Top Flight Travel Insurance Plans
The following plans are some of the most popular plans among our customers and provide strong coverage for the most common flight-related travel disruptions like flight cancellations, trip delays, missed connections, and mishandled luggage.
We analyzed 100+ flight travel insurance policies from the nation's top insurance companies. See a full list of the best flight insurance plans for 2026.
What is Flight Insurance?
Flight insurance, or airline ticket insurance, provides financial protection for flight cancellations, significant unexpected delays, or baggage issues if you are traveling via a commercial airline. On the open market, this coverage typically comes included as part of a comprehensive travel insurance policy.
You can buy flight insurance directly through major airlines, but third-party travel insurance providers offer more comprehensive plans, flexible options, and usually better prices.
For example, if you buy a third-party insurance policy, you can typically get flight protection as well as medical coverage and full-trip cost reimbursement protection for your entire booking, including hotels, rental cars, and more, making it a better offer than most plans sold through airlines.
- Is Flight Travel Insurance Necessary?
- Does Travel Insurance Cover Flight Cancellations?
- What Does Flight Insurance Cover?
- What Does Flight Travel Insurance Not Cover?
- Should I Buy Flight Insurance Through My Airline?
- How Much Is Flight Insurance?
- How Does Flight Insurance Work?
- How to Choose the Right Flight Insurance Plan
- FAQs: Flight Insurance
- Related Articles
Here are a few main benefits of travel insurance for flights:
- Covers unexpected flight cancellations & helps rebook you
- Reimburses you for significant delays & missed connections
- Can pay to put you up in a hotel if needed
- Provides stipends if your luggage is lost or delayed
- Can reimburse your full trip costs due to canceled travel plans
- Can provide emergency medical treatment while traveling
Quote, Compare, & Buy Flight Insurance
Compare top plans & providers to find the best travel insurance for your flights. Compare Flight Insurance
Is Flight Travel Insurance Necessary?
Flight insurance is not always necessary for every trip, as some scenarios may be covered by refundable tickets or airline passenger rights. However, these protections only go so far.
For example, most airlines don’t refund taxes and fees, only the ticket fare, which could leave you out of pocket unless you have an insurance policy to cover the entire cost of your ticket.
Additionally, U.S. passenger rights don’t offer comprehensive protection for most of the scenarios you can run into with delayed and cancelled flights, so flight insurance is the best way to bridge this gap.
Flight insurance is likely worth buying if you meet any of the following scenarios:
- You booked a non-refundable or expensive international trip
- You are traveling during high-risk seasons (e.g., hurricane season or winter holidays)
- Your trip involves multiple connecting flights or tight schedules
- You plan to travel with children, seniors, or someone with health concerns
- You don't have the financial capacity to pay for unexpected disruptions, delays, cancellations, or lost baggage out of pocket
Does Travel Insurance Cover Flight Cancellations?
Yes, travel insurance is designed to cover flight cancellations for a number of different scenarios, including severe weather, airport closures, natural disasters, common carrier reasons, and more.
For example, most plans also allow you to cancel your flight and get a reimbursement if you or a travel companion falls ill and can’t travel, as well as many other covered reasons.
If your airline cancels your flight, under U.S. passenger flight rights, you are entitled to a refund, but flight travel insurance can go a step further and reimburse you for the full cost of a canceled trip or even reimburse incidental expenses such as a hotel and food, and alternate flight arrangements if you get stranded.
One important caveat is that standard airfare insurance coverage will not reimburse elective flight cancellations. This means you cannot simply cancel your flight because you no longer want to travel.
If this type of option is important to you, some policies offer an optional add-on called "Cancel For Any Reason" which allows you to cancel your flight on a whim and still receive a partial reimbursement for up to 75% of your entire trip cost, in most cases.
What Does Flight Insurance Cover?
Unlike some policies purchased directly through airlines, flight travel insurance plans sold on Squaremouth are designed to protect you for the entirety of your trip, beyond just your time in the sky.
The exact coverage varies by provider, but most offer the coverage listed below.
U.S. Passenger rights state that airlines are only required to refund the cost of your flight if it’s significantly delayed or cancelled. However, this could leave you in a bind if you have a whole planned trip to catch up to. This is where having travel insurance comes in.
Trip Cancellation coverage found in comprehensive policies can reimburse up to 100% of your air travel expenses as well as other non-refundable trip costs if your trip is cancelled for a covered reason, such as a natural disaster, pilot strike, or inclement weather. This means you could receive a reimbursement for your hotel, rental car, planned excursions, and more.
Depending on the scenario, airlines may offer you a partial refund, zero recompense, or even charge you hefty rebooking fees without this type of coverage.
Flight insurance can compensate you for significant delays that disrupt your travel plans. This coverage can reimburse unexpected costs related to food, overnight lodging, and rebooking fees if you get stranded due to unexpected flight delays.
Each policy has different stipulations for when coverage can take over, but significant delays typically range from 3 or more hours, depending on the policy.
When selecting a flight insurance plan, it pays to opt for policies with lower time restrictions for travel delay coverage.
If an unexpected travel delay results in you missing your connecting flight, train, cruise, or other travel plan, many travel insurance policies can cover the cost to make new travel arrangements to catch up to your trip.
If you are forced to end your trip early due to an unforeseen event such as government-mandated airport closures or evacuation notices, Trip Interruption coverage can take over and cover the cost of the unused legs of your trip.
If you find yourself stranded while traveling due to a reason covered by your policy, this coverage can also help you rebook alternate travel arrangements and reimburse the cost of sending you home or helping you catch up to your initial itinerary.
Airlines mishandle millions of bags each year; therefore, most flight travel insurance plans include compensation and reimbursement for lost and stolen baggage as well as Baggage Delay coverage, ensuring you’re not stuck without your belongings.
These plans can not only reimburse you for the value of your luggage (up to the policy maximum), but they can also reimburse you for the cost of things like toiletries and replacement clothing while you wait for your delayed baggage to be located and delivered.
Many flight insurance plans also include some form of accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. This is a form of travel life insurance that can offer financial compensation for AD&D caused by a common carrier.
If this isn't included on your plan, many policies on Squaremouth come with an optional add-on benefit that gives you flight-specific accidental death and dismemberment insurance while you are flying.
As mentioned above, comprehensive travel insurance plans can go further than just offering flight protection and can cover you for unexpected medical emergencies while traveling. This can include reimbursing you for unexpected hospital stays, doctor visits, diagnostic tests, emergency surgeries, and prescription medication. This coverage is ideal for trips abroad where standard U.S. health insurance is not widely accepted.
Some third-party travel insurance plans offer optional upgrades for Cancel for Any Reason and Interruption for Any Reason coverage.
These benefits are not typically offered on policies sold by airlines or through credit cards, and extend your standard cancellation and interruption protection to include things that would otherwise be excluded.
As the name suggests, these add-on benefits allow you to cancel or interrupt your trip for any reason at all and still receive a partial reimbursement. For example, if you are scared to leave for the airport because the roads are icy, or you need to cancel your trip because a war broke out in the region, this coverage could allow you to cancel and be reimbursed.
What Does Flight Travel Insurance Not Cover?
Common flight travel insurance exclusions include:
- Acts of War or Civil Unrest: Most policies exclude coverage for disruptions caused by war, civil unrest, or government travel bans. This was an important factor for travelers during the military action in the Middle East, which closed airspace for days on end and led to global flight cancellations, leaving many travelers out of pocket. In these cases, policies with Cancel for Any Reason and Interruption for Any Reason benefits are key, and they are usually only available through third-party providers.
- Alcohol or Drug-Related Incidents: If you suffer financial loss due to an issue that arises while you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, most travel insurance providers will deny your claim, as these scenarios are excluded from coverage.
- High-Risk Activities: If you plan to participate in sports like cycling, scuba diving, or mountaineering while on your trip, you may need to opt for specific travel insurance policies with additional adventure-sports coverage.
- Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: If you opt for comprehensive travel insurance with flight protection, it’s important to note that some policies do not cover medical expenses relating to existing health issues unless you purchase a policy with coverage for pre-existing conditions.
As coverage varies based on the individual plan you choose, it’s important to review the fine print to understand its exact limitations and policy exclusions.
Should I Buy Flight Insurance Through My Airline?
Buying flight coverage from an airline is a good option if you are looking for flight-specific protection and aren’t concerned about it covering all aspects of your trip.
Many airlines partner with large travel insurance companies to offer basic trip protection to their customers. The drawback is that this coverage is often specific to your flight and is usually not intended to cover the entirety of your trip, such as hotels, rental cars, medical emergencies while you are away, and more.
The benefit of buying flight insurance through third-party providers is that you can often find wider-reaching coverage at a lower price. Third-party travel insurance plans are often customizable, which allows you to add valuable protections like Cancel for Any Reason coverage, which is not available through most airlines.
Here is a look at the benefits and tradeoffs with each:
Benefits of Buying Travel Insurance From Third-Party Providers
The benefits of buying flight insurance from a third-party provider include:
- More Comprehensive Coverage: Covers a wider range of travel risks, including medical emergencies, trip interruptions, and even adventure sports.
- Competitive Pricing: Shopping around allows you to see how various plans compare when it comes to pricing and coverage.
- More Customization: Many independent providers allow you to enhance your coverage with add-ons and upgrades.
Squaremouth can help you quickly and easily compare travel insurance plans from multiple providers at once. This is ideal for finding the best travel insurance coverage at affordable prices. Our plans also include ample options for customization through add-ons.
Benefits of Buying Travel Insurance From Airlines
The benefits of buying flight insurance from an airline include:
- Convenience: Buying your airfare and flight insurance all in one place can be a big time saver for people not interested in comparing coverage and prices.
- Fewer decisions to make: Most airlines only offer one or two plans to passengers, with little to no add-ons. This can reduce the decision load, which some people may find helpful.
- Tailored to flight-related coverage: Plans offered by airlines are geared heavily to flight-related coverage, which may be all some travelers need.
- See our full review of flight insurance policies from major airlines.
Start a quote to see travel insurance plans and prices for your trip.
How Much Is Flight Insurance?
Our internal sales data from the past 12 months shows that comprehensive travel insurance plans with flight protection cost around $30 per day on average.
Squaremouth visitors spend an average of $433 for comprehensive travel insurance with flight coverage, and have an average trip length of 14 days.
While this represents the average price travelers pay for comprehensive coverage, it's possible to find cheap flight insurance plans by comparing policies online.
It's also important to note that this cost reflects more than just flight protection. Comprehensive plans typically include emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation and interruption reimbursement, baggage protection, and other benefits.
How much you will pay depends heavily on your specific trip parameters, such as trip cost, length, destination, age, and more.
For exact pricing, get a customized flight insurance quote and compare plans side-by-side.
How Does Flight Insurance Work?
Flight insurance is a reimbursement-based model that takes effect if your trip is derailed by unexpected flight cancellations, lengthy delays, medical emergencies, mishandled luggage, and more.
If you run into any issues before or during your trip, you can simply reach out to your travel insurance's 24/7 emergency assistance hotline for support. These agents are trained to help you find a solution, which can include rebooking you, helping you locate a suitable hospital, or helping you file a claim for reimbursement.
When filing a claim, you’ll be asked to provide supporting documentation, so it's important to keep detailed records of communications, receipts, and proof of your claims. The claims reimbursement process can take roughly 4-6 weeks, depending on the provider.
How to Choose the Right Flight Insurance Plan
Finding the best flight insurance plan comes down to understanding your options and choosing coverage that fits your needs.
Here are our tips for finding the best flight insurance plan for your needs:
Websites like Squaremouth allow you to quickly compare travel insurance plans from top providers side by side. Our comparison tool can show you the price of each plan with detailed explanations of what's included. You can even filter for exactly the type of insurance benefit and limit you are looking for to quickly find a plan that meets your needs.
Many policies offered directly through airlines do not include coverage for medical emergencies or medical evacuations. If you’re planning international travel, we strongly suggest third-party policies that provide well-rounded protection for the entirety of your trip.
Since each policy and provider is different, we recommend reading the fine print to understand what’s excluded from the policy before you buy it. Refer back to our list of common exclusions above.
Many policies offer optional add-ons that can make your policy even more comprehensive. Some of the most popular add-ons commonly found in flight insurance plans include Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage and Rental Car Damage protection.
Browse Other Policy Types
Flight Insurance FAQs
Squaremouth shares its tips and recommendations based on the most frequently asked questions from passengers.
Not always. Flight insurance through credit cards really only covers travel delays and the cost of your airfare due to cancellations. However, credit cards cannot cover things like redeposit fees if you booked your airfare with points. Most airlines charge $500 or more to return your points or miles for cancelled flights. Travel insurance can reimburse you for these charges and offer stronger coverage in other areas, like emergency medical protection.
Flight insurance is generally worth it if you have non-refundable tickets, complex itineraries, or an expensive trip booked, as airlines won’t offer refunds, meal vouchers, or hotel stays for just any flight disruption.
In terms of price, the benefits offered by a flight insurance plan well outweigh the cost, and you’ll likely be glad you bought it if you are ever forced to use it.
Ultimately, whether flight insurance is worth it for you depends on your unique travel situation, the cost and complexity of your trip, and your personal risk tolerance. Regardless, it can save you a lot of time and money if you run into travel disruptions or emergencies.
Yes, you can purchase travel insurance anytime after booking your flight up until your departure date. With that said, it’s best to buy coverage as soon as possible.
The earlier you purchase, the more coverage options you’ll have. Buying travel insurance early also allows you to qualify for time-sensitive benefits like pre-existing condition waivers and Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage.
Trip insurance covers flight cancellations and delays that result from covered events, such as inclement weather or a mechanical breakdown. In the event your travel plans are impacted, your policy may cover the cost to book new travel arrangements.
Travel insurance does not cover voluntary changes to your plans, like wanting a new departure time or no longer wanting to travel. For the most cancellation flexibility, purchase a policy that includes CFAR & IFAR insurance. This benefit can provide partial reimbursement of your trip costs if you cancel for an uncovered reason.
Flight cancellation insurance can reimburse you for non-refundable travel expenses, including airline tickets, if you cancel your trip for a covered reason. Most plans cover cancellations relating to an unexpected illness, injury, family emergency, or severe weather events.
If your flight is disrupted and causes financial loss, you may be eligible for reimbursement through your travel insurance policy.
To request this reimbursement, you will need to file a travel insurance claim with your provider as soon as possible. The claims process typically involves the following steps:
- Confirm Coverage: Review your policy documentation or speak with your provider to confirm that your disruption is eligible for reimbursement.
- Gather Documents: Your provider will likely request receipts, booking confirmations, and other forms of documentation that support your claim.
- Fill Out a Claim Form: Most travel insurance companies allow you to complete a claim form online or through a mobile app. Be sure to attach all necessary documentation.
- Submit & Monitor: When ready, submit your claim and await a response. Check back regularly to get status updates or to see if additional documentation has been requested.
Airline travel insurance is typically offered during the booking process and provides basic protection focused on flight-related issues, like cancellations or delays. It’s fast and convenient, but it usually comes from a single provider with limited customization.
Third-party flight travel insurance, on the other hand, gives you access to a broader selection of policies from multiple insurers. You can shop directly or use a comparison site like Squaremouth to get multiple flight insurance quotes and find a plan that better fits your trip.
Our analysis to find this year’s best flight insurance coverage options with comprehensive trip and airfare coverage highlighted John Hancock Gold and Berkshire Hathaway LuxuryCare as the top two policies on the market.
- Best Overall Flight Insurance, John Hancock – Gold
- Best Value Coverage, Berkshire Hathaway – LuxuryCare
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