cheap travel insurance comparison

Find the Best Travel Insurance & Avoid Costly Surprises

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• Side-by-Side Comparison
• 3 Million+ Travelers Insured

Explore Travel Insurance Types and Quotes

Standard single trip policies.

Our top plan type that covers cancellations, medical emergencies, delays, and luggage, protecting you from purchase to return.

Annual / Multi Trip Policies

A cost-effective choice for frequent travelers, these plans include medical, delay, and luggage benefits, with optional add-ons for trip cancellation or interruption.

Cruise Insurance Policies

Offers comprehensive protection for land and sea trips, with high medical coverage and weather safeguards.

Adventure & Sports Policies

Adrenaline-seeker? No problem. These plans cover lost or delayed sports equipment, cancellations, and medical emergencies.

Quote, Compare, and Go

Finding the best coverage for your trip is easy. Get personalized quotes from top providers in minutes.

Tell us some basic details about your trip to start your quote and we’ll handle the rest.

See how plans from the best travel insurance companies compete side-by-side.

Choose the perfect policy at the lowest price and travel with peace of mind.

Join More Than 3 Million Protected Travelers

Let’s face it, traveling these days can be expensive. That’s why we make it quick and easy to compare affordable travel insurance policies from the nation’s most trusted providers. Since your trip deserves the best coverage, we make sure that every plan on our site is carefully vetted and backed by real customer reviews.

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What Travel Insurance Benefits Do I Need?

Check out the comprehensive benefits our providers offer and find the perfect policy to meet your travel needs.

What Coverage is the Most Important?

Squaremouth customer reviews.

More than 99% of customers would recommend Squaremouth to others. Read what a few of them had to say about their recent experience buying travel insurance.

Great price

"I looked for alternative travel insurance besides Allianz. I'm glad I searched because I got just what I needed and a very good price!"

Kent from MA 06/20/2024

Easy to Use

"Squaremouth makes shopping for travel insurance easy by allowing a side-by-side comparison of policies and offering endlessly customizable filters."

Stephanie from MI 06/12/2024

10 star customer service

"Beyond best in class service levels. The expertise and information shared was amazing."

Susan from GA 06/03/2024

Great selection, Easy choosing

"It's always good to see all choices when decisions about insurance are concerned. I always go to Squaremouth when I need travel insurance."

Spencer from NV 06/03/2024

"Website was easy to navigate. Numerous options for insurance. Excellent filter opportunities."

Featured Articles

Our topic experts keep a constant pulse on the travel industry so we can provide the most current information and recommendations based on today's traveler needs.

Most Popular Types of Travel Insurance

When it comes to travel insurance, there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all" policy. Discover the different types of travel insurance coverage you should consider for your upcoming trip.

10 Ways to Get Great Coverage For Less

When it comes to travel insurance, more expensive does not necessarily mean better. We uncover 10 proven tactics you can use during your search to lower premiums without sacrificing protection.

Our Travel Insurance Experts are Available

Have questions? We have answers.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Travel insurance is designed to cover out-of-pocket expenses relating to an unforeseen disruption to your trip. The majority of policies sold through Squaremouth are comprehensive and offer coverage for trip cancellations, medical emergencies, significant delays, and mishandled or lost luggage.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

Comprehensive travel insurance usually costs between 5% to 10% of your insured trip expenses. Factors like your trip cost, age, trip length, and coverage needs can impact pricing . You can lower your premium by comparing plans and choosing policies that don’t include cancellation coverage.

What Should I Look for When Comparing Travel Insurance?

There’s no one-size-fits-all policy when it comes to travel insurance. When comparing plans, you should consider the following:

• Benefits: The situations and expenses that are covered by a travel insurance policy.
• Coverage Limits: The maximum dollar amount that will be reimbursed within each benefit.
• Exclusions: Specific activities, expenses, and scenarios that are not covered in the event of a claim.
• Premium: The cost of the policy for your specific trip.
• Provider Reputation: Based on past customer reviews regarding interactions with assistance services and the claims experience.

Will My Policy Cover Trip Cancellations?

Yes, many comprehensive travel insurance plans cover cancellations for reasons like sudden illness, injury, death of a family member, natural disasters, or unexpected work obligations. Policies with Trip Cancellation benefits usually offer 100% reimbursement for prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.

Where Can I Buy Travel Insurance?

Travelers can purchase travel insurance directly from providers, through a comparison site like Squaremouth, or directly through a travel supplier when booking. Credit cards and travel agents are other sources to consider. Choosing the right travel insurance company can take time. We recommend comparing plans from at least 3-5 providers before buying.

Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for International Travel?

Travel insurance is not typically required when traveling overseas. The majority of travel insurance customers purchase their plans voluntarily for peace of mind and financial protection. With that said, some destinations or organized tours may require proof of international health insurance that lasts for the duration of your trip.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Canceled Flights?

Yes, the majority of travel insurance plans provide reimbursement if your flight is canceled and your travel plans are significantly delayed. You may be eligible for coverage through your policy’s Travel Delay or Trip Cancellation benefit depending on how soon you’re able to be rebooked.

Is Travel Insurance Necessary for International Travel?

Travel insurance acts as a financial safety net as you explore the world. Since most U.S. healthcare plans don’t extend coverage overseas, travel insurance can act as an international health insurance plan that protects you from unexpected medical expenses you may face during a trip. While rare, certain destinations or tour operators may require proof of travel insurance that lasts for the duration of your trip.

Are Pre-Existing Conditions Covered by Travel Insurance?

It depends. Many travel insurance plans exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, but some offer wavers, if you purchase within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit. Check your policy details carefully to understand the specifics.

What’s the Difference Between Single-Trip and Annual Travel Insurance?

Single-trip travel insurance covers you for one specific trip and is the most popular choice. Annual Travel Insurance on the other hand, covers multiple trips within a year. If you travel frequently, an annual plan can be more cost-effective and convenient than buying individual policies for each trip.

How Do I File A Travel Insurance Claim?

Each provider will have their own unique claims process. However, most will include the following steps:

• Contact your insurer: Notify them as soon as possible about the incident.
• Gather documentation: Collect relevant documents, such as police reports, medical records, or receipts for expenses incurred.
• Complete the claim form: Fill out the insurer's claim form with accurate details.
• Follow up: Stay in touch with the insurer for updates on your claim status.

View our Claims Center for more information on filing a travel insurance claim.

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

8 Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies Worth the Cost

Trawick International »

World Nomads Travel Insurance »

AXA Assistance USA »

Generali Global Assistance »

Seven Corners »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

IMG Travel Insurance »

WorldTrips »

Why Trust Us

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

Table of Contents

• Trawick International
• World Nomads Travel Insurance
• AXA Assistance USA

There are plenty of smart ways to save money on your travel plans, but refusing to buy travel insurance isn't necessarily one of them. Not having travel insurance can mean being on the hook for exorbitant medical bills or costs for emergency transportation if you become sick or injured during your trip. You could also face significant financial losses if your trip is delayed or your bags are lost or stolen, and without travel insurance you won't have a third party to rely on for assistance.

Buying affordable travel insurance makes more sense than skipping this coverage altogether, so read on to find out which companies offer the cheapest plans and all the protections you can get for a low cost.

How We Chose the Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies

To determine the cheapest travel insurance companies, U.S. News created sample traveler profiles for three separate eight-day trips to different destinations (the Cayman Islands, Spain and California) at a range of price points ($6,500, $10,500 and $8,500, respectively). We used that information to get quotes for the cheapest option for 100% trip cancellation coverage for each trip. We then calculated the average cost of the trips.

The travel insurance companies that made our ranking have a high credit rating and offer the lowest average cost, outlined below. (Note: The sample average costs are not price quotes from U.S. News. To find a travel insurance price quote, use the "View plans" link to enter your trip details and find more information.)

