The 2 Most Popular Types of Travel Insurance (2024)

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The 2 Most Popular Types of Travel Insurance (1)There are only two types of travel insurance that most travelers buy.

(In fact, one type of plan is so common…it represents over 94% of travel insurance sales)

Even though there are specialty plans designed for unique needs, they are too specialized for the majority of travelers taking a vacation. The vast majority of travel insurance customers fit into these two areas.

The two basic types of travel insurance are:

1. Vacation Plans

Provides the most coverage (including trip cancellation)

When people think of ‘travel insurance’, they are thinking of a Vacation Plan.

Vacation Plans are also called Package Plans, Travel Insurance, Trip Cancellation Insurance, or Trip Insurance,…but they are all referring to a Vacation Plan.

This type of plan provides the most coverage in a single package, including cancellations, medical emergencies, evacuations, loss or delays, luggage, assistance, and more.

Vacation plans are very popular with travelers because they provide a simple solution to their needs.

Over 94% of travel insurance sales are Vacation Plans

These plans are the top seller because they provide all the coverages that travelers tend to look for.

Vacation plans include coverage for:

  • Canceled trips
  • Interrupted trips
  • Medical emergencies
  • Emergency evacuation
  • Delayed baggage or trips
  • Lost baggage
  • 24/7 Assistance
  • and several other coverages

If you are looking for ‘travel insurance’ for your next vacation, you need a vacation plan.

2. Travel Medical Plans

Medical coverage while traveling abroad

Regular health insurance plans provide partial or no coverage while you are traveling outside your home country. Travel Medical Insurance plans provide coverage above and beyond your regular health provider.

Travel medical plans are for travelers leaving their home country who are not concerned with cancellation

This type of plan focuses on medical emergencies, evacuation, and sometimes life insurance. A travel medical insurance plan are perfect if you are traveling outside your home country and are not concerned with cancellation, interruption, delays, and baggage.

Travel medical plans focus on coverage for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Emergency evacuations

Some types of travel medical plans provide benefits such as medical coverage for pre-existing conditions, multi-trip and renewable protection, emergency medical evacuation, and coverage for long-term travel abroad.

Specialty plans (evacuation-only, travel accident, rental car)

Beyond the two basic types, there are specialized plans to meet unique needs, and we want to at least mention them here.

Evacuation plans focus on emergency evacuations, and are often sold on an annual basis as a membership. With an evacuation plan, the company arranges transport, and you won’t lose your savings to a costly emergency medical evacuation

Accident plans provide life insurance style coverage for travelers. It pays benefits if you should have a serious injury that results in dismemberment or loss of life. Benefits paid by these accident plans are in addition to any benefits paid by separate life insurance plans.

Vacation plans are best because they combine the most coverage in a single plan

The vast majority of travelers choose a vacation plan because they provide the most coverage in a single plan.

Get a quote using acomparison website such as Squaremouth.com.

Next in the series:
Next we will look at How to select a plan based on your needs, where you will discover a simple process for analysing your needs and picking a plan based on your trip criteria.

Go back to the Travel Insurance 101 series.

The 2 Most Popular Types of Travel Insurance (2024)

FAQs

What are the two 2 basic types of travel insurance? ›

What type of travel insurance do I need? There are two main types of travel insurance: trip protection plans and travel medical plans.

What is the most common type of travel insurance? ›

Over 94% of travel insurance sales are Vacation Plans

Vacation plans include coverage for: Canceled trips. Interrupted trips. Medical emergencies.

What is the most common travel insurance claim? ›

By far, the most common and often most significant travel insurance claim is for medical emergencies. A sudden illness or injury during your trip can not only ruin your plans but also cause a severe financial strain.

Can you have 2 travel insurance policies for the same trip? ›

Yes, it is possible, and sometimes smart, to purchase multiple travel insurance policies for the same trip.

What are the two main insurance? ›

Although there are many insurance policy types, some of the most common are life, health, homeowners, and auto.

Is Allianz travel insurance good? ›

Allianz is a popular choice among business travelers due to its AllTrips Executive travel insurance policy with coverage for lost, stolen or damaged business equipment and rental car insurance. Earning 4.1 out of 5 stars, our expert reviewers think Allianz is a great choice for international travel insurance.

What are the types of travel insurance? ›

Types of travel insurance: There are several types of categories of travel insurance including:
  • Trip cancellation. ...
  • Travel medical and major medical. ...
  • Emergency medical evacuation. ...
  • Accidental death and dismemberment. ...
  • Baggage loss. ...
  • Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policies.

What is standard travel insurance? ›

Your travel insurance should always include the following cover: medical expenses and cover for getting you home if you're injured or fall ill abroad. personal injury and cover for accidents or damage caused by you. cover for lost or damaged items.

What are two disadvantages travel insurance? ›

Cost: Travel insurance will add to the overall cost of your trip. Some may choose to forgo it to save money, especially on shorter or less expensive trips. Exclusions and Limitations: Policies may have various exclusions and limitations, so it's essential to read the fine print.

Is 50000 enough for travel insurance? ›

Every plan is different, but the coverage amounts and benefits may vary. Determine how much you really need. For example, SquareMouth recommends international travelers get around $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $100,000 for cruises or travel to remote areas.

What is a Common Carrier in travel insurance? ›

A Common Carrier is typically defined as any public and ticketed transportation, such as a flight, bus or train. Coverage is generally excluded if a traveler is driving their own vehicle, piloting their own plane, or acting as crew.

Is it better to get single trip or annual travel insurance? ›

Benefits and drawbacks of annual travel insurance

An annual policy can be better value for money. Depending on your age and where you're travelling to, it can work out cheaper than buying individual single trip policies for each trip you take.

Is it better to have primary or secondary travel insurance? ›

Although Primary Medical Insurance is not always superior to Secondary coverage, it can make payment easier if you have to make a claim. It's better to deal with only one insurance carrier (Primary) than two (Secondary).

Is it worth adding travel insurance? ›

Travel insurance can be useful, but it's not always necessary. The key to knowing if you need travel insurance is figuring out your specific risks for any given vacation, then deciding if you can buy coverage that adequately protects you from any financial losses and pitfalls that might occur.

What is travel insurance basic vs comprehensive? ›

Basic travel insurance (medical only)

Basic policies still cover your health and medical emergencies. They usually don't cover your property or cancellation costs. If they do, the conditions are more restrictive, and claim limits are much lower. Usually, they have a much higher excess than comprehensive policies.

What is not covered by Allianz travel insurance? ›

Claims due to known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, government prohibitions, warnings, or travel advisories or fear of travel are generally not covered (coverage can vary by state.)

Are there different levels of travel insurance? ›

The main types of travel insurance include trip cancellation or interruption coverage, baggage and personal effects coverage, medical expense coverage, and accidental death or flight accident coverage.

What is the best travel insurance company? ›

Our Rankings of the Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024
  • Faye: Our top pick.
  • Travelex Insurance: Our pick for families.
  • Nationwide Travel Insurance: Our pick for cruise travel.
  • Tin Leg Travel Insurance: Our pick for customizable coverage.
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Our pick for luxury travelers.
May 14, 2024

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