.

Some credit cards offer trip cancellation and rental car insurance if you use the card to book the trip or car.

When you book a trip with your credit card, depending on the card you use, you may already receive trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

» Learn more: 10 credit cards that provide travel insurance

Here are a handful of credit cards with travel insurance benefits.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on American Express' website

Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

Pros: Coverage is free.

Cons: You can’t customize the insurance to meet your needs. Most credit cards offer secondary car rental insurance, which pays for the costs not covered by your regular car insurance plan.

Travel agents and travel reservation sites

You can buy travel insurance when you book your flight, hotel and car rental.

Pros: Buying is as quick and easy as clicking “yes” when you book reservations. Coverage is inexpensive.

Cons: You can’t customize the coverage.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance vs. independent travel insurance

Travel insurance comparison sites

You can compare different policies and review quotes at once based on the trip search criteria you’ve input into the search form. Examples include marketplaces like Squaremouth or TravelInsurance.com.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs and compare policies and pricing in one place.

Cons: Comparing multiple policies takes time.

Travel insurance companies

You can purchase travel insurance directly from an insurance provider.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs. Many travel insurer websites also offer information to help you understand the coverage.

Cons: You’ll need to go to multiple websites to compare coverage and pricing.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies right now

Keep these tips in mind when you’re considering a trip insurance policy.

Evaluate the financial risks you face when traveling. Can you bear those costs yourself, or do you want insurance?

Examine what coverage you already have: Does your credit card offer travel insurance? Do you have renters or homeowners insurance to cover belongings? What is the deductible? Will your health plan cover you in all the locations where you travel?

Get quotes for trip insurance online. Choose a package of the benefits you need and compare prices for similar coverage among carriers.

Narrow your choices and then read the policy fine print to understand what’s covered, what’s excluded and the limits on coverage. You may find that the lowest-priced policy is too restrictive and that paying a little more gets you the coverage you need. Or you might find that the cheapest, most basic policy fits the bill.

If you don’t know which provider to go with, it makes sense to browse a list of plans on a travel insurance comparison site. These online marketplaces will often include plans from the best travel insurance companies along with customer reviews.

Squaremouth

cheapest travel insurance skiing

Compare plans from more than 30 providers.

Over 86,000 customer reviews of insurers.

Under its Zero Complaint Guarantee, Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) will remove a provider if any customer complaint isn't resolved to its satisfaction.

Has a filter option to see policies that provide COVID-coverage.

TravelInsurance.com

cheapest travel insurance skiing

Compare plans from 13 providers.

See good and poor customer ratings and reviews for each insurer when you receive quotes.

“Learning Center” includes travel insurance articles and travel tips, including important how-to information.

Quotes provided from each provider include a link to COVID-19 FAQs, making it easy for customers to review what’s covered or not.

InsureMyTrip

cheapest travel insurance skiing

Compare plans from more than two dozen providers.

More than 70,000 customer reviews.

“Anytime Advocates” help customers navigate the claim process and will work on behalf of the customer to help with appealing a denied claim.

Includes a link to plans that offer COVID coverage.

cheapest travel insurance skiing

Compare plans from 11 providers.

Search coverage by sporting activity, including ground, air and water sports.

Many types of plans available for students, visiting family members, new immigrants, those seeking COVID quarantine coverage and more.

cheapest travel insurance skiing

Compare different insurance plans from 35 providers.

Over 5,600 customer reviews on Trustpilot, with an average 4.9 stars out of five.

Formerly known as AardvarkCompare, AARDY includes a “Travel Insurance 101” learning center to help customers understand various policies and benefits.

Quote search results page includes COVID-coverage highlighted in a different color to make it easier for customers to review related limits.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care, COVID coverage or a policy that includes extreme sports, these providers have you covered.

Our full analysis and more details about each organization can be found here: The Best Travel Insurance Companies Today .

Allianz Global Assistance .

Travel Guard by AIG .

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services .

Travel Insured International .

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Seven Corners .

AXA Assistance USA .

There are a few scenarios when spending extra on travel insurance doesn't really make sense, like:

You booked flexible airline tickets.

Your hotel room has a good cancellation policy.

It's already included in your credit card.

You haven't booked any nonrefundable activities.