• Generali Global Assistance
• Seven Corners
• Allianz Travel Insurance
• IMG Travel Insurance
• Trip cancellation coverage (up to $30,000) for 100% of the insured vacation
• Trip interruption coverage (up to $30,000) for 100% of the insured vacation
• Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000 ($150 per day for delays of 12 hours or more)
• $750 in coverage for lost and damaged luggage; $200 for baggage delays
• Up to $500 in coverage for missed connections of three hours or more
• Up to $50,000 in emergency medical coverage ($750 sublimit for emergency dental)
• Up to $200,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation

SEE FULL REVIEW »

• Up to $2,500 of trip protection for cancellation or interruption
• Up to $1,000 in coverage of lost, stolen or damaged baggage; up to $750 for baggage delays on your outward journey
• Up to $100,000 in emergency medical insurance; $750 dental sublimit
• Up to $300,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
• 24-hour travel assistance services
• Up to 100% coverage for trip cancellation and interruption
• Up to $500 in coverage for trip delays ($100 per day)
• Up to $500 in coverage for missed connections
• Up to $25,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses
• Up to $100,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
• Up to $750 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $200 for baggage delays
• Up to $10,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
• Up to $25,000 in coverage for common carrier AD&D
• Coverage up to 100% of the insured vacation for trip cancellation
• Up to 125% of the insured vacation cost for trip interruption
• Travel delay coverage worth up to $1,000 per person ($150 per person daily limit)
• Up to $1,000 per person for lost, damaged or stolen bags; $200 per person for baggage delays
• Up to $500 per person for missed connections
• Up to $50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
• Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency assistance and transportation
• AD&D coverage for air travel worth up to $50,000 per person ($100,000 per plan)
• Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000
• Trip interruption coverage up to 100% of the cost of the trip
• Trip delay coverage worth up to $600 (for six-hour delays; $200 limit per person per day)
• Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $500
• Baggage delay coverage worth up to $500 (for six-hour delays; $100 per day)
• Missed cruise or tour coverage worth up to $500 ($250 per day)
• Emergency accident and sickness medical coverage worth up to $100,000 (secondary coverage)
• Up to $750 in emergency dental coverage
• Up to $250,000 in protection for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $10,000 per traveler
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to $10,000 per traveler
• Travel delay coverage worth up to $300 ($150 per day)
• Luggage loss and damage protection up to $500 per traveler
• Baggage delay coverage worth up to $200 per day
• Emergency medical and dental coverage up to $10,000 ($500 for dental expenses)
• Emergency medical transportation coverage worth up to $50,000
• 24-hour hotline assistance
• Up to 100% in coverage for trip cancellation
• Trip interruption benefit worth up to 125% of the trip cost
• Up to $500 for travel delays per person ($125 daily maximum per person)
• Up to $750 for lost, damaged or stolen bags ($250 maximum per item)
• Up to $150 in luggage delay coverage
• Up to $100,000 in emergency medical coverage
• Up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of trip cost (up to $10,000)
• Trip interruption coverage up to 100% of trip cost
• Up to $500 in coverage for travel delays (five-hour delay required; $100 daily limit)
• Coverage worth up to $1,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage ($250 per item)
• Coverage worth up to $200 for baggage delays of 12 hours or more
• Up to $250 in coverage for airline reissue or cancellation fees
• Up to $250 in coverage for reinstatement of frequent traveler awards
• Emergency medical and illness coverage worth up to $10,000
• Up to $500 in coverage for emergency dental expenses
• Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
• AD&D coverage worth up to $10,000
• Travel assistance services

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

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

You might also be interested in:

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

Holly Johnson

These are the scenarios when travel insurance makes most sense.

9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

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

The 5 Best International Travel Insurance Companies for 2024

International travel insurance is a must-have for every trip abroad, and for more reasons than one.

Does My Health Insurance Cover International Travel?

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

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6 best travel insurance companies of July 2024

Travel insurance can reimburse you if your trip is upended by unforeseen events, from alost bag to a medical emergency..

Whether you're taking a family vacation or a romantic cruise , travel insurance can help if the unexpected happens. From trip cancellations to lost luggage to medical emergencies, the right policy can protect you financially and provide you with peace of mind.

There are several common types of travel insurance coverage:

• Trip cancellation : Reimburses travel expenses if you can't travel because of a covered reason, like illness, death in the family or jury duty.
• Travel delay: Helps cover expenses if your travel is delayed due to a covered event. 
• Trip interruption: Can refund expenses if you need to cut your trip short for a covered reason, such as an injury or illness or a family emergency at home.
• Baggage loss: Covers expenses due to lost, damaged or stolen luggage or personal items.
• Medical expenses and emergency evacuation: Can cover medical care and transport if you travel outside the U.S. and your health insurance isn't available.

CNBC Select analyzed dozens of different U.S. travel insurance providers and narrowed down the top seven for all sorts of travelers. (Read more about our methodology below.)

Best travel insurance companies

• Best for lost baggage: AXA Assistance USA  
• Best for families: Travel Guard
• Best build-your-own coverage: American Express
• Best for trip cancellation: Allianz Travel Insurance
• Best for medical emergencies: USI Affinity
• Best for cruise insurance: Nationwide
• Best for luxury travel: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Best for lost baggage 

Axa assistance usa travel insurance.

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

Policy highlights

AXA Assistance USA offers several travel insurance policies that include travel interruption, trip cancellation, and the option of cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

24/7 assistance available

• Three tiers of plans available
• Highly rated for financial strength
• Cancel for any reason only available on highest-tier coverage

Who's this for? AXA Assistance USA offers three tiers of travel insurance. The basic Silver plan covers trip interruption, delay and cancellation, as well as coverage for baggage and personal effects.

Standout benefits: AXA's Platinum plan reimburses $500 per item for lost luggage and has a maximum $3,000 payout, both of which are higher than several competitors.

[ Jump to more details ]  

Best for families

Travel guard® travel insurance.

Travel Guard offers a variety of plans to suit travel ranging from road trips to long cruises. For air travelers, Travel Guard can help track luggage and cover lost or delayed baggage.

Read our AIG Travel Guard review

• Adult policies comes with coverage for one child under 17
• 24/7 customer assistance
• Emergency medical care and evacuation limits can be doubled
• Cancel For Any Reason policy only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.
• Standard medical emergency coverage limit is lower than some competitors
• Not all products are available for purchase online

Who's this for? AIG Travel Guard is a strong option because of its variety of coverage types. With three base packages available online and even more options if you work with a representative, there are many ways to customize your policy. 

Standout benefits: Travel Guard's Deluxe, Preferred and Essential plans all include free coverage for one child age 17 or younger when a related adult purchases a policy.

Best build-your-own coverage

American express travel insurance.

American Express Travel Insurance offers four standard plans and a "build your own" plan, with coverage options including travel interruption, trip cancellation and baggage protection. While American Express cardholders enjoy some travel protections , a standalone policy can include benefits not included with Amex cards, including emergency medical and dental coverage, medical evacuation and travel accident protection in cases of death or dismemberment while traveling.

• Don't need to be an Amex cardholder to get coverage
• Emergency medical and travel accident protection offered
• 24-hour assistance available with all plans
• Basic rates somewhat higher than competition
• Cancel for any reason not available
• Only higher tiers include travel accident protection and global trip delay coverage.

Who's this for? American Express Travel Insurance has several optional add-ons if you need to customize — including global medical protection and baggage protection — each with adjustable payout limits and requirements.

Standout benefits: These standalone policies are available to anyone, not just American Express cardholders, and include emergency medical coverage and travel accident protection.

Best for trip cancellation

Allianz travel insurance.

10 travel insurance plans to customize your coverage. Allianz's OneTrip Prime and Premier policies cover one child age 17 or younger when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

Read our review of Allianz Travel Insurance

• OneTrip Prime and Premier plans cover one child under 17 for free
• Cancel For Any Reason coverage reimburses 80% of nonrefundable trip costs.
• 15-day review period is longer than most
• Pre-existing medical condition waiver available with all plans
• Rates are higher than the national average
• Limited options for adventure travel
• CFAR insurance must be purchased through a travel agent
• No discounts available

Who's this for? Allianz has 10 different travel insurance policies, so you can find coverage for a single excursion or a year's worth of trips.

Standout benefits: Instead of Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage , Allianz offers a cancel anytime add-on that reimburses up to 80% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. Many other providers cap CFAR coverage at 50% to 75%. 

Best for medical emergencies

Usi affinity travel insurance.

USI Affinity has travel medical policies in addition to trip cancellation policies. Travel medical plans include an option for frequent travelers to cover multiple trips. Trip cancellation options include coverage for road trips and group travel.

• Wide variety of plans for both trip cancellation coverage and travel medical insurance
• CFAR only covers up to 70% of non-refundable trip costs

Who's this for? If you're traveling outside the country, USI Affinity has several options with flexible medical coverage.

Standout benefits: I nterMedical Insurance® combines medical and evacuation coverage and will cover any number of trips in a year, up to 90 days each.

Best for cruise insurance

Nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide's wide coverage for travel insurance allows many different types of travelers to find coverage that fits their needs. Three levels of cruise insurance coverage gives extra options to cruise passengers.

• 10-day review period on cruise insurance policies to make sure the plan meets your needs (not available in NY or WA)
• Most basic cruise plan doesn't offer CFAR coverage

Who's this for? Nationwide offers cruise-specific policies that can cover accidents, illness, itinerary changes, trip interruptions and more.

Standout benefits: Nationwide offers three tiers of cruise insurance — universal, choice and luxury — and a 10-day review period on its cruise policies to give you time to make sure it's a good fit (not available in New York or Washington). 

Best for luxury travel 

Berkshire hathaway travel protection.

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

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

Who's this for? Berkshire Hathaway ’s LuxuryCare travel insurance has high limits for trip interruption coverage, medical expenses, and coverage for things like sporting equipment.

