Travel in Transition
Rethinking Insurance Protection for a Multi-Trip World
Why rising travel frequency, cost, and risk are driving the shift to annual coverage
Executive Summary
Travel behavior has shifted significantly in recent years. What was once an occasional activity is now a consistent part of how people live, with many travelers taking multiple trips each year. At the same time, the cost of travel is rising, and disruptions such as cancellations and medical events are becoming more financially impactful.
Despite these changes, many travelers still rely on single-trip insurance or do not purchase coverage at all, creating gaps in insurance protection.
This paper examines how increased travel frequency, rising costs, and evolving risks are shaping the need for travel insurance. It also highlights why annual, multi-trip coverage offers a more efficient and reliable solution for today’s traveler.
Travel Has Changed and It Is Not Slowing Down
Travel is no longer limited to one or two major trips per year. According to recent survey data, more than 63% of travelers take multiple trips annually, with many averaging around three leisure trips per year.1
This shift is supported by broader industry growth. The global online travel market generated approximately $667.55 billion in revenue in 2023 and is projected to reach $1.57 trillion by 2030, reflecting sustained demand and increased accessibility.2
Travel planning behavior has also evolved. Travelers are spending significant time researching destinations and are increasingly influenced by digital content, with social media playing a role in trip inspiration for the majority of travelers.3
The Cost of Travel Is Rising and So Is the Risk
As travel becomes more frequent, the financial investment tied to each trip is increasing.
With higher upfront costs, even minor disruptions can lead to significant financial losses. Disruptions are also common. Claims data shows that trip cancellations account for 74% of all travel insurance claims, making them the most frequent reason travelers seek reimbursement.5
These trends highlight a simple reality: as travelers invest more in their trips, the financial impact of unexpected events increases.
According to the U.S. Travel Association, domestic travel costs increased by approximately 20% YOY, rising from $4,290 on average in 2025 to $5,124 in 2026.4
Insights Into Today’s Travel Protection Gap
To better understand the modern traveler, Zurich Accident & Health conducted a Leisure Travel Survey to examine travel habits, concerns, and attitudes toward travel insurance coverage.
The findings reveal a clear disconnect between traveler concerns and traveler preparedness.
The survey found that 70% of travelers are concerned about unexpected events while traveling, with medical emergencies and trip disruptions ranking among their top concerns.6
Additional findings include:
62%
of respondents plan to travel more than twice this year
14%
expect to take four or more trips
56%
reported primarily domestic travel
17%
reported international travel
27%
reported a mix of both domestic and international travel
When asked about their biggest travel concerns, respondents identified the following:
56%
Flight delays or cancellations
41%
Medical emergencies
39%
Trip cancellations
35%
Political or safety concerns
27%
Natural disasters
20%
Lost luggage
Despite these concerns, the decision to purchase travel insurance remains inconsistent. Only 38% of travelers reported sometimes purchasing travel insurance, while 25% said they never purchase coverage. The most common barriers included cost concerns, the belief that coverage is unnecessary, and perceptions that claims processes are too complicated.6
These findings highlight a growing insurance protection gap. Travelers are investing more heavily in experiences and taking trips more frequently, yet many continue to underestimate the financial risks associated with disruptions, particularly medical emergencies abroad. At the same time, perceptions of complexity often stem from not knowing what to expect when a claim occurs. To help address this, Zurich’s EverTravel solutions are designed with clear, step-by-step guidance built into the fulfillment experience, so travelers know exactly how to access support and submit a claim when they need it most.
For brokers and affinity organizations, this highlights an opportunity rather than a barrier. Annual, multi-trip coverage is straightforward to position, simple for travelers to use, and often more cost-effective for frequent travelers than purchasing coverage for each trip. Framing coverage this way shifts travel insurance from a “nice to have” for occasional travel to a more practical, consistent approach to managing travel risk.
Did You Know?
Many U.S. primary health insurance plans provide limited or no coverage outside the United States, leaving travelers responsible for many overseas medical expenses.
Many U.S. health insurance plans offer limited or no international coverage, leaving travelers potentially responsible for substantial medical expenses overseas. Emergency medical claims average more than $1,600, while medical evacuations can exceed $200,000 depending on location and severity.7
EverTravel provides a significant opportunity to address these gaps. Simplifying travel insurance protection through an annual, multi-trip policy may help address many of the barriers preventing travelers from securing consistent coverage for both domestic and international travel.
