What is Travel Insurance and what does it cover?

August 31, 2026By GEICO Team4 min readEditorial Guidelines
Travel Insurance form with 'Approved' stamped on it.

Key Takeaways


Travel Insurance Reimburses Non-Refundable Trip Costs If You Have to Cancel
Trip cancellation and interruption coverage pays back prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you need to cancel or cut your trip short for a covered reason like illness, injury, or flight disruption.

Coverage Extends to Medical Emergencies, Lost Baggage, and Travel Delays
ExactCare plans through GEICO cover emergency medical and dental treatment abroad, medical evacuation, baggage loss or delay (after 24 hours), travel delays over 5 hours, and missed connections over 3 hours.

Pre-Existing Condition Coverage May Require Purchasing Soon After Booking
Some benefits, like coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, are only available if you buy your policy within a specific window after booking your trip. Review plan requirements before waiting.

Travel is important, whether it's for business or for pleasure. But what happens when your travel plans go awry? A travel insurance policy can help solve travel problems so you can get back on the road again. Understanding travel insurance and what it covers is key to traveling with peace of mind.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance pays covered expenses when a traveler's trip is interrupted or has to be canceled, if a traveler gets sick or injured, or if their luggage or personal items are delayed, damaged, or lost. Travel insurance may even cover flight delays and cancellations, or missed connections that can occur due to airline scheduling. The GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC. has teamed up with Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) to help you insure your trip. You can get an ExactCare quote from BHTP to protect your whole trip.

What does travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance plans from BHTP are simple and cover a variety of things that can happen when on a trip, including issues with your bags, travel delays, and unexpected health concerns.

ExactCare Travel Insurance

ExactCare Travel Insurance coverage includes:

  • Trip cancellation or interruption: Reimburses non-refundable trip costs if you have to cancel or cut your trip short.
  • Emergency medical/dental coverage: Covers medical or dental treatment if you get sick or injured while traveling.
  • Baggage loss or delay: Provides reimbursement for lost luggage or essentials if your bags are delayed after 24 hours.
  • Travel delay: Helps pay for meals, lodging, and other costs if you're delayed for more than 5 hours due to a covered reason.
  • Missed connections: Offers reimbursement if you miss a scheduled connection due to unforeseen delays of more than 3 hours.
  • Emergency medical transportation: Covers the cost of medical evacuation or transport to the nearest suitable medical facility.
  • And more!

What is not covered by travel insurance?

There are non-covered reasons for some trip cancellations and interruptions. There are also exclusions for some medical expenses.

Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance can help protect your trip—and your wallet—when unexpected disruptions occur. From canceled flights and lost luggage to sudden illnesses or emergencies abroad, even the best-planned vacations can hit a snag. Coverage can offer peace of mind by reimbursing non-refundable expenses or helping with medical costs if something goes wrong while you're away. It's a smart way to safeguard your travel investment and reduce stress when plans change.

How can I get travel insurance?

Getting travel insurance through GEICO and its partners is quick and easy! Just follow these steps:

  1. Enter your trip details: You'll be asked for basic information like your destination, travel dates, age, and total trip cost.
  2. Review your quotes: Compare plans based on coverage types, benefit limits, exclusions, and price. Look beyond the cheapest option to find the best fit for your trip.
  3. Check for special requirements: Some benefits, like coverage for pre-existing conditions, may require you to purchase insurance soon after booking your trip.
  4. Choose and purchase your plan: Once you find the right plan, you can complete your purchase online in just a few minutes.

How much does travel insurance cost?

BHTP can help you design an affordable plan that saves you money without sacrificing coverage. You can choose product features based on your needs.

Get your free ExactCare travel insurance quote online and see how affordable it is.

Travel Plans? Bring Backup

Travel insurance could help with unexpected costs before or during a trip.

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If you choose to get a rate quote online, you will be taken to the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection website which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, not GEICO. Any information that you provide directly to Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company on its website is subject to the privacy policy posted on their website, which you should read before proceeding. GEICO assumes no responsibility for their privacy practices or your use of their website.
ExactCare is provided through Berkshire Hathaway Global Insurance Services, LLC, and AirCare is written through other Berkshire Hathaway affiliates. Both coverages are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC.
Benefits may vary by jurisdiction. Please contact a representative to confirm availability.