Standout features: Luxury travel can take many forms, so it's helpful that Berkshire Hathaway also covers cruises and adventure travel. 

More on our top travel insurance companies

Axa assistance usa.

AXA Assistance USA has over 20 years of experience in the travel insurance space and is backed by the large insurance group AXA.

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage

Yes, up to 75% of non-refundable travel expenses available on platinum plan 

A.M. Best rating

[ Return to summary ]  

Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard has the global presence you need with travel insurance.

Available as an upgrade

American Express

Backed by Amex Assurance Company, American Express Travel Insurance is available to any U.S. resident traveling abroad.

Allianz covers more than 55 million travelers a year and has strong ratings for financial strength from A.M. Best.

Yes, up to 80% of non-refundable travel costs

USI Affinity

USI Affinity offers robust travel insurance plans that cover trip cancellation and medical plans, including options for group policies.

Yes, up to 70% of non-refundable trip costs (not available to New York residents)

Nationwide is a mainstay for homeowners and car insurance and offers versatile travel insurance for those going overseas.

Yes, up to 75% of non-refundable travel costs

Berkshire Hathaway

Specializing in high-end vacations, Berkshire Hathaway 's travel insurance policies are versatile and strong enough to cover unique adventures.

Yes, only available on LuxuryCare travel insurance plans

Is travel insurance worth it? 

Whether travel insurance is worth it depends on many different factors, including if you have coverage from another source, like a travel credit card . A travel insurance policy could be useful if much of your trip is non-refundable, if you have a lot of connections, if you're traveling somewhere your health insurance won't be available or if you've planned risky activities like skiing or hang-gliding.

How much does travel insurance cost?

The average travel insurance plan costs between 4% and 10% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. The price of a specific policy varies based on the cost of the trip, the payout limits, the age of the travelers, additional coverage added to the policy and other factors. 

What does travel insurance not cover?

Travel insurance typically doesn't cover foreseeable events, like epidemics or hurricanes announced before you bought your plan. In addition, pre-existing health conditions are almost always excluded unless you purchase a premium plan with a waiver. If you do cancel, it must be for a reason cited on your policy, like a death in the family, not just because you changed your mind.

What is Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance?

While travel insurance policies have a narrow list of reasons you can cancel your plans and still be reimbursed, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance is an optional add-on that gives you much more flexibility. CFAR policies usually refund 50% to 80% of your trip costs but can as much as 40% more than the standard plans. And, despite their name, there are still some exclusions.

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Why trust CNBC Select?

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

Our methodology 

To determine the best travel insurance companies, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of U.S. travel insurance companies that come with a wide variety of policies and offer coverage for many situations. 

When narrowing down the best travel insurance companies, we focused on the coverage available, including the number of plans available, 24/7 assistance availability and cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage availability. We also considered financial strength ratings from AM Best and Better Business Bureau ratings for customer satisfaction. 

From there, we sorted our recommendations by the best for lost baggage and personal belongings, best for customization, best build-your-own coverage, best for cancellation coverage, best for travel medical plans, best for cruise insurance and best for luxury travel.

Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for travel insurance companies are subject to fluctuate per the company’s policies.

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How To Find Cheap Travel Insurance for Your Next Trip | Money

Travel insurance can cover your medical bills if you experience an injury or illness during your holiday. Depending on the policy you select, the best travel insurance policies can also cover trip interruption, lost baggage, rental car damage and emergency evacuations.

If you’ve invested a good deal of money on pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses or are planning an extended vacation, you don’t want to leave on a trip without protecting yourself from the unforeseen. But you also don’t want to overpay for that sense of security.

Read on to learn how to find cheap travel insurance for your next trip and get tips on buying the right coverage to meet your needs.

How much does travel insurance cost?

The cost of travel insurance varies significantly. According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, you can expect to pay between 4% and 8% of your total trip cost on a travel insurance policy. The exact price will depend on the trip’s length, your age and the coverage amount you select, among other factors.

For example, if your trip costs $5,000, you’ll pay between $200 and $400 for travel insurance. However, if you’re older or planning to be out of the country for a prolonged period, you can expect your insurance premium to reflect those risks.

You may also pay more or less depending on the type of coverage you purchase. For instance, a policy with trip cancellation and medical evacuation coverage will likely cost more than one that provides travel medical benefits only.

What is considered cheap for travel insurance?

Your definition of affordability may be very different from that of other travelers. So, if you want to find the least expensive travel insurance option, there’s no getting around comparison shopping. Cheap travel insurance can be any policy that affords the coverage you need at a lower price point than other options.

Say you’re traveling with professional equipment like cameras. Purchasing a medical-only travel insurance policy could be more affordable than buying one that provides generous coverage for baggage loss and personal effects. However, going for the cheaper option may result in higher out-of-pocket costs if your bags are lost or stolen.

How to find cheap travel insurance for an upcoming trip

Finding the most affordable travel insurance will require some legwork. Here are some tips to make your search easier.

1. Only purchase the travel insurance coverage you need

Buying more insurance coverage than you need will increase your expenses. With that in mind, it’s best to start by understanding what travel insurance covers and then defining your needs.

Most travel insurers offer different plan tiers with various levels of coverage. Plans that cover more scenarios and offer higher coverage limits will cost more. Purchasing add-ons like rental car coverage will further increase the cost of your policy.

So, for example, you probably don’t need a policy that covers baggage delay or flight cancellation if you’re driving over the border into Canada. Instead, you can save money by selecting a more basic plan offering only emergency medical and personal effects coverage.

Similarly, paying for an annual travel insurance policy doesn’t make sense if you only leave the country once or twice a year for a couple of days each time. It might sound like a good idea because these plans often offer cheaper medical travel insurance coverage per trip, but they will cost more if you don’t travel frequently enough to make them worthwhile.

2. Choose the right type of policy for your trip

If you purchase travel insurance, make sure to select a plan that covers the risks you’re likely to face during your trip. For instance, you might go with a policy that covers missed connections and trip delays if your travel plans are complicated and involve numerous stops.

Similarly, if you’re participating in high-risk activities such as rock climbing or scuba diving, look for a policy that covers these, as not all plans do. And if you are taking a cruise, a cruise travel insurance policy can cover risks unique to this form of travel, such as medical emergencies that necessitate an airlift to an on-shore medical facility.

3. Check whether you already have some form of rental car coverage

You’ll need rental car insurance if you’re renting a car during your travels. Depending on your destination, you may already be covered under your car insurance policy. That could be the case if you’re traveling to Canada in a rental vehicle, for example. However, if you’re traveling to Mexico, you’ll need a separate policy.

Similarly, your car insurance policy from back home typically won’t cover you overseas. In that case, you can purchase insurance from a rental car company at your destination or check whether your credit card offers such protection. Many of the best travel credit cards include rental car coverage. If your card does, check whether that coverage is primary or secondary. Secondary coverage applies after you’ve exceeded the limits of any other applicable insurance policies.

With this in mind, you may not need to purchase rental car coverage from your travel insurance company. If your travel insurer offers you a better deal on a collision damage waiver — which is what travel insurers generally offer — call your rental car company first to see if it accepts this form of coverage, as some companies do not.

4. Check your credit card for travel protection benefits

Your credit card may also offer travel protection benefits beyond rental car coverage. Depending on your credit card, you could receive reimbursement for baggage loss and delays, trip interruptions and cancellations, and travel accidents. Some cards also provide emergency medical, dental, and even medical evacuation coverage.

However, every card is different, so contact your credit card issuer to learn what it covers and whether limits and restrictions apply (and they generally do). For example, only trips you purchased with the card would be covered, and you may be required to meet a deductible before coverage kicks in.

Just as with a travel insurance policy, you’ll have to cover any expenses out of pocket and then submit a claim for reimbursement. You’ll also be required to provide documentation to support your claim, such as medical bills. So, whether you purchase travel insurance or rely on your credit card’s travel benefits, always budget for contingencies.

5. Consider purchasing group coverage

Not all companies offering group travel insurance policies consider the travelers’ ages when pricing these plans. That means group coverage may be more affordable than buying individual policies for each group member. If you’re traveling with family, friends or colleagues, shop for group travel insurance instead.

Just keep in mind that group policies aren’t as customizable and coverage limits may be lower than what you need.

6. Comparison shop

We really can’t stress this enough, but comparison shopping is the best way to get a good deal on any kind of insurance, even travel insurance. If you don’t have time to do the legwork yourself, a travel insurance marketplace can help you quickly compare options from various insurers in a single place. It can also give you a better idea of how much travel insurance will cost you .

One possible drawback of doing business with an insurance marketplace is that they don’t partner with all providers, so you could be missing out on a good deal from a carrier the comparison site doesn’t do business with.

Is cheap travel insurance good?

Whether an affordable insurance policy is adequate will depend on what it includes and the specifics of your trip. If you’re flying to multiple countries, a cheap policy that doesn’t cover flight interruption may not suffice. However, that policy may suffice if you drive over the border for a few days and only require basic emergency medical coverage.

