By John Egan
Edited by Samuel MountjoyDomestic Travel Insurance for Vacations
By John EganEdited by Samuel Mountjoy
Quick Answer
Domestic travel insurance can cover unexpected vacation costs tied to flight cancellations, lost luggage, medical emergencies and other vacation mishaps.
Some travelers may think they need travel insurance only if they're heading to another country. But even if you're traveling domestically, buying travel insurance can provide some peace of mind if your vacation doesn't go as planned.
Here are the details of domestic travel insurance, including what it covers and how much it costs.
Can You Get Domestic Travel Insurance?
Yes, you can get domestic travel insurance to cover a vacation. Several providers of travel insurance offer this sort of coverage, such as Allianz, Berkshire Hathaway, Seven Corners, Tin Leg, Travelex and Travel Guard.
Domestic travel insurance typically applies to trips within the U.S. that are taken at least 100 miles from a traveler's home.
What Does Domestic Travel Insurance Cover?
Domestic travel insurance covers a variety of circumstances. These include:
- Trip cancellation or interruption: You can be reimbursed for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you cancel a trip for a reason covered by your policy, such as illness, injury or severe weather. Also, you can be reimbursed for return travel and unused trip expenses if a covered emergency forces you to shorten a trip.
- Trip delays: This coverage can pay for meals, lodging and transportation if a trip delay is caused by airline issues, missed connections or weather delays.
- Emergency medical expenses: This portion of a domestic travel insurance policy covers unexpected medical care during your trip. This is especially helpful if you need out-of-network care or you're traveling outside the state where you live.
- Emergency medical evacuation: Domestic travel insurance covers transportation to the closest medical facility in case of a serious medical emergency.
- Baggage delay or loss: You can be reimbursed for necessities like toiletries and clothing if your baggage arrives after you do. If your baggage is lost, stolen or damaged during your trip, domestic travel insurance can cover associated costs.
Optional add-ons for domestic travel insurance include cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, coverage of rental car damage and coverage of injuries suffered during risky adventures such as skydiving, bungee jumping or skiing.
How Much Does Domestic Travel Insurance Cost?
The cost of domestic travel insurance generally represents roughly 4% to 8% of the price of your trip. The cost can vary from one insurer to another, however.
Example: Let's say you and your spouse are planning an excursion to Yellowstone National Park that'll cost about $4,500 in total. Based on the 4% to 8% range cited above, the premium cost for a domestic travel insurance policy for this trip could be anywhere from $180 to $360.
Keep in mind that you might need to pay an out-of-pocket deductible when you file a claim with your provider of domestic travel insurance. If you choose a low-deductible plan, you'll likely pay a higher premium. But if you choose a high-deductible plan, you'll probably pay a lower premium.
Do I Need Travel Insurance for Domestic Travel?
In some cases, you may not need domestic travel insurance. For instance, you might be taking a short or inexpensive trip, so the cost of domestic travel insurance could take a relatively big bite out of your travel budget. But there are plenty of times when having a domestic travel insurance policy could be a good investment, such as:
- You're taking a lengthy trip. The longer your trip, the more chances there are for a travel mishap to happen.
- You're taking an expensive trip. If you've sunk a significant amount of money into a trip, you may want to purchase domestic travel insurance to protect yourself financially.
- You don't have health insurance. A domestic travel insurance policy can cover emergency medical expenses.
- You don't have a travel credit card. Some travel credit cards provide travel protection benefits. But if you don't carry a travel credit card in your wallet, buying domestic insurance might be a smart move. You'll typically only qualify for travel protection benefits if you use the card that provides them to pay for your trip.
- You're seeking peace of mind. When a trip is covered by domestic travel insurance, it may ease your worries and allow you to truly enjoy your journey.
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How to Choose the Best Domestic Travel Insurance
Follow these seven tips for choosing the best domestic travel insurance:
- Determine your needs. Weigh whether domestic travel insurance makes sense in your situation. Consider the cost and coverage options before deciding to buy a policy.
- Look at the cost and length of your trip. If you'll be lounging at a high-end luxury resort in Hawaii or exploring U.S. historical sites around the country for three weeks, domestic travel insurance might be a wise investment.
- Compare providers of domestic travel insurance. Search online for the benefits of various domestic travel insurance plans, and check out customer reviews of insurers. Get quotes from several insurers before picking one.
- Scrutinize the deductible. Be sure you know what the deductible is before signing up for domestic travel insurance. You may prefer a low deductible or high deductible, depending on how much you want to spend on coverage.
- Examine coverage of preexisting conditions. If you have a preexisting medical condition, find out whether a policy you're considering would cover treatment of this condition.
- Review rental car coverage. If you plan to rent a car during your trip, see whether a domestic travel insurance policy would cover a rental car so you don't have to rely on your regular auto insurance.
- Inquire about adventure activities. Will you be participating in risky activities or competitive sports during your vacation? If so, you may need to buy an optional add-on to cover them.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
Travel within the U.S. can cause headaches—flight delays, lost baggage, medical emergencies and other unforeseen situations. If you're planning a trip in the U.S., you may want to look into domestic travel insurance. A domestic travel policy could be particularly valuable if your trip is pricey or lengthy. When you weigh the costs and benefits, domestic travel insurance could be a smart addition to your itinerary.
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About the author
John Egan
John Egan is a freelance writer, editor and content marketing strategist in Austin, Texas. His work has been published by outlets such as CreditCards.com, Bankrate, Credit Karma, LendingTree, PolicyGenius, HuffPost, National Real Estate Investor and Urban Land.
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