» Learn more: When you don't need travel insurance

Yes, especially for nonrefundable trips and travel during the COVID-era. Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or have travel insurance from your credit card, you shouldn't travel without having some sort of travel protection in place to safeguard you and your trip. Travel insurance can protect you in case of an unexpected emergency such as a canceled flight due to weather, a medical event that requires hospitalization, lost luggage and more.

There are many good travel insurance policies out there and a policy that may be great for you may not be good for someone else. Selecting the best plan depends on what coverage you would like and your trip details.

For example, World Nomads offers a comprehensive travel insurance policy that has excellent coverage for adventure sports. Allianz provides coverage for trips of varying lengths of time through its single trip plans and multi-trip plans. Some providers offer add-on options like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance. If you’re not sure which plan to go with, consider looking at trip insurance comparison sites like Squaremouth or Insuremytrip.

Yes, you can. However, it's better to purchase it sooner rather than later, ideally right after booking your trip because the benefits begin as soon as you purchase a policy.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your trip cancellation benefits to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans offer trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and dental, medical evacuation, trip delay and lost luggage coverage. Many plans offer COVID coverage, but you’ll always want to check to ensure that the policy you choose provides that benefit if you’re traveling during these times. Some plans may also allow you to add features like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

However, the coverage provided by the credit cards is usually lower than if you purchased a standalone policy. Review the travel insurance benefits on your credit card and check that the limits are adequate before foregoing from purchasing a separate plan.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your

trip cancellation benefits

to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Platinum Card® from American Express

offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

Unpredictability is one of the mind-opening joys of travel, but travel insurance should contain no surprises. The time you spend to understand your options will be well worth the peace of mind as you embark on your next adventure.

Whether you’re seeking a single or a long-term policy, each travel insurance option offers different strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right policy depends on your trip needs, your budget and how important various benefits are to you.

Keep reading

If you want to dig in deeper to world of travel insurance, these resources will point you in the right direction.

What is travel insurance? How much is travel insurance? Is travel insurance worth it? What does travel insurance cover? Does travel insurance cover COVID?

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

30,000 Limited-time offer: Earn Companion Pass® good through 2/28/25 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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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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Winter sports cover entitles skiers to financial compensation should things slip off-piste

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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

Lack of snow, broken bones and avalanches can wreak havoc on a skiing holiday

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.

Apres-ski often means cutting loose while still in your ski boots

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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cheapest travel insurance skiing

Ski Travel Insurance

£10m emergency medical expenses - search and rescue included and £2m personal liability standard on ALL policies.

A GUIDE TO OBTAINING A QUOTE and PRE QUOTE INFORMATION -  questions answered

please ensure you select the correct activity level  for the sports you are insuring and that you insure the full duration of your trip from the UK including departure and return dates on your Snowcard policy - for downhill skiing you will need at least Adventure Plus or Max Adventure for snowboarding

If you have any questions or need guidance on selecting your policy - email [email protected]

N.B. Insurance policies available from this website can only be used by UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man residents.

Levels of cover

Please start typing your activity in the box below. You are covered for all activities in the level you select and those in lower levels. If you are taking part in multiple activities, make sure you select the highest level that will cover all of your activities.

What is your most extreme activity?

Please check our full activity levels information table - if you cant find a match for your activity - let us know so we can add it.

IMPORTANT - for downhill skiing , you will need at least the Adventure Plus level of cover, do not select Adventure Basic for on and off piste skiing or snowboarding.

If you are taking part in an activity that might be considered out of the ordinary or you are travelling to unusual or remote destinations , please refer full details before proceeding and we will confirm if your trip can be covered.

Annual multi-trip insurance

Cancellation cover (if selected) starts when you book each trip or on the start date entered here and shown on your Insurance Schedule, if this is later. Cover under all other sections of the policy begins when you leave home to go on a trip and ends when you return home from that trip.  The start and finish dates of the trip must fall within the 12 month period of insurance. For trips booked during the 12 month period and that start after the end of the 12 month period, we will provide cancellation cover until the policy ends. Please note that annual multi-trip policies can not be purchased more than 2 months in advance of the policy start date and must be purchased in the UK before departure of your first trip. Cancellation cover commences from the policy start date you specify here.

