When should my travel insurance start?
Asked by: Shaylee Buckridge V | Last update: January 6, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (55 votes)
How soon before a trip should you get travel insurance?
We suggest you buy a travel protection plan when you make your first trip payment. Don't wait to insure your trip! We suggest you buy a travel protection plan as soon as possible.
How long before a trip should you buy insurance?
We recommend that you purchase travel insurance as soon as you've booked your trip. You do have some options, and we'll go over those, but the important thing to remember is that purchasing early allows you to use your travel insurance benefits sooner.
What date to use for travel insurance?
The travel start date is the day you physically leave your house for your trip. Typically, it's also the day that your Travel Insurance should begin.
When should take out travel insurance?
And most insurers require you to buy policies with medical coverage within 14 to 30 days of your first trip payment. After that, pre-existing medical conditions may not be covered. Buying early also gives you peace of mind that you're properly covered in case you need to cancel for any reason.
Travel Insurance Tips: 7 Things to Know Before You Buy
Does travel insurance get less expensive closer to departure date?
Unlike other aspects of your travel experience like airfares or hotel-room rates, the price of travel insurance doesn't increase the closer you get to your travel date. There's no financial penalty if you wait to buy travel insurance (except for those bonus coverages, of course).
Will my travel insurance cover trip cancellation?
Travel insurance will almost certainly provide financial protection if all or a part of your trip is cancelled due to the weather. There are policies that will cover you in the event of a natural disaster, such as tsunamis, earthquakes and tornadoes.
Do you have to activate travel insurance?
You usually have to 'activate' the insurance policy. Before you choose to go with the free option, make sure to confirm how to activate it with your bank. Don't assume it's activated. You could find yourself overseas without insurance when you need it.
What is the start date of a policy?
Policy Start Date means the date from which the insurance contract commences. Policy Start Date means the date shown as “Warranty Start Date” on the certificate of insurance.
What is initial deposit date for travel insurance?
Initial deposit date is the day on which you made your first payment toward the trip.
How early can I get travel insurance?
Buy travel insurance as soon as you know your travel dates. That way you're covered if your trip is cancelled before you even leave or if you're unable to travel at all.
How close to travel date can you purchase travel insurance?
You can purchase travel insurance any time before the date of your departure. However, your plan choice may be limited if you wait until the last minute.
What is the effective date of a travel insurance policy?
Annual (Multi-Trip): The effective date for Annual Travel Insurance is typically the departure date for your first scheduled trip. Coverage will then continue for 12 months after the effective date, regardless of how many trips you take in between.
How soon in advance should you plan a trip?
Here we come to the most important question of all: how soon should I begin my vacation planning? With all the above in mind, we recommend booking your flights and hotels at least six months before you travel.
How much should trip insurance cost?
While travel insurance costs vary, the average is somewhere between 4-12% of your total trip cost*.
Will insurance cover before start date?
Understanding Coverage Dates
Health insurance policies are designed to cover medical expenses incurred during the period when the policy is active. This means that if you received medical services before your policy's effective date, those expenses are generally not covered.
What is the risk start date of insurance?
Generally, the risk coverage commences from the date of acceptance of the plan or the receipt date of the 1st premium in full, whichever comes later. In case, if the proposal acceptance is conditional upon the compliance of the proposer with any requirements, then the risk towards the policy will commence.
How do I find my policy start date?
You can typically find your effective date on the declarations page in your policy – it's usually located on the first or second page. Pro tip: While you're at it, be sure to take note of the expiration date as well (to the right of policy start date in the above image).
When should I get travel insurance?
When should I purchase my travel insurance? As soon as possible, ideally, as soon as you book your holiday. This is because travel insurance will cover unrecoverable costs if you need to cancel your trip, for example, if you are ill and can't travel.
Do credit cards automatically have travel insurance?
Does my credit card have travel insurance automatically? Not necessarily. Some Capital One cards, such as most Venture cards, offer travel insurance. But some may not.
How long before travelling do I need insurance?
In general, you can buy coverage any time before the date of your trip. That said, it's always best to buy coverage as soon as you make your reservations. The sooner you buy travel insurance, the sooner you'll have protection and the more benefits you may be eligible to receive.
Do you get a full refund with travel insurance?
If your travel insurance policy has a money-back guarantee or review period, you can cancel for any reason and receive a full refund within the timeframe if you haven't filed a claim or departed for your trip yet. But you won't get a premium refund if you cancel your policy after the review period.
What does travel insurance not cover?
According to Allianz Global Assistance, a travel insurance provider, "Trip cancellations and trip interruptions due to known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, or fear of travel are generally not covered."
Does travel insurance cover if the airline cancels flight?
Most travel insurance policies do include trip cancellation coverage if your flights are cancelled, but under specific circumstances. Keep in mind that not every reason for flight cancellation is covered. Travel insurance aims to protect your insured non-refundable trip costs if you suddenly have to cancel your trip.