Travel Insurance: Which Cover Actually Matters
Buy for the medical risk abroad, not for the deposit on the hotel.
At a glance
Figures checked 1 Sep 2026
What to take away
- US health plans often provide little or no coverage abroad, and Medicare generally none.
- Medical evacuation from a remote area can run into six figures.
- Check your credit card's built-in trip protection before buying a separate policy.
Comprehensive travel policies bundle several coverages. They are not equally valuable. Emergency medical and evacuation coverage addresses a genuinely catastrophic risk. Baggage delay coverage addresses an annoyance.
Cancel for any reason
CFAR upgrades reimburse a percentage — often 50 to 75 percent — for cancelling outside the listed covered reasons. They cost significantly more and must usually be bought soon after the first deposit.
Pre-existing condition waivers also carry a purchase deadline tied to your first trip payment. Missing it removes coverage for the conditions most likely to disrupt the trip.
Common questions
Many US plans cover emergencies abroad only partially, and require you to pay upfront and claim back. Medicare generally does not cover care outside the US.