How Much Travel Insurance Do You Actually Need?
The right amount of travel insurance depends on your destination, activities, and health. Medical coverage is the most critical component — a single emergency room visit in the US can cost $10,000 or more, so insufficient coverage could leave you with massive out-of-pocket bills.
For trips to Europe or the Americas, $200,000–$500,000 in medical coverage is a reasonable baseline. For Asia, $100,000 is often sufficient given lower healthcare costs. Baggage coverage protects against theft or loss of belongings and should reflect the value of items you're carrying.
Results from this calculator are estimates. Actual premiums and recommended coverage vary by insurer, policy terms, and your specific health profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Credit card travel insurance often has lower coverage limits and requires you to pay for the trip with that card. Compare the coverage carefully — if your card offers $50,000 in medical and you're traveling to the US, that's likely insufficient.
Trip cancellation coverage reimburses prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you cancel for a covered reason (illness, family emergency, etc.). It's worth considering for expensive trips where significant deposits are at stake.