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Travel insurance

Selecting Allianz Travel Insurance at checkout is the easiest way to protect your investment, giving you more freedom to embrace your entire travel experience.

If you've already booked your flights, you can still find a plan to protect your trip.

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Travel insurance offers

Get domestic and overseas cover today and travel knowing you are protected with cover-more, 24/7 emergency assistance, instant quote, easy online claims, earn velocity points.

Silver, Gold and Platinum members earn a 50%, 75% and 100% bonus Points respectively on top of the base Points earned when purchasing your travel insurance through the quote generator.

Where are you flying from?

• London Heathrow
• Manchester International
• Inverness Airport
• Cardiff Airport
• Norwich Airport
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• London City Apt
• Belfast International
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Fly direct from London Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic during our seasonal service.

From 27th October 2024, Virgin Atlantic will operate daily flights to the Maldives.

Book your holiday today!

From 26th October 2024, Virgin Atlantic will operate daily flights to Dubai.

Our seasonal Virgin Atlantic service with up to 4 direct flights, will operate until the 19th May 2024.

Our seasonal direct service will recommence on the 28th October 2024.

Our Virgin Atlantic service operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays.

Flights include a short touchdown in Barbados.

Our Virgin Atlantic service operates on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 29th March 2024. From the 2nd April, this service will reduce to Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Our seasonal service will recommence on the 29th October 2024, with flights operating on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays

Our seasonal Virgin Atlantic service with up to 3 direct flights, will operate until the 11th May 2024. Flights will commence from 23 May 2024 - 24th October 2024 on Thursdays and include a short touchdown.

Our seasonal direct service will recommence on the 29th October 2024.

Daily direct flights from London Gatwick to New York with our partner airline, Delta, operates between 10th April and 26th October 2024.

Our Virgin Atlantic service with direct flights, will operate on Wednesdays and Sundays until the 30th March 2024.

Our direct service will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the 2nd April 2024.

Our new direct, daily Virgin Atlantic service to Toronto commences 30th March 2025

1 room / 2 adults

Please enter all child ages

There must be 1 adult per child under two years of age travelling, please adjust your passenger number

To book online please select a maximum of 9 passengers, to book 10 adults or more please call 0344 557 3978

Please note: Drivers must be over the age of 21 to hire a car unless otherwise specified. Drivers between 21 and 24 years of age may be subject to additional costs.

Holiday insurance tailored to your next adventure

We know it's hard to concentrate on Seizing the Holiday without first having peace of mind.

Whether you are taking the children or grandchildren to Disneyland, tying the knot in Vegas, or relaxing on a Caribbean cruise we've got a policy to cover you. Booking your travel insurance through Virgin Atlantic gives you the reassurance that we have you covered from the start to finish of your holiday.

Get your Travel Insurance Quote today

Single Trip - Travel Insurance

Need travel insurance for your family holiday? Our Single Trip Travel Insurance offers great value cover at an affordable price.

Single Trip - Cruise Insurance

Our specialist cruise policy offers additional benefits including: Cruise connection, Missed port, Cabin confinement, Excursions cover.

Providing peace of mind whilst on holiday:

• COVID-19 - cover for medical expenses and cancellation if you become ill or have to quarantine due to COVID-19
• Up to £15m medical assistance cover in the event of illness or an accident while away
• Up to £5k cancellation cover or if you have to cut your trip short
• Up to £2k in the event of loss, theft or damage to your personal possessions

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Virgin Travel Insurance Review

Round-the-clock emergency assistance and unlimited cover for trip cancellations are just 2 reasons to choose virgin travel insurance..

In this guide

Compare your travel insurance quotes

Summary of virgin money's comprehensive cover policy, what cover options are available from virgin and what exactly do they provide, 1. international travel cover, 2. virgin domestic travel insurance, 3. virgin multi-trip travel insurance, looking for some extra cover for your trip additional options you may want to consider, what are the benefits and what are the drawbacks of virgin travel insurance, what is the maximum age i can still get travel cover, if something happens how do i make a claim, faqs about virgin, why choose virgin for your trip.

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Important Information

Our verdict.

• Virgin Travel Insurance is one of the few providers we found that regularly offers discounts on its products, including for existing customers. Keep an eye out for the latest deals on their website.
• This provider offers a flexibility with its travel plans, with 6 cover types including 2 for domestic travel.
• We compared 10 leading travel insurance brands and found that Virgin Travel Insurance offered comparatively limited seniors cover, with a maximum age of 74 on some of its policies (correct as of June 2021).

Virgin Money Australia has expanded its insurance portfolio and now offers comprehensive travel insurance plans for both domestic and international trips to suit a range of needs and budgets.

You can compare the features of various Virgin Travel Insurance policies by using the table below and get a free quote.

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Who underwrites Virgin Travel Insurance?

Table updated August 2021 *Note: 'Unlimited' means that there's no capped dollar sum insured, however, other conditions and exclusions may still apply.

How can this page help me decide if Virgin Money Travel Insurance is right for me?

• What cover options are available from Virgin?
• Additional options you may want to consider
• What are the benefits and what are the drawbacks?
• How much excess do I have to pay when I claim?
• Frequently asked questions about Virgin

Whether you are a one-off or regular traveller, globetrotting around the world or keeping it local, you may be able to find suitable travel insurance cover with Virgin that you can more closely tailor with a range of extras.

If you are looking to secure a travel insurance plan for a single overseas trip, Virgin offers different levels of cover available to single travellers and family. For international travel, there are three cover levels that you can choose from:

• Comprehensive

How does each level of cover compare with another?

Table updated August 2021

Virgin Travel Insurance also provides comprehensive protection cover for applicants looking to take a trip locally in Australia. Going for a snowy adventure or hitting the golf clubs to practice your tee shot? You can take up additional sports cover to help protect yourself against loss or damage of sports equipment. Domestic cover from Virgin is available as a single or family plan.

What is covered under domestic travel insurance policies?

If you regularly travel overseas or locally, either for work or holiday purposes, you can take advantage of Virgin Multi-Trip insurance that provides cover for unlimited journeys within a 12-month period. Virgin Multi-Trip Travel Insurance cover is available as a single plan. However, if you take your spouse/de facto partner and/or children with you on these trips, they will be covered automatically.

What is covered under multi-trip travel insurance policies?

• Overseas emergency medical assistance
• Overseas emergency medical and hospital expenses
• Accidental death
• Permanent disability
• Cancellation fees and lost deposits
• Additional travel and accommodation expenses
• Travel delay expenses
• Alternative transport expenses
• Travel documents, credit card and cheques
• Theft of cash
• Loss of luggage and personal effects
• Luggage and personal effect delay expenses
• Personal liability
• Rental vehicle excess

Going away for a Ski Trip? Learn more about Ski Travel Cover

With Virgin Travel Insurance, you have the flexibility to tailor your policy of choice with additional cover options. These options will incur additional premiums:

• 24/7/365 Emergency Assistance. Virgin Travel Insurance is underwritten by Allianz who provide emergency assistance with Allianz Global Assistance.
• Claims process is quick. With Virgin Money you can access guidance for the travel insurance claims process – you call it up and the claims team can guide you through the claims process.
• Cooling off period. Virgin Travel insurance has a 14-day cooling-off period in case you change your mind or travel plans.
• No increased cover for expensive items. You cannot purchase increased cover for jewellery or Snow Sport Equipment.
• No one-way policies. Virgin Travel Insurance only covers trips that start and end in Australia.
• No already overseas option. You cannot take out cover after you have begun your trip.
• Limited seniors cover. Some Virgin Money travel insurance policies have a maximum age of 74 for policyholders.

Check if there are any active Virgin Travel Insurance coupon codes

You can make a claim by downloading a claim form and submitting your claim with the appropriate supporting documents

What documents will I need to provide with my claim?

• Police reports
• Medical reports
• Original receipts or proof of purchase and ownership

How long will it take for claim to be processed?

Questions about applying, q. who can purchase virgin money travel insurance policy.

• A. You are eligible for cover if:
• You are an Australian resident.
• You are taking out cover prior to the start of your journey.
• Your trip begins and ends in Australia.

Q. Which age group is eligible for Virgin Travel Insurance cover?

• A. The age limits will vary depending on type of cover you are looking to apply for:
• Single Comprehensive and Domestic – 16 years old and over
• Multi-Trip and Basic – 16 to 74 years old
• Essentials – 16 to 69 years old

Q. When should I buy my travel insurance policy?

• A. You may want to take out Virgin Travel Insurance cover as soon as you put down a deposit or fully paid for your trip, or up to 12 months before your departure date.

Q. When will my travel insurance cover start?

• A. Your policy will be active on the date you purchase your cover. You will receive an email confirmation and Certificate of Insurance after application.

Questions about cancelling policies

Q. can i cancel my virgin travel insurance policy.

• A. You can cancel your cover within the 14-day cooling off period and you will get a full refund of premiums paid. Conditions apply.

Questions about coverage

Q. will i be covered if i have a pre-existing medical condition.

• A. Virgin Travel Insurance Australia provides cover for pre-existing conditions specified on the policy. Conditions may apply depending on the nature of the condition.

Q. Does Virgin Travel Insurance cover one-way trips?

• A. No. For Australia, Virgin Money Travel Insurance only provides cover for trips that start and end in Australia.
• Travel with one of Australia’s largest general insurance providers. Despite being a newcomer to the travel insurance market, Virgin Money Australia is one the nation’s leading financial institutions. Virgin Travel Insurance policies are underwritten by Allianz Australia, one of the largest travel insurance groups in the country.
• Different options to suit many travellers. Virgin Travel Insurance has developed a variety of travel plans with features and benefits to suit different kinds of travellers and their needs. Looking for a basic cover? Virgin Travel Insurance offers Basic or Essentials cover for when you travel abroad. Want top level cover? The Comprehensive cover might be a suitable solution for overseas trips. Domestic travellers can also benefit from two levels of travel cover available through Virgin.
• Tailor your policy to more ideally suit your needs. You can customise your travel protection plan by adding different options to suit your needs. Depending on the type of cover that you opt for, you can choose to add sports cover, get extra cover for your valuables and luggage, or increase your rental vehicle excess.
• 24/7 emergency assistance no matter where you are in the world. With the support from Allianz Global Assistance, you can benefit from global emergency assistance with access to doctors, nurses and support staff; available 24/7 to Virgin Travel Insurance policyholders.
• 14-day cooling off period. Once you have purchased your Virgin Money Travel Insurance policy, you have 14 days to be sure that you have made the right decision. You can cancel your cover within this period and you will receive a full refund as long as you have not commenced your trip or made a claim.
• Cover for 36 pre-existing medical conditions at no extra cost. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, Virgin Travel Insurance provides cover for applicants with any one of the 36 listed on your policy at no extra cost. Virgin may offer full cover as long as you have not been admitted to a hospital for the elected condition in the 24 months prior to your policy’s commencement date. Some of the pre-existing medical conditions that Virgin travel insurance will cover include:
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Diabetes Type I and II
• Hypertension
• Hypothyroidism
• Macular Degeneration

Jessica Prasida

Jessica Prasida is a travel insurance expert for Finder. She lives and breathes travel, having worked as a travel agent and branch manager at STA Travel for over 4 years, then writing about travel insurance with Finder for another 5 years. Jess has a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology, Sydney and a Tier 1 General Insurance qualification. See full bio

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18 Responses

I’m looking for travel insurance. I’m on a 12-month visa here in Australia and I’d like to get comprehensive insurance for 12 months to cover my trip to the US in April. Can I get insurance for all my stay here in Australia? I’m from Ireland and I’m 68 years, healthy no illnesses.

Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

General eligibility requirements for inbound travel insurance include:

• You must be a non-resident of Australia travelling to Australia for a temporary period and then returning to your home country
• You must be under 81 years of age at the time the policy is issued (age limits vary between insurers)
• Your trip must include travel within Australia
• You must have purchased cover less than 12 months prior to arriving in Australia

Since you have arrived in Australia and considering getting travel insurance for your trip to the US in April, you can check some non-resident travel insurance . I suggest that you contact your chosen insurer directly to know your cover well before leaving for your trip.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and have a wonderful day!

Cheers, Jeni

Can I book travel insurance outside of Australia? I am currently working in Japan then travelling to Thailand and UK. I am an Australian citizen.

Thank you for reaching out to Finder.

I’m afraid you may not be qualified to get one from Virgin Travel Insurance. Their insurance is backed by Allianz and they require that your journey should commence and end in Australia. You may want to check travel insurance for Australian expats to check your options. The page also discusses the types of cover that may be available for expatriates, coverage FAQs, etc.

Hope this helps and don’t hesitate to contact us back if you require further assistance.

Kind Regards, Mai

Hi, does this insurance cover cruises in Europe – italy/croatia/greece?

