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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees