How to find cheap travel insurance that still works

1. Insure only what you'd lose

Trip cost is a big driver of price. Insure only your prepaid, non-refundable costs, not the whole vacation budget.

2. Consider medical-only

If your flights and hotels are refundable, a medical-only plan may be all you need, and it's usually far cheaper.

3. Compare on the same details

Prices for the same trip can vary widely between insurers. Use a comparison site so you're comparing like with like.

4. Skip upgrades you don't need

Rental car damage, Cancel For Any Reason and adventure sports add-ons all raise the price. Add only what fits your trip, and check whether your credit card covers rental cars.

5. Look at annual plans

If you take three or more trips a year, an annual plan can cost less than buying separate policies.

What not to cut

Keep a solid emergency medical limit and medical evacuation cover for international trips. Those are the costs that can be financially devastating.

General information only, not insurance advice. Coverage varies by plan, state and country. Always read the policy wording before you buy.