5 Travel Insurance Mistakes to Avoid This Summer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With the summer travel season almost here and the cost of travel continuing to increase, many travelers are looking for ways to save. But in trying to cut expenses, even seasoned travelers can overlook key protections and make mistakes when it comes to purchasing travel insurance.

Squaremouth, the nation's largest travel insurance comparison service, has unveiled the top five travel insurance mistakes to avoid making this summer as you hit the skies or the road.

Mistake #1: Buying Coverage Too Late

Travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen events that may impact your trip. Once something goes wrong, it's too late to get covered. 

Buying insurance early maximizes the coverage period, and gives you access to certain time-sensitive benefits for increased flexibility. Waiting too long can mean missing out on key protections like Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR), pre-existing condition coverage, or coverage related to named storms during hurricane season.

Squaremouth Tip: Buy comprehensive travel insurance coverage as soon as possible after you book your trip, ideally within 10 days of booking. This will give you access to the most possible plans and benefits.

Mistake #2: Not Being Prepared for Delays or Disruptions

Flight delays and disruptions have reached an all-time high due to major disturbances in the aviation industry. In the past year alone, widespread technology failures, airline staffing shortages, and air traffic control issues have disrupted more travelers than ever before.

In fact, Squaremouth recently uncovered a 55% surge in travelers looking for delay-related coverage.

Squaremouth Tip: Look for Travel Delay coverage that kicks in after flight delays of 3 hours and accounts for any delay of a common carrier. This will give you the most coverage and flexibility in the event of a delay.

Mistake #3: Paying More for "Better" Coverage

Many travelers assume that more expensive travel insurance offers better coverage, but that's not the case. Lower-cost policies aren't necessarily lower quality. Some insurance providers simply price their plans differently based on how they assess risk.

Squaremouth Tip: Buy the least expensive travel insurance policy that meets your specific coverage needs.

Mistake #4: Buying Add-On Insurance from An Airline or Cruise Line

Many travelers make the mistake of opting into the insurance add-on offered by an airline or cruise line without comparing other options. While these policies can provide a basic level of protection, they often come with limited coverage and less flexibility than a standalone plan.

Squaremouth Tip: Use a comparison site like Squaremouth to compare policies by coverage amounts, price, and provider rating.

Mistake #5: Relying Only on Your Credit Card's Coverage

Some credit cards offer travel insurance as a perk for cardholders. While these plans offer baseline coverage, like Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Travel Delay, and Baggage Delay coverage, there are limitations - the biggest one being a lack of medical coverage.

Squaremouth Tip: Use a third-party plan to supplement your credit card's coverage, especially if medical or health coverage is important to you.

About Squaremouth

Squaremouth is a trusted name in the travel insurance industry offering comprehensive, transparent, and competitive coverage to travelers for 20 years through its digital platform. With the largest portfolio of travel insurance carriers and products in the U.S., Squaremouth has insured over 4 million clients.

Media Contact
Ned Tadic
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SOURCE Squaremouth