A cheap policy that covers all of your main risks is better for you than an expensive plan that doesn’t, so it all comes down to the coverages you need to best protect yourself. When searching for a policy, consider where you’re going, what you’ll be doing and how long you’ll be gone.

Summary of Money’s guide to finding cheap travel insurance for your next trip

Planning a trip takes time, and finding the ideal travel insurance policy will add to your workload. However, travel insurance can give you great peace of mind during your travels by helping you protect your savings. Moreover, affordable options exist.

To save even more on travel insurance, define your coverage needs, check whether you already have other forms of insurance or travel benefits that can protect any aspects of your trip and comparison shop.

© Copyright 2023 Money Group, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Money’s full disclaimer .

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Best Cheap Travel Insurance Companies - Top Plans 2024

On This Page

• Key takeaways

Our picks for the best cheap travel insurance companies of 2024

A breakdown of cheap travel insurance, how to get discount travel insurance, how much does budget travel insurance cost, types of coverage to look for when buying cheap travel insurance, drawbacks of buying a cheap travel insurance plan, our tips for buying good, cheap travel insurance, is cheap travel insurance worth it, faqs on cheap travel insurance.

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Related topics

• Based on our research, the best cheap travel insurance plans of 2024 come from TinLeg, Seven Corners, Travelex, World Trips, IMG, and Nationwide. ( Skip ahead to view these plans)
• The cheapest travel insurance plans will offer medical-only coverage . Adding trip cost reimbursement coverage will roughly double the cost . However, it may still be very affordable .
• Cheap plans may not always be good plans. In this guide, all of the plans we mention are both inexpensive and offer good coverage .
• For solid coverage, choose a plan that offers emergency travel medical coverage , plus coverage for interruptions, and travel delays. Cancellation reimbursement coverage is optional.
• To help save money, identify what coverage you actually need and what you can forego.
• We recommend using a comparison tool to find the cheapest travel insurance as it lets you see quotes multiple providers at once.

You may be surprised to learn that not all cheap travel insurance plans are bad. Many basic travel insurance plans offer sufficient limits for most types of trips.

While it’s important to note that when you opt for a cheap travel insurance plan you will likely have to compromise on fewer coverage types and lower policy limits, it’s easy to find affordable travel insurance policies that include sufficient coverage for the following:

• Travel medical care & emergencies
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Trip interruptions & delays
• Trip cancellations

That said, some travel insurance providers are known for being more affordable than others.

The inexpensive travel insurance plans listed below come from a few providers who consistently appear among the cheapest travel insurance companies.

Our top picks for the best cheap travel insurance

• Tin Leg: Best Value Overall
• IMG: Best for Last-Minute Coverage
• Tin Leg: Best for Robust Coverage
• WorldTrips: Best Medical Evacuation Coverage
• Faye Travel Insurance: Best For User Experience
• Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company: Best Single-Trip Coverage

Best Value Overall

Why We Like It

Editor's take

TinLeg is taking the market by storm and is the proprietary brand of the insurance aggregator Squaremouth.

Not only is the TinLeg brand affordable, but it also offers great, comprehensive coverage and boasts some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings around. There are many plans to choose from under the TinLeg brand, ranging from economy, standard, silver, gold, etc. However, we like the standard plan as the best cheap option.

The standard plan comes with $200,000 in medical evacuation coverage which should be enough for most trips abroad, and also covers $30,000 in medical expense coverage. Depending on how you structure the plan you can get trip interruption & cancellation reimbursement coverage relatively inexpensively. $30,000 in medical coverage should be enough for short trips, however if you need more, you can also request.

When we compared cheap plans from a range of providers, TinLeg was the plan that came out cheapest. It also was noticeably more affordable than the competitors when we added optional trip reimbursement coverage. That said, based on the high customer reviews, ample coverage, and low price, we think TinLeg is the best plan for people on a tight budget.

Read our full review

• Customize from budget to premium coverage
• Protection for COVID-19-related medical expenses included
• All plans come with a 10 to 15-day money-back guarantee
• Standard plan has lower policy limits for medical treatment
• Secondary medical coverage means you must pay first & be reimbursed

Best for Last-Minute Coverage

IMG Global was founded in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1990, and it offers a range of travel coverage options including comprehensive travel insurance, international health insurance, travel protection geared to expats, and more. We like this provider due to their affordable and flexible plans, and the fact you can buy coverage up until the day you depart on your trip.

The iTravelInsured Travel SE travel insurance plan from IMG Global comes with plenty of benefits for families and groups who need to secure coverage for an affordable price. This policy is good for both domestic and international trips, and individuals up to the age of 99 can purchase a plan.

Trips that last up to 180 days can be covered, and the plan includes a trip cancellation benefit worth up to 100% of the prepaid trip cost, travel interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cost, up to $2,000 in protection for trip delays, and up to $500,000 in insurance for emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains. Up to $250,000 in protection for emergency medical expenses is also included.

• Purchase your plan up until one day before you depart
• Generous limits for trip delays, emergency evacuation, and more
• Pre-existing condition waiver available if purchased within 20 days of initial trip deposit
• 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
• Coronavirus-related medical expenses covered
• Plan gets notably more expensive with age

Best for Robust Coverage

Tin Leg is known for offering high-quality travel insurance coverage at a reasonable price.

All Tin Leg policies have an A- rating or better for their financial strength from AM Best. We also like the fact this provider has a budget travel insurance plan with basic protections at an affordable price.

Even though it’s inexpensive, this Economy plan still comes with the most important protections you need for your trip. This includes trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the prepaid trip cost, trip interruption coverage worth up to 100%, specialized protection for hurricanes and weather, up to $20,000 per person in secondary travel protection for emergency medical with no deductible, and up to $100,000 in protection for evacuation and repatriation of remains.

Travelers also qualify for travel delay insurance, insurance for lost or delayed baggage, and 24-hour travel and emergency assistance.

Tin Leg also offers an Adventure plan. This provides coverage if you’re planning to do adventure activities in Costa Rica, such as mountain climbing.

• Choose from budget to premium coverage
• The Budget Economy plan has lower policy limits
• Not all plans let you add on CFAR coverage

Best Medical Evacuation Coverage

WorldTrips offers affordable coverage for individuals and families who need travel medical insurance above all else. This type of travel health insurance is crucial for individuals who have high-risk medical conditions that may cause issues during a trip, as well as expats and retirees who spend significant amounts of time traveling away from their home country.

The Atlas international excl US plan from WorldTrips offers medical coverage that can apply almost anywhere worldwide. This plan lets you customize your health insurance coverage based on the length of your trip and the deductible you want to pay, and COVID-19 coverage for related medical expenses is included. When you purchase this plan, you can get up to $50,000 in protection for unexpected illnesses and injuries, up to $1 million in coverage for emergency medical evacuation, up to $10,000 in protection for trip interruptions, and more.

Basic protection for travel delays and lost checked luggage is also included.

• Covers emergency medical evacuation up to $1 million
• Purchase a plan up to the age of 80
• Limited coverage for lost luggage, travel delays, and trip interruptions is also included
• COVID-19 is covered as any other illness
• Available coverage limits decrease as you age
• Deductibles from $0 to $5,000 can apply to your plan
• Most included coverages are medical-only
• Lower medical treatment limits w/ secondary coverage

Best For User Experience

Faye Travel Insurance

Faye is a new travel insurance disruptor that offers an innovative solution to travel insurance with a digital-first approach. What sets them apart is their user-friendly solution to a traditionally bureaucratic system. With Faye, users can manage everything online or via the Faye app – including the entire booking and claims process.

Although it’s a newer provider in the travel insurance industry, Faye is already rising as a fan favorite among young, tech-savvy travelers and digital nomads who want quick, convenient, and reliable travel insurance without having to go through an agent.

Apart from their online-first approach, Faye is easy to use and caters to all types of travelers including those who may want help via phone support.

Another feature that sets Faye apart from the competition is their plan offerings. Faye offers one base plan with an array of comprehensive coverage and optional add-ons to customize your plan.

Potential Add-ons include:

• Rental car care
• Cancel for any reason
• Vacation rental damage
• Adventure & extreme sports

If you are looking for a convenient and cost-effective way to insure your vacation, consider opting for Faye travel insurance. *Note: Coverage limits and availability may vary by state of residence.

• Friendly agents
• Easy-to-use mobile app
• Fast reimbursements for eligible claims
• Prompt replies to questions
• Long wait times for reimbursement
• Difficulty reaching Faye outside of email & virtual chat

Best Single-Trip Coverage

Nationwide mutual insurance company.

While Nationwide offers high-quality multi-trip travel insurance, we believe their single-trip plans offer a ton of value. In most cases, customers can turn to this company to get basic travel insurance coverage for a very affordable price depending on their travel destination and dates.

