When should I buy travel insurance for my trip?

Buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip. This maximizes coverage, especially for trip cancellation benefits and pre-existing condition waivers.

  • Purchase within 14-21 days of your first trip deposit to qualify for pre-existing condition waivers and Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage

  • Buying early protects you from "known events" — once a storm is forecast or a situation becomes known, new policies won't cover it

  • If you wait until a problem arises (like a weather forecast), it's too late — claims will be denied

  • Many policies offer a "free-look period" during which you can review and cancel if it doesn't meet your needs

  • Some providers require CFAR purchase within 10-21 days of initial trip deposit

  • Annual policies can be purchased at any time and cover multiple trips 

You may also like: What are my rights if a flight is cancelled?

Official resource: Insurance Information Institute

Traveling soon? See our Travel Essentials page.

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