Can I Buy More Than One Travel Insurance Policy for the Same Trip? (2024)

Last Updated: December 20, 2012April 23, 2024

Heading into a trip, you can never be too cautious. Getting travel insurance coverage is the best way to protect against unforeseen events impacting your trip and limit out-of-pocket costs. While most of the time one comprehensive plan is enough, there are times when more than one policy makes sense.

Am I Allowed More Than One Travel Insurance Policy For A Trip?

Yes, it is possible, and sometimes smart, to purchase multiple travel insurance policies for the same trip. If you find that an existing policy you have does not offer enough coverage for your upcoming vacation, you may purchase additional coverage for greater peace of mind.

This can happen both accidentally, when a traveler unknowingly purchases an additional policy, or intentionally, when a traveler feels the amount of coverage offered in an existing policy is not suffice.

If you’re considering purchasing a second travel insurance plan for your trip, there are a few restrictions to keep in mind.

Policies Must be From Different Providers

If the benefits available in one policy do not satisfy your needs, you can purchase an additional policy for further travel protection. However, the policies must be from different travel insurance providers. If you want improved coverage from your current provider, you can likely contact them directly to make adjustments to your coverage before you depart for your trip.

Claims May Only Be Paid Out Once

The most important thing to remember when purchasing multiple policies is that travelers can’t “double dip.” In other words, purchasing multiple policies for the same trip doesn’t mean travelers can receive multiple payouts for the same insurance claim.

Why Would You Travel With Dual Insurance Policies?

There are a host of reasons why you may travel with more than one trip protection plans. We dive into the two most common examples of why you may end up with multiple policies for your trip.

To Get More Coverage For Your Trip

A common reason why you may purchase additional coverage for your trip is because your existing policy doesn’t offer adequate protection. If this happens, you have three options; try and get a refund from your insurance provider, take your trip with below-average coverage, or purchase a separate policy that compliments your existing plan.

This scenario typically occurs when you purchase an insurance plan through a travel supplier, such as a cruise line, airline, or tour operator. While policies sold through these suppliers are often legitimate, they often offer low coverage limits at high premiums.

If you feel the need to purchase an additional travel insurance policy for your trip, make sure to consider the following:

  • Benefits: Make sure that the policy you are considering fills in the coverage gaps found in your existing plan. By the time you travel, your coverage should include benefits such as Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, and Travel Delay.
  • Coverage Limits: The best travel insurance plans will offer high coverage for common travel disruptions. If you’re traveling internationally, make sure you have at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage, and $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage.
  • Premiums: We only recommend doubling up in insurance if it fits your budget. Limit how much you spend on a second policy by only focusing on the coverage your existing plan doesn’t provide.

Purchasing Multiple Plans By Accident

Mistakes can happen when planning a trip, from booking flights for the wrong dates to booking a hotel in Paris, TX instead of Paris, France. Luckily, traveling with too much insurance won’t make or break your trip.

Below are a few scenarios that may arise that could lead to dual travel insurance:

  • Forgetting You Already Have Coverage: A lot of times, travelers purchase their insurance months in advance. There’s always a chance that your purchase slips your mind, and you end up buying a new policy without realizing you have existing coverage.
  • Covered Under Someone Else’s Plan: A single-trip plans can cover up to 10 travelers. Be sure to communicate with your travel party when buying insurance to make sure you don’t duplicate coverage for your group.
  • Already Covered by Annual Travel Insurance: An annual travel insurance plan is a type of policy that covers individuals for an entire year starting from their purchase date. It’s possible for that plan to fall to the back of your mind, and purchase an additional plan by accident.
  • Have Existing Coverage Through a Credit Card: Many travel credit cards now have strong insurance benefits. If you have a card, see what benefits it can provide as it may offer enough protection for your trip.

If you end up purchasing a plan you don’t need, there’s a chance you can “return” the policy and get a full refund. Every travel insurance plan listed on Squaremouth has a Money Back Guarantee period. During this time frame, typically 10-14 days, you can cancel your policy and get 100% of your premium back.

Can I Buy More Than One Travel Insurance Policy for the Same Trip? (2024)

FAQs

Can I Buy More Than One Travel Insurance Policy for the Same Trip? ›

Can I have 2 different travel insurance policies for the same traveler? You may have more than one policy. However, the same claim cannot be submitted to both insurance companies. You may want to consider keeping just one policy with higher policy limits.

