June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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Do you feel like travel is more stressful than it used to be? More difficult, more expensive, and more unpredictable?
You’re not alone—and you’re not wrong. Disruptions in air travel have become more frequent in recent years, caused by technology failures, reduced airline capacity, extreme heat, and global conflicts.1 Storms and natural disasters add to the chaos. Travel costs are rising, too.
The best way to minimize the impact of travel disruptions is to protect your trip with travel insurance. More than four in ten Americans (42%) said they have purchased or were likely to purchase travel insurance for their upcoming trips, according to the 2026 Global Travel Confidence Index (GTCI) survey from Allianz Partners.
Here are the main findings from the 2026 survey.
More specifically, the top five reasons for buying travel insurance are:
A hurricane hits your resort. A strike cancels your flight. A stomach virus ruins your cruise vacation. No matter how carefully you plan your trip, there’s always a chance that a problem will arise—and that’s what travel insurance is for.
When you have to cancel your trip unexpectedly, don’t count on getting money back from your travel provider. Cruise lines, tour companies, vacation rentals, and resorts often have strict no-refund cancellation policies. Travel insurance with trip cancellation benefits can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs when you must cancel for a covered reason. The Cancel Anytime upgrade (available with OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier) can reimburse 80% of your lost non-refundable trip costs if you cancel your trip for almost any unforeseeable reason your plan does not already cover.
Getting sick or hurt when you’re far from home can be a frightening experience. You might not speak the language or even know who to ask for help. That’s why Allianz Travel Insurance plans include 24-hour assistance via phone or the Allyz® app. Many plans also include Global Doctor Visits for urgent medical care. Find pre-screened, English-speaking healthcare providers near you and schedule an appointment, all in the app.
Medical providers in other countries typically don’t accept U.S. health insurance. Instead, they ask for payment up front. The cost of emergency transportation must be paid out of pocket as well—and that adds up fast. Travel Insurance with emergency medical and dental benefits can provide reimbursement (or advance payment) for covered emergency medical care and transportation.
Many travelers think baggage insurance only covers what’s in your suitcases. Allianz Travel Insurance does more: we define baggage as any personal property you take with you or acquire on your trip. So if a thief makes off with your shopping bags, or if your phone takes a dive off the ferry, your baggage benefits may be able to help. Be aware that exclusions, baggage delay length requirements, and maximum limits/sublimits apply, and you must report all losses to the airline, airport, police or other relevant authority.
Remember: Do your research! When buying insurance, read your plan for the full details, as coverage varies by plan. Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply, and benefits and coverage may vary by state of residence.
Among travelers who said they didn’t plan to purchase travel insurance, 51% said the risk of something going wrong is too low.
For some trips, that might be true. For example, if you’re traveling in the U.S., all your trip costs are fully refundable, and you’re willing to accept the risk of travel delays and baggage mishaps, then you may be fine without insurance. But for international trips, cruises, adventure travel, and any trip with non-refundable expenses, travel insurance is a must.
The #2 reason people skip travel insurance is the cost. If that’s a concern, take a look at the most affordably priced plans from Allianz Travel Insurance. OneTrip Basic offers a budget-friendly travel insurance with all the key benefits needed for international travel. OneTrip Cancellation Plus is perfect for domestic travelers who want cancellation and trip interruption benefits, but don't need emergency medical and other post-departure benefits.
Read more: Is Travel Insurance Worth It? Here's What Real Travelers Say
With so many travel insurance plan options, how do you choose the right one for your journey? The answer may depend on your age, the 2026 Global Travel Confidence Index revealed.
The survey found that 48% of Americans who are planning to protect their trip purchase insurance at the same time they book their trip. This is a smart decision!
The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after paying for your trip, or making the initial payment. The sooner you buy, the sooner you’re protected in case of an unexpected trip cancellation.
If you can’t buy right away, make sure you get your insurance within 14 days of paying your first trip deposit in order to be eligible for the existing medical condition benefit. This means that you, a traveling companion or family member can have an existing medical condition and still be eligible for all applicable benefits and assistance services, as long as you meet all the requirements outlined in your plan documents.
The upshot of the 2026 Global Travel Confidence Index: Travel insurance is not an optional add-on, but an essential purchase that protects your trip costs and your peace of mind. If you’re looking for trustworthy travel protection for unexpected trip cancellations, delays, and other disruptions, get a quote from Allianz Partners.
View all of our travel insurance products
Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.
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