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Can I Buy Travel Insurance After Booking A Flight?

Team AckoDec 12, 2025

It’s time for that much-needed vacay! You’ve booked that fancy resort you have been eyeing and bagged a nice discount for the flight ticket as well. And you think you are sorted. You are in the vacation frame of mind, but the universe had other plans. Now you have to cancel or reschedule all your bookings, and this is going to cost a bomb. This scenario could have played out differently if you had opted for travel insurance. But can you book travel insurance after you have booked your flight tickets and made all the other arrangements? Let’s find out.
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Contents

Can a travel insurance plan be purchased after booking a flight?
Why should you buy travel insurance immediately after booking a flight?
How to purchase a travel insurance plan after booking a flight?
Conclusion
Frequently asked questions

Can a travel insurance plan be purchased after booking a flight?

Yes, you can buy travel insurance even after booking your flight. You cannot purchase one after your trip has started, though. While you can wait for a bit before purchasing a travel insurance plan, it is recommended that you add your travel insurance plan to your ticket booking at the time of purchase or soon after.

Why should you buy travel insurance immediately after booking a flight?

There are many benefits to purchasing your travel insurance immediately after booking your flight. Here’s how you get covered for some of the most common travel mishaps through a travel insurance plan.

Cancellations

Even the best-laid plans can go awry due to unforeseen circumstances. You may have spent months planning your trip. However, one emergency is enough to derail these plans and cost you a fortune without even having set foot in another country. Travel insurance can help you minimise these losses. If the trip cancellation occurs due to unavoidable reasons, such as hospitalisation or an accident, you will get coverage as stated in the terms and conditions of your travel insurance plan. Therefore, it's crucial to obtain a travel insurance plan as soon as you book your ticket, as it provides a longer period of protection. This is because coverage for cancellation can be applied from the time the travel insurance policy is purchased, but not retroactively.

Rescheduling

Sometimes, instead of a trip cancellation, you may want to reschedule it. You may think that only cancellation can lead to monetary losses. But rescheduling may also involve additional costs. If rescheduling occurs due to an accident, medical emergency, or any other reason approved by the insurer, these costs will be covered by the insurance policy.

Flight delay

You have made it to the airport without any incident, and you think that luck is on your side. But unfortunately, flight delays are an inevitable part of air travel. Something may have happened somewhere and can set off a chain of events. And invariably, your flight may be delayed. If you opt for travel insurance after booking your flight, it can help you during such times. If this delay stretches beyond the time frame stipulated by the insurer, you will be entitled to a reimbursement as per the terms set in the policy.

Pre-existing conditions

Pre-existing conditions can act up at any time. Sometimes they can throw a spanner in the works as your trip gets closer, leading to trip cancellation or rescheduling. Travel insurance companies can provide coverage due to such circumstances. Travel insurance is also important during your travels if you have pre-existing conditions. Check if the policy you have chosen allows for the treatment of pre-existing conditions when you are travelling. Ensure that you declare pre-existing conditions when you purchase your policy. Failure to do so can result in denial of coverage and policy cancellation.

Medical coverage

While we all hope to have an enjoyable and stress-free trip, anything can happen at any time during the trip. An accident or a medical emergency can land you in a hospital abroad. Medical care is expensive as it is. But the cost of medical care abroad can be exorbitant. If you buy travel insurance after booking your flight tickets, it can help you deal with these expenses and keep your out-of-pocket expenses minimal.

Luggage

Another huge issue when it comes to travel is luggage. It can get lost or delayed, and both these situations can cost you dearly. A travel insurance policy can help mitigate these losses. In case of total or partial loss, the insurer will pay a fixed amount for your checked-in luggage. Delays in getting your luggage can also cause undue expenses; hence, insurers pay a fixed amount in such cases as well. So book travel insurance after flight booking to avoid the expenses incurred due to loss of luggage.

How to purchase a travel insurance plan after booking a flight?

Here are a few ways you can purchase a travel insurance plan after booking a flight.

Travel insurers

You can get in touch with a travel insurance company and purchase a policy through them. You can visit their site or app and input details such as the country you are travelling to, your travel dates, and the size of your entourage. You will get the plans and the quotes for them instantly.

Airlines

Some airlines offer travel insurance plans, which can be purchased after you have booked your flight with them. You can check this by visiting the airline’s website or app and checking your bookings to see if this option is available.

Travel agents

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of looking for travel insurance, you can contact a travel agent, and they can book travel insurance for you. They will be able to add travel insurance to your flight booking. But you may have to pay a convenience fee since they are handling the booking for you.

Insurance policy aggregators

Some insurance policy aggregators can allow you to book travel insurance after flight booking. You will have to enter your flight details, and you will be led to a selection of plans. Choose the one that suits your needs the best.

Conclusion

Make sure to purchase travel insurance as soon as you can. Without the coverage it offers, you may be stuck abroad with little to no help. It puts you at ease even before your trip starts and can help you have a peaceful and relaxed trip.

Frequently asked questions

Why should I purchase a travel insurance policy?

A travel insurance policy can protect you against the vagaries of travel, such as medical emergencies, loss of luggage/travel documents, cancellation, delay, and rescheduling of flights. Without the protection of a travel insurance plan, you will have to face the monetary losses incurred in such situations on your own. Some countries may also ask for travel insurance as a part of their visa application process.

How long can I delay the purchase of a travel insurance policy?

Some insurers may allow you to purchase a policy as late as the day you are set to travel. But this is not recommended. This can lead to limited coverage and leave you open to a lot of variables that can wreak havoc on your travel plans.

Can I get medical coverage through a travel insurance policy?

Yes, you will get coverage for medical issues you may face when travelling. Travel insurance covers accidents, hospitalisation due to illness, outpatient treatments, and evacuation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before taking any medication. The list provided is intended as general guidance and may not be suitable for everyone.