Hi Rosemary,

Thank you for leaving a question.

Yes, Italy, Croatia and Greece are covered by Virgin International Travel Insurance. Hope this helps!

Cheers, Reggie

What about disaster insurance cover for Bali?

Thank you for your inquiry.

Based on the Product Disclosure Statement of Virgin Travel Insurance, there is coverage when it comes to natural disasters when the natural disaster will affect your mode of transport. You may want to refer to our guide to Virgin travel insurance to know which cover options are available.

We also have a dedicated page for travel Insurance for Indonesia . Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.

I have cover 22/5 to 6/6 had slight accident left paperwork at home.can you provide claim number. Cut to eyebrow going to emergency hospital

Hi Shirley,

Thanks for your question.

If you would like to make a claim with Virgin Travel Insurance, you will need to contact them directly or download a claim form from their website and submitting your claim with the appropriate supporting documents which includes police reports, valuations, medical reports, and original receipts or proof of purchase and ownership.

Please make sure to revisit the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy before making a claim.

I hope this was helpful, Richard

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Additional Terms & Conditions

Virgin voyages additional terms and conditions .

Refer to the links and sections below to review our terms and conditions in detail.

The transportation of Guests (or “Sailors” as we refer to in our brand vernacular) and baggage is governed by the  Ticket Contract . Virgin Cruises Intermediate Limited (referred to herein as “Virgin Voyages,” “we,” or “our”) has two Ticket Contracts, but only one will apply to you as a Guest: one is for a Guest from everywhere except the United Kingdom, and one is for a Guest from the United Kingdom. In addition, there are other terms and conditions that apply (hey, it’s a complex operation to have an amazing adventure with 2,700 Guests!) -- please see the links below.  We urge you to read them, as you’re agreeing to be bound by them when you book a cruise with Virgin Voyages (a “ Voyage ”). 

• Ticket Contract for All Guests except those from UK and EEA
• Ticket Contract for UK Guests Only
• Ticket Contract for EEA Guests Only
•   Offer Terms & Conditions
• Website Terms & Conditions
• Data Privacy Terms & Conditions

Booking a Voyage on one of our ships constitutes acceptance of the items listed above (but as for the Ticket Agreement, only the one applicable to you), which include these Additional Terms and Conditions. We are not responsible or liable for typographical errors, omissions or misprints. We further reserve the right to correct or change these Additional Terms & Conditions, the Ticket Agreements, or website, with or without notice. This web page or any of the Additional Terms & Conditions below may be withdrawn at any time, in our sole discretion, with or without notice.

In the case of any conflict between these Additional Terms & Conditions and the relevant Ticket Contract, the relevant Ticket Contract will prevail.  

For our UK Guests: any conflict between any of the items above and  The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018  will be resolved in favor of the latter when deviation from the regulations is not permitted.  Indeed, should any provision listed here be contrary to law in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia, the unlawful aspects of the provision shall be void as to Sailors from those respective countries.

Our Voyages are adult-only, so Guests must be at least 18 years old to sail with us.

Booking Policies

• These are our standard booking policies. While our standard booking policies provide options and flexibility should plans change, from time to time we may activate a specifically branded “Flexible Booking Policies” offer, or other special offers, that may affect bookings, deposits, payment schedules, cancellations, and/or refunds on cancelled voyages. Click here (or the Offer Terms & Conditions link above, which takes you to the same place) to see if Flexible Booking Policies or another special offer is in effect at the time you book.
• The minimum age to book a Voyage is 18 years old.
• A deposit is required to confirm a reservation in the amount of 20% of the total Voyage fare, excluding add-on components and ancillary purchases made prior to sailing, and taxes and fees.  
• Bookings can be held for 24 hours without deposit up to 45 days prior to the sail date. Bookings made within 44 days or less of the sailing date require full payment at time of booking (and will not be held for 24 hours).  
• Online direct bookings will require a credit card at the time of booking, but the deposit will not be charged until 24 hours have elapsed after the booking.  
• Beyond 121 days or more from the sailing date, Guest or Guest’s travel agent has 7 days from the initial booking date as a grace period to cancel the reservation and will receive a full refund of the deposit if cancelled within the grace period.   
• After the 7-day grace period, the deposit is 100% non-refundable.
• The 7-day grace period does not apply to bookings made at 120 days or less of the sail date, since full payment of the Voyage fare is required at this time.

Shore Excursions

Please visit  this link  for more information regarding Shore Things terms & conditions.

Fares and Fees

Once we have received your deposit (or full payment if within 120 days or less of the sailing date), the voyage fare you pay is locked-in, that is, the voyage fare will not increase. If you buy add-on components, such as flights and/or hotels and/or transfers, additional fees associated with these services will apply as well as any applicable governmental taxes and fees. All assessed government or quasi-government taxes and fees are subject to change without notice at any time, and we reserve the right to add a surcharge for these taxes and fees whether you have a confirmed booking under deposit or have made a final payment. That said, we will not add a fuel surcharge should fuel prices rise. All rates and information presented herein were in effect at time of printing and are subject to change with or without notice.  Please note, Sailors from outside the United States may incur foreign transaction fees charged by their credit card company when making a booking within Virgin Voyages.

• Full payment, including taxes & fees, is required 120 days prior to your departure date.  
• 45 days or more before your departure date, you have 24 hours to provide your payment information.  
• 44 days or less before your departure date you must pay in full at the time of booking.

Payment Options

• From time to time, Virgin Voyages offers guests the option to pay a 20% deposit at the time of booking (“Pay 20% Now”), with the remaining balance due 120 days before your embarkation date.
• By selecting “Pay 20% Deposit,” you expressly agree and authorize Virgin Voyages to charge you twenty percent (20%) of the total voyage amount via the preferred payment option selected on the following page. Virgin Voyages will notify you of the amount charged at check out. 
• For those guests who save a credit card on the Virgin Voyages website or mobile app during the booking process, you authorize Virgin Voyages to charge the saved credit card on file the remaining balance for your voyage due 120 days before your embarkation date. The remaining balance will be charged 120 days before your embarkation date. 
• In the event that you purchase add-ons to your reservation and are given the option to pay later, such add-ons may be included in the payment made 120 days before the embarkation date of your voyage. You will be notified at the time of booking the balance due and the date your saved credit card will be charged. 
• In the event that you make a modification to your booking, such as upgrading your cabin, such modifications will require payment at time of modification and will not affect the balance due 120 days before your embarkation date unless there is a remaining balance related to the modification.
• For those guests that change their saved credit card or add a saved credit card on the website following the completion of their reservation, the new saved credit card may be charged the balance due 120 days before your embarkation date.
• For those guests who do not save a credit card or who use a third-party payment option, you will not be automatically charged 120 days before your embarkation date. Guests are solely responsible for paying the remaining balance 120 days before your embarkation date. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the booking. 
• If Virgin Voyages is unable to collect your payment for any reason, Virgin Voyages will notify you and request immediate payment be made. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of your booking.
• Canceling a booking at least 121 days before your embarkation date will cancel Auto Pay. All cancellations are subject to the cancellation and refund policy found in Virgin Voyages’ Ticket Contract.
• Availability of this option is based on the time of booking and subject to the Virgin Voyages’ Ticket Contract.
• All Payment options are subject to the cancellation and refund policy found in the Virgin Voyages’ Ticket Contract. 
• By selecting “Pay in Full,” you agree and authorize Virgin Voyages to charge you one hundred percent (100%) of the total voyage amount via the preferred payment option selected. 
• From time to time, Virgin Voyages offers a “Book Now. Pay Later” option or monthly payment option. These options are provided through Uplift (or its affiliate) and are subject to Uplift’s terms and conditions. By selecting this option, you agree that you are signing a new agreement with Uplift and that Virgin Voyages is in no way liable for the relationship between you and Uplift. 
• From time to time, Virgin Voyages offers a “Hold” option to allow you time to determine whether to book a voyage. Unless specified otherwise, the “Hold” option is free of charge and will remain in effect for 24 hours following the request to Hold. Reservations on Hold that are not paid for by one of the options provided above within the 24-hour period provided will be automatically canceled. 

Cancellation Policy

If you or anybody travelling with you wishes to cancel either your/their holiday, you must contact Shoreside Sailor Services if booking direct (through our Contact Us page is best, or call in US 1-954-488-2955; if in the UK call +44-20-3003-4919), or your travel agent or tour operator, and give notice of the cancellation. The Voyage will only be cancelled on the date we receive the notice of cancellation.

- You have the most flexibility outside of 120 days prior to your departure date. If you're booking at this time, you have a 7-day grace period to request a full refund on your deposit and any other payments made. Refunds will be issued to your original form of payment.

- After the grace period (but still before the 120-day mark), you can receive a full refund on any payments, not including your deposit. For your deposit, you can request a Future Voyage Credit at this time.

- From 119 days up to 45 days from your departure date, your available options are:

• Receive a “Future Voyage Credit” in the amount paid that can be applied to a new sailing up to 1 year after the original Voyage date.
• Change to a new Voyage date up to 1 year after original Voyage date.
• Change names on the reservation; permissible up to 48 hours before your Voyage sailing date.
• Submit an insurance claim if travel protection (aka travel insurance) was purchased.   

- At 44 days from your departure date, all funds paid are final. But you do have the option to transfer, sell, or otherwise have someone go in your place up to 48 hours before your Voyage.

Note: the date of departure means the date the arrangements you have  booked through us  start.  So if you booked a flight or hotel add-on to your Voyage, it is the day the first add-on begins.  Conversely, It may be your Voyage sail date if that is the only thing you booked with us.  The sail date is the date the ship, on the Voyage portion of your holiday, departs the port of embarkation.   Individual cancellation policies apply at the Guest level for any individual cancellation within a cabin.  

Depending on the reason for cancellation, you may be able to reclaim any unrefunded money (less any applicable excess) under the terms of your travel insurance policy. Claims must be made directly to your insurance company. As always, we recommend you purchase our Voyage Protection.

Where any cancellation reduces the number of full paying party members below the number on which the price, number of free places and/or any concessions agreed for your booking were based, we will recalculate these items and re-invoice you at the applicable higher price.  Cancellations shall be deemed effective at 11:59 p.m. local east coast United States time on the date Guest communicates such cancellation. Per person taxes and fees will be refunded to the credit card on file.

We may have special and/or limited booking or cancellation policies in place for limited times, so click here or the “Offer Terms and Conditions” link below.

Guest Changes 

Virgin Voyages grants leeway to Guests to reschedule his or her Voyage up to 45 days of the originally-scheduled Virgin Voyages-arranged itinerary starts - meaning at 45 days before your departure date, there is flexibility, but at 44 days before your departure date, the deal is final (except we do permit you to transfer your voyage-only to someone up to 48 hours before the voyage sail date). We may have special offers in place, so click here or the “Offer Terms and Conditions” link above (both link to the same place). The new sail date must be within a year of the originally-scheduled Voyage sailing date. Per Guest taxes and fees will be collected or refunded to the original credit card(s) on file if the taxes and fees on the new sailing date differ from the original. A cabin category may be changed up to 45 days of Voyage sail date, though cabin upgrades may be made inside 45 days of Voyage sail date and are subject to availability. For an up-category change, applicable fare increase is due at time of change. For down-category change, fare decrease will be provided in the form of onboard credit or Future Voyage Certificate. No change fees will be charged for Voyage date or cabin changes. If 3 or 4 Guests are booked in a triple- or quadruple-occupancy cabin and 1 or 2 Guests cancel, we retain the right to move remaining Guests to a smaller cabin (triple- or double-occupancy) in the same category.

Itinerary Changes

In the event of strikes, lockouts, labor issues, riots, health emergencies, weather conditions, mechanical difficulties or a variety of other reasons, Virgin Voyages has the right to cancel, advance, postpone or substitute any scheduled sailing or itinerary without prior notice. Virgin Voyages shall not be responsible for failure to adhere to published arrival and departure times for any of its ports of call. Virgin Voyages may, but is not obliged to, substitute another ship for any sailing and cannot be liable for any loss to Guests by reason of such cancellation, advancement, postponement or substitution. Reservations are subject to change or cancellation in the event of a full-ship charter, and in such event, Virgin Voyages shall refund all passage moneys paid by a Guest. Additional rights may apply to our U.K. Guests under  The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 .

