Independent Travel Insurance vs. Airline Insurance: How to Choose the Best Policy

Buying travel insurance Booking flights for your vacation is convenient through an airline. But there are benefits Really worth the price?

If you’re planning to go that route, make sure you understand exactly what you’re paying for. It may seem easier to stick with the airline you normally use for insurance, but it may not necessarily be the best. Long-term decisions for your wallet or peace of mind. The majority of travelers, especially those who Travel internationallyChoose comprehensive plans to cover all their bases.

With a travel insurance comparison site like Squaremouth, you can view dozens of options with the click of a button. The process is just as simple — plus, you’ll be able to compare benefits and prices in one window to get the best possible cost and coverage. Start your search now!

Shopping for independent vs. airline travel insurance

Most airlines offer travel insurance plans and encourage customers to purchase these plans through them. Some companies have the option to add a plan at checkout, others may require you to scroll down the page or search for coverage on their website.

Airlines often work with a reputable partner to offer single-trip and annual plans, noting online that these come from a third party — not the company itself. Some others promote insurance plans linked to specific holiday packages. Each of these plans and packages varies depending on the airline and your personal information (if you are a valued member, you should check with the airline to see if you can get any special offers or discounts).

Although it’s easy to add travel insurance through the same airline you’ve booked, it’s important to understand Comparison shopping prices. Squaremouth says it’s important to shop around to compare plans and prices from multiple providers to make sure you get the best deal.

“Most airlines that offer travel protection do so in partnership with a single provider, often limiting the coverage a traveler can choose from,” James Clark, subject matter expert at Squaremouth, told CBS News. “With fewer options available, it can be difficult for travelers to find a plan that meets their specific travel needs, provides adequate coverage and is affordable for their trip.”

Clark added that makes it “difficult” to say whether premiums match what other providers are charging for similar coverage.

For example, if you’re looking for travel insurance on March 10, 2023 for two New Yorkers planning a $5,000 trip to Mexico at the end of April (April 24-30), you’ll be able to see dozens of comprehensive information. Policies range from $72 to $282. If that is your priority Medical travel insurance, then you’ll be able to look at policies that are $100 less for $250,000 in medical evacuation and $75,000 in first aid coverage. With the ability to compare hundreds of policies from verified providers in a matter of seconds, you have a great potential to reduce costs.

what to watch out for

If you choose to get insurance through an airline, “keep an eye out for potential red flags in the policies they present,” warns Clark. Here are two things to evaluate carefully:

• Cost: According to Squaremouth, travel insurance should cost between 5% and 10% of your total travel expenses. If you see prices above that, you may want to reevaluate the plan.
• Coverage: You should closely review the type of coverage you are getting. You want to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. For example, Medical coverage is crucial if you’re traveling internationally since your health insurance — whether private or through the government — likely won’t cover you abroad. A travel insurance policy “should include at least $50,000 in medical emergencies and $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage if a traveler is going abroad,” Clark says. You should also scan to see what other extras your plan includes, such as delay and lost baggage coverage.

Ultimately, the more research and choice you have, the better. Even if you decide to buy from your airline, you should still consider doing an apples-to-apples comparison on a marketplace like Squaremouth, typing in your traveler and trip information to see if you can get the same benefits at a lower price.

“Today’s travelers have more travel insurance policies and providers than ever before. Those who take the time to shop around and compare plans usually end up with a better deal. While airlines offer travelers a convenient, one-stop option to protect their trip investment To do so, the policies available may not be appropriate for all travel situations,” says Clarke.