6 reasons you might buy travel insurance now — even if you never did before
I’ll be completely honest: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, comprehensive travel insurance wasn’t at the top of my list of considerations when booking a trip. But these days, I never book a trip without it.
With the rise of the omicron variant, more destinations reopening, vaccination rates rising and travel demand ramping back up during the holiday travel season, more people are planning and booking trips — many for the first time in over a year and a half. However, the pandemic isn’t over, and the risk of canceled trips or other mishaps is still ever-present.
Here are six reasons why you should look into purchasing third-party travel insurance, even if you never thought about it in the past.
Related: 9 tips for flying during the holidays this season
Your destination requires travel insurance
Some countries are making travel insurance or health insurance that covers COVID-19 a requirement for entry. At the time of writing, this included:
- Anguilla.
- Argentina.
- Aruba.
- Bermuda.
- British Virgin Islands.
- Bolivia.
- Cambodia.
- Chile.
- Costa Rica.
- Curacao.
- Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Egypt.
- Grenada.
- Georgia.
- Israel.
- Jordan.
- Nepal.
- Oman.
- Saudi Arabia.
- Seychelles.
- Singapore.
- Sint Maarten.
- Tahiti.
- Thailand.
- Turks and Caicos.
- Ukraine.
- Uraguay.
Others, such as South Africa and Brazil, don’t require insurance for entry. However, it is still highly recommended by either their governments, the U.S. Department of State or both to purchase insurance before your trip.
The type and level of insurance coverage required varies by country — some require insurance that is satisfied by credit card travel insurance, others require a specific plan offered by the destination and many fall somewhere in the middle. Before booking your trip, make sure to double-check the entry requirements of the destination to ensure you factor the cost of insurance plans into your budget if necessary.
Additional COVID-19 coverage
Even if the destination doesn’t outright require travel insurance, you may decide to add a plan to your trip as a safety net. While being vaccinated provides effective protection from COVID-19, breakthrough cases are still a risk. And while your vaccine should protect you from getting severely sick, no one wants to have to foot the bill of quarantining for 10 days.
And in worst-case scenarios, travel insurance plans can also provide medical evacuation services if necessary, because these can be prohibitively expensive without coverage. Only a select few credit cards offer that kind of coverage, so third-party insurance is a better bet if you want that level of coverage.
Related: This travel insurance will fly you home if you test positive for COVID-19
An early return
When it comes to travel, stuff happens. You may need to leave your destination before your original return date for emergencies such as the loss of a family member, a bad weather event or a lost or stolen passport, to name a few. You want to be covered when the worst happens.
Related: Why booking your holiday travel with the right credit card matters now more than ever
You aren’t sure if you’ll end up going
The risk of COVID-19 and the hoops travelers have to jump through in order to get to some destinations can make even getting to board your flight a toss-up. TPG director of travel content Summer Hull recently went on a trip to Turks and Caicos where her travel documents weren’t approved until the last minute because of the tight turnaround needed to get tested and then get those results verified for entry.
When the stars do align and make it possible to take that trip, it’s often 100% worth the hoops of entry. But it’s also important to protect the financial investment you’re putting into trips.
These days, flexibility is key, and third-party travel insurance — specifically cancel-for-any-reason coverage — can add so much peace of mind while planning any trip.
Related: Why I traded an international getaway for a last-minute discounted Disney Cruise
You’re taking advantage of cash deals
We’ve seen some great cash flight deals recently as airlines entice travelers to get back out there. But cash deals – especially if for basic economy — are often nonrefundable compared to when you book premium fares or use points and miles.
In the current world of uncertainty, travel insurance coverage is a great way you can take advantage of low-cost cash deals without having to worry as much about specific airline cancellation and refund policies.
You’re planning travel that isn’t hotels or flights
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a rise in long-term rental stays, road trips, national park visits and other types of travel that don’t necessarily involve a flight or hotel. These types of trips may not be covered by card protections or have clear cancelation and refund policies.
Third-party travel insurance is a great option for covering the costs of these types of trips. If you find yourself taking more types of getaways that aren’t covered by your credit card protections these days, you should look into purchasing a third-party plan.
Additional reporting by Benét J. Wilson.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.