Why Annual Travel Coverage Makes More Sense
For today’s frequent travelers, insuring trips individually is often inefficient and can lead to gaps in coverage. Annual, multi-trip travel insurance offers a more practical solution by providing continuous coverage across all trips taken within a 12-month period.
This approach aligns with modern travel behavior:
Multiple trips throughout the year
A combination of domestic and international travel
Increased financial investment per trip
Greater exposure to delays, cancellations, and medical risks
Key advantages of annual coverage include:
EverTravel:
Designed for the
Modern Traveler
EverTravel annual, multi-trip leisure travel insurance was designed to reflect the realities of modern travel behavior: more trips, higher travel costs, and increased exposure to disruption.
The policy combines robust insurance protection with flexibility, helping travelers stay covered across multiple journeys throughout the year.
Coverage for every trip
EverTravel provides coverage for multiple trips across a 12-month period and allows travelers to include up to six individuals under a single policy.
Coverage highlights
Coverage in Action
Did You Know?
Emergency medical evacuations can cost anywhere from $25,000 to more than $250,000 depending on the traveler’s location, medical condition, and transportation requirements.8
Road Accident in Paris
While visiting Paris with his friends, a father was involved in a serious road accident that resulted in multiple fractures and emergency surgeries. During recovery, family support became essential. Zurich Travel AssistTM coordinated logistics, including transportation for the traveler’s partner to Paris and repatriation arrangements once the traveler was medically stable.
Total claims paid exceeded $85,000.8
Did You Know?
Hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation following a serious injury in the U.S. can quickly exceed $50,000, particularly when specialist care, rehabilitation, and extended recovery are required.8
Accident in Chicago
While attending a wedding in Chicago, a woman slipped on icy stairs and fractured her hip. She required surgery, hospitalization, and rehabilitation care. Zurich Travel AssistTM coordinated hospital admission, managed payments, arranged family travel support, and organized transportation home for continued treatment once medically cleared.
Total claims paid exceeded $65,000.8
Did You Know?
The average emergency medical travel insurance payout reached approximately $1,654 in 2024, while severe international medical emergencies and evacuations can result in six-figure costs.9
Medical Emergency in Spain
While traveling in Spain, a US resident experienced a sudden cardiac event. Because the initial hospital could not provide the level of specialized care required, Zurich Travel AssistTM coordinated a transfer to a higher-level medical facility. Coverage included emergency medical treatment, rehabilitation, medical evacuation, and repatriation services.
Total claims paid exceeded $180,000.8
Conclusion: A Smarter Way to Insure Every Trip
Travel is becoming more frequent, more expensive, and more complex. Yet many travelers continue to rely on outdated approaches to insurance protection that no longer reflect how people travel today.
Zurich survey data reinforces this shift, showing that while most travelers are concerned about disruptions, many still lack consistent insurance coverage. This gap highlights the growing need for simpler, continuous protection models that align with modern travel behavior.
Annual travel coverage offers a more streamlined approach to managing travel risk by providing ongoing protection across multiple trips throughout the year. As travel continues to evolve, insurance protection must evolve with it.
To learn more about EverTravel, contact your Zurich representative.
Travel in Transition
Rethinking Insurance Protection for a Multi-Trip World
Why rising travel frequency, cost, and risk are driving the shift to annual coverage
References
- Business Travel Outlook 2026 Survey
- Online Travel Market Growth Report, 2023–2030 Projections
- Statista Consumer Insights Global Survey, 2025
- U.S. Travel Association, Travel Price Index (TPI)
- SquareMouth Travel Insurance, Travel Insurance Claims on the Rise, 2025
- Zurich OnePulse Leisure Travel Survey Results, 2026
- GoodRx, How Travel Medical Insurance Works, 2025
- JetSet Protect, Medical Costs Abroad Report, 2025
- MoneyGeek/Squaremouth Claims Data, 2026
This is intended as a general description of certain type of insurance available to qualified customers and is provided solely for informational purposes. Insurance coverages underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company, a New York domiciled company with its principal place of business at 1299 Zurich Way, Schaumburg, IL 60196 (NAIC # 16535).
Each claim is unique and subject to the facts it presents, and that depending on the facts presented in a particular claim and the coverage provisions that might apply to the facts of that claim, coverage for the particular claim might not be afforded, might be excluded, or might be limited. The examples shown are for situations where there are no coverage issues related to the claim and the claim is fully covered. However, please be assured that if or when a claim is presented, Zurich will use its best efforts to adjust such claim according to the facts of the claim, the applicable policy language, and the applicable law.
A1-P1252464-B (07/26) P1271442