Single trip limits

Winter sports limits on annual multi-trip policies

Single trip policies

You must insure the full duration of your trip and purchase your insurance before departing from the UK. If you have an annual policy with another insurer and you require higher risk cover with Snowcard for a short duration only, we CANNOT help topping up another insurers policy. You must insure your full trip duration with Snowcard for your policy to be valid.

If you select cancellation cover, it takes effect from the date of policy purchase until your departure date. The insurance for personal belongings, equipment and techno pack (if shown on your Insurance Schedule) is only valid if you have insured the whole duration of each individual trip and starts when you depart from the UK. If you have a Snowcard annual multi trip policy at a lower level of cover, you can purchase single trip top up cover  (medical and emergency expenses only) at a higher level for short durations.

The age band selected must be that of the person who is the lead insured name or the oldest person in the family or group. If a group member is older than 56+, it will be cheaper for the group if the older traveller is insured seperately. For persons aged over 75 contact  https://www.biba.org.uk  for advice.

For annual multi trip policies, use the age band applicable on the policy start date. For single trip policies, use the age band applicable on the date of departure.

Please note a family is 1 or 2 adults and up to 4 children up to the age of 18 – a couple is 2 persons married or living together as married – a group is 2 or more persons travelling together on the same holiday. 

To insure a minor <18 travelling alone, the parent must register their details but insert the name and age of the child when prompted to enter the name of the person to be insured.

Ski Insurance

If you’re looking for ski holiday insurance, then you’re in the right place! Snowcard Insurance Services has been providing skiers and snowboarders with flexible, adaptable ski cover insurance and peace of mind since 1990. Snowcard is the best value ski trip insurance.

As one of the UK’s longest serving specialist providers of winter sports ski insurance, Snowcard cover a wide range of winter sports activities including on and off-piste skiing with or without a guide. All of our ski holiday insurance policies include invaluable search and rescue insurance, critical for travel in the mountains where heli rescue costs must be paid for by the injured skier. 

Whatever your style of skiing, we have a policy to suit your needs . Snowcard is the best ski travel insurance available in the UK with over 30 years of experience insuring skiers and snowboarders. Our insurers operate a 24/7 emergency service, who are able to provide a unique and specialist claims service for skiers. 

The winter sports activities we cover are listed below. If you can not see the winter sports activity you are taking part in,  please email  with details and we will advise if cover can be provided.

Please note all policy levels include  serach and rescue  including helicopter and air ambulance costs.

Adventure Basic

Cross country lauglauf skiing on marked resprt trails

Adventure Plus

Cross country langlauf skiing away from resort trails

Skiing on and off piste with or without a guide on marked resort runs and unpisted trails on resort ski area maps

Snow shoeing on marked resort trails

Max Adventure

Cross country langlauf ski marathon amateur events

Snowboarding - on and off piste with or without a guide on marked resort runs and unpisted trails on resort ski area maps

Ski touring (ascending using skins) - back country skiing or snowboarding including telemark, skidoo, snowcat or helicopter skiing

Heli and snowcat skiing

Split boarding - back country touring

Snow shoeing away from marked resort trails

Extreme Adventure

Pipe and park freestyle skiing and snowboarding (but excluding competitions)

Ski touring (pulling pulks) - commercially guided tours only

Ski mountaineering - alpine ascents using mountaineering equipment (European destinations only)

Pro Adventure

Ski mountaineering - alpine ascents using mountaineering equipment (Worldwide destinations)

Ski touring (pulling pulks) - unguided - you must provide full details of the trip for acceptance before proceeding

Activities covered:  click here  for full list

Taking chances on the slopes without adequate ski cover is a problem (the FCDO estimates around 1 in 5 skiers ignores the need for ski insurance). Should you require medical assistance, or even helicopter rescue in an emergency situation, then you will need to be covered with a good ski travel insurance. Average claims costs are over £1500. If you need a helicopter rescue and hospitalisation is involved, average costs exceed £5000, serious injuries can run into much higher figures, especially in North America where claims regularly exceed £50,000. 

As an established specialist provider of ski travel insurance, we understand customer requirements when it comes to skiing, which is why we can offer cover for skiing on and off-piste with or without a guide, allowing you to enjoy your adventure with security and peace of mind. 