Guests with Special Needs

Whenever possible, Virgin Voyages will work to accommodate Guests with special needs. However, the following conditions apply:

• Due to the risks inherent in travel by sea, if a Guest has any special medical, physical or other requirements, the Guest, the Guest’s travel agent, or any person booking on Guest’s behalf is requested to inform us at the time of booking of any special need or other condition for which Guest or any person in Guest’s care may require medical attention or accommodation during the Voyage, or for which the use of a wheelchair or service animal is contemplated or necessary.
• Guests requiring the use of service animals (US) or assistance dogs (UK and EU) are asked to notify us not less than 21 days prior to the Voyage. 
• Notice of any of the above items may be made online at booking to our Shoreside Sailor Services by clicking here or calling in the US or Canada  1-954-488-2955 or if in the UK, +44-20-3003-4914. 
• If any such special need or condition arises after a Guest has booked a Voyage, the Guest is requested to report it to Shoreside Sailor Services as soon as Guest becomes aware of it. 
• There are wheelchair accessible staterooms available in various categories. 
• Not all areas or equipment on the vessel are suitable for access to disabled Guests or Guests with reduced mobility. But if you need help, we’ll do our utmost to provide it.
• Guest acknowledges and understands that certain international, foreign or local safety requirements, standards, and/or applicable regulations involving design, construction or operation of the vessel, docks, gangways, anchorages or other facilities on or off the vessel may restrict access to facilities or activities for persons with mobility, communication, or other impairments or special needs. 
• In limited situations where Guest would be unable to satisfy certain specified safety and other criteria, even when provided with appropriate auxiliary aids and services, we reserve the right to refuse permission to participate in all or part of the Voyage.  
• Virgin Voyages has the right to refuse or revoke passage to anyone who, in its judgment, is in a physical or mental condition unfit for travel or who may require care beyond that which Virgin Voyages can provide. Virgin Voyages reserves the right to deny participation in certain activities based on past or present medical conditions. For questions about whether our Voyage experience is right for you, please contact our Shoreside Sailor Services by clicking here or if in the US or Canada calling  1-954-488-2955 and if in the UK +44-20-3003-4914.
• Virgin Voyages similarly reserves the right to refuse or revoke passage to anyone who has failed to notify it of their specific needs with regard to accommodation; seating or services required from it or the terminal operator; their need to bring medical equipment; their need to bring a service animal on board the ship; or of any other known disabilities that require special assistance, special services, or privileges; who in the Carrier’s and/or Master’s opinion is unfit or unable to travel; or anyone whose condition may constitute a danger to themselves or others onboard on the grounds of safety.  
• Guests are under no obligation to identify themselves solely because they have a disability when they seek no special assistance, special services, or privileges. Guests may consider self-identifying their disability where notice to the vessel crew would prevent misunderstanding of a Guest’s particular impairment or disability.  
• Where necessary in order to comply with applicable safety requirements, we may require a Disabled Person or Person with Reduced Mobility to be accompanied by another person who is fit and able to assist them in day to day activities.

Medical Services

Our ships have at least one physician and four nurses on board for each Voyage. While our ships comply with all U.S. Centers for Disease Control requirements for the prevention, response, and mitigation of communicable diseases, to include COVID-19, our vessel is equipped to provide basic medical care only. Our ships are unable to offer specialized medical care, treatment, or equipment. Guests requiring such specialized care, or Guests experiencing a medical emergency, may be evacuated to shore at their expense. Further, your vessel may not be able to immediately evacuate a Guest in an emergency situation due to the ship’s location relative to the nearest evacuation-capable platform.

Damage Caused to the Vessel

Each Guest shall be liable to and reimburse Virgin Voyages for all damage to the vessel and its furnishings, equipment and property caused by any willful or negligent act or omission by a Guest. A Responsible Adult, i.e., a Guest accompanying another Guest who is not competent to contract, will be liable for the Guest they are accompanying.

Smoking Policy

Smoking areas are provided around the ship. A Guest found smoking anything, to include “vapes,” in their room (including balcony) or other non-designated areas onboard, agree to a $500 fee to be added to their onboard account, and may be disembarked from the Voyage, which may be at a port of call. Virgin Voyages will have no further responsibility toward Guest in this instance; the cost of return to the port of embarkation or Guest’s home will be borne by the Guest. If an Under-21 Adult is disembarked for a violation of this policy, the Responsible Adult will be disembarked as well.  

Your Travel Agent

Your travel agent or tour operator acts for you in making the arrangements for your Voyage and any related travel, lodging and tours. Virgin Voyages cannot be responsible for the financial condition or integrity of any travel agent utilized by you. Virgin Voyages is not responsible for any representations or conduct of your travel agent, including, but not limited to, failure to remit your deposit or other funds to Virgin Voyages, for which you shall at all times be liable to Virgin Voyages, or any failure to remit a refund from Virgin Voyages to you.

Safety and Security Ashore

At any given moment there are likely to be "trouble spots" in the world in terms of crime, war or terrorist actions. Accordingly, it may be necessary to change the published Voyage or shore excursion itinerary. Any such changes are for your safety and beyond Virgin Voyages’ control. While we seek to provide reasonable protection for your comfort and safety on board our vessels, we cannot guarantee freedom from all risks associated with war, terrorism, crime, or other potential sources of harm. Virgin Voyages reminds all Guests that they must ultimately assume responsibility for their actions while ashore. The  U.S. Department of State  and  U.K. Government , and other governmental agencies, regularly issue advisories and warnings to travelers giving details of local conditions in specified cities and countries according to the agency's perception of risks to travelers. Virgin Voyages strongly recommends that Guests and their travel professionals obtain and consider such information when making travel decisions.

Safety and Security Afloat

The safety and security of our Guests and vessel are paramount. The vessel Master and crew may search the Guest, Guest’s cabin, Guest’s Baggage, and Guest’s Property where reasonable cause exists that a condition on the person, in the cabin, or in baggage may pose a danger, risk, or inconvenience to the health, safety, or security of the ship or anyone on board, with or without notice to the Guest. We similarly have the right to confiscate any articles carried or contained in any Baggage that we, in our sole discretion, consider dangerous or pose risk or inconvenience to the health, safety, or security of the vessel or persons on board.  

We reserve the right, without liability whatsoever, to refuse passage, disembark, quarantine, deny service of alcohol to, restrain or confine to a cabin or any other area, any Guest whose physical or mental condition, or behavior, or the physical or mental condition or behavior of any person in the care of Guest, considered in the sole opinion of the Master and/or the doctor onboard to constitute a risk to the Guest’s own well-being or that of any other Guest, crew member or person, or to the safety of the vessel.  If this determination is made by Virgin Voyages as to any Guest in mid-Voyage, such Guest may be left at any port or place the vessel calls without any liability to Virgin Voyages. Virgin Voyages shall not be required to refund any portion of the fare paid by any Guest who must leave the vessel prematurely for any of the reasons set forth in this paragraph or who voluntarily disembarks or leaves the vessel for any other reason, nor shall it be responsible for lodging, medical care expenses, meals, return transportation or other expenses incurred by such Guest.  For a list of prohibited items, see our FAQ section -- click on "What items are prohibited from being brought on board?” We will report incidents of illegal activity or behavior to the appropriate law enforcement authorities ashore. Unruly, abusive or aggressive behavior toward other Guests or crew will not be tolerated and may be grounds for disembarkation as well.

Photography and CCTV Cameras

For the safety and security of Guests, we use closed circuit television (“CCTV”) or other surveillance means onboard the ship.  We also deploy body cameras on our Security Team members. The body cameras record interactions with Guests and crew to ensure the protection of our Guests, crew, and Security Team members. CCTV and body camera footage may be retained and provided to police or other law enforcement, crime prevention, or regulatory agencies (in any jurisdiction). Further, we use photographers and videographers to capture images of our Guests during their Voyage with or without enhancements for sale to those captured in the imagery. They are happy to take reasonable steps to avoid filming you where you indicate that this is your preference but you may be included unless you tell us otherwise. We are unable to guarantee that you will not be included in video footage and photographs on an incidental basis.  We may desire to use such imagery/footage in our marketing or promotional materials in print, on television, on our website, on our social media sites, or other media.  We will seek your express consent before doing so. Notwithstanding, where permitted by law, by boarding our vessel, you grant us permission to photograph, film and/or record you by any means.  Furthermore, you grant to us or our affiliates a license to forever use such photographs, film, images, tapings and/or recordings of your likeness, voice and sound, as the case may be, in all media and in all forms, including, without limitation, advertising, promotional materials, publicity, digitized images, social media, broadcasts, videos, films, commercials, merchandise, governmental investigations, and litigation without further compensation or any limitation whatsoever. Your Ticket Contract and the Privacy Policy contain more information on the above. Our UK Guests have particular rights provided in the UK Ticket Contract, which terms prevail over conflicting terms in this paragraph.

Sailing Day Embarkation Policies

Arrival at the Terminal

• For your comfort and convenience, we recommend that Guests arrive at your selected arrival slot noted on your Voyage documents. Because of security regulations, Guests may not be allowed to enter the terminal prior to the scheduled embarkation time and may want to avoid waiting in potentially inclement weather as the waiting area outside and inside the terminal may be limited.

  Boarding the Ship

• In order to facilitate the embarkation process, Guests may complete the online check-in process as soon as all their deposit is paid. We ask that all Guests complete the online check-in as soon as possible. Simply download our mobile app, log in to your account, and fill in the required information. Guests will be asked to access the Safety Brief via the Virgin Voyages mobile app or the in-cabin tablet once onboard the ship. All Guests must be checked-in and onboard the ship no later than one hour prior to the departure time noted on their Voyage documents or may not be permitted to sail. Any late-arriving Guest may join the ship at an approved port of call in the scheduled itinerary. Such a Guest will be responsible for all applicable fees and travel expenses to that subsequent port of call.

Note to Travel Agents

Reservations may be booked directly by travel agents or tour operators using our FirstMates.com website. For assistance, please call 1-800-430-5308, or in the UK +44-20-800-3688912.

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Virgin Money: Travel Insurance reviews

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Virgin Money Travel Insurance Review: Is it Right for You?

• All plans include Baggage and SAFI
• Can buy direct or through comparison sites
• No compensation for any air miles, cruise miles or holiday points used to pay any part of a trip
• No cruise specific cover (e.g., Cabin confinement, Emergency airlift to hospital, Missed port, Unused excursion)

Editor's Rating

The guidance on this site is based on our own analysis and is meant to help you identify options and narrow down your choices. We do not advise or tell you which product to buy; undertake your own due diligence before entering into any agreement. Read our full disclosure here .

Find Cheap Travel Insurance in Your Area

Protect your holiday today. Quick quotes from 20 insurers.

Virgin Money offers solid value across a number of travel insurance plans that cater to a range of needs, from those on a budget up through premium holiday cover. All plans include the three critical aspects of holiday cover: Cancellation, Emergency Medical and Baggage. Plus, you'll get cover for Delayed Departure and Scheduled Airline Failure on most plans, and Winter Sports included on most Annual, Multi-Trip policies. Read our review to learn about features and prices of Virgin Money travel insurance—plus we'll explain the main differences between buying direct from the Virgin Money site versus buying through a comparison site, to help you decide where to buy.

• Virgin Money Overall Review
• Virgin Money Price Comparison
• How Virgin Money Plans Differ on Comparison Sites
• Virgin Money Features, Policy Limits and Coverage Options

Virgin Money Policy Wording

There is no "best" travel insurance—the best for you will depend on factors like price points and features that you might find valuable. Please use the information in this review to help you narrow your choices.

Virgin Money Travel Insurance Review: What You Need to Know

Virgin Money offers a series of holiday cover plans for reasonable prices, to suit those wanting a budget plan with just £1,500 of Cancellation and £1,000 of Baggage all the way up to those with more luxury holidays needing up to £7,500 for Cancellation and £3,000 of Baggage cover per person.

The cheapest Virgin Money travel insurance is the "Economy" plan, which is only available through comparison sites . The top-tier plan is the "Gold" plan, and this is only available directly from Virgin Money. Here's a high-level overview of their plans:

What's included?

Trip Cancellation, Emergency Medical, Legal Assistance, Personal Accident and Personal Belongings/Baggage are included on all policies—as is Scheduled Airline Failure . But end supplier failure is only on Premium and Gold plans (the top tier from comparison sites and direct).

Even the lowest tier plan includes some Missed Departure and Baggage Delay cover. However, there's no protection against natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions (including volcanic ash clouds), hurricanes, etc.

Like many other travel cover plans, kids basically go free (up to 3 children under the age of 18, per insured adult).

For those heading to the slopes, Winter Sports is optional now (they used to include it on annual plans). In terms of other travel insurance add-ons , cruise-specific cover is not an option on Virgin Money travel insurance, so if you're going on a cruise you may want to consider other holiday cover providers for access to features like Cabin Confinement, Unused Excursions and Missed Port.

Pre-Existing Conditions: As part of the online application you'll be asked a series of brief medical questions. If you have a medical condition, Virgin Money may be able to offer cover for some pre-existing medical conditions , for which you'll probably be required to pay a higher premium. Pre-existing conditions are only covered if they've been fully declared, accepted and paid for.

