What Does Travel Insurance Actually Cover?

What's covered by Trip Cancellation?

Trip Cancellation is the headline benefit: up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip cost (maximum $100,000) when you cancel before departure for a covered reason. The Nationwide plan's covered-reasons list is specific: illness or injury (you, a traveling companion, or a family member), death in the family, jury duty, military deployment, employer termination after at least two years of continuous tenure, severe weather that makes your destination inaccessible, and a defined list of named scenarios.

The covered events have to be unforeseen at the time you bought the policy. A hurricane already named, an illness already diagnosed, a layoff already announced: none of those qualify. For everything else on the list, the plan reimburses the full unrecoverable cost.

What's covered by Trip Interruption?

Trip Interruption picks up where Trip Cancellation leaves off; it covers events that happen after your trip has already begun. Up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip cost is reimbursed for the unused portion of the trip, plus the cost of comparable replacement lodging if your accommodations become unusable. If you have to fly home early for a covered reason, the plan covers the catch-up airfare and the nights you don't get to use.

What's covered by Trip Delay?

Trip Delay pays $200 per day, up to $600 per trip total, after a 6-hour delay caused by airline mechanical issues, weather, or another covered reason. The benefit covers meals, lodging, and replacement essentials while you wait, which is the kind of spending you actually rack up when an airline strands you for half a day. Save your receipts; reimbursement is for documented out-of-pocket expenses up to the limit.

Emergency medical and dental coverage

Emergency Accident and Sickness Medical Expense is $25,000, plus an additional $500 for emergency dental. This is the benefit most travelers underestimate: the majority of U.S. health insurance plans don't cover medical care outside the country, and even those that do typically require you to pay up front and reimburse later. Travel insurance gives you a primary or secondary medical benefit that activates immediately, with a 24/7 assistance line to help you find an in-network provider abroad.

Emergency evacuation and repatriation

Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation each carry $250,000 limits. Evacuation pays for emergency transport to the nearest adequate medical facility when local care isn't sufficient. These are the air-ambulance scenarios that can run six figures out of pocket if you don't have coverage. Repatriation covers the cost of getting you home for continued care, or, in the worst case, repatriation of remains to your home country.

Baggage and personal effects

Baggage and Personal Effects coverage is $1,000 per traveler, with a $300 per-article limit and a $500 combined limit for valuables like cameras, jewelry, and electronics. It covers loss, theft, or damage of checked or carry-on bags. This is not a replacement for a homeowners or renters policy (those typically have higher limits and cover items at home), but it's meaningful protection for the contents of your suitcase while you're traveling.

Baggage delay

Baggage Delay coverage is up to $1,000 after your bag has been delayed at least 12 hours en route. It pays for the replacement essentials you need while you wait: toothbrush, change of clothes, basic toiletries. Save your receipts; reimbursement is for documented out-of-pocket spending up to the limit.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)

Accidental Death & Dismemberment carries a $25,000 principal sum. It's a standard add-on most plans include, paying out for the named covered events in the unlikely worst case.

What is NOT covered?

The standard plan has clear exclusions, and knowing them up front is more useful than discovering them at claim time:

• Pre-existing conditions outside the 14-day Time Sensitive Period. If you bought the plan more than 14 days after your first deposit, conditions you've been treated for in the prior 60 to 180 days are excluded. More on the 14-day window →
• Foreseeable events. Hurricanes named before you bought the policy, political unrest already in the news, a known illness: all excluded.
• Third-trimester pregnancy. Pregnancy after a certain gestational age (varies by plan) is excluded as a covered reason.
• High-risk activities. Skydiving, mountaineering above 4,500m, professional sports, racing, and similar activities are excluded on standard plans. Specialty plans exist for adventure travel.
• Reasons not on the covered-list. A standard plan is a defined-perils product. If your reason for canceling isn't on the list, the plan doesn't pay. For any-reason coverage, see CFAR →.

For specific dollar limits and the full plan-level details, head to the Coverage page → or get a personalized quote →.