How much does travel insurance cost?

Where these numbers come from

• 4–10% of trip cost is the typical range for comprehensive cover. InsureMyTrip says its international customers paid 5.4–5.9% on average in 2025–26 (InsureMyTrip).
• Age matters most. Squaremouth's 2026 data puts average international comprehensive premiums at about 4% of trip cost up to age 49, 5% at 50–59, 7% at 60–69, 9% at 70–79 and 12% at 80+ (summary via Polis Re). The estimator uses those bands, ±1.5 percentage points.
• Cancel For Any Reason is an add-on that raises the price. The estimator adds roughly 40–50% to the comprehensive figure. That's a common industry rule of thumb, not a published average, so treat it as rough.
• Travel medical only plans are priced per day, not as a percentage of trip cost. Squaremouth's live data showed an average travel-medical premium of $86 for an average 16-day trip (Squaremouth live data, Sept–Oct 2026). The estimator scales roughly $3–$8 a day by age band.

Check your credit card first

Many travel credit cards include trip cancellation, trip delay, baggage or rental car coverage when you pay for the trip with that card. Medical cover abroad is less common. Read your card's benefits guide before you buy a separate policy, so you don't pay twice.

Is it worth it?

It matters most when your trip has large non-refundable costs, or when your health insurance doesn't cover you abroad (US Medicare generally doesn't outside the US).