The Swiss Federal Institute For Forest, Snow and Landscape Research website outlines each avalanche danger level with the  European Danger Scale . You should be aware of these guidelines as failure to exercise a duty of care and triggering avalanches that cause other skiers or snowboarders injury or death has recently landed the unaware in court! Snowcard ski cover insurance also includes personal liability insurance.

Why Take Out Travel Insurance for Skiing With Snowcard?

As for any holiday or trip abroad, the last thing you want to think about is what could go wrong and that’s why we provide access to 24/7 emergency assistance no matter where you are in the world. Our ski holiday insurance policies are designed to respond in a crisis, and whilst our premiums are competitive for the high level of cover we give, it’s important to know when comparing quotes for ski travel insurance that standard, budget or cheap policies typically provide you with much lower levels of cover, often underwritten by insurers with little or no experience of the mountains. Our ski holiday insurance is suitable for all skiers and has been tried and tested over many years.

If you’re new to skiing and planning a ski holiday for the first time, then you may want to read  how to stay safe on the slopes , a guide produced by GOV.UK. This will help you choose the right ski holiday insurance for you as well as providing you with further information about skiing.

If you would like to find out further information about our ski insurance or want to enquire about our ski cover policies then please get in touch with us - you can use our contact form or email . We would more than happy to answer any queries you may have about our ski insurance. 

What Ski Insurance Do I Need?

At Snowcard we have specialist travel insurance suitable of all types of skiers.

We offer specialist cover for the following activities:

  • Nordic cross-country skiing
  • Pipe and park freestyle skiing and snowboarding
  • Skiing - on and off piste with or without a guide
  • Ski-biking and ski bobbing
  • Ski touring (ascending using skins) - back country skiing or snowboarding, skidoo, snowcat or helicopter skiing
  • Ski mountaineering - alpine ascents using mountaineering equipment
  • Ski cover Insurance Skiing On and Off Piste

Why Use a Specialist Ski Travel Insurance Provider?

A specialist travel insurance provider will cover you for a range of different activities that will not be covered by a standard travel insurance policy.

Purchasing non-specislist ski cover rather than specialist travel insurance can be a huge risk and could leave you having to pay thousands in medical bills. A standard travel policy may not cover you for certain situations that may occur when you’re skiing and the claims handlers might not have the expertise to deal with your situation.  A specialist Snowcard policy will offer you insurance protection that is made to respond in a crisis based on over 30 years winter sports insurance experience.

What Does Ski Travel Insurance Cover?

Here at Snowcard our polices are tailored so that you have protection specific to you, our specialist insurance includes cover for:

  • Emergency medical treatment
  • Search and rescue
  • Heli evacuation
  • Repatriation to the UK
  • Personal Liability
  • Personal Accident
  • Ski Equipment
  • Techno pack – for cameras and electronics
  • Cancellation and cutting short a trip
  • Travel Delays
  • Missed Departure
  • Travel Disruption
  • Piste Closure

Ski Holiday Insurance

see all activities covered

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These are the 4 best family travel insurance plans

Find coverage that fits your family's travel plans with these four companies..

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Family vacations are a special time, and ensuring they go smoothly is essential to making memories that will last forever. Travel insurance is one way to ensure that any bumps in the road can be smoothed over, from a lost bag to an injury abroad.

CNBC Select reviews the best travel insurance plans for families based on coverage, cost and plan variety. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best family travel insurance companies.)

Best family travel insurance  

  • Best for families with young children : Allianz   
  • Best for affordability : Faye   
  • Best for CFAR coverage : Travel Insured International  
  • Best for cruises : Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection  

Best for families with young children 

Allianz travel insurance.

The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

Policy highlights

10 travel insurance plans make it possible to customize your coverage. For families, Allianz's OneTrip Prime package covers children age 17 and younger when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

24/7 assistance available

  • Trip cancellation benefits can reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable trip payments if you have to cancel your trip for one of the covered reasons stated in your plan documents. 
  • Limited coverage for risky sports

Who's this for? Allianz is great for families with young children as its OneTrip Prime travel insurance policy offers free coverage for children ages 17 or under when traveling with a parent or grandparent. Though this benefit isn't available to Pennsylvania residents, it could help families with younger children lower the cost of their travel insurance coverage.  