The Single-Trip Essential plan from Nationwide offers bare-bones travel insurance protection that’s relatively low-cost for what you get in return.

This plan comes with:

• Up to $10,000 in coverage for trip cancellation
• Up to $12,500 in coverage for trip interruptions
• $150 per day in protection for trip delays ($600 maximum)
• Up to $600 in protection for baggage and personal effects
• $75,000 in emergency medical coverage
• Up to $250,000 in protection for emergency evacuation

Other benefits include $500 in emergency dental coverage, up to $100 in protection for baggage delays, and emergency travel assistance.

• Comes with a 10-day review period
• Relatively high limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation
• The lowest cost for comprehensive coverage across providers we compared
• Baggage delay coverage only kicks in after 12 hours
• Lower coverage limits than other plans we compared
• Emergency medical coverage is secondary to your own insurance (when applicable)

Travel insurance policies are regularly divided into two distinctive groups: medical-only and comprehensive coverage plans. When looking for the cheapest travel insurance, it’s important to understand the trade-off between the price you pay and the coverage you receive.

Below we will break down both medical-only coverage and comprehensive coverage, helping you understand the differences between the two.

Medical-only travel insurance

Medical-only travel insurance plans are policies that simply include coverage for medical-related incidents. Emergency medical coverage will cover you for such things as hospital treatment due to sicknesses, injuries, or accidents that occur during your trip. Alongside this, your medical-only policy will also cover you for emergency medical evacuations - ensuring you are covered should you need to be evacuated to the nearest hospital.

Medical coverage is essential for any vacation and choosing a medical-only plan will inevitably keep your costs down. However, cheap travel insurance isn’t always the best choice and it isn’t without its drawbacks . For a far better range of coverage, paying that little extra for a comprehensive plan can go a long way.

Comprehensive travel insurance

A far better alternative to medical-only travel insurance is a comprehensive travel insurance plan. By paying a little higher on your insurance premiums, you can ensure you are covered for much more than medical emergencies.

A comprehensive plan will include extras such as trip cancellations , loss of baggage, trip interruptions, and much more. By simply choosing the cheapest travel insurance policy, you are possibly leaving yourself open to far higher costs down the line. However, with comprehensive coverage, you are protected should your vacation experience any delays, cancellations, or non-medical mishaps.

Annual travel insurance

An easy way to reduce travel insurance costs is to purchase an annual plan . If you know you will travel at least twice in 12 months, an annual plan will often work out far cheaper than a single policy . Although the overall price will depend on your destination and length of trip, you also have the added comfort of knowing the policy is in place should you decide to take a third trip.

Only purchase the travel insurance coverage you need

It’s also important to focus on what you actually need versus opting for all the bells and whistles since travel insurance gets more expensive with the more coverage you add. For example, a city break to Paris, France may require far less coverage than a two-week trekking holiday in Australia . Insurance providers such as Battleface are ideal for this, as they allow you only to buy the type of coverage you need.

You can find cheap international travel insurance for as little as a few dollars per day depending on where you are going. The cheapest travel insurance plans are almost always emergency medical travel insurance.

Also, the cost of your travel insurance will depend heavily on your age, trip destination and duration, and what type of coverage you are looking for.

Logically, plans get more expensive as you add more types of coverage options.

To keep travel insurance cheap, you should consider forgoing trip cancellation coverage or plans that reimburse you for the total trip cost. Sticking to medical benefits, baggage benefits, and coverage for other inconveniences can help keep you covered without breaking the bank.

To give you an example, we did a cost exercise and got quotes for travel insurance for a trip with the following example parameters:

• Age: 35 years old
• Destination: Mexico
• Trip Length: 14 days
• Trip cost: $3,000
• Date: September, 2024

We compared the cheapest travel insurance plans based on whether or not they reimbursed you for the total trip cost.

Cost Example Where Plan Doesn’t Reimburse Full Trip Cost

As you can see in the example above, travel insurance can cost as little as $1.20/day when you opt for standard coverage. It’s easy to get extremely cheap travel insurance that offers emergency medical coverage, medical evacuation coverage, and other trip incidentals when you forego coverage that reimburses your full trip cost.

In the next table, we will look at how much the same plans would cost if we add coverage that can reimburse you for the full cost of the trip (i.e. hotels, rental cars, flights, etc).

Cost Example Where Plan Will Reimburse The Full Trip Cost

What’s clear from this exercise is that you can get basic travel health coverage for quite cheap including for trips lasting 2 weeks or more.

This is far less than the average cost of insurance oversall. Between January 2023 and January 2024, insurance policies cost, on average, around $307. This being said, the cost of travel insurance can vary between travel insurance providers and depends on the overall cost of your trip.

If you would like to have a look yourself and see how much a cheap travel insurance plan could cost you, the search tool below will pull up plans and prices from multiple providers based on your trip details.

Average insurance premiums

When it comes to travel insurance, cheap plans are not always good plans, much like flight insurance .

So, as you compare insurance companies, it’s important to think about the coverage options you’ll need for your trip to find the best value travel insurance policy for your budget.

Here is a list of essential travel protections you should look for when buying cheap or affordable travel insurance:

Emergency travel medical insurance coverage

Protection for emergency medical expenses is likely the most important protection you should have, particularly if you’re traveling outside of the United States or in an area where your own health insurance will not apply.

For international trips such as to the Bahamas , for example, you should aim to have a minimum of $50,000 in coverage for emergency illnesses and injuries that could occur post-departure.

If you have pre-existing medical issues, look for a policy that covers them with or without an additional charge. Typically, pre-existing conditions are not covered by travel insurance unless you get a plan made for pre-existing conditions or meet the waiver criteria.

For people like senior citizens who are looking for a senior travel insurance plan , you may want to consider paying a bit extra to ensure your pre-existing conditions are covered rather than opting for the cheapest international travel insurance.

COVID-19 coverage

Check to make sure your travel health insurance comes with coverage for COVID and that your travel medical coverage treats coronavirus as every other illness. Fortunately, most insurance companies have expanded their coverage to include COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, so this should not be hard to come by. That said, it’s important to still ensure it’s included.

Medical evacuation coverage

Having adequate coverage for medical evacuation is also crucial , mostly because the cost of this emergency care can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars or more. If you have to be airlifted from the side of a mountain or flown home to receive adequate medical care for a life-threatening illness or injury, you’ll be glad to have this protection.

Generally speaking, you should aim to have at least $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage even if you opt for a budget travel insurance plan.

Protection for travel delays

If you’re looking to purchase cheap international travel insurance for any type of trip, you may want to ensure you have coverage for travel delays in place. This type of insurance can pay for lodging costs, meals, and other incidental expenses that pop up when your flight is delayed for at least six to 12 hours. If you purchased a policy directly from an airline, this type of protection is commonly included. However, you’ll want to check the protection limits as flight insurance plans often aren’t worth it due to lower coverages than traditional travel insurance.

Some travel insurance plans also include travel protection for cruises , which are notorious for leaving late.

Insurance for luggage issues

Lost or delayed baggage is a common occurrence these days, and there’s not much you can do about it if you have to check a bag. For this reason, you may want to buy a travel insurance policy that comes with reimbursement for lost luggage and protection for delayed bags.

Lost luggage reimbursement will typically pay you for misplaced or stolen luggage and personal belongings. Baggage delay coverage will pay you a daily amount (usually $100 to $250) for any clothing, toiletries, and other essentials you buy when your bags are delayed while in transit with a common carrier.

Trip cancellation insurance

Trip cancellation coverage is a godsend when you end up having to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as the run up to a Christmas to trip to Mexico . This type of coverage can kick in when a trip must be canceled for reasons beyond your control, such as the illness, injury, or death of a traveling companion or family member or inclement weather that prevents you from traveling.

While it’s one of the best types of travel insurance to have, it’s important to note that cancellation insurance is one of the variables that can greatly influence the cost of your travel insurance plan. By foregoing this coverage, you can typically save big on your premium. You are can also consider cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage , allowing you to cancel your trip regardelss of the reason.

While we wholeheartedly support buying a cheaper travel insurance plan, there are some drawbacks to keep in mind before you purchase.

Ideally, you will be able to find a plan that meets your needs at an affordable price. However, you may have to compromise to be able to save money on your policy.

Some of the downsides of opting for a cheap travel insurance policy include:

• Lower coverage limits
• Less coverage overall
• Exclusions in the fine print

Cheap travel insurance usually has lower coverage limits

Low-cost travel insurance plans typically come with lower policy limits overall. For example, choosing a cheap insurance policy may mean having $50,000 in emergency medical coverage instead of $250,000 or more, or having limited coverage for perils like baggage delays or lost luggage.

That said, the limits of most travel insurance plans can be customized to meet your needs. Likewise, lower policy limits may be sufficient for the trip you are planning, so it’s important to check your needs before buying.

