Is Travel Insurance Worth It in 2025? Here’s What Seniors Need To Know

Is travel insurance worth it in 2025? For older travelers, the answer often becomes clear only when something goes wrong. Imagine you’re in your 70s and planning a long-awaited European river cruise. 

Then, just days before departure, you slip and fracture a hip, forcing you to cancel everything: nonrefundable flights, prepaid excursions, and the cruise itself. Without travel insurance, you could be left to absorb thousands of dollars in losses.

With more seniors planning international trips and growing concerns around travel safety trends, having some form of protection is more important than ever. The best travel insurance for seniors often depends on factors like health status, destination, and flexibility.

In this guide, we’ll explore when travel insurance makes sense, when it might not, and how EA+ offers older travelers a low-cost way to travel confidently, especially when it comes to emergency medical situations abroad.

What does travel insurance include?

Travel insurance helps protect against unexpected events that can disrupt your trip or lead to costly bills. While coverage varies by provider, most plans offer a mix of protections for medical issues, trip disruptions, and travel-related inconveniences. You’ll find a breakdown of what’s typically covered and what’s often excluded in the table below.

Many plans also offer optional upgrades such as coverage for adventure sports, rental cars, or cancel-for-any-reason flexibility. However, one of the most commonly misunderstood gaps is medical evacuation, also called medical repatriation. This service is often excluded or only partially covered by standard travel insurance policies.

When is travel insurance worth it?

Travel insurance is especially helpful when you’re facing high financial or medical risk while away from home. This is most common during international travel, where your regular health insurance may not apply. Many travelers are surprised to learn that Medicare and most private plans offer little to no coverage for international medical care.

If you’re trying to decide whether trip insurance is worth it, consider how much of your trip is non-refundable or time-sensitive. Insurance is a smart choice when your plans are hard to change, like on cruises and tours, or during times when weather, illness outbreaks, or political events may disrupt travel. 

When is travel insurance not worth it?

Is travel insurance worth it for domestic flights? Many travelers ask this question, and the answer is often no. Travel insurance may not be necessary for short domestic trips, especially if your health insurance already covers you within the U.S. These types of trips tend to involve lower risks and smaller financial commitments.

You may also be protected by flexible or refundable bookings. Many airlines and hotels now allow no-fee changes or cancellations. If you used a credit card with travel protections, you might already have coverage for trip delays, cancellations, or lost luggage. It’s a good idea to review your card’s benefits before purchasing additional insurance.

Travel insurance vs. travel assistance cost benefit analysis 

Travel insurance and travel assistance may sound similar, but they offer different types of protection and are priced differently. Travel insurance is usually purchased per trip and covers things like cancellations, baggage loss, and emergency medical care. Depending on your age, destination, and coverage level, a single policy can cost anywhere from $100 to over $500. 

In contrast, travel assistance plans like Emergency Assistance Plus (EA+) are annual memberships focused on helping you in the event of an emergency. These plans often include services that traditional insurance does not, such as emergency medical evacuation and coordination. 

For example, the cost of an air ambulance without coverage can reach up to $80,000. With EA+, you pay once per year and receive support no matter how often you travel. While it doesn’t cover things like trip cancellations or lost luggage, it can help fill serious gaps that many travel insurance policies leave behind. 

Travel assistance is designed to complement—not replace—travel insurance by providing emergency support services that traditional policies may not include. Here’s how the cost of individual travel insurance compares to travel assistance: 

Scenarios where you need travel protection 

No one expects their trip to take a sudden turn, but travel disruptions and health emergencies happen every day. That’s why it’s important to think beyond what’s likely and prepare for what’s possible—especially if you’re traveling far from home or managing ongoing health concerns.

Below are common scenarios where travel insurance, travel assistance, or both can make a major difference. This applies not just to cost savings, but also to how smoothly you’re able to get help and continue your journey.

Medical emergency abroad 

Imagine experiencing a heart attack on a Mediterranean cruise or suffering a serious fall in a South Asian city. If you’re flying after a hip replacement or managing recovery from surgery, the risks—and stress—can increase. While travel insurance may help cover hospital bills, it often doesn’t include or coordinate evacuation. 

That’s where travel assistance programs like EA+ help during a medical emergency. They arrange transportation, cover air ambulance costs, and help you get home safely. In the worst-case scenario, they can also coordinate the repatriation of remains—a service that traditional insurance may not fully cover or manage.

Trip cancellation 

Let’s say you’ve booked a two-week guided tour through Italy, with non-refundable flights, hotels, and excursions. Just days before departure, a sudden illness forces you to cancel. For travelers with pre-existing conditions, situations like this can be especially risky. Without coverage, you may be left to absorb the full cost.

In a case like this, travel insurance is worth it because it helps with medical care, reimburses prepaid expenses, and protects your investment.

Lost luggage 

After a long flight, you’re standing at the baggage carousel—but your suitcase never arrives. With an EA+ membership, you can get help tracking down lost bags and coordinating recovery with the airline. While EA+ doesn’t reimburse for lost belongings, this support can ease the stress of travel disruptions.

For luggage reimbursement, travelers typically rely on comprehensive travel insurance, flight insurance add-ons, or specialized baggage insurance. Coverage limits and exclusions vary, which is why many travelers ask whether flight insurance is worth it in situations like these. 

Explore the world confidently with EA+

For travelers seeking more complete protection beyond traditional insurance, EA+ offers added peace of mind. Travel insurance typically covers things like flight cancellations and reimbursing lost baggage. EA+ is there in the moment, providing real-time support during emergencies, including medical evacuation, hospital-to-hospital transfers, and getting you home safely. 

Unlike per-trip insurance, EA+ has one annual fee starting at $299 that protects you on every trip you take. The price includes 24/7 support for emergencies, access to coordination services, and protection that follows you wherever you go. 

So, is travel insurance worth it? In many cases, yes—especially for covering cancellations, delays, or medical care. But it doesn’t cover everything. EA+ works alongside traditional insurance to fill common gaps, like emergency medical evacuation and coordination, offering more complete protection. 

FAQ

Do I really need travel insurance?

It depends on the type of trip you’re taking. Travel insurance is most helpful for international travel, expensive or non-refundable bookings, and trips that could be disrupted by weather, illness, or emergencies. 

What are the disadvantages of travel insurance?

Travel insurance can be expensive, especially for older travelers, and policies often have exclusions, coverage caps, and complex terms. It may not cover everything you assume it does, such as medical evacuation or pre-existing conditions.

Should I get trip insurance? 

Trip insurance is a good idea if you invest in non-refundable travel or plan to visit destinations with unpredictable conditions. It helps protect your prepaid expenses if you need to cancel or cut your trip short.

Is travel insurance worth it for domestic flights?

Not always. If you’re staying within the U.S. and have flexible bookings or health coverage at home, you may not need it. But for complex or costly itineraries, it can still offer peace of mind.