Comparing "Add-On" Travel Insurance vs. Independent Travel Insurance Plans

When planning your next trip, you are likely to be asked somewhere throughout the checkout process if you would like to add travel insurance—whether it be when booking a flight, cruise, hotel, or other travel expenditure. While your first thought might be to just “check the box” conveniently provided before you complete your booking, is this the best way to make sure you and your trip investment are protected from the unexpected?

Cruise Add-On Travel Insurance

Cruise providers often give you the option to add cruise travel insurance when booking your trip, but it’s important to keep in mind that the insurance being offered may only cover select aspects of your cruise. If you’ve made other prepaid, non-refundable purchases for your trip, such as flights or excursions through another supplier, the travel insurance from the cruise line may not provide the coverage you need.

Airline Add-On Travel Insurance

While airline add-on insurance may provide coverage for the cost of the airline ticket you purchased, it may not cover additional costs that arise if your flight is delayed or cancelled, such as prepaid hotel costs for the night you missed or additional flight costs to catch you up with your cruise. If your only out-of-pocket expense is an airline ticket, your airline’s travel insurance might be the right plan for you—just be sure to review the plan details and exclusions.

Other Add-On Travel Insurance

Several other travel suppliers or tour operators may provide add-on travel insurance during the checkout process, such as hotels, rental cars, or even event tickets. Often, travel insurance offered by vacation rental sites, resorts, and booking engines provide coverage only for costs associated with that particular booking/purchase and won’t provide coverage for other prepaid, non-refundable costs you have made related to your trip. No matter where you buy your travel insurance, always read the fine print and review the policies carefully.

Third-Party Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance provided through a third-party travel insurance provider, such as IMG, can be a more effective way to make sure your trip investment as a whole is protected, regardless of where you book your flights, cruise, or other activities.  

IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel SE and iTravelInsured Travel LX plans are both great options for either domestic or international destinations. These plans provide the coverage you need for prepaid, non-refundable trip costs and specifically include benefits related to trip cancellation, trip delay, lost baggage, and much more. Plus, these plans provide emergency medical expense coverage for unexpected illnesses and accidents—especially important when traveling outside the U.S.

All IMG plans also include 24/7/365 access to non-insurance travel assistance services that can provide emergency travel arrangements, medical referrals, lost passport assistance, and more.

Purchasing your travel insurance from a third-party travel insurance provider allows you to compare multiple travel protection plans and ensures you’re able to choose a plan that meets the exact needs of your trip. Ready to buy now? Get a quote for your trip here.