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What Travel Insurance Actually Covers (and the Five Things It Usually Does Not)
Cancellation, medical, evacuation, delay and baggage explained with the limits from our seven-insurer ranking — and the exclusions that surprise people.
August 30, 2026 · 6 min read
The five main benefits
- Trip cancellation refunds prepaid, non-refundable costs when you cancel for a covered reason — illness, a death in the family, severe weather, jury duty. Every plan in our ranking covers 100% of the insured trip cost.
- Emergency medical pays for treatment abroad. Limits in our ranking run from $50,000 (Allianz Prime, Travelex Select, Travel Guard Preferred) to $500,000 (Seven Corners Choice, Tin Leg Gold).
- Emergency evacuation pays to move you to adequate care or home: $500,000 to $1 million here.
- Trip delay and interruption reimburse hotels, meals and the flight home when travel is disrupted.
- Baggage covers loss and delay, usually $1,000–$2,500 with per-item caps.
What is usually excluded
- Cancelling because you changed your mind — unless you bought CFAR.
- Pre-existing conditions — unless you bought within the waiver window.
- Known events: a named storm or a pandemic already declared when you bought.
- Adventure activities beyond a basic list — unless you bought the rider.
- Losses from being intoxicated.
Read the certificate of insurance before buying; every insurer publishes it.
» See the full rankings: Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2026, Best Travel Medical Insurance .