Standout benefits:  Allianz's cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage has an enhanced version available that can cover up to 80% of trip expenses if you have to cancel for a reason that's not covered.  

[ Jump to more details ]  

Best for affordability 

Faye travel insurance.

Faye offers travel insurance with a convenient online buying experience and an app with real-time travel alerts. It's one simple plan includes coverage for common issues, like trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses and trip delay coverage. It also offers coverage for pre-existing medical conditions when plans are purchased within 14 days of an initial trip deposit.

  • Covers Covid like any other medical condition
  • CFAR is available for up to 75% of trip costs for an additional cost.
  • Additional coverage options like vacation rental damage coverage and pet care coverage.
  • Not all benefits are available in all states.

Who's this for?  Faye travel insurance stands out for families on a budget. Its policies start at just $4.64 per day (for 14 days) for domestic trips and $5.16 per day (for 14 days) for international trips. It's also great for those who want a completely digital experience and would rather manage a policy through an app than an agent or by phone.

Standout benefits:  Faye's intuitive interface makes it easy to get travel insurance coverage on your own time, and quotes are available entirely online. On top of the standard trip delay, cancellation and interruption coverage, you can purchase CFAR coverage, coverage for adventure and sports activities and a pet care add-on, which can cover illness or injury for your pet when traveling with you, or extra kenneling costs if your trip is delayed if you leave your pet at home.  

Best for CFAR coverage 

Travel insured international travel insurance.

Travel Insured International has two simple travel insurance plans — the Worldwide Trip Protector and Worldwide Trip Protector Gold. Its plans are affordable and offer the option of cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

  • Optional CFAR coverage and interruption for any reason coverage
  • Medical coverage can be lower than other options

Who's this for?  Travel Insured International could be a great fit for families looking for the flexibility of a CFAR addition to ensure they'll be covered for any reason they need to cancel. The company's wide variety of reasons for cancellation includes coverage for school year extensions with all plans.  

Standout benefits:  Travel Insured International's Worldwide Trip Protector can cover all children 17 and under for free when traveling with related adults.  

Best for cruises  

Berkshire hathaway travel protection.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has multiple plans to cover vacations from luxury travel to adventure travel. The brand's LuxuryCare offers the highest limits of travel insurance coverage offered by the company. Quotes and policies are available online.

  • Wide variety of policies available
  • Strong financial strength rating by AM Best
  • Cancel for any reason only provides reimbursement for up to 50% of non-refundable trip payments

Who's this for?  Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers cruise-specific packages for families setting sail on a cruise.  

Standout benefits:  Cruise plans include coverage for missed connections and unique challenges you could face on a cruise vacation, like cruise disablement and diversion. 

More on our top family travel insurance companies 

Allianz offers 10 different travel insurance policies for travelers and trips of all types, including single-trip and multi-trip coverage. It also offers quotes and claims online, making the experience simple.  

CFAR coverage available?  

Yes, up to 80% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs 

24/7 assistance?  

[ Return to summary ]  

While relatively new to the space, Faye's travel insurance plans combine affordability and easy access. Policies are backed by the United States Fire Insurance Company.  

Yes, up to 75% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs 

Travel Insured International 

Travel Insured International has been offering travel insurance for over 25 years. It has two tiers of coverage (available in most states) that can help you meet all your travel protection needs.  

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection 

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers several tiers of travel protection and insurance, including packages specifically designed for road trips and cruises. Its strong A++ financial strength rating also helps it stand out against the competition.  

Up to 50%, only available on LuxuryCare packages 

Does travel insurance cover family members?  

Generally, you can insure your whole family on one travel insurance plan, so you won't have to buy separate plans for every traveler. Your travel insurance plan will cover every person listed on the policy.  

Does travel insurance cover cancellation due to a death in the family? 

In many cases, travel insurance can help you recoup the cost of your vacation if you have to cancel due to a death in your family. However, you'll want to carefully read your policy's definition of a family member, as not everyone in your life could be included.  

Bottom line

A family vacation can be a big investment, so it's important to protect yourself in case anything goes awry. Having a travel insurance plan that's easy to access, provides 24/7 support and fits your specific travel concerns and budget can help ensure your trip will go smoothly.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Why trust CNBC Select? 