Inexpensive plans often include fewer types of coverage

Some cheap travel plans exclude certain types of coverage, or they stick to offering medical-only protection and fail to offer non-medical travel insurance altogether. This is not always an issue, but it may not be enough for all types of trips.

If you’re planning on going on multiple trips during the year, it may save you money to buy a multi-trip travel insurance policy instead of multiple single-trip policies.

Sometimes the fine print excludes important coverage

Before you buy an insurance policy that’s cheaper than the rest, make sure to read over the fine print and compare several alternative policies side-by-side. You may find that fine print applies, or that some of the coverage you get is secondary and only applicable after you use your own insurance.

There are several ways to reduce the price of your travel insurance policy, many of which we have covered above.

That said, here are a few tips to help you find a good, cheap travel insurance policy:

Consider foregoing trip reimbursement coverage

Skipping trip reimbursement coverage, such as cancellation insurance, can typically shave $100 or more off the cost of your travel insurance while still affording you important medical coverage.

Skip optional add-ons & unnecessary coverage

Focus only on getting the coverage you actually need. For example, if you are traveling within the U.S. or to another destination where your own health insurance will apply, you may not need to pay for travel insurance that includes medical coverage. In a similar way, travel insurance companies make add-ons tempting, however, they may not be truly necessary. Weigh your options according to your budget and needs, and go from there.

Check your credit card for travel insurance

We recommend checking whether you have a credit card that offers free travel protection. If you do, you may be able to purchase a low-cost travel insurance plan and use your credit card coverage to supplement your paid plan. You can also consider signing up for a new travel credit card that offers some perks and benefits you’ll be able to use. For example, Chase Sapphire travel insurance and American Express travel insurance automatically come with trip cancellation and interruption insurance, primary rental car coverage, baggage delay insurance, trip delay insurance, travel and emergency assistance services, and several other perks.

Get a travel insurance quote from at least three top travel insurance companies

Compare policies from several companies to ensure you get the best deal. We recommend using a travel insurance comparison tool like the one found on our site. Comparison tools take out all of the backwork and allow you to compare multiple providers side-by-side to get a clearer picture of what is being offered and how each plan lines up against the competition. They also allow you to see several price points to ensure you find the best deal for you.

Shop for a policy early

While not always the case, you may have better luck getting a good deal on coverage if you shop as early as you can. Ideally, you’ll begin comparing travel insurance plans as soon as you make your first trip deposit, even if the departure date for your trip is a year or longer away.

Opting for a cheap travel insurance plan is worth the expense if you end up having to use it. While cheap travel insurance plans may not always cover 100% of your non-refundable trip expenses, they can return a large portion of your money in the event of a disaster.

A real-world example happened to one of our LA Times Compare staff editors named Allen. Allen planned a $3,600 trip to the Bahamas toward the end of the pandemic and opted for a cheap travel insurance plan which cost around $50. It was relatively limited and was geared toward trip interruption. He contracted COVID and had to miss his trip, but thanks to the cheap plan he bought, he was able to get $1,600 back from the travel insurance company, as well as some refunds directly offered by the airlines. In the end, he was only left out-of-pocket by a little over $1200. While the cheap policy was limited, it largely bore the brunt of the missed vacation and helped him recover the majority of the trip cost.

Ultimately, insurance is only worth it if you end up having to use it. However, the peace of mind it can bring is invaluable.

What is the cheapest travel insurance plan?

Based on our research and comparison of 30+ providers, Nationwide insurance offered the cheapest travel insurance plans for general/comprehensive coverage. If you wan’t a plan for medical-only coverage, we found that WorldTrips travel insurance offered the most affordable options.

What's a good price for travel insurance?

You can typically find cheap travel insurance plans at around 4% of the total trip cost – sometimes even less.

In general, travel insurance usually costs around 5-6% of the total cost of your trip. Therefore, anything less is considered a good deal.

Ultimately, the exact cost of travel insurance depends on factors like where you’re traveling, when you’re traveling, the length of your trip, and more. Keep in mind that certain types of travel insurance, like Cancel for Any Reason insurance, can increase the price of your trip coverage.

What are the different types of cheap travel insurance?

The cheapest type of travel insurance is basic travel health insurance. However, there are many types of travel coverage included in cheap plans.

The most important types of coverage to look for when opting for cheap travel insurance are trip cancellation coverage, trip interruption protection, trip delay insurance, travel medical coverage, emergency evacuation insurance, and insurance for lost or delayed baggage.

How much does travel insurance cost, on average?

Based on our internal findings, the cost of a budget travel insurance plan ranges from $58 up to $751. However, the price for travel insurance will vary based on the details you input when you get a quote, such as your age, the length of your trip, and your total trip cost.

Is it worth it to pay for travel insurance?

Yes, travel insurance is worth the investment. Paying for travel insurance may seem like a waste of money if you never get to use it, but what this coverage really offers is peace of mind. Having travel insurance in place can make your trip considerably more worry-free, and you’ll have the financial protection you can count on if you become sick or injured during your trip, your bags are lost, or something else goes wrong at the worst possible time.

If you want to ease all your travel-related worries and truly enjoy each trip you’ve worked hard to pay for, investing in a travel insurance policy makes financial sense.

Is there a cheap option for pregnancy travel insurance?

Most affordable travel insurance plans won’t cover scenarios relating to a normal, healthy pregnancy or child birth. However, some may cover unexpected medical complications or emergencies relating to pregnancy. It’s important to check your policy or talk to a representative from the insurance company to understand your coverage and what pregnancy travel insurance benefits they specifically offer.

About the Author

Holly D. Johnson is an award-winning personal finance writer who covers topics like insurance, investing, credit and family finance. As a leading voice in the travel and loyalty space, Johnson has traveled with her family to more than 50 countries over the last decade.

The author has also written extensively on the power of household budgeting, and she even co-authored a book on the topic. Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love was originally published in 2017, and it teaches families how to use zero-sum budgeting to reach their financial goals. She is also the co-owner and founder of the family finance and travel website, ClubThrifty.com.

Johnson’s 10+ years of writing have focused on helping families make important financial decisions at each stage of their lives. The author also applies the financial principles she teaches to her own life, and she is currently on track to retire in her late 40’s with her partner. She currently lives in Central Indiana with her husband and children, and she is a regular contributor for Bankrate, CNN, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report Travel and many other notable publications.

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Do I need travel insurance for my summer vacation? It's complicated.

• Travel insurance can be complicated, but it's worth it if you have travel expenses that insurance would cover.
• You might not need travel insurance if you're taking a driving vacation and staying in a place where lodging is free.
• If you're leaving the country, you'll likely need travel insurance.

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If you're planning to travel somewhere this summer, you're probably thinking of buying travel insurance.

Kingsley Hopkins is. He's headed to Portugal and Iceland with his girlfriend, and he wants to make sure he's covered for things like medical emergencies or trip disruptions, "or if a volcano erupts," he said.

Check out   Elliott Confidential , the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!

But getting the right travel insurance can be complicated. There's no one-size-fits-all policy, and Hopkins, an assistant editor at a book publishing company in New York, has been spending a lot of time thinking about how to protect his summer vacation.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Chances are, so have you.

Why finding the right travel insurance is so hard

Most surveys suggest this will be a record summer for travel. How much of a record? Demand is so high that some airlines are afraid they will run out of planes. Now that's busy.

At the same time, danger and uncertainty are lurking everywhere – wars in Europe and in the Middle East, the usual slate of natural disasters like hurricanes and maybe a volcano or two. It's no wonder people are giving some serious thought to insurance. 

Older travelers are particularly worried. And they should be, said PK Rao, CEO of INF Visitor Care . Claims by travelers over age 50 spike during the summer months.

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Try this pro trick for an affordable and stress-free summer vacation

"According to our claim data, medical emergencies tend to uptick during the summer, especially for those going on trips that involve outdoor activities," he said.

But there are so many choices out there, including credit card coverage, medical evacuation membership programs and standalone travel insurance. What should you get?

You need peace of mind 

But don't just reflexively start shopping for a travel insurance policy this summer. Instead, look for peace of mind – knowing that if something goes wrong, you'll be taken care of.

"Knowing you're protected from unforeseen travel mishaps – like delays, lost baggage and even medical emergencies – can make the trip that much more enjoyable,” said Daniel Durazo, a spokesman for Allianz Partners USA .

As it turns out, there are several ways to get the peace of mind you need. And there are times when you can safely skip travel insurance.

This is when you don't need insurance

Here's when you can skip travel insurance, according to experts:

• If you already have coverage. "You may already have travel coverage through your benefits at work, your credit card, or through group benefits with an organization," said Jiten Puri, CEO of PolicyAdvisor.com. If you do, there's no need to buy more coverage. You're all set.
• If you're not traveling far. If you're taking a driving vacation and staying in a place where lodging is free, like a relative's sofa, then there's not much to insure. "If you already have health insurance, it may cover you for a domestic trip, so you don't need to think about health insurance coverage," said Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizens Insurance .
• If your trip isn't insurable. Traditional travel insurance covers conventional trips with prepaid, nonrefundable components like airline tickets and hotel stays. You might find that you either already have coverage through your medical insurance, or the trip is essentially uninsurable.