Covid: Virgin offers pretty good Covid benefits. Here's a sample of what's covered, extending Cancellation and Curtailment cover.

Cancellation:

• You, Your Relative, a member of Your household or travelling companion or a friend with whom You had arranged to stay has a diagnosis of COVID-19 within 14 days of Your booked departure date, as certified by a Medical Practitioner following a medically approved test showing a positive result for COVID-19.
• You being denied boarding on Your prebooked outbound travel due to You contracting COVID-19, as certified by a Medical Practitioner following a medically approved test showing a positive result for COVID-19 or having a confirmed temperature above 38 degrees Celsius.

Curtailment:

• Death of Your Relative or a member of Your household living in the United Kingdom contracting COVID-19, as certified by a Medical Practitioner following a medically approved test showing a positive result for COVID-19 or having a confirmed temperature above 38 degrees Celsius.
• The hospitalisation as a result of COVID-19 for treatment with mechanical ventilation, of Your Relative or a member of Your household living in the United Kingdom.

How do Virgin Money Travel Insurance Prices Compare?

Virgin Money travel insurance premiums are in line with market averages. Only Virgin's top-tier Black plans cost more than the average cost of holiday cover (shown by yellow bars in the charts below), whether you're travelling to geographies like Europe or America . Given that Baggage and Travel Delay are covered on all plans, we think Virgin Money offers solid value for money.

However, insurance quotes can vary significantly from day to day and according to each individual's details, so please just use this data for general educational purposes only about the travel insurance market; your quotes may reflect a large degree of variation.

Buying Direct vs Using a Comparison Site

There are two ways to buy a Virgin Money travel insurance policy: direct from Virgin Money or via a comparison site like MoneySuperMarket. Broadly speaking, the cheapest plan is Economy, which is only available from comparison sites; the plan with the highest cover is the Gold plan, only available from Virgin Money direct.

There are pros and cons to both sources in terms of features and price points. We'll try to explain the differences to help you understand whether buying direct or through an aggregator (e.g., a comparison site) better suits your individual needs.

If the lower limits of the Economy or Standard plan are good enough for your needs then you can probably save money buying through the comparison site because our research revealed that the cost of Virgin Money's "cheapest" cover from each source can easily be 40% to 50% cheaper when buying through the comparison site —that is, Economy plans are consistently cheaper than Red plans.

Benefits of Buying via Comparison Site

If you're after a budget travel insurance plan, the cheapest holiday cover from Virgin Money is the Essential Plus plan, which is available only on comparison sites. Depending on details like geographic cover, you'll probably find cheaper plans on comparison site, but for a given level of cancellation cover, you might get higher limits in some other areas. For example, Red (direct) has £3,000 of cancellation as does Premium (comparison site), but Premium has higher limits for emergency medical, personal accident, personal possessions, financial failure, missed departure and more. But Red has higher travel delay benefits. And the excess is twice as much on the Premium plan. Also, direct plans include some level of gadget cover (and you can buy more), but comparison site plans only cover gadgets if you buy the add on. So there are trade offs.

Types of Virgin Money Travel Insurance Policies

Virgin Money offers five tiers of travel insurance—Economy, Standard, Premium, Red, Silver and Gold. The first three (Economy, Standard, Premium) can be purchased on a comparison site; Red, Silver and Gold are available direct from Virgin Money. All policies include Emergency Medical, Baggage and Cancellation/Curtailment.

Winter Sports cover can be added to Single Trip plans for an additional cost but is INCLUDED in Annual, Multi-Trip plans.

The upper age limits vary depending on whether you buy direct or through an aggregator site. Plans bought from comparison sites have lower upper age limits, so people in their 70s or above may have better success buying direct.

Age Limits When You Take Out a Virgin Money Travel Insurance Policy

While you can take as many trips as you want each year with a Virgin Money Annual, Multi-Trip policy, there are limits on trip length, depending on your age.

Virgin Money Trip Lengths for Annual Policies Vary According to Policy Type

• Economy: 31 days
• Standard: 31 days
• Premium: 45 days
• Red: 31 days
• Silver: 45 days
• Gold: 94 days

Single trips are limited to 90 days, unless agreed by them in writing.

Cover Limits

Here is a quick, high-level recap of what's on offer from comparison sites and direct:

For further information, please review the policy documents. If you would like us to go into more depth here, please let us know in the comments section at the bottom of this review!

Gadget and Valuables Extension:

Direct plans receive some level of gadget cover (e.g. for loss up to £500 for Red and Silver and £750 for Gold); plans bought from a comparison site don't include gadget as standard. But prior to leaving your home area, if you pay the appropriate extra premium Virgin Money can extend your cover to:

Unauthorised usage is limited to £1,000 for all options.

Notable Features

Here are some highlights of features available on Virgin Money travel insurance policies. Standard features like Medical and Personal Liability are also included on Virgin Money policies, limits for which can be found below in the Policy Limits section . For more complete details like inner limits and exclusions, please refer to the policy documents .

Bottom Line: We like that all Virgin Money plans include Baggage, which is the most common reason to claim on holiday cover. A range of reasonably-priced plans mean there's cover for a variety of customer profiles, from those heading on a cheap and cheerful holiday in the sun to those who have more at risk for a premium holiday.

• Virgin Money Policy Wording for Comparison Sites
• Virgin Money Policy Wording for Direct Sales

Erin Yurday is the Founder and Editor of NimbleFins. Prior to NimbleFins, she worked as an investment professional and as the finance expert in Stanford University's Graduate School of Business case writing team. Read more on LinkedIn .

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Advertiser Disclosure : NimbleFins is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), FCA FRN 797621. NimbleFins is a research and data-driven personal finance site. Reviews that appear on this site are based on our own analysis and opinion, with a focus on product features and prices, not service. Some offers that appear on this website are from companies from which NimbleFins receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (for example, the order in which they appear). For more information please see our Advertiser Disclosure . The site may not review or include all companies or all available products. While we use our best endeavours to be comprehensive and up to date with product info, prices and terms may change after we publish, so always check details with the provider. Consumers should ensure they undertake their own due diligence before entering into any agreement.

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**4.8 out of 5 stars on Reviews.co.uk is the rating for our insurance comparison partner, QuoteZone.

Free COVID-19 insurance with Virgin Atlantic flights

Virgin Atlantic  customers can book with confidence this year thanks to the introduction of free COVID-19 insurance on all new and existing bookings.

The policy, which applies automatically to all flights booked with Virgin Atlantic, is designed to complement existing travel insurance and provide additional peace of mind for upcoming trips – whether customers have already booked or are planning a getaway.

The Virgin Atlantic COVID-19 Cover means that if customers become ill with COVID-19 while travelling, all the related costs are covered. It doesn’t matter how long their trip is, or if they’re visiting another destination on the same overseas trip. 

Customers booked to travel from 24 August 2020 until 31 March 2021 will automatically receive the new COVID-19 Cover. 

The cover is provided by Allianz Assistance and covers emergency medical and associated expenses while abroad totalling £500,000 per customer – the highest value of policy offered by an airline to date, with no excess payment required.

The policy also covers expenses incurred up to £3,000 if a customer is denied boarding on either their departure or when returning from their destination – or has to quarantine due to positive or suspected COVID-19 during a trip.

Virgin Atlantic COVID-19 Cover joins the airline’s flexible booking policy to give as much choice as possible to customers as they make their future travel plans. Customers booking with the airline have the option to make two date changes to their flights, with rebooking available up until 30 September 2022. 

Virgin Atlantic also recently announced that Flying Club members can now  earn tier points on redemption flights .

Visit  Virgin Atlantic  to find out more.

Everything to Look For In a Travel Insurance Policy

W hile buying travel insurance makes every trip cost slightly more than it otherwise would, this coverage can also lead to considerable financial savings. If you become injured in a remote location and require emergency transportation, you come down with a sudden illness or flight cancellations leave you stuck somewhere for days, benefits in these plans can pay for medical expenses, incidental expenses like meals and hotel stays and more. 

But, with so many travel insurance providers and plans to choose from, nailing down the right coverage with adequate policy limits is no easy feat. You also may not need all the benefits most travel insurance plans offer, or you may need more coverage than average to account for additional risks you have or the high cost of certain types of trips.

What Does Travel Insurance Include?

If you're on the hunt for travel insurance, working with an experienced travel agent can help you narrow coverage options to find the right fit. You should also understand the types of coverage these plans tend to include, when they apply and what they are made to protect against. 

Common benefits found in travel insurance plans include the following:

Trip Cancellation Insurance 

Trip cancellation coverage can kick in when a trip must be canceled for reasons beyond your control, such as the death of an immediate family member or a natural disaster making future travel impossible. This coverage typically applies to up to 100% of prepaid travel expenses, although a fixed dollar amount in coverage can also apply.

Trip Interruption Insurance 

Trip interruption insurance comes into play when a trip comes to an end after it already begins. Coverage can apply when a trip is interrupted for a covered reason, such as the traveler having an accident or becoming ill during vacation. Coverage is typically for more than 100% of prepaid travel expenses since it reimburses travelers for prepaid expenses and additional costs required to return home.

Trip Delay Coverage

Travel delay insurance applies when a trip delay leaves travelers incurring additional costs. Delays typically need to be for at least three hours, six hours or longer depending on the plan, and this coverage pays for incidental expenses and hotel stays while consumers wait to depart.

Emergency Medical Coverage

Emergency medical coverage is crucial for overseas trips where American health insurance policies and government-sponsored health plans like Medicare don't apply. This coverage can pay for hospital stays, emergency medical treatment, prescription medication, X-rays and more when someone becomes sick or injured away from home.

Emergency Medical Evacuation

Evacuation coverage pays for transportation to the nearest hospital in the event of an emergency, whether it needs to happen in an ambulance, a helicopter or another mode of transportation. This coverage can also pay for transportation back to your home country so you can rest and recover.

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

This coverage reimburses travelers when their luggage and its contents is lost or stolen while in the care of a common carrier like an airline or cruise line. Coverage typically has a dollar limit that varies by policy.

Baggage Delay Insurance

Baggage delay insurance can pay for incidental expenses that occur when luggage is delayed by a common carrier for a certain period of time, usually at least six or 12 hours. This coverage can pay for items travelers need to buy while they wait, including clothing, charging cords for electronics, toiletries and other essentials.

Additional Travel Insurance Benefits

Most travel insurance policies also come with concierge services or access to a 24/7 hotline travelers can call into for emergency help. There are also additional benefits you can purchase for even more coverage, including these optional coverage options.

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage: Optional cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage helps travelers get reimbursed for some of their prepaid travel expenses when they cancel a trip for any reason at all. Adding this protection leads to higher insurance premiums, but the additional peace of mind can be worth it.

Pre-existing medical conditions waiver: Pre-existing medical conditions can be covered with some policies if certain conditions are met, such as the traveler buying coverage within 15 or 21 days of making an initial trip deposit. Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions varies by company and policy, so make sure to check requirements if you need this protection.

Rental car protection: You can also get rental car insurance with most travel insurance policies, although availability and coverage limits vary.

How to Find the Right Travel Insurance Coverage

The benefits listed above are the main types of coverage you can get with travel insurance , but remember that policies, included coverage, limits and exclusions vary from one company to the next. 

This can be both a blessing and a cruise. While having more policies and coverage types to choose from lets you tailor coverage to your exact needs, it can make the process of buying travel insurance seem overwhelming.

Our advice? Look for plans that offer the most amount of coverage you can afford, especially when it comes to travel health insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage. Also make sure you get coverage for pre-existing medical conditions if you need it, and that you understand any exclusions that apply. And if you feel too overwhelmed to shop around and read over various policies and their details, reach out to an experienced travel agent for help.

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Virgin Voyages Travel Insurance - 2024 Review

Virgin voyages travel insurance - review.

• Strong Insurance Partner
• Easy To Buy At Check Out
• Poor Medical And Evacuation Cover
• Few Cancellation / Interruption Reasons

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Virgin Voyages offers cruises to adults aged 18 and up (no children allowed) that feature high tech amenities, low environmental impact, and complimentary drinks and dining. Although Virgin Voyages offers a variety of cruises, cabin types, and dining options, they only offer a single option for travel insurance, which is their Voyage Protection plan.

Arch Insurance Company, a strong insurance partner, underwrites Virgin’s Voyage Protection plan, while Aon Affinity administers policy service and handles claims.

Like most major cruise lines, the Voyage Protection plan carries dangerously low limits for Medical Insurance and Medical Evacuation. It also lacks many of the important features of quality travel insurance policies found on the wider market, such as a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Waiver and a comprehensive list of reasons for Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption.