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every travel insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insurance products. To research the best travel insurance companies, we compiled over 100 data points on more than a dozen travel insurance companies. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel insurance companies. 

Our methodology  

To determine the best travel insurance companies, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of travel insurance companies and compared them based on various factors. 

While narrowing down the best travel insurance companies, we focused on the number of plans available, the availability of 24/7 assistance to access while traveling, coverage for Covid-19, the availability of cancel for any reason coverage, and financial strength (which measures a company's ability to pay on contracts) using A.M. Best ratings. We also considered family-friendly features, such as the inclusion of children on policies for free with parent's coverage, and reasons for cancellation, including school year extension as a reason for cancellation.  

Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for travel insurance companies are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the company's policies.  

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards , banking and money , and follow us on TikTok , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.  

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COMMENTS

  1. Ski Insurance

    World Nomads travel insurance is designed to help your explore your boundaries. We automatically provide coverage for more than 200 activities on and off the slopes. As passionate ski bums, we've designed our plans to cover the style of riding our Nomads love the most*: Skiing and boarding within resorts. Cross country skiing on marked trails.

  2. Ski insurance: Travel insurance for winter sports

    Snow-related injuries. One of the biggest benefits of ski travel insurance is coverage for snow-related injuries, especially if you'll be traveling abroad as most US health insurance companies ...

  3. Travel Insurance for Skiing and Snowboarding Trips

    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 ...

  4. Ski Travel Insurance Plan

    How much is a ski travel insurance plan? Typically, a travel insurance plan costs 5-7% of your total trip cost, meaning that your overall cost will depend on the details of your vacation, including if you add additional coverage to your insurance plan. If you're planning a ski vacation, you'll most likely want to include Travel Guard's ...

  5. Travel Insurance For Skiing And Snowboarding Trips

    The medical evacuation coverage within a travel insurance policy can pay to get you to the nearest adequate hospital. Your travel insurance company's emergency assistance team can arrange for ...

  6. Compare Cheap Ski Travel Insurance Quotes

    As with any type of insurance, a good tip for finding cheap ski holiday insurance is to shop around. You can compare prices here at Compare the Market - just tick the 'winter sports' box when entering your details and the type of cover you want. One word of caution, though - the cheapest deal may not necessarily be the best deal for you.

  7. Ski Insurance: How It Can Come to the Rescue

    Cheapest auto insurance; Policies and coverage; Auto insurance reviews; ... That's when ski travel insurance with trip interruption coverage would help pay for the costs associated with returning ...

  8. Travel Insurance for Ski Trips

    Whether you are hitting the bunny slopes or a seasoned pro, there's something for you in our ski travel section; including guides to the best experience, tips for packing and planning, and, how to save money along the way. And remember, a travel insurance plan from Allianz Global Assistance is a great way to protect your investment on and off ...

  9. Ski and Snowboard Travel Insurance

    You must list all high value items on your policy when you buy it. The number of destinations you plan to visit. Make sure that you've selected the right travel insurance plan for your specific needs. With World Nomads you can get a quote, make a claim, or extend your policy instantly online, anytime, from anywhere.

  10. Get Ski Travel Insurance for Your Winter Sports Trips

    Our travel insurance plans can cover winter sports on your trip, such as skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing/rafting, cross country skiing on marked trails, snow shoeing, sledding, ice skating and more. You can also choose a plan designed to cover your sporting equipment if it gets damaged, lost, stolen or delayed.

  11. Travel Insurance Coverage for Skiing and Snowboarding Trips

    Learn more about travel insurance coverage for ski and snowboarding trips. Find the right trip insurance to cover you while on the slopes. 1-877-906-3950 or ; Not from ? ... Snowboards and ski equipment aren't cheap, after all, and there's always a chance your equipment can be lost, damaged, or even stolen when traveling. ...

  12. Ski Insurance

    Ski insurance starts from * : £14.09. * Cheapest policy available for a 30 year old with no medical conditions travelling to Europe for 7 nights with winter sports cover included. Prices correct as of 15/08/2023. According to our data, ski insurance can cost as little as £14.09*. There are a few things that go into what you pay for your cover ...

