Travel insurance is a short-term policy designed for travelers and the risks they encounter.

Travel insurance can be purchased for limited periods of time, as short as a few days. This means you can buy a policy for a short trip and be covered for travel-related risks.

The first step of finding the right travel insurance policy is to ask yourself what kind of coverage you need. Most people just think of non-medical coverage such as canceled trips and lost baggage, but medical emergencies can account for huge expenses.

Travel insurance companies also sell “package” plans, that include coverage for all of the above. These plans provide travelers with coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, lost or stolen baggage, medical emergencies, and medical evacuations.

Package plans are usually only available for shorter trips, up to 1 month long. For travelers who are away from home longer than that, or are moving abroad for a year or two, there are policies available that just cover medical expenses and evacuation. Since there is no trip cancellation coverage, these travel medical policies are very moderately priced.

Related Links
Compare travel insurance companies at Squaremouth.com
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3 reasons to buy insurance for your last minute trip

Read our Travel Insurance 101: The Complete Guide to Travel Insurance

How to buy travel insurance

1. Use a travel insurance comparison site- The best way to buy travel insurance is to use a travel insurance comparison site. Compare quotes and plas side-by-side, and buy instantly online.
2. Check reviews and buy direct- If you want a quote from a specific travel insurance company, visit our reviews pages. You will see links to purchase insurance directly from the company.