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If you're planning a holiday, whether it's a cruise adventure, an overseas vacation, or a short visit to see a family member, there's one crucial question to ask yourself early on: how early should I purchase travel insurance?
The right answer is to buy travel insurance as soon as you make your first trip payment, be it a flight booking or a hotel accommodation. Buying travel insurance early on gives you access to the most comprehensive protection, especially for trip cancellations and unexpected disruptions.
Let's break it down so you can decide when to buy based on your specific travel plans.
When Should You Buy Travel Insurance?
One of the most common travel mistakes is waiting too long to buy insurance. Whether you're still finalizing your itinerary or comparing plan options, waiting too long can mean missing out on important protections that only come with an early purchase. These include:
- Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions
- The ability to cancel your trip for any reason (CFAR)
- Immediate access to assistance services and emergency medical evacuation
Whether your goal is to protect your financial investment in the trip or safeguard your health while abroad, buying early is highly recommended.
Trip Insurance vs Travel Medical Insurance: What to Choose & When to Buy
There are mainly two types of travel insurance: trip insurance & travel medical insurance. Before you decide when to buy, it's worth understanding what kind of travel insurance you need. The timing, benefits, and even costs can vary depending on whether you choose trip insurance or travel medical insurance.
1. Trip Insurance
Trip insurance (also called trip cancellation insurance) protects your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. It's ideal for travelers who've invested a significant amount in flights, hotels, cruises, tours, or other reservations.
It reimburses you for non-refundable costs like:
- Flight tickets
- Hotel bookings
- Cruise bookings
- Tours and activities
Trip Insurance typically covers:
- Trip cancellation or trip interruption for a covered reason (e.g. illness, natural disaster, or job loss)
- Baggage delay or lost luggage
- Rental car damage protection (with an optional add-on)
- Delayed or missed flights
- Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) upgrades (if selected)
- Medical coverage (limited coverage only)
Best time to buy trip insurance: Within 14 to 21 days of making your first trip payment.
2. Travel Medical Insurance
Travel medical insurance is designed for international travelers who want to protect themselves from unexpected medical expenses while abroad.
Best time to buy travel medical insurance: Ideally, before your departure date. Although you can purchase travel medical insurance up to the day before you travel.
Here's a concise overview of the timing for each type of travel insurance:
When Should You Buy Travel Insurance and Why?
| Criteria | Trip Insurance | Travel Medical Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal Time to Buy | Within 14–21 days of the first payment towards the trip, such as flight or accommodation booking | Anytime before the departure date, but the earlier, the better |
| Late Purchase Consequences | Inability to upgrade to or choose the CFAR option, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and full trip protection | Access to fewer plan options and delayed coverage start date, leaving you vulnerable during initial parts of your trip |
| Policy Activation | Coverage aligns with your travel dates, i.e. starting at departure date and ending at return date. | Policy gets active on the exact travel date, if purchased before the departure date |
| Best For | Trips with high pre-paid, non-refundable expenses, and big investments in flights & hotel bookings | Travelers concerned about medical emergencies overseas |
What Happens If You Wait Too Long to Purchase Travel Insurance?
Procrastinating on travel insurance can cost you more than just your peace of mind. Here's what you risk by waiting until the last minute:
- No 'pre-existing condition' coverage: Many trip insurance plans only waive exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions if you buy within 14–21 days of your first trip payment. Please read the insurance fine print before buying.
- CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) becomes unavailable: This optional upgrade is only available if an insurance plan is purchased ahead of the actual trip early, usually within the first two weeks of your first deposit.
- Limited trip cancellation coverage: If a natural disaster or airline strike is already announced, you likely won't be able to cancel your trip and claim reimbursement for that event.
- Fewer plan options: The closer you get to your departure date, the fewer insurance plans may be available.
- Immediate coverage gaps: Some trip policies offer immediate coverage for trip protection as soon as you purchase them. If you delay, you lose days of potential protection.
- Missed reimbursement opportunities: Benefits like baggage delay or trip interruption often require the policy to be in place before the incident occurs.
Key Considerations Before You Purchase Travel Insurance
Before clicking "Buy," consider a few more factors than just the price. The right plan depends on your destination, trip type, medical needs, and what kind of peace of mind you want. Here's what to consider:
1. The Type of Trip You're Taking
Not all trips carry the same risks. A luxury cruise, a high-altitude trek, or a business trip may require different types of protection. For example, adventure sports or remote destinations often need add-ons. If you're carrying expensive work or photography gear, baggage protection becomes even more essential.
2. Your Destination
Where you're traveling to, matters. Some countries may require proof of travel medical insurance for entry, such as the Schengen area countries. Others may have higher healthcare costs (such as the U.S.), making strong medical coverage an essential part of your trip planning.
3. Coverage Limits
Not all plans offer the same coverage amounts. Look closely at limits for emergency care, evacuation, trip cancellation, and baggage loss. If you're heading somewhere remote or with costly medical care, make sure the limits are high enough for real protection.
4. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
If you or a travel companion has a pre-existing medical condition, then it makes sense to choose a plan that offers a waiver. Most plans require you to buy within 14–21 days of your initial trip payment. And always read the fine print to see what's actually covered.
5. Cost vs. Benefit
Don't let price be your only guide. A cheap plan might seem attractive until you realize it doesn't include trip cancellation, emergency evacuation, or sufficient medical coverage.
6. Ease of Use and Support
Even the best coverage is useless if you can't access it. Check how easy it is to file a claim, whether there's 24/7 support, and if your destination has in-network hospitals. Having fast, reliable support can make a big difference in a stressful situation.
7. Use Our Free Tool to Compare Plans
To help you choose a specific plan, here's our free comparison tool on VisitorsCoverage to filter options, compare benefits, and find the best coverage for your trip. It's quick, easy, and you can even get guidance from licensed insurance experts, at no extra cost.
Why Choose VisitorsCoverage for Your Travel Insurance Needs?
At VisitorsCoverage, you can easily compare travel insurance plans, generate a personalized quote, and get expert guidance from licensed travel insurance advisors. Whether you're looking to protect your health, your trip investment, or simply travel with peace of mind, we're here to help with no strings attached.
Happy travels!
Get QuotesFrequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance Timing
When is the best time to buy travel insurance?
The best time to buy travel insurance is within 14 to 21 days of your first trip payment. This window gives you access to key benefits like Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) upgrades and pre-existing condition waivers.
Should I purchase travel insurance before or after booking?
Purchase travel insurance after booking your trip, once you've made your first payment. This allows you to determine your total trip cost and choose the right level of protection.
Can I buy travel insurance at the last minute?
Yes, you can usually buy travel insurance up to the day before departure. However, last-minute purchases may come with downsides like limited plan options and no coverage for pre-existing conditions or CFAR.
What's the travel insurance purchase window for full benefits?
To get the most value, buy within 14–21 days of your initial trip payment. That timeframe gives you access to optional upgrades and full financial protection for unexpected cancellations or medical issues.
Does the type of travel insurance affect when I should buy it?
Absolutely. If you're buying trip insurance, do it shortly after your first booking. For travel medical insurance, you can buy anytime before departure—but earlier is better for plan availability and coverage flexibility.
Does travel insurance coverage start immediately?
Trip cancellation coverage usually begins the moment you purchase your policy. Other benefits like medical coverage and emergency evacuation kick in on your departure date.
What if I've already started my trip without travel insurance?
You can still purchase travel medical insurance, especially for visits to the U.S. While it won't cover any prior incidents, it can still protect you for new illnesses, injuries, or emergencies that occur after your plan starts.
