Can I Buy Travel Insurance After Booking?

Can I Buy Travel Insurance After Booking?

You can buy travel insurance after booking your trip—in some cases, as late as the day before your trip or even the day of departure. However, the longer you wait, the more limited your coverage options will be.

For example, if you want predeparture benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption coverage or cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, you must typically buy travel insurance within 14 to 21 days of making the first nonrefundable payment for your trip. Travel medical insurance for preexisting conditions must usually be purchased within the same timeframe.

Waiting too long to buy insurance can also increase the risk that something could happen to disrupt your travel plans. Travel insurance only covers unforeseen risks. Suppose you're heading to the Caribbean during hurricane season. You'd have to buy travel insurance before a hurricane is named to be covered if the storm impacts your trip.

Learn more: How Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance Works

When Is It Too Late to Buy Travel Insurance?

Once you're on your trip, it's too late to buy travel insurance, but some insurers allow you to buy travel insurance the day before your trip or even before you leave home the day of departure. Keep in mind, though, that policies bought after the 14- or 21-day window ends typically don't include predeparture benefits such as trip cancellation or trip interruption coverage. For instance, Allianz sells a same-day travel insurance policy that's limited to emergency medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation coverage, trip delay coverage and coverage for lost, damaged or stolen baggage.

Learn more: What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

When Should I Buy Travel Insurance?

It's best to purchase travel insurance as early as possible after making your first nonrefundable travel deposit. You'll usually have more coverage options if you buy travel insurance within 14 to 21 days after this initial payment. (This window can vary, so check the rules of the insurance carriers you're considering.)

What if your entire trip isn't finalized when you make your first nonrefundable payment? For example, perhaps you made a deposit on a cycling tour of Italy but haven't purchased your airfare yet. Most policies let you modify your travel insurance after purchasing a policy, such as adjusting the cost of the trip or the dates of travel. Ask about these options before buying a policy to ensure you have the flexibility you need.

Tip: If you're unsure about committing to travel insurance, most policies include a "free look" period of 10 to 15 days. During this period, you can cancel your travel insurance for any reason and get your money back.

Learn more: Should You Buy Travel Insurance?

How to Get Travel Insurance

There are several ways to get travel insurance.

• Through your airline at the time you book your flight
• Through the airline partner's website after booking your flight
• Through the travel agent or tour operator when you book your trip
• Through an independent insurance carrier that offers travel insurance
• Using a travel insurance marketplace such as InsureMyTrip or TravelInsurance.com

Travel policies can vary widely in coverage. No matter where you purchase your travel insurance, be sure to compare policy details, exclusions and reimbursement rates to make sure you're adequately protected.

Learn more: Average Cost of Travel Insurance

The Bottom Line

To get the widest variety of coverage options, it's best to buy travel insurance soon after booking your travel plans. You may already have a certain amount of travel coverage if you have a credit card that offers travel insurance. While credit card travel insurance generally isn't sufficient to safeguard your entire trip, it can help reimburse you for things like trip cancellation, trip delays, lost luggage and even medical care. To be covered, you usually must book travel with the card; check your card's terms and conditions for details.

If you're looking for a new credit card with travel benefits, review our picks for the best travel credit cards.