The one redeeming element of Virgin Voyages’ travel insurance is that you can easily purchase it at checkout when booking your cruise online. Before you buy, check out this review to find out if the Voyage Protection plan is right for you.

Our Cruise: French Daze & Ibiza Nights

For our review, we selected the French Daze & Ibiza Nights cruise. Our sample couple, ages 55 and 60, will be staying in The Insider suite, sailing from 5/22/22-5/29/22. The cruise begins and ends in Barcelona, with stops in Marseille, Cannes, Olbia, and Ibiza along the way. The total cost of the cruise comes to $2,600 after taxes and fees.

Conveniently, Virgin Voyages offers the option to purchase travel insurance at checkout.

To Virgin Voyages’ credit, their website is incredibly user friendly and easy to navigate. And obviously, it’s a simple click of “Yes” or “No” to purchase their travel insurance plan. But before you add it into your shopping cart, you need to know what your $192 is really buying - and what it’s not.

Virgin’s insurance provides travelers with $10k of medical coverage and $25k of medical evacuation coverage. Let’s see how this compares to other travel insurance in the wider travel insurance marketplace.

Comparison Quotes

When we review cruise line travel insurance plans, we always compare them to other options available on the wider travel insurance marketplace. This way, you can see what the cruise line offers, and determine whether it fits your needs or is a good value for your money.

We recommend all travelers leaving the US have ample emergency insurance in case of an overseas catastrophe. This saves you the headache and heartache of paying for medical treatment out of pocket, and a 6-figure transportation fee to return home in a worst-case scenario.

Therefore,  Cruise Insurance 101  advocates carrying a  minimum of $100k Medical Insurance, $250k Emergency Medical Evacuation, and a Waiver of Pre-Existing Medical Conditions whenever possible . This is the primary benchmark we use to determine if a cruise line’s travel insurance is suitable for travelers.

Using the details of the trip, we ran a sample quote to show you how Virgin Voyages’ travel insurance plan compares with two policies available at Cruise Insurance 101 .

First, we’ll compare it to Trawick First Class for $161.19, because this is the least expensive comprehensive trip insurance plan that includes our recommended minimums for Medical Insurance, Medical Evacuation and Pre-Existing Condition Waiver.

Then, we’ll compare it to the least expensive plan that meets our minimum recommendations, includes a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver, and also offers Cancel For Any Reason benefits, which happens to be the John Hancock Silver (CFAR 75%) for $262.50.

How Does Virgin Voyages Compare to the Competition?

As you can see, the Voyage Protection plan offers extremely limited coverage for the $192 cost. Like many cruise line travel insurance plans, the Medical Insurance and Medical Evacuation coverage have disappointingly low limits. Furthermore, the policy does not cover Pre-Existing Conditions nor provide a Cancel For Any Reason option.

In comparison, Trawick First Class costs $30.81 less than the Voyage Protection plan on our sample quote. While this is not a significant savings, Trawick First Class provides adequate coverage for travel outside of the US, with $150k in Medical Insurance and $1m in Medical Evacuation coverage. It also covers Pre-Existing Conditions if purchased within 14 days of your initial payment or deposit towards the trip.

Our sample couple could have Cancel For Any Reason protection by purchasing the John Hancock Silver (CFAR 75%) for $70.50 more than the Voyage Protection plan. In addition to the standard cancellation coverage, our two travelers would have the option to cancel their trip for any reason and still receive a significant portion of their trip cost back. They’d also be properly protected with $100k of Medical Insurance and $500k in Medical Evacuation coverage.

We’ll discuss the importance of these coverages further below.

Trip Cancellation Reimburses You If You Can’t Travel

Travelers value  Trip Cancellation  benefits because the coverage allows you to get a full reimbursement of your pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs in the event you must cancel your trip for a covered reason. Of course, the more covered reasons a policy has for cancellation, the better.

Disappointingly, Virgin’s cruise insurance covers a mere 6 cancellation reasons:

• Your, a Family Member’s, a Traveling Companion’s, or a Traveling Companion’s Family Member’s death, that occurs before departure on Your Trip; or
• Your, a Family Member’s, a Traveling Companion’s or a Traveling Companion’s Family Member’s covered Sickness or Injury, that: a) occurs before departure on Your Trip; b) requires Medical Treatment at the time of cancellation; and c) as certified by a Physician, results in medical restrictions so disabling as to cause Your Trip to be cancelled;
• You or Your Traveling Companion being hijacked, quarantined, required to serve on a jury (notice of jury duty must be received after Your Effective Date), served with a court order to appear as a witness in a legal action in which You or Your Traveling Companion is not a party (except law enforcement officers);
• Your or Your Traveling Companion’s primary place of residence is made Uninhabitable and remains Uninhabitable during Your scheduled Trip, by fire, flood, or other Natural Disaster, vandalism;
• You or Your Traveling Companion being directly involved in a traffic accident, substantiated by a police report, while en route to Your scheduled point of departure;
• You or Your Traveling Companion who are military, police or fire personnel being called into emergency service to provide aid or relief for a Natural Disaster.

While covered cancellation can vary by policy, most policies cover all the above reasons and more, including but not limited to:

• A documented theft of passports or visas
• Permanent transfer of employment of 250 miles or more
• Involuntary termination or layoff
• An unannounced strike causing a complete cessation of services
• Inclement weather causing a complete cessation of services
• Revocation of previously granted military leave due to war
• Bankruptcy or default of airline, cruise line, tour operator

By comparison, both Trawick First Class and John Hancock Silver (CFAR 75%) offer 14 covered cancellation scenarios. The John Hancock Silver (CFAR 75%) also includes Cancel For Any Reason, which allows you to cancel for any reason not otherwise covered by the policy and still receive a 75% reimbursement of your trip cost.

Another important factor to consider is that the Voyage Protection plan only covers travel arrangements booked through Virgin Voyages. Any travel arrangements booked elsewhere, such as independently booked airfare and accommodations for travel time ahead of or after the cruise, would not be covered. This is typical of cruise line travel insurance plans but leaves you at risk of losing those costs if you cancel your trip.

Alternatively, third-party travel insurance plans, like Trawick First Class and John Hancock Silver (CFAR 75%), insure all of your pre-paid and non-refundable trip costs, regardless of who your travel arrangements were booked through.

Cancel For Any Reason

Cancel For Any Reason coverage is exactly what it sounds like – it allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not covered under the policy and still receive a reimbursement of your trip cost.

Many major cruise lines offer Cancel For Any Reason , which assigns a future cruise credit to the travelers if they cancel their cruise for any reason not listed on the policy. Surprisingly, Virgin Voyages doesn’t offer anything of the sort. While a future cruise credit is far from preferable, it’s better than nothing.

On the other hand, some third-party travel insurance plans, like John Hancock Silver (CFAR 75%) have Cancel For Any Reason benefits built into the policy. Instead of offering future credit, the policy gives you a cash reimbursement for a portion of the trip cost.

However, Cancel For Any Reason has a few rules. The coverage reimburses 50% -75% (depending on policy) of your pre-paid and non-refundable trip costs, provided you:

• Purchase the policy within 10-21 days (depending on the policy) of your initial payment or deposit towards the trip. For the John Hancock Silver (CFAR 75%), this timeframe, called the Time Sensitive Period, is 14 days.
• Insure 100% of your pre-paid and non-refundable trip costs, and add any subsequent payments to the policy’s trip cost within the Time Sensitive Period
• Cancel your trip no later than 48 hours prior to departure

Trip Interruption Refunds the Unused Portion of Trip

Similar to Trip Cancellation,  Trip Interruption reimburses you for the missed portion of your trip if you have a covered disruption. Covered reasons for Trip Interruption mimic those of Trip Cancellation. For example, if you unexpectedly fell ill during your cruise and had to seek treatment off the ship for two days, that’s a covered Trip Interruption (along with a Medical Insurance claim).

In some cases, your Trip Interruption may allow you to return to the trip after missing a portion of it. Other times, you might have to go home early to tend to a family emergency. In the same fashion, a Trip Interruption could delay your arrival to the cruise.

In any event, travel insurance reimburses you up to your trip cost for the unused, pre-paid, non-refundable expenses for your travel arrangements, plus the additional transportation cost paid to either:

• Join your trip if you must depart after your scheduled departure date or travel via alternate route of travel; or
• Rejoin your trip from the point where your trip was interrupted or return home early

While Virgin’s barebones policy offers only 100% trip cost refund for a covered interruption, both Trawick First Class and John Hancock Silver (CFAR 75%) cover up to a 150% refund. The extra 50% helps cover the added cost of transportation.

Trip Interruption coverage that exceeds 100% is a hallmark of a robust and comprehensive travel insurance policy.

Medical Insurance When Traveling Overseas

Sometimes travelers are more focused on Trip Cancellation and overlook the risks of traveling overseas without proper  Medical Insurance .

American travelers often have the false impression that countries with socialized medicine will treat them for free, but this is not the case. In fact, countries with universal health care programs only offer those services to their residents, who pay taxes for this privilege, whereas travelers must pay full price for health care. Inpatient care at a hospital can run $3,000 to $4,000 per night, plus treatments and surgeries.

Also, Medicare does not pay for your treatment outside the US. In addition, many private healthcare plans only reimburse for emergencies. For example, although some Medicare supplements cover up to $50k of emergency treatment abroad, it’s a lifetime limit and you must pay a 20% co-pay out of pocket. These policies falsely lead you to believe you’re safely covered, but they leave your retirement savings exposed to the risk of a sudden, catastrophic financial loss.

Furthermore, the US State Department does not provide any medical support to Americans traveling overseas, which is why carrying adequate Medical Insurance is critical when leaving the country.

Thus Cruise Insurance 101 recommends each traveler carry at least $100k in Medical Insurance when leaving the US. This is enough coverage to assure you’re properly treated without paying off medical bills for years to come.

Getting back to Virgin Voyages’ travel insurance, the Voyage Protection plan includes only $10k of Medical Insurance. That’s simply not going to help you in an emergency.

On the other hand, Trawick First Class includes $150k Medical Insurance and John Hancock Silver (CFAR 75%) covers $100k. These levels of coverage are much better suited for  seniors cruising  outside of the US.

Emergency Medical Evacuation Brings You Home

Have you ever seen a helicopter land on a cruise ship to pick up a sick passenger, or heard of someone being flown home in a private medical jet? These things happen more frequently than you think.

Specifically, Medical Evacuation  coverage pays for transportation from the place of injury or illness to a local hospital. Once you’re stable and the physician treating you determines it’s necessary, Medical Evacuation returns you home. If your condition is critical and you require ongoing care by a medical team to return home, an air ambulance outfitted as a flying ICU might be most appropriate.

Private air transportation such as this can cost $15k to $25k per flight hour and coming back to the US from overseas can get very expensive, very quickly.

In addition, many travelers assume their private health insurance pays for Medical Evacuation so they can get home. In fact, private health insurance plans, including Medicare supplements, do not include Medical Evacuation benefits beyond a limited amount for a ground ambulance to the hospital. So, that medical flight cost comes out of your pocket and could cost as much as a house.

For these reasons Cruise Insurance 101 recommends all travelers leaving the US carry a minimum of $250k Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage. Travelers venturing even further from home, to destinations such as Africa, Asia, or beyond, should carry a minimum of $500k.

Virgin’s Voyage Protection plan only provides a minimal $25k Medical Evacuation benefit. Meanwhile, Trawick First Class has a benefit of $1m per person for Medical Evacuation and the John Hancock Silver (CFAR 75%) covers $500k per person.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Pre-Existing Conditions are an understandable concern for many senior travelers.

In the world of travel insurance, a Pre-Existing Condition does not mean anything that’s ever happened to you in your entire medical history. Instead, travel insurance companies only concern themselves with your more recent medical history.

Most policies are only concerned about the 60-180 days prior to the day you purchased your policy. This means any conditions older than 60-180 days will be covered if none of the following has occurred within that timeframe:

• New conditions or change or worsening of previous conditions
• Treatment, testing, or examinations that have occurred or been recommended
• New or changes in medication, including dosage changes

If any of the above did occur during to 60-180-day window prior to purchasing travel insurance, it would be excluded from coverage.

Luckily, if you purchase your policy early in the booking process, within 14-21 days of making your initial payment or deposit towards your trip, many travel insurance policies include coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions with a Waiver. Once those 14-21 days pass, however, Pre-Existing Conditions aren’t covered. Instead, they’re subject to the Look Back period, the time between when you bought the policy and the 60-180 days prior.

To make life easier and give you peace of mind Cruise Insurance 101 recommends travelers buy travel insurance that includes a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver whenever possible. It’s simple to get, just by purchasing your travel insurance policy shortly after making a deposit. The Voyage Protection plan does not cover Pre-Existing Conditions at all. They do not offer a waiver, so regardless of when you buy their insurance, they won’t cover it. One good thing in Virgin Voyages’ favor is that their policy only looks back 60 days into your medical history, rather than 90 or 180 days.

