Credit-card coverage vs a real policy
Premium travel cards include cancellation and delay coverage — often sufficient for domestic trips under a few thousand dollars. What cards rarely match: robust emergency medical, evacuation, and CFAR. For international trips over $5K or travelers over 60, a standalone policy usually earns its premium.
- • Buy within 14–21 days of first deposit to unlock pre-existing-condition waivers and CFAR eligibility.
- • 'Covered reasons' for cancellation are specific — job loss, illness, jury duty. 'Changed my mind' is CFAR-only.
- • Annual multi-trip plans beat per-trip pricing at 3+ trips/year.
Related guides
Long-form playbooks on the same topic, written by the RevenueLab editorial team.
FAQ
How much does travel insurance cost?
Comprehensive coverage runs 4–10% of insured trip cost — a $5,000 trip typically costs $200–450 to insure depending on age and plan. Medical-only plans for young travelers can run $2–5 per travel day. CFAR adds about 40%.
Is travel insurance worth it?
For expensive international trips, yes — mainly for emergency medical and evacuation, which your domestic health plan likely doesn't cover abroad. For cheap domestic trips with refundable bookings, your credit card's built-in coverage is usually enough.
What is cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) coverage?
An upgrade that reimburses 50–75% of non-refundable costs when you cancel for reasons outside the standard covered list. It must be bought within ~14–21 days of your first trip payment and you must insure 100% of prepaid costs.
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