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When Is the Best Time to Buy Travel Insurance?

Team AckoNov 11, 2025

Planning a trip always comes with excitement: new destinations, itineraries, and experiences to look forward to. But while you may be busy comparing flights or finalising hotel bookings, one detail that often gets pushed aside is when to buy travel insurance.

Buying Travel insurance is very important for your trips, but the timing of purchase is just as important as the coverage. Buy too late, and you may miss out on critical protections like trip cancellation or pre-departure benefits. Buying early, on the other hand, secures peace of mind from the very start.

So, when is the best time to buy travel insurance? Let’s find out in this blog.

When Is the Best Time to Buy Travel Insurance

Contents

Why Does Travel Insurance Timing Matter?
Get Travel Insurance After Booking Flights
Travel Insurance When Planning Adventure Activities
Buy Travel Insurance During the Visa Applications
Travel Insurance For Last-Minute Trips
Purchase Travel Insurance Before Renewing Multi-Trip Annual Policies
Getting Insurance Ahead of Monsoon or Festive Travel
What Happens If You Delay Buying Travel Insurance?
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Does Travel Insurance Timing Matter?

Travel insurance isn’t just a box to tick. It is a financial safety net that works best when purchased at the right moment. If you wait until the last minute, your policy might not cover things like cancellations or pre-existing medical conditions. Buying in advance, however, ensures maximum protection without additional cost.

The sooner you purchase travel insurance, the longer you stay protected, starting from the day you book your trip until you return home.

Get Travel Insurance After Booking Flights

Once flights and hotels are booked, your trip becomes real. However, it also means your money is at risk. Unexpected events, such as illness, emergencies, or travel disruptions, can lead to cancellations. Insurance bought right after booking covers those risks.

What’s in it for you:

Trip cancellation cover – recover costs for non‑refundable bookings if plans change for covered reasons.
Pre‑existing condition waivers – some policies require purchase within a limited time after booking to cover certain health conditions.
Locked‑in premiums – buying early helps avoid premium increases, especially during peak seasons like Diwali or summer holidays.

Pro tip: Some add‑ons, such as Cancel for Any Reason, are available only if you buy early, and they are reliable additions if your plans change unexpectedly.

Travel Insurance When Planning Adventure Activities

Whether you plan to trek in the Himalayas, scuba dive in the Andaman Islands, or ski abroad, standard travel insurance may not cover such high-risk activities. Before you depart, you will need to add riders or choose a policy tailored to adventure sports.

Typical exclusions without add-ons:

High-altitude treks (for example, Leh-Ladakh).
Water sports like jet skiing, surfing, or snorkelling.
Loss or theft of specialised equipment.

Pro tip: Always disclose planned activities upfront. This ensures you get the right coverage, including remote medical evacuation if needed.

Buy Travel Insurance During the Visa Applications

Many countries, including Schengen nations, the UAE, and Russia, require proof of travel insurance to issue a visa. The policy must match travel dates and meet certain conditions.

Visa essentials to check:

Geographic coverage for all destinations in your itinerary
Minimum sum insured (for Schengen visas, it’s at least €30,000 or about ₹25 lakh)
Exact travel dates

Pro tip: Opt for insurers like ACKO that issue instant policy documents digitally, making last-minute visa submissions easier.

Travel Insurance For Last-Minute Trips

Not every trip is planned months in advance. A sudden work assignment or a weekend getaway still carries risks, such as lost baggage, flight delays, or medical emergencies. Even if you buy travel insurance just before departure, you can still get protection, though some exclusions may apply.

What is typically covered for last-minute plans:

Emergency medical costs abroad.
Baggage delay or loss reimbursements.
Trip curtailment if you must return home unexpectedly.

Pro tip: Some insurers activate policies the same day. Just remember that if you purchase too late, pre-existing conditions or risky activities might be excluded.

Purchase Travel Insurance Before Renewing Multi-Trip Annual Policies

Frequent flyers, whether business travellers, families, or students abroad, often find annual travel insurance plans more economical. Renewing these policies before expiry ensures uninterrupted protection.

Who benefits the most:

Business travellers with unpredictable schedules.
Families are taking multiple trips in a year.
Students exploring neighbouring countries while studying abroad.

Pro tip: Always check the per-trip duration limit. For instance, some policies cap individual trips at 45 days. If you are planning longer stays, choose a plan that matches your travel style.

Getting Insurance Ahead of Monsoon or Festive Travel

In India, monsoon and festive seasons often come with higher travel risks, from landslides in Himachal to flight delays during packed airports in December. Buying early ensures you are covered for seasonal disruptions.

Season-specific coverage to look for:

Weather-related delays or cancellations.
Natural disaster protection, such as floods, cyclones, or landslides.
Epidemic-related coverage.

Pro tip: Double-check your policy’s disaster clauses. Not all plans automatically cover weather events or natural disasters.

What Happens If You Delay Buying Travel Insurance?

Delaying travel insurance can leave big gaps in your protection. For example:

If you buy after a flight is cancelled, you cannot claim cancellation costs.
Waiting too long may mean pre-existing medical conditions will not be covered.
Adventure sports or add-ons might not be available if purchased too close to departure.

In short, waiting until the last minute may save you a few minutes now, but it could cost you far more later.

Final Thoughts

When considering the best time to buy travel insurance, there is one key rule to remember: buy travel insurance as soon as your plans are confirmed. It doesn’t cost extra, and it means you get protection from the very first day. Whether you are heading abroad for the first time or flying every month, ACKO makes it simple to choose a policy that fits your trip and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When should I buy travel insurance for my trip?

The best time is right after you book your trip. That way, you lock in coverage from the start, including trip cancellations and pre-departure benefits.

Is it worth it to buy annual travel insurance?

If you travel three or more times a year, an annual plan can be more cost-effective and convenient than buying separate policies.

How many days does travel insurance cover?

Coverage usually matches the dates you choose when purchasing your policy. Make sure your policy covers your entire trip, from departure to return.

Can I buy travel insurance on the day I leave for my trip?

Yes. Some insurers like ACKO offer instant policies, so it’s possible. But last‑minute policies might not cover pre‑existing conditions or trip cancellation.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes. Please check the policy document for cancellation reasons, and terms and conditions of the policy.