Is it better to get multi-trip travel insurance? ›

In summary, multi-trip travel insurance is ideal for frequent travellers and adventure seekers. With benefits like emergency medical coverage, trip cancellation, COVID-19 coverage, and 24/7 assistance, you can set off on your many journeys with greater peace of mind.

What is a multi-trip insurance policy? ›

If you are a frequent traveller, you may choose an Annual Multi-Trip travel insurance policy under our Comprehensive, Essential or Domestic plans, which provide coverage for unlimited number of trips within 12 months with maximum duration per trip that you can choose from 30, 45 or 60 days for international trips (with ...

Can you buy travel insurance for multiple trips? ›

Multi-trip insurance focuses mainly on medical policies, while single-trip policies can cover a broader range of issues. In general, annual travel insurance will cover you in the event that you need medical care while traveling overseas. Different policies will have different coverage.

How close to my trip can I buy travel insurance? ›

In general, you can buy coverage any time before the date of your trip.

Can you have 2 travel insurance policies for the same trip? ›

Can I have 2 different travel insurance policies for the same traveler? You may have more than one policy. However, the same claim cannot be submitted to both insurance companies. You may want to consider keeping just one policy with higher policy limits.

What happens if you have multiple travel insurance policies? ›

When it comes to travel insurance, there's only downsides to having two policies in place. It will be more costly as you're paying for cover twice, and more complicated when you come to claim. Claims could get delayed, and you could end up having to fork out for two excess charges.

What are the two 2 basic types of travel insurance? ›

What type of travel insurance do I need? There are two main types of travel insurance: trip protection plans and travel medical plans.

Which travel insurance is best at paying claims? ›

We named Nationwide travel insurance as our pick for the most coverage reimbursed. It offers 100% trip cancellation coverage and up to 200% trip interruption protection, depending on your plan choice. Nationwide also provides some of the best policies for cruise ship passengers, based on our review.

What is the best annual travel insurance company? ›

The 5 Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans
  • Seven Corners: Trip Protection Annual Multi-Trip.
  • Trawick International: Safe Travels Annual Basic.
  • International Medical Group (IMG): Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Medical.
  • Allianz Travel Insurance: AllTrips Premier.
  • AIG Travel Guard: Annual Plan.
Jun 27, 2024

Is Allianz travel insurance any good? ›

We at the MarketWatch Guides team awarded Allianz Travel Insurance 4.1 out of 5 stars based on our provider review methodology. Named our pick for concierge services, Allianz offers 24/7 travel assistance through a multilingual team, which can help policyholders with travel and coverage issues while abroad.

How much travel insurance is enough? ›

How much travel medical insurance do you need? Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, recommends buying at least $50,000 in emergency medical coverage for international travel. For travelers going on a cruise or to a remote destination, the site recommends at least $100,000 in coverage.

Is 50000 enough for travel insurance? ›

A $50,000 policy maximum may be more than enough for travel throughout most of Asia, but that amount may not be enough should you need urgent care for emergencies that may involve surgery or other treatments in the United States.

What is not covered by travel insurance? ›

Reasonably foreseeable events. Known storms, epidemics, acts of war. Travel restrictions imposed by government authorities. Pre-existing conditions, unless the Premium plan is bought within the window for coverage.

How soon before a trip should I buy travel insurance? ›

The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after you've completed your travel arrangements.

Does travel insurance get more expensive closer to the trip? ›

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).

When should I start multi trip travel insurance? ›

The start date can be up to 31 days in advance. If you have a pre-booked trip and need cancellation cover, make the start of your policy the date you take it out, not the date your trip starts. The period of insurance is for 12 months.

Is it better to buy travel insurance as a group or individual? ›

More people means greater risk of mishap.

This next reason for why you need group travel insurance is basic rules of probability. When the number of people traveling increases, so can the odds of something going wrong.

Is it better to get single trip or annual travel insurance? ›

This will depend on how many trips you make per year. If you know you will only go on one or two holidays abroad in a 12-month period, a single trip policy will most likely be the best option. However, if you take several trips abroad each year, an annual multi-trip policy could be cheaper.

What is the difference between single trip and multi trip insurance? ›

A single trip, with multiple destinations (i.e., from home to Paris, then London, then Madrid, then back home at the conclusion of your tour) can be covered by a traditional travel insurance comprehensive plan. Multi-trip plans are available for purchase on an annual basis only and cover a wide range of options.

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