So think twice before saying "yes" to optional travel insurance that your online travel agency may offer you when you're booking a trip. You might not need it.

Here's when you need travel insurance

But most travelers should consider some kind of travel insurance coverage this summer. Here's when you need the extra coverage:

• If you have travel expenses that insurance would cover. "If you have many prepaid, nonrefundable expenses, it's best to take out travel insurance," said Lauren Gumport, a spokeswoman for Faye Travel Insurance ."This includes things like flights, hotel rooms, tickets and activities." The more conventional your vacation, the likelier travel insurance is to cover almost every aspect of your summer vacation.
• If you're leaving the country. "Your regular medical insurance might not extend coverage beyond your home borders," said John Rose, chief risk and security officer at ALTOUR . Also, many countries require travel insurance for entrance. They include Bermuda, Qatar, Sri Lanka, and some European countries.
• If you can't afford to lose your trip. "When considering travel insurance for your summer trip, evaluate whether you can afford to lose your vacation investment due to unforeseen circumstances like illness, weather disruptions or emergencies," explained Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association (USTIA). "Can you afford the financial risk if you miss your cruise departure because of covered flight delays? What if you have to cut your trip short because of illness?"  

One of the most common mistakes travelers make is assuming their credit card will cover them. For example, I found that my credit card only covered my rental car as secondary insurance, which made it completely useless when I rented a car in Tampa recently. I had to buy a standalone policy from Allianz to cover the vehicle.

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How one traveler insured his summer vacation

So, how did Hopkins handle his travel insurance needs? Well, as I mentioned – it's complicated.

Hopkins said he always buys some travel insurance before he takes a trip, "but how much, and what I cover, varies," he explained.

He decided that his path to peace of mind in this case was to spend a few extra dollars: He made fully refundable flight and hotel reservations, just in case something went wrong. That would eliminate a lengthy claim with his travel insurance company or credit card.

But he still needed at least $50,000 in medical coverage with emergency evacuation because of his active schedule.

"We’re going to be doing a lot of hiking in Iceland," he said. "And you just never know." 

At the beginning of the year, he decided to buy an annual Medjet Horizon plan, a membership that would get him from a hospital in Portugal or Iceland to a hospital at home, in case something happened. 

For insurance, Hopkins checked TravelInsurance.com to find an affordable travel insurance policy. He found coverage through Trawick International that pays up to $50,000 in medical expenses and up to $200,000 for an evacuation.

"I’ve heard good things about them," he said. "Hopefully, we won’t need any of it."

How do I insure my trips?

I'm on the road about 360 days a year, so I'm always thinking about peace of mind. I currently use a Wells Fargo credit card with lots of travel benefits, and I have long-term policies through Faye and Cigna, which have worked fairly well. I also am a long-time Medjet Horizon member. If I rent a car, I turn to Allianz for my primary coverage.

I know – that's a lot of peace of mind. 

But I've also run into trouble and had to use many of those benefits. Medjet got me back home during the pandemic. Cigna covered me after a serious ski accident in Switzerland. My old Allianz policy took care of my medical expenses when I had to see a doctor in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a few years ago.

Like I always say, when it comes to having enough insurance, better safe than sorry.

Christopher Elliott  is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded  Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes  Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the  Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can  reach him here  or email him at  [email protected] .

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

Travel Insurance Statistics: Business Insider's Travel Insurance Survey

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Business Insider conducted a travel insurance survey of 971 US adults in December 2023 through Momentive AI Audience.

• It found that most travelers who bought travel insurance were concerned about their travel provider or their health.
• The survey also uncovered that most travelers would be willing to pay for insurance in the future.
• Compare the best travel insurance companies .

About 80% of those surveyed traveled for non-business reasons in the past year. Those travelers were most likely to travel internationally, by airplane (24%), or across state lines, by car (24%) or by airplane (18%). About 15% of respondents had traveled within their own state, by car. Of travelers surveyed, most (56%) paid $1,000 or less for their trip, while the vast majority (77%) paid $2,000 or less for their trip.

Among those travelers:

• The largest group of insured travelers (35%) bought insurance primarily because they feared issues like delayed flights or moved reservations, while about 29% were worried about a health emergency
• When researching travel insurance options, many buyers (28%) used suggestions and recommendations from family and friends
• The majority of insured travelers (55%) purchased their policy through a travel provider
• Of travelers who did not purchase insurance, 35% said their primary reason was because they'd never needed it on previous travels, and 19% said they didn't think their trip was expensive enough to insure
• Most people surveyed (68%) say they would be willing to pay some amount for travel insurance in the future

Why people buy travel insurance

Roughly 38% of surveyed travelers purchased insurance for their trip. About 13% of overall respondents purchased cancellation insurance, and 11% purchased cancel for any reason insurance (CFAR) . Another 14% said they purchased travel insurance, but were unsure what kind. The average cost of travel insurance varies by trip cost, destination, and age, but typically falls between $80 and $160 for a $2,000 trip.

The largest group of travelers (35%) who bought insurance did so primarily because they were concerned about the travel provider they booked with, and feared issues like delayed flights or moved reservations. About 29% were worried about having a potential health issue, and about 18% found the value or overall price to be appealing. About 11% said they always buy travel insurance out of habit, and just 5% said a friend had recommended it.

However, the largest percentage (28%) of travelers who purchased insurance researched their options by asking a friend or family member, followed by a review site, blog, or social media influencer (24%). Another 22% of respondents researched their options through a travel agent, and about 19% said they didn't do research at all.

Where travelers purchase their policies

The majority of insured travelers (55%) purchased a policy through a travel provider such as a booking engine like Expedia, or through an airline, a cruise provider, a tour group, or similar. The next most common place to purchase insurance was a travel agent (17%), followed by an insurance marketplace (13%).

Of those who responded to the survey, about 18% had purchased travel insurance and made a claim, while 24% had not made a claim on their coverage. Of those who made a claim, about half were satisfied with the outcome, and half were not.

When asked if they use any travel insurance features from their credit card — like trip delay coverage, baggage delay coverage, or rental car coverage — 33% of overall respondents said they did. However, more than a third of respondents whose credit cards carry these features said they still purchased separate travel insurance. Another 33% didn't know whether their cards come with this type of coverage.

Many travelers still don't see the need for insurance

About 62% of travelers surveyed did not purchase travel insurance; of those travelers, 35% said their primary reason to forgo insurance was because they'd traveled before and never needed it. About 19% said they didn't think their trip was expensive enough for insurance, and about 14% said they were trying to save money. About 13% said travel insurance never occurred to them. Only about 5% said they get travel insurance elsewhere, like through a credit card.

Travelers whose trips went as planned were largely happy with their decision not to purchase travel insurance: Over 70% said they didn't regret their decision to pass on a policy because nothing went wrong on their trip. Another 24% said they don't regret their choice simply because they never thought about travel insurance. About 6% of respondents felt differently: Nearly 4% wish they had purchased insurance because it would have given them peace of mind, and 2% regret their choice because something went wrong on their trip.

Most travelers would be willing to pay for insurance in the future

This holiday season, thousands of travelers experienced cancellations and delays and were even stranded at airports when Southwest airlines canceled 60% of its flying schedule , leaving travelers with little recourse. 

About 68% of travelers surveyed by Insider — both those who had and hadn't purchased travel insurance in the past year — said they'd be willing to pay for travel insurance in the future to protect a weeklong, non-business trip. Most (49%) were willing to pay up to $150 for coverage, and some (13%) were willing to pay up to $250. Only about 5% were willing to pay more than $250, and about 32% were not willing to pay at all.

As we continue to see travel delays and disruptions, travel insurance will become more important and will be viewed as a necessity and not just an expense. The cost of travel insurance is small relative to the trip costs you can protect.

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Cheap Full Coverage Car Insurance for 2024

Kayda Norman is a NerdWallet authority on auto insurance. She previously worked in communications at The Walt Disney Co. and as a web producer and writer at several health and fitness publications, including Health magazine. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today.

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

Full coverage is a term used to describe a car insurance policy that includes your state’s minimum requirements, plus comprehensive and collision insurance.

The best way to get cheap full coverage insurance is to shop around and compare quotes from at least three insurers.

Full coverage car insurance isn’t a specific type of policy, but a combination of coverage types that typically includes liability, comprehensive and collision insurance. If you have a loan or lease, your lender likely requires you to have it.

» MORE: What is full coverage car insurance?

See what you could save on car insurance

Finding the cheapest full coverage car insurance.

