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Money | June 2026 | 24,673 readers this month
TW

Thomas Walsh

Legal Services & Insurance Editor

One Cancelled Flight Cost Me $1,400. Now I Always Get Travel Insurance First.

Trip cancellation, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and flight delays — covered for less than you'd spend on airport food

$20K+
Medical emergency abroad can cost without insurance
4–8%
Typical trip insurance cost
24/7
Faye emergency support line

My flight was cancelled 2 hours before departure. The hotel was non-refundable. The airline offered a $200 voucher. Total loss: $1,400. I'll never travel uninsured again.

Most credit cards offer minimal travel protection — and airline vouchers won't cover your hotel, tours, or lost wages. Faye Travel Insurance covers trip cancellation, emergency medical care abroad, lost/delayed luggage, and flight delays — with a modern app-based claims process and 24/7 support. Plans typically cost 4–8% of your trip value.

Trip cancellation, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and flight delays — covered for less than you'd spend on airport food

What happened when people stopped waiting

3 comments
PW
Patricia W. Hamilton, ON · 3 days ago

Saved $780 on my annual premium just by using the comparison tool. 5 minutes, better coverage than my old policy.

298 people found this helpful

TB
Tyler B. Calgary, AB · 6 days ago

After a fender-bender my rates jumped 40%. This tool found 4 providers who didn't penalize me as hard.

234 people found this helpful

MS
Maria S. Mississauga, ON · 1 week ago

New driver. Everyone said insurance would be brutal. Found a rate 30% lower than my parents' broker quoted.

176 people found this helpful

What We Found

The $8 travel insurance decision that saved me $1,400 last summer — here's exactly what I bought

How We Evaluated

Our Ranking Criteria

1

Claims process accessibility

The point of travel insurance is claims when something goes wrong. We evaluate 24/7 accessibility, app vs. phone-only, and documented claims settlement reputation.

2

Emergency medical coverage

International emergency medical evacuation can cost $50,000–$250,000. We evaluate whether medical coverage limits are sufficient for real emergency scenarios.

3

Cancel for any reason availability

Standard trip cancellation covers specific named reasons. CFAR upgrades provide true flexibility — we note which platforms offer it and at what premium.

How It Works

Does travel insurance cover COVID cancellations?

It depends on the specific policy and reason for cancellation. "Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) add-ons provide the broadest coverage, including COVID-related cancellations. Standard trip cancellation typically covers illness requiring a doctor's note. Check Faye's current policy terms for specific COVID coverage language.

Our Verdict

Faye is our pick for a fully digital travel insurance experience. The entire process — purchase, policy access, and claims — happens in the Faye app. That matters when you're dealing with a cancellation or medical incident abroad at 11pm. 24/7 claims support with a human reachable in the app, not a 1-800 number that routes to a call center during business hours only.

The coverage is comprehensive: trip cancellation (non-refundable expenses), trip interruption, emergency medical, baggage delay, and 24/7 assistance. Faye also offers a cancel for any reason (CFAR) upgrade, which is the premium option worth considering for trips with high non-refundable costs where your plans might genuinely change.

The decision framework: if your trip costs are below $1,000 in non-refundable expenses and you have a credit card with trip cancellation benefits, personal travel insurance may not add much. If you have $2,000–$10,000 in non-refundable bookings, international medical coverage is the primary value — your domestic health insurance often doesn't follow you abroad.

Top pick

Faye

Fodor's Travel Pick · 24/7 support

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1 Option — Compared on Price, Evidence, and Fit

Editor's Pick
1

Faye

100% digital travel insurance with 24/7 claims support from anywhere

Fodor's Travel Pick · 24/7 support

Available in

US

Offer type

One-time

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Free quote · Instant coverage

How we scored this ↓

By the Numbers

$20K+
Medical emergency abroad can cost without insurance
4–8%
Typical trip insurance cost
24/7
Faye emergency support line

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I buy travel insurance?

Buy as soon as you book — not at the airport. Purchasing within 14 days of your initial trip deposit usually unlocks the most benefits, including pre-existing condition waivers and CFAR eligibility. Waiting until departure day significantly limits your coverage options.

Is travel insurance worth it for a domestic trip?

For short domestic trips under $500, it's borderline. For anything over $1,000 in non-refundable bookings, or any international travel, it's almost always worth it. Medical emergencies abroad — especially hospitalizations — can cost $20,000–$100,000+ without insurance.

You're overpaying. The comparison takes 5 minutes.

Faye — 100% digital travel insurance with 24/7 claims support from anywhere

Fodor's Travel Pick · 24/7 support

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Some links on this page may earn Verto a commission at no cost to you. Content is independent editorial and does not constitute professional advice. Individual results vary. Consult a qualified professional before starting any health, financial, or legal program.