Alternatively, both policies we compared from Cruise Insurance 101 to Virgin’s Voyage Protection plan offer a Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions, if the policies are purchased within 14 days of your initial payment or deposit.

Virgin Voyages offers contemporary cruising experiences, but minimal travel insurance. Their policy is deficient in critical areas such as Trip Cancellation, Medical Insurance, Medical Evacuation and covering Pre-existing Conditions. It also lacks a Cancel For Any Reason option. Overall we rate it a 7 out of 10.

Trawick First Class is one of many  Cruise Insurance 101  policies that provides outstanding value for the money, with a savings of $30.81 over the Voyage Protection plan, for exponentially better coverage.

While a higher tiered plan like John Hancock Silver (CFAR 75%) costs $70.50 more than the Voyage Protection plan, it offers many of the features and flexibility anyone would want in a travel insurance policy and is a better value for your money.

In addition, you cannot insure your other travel arrangements with Virgin Voyages’ policy, but you can insure them under a policy purchased in the wider travel insurance marketplace. You’ll find more value for your money working with Cruise Insurance 101 .

Did you know you won’t find lower prices on the same policy anywhere else, not even with the insurance company directly? At Cruise Insurance 101 , we take the nation’s top travel insurance carriers and bring them in our marketplace where you can shop and compare different plans.

Visit Cruise Insurance 101 first to see your options before committing to the first travel insurance policy you’re offered. Stop by and have a chat,  send an email  or give us a call at +1(786) 751-2984 . Safe travels!

This article has been written for review purposes only and does not suggest sponsorship or endorsement of AARDY by the trademark owner.

Recent AARDY Travel Insurance Customer Reviews

Signing up was fast and easy

BARBARA MILET

Amanda was very helpful ane explained everything clearly.

Amanda was very helpful and informative. explained everting so i could understand it.

Kenneth Reeves

Good place to find cruise insurance.

Talked to Don at Cruise insurance 101 about Cruise Insurance. I know nothing about Cruise Insurance. Don answered all my questions and was very helpful. Believe I got what I needed.

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MarketWatch Guides is a reviews and recommendations team, independent of the MarketWatch newsroom. We might earn a commission from links in this content.  Learn More

• The best travel insurance company is Faye,  according to our comprehensive analysis of over 49 policies.
• Travel insurance policies offer reimbursement if your trip gets canceled for a covered reason, you incur emergency medical bills, and for other situations such as missed flights or baggage delays.
• According to our survey of 1,000 travel insurance policyholders,  97%  of respondents claim travel insurance is worth the cost.

Alex Carver is a writer and researcher based in Charlotte, N.C. A contributor to major news websites such as Automoblog and USA Today, she’s written content in sectors such as insurance, warranties, shipping, real estate and more.

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.

Mark Friedlander is a property/casualty insurance industry expert and a national media spokesperson on home, auto, business and life insurance matters. He is also an expert on hurricane insurance coverage and Florida insurance matters.

Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the best travel insurance companies

The Best Travel Insurance of 2024

After reviewing dozens of travel insurance providers operating throughout the U.S., the following are our top recommendations for the best companies to get travel insurance from:

• Faye: Our top pick
• Travelex Insurance : Best for budget travelers
• Nationwide Travel Insurance : Best for baggage coverage
• Tin Leg Travel Insurance : Best for customizable coverage
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection : Best for luxury travelers
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance: Best for visitors to the USA
• AIG Travel Guard: Best for families
• Trawick International: Best for student travel insurance
• Generali Global Assistance: Best for trip interruption coverage
• Travel Insured International: Best for evacuation coverage

Faye earned 4.6 out of 5 stars and the top spot as the best travel insurance company of 2024 because of its fast and simple sign-up process, direct deposit reimbursement option, and unique compensation for baggage delays.

Why We Picked Faye Travel Insurance

As a platform that prioritizes a digital, entirely online experience, Faye is worth considering if you’re shopping for last-minute coverage, according to our research. You can s imply answer a few questions about your upcoming trip, adjust your coverage limit and buy a comprehensive travel insurance plan in just a few minutes. In addition, Faye can send reimbursement directly to your phone’s digital wallet if you file a claim and it’s approved, which means you won’t need to wait for reimbursement by a check in the mail. Before, during, and after your trip, you will also have access to Faye’s 24-hour live chat feature available in the app with representatives who are knowledgable on coverage eligibility. While Faye offers only one plan choice, its general coverage inclusions may fit vacationers seeking quick coverage and a digital experience.

Pros and Cons

Our ratings, coverage overview.

Faye offers one plan with several optional add-on options.

Optional Add-Ons 

• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) 
• Rental car damage or theft
• Adventure and extreme sports protection 
• Vacation rental damage protection

*Coverage limits and availability may vary by state of residence.

We obtained premium costs for seven trips as outlined in our review methodology, and Faye’s average trip cost is $297.87.

Why We Picked Travelex

Travelex is our top choice for travelers taking budget vacations and trying to prioritize policy price over other factors, according to our research. Travelex’s plans can be low-cost for some — depending on your vacation’s value, you could qualify for flat-rate coverage of $60 per traveler, which is less than half of the average cost of travel insurance. It also offers a flat-rate Travel America plan for domestic trips. While Travelex’s Travel Basic plan provides affordable international coverage, note that optional adventure sports, additional medical protection and CFAR insurance are not available with this plan.

Travelex’s base plan, the Travel Basic coverage, includes 100% protection for both trip cancellation and interruption. It also includes $15,000 worth of emergency medical coverage, $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage and $500 for lost baggage. Travelex’s Travel Select plan extends additional coverage, such as sporting equipment delay benefits of $200 and you can include kids with your policy.

Travelex offers the following add-ons for the Travel Select policy:

• CFAR coverage (50% reimbursement)
• Medical expense extension (extends coverage to $50,000)
• Adventure sports waiver for medical expenses coverage
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) extension (extends coverage to $25,000)

*Higher medical and evacuation coverage limits are available on other policies. Contact the company to learn more. 

We obtained premium costs for seven trips as outlined in our review methodology, and Travelex’s average trip cost is $242.

Nationwide Travel Insurance

Why We Picked Nationwide

Our choice for the maximum coverage reimbursed was Nationwide travel insurance. Depending on your plan choice, it provides 100% trip cancellation coverage and up to 200% trip interruption protection. If you plan to go on a cruise in Europe, unlike most other providers, Nationwide offers two levels of coverage specifically tailored to cruises. The majority of travel insurance companies often do not cover mechanical failures and terrorism in the cities of destination, but these cruise policies do.

Why We Picked Tin Leg

Tin Leg is a travel insurance provider that offers eight individual policy options. With a different level of coverage included in each plan, Tin Leg can make it easy to choose a policy that only includes the protections most important to you. You can tailor your policy to your needs even further with up to 10 add-on options, securing Tin Leg’s spot on our list as the travel insurance provider with the best customization options.

With eight travel insurance policies, Tin Leg’s medical insurance benefits range from $20,000 to $500,000, and its trip interruption coverage ranges from 100% to 150%. Most policies also include unique extra coverages not found with some other providers — like sports equipment loss and missed connections. The table below summarizes the key coverage included with three of Tin Leg’s most popular plans.

You can also upgrade your plan with the following add-on options — though available choices will vary depending on your base policy selection.

• CFAR coverage
• Financial defaults
• Cancel for work reasons
• Terrorism disruption
• Employment layoff
• Missed connections
• Sports and activities coverage
• Identity theft
• Rental car damage

*Higher evacuation coverage limits are available on other policies. Contact the company to learn more.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Why We Picked Berkshire Hathaway

If you’re planning a luxury vacation, you may have trouble finding an insurance provider to insure your trip’s total value. Berkshire Hathaway’s LuxuryCare travel insurance plans cover 100% of your trip costs up to $100,000, which is why we’ve named the provider our pick for luxury travelers. We like that it provides high coverage limits for lost luggage — a perk if you’re traveling with high-end items that would result in expensive replacement costs if lost or stolen. It also offers a series of specialized standard travel plans, including an AdrenalineCare policy specifically for sports travelers and WaveCare for cruises.

Berkshire Hathaway offers three general plans and more specialized coverage options. You’ll find a series of nine total plan options in most parts of the country, but we recommend the all-inclusive LuxuryCare and ExactCare Extra plans for high-value vacations.

The table below summarizes the inclusions found on some of Berkshire Hathaway’s most popular travel insurance plans.

Berkshire Hathaway allows you to add the following add-on options to your plan:

• CFAR upgrade (up to 50% trip reimbursement)
• Rental car collision damage
• Pre-existing conditions waiver

Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Why We Picked Seven Corners

For Seven Corners, buying an annual plan rather than several single-trip plans might be more cost-effective if you go to Europe frequently or are abroad on a student visa. Instead of purchasing new insurance every time, you can pay a single fee to cover several travels in a year. An annual plan comes with up to $500,000 in emergency medical coverage, $250,000 in travel medical coverage, and other benefits. All plans come with 24/7 travel help that is available worldwide. We think this plan is cost-effective for frequent travelers even though it lacks quality delay insurance.

AIG Travel Guard

Why We Picked AIG

When shopping for travel insurance as a group or family, high combined premiums might deter some customers from purchasing coverage. We chose AIG Travel Guard as the best travel insurance provider for families because select plans — like the Deluxe policy — include one child under the age of 17 with the purchase of adult coverage. AIG also offers generous discounts on group travel coverage, which you can purchase with just a few clicks online. This can make AIG a solid choice for anyone looking for last-minute trip cancellation insurance, especially if you’re traveling with multiple people and prefer the ease of purchasing one policy instead of several.

AIG’s primary travel insurance product is its international travel plans, which provide 100% trip cancellation insurance, up to $1,000 in trip delay coverage, up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage and other benefits commonly found with competitors. It also offers two unique policy options: the quick approval Pack-N-Go plan and an annual plan for frequent flyers.

AIG offers three travel insurance plans, all of which include family coverage:

It also offers the following add-ons:

• CFAR coverage (up to 50% reimbursement)
• Vendor financial default coverage
• Missed connection benefit ($150)

*Higher medical and evacuation coverage limits are available on other policies. Contact the company to learn more.

Trawick International

Why We Picked Trawick International

Trawick is our pick for student travel insurance. While it offers more than 20 individual travel insurance policies with standard inclusions, Trawick is most notable for its unique options for students studying abroad, which can make the process of obtaining required insurance easier. The International Student and Scholar Medical Evacuation plan is an affordable option that meets the requirements of multiple international visas stipulating evacuation insurance. It also offers annual trip cancellation plans and coverage formatted for other types of international visa requirements. However, this plan only provides medical evacuation coverage and not general emergency medical protection, making it less than ideal for travelers concerned with comprehensive medical coverage.

With more than 20 individual plan options, Trawick offers a range of coverage selections. We suggest reviewing each plan option to verify it has the coverage you need, especially if you are traveling on a visa. Compare a few of the company’s most popular policies using the table below.

Add-On Options

Coverage add-ons are not available on Collegiate Care plans.

Generali Global Assistance

Why We Picked Generali Global Assistance

We chose Generali Global Assistance as our pick for emergency assistance coverage because it offers 24/7, concierge-level service to help travelers in various situations. Generali’s travel professionals are multilingual, which can benefit you if you travel to an area where you cannot speak the primary language. In addition, Generali’s higher coverage tiers include protections such as rental car and sports equipment coverage, which other providers usually offer as add-ons.

Generali offers three plan tiers: Standard, Preferred and Premium. The Standard Plan includes a variety of benefits, including 125% trip interruption coverage, $150 per day toward delay-related expenses, $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage, $50,000 worth of medical coverage and more. Preferred and Premium plans extend benefits included with the Standard Plan and add some extras — like sports equipment coverage and rental car collision insurance.

Generali offers the following add-on options:

• CFAR coverage (up to 60% reimbursement)

Travel Insured International

Why We Picked Travel Insured International

We named Travel Insured International as our pick for well-rounded coverage. It offers coverage with various optional add-ons such as event ticket registration fee protection, interruption for any reason (IFAR) and CFAR coverage. The provider even offers optional pet kennel coverage, which could offer peace of mind travelers with furry friends at home. It also provides 24/7 emergency assistance services and extra perks such as concierge services, medical and legal aid and passport replacement help.

How To Choose the Best Travel Insurance

Knowing what to look for when comparing travel insurance providers can help you pick the best plan for your needs. We encourage you to compare brand pricing and policies between multiple providers to help narrow down your available coverage options.