Because it combines several types of coverage, finding cheap full coverage insurance can be tough. For example, full coverage car insurance can cost more than triple the price of minimum required coverage. That’s why it pays to shop around.

Cheap full coverage auto insurance companies

Here are average prices for full coverage insurance from nine of the largest car insurance companies, nationwide, according to NerdWallet’s June 2024 analysis:

*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.

At a median annual rate of $1,279 , or $107 a month, American Family offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance.

You can save a significant amount of money by picking the cheapest company available out of the nine listed above, which are among the biggest auto insurers in the nation.

Going with a smaller, regional insurer can often save you even more. While state availability can be limited, smaller companies can often be cheaper than a large insurer. For example, NJM is only available in five states but has an average rate of $1,490 a year for full coverage.

Continue reading to see more full coverage car insurance rates for:

The cheapest best full coverage car insurance.

The cheapest company in each state.

The cheapest full coverage insurance for drivers with an accident or DUI on record.

The cheapest full coverage insurance options for drivers with poor credit.

Full coverage auto insurance can be pricey. If you’re looking for the cheapest car insurance, period, check out NerdWallet's analysis of cheap car insurance for state-mandated minimum coverage.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s auto insurance reviews for 2024

NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed full coverage car insurance rates from pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. Our analysis looked at 35-year-old drivers in all ZIP codes across the 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., with a variety of driving and credit histories. All drivers had a 2021 Toyota Camry LE .

The cheapest best full coverage car insurance companies

Price is likely a major factor when deciding which insurance company to choose, but it shouldn’t be the only one. In fact, the best full coverage insurance providers may not be the cheapest. If you want cheap full coverage insurance without sacrificing customer service, compare the average rates for full coverage car insurance from NerdWallet’s best car insurance companies.

All of these companies earned a NerdWallet 5-star rating. Keep in mind that not all companies offer policies in every state.

American Family : $1,279 per year.

Amica : $2,281 per year.

Auto-Owners : $1,420 per year.

Geico : $1,306 per year.

NJM : $1,490 per year.

Shelter: $1,569 per year.

State Farm : $2,006 per year.

Travelers : $1,405 per year.

USAA : $1,259 per year. (USAA is available only to military, veterans and their families.)

Cheap full coverage insurance for different drivers

A lot of factors go into determining each person’s car insurance rates, including their state, driving history and credit history. NerdWallet put together the companies with the cheapest average full coverage rates for different driver profiles to give you a better picture of what you might expect to pay for full coverage car insurance.

Cheap full coverage car insurance companies by state

Your location can have a big effect on how much you pay for full coverage auto insurance. For example, our average car insurance cost analysis showed that drivers in Florida pay over three times as much for full coverage insurance as those in Wyoming.

Looking for the most affordable full coverage insurance in your state? Here are the cheapest insurers, on average, in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Cheap full coverage auto insurance for drivers with an accident or DUI

Among large insurers, Travelers has the cheapest full coverage insurance rates, on average, for non-military drivers who caused an accident. American Family has the cheapest rates for drivers with a DUI.

Here are average full coverage rates from the largest insurers in the nation for drivers with one at-fault accident or a DUI.

Full coverage car insurance for drivers after an accident

Full coverage car insurance for drivers with a recent dui.

It pays to shop around and compare full coverage auto insurance quotes from multiple companies, including smaller insurers. Sometimes a lesser-known company may be able to save you even more. As an example, Erie ’s average full coverage rate for drivers with one at-fault accident is $1,588 , while Root ’s average rate for drivers with a DUI is $1,424 .

» MORE: The best cheap car insurance

Cheap full coverage car insurance for drivers with poor credit

You may not realize that your credit history can affect car insurance costs, sometimes drastically. Insurers use credit-based insurance scores to determine how likely you are to file a claim. A credit-based insurance score takes into account a driver’s credit history when pricing rates.

California, Hawaii and Massachusetts don't allow insurers to use credit when determining car insurance rates.

Finding cheap full coverage car insurance is still possible even with less-than-stellar credit. You’ll just want to compare car insurance rates to find the most affordable policy.

Here are average full coverage rates from the largest auto insurance companies for drivers with poor credit.

If you have poor credit, be sure to shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurers, including lesser-known companies. Sometimes a smaller company will offer a cheaper rate than a larger insurer. For example, drivers with poor credit may be able to get full coverage from The Hartford for as low as $1,550 per year, on average.

How full coverage car insurance works

“Full coverage” is a term used to describe an auto insurance policy that covers damage from a variety of situations. It’s typically a combination of three different coverage types: liability , comprehensive and collision insurance .

Comprehensive and collision insurance each come with a deductible , which is the amount of money you’re responsible for in the event of a claim.

While most states require a minimum amount of car insurance to drive legally, those minimums probably won’t cover any damage to your car. If someone else hits your car, the other driver’s insurance will likely pay for the damage. But in any other situation — including if you cause an accident — you’ll probably need full coverage insurance to pay for damage to your vehicle.

For example, let’s say a tree falls on your car during a storm. You would need an auto policy with comprehensive insurance to cover the repair costs. If your deductible is $1,000 but the fallen tree caused $5,000 worth of damage to your car, you’ll pay the $1,000 deductible and your insurance will cover the rest.

Without full coverage car insurance, you’d be responsible for the full $5,000.

To learn more about the different types of auto insurance and what they cover, use our tool below.

How to find cheap full coverage auto insurance

If you’re looking to save money by getting the cheapest possible car insurance, here are six things you can try:

Compare quotes from multiple insurers. Use NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool to easily shop for cheap auto insurance online. You may find that you already have the most affordable insurance, but prices can change, so check roughly once a year.

Ask for discounts. You could save money from car insurance discounts you’re not taking advantage of. For example, maybe you work from home and don’t drive much. Mention that and you might get a low-mileage discount. Other common discounts are given for bundling car insurance with another insurance policy, insuring multiple cars or being a student.

Cash in on major life changes. Certain life events could translate to cheaper car insurance, so shop for quotes whenever something major changes in your life. For instance, many companies offer a lower rate for married couples or domestic partners. Or perhaps you moved from the city to a suburb with lower accident and crime rates. Even if you moved to a more expensive area for car insurance, shopping around can help you get cheaper coverage.

Raise your deductible. The higher your deductible, the more you pay out of pocket before insurance pays for a covered claim. The upside is that, by raising your deductible, you’ll  lower your premium. Just make sure you have enough money set aside to cover the higher deductible if you ever file a claim.

Shop for quotes after your driving record improves. Shop for cheap car insurance quotes online three to five years after any accidents, tickets or moving violations. They may have dropped off your driving record.

Reconsider the car you drive. The type of car you drive affects how much you pay for auto insurance. For example, new and expensive cars tend to cost more to insure than older or less expensive cars, among other factors. Check out NerdWallet’s analysis of the cheapest cars to insure to see if your vehicle made the list.

» MORE: How to get the cheapest car insurance rates possible

Comparing full coverage car insurance quotes

When you shop for car insurance from different companies, it’s important to compare car insurance quotes for the same coverage. Otherwise, you might think you got a good price from one insurer, only to discover that you don’t have enough coverage when you need to actually file a claim.

When comparing full coverage auto insurance quotes, be sure to:

Use the same deductibles and liability limits across quotes for an apples-to-apples comparison.

Choose a deductible amount you could afford when selecting collision and comprehensive coverage. That way, you won’t be scrambling for cash to cover your deductible if you need to file a claim.

Compare add-on coverage details. Options like gap insurance , accident forgiveness and pet injury coverage vary from one insurer to the next. Be sure to check each company’s website for details and restrictions about add-ons that matter to you.

Provide the same information every time. If you’re using multiple tools to get full coverage insurance quotes, make sure the drivers, cars, address and driving history all match.

Get quotes from three or more insurers. The more insurers you gather quotes from, the greater your odds of finding the cheapest full coverage car insurance for you.

» MORE: Get free car insurance quotes

Why you can trust NerdWallet

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which include rates from every ZIP code in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing. Read our methodology .

Auto insurance ratings methodology

NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance .

Average rates methodology

NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for men and women for all ZIP codes in any of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Although it’s one of the largest insurers in the country, Liberty Mutual is not included in our rates analysis due to a lack of publicly available information.

In our analysis, “good drivers” had no moving violations on record; a “good driving” discount was included for this profile. Our “good” credit rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.

These are median rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider.

Sample drivers had the following coverage limits:

$100,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person.

$300,000 bodily injury liability coverage per crash.

$50,000 property damage liability coverage per crash.

$100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person.

$300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per crash.

Collision coverage with $1,000 deductible.

Comprehensive coverage with $1,000 deductible.

In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:

For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect only the minimum coverage required by law in the state.

For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash costing $10,000 in property damage.

For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken-driving violation.

For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.

We used a 2021 Toyota Camry LE in all cases and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven. We analyzed rates for 35-year-old drivers.

These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.

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