With the summer travel season rapidly approaching, many people are preparing for vacations, weekend getaways, and business trips. However, with the cost of travel continuing to climb, especially due to rising fuel prices, inflation, and increased demand, travelers are actively seeking ways to cut costs wherever possible. As a result, some may prioritize cheaper flights, accommodations, or experiences to save money. But in doing so, even seasoned travelers who are familiar with the ins and outs of booking travel can sometimes overlook the importance of protecting their trip with comprehensive travel insurance. While it may seem like an added expense, travel insurance provides essential coverage that can save you from unexpected financial burdens due to delays, cancellations, medical emergencies, and other unforeseen events.

Squaremouth, the nation’s largest and most trusted travel insurance comparison service, has recently unveiled the top five travel insurance mistakes travelers often make. These are mistakes that, while common, can lead to unnecessary headaches, confusion, and financial losses if not properly addressed. As travel continues to rebound in 2025 and more people prepare to hit the skies or hit the road, it is crucial to understand these common pitfalls in order to make the best decision when purchasing travel insurance.

While many travelers are focused on securing the best deal for their flights and accommodations, they may neglect the importance of purchasing travel insurance early, leaving themselves exposed to risks. Squaremouth’s experts emphasize that it’s essential to plan ahead and secure coverage early on, as waiting too long can result in missed opportunities for critical protections, such as trip cancellation due to any reason, coverage for pre-existing conditions, or hurricane season-related disruptions. By avoiding these travel insurance mistakes, travelers can ensure they enjoy a hassle-free vacation and have peace of mind during their trip.

Travel insurance is designed to safeguard against a variety of scenarios, providing financial protection and support. By following expert advice and understanding these common travel insurance mistakes, you can make the right decisions and ensure your trip is covered from start to finish.

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 coveragethat 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.

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