Compare The Best Travel Insurance For International Trips

Comparing the costs of coverage offered by different providers can help you find the most affordable option for your travel insurance needs. See the table below for a direct cost comparison between the companies we’ve chosen as our top picks, as well as Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings and notable coverage limits.

Asking yourself a few key questions can help further simplify your search for travel insurance. Considering the total cost of your trip, your destination, method of travel and any health concerns can help you better understand the type of policy that suits your needs best. 

Was This an Important or Pricey Trip?

The value and price of your trip play a major role in travel insurance pricing. If you’re insuring a higher-value vacation, you may want to look for policies with higher overall coverage limits and travel interruption reimbursements. If you’re taking a budget vacation, you might see more value in an insurer that specializes in low-cost, affordable policies.

Where Are You Headed?

It is also good practice to consider the available amenities and your trip itinerary when shopping for coverage. For example, if you’re traveling to a remote area with a less robust medical system than a city with many options, there could be a higher chance of needing emergency medical evacuation if you end up seriously injured. In this case, we recommend a policy with higher coverage limits on medical evacuation services.

“I recommend that every traveler gets a strong medical evacuation policy. When the worst-case scenario happens, you can get to a hospital of your choice at home. I really push this coverage for folks traveling in Mexico because it’s a short trip to a home hospital.”

How Are You Getting to Your Destination?

If you’re taking a cruise, consider getting a quote from a travel insurance provider that offers cruise-specific coverage, such as Nationwide. While most travel insurance providers design policies to cover the basic risks associated with flying — such as lost luggage, missed connections, etc. — it is worth comparing options that include coverage specific to your trip. For example, those traveling for work may prefer Allianz Global for its business-centered plans.

Do You Have Any Health Concerns?

When thinking about your travel plans, consider if you could need medical services based on your health history and travel itinerary. If you’re older, have a pre-existing health condition , or plan to participate in physical activities or sports, consider a plan with higher medical expense limits. In addition, companies often include COVID-19 treatment under a policy’s standard emergency medical coverage, but it is best to read through coverage terms and conditions to confirm.

Angela Borden, a product marketing specialist at Seven Corners , offered the following advice for travelers:

“Contact your insurance provider to be sure you fully understand the pre-existing conditions coverage for the plan you choose,” she said. “Being prepared and having the information before you need it in an emergency makes a huge difference.”

Is Travel Insurance Required?

In most cases, travel insurance is not required. However, some countries require visitors to have travel insurance due to visa requirements or diplomatic unrest. These countries typically only require proof that your policy covers emergency medical expenses. You can extend your coverage to also protect you against baggage loss, trip delays and cancellations.

Even if your destination does not mandate travel insurance, the U.S. Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens traveling overseas purchase a policy that covers unexpected medical bills while abroad.

When To Skip Travel Insurance

Travel insurance may only be worth it in some scenarios. For instance, if you booked your trip using a credit card that also offers travel insurance protection, you may not need coverage through an additional provider. We encourage you to check the details of your credit card coverage, if applicable, to ensure it aligns with your needs. If so, you can likely skip buying a separate travel insurance policy.

In addition, if you’ve booked your trip with flexible airline tickets or with a hotel that offers a flexible change or cancellation policy, you may not need a travel insurance policy. Also, travelers booking excursions or activities with refundable policies will likely not benefit from a travel insurance plan. 

Finally, note that if you’re a U.S. citizen traveling within the country and have insurance through a domestic provider, you likely will need travel insurance with medical coverage. However, your coverage may not extend abroad, notably if you have a government-issued plan. But if you have private insurance that covers emergency medical expenses abroad, you may not need to purchase a travel insurance plan.

Generally, we encourage you to consider your trip, the overall cost and the flexibility surrounding your reservations when deciding whether or not to skip purchasing a travel insurance policy.

Ask an Expert

“You don’t need to insure trip expenses if they’re already covered by someone else or if you are comfortable losing the money you paid for your trip if you must cancel or interrupt it.”

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

The specifics of what is covered under your travel insurance policy will vary depending on the provider you select. The following are some of the most common types of coverage you are likely to find as you get quotes from the best travel insurance providers.

Trip Cancellation Protection

Trip cancellation coverage compensates you for nonrefundable expenses, such as your flight and lodging, if your trip gets canceled due to certain unforeseen circumstances. This could include unexpected weather events, a death in the family or the diagnosis of a major illness. You can check your travel insurance policy for specific coverages and exclusions. Most travel insurance companies provide 100% cancellation coverage for nonrefundable expenses when offering this type of protection.

Trip Interruption Protection

Baggage delay or loss coverage is another component of travel insurance that offers financial protection if your checked luggage is delayed or lost during your trip. If an airline temporarily misplaces your belongings, this coverage can help ease the inconvenience by reimbursing you for essential items, such as toiletries and lost clothing. The average amount a travel insurance provider offers will vary, and some companies have a timeline for how long you must wait after a delay before you can claim this coverage.

Emergency Medical Expenses and Evacuation

Medical expense coverage is a component of travel insurance that helps you cover medical bills you incur if you get hurt or sick on a trip. Depending on the health insurance you have in the U.S., your coverage may not extend to hospital bills to treat injuries and illnesses sustained outside of the country, making this type of coverage potentially valuable in the event of a medical emergency.

Emergency medical coverage does not usually include transportation or evacuation due to an illness or injury, but concerned travelers can purchase medical evacuation insurance as an add-on. For this reason, medical evacuation protection will typically have a separate coverage limit. We recommend considering higher evacuation coverage limits if traveling to a remote area without immediate hospital access.

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage entitles you to partial or full reimbursement of nonrefundable trip expenses if you cancel your trip for reasons not listed in your policy.

“CFAR gives you greater flexibility to alter your plans and still get some money back on your trip expenses, regardless of why you decided to cancel your trip,” said Borden. “[It] was especially popular immediately after COVID-19 because it allowed people to cancel even if they simply changed their minds about traveling.”

She goes on to note that while travelers are generally less concerned about COVID-19’s impact on travel, CFAR coverage is still a valuable benefit.

“You never know what could happen at home or at your destination that would cause you to rethink your travel plans,” she added.

Collision Coverage

If you’re renting a vehicle on vacation, you may choose to add collision coverage. Similar to the collision coverage found on your domestic auto insurance policy, it compensates you for damage to a rental vehicle if you’re involved in an accident. This coverage is usually not legally required to drive in another country. Still, it may help cover repairs passed onto you by the rental car company if you’re involved in an accident.

Rental Car Coverage

Rental car agencies usually offer optional insurance coverage when you rent a vehicle. However, you could choose to opt for rental car coverage through a travel insurance plan instead. Typically offered as an add-on, it can reimburse you if a collision, theft, vandalism, natural disaster or other events damage your rental car. In some cases, you may also find it cheaper than what a rental car agency offers for protection.

What Is Not Covered by Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance will not cover everything associated with your trip. Exclusions vary from provider to provider, but companies typically omit common events and circumstances from coverage. Some examples of common exclusions include medical tourism, named hurricanes and tropical storms, and voluntary cancellation without CFAR coverage. Other standard exclusions include fear of flying, injuries resulting from participation in extreme sports and travel to particularly high-risk destinations.

Some travel insurance companies offer add-on protection plans that cover some typically excluded events. For example, CFAR coverage can partially cover cancellations not covered by your standard travel insurance policy. Extreme sports coverages or waivers can offer financial protection in the event of an injury from participation in excluded sports or activities. Regardless, we suggest thoroughly reading the fine print in your contract and asking your provider questions about any exclusions you’re unsure of.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

In our comprehensive review of the travel insurance market, our team found the average cost of travel insurance was about 3% to 5% of a trip’s total value. Based on the quotes our team gathered from providers, the average cost across seven different traveler profiles came out to $221 , with the average traveler paying between $70 and $300 for most trips.

To further understand the average travel insurance cost in relation to total trip value, we gathered multiple quotes from various providers for a 30-year-old traveler taking a week-long trip to France. See the table below for the average travel insurance cost based on the total cost of trips ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

Remember that your travel insurance costs will vary based on various factors. We encourage you to get a quote from at least three travel insurance providers before purchasing coverage to ensure you get the best price for your coverage needs.

The following chart outlines the average insurance cost for our top 10 companies from least to most expensive:

How We Found Our Cost Data

We calculated the average costs for each provider in our review using seven unique traveler profiles to gain an understanding of costs for different people and scenarios, which we break down in our travel insurance methodology .

After using each profile to gather quotes for different plans, we calculated the average cost of each provider and individual policy. Our top recommended plans in the table above may cost you more or less than our averages listed depending on factors unique to your travel needs. The best way to know how much a travel insurance policy will cost is to request quotes from multiple providers for your trip.

What Impacts the Cost of Trip Insurance?

Several factors can determine how much your travel insurance will cost — and while cost matters when it comes to a travel insurance policy, the cheapest option is not always the best. If you’ve booked an expensive trip and prefer a budget travel insurance plan, it might be good to ensure the coverage is enough to protect your investment.

As you shop, keep in mind that the following factors can affect how much you pay for a travel insurance policy:

• Your age: Some travel insurance companies increase costs with traveler’s age. Based on our research, prices are the same for travelers up to age 50 and then increase from there.
• Trip cost: The more expensive the trip, the more it will cost the travel insurance company to reimburse you, according to our research. As such, your travel insurance premium will likely be higher for more expensive trips.
• Plan type: There are many different types of travel insurance policies. The more protection you have, the more expensive your travel insurance rate. 
• Add-on coverages: Most plans will allow you to add certain features without upgrading your entire plan. However, add-ons will increase your overall cost. For example, you might buy basic flight insurance for $30 and add CFAR coverage for an additional $30.
• Number of travelers: While you can buy a single policy for multiple travelers, each traveler will have their own premium, increasing the total cost. However, many travel insurance companies offer group discounts.
• Destination: Your travel insurance provider will take the risk factor of your trip destination into consideration when determining the cost of insurance. 
• Trip length: The longer your trip is, the more you’ll likely pay a higher premium for a travel insurance policy. Not only are longer trips more expensive, but the duration increases the chances of something going wrong and causing you to file a claim. 

How To Buy Travel Insurance

The travel insurance providers on our list offer online quote systems that allow you to view pricing and policy options after entering some information about yourself and your trip. Alternatively, you can typically purchase coverage over the phone by getting in touch with a representative using the company’s customer service line.

As you prepare to purchase travel insurance, you want to keep a few details about your vacation handy, including:

• The ages and names of everyone in your party
• Your travel destination(s)
• The dates you are traveling
• Your total trip value, including flights, accommodations, baggage and other items you need to cover
• The date of your initial trip payment

Each of these factors will play a role in the price you will pay for travel insurance coverage.

Who Needs Travel Insurance?

While most people can benefit from some level of travel insurance coverage, consider a policy if you are planning any of the following:

International trips: Traveling internationally can expose you to unfamiliar healthcare systems, unpredictable events, and potential trip interruptions. Travel insurance offers financial protection for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and unexpected expenses that may arise in foreign destinations.

Regular vacations: If you frequently travel for business or leisure, an annual travel insurance policy can be a cost-effective solution. This policy provides continuous coverage for multiple trips, saving you time purchasing separate policies.

Senior travelers: If you are a senior traveler with Medicare, your health insurance excludes most medical care outside of the country. Travel insurance with medical expenses and evacuation coverage can financially protect you if you need care while away from home.

Adventure sports: Adventure enthusiasts planning to engage in activities like hiking, skiing or scuba diving may find travel insurance with adventure sports coverage beneficial. These policies can cover potential injuries and equipment losses, which you may be more likely to run into due to your itinerary. However, not all standard travel medical insurance covers injuries related to adventure sports.

If you are considering travel insurance, we suggest getting a few sample quotes to compare coverage. Getting a quote is free, takes only a few minutes and can provide more personalized insights into the cost of your upcoming travel plan.

As the world continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospitality industry is slowly seeing a return to pre-pandemic levels. According to research from the U.S. Travel Association , domestic leisure travel is expected to fully return to pre-pandemic levels throughout 2024. Some of the factors contributing to travelers’ return to airports across the globe include:

• Easing international visa and travel restrictions
• Vaccine distribution and effectiveness
• Increased demand for travel following COVID-19 lockdowns

As the demand for travel increases, so has the sale of travel insurance. The travel insurance market size is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5% between 2022 and 2028 . Highly publicized stories of flight delays and cancellations occurring across the country are also contributing to public demand for travel insurance.

Top Travel Destinations of 2024

To learn more about the top travel destinations of 2024 and the average price travelers paid for coverage, our team conducted a Pollfish survey in February 2024 consisting of 1,000 U.S.-based respondents.

