For international trips, medical cover alone justifies it — a hospital stay abroad can cost tens of thousands. Trip-cancellation cover is worth it for expensive, non-refundable trips. Check what your credit card already includes before buying.
Medical and evacuation: the core reason. US domestic health insurance often doesn’t cover you abroad; even where it does, evacuation is separate. Look for at least $100,000 medical and $250,000+ evacuation.
Trip cancellation/interruption: reimburses non-refundable costs if you cancel for a covered reason (illness, family emergency). Worth it for big prepaid trips; ‘cancel for any reason’ upgrades cost more.
Baggage and delay: minor, often duplicated by credit cards.
Credit cards: many premium cards include trip delay, cancellation and baggage cover when you pay with the card — but medical cover is usually thin.
Nomads: subscription-style plans (SafetyWing and similar) cover rolling travel.
Read exclusions: pre-existing conditions, adventure sports, and pandemics are common gaps.
Related questions
My flight was cancelled — what are my rights?
Everywhere: a refund or rebooking, your choice. In the EU/UK: also meals, hotel if overnight, and up to €600 compensation unless the cause was extraordinary. In the US: a cash refund is required for cancellations; compensation is not, though some airlines offer it voluntarily. Full answer →
Airline, airport and government rules change without notice. Treat this as a starting point and confirm with the airline or authority for your specific trip. Request a correction if something is out of date.