  13. Travel Insurance for Skiing and Snowboarding

    World Nomads travel insurance is designed to help your explore your boundaries. We automatically provide coverage for more than 150 activities, sports, work and volunteer experiences on and off the slopes. Level 1 activities are automatically covered when you buy your policy. You'll need to pay an additional premium to be covered for Level 2 ...

  14. Compare Ski Travel Insurance

    We offer a simple, hassle-free way to compare quotes from a wide range of insurers and our useful information and guidance will help you choose our best policy for your needs. Join the thousands of satisfied customers who have highly rated our travel insurance comparison service. Based on 17,659 reviews.

  15. Ski Insurance

    Ideally, your policy should cover medical, rescue, liability, cancellation, delayed travel and loss of luggage and personal effects. It is also important to note that most ski insurance policies don't cover the following: off-piste skiing. heliskiing. catskiing. extreme skiing and hucking off cliffs or terrain parks within a resort.

  16. The Best Ski Travel Insurance in 2022: A Guide

    We compared the prices and cover of some of the specialist and non-specialist ski holiday insurance policies to help you choose the best option for you. Keep in mind that Snowcard, Sports Cover Direct and Travel Insurance Ski Club are designed for skiing holidays and provide a much wider range of cover than standard suppliers such as Aviva.

  17. 9 Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies Worth the Cost

    More Details. Average cost of travel insurance across sample trips: $324. WorldTrips offers Atlas Trip Protection at three main levels of coverage: Atlas Journey Economy, Preferred and Premier ...

  18. Best Travel Insurance of March 2024

    Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment; A check mark. ... Best Travel Insurance for Road Trips: Travelex Travel Insurance. Travelex Travel Insurance offers three plans:

  19. How to Find the Best Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, emergencies, trip interruptions, baggage, rental cars and more. Cost is affected by trip length, pre-existing medical conditions, depth of coverage ...

  20. Best ski holiday travel insurance providers for 2024

    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 ...

  21. Ski travel insurance

    With AXA ski travel insurance, you will be covered for search and rescue costs, which could be an absolute necessity if a worst-case-scenario becomes a real-life drama. You may also benefit from domestic help at home after medical repatriation. And, if you accidentally break or damage your gear, you're covered.

  22. Cheap travel insurance

    Get annual cover from £10/year, or less for single-trip cover. If you've booked a holiday but not got travel insurance yet, DO IT NOW, DON'T DELAY. Half travel insurance's value is protecting you BEFORE travelling if something happens and stops you from going, as well as covering you on holiday (though sadly no policy covers every scenario ...

  23. Ski Travel Insurance

    Snowcard is the best ski travel insurance available in the UK with over 30 years of experience insuring skiers and snowboarders. Our insurers operate a 24/7 emergency service, who are able to provide a unique and specialist claims service for skiers. The winter sports activities we cover are listed below. If you can not see the winter sports ...

  24. Travel insurance for skiing

    Losses related to snow sports (such as skiing or snowboarding) may not be covered automatically, and you may need to purchase cover as an optional extra. Some travel insurance with ski cover may only cover you for on-piste (marked) trails and ski runs. If you're skiing in Australia, a domestic travel insurance policy may cover some winter ...

  25. Insurance for Ski Trip Abroad : r/skiing

    popularpuffin. • 8 yr. ago. I am an annual skier from the UK and i only get insurance for the medical reasons you mentioned and to cover £150 for each item i take out. I get it through comparethemarket.com and it covers something like £1 - 1.5m for medical usually and costs about £15-40 annually. oriental_lasanya.

  26. 4 Best Family Travel Insurance Plans of 2024

    Who's this for? Faye travel insurance stands out for families on a budget. Its policies start at just $4.64 per day (for 14 days) for domestic trips and $5.16 per day (for 14 days) for ...

  27. Travel Insurance Costs Rise: February 26, 2024

    Amy Danise is the managing editor for the insurance section at Forbes Advisor, which encompasses auto, home, renters, life, pet, travel, health and small business insurance.

  28. Ski day passes ranked: Where to find affordable skiing at ...

    Serbia: Cheapest skiing in Europe. If cost is more your priority than location, choosing to ski in eastern Europe's fast-growing resorts could be for you.