Of those respondents, 46% said the last time they purchased travel insurance was for a domestic trip within the U.S. The remainder of our survey participants purchased a travel policy for an international vacation, with the following countries ranking among the most popular destinations:

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

While travel insurance is not required to enter countries in most parts of the world, it can be worth the cost to purchase some level of coverage. In our review, we found the average cost of travel insurance is less than 7% of what you can expect to pay for your vacation — but may provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in reimbursements if you experience an unexpected cancellation or delay. The medical expense coverage included with travel insurance is also an invaluable protection, as many health insurance policies exclude care provided outside of the U.S.

Survey Majority Say Travel Insurance Is Worth It

Over half of our survey respondents paid between $50 to $200 for their most recent travel insurance policy, with $200 to $300 being the second most commonly selected price range. In addition, 40% of respondents said they purchased travel insurance mainly to protect the cost of their trip. Trip cancellation coverage and medical were the next most popular reasons for buying a policy.

If you plan to travel in 2024, our team recommends purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Over 60% of survey participants agree with our sentiments, endorsing a policy that includes coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, baggage and more.

“Like any insurance policy, it's a lost cost until you really need it. Travel insurance offers narrow or broad range coverages that can really help when things don't go as planned. From Medical Evacuations to trip cancellation, it's worth investing in a policy ," said Lazzari.

ASK THE EXPERTS

What is most important to consider when evaluating travel insurance options?

"It's essential the plans are well-defined including specific activities and regions a traveler will visit. For instance, a vacation spent relaxing at a nearby resort requires different insurance coverage compared to a trip involving various activities across multiple countries. Insurance premiums are inherently linked to the level of risk involved, so it's wise for budget travelers to tailor their insurance based on their detailed travel plans. Moreover, the inherent risks of the destination must be considered. Higher-risk areas naturally have a greater likelihood of issues arising, and appropriate insurance should be in place to manage these risks. When assessing the risk factors of a destination, it's crucial to go beyond common knowledge and actively seek out information to accurately gauge the safety level of the destination."

"It’s important to understand what is not covered by a travel insurance policy. Most policies will not cover man-made disasters if your trip is canceled or interrupted. Other exclusions may include acts of war, participating in dangerous activities such as extreme sports, self-harm and foreseeable events. Read the policy carefully. One alternative to standard travel insurance is cancel-for-any-reason coverage.  However, the cancellation typically must occur within a preset number of days before the trip is to begin and is more expensive."

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance

Does travel insurance get more expensive closer to the trip.

Unlike most other types of insurance, you won’t be penalized for buying your travel insurance closer to the dates you might use it. However, many travel insurance companies require that you purchase coverage within a limited time after booking your trip. Luckily, travel insurance prices do not increase as you get closer to your departure date. That being said, some options (like CFAR coverage) may only be available for a limited time before you travel.

When does travel insurance expire?

Your travel insurance policy will expire on the date you indicate when you purchase the plan. For most travelers, this will be the final day of your vacation. Frequent travelers might also have the option to buy annual travel insurance that protects them for a year.

What does international travel insurance cover?

International travel insurance provides you with a reimbursement for nonrefundable travel expenses if you’re forced to cancel your trip or leave your destination early. In addition, it may reimburse you for travel expenses like airfare and hotel costs if you cannot claim a refund from your vendors directly.

Does insurance still cover trips if you cancel right before your departure date?

That depends. Most travel insurance companies require canceling anywhere from 24 hours to a week or more before departure in order to be eligible for reimbursement.

Travel insurance premiums often increase as your departure date approaches, since the likelihood of last-minute interruptions or cancellations increases closer to your flight. It’s generally advisable to purchase travel insurance in advance to get access to the most favorable rates.

What is the most common type of travel insurance?

The most common type of travel insurance is trip cancellation and interruption coverage, which reimburses you if you’re forced to cancel your trip or go home early. These coverages are included on almost every travel insurance policy, except medical-only plans.

Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.

A.M. Best Disclaimer

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides. com .

MarketWatch Guides may receive compensation from companies that appear on this page.
The compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear, but it does not influence the recommendations the editorial team provides. Not all companies, products, or offers were reviewed.

Richard Branson faces shareholder lawsuit over space travel problems

• by Thompson Reuters

• Nov 7, 2022

(Reuters) – A U.S. judge on Monday said British billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson must face shareholder claims he concealed problems in Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc.’s spaceship program and sold hundreds of millions of dollars of stock at inflated prices.

While dismissing most claims in the proposed class action, U.S. District Judge Allyne Ross in Brooklyn said shareholders could try to prove that Virgin and Mr. Branson defrauded them into overpaying for the space tourism company’s shares, which now trade more than 90% below their February 2021 peak.

Shareholders can sue over July 2019 statements that Virgin had made “great progress” overcoming “hurdles” to commercial spaceflight, despite a near-disastrous test flight five months earlier when its rocket plane Unity suffered critical damage.

Mr. Branson must also defend his July 2021 statement that his own just-completed flight on Unity, where he soared 50 miles above the earth, had been “flawless” though Unity had strayed from its assigned airspace.

In a 55-page decision, Judge Ross said shareholders also could sue over approximately $301 million of stock that Mr. Branson sold the month after the flight.

Lawyers for Virgin and Branson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In seeking a dismissal, they said there was no proof of intent to defraud, and that the defendants had thoroughly disclosed safety and design issues in developing commercial space travel, “unquestionably a high-risk proposition.”

Laurence Rosen, a lawyer for the shareholders, declined to comment.

Virgin is based in Tustin, California, and went public in October 2019 by merging with a special purpose acquisition vehicle, Social Capital.

The lawsuit covers shareholders who owned the stock of either from July 10, 2019, to Oct. 14, 2021, when Virgin grounded Unity and delayed its commercial space travel service. Its shares fell 16.8% the next day, to $20.01.

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Experts say travel insurance is crucial: Here's how it actually works

Whether illness or weather derails plans, policies can cover a range of issues.

Whether you're a frequent traveler or setting plans for an upcoming vacation, unexpected circumstances such as bad weather can cast a cloud over a trip, which is why experts suggest investing in travel insurance.

Recently, Hurricane Beryl marked an "early and violent start" to the typical storm season. NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad confirmed in a mid-season update earlier this month that Beryl was "the earliest category-5 Atlantic hurricane on record" -- and peak storm season is right around the corner.

With increased risk of disruptions during hurricane season through November and more people opting for shoulder season getaways after avoiding summer crowds , travelers should prepare for such worse-case scenarios to avoid losing money on hotels, activities and other bookings.

Everything you need to know about travel insurance

With an array of options in the market and various individual reasons to invest in a plan that protects your purchases, "Good Morning America" tapped top industry experts to provide insights to help ensure that even if your next getaway gets rained out, your bank account won't be drained as well.

"Things can go wrong in ways that you can't begin to imagine. And if you're unlucky and unfortunate enough to be in that position, you don't want to come back from your trip with a debt to pay off as well," Daniel Green, trip insurance expert and co-founder of Faye Travel Insurance, told "GMA."

Understand the basics before you buy bespoke coverage

Katy Nastro, spokesperson for Going.com, formerly known as Scott's Cheap Flights, told "GMA" that first and foremost, folks need to "understand all the ways in which you are already protected before dishing out for things you don't need."

"When it comes to flight insurance, under federal law, you are already protected to get a full refund or rebooked on a significantly delayed flight or cancellation, regardless of the reason," she said. "With new regulations that airlines must comply with by the end of October, seeing your refund back to your payment method will get a lot faster and more seamless."

Nastro said "many travel credit cards already have built-in trip insurance that can protect you when the unexpected happens," citing perks from the Chase Sapphire Reserve card that provide "reimbursements up to $10,000 per person for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses when an interruption happens."

You should always buy insurance for one simple reason -- when you start thinking -- 'I hope we have insurance,' it's one minute too late

"These cards often pay sooner than the airlines do for expenses due to misplaced bags," she added.

Nastro also suggested to check on coverage across state lines with any existing medical or car insurance policies, which could help cut down on costs.

"Specifically, when it comes to medical insurance, medical care around the world is generally a fraction of the cost compared to what it is in the U.S. So, while it could be good to have if you need stitches in Vietnam, it probably won't break the bank," she said.

Because travel insurance is subjective, Nastro said "it's worth considering when you exhaust your existing coverages to see where you might have some gaps."

Editor’s Picks

Experts say you may want to take out travel insurance before your next trip

Travel experts' advice to save on flights, hotels by booking opposite season.

Protect your luggage with these travel security essentials

How does travel insurance work and what's actually covered?

"A great example is when you have a trip with multiple components that aren't purchased together, like a flight and cruise," Nastro told "GMA." "The cruise won't wait when your flight has been rebooked for the next day, so in this scenario, it might be worth looking at insurance on the cruise portion. You can typically add insurance after the fact, but reading the fine print is critical."

"Trip or travel insurance tends to be cheaper to buy, but is restricted to what is actually covered and often has red tape in terms of getting that reimbursement. For example, if you have an illness and need to cancel your trip, policies might require a doctor's note," she continued.

She added, "Travel insurance with 'cancel for any reason' policies tends to be more expensive to purchase, but more inclusive in terms of what is considered a 'covered' reason. The biggest caveat is that they offer a partial refund -- 50% to 75% of nonrefundable expenses."

When it comes to weather, she reiterated that reading the fine print is critical, because "the coverage typically offered is for extreme weather and scenarios where the operator cannot operate for 24 hours or more, so a typical summer thunderstorm won't make the cut."

Green added that, generally, if a customer buys travel insurance from an airline provider, since the carrier "doesn't know all the details of your trip" beyond the price and date of the flight, "if you're renting a car and traveling around -- or staying in a $4,000 hotel, you might only have $1,000 worth of insurance because at the checkout screen of American or United or Delta, they just didn't know about those costs."

"That's why I think it makes a lot more sense to buy insurance directly from either a website portal or an agent that can show you the main limits, so you know all the things you spent are covered as part of the policy," he said.

As Nastro pointed out, payment for claims can become a sticky situation, which is why Green helped craft an more seamless way to alleviate issues by providing the reassurance of immediate reimbursement: "If you have Apple Pay or Google Pay, you can access that money instantly after the claim is settled," he told "GMA."

What is shoulder season? Experts tips to save on airfare, hotels in opposite seasons

Green co-founded Faye just before the COVID-19 pandemic sent the travel industry into a tailspin, but said now, "the concern on the American mind more than anything is who's gonna pay for this? Especially in these days of inflation, if you're paying significant amounts of money for travel, and something goes wrong, you'd like to at least be made whole."

3 categories to consider for travel insurance coverage

Green explained that travel insurance can generally be broken into three categories: your investment in the trip, your belongings such as luggage and passports, and your health.

For anyone booking travel on their own, without a travel agent or adviser, Green highlighted the difference between buying travel insurance directly versus clicking "yes" on an app or checkout screen.

"You're not always being offered insurance that's in your best interest if you're just hoping that whatever your credit card comes with, or whatever your airline gives you at the end of the checkout is going to provide everything you need," he said.

He noted that one important tip for any type of travel coverage purchase is "the earlier you tell your insurance company that something has gone wrong, the more likely it is that they can help you while you're on your trip -- and helping sometimes means paying for expenses so that you don't have to be out of pocket and get reimbursement."

Weather-specific products for travel inconveniences

Products like Sensible Weather offer more specific elements to cover scenarios such as rain during a beach vacation or lack of snow for a ski trip, which may derail plans.

"The idea of travel inconvenience payments, it just takes the sting out of things," Green said. "In those scenarios, you just get a fixed, agreed amount of money -- sort of no questions asked -- You just have to prove that you actually experienced the loss in question, and then you get the full amount."

"You should always buy insurance for one simple reason -- because usually at the point when you start thinking to yourself, 'Wow, I hope we have insurance,' it's one minute too late," Green said. "Hurricane season is the perfect example of that. Once a hurricane is named, you generally can't make any claims related to the hurricane if you didn't already buy a policy."

"What we're learning about the current hurricane season is the weather is becoming unpredictable all the time," Green said. "We've heard about days where the weather was so hot in Phoenix that airplanes couldn't take off from the tarmac, hurricanes coming sooner than expected, or power failures causing an airport to not be able to operate -- and because those things are so unpredictable, playing the game of wait and see before buying your insurance rarely make sense versus justbuying it around the time you buy your trip and not having to worry about that aspect again."

How much plans cost and limitations

"There is no one size fits all when it comes to travel insurance," Green noted.

However, he said "there are rules of thumb" that industry experts often follow: "You should be willing to spend up to 10% of the cost of your trip on your insurance."

"The two biggest factors that usually affect the cost of your insurance is your age at the time of purchase, not at the time of travel, and the value of your trip," he said, adding that "every company is different."

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