Cruise Travelers Lead Surge in Medical Emergency Travel Insurance Claims

Getting sick or injured while traveling is a worst-case scenario for many world explorers and an unfortunate reality for some. In 2024, medical emergency travel insurance claims surged to their highest levels in over a decade, both in terms of frequency and payout amounts.

According to recent data from travel insurance marketplace Squaremouth, medical emergencies accounted for 27 percent of all paid claims last year, surpassing trip cancellations as the most commonly claimed expense. The average payout for these claims also rose by 14 percent, reaching $1,654. Cruises, in particular, saw the highest number of claims.

“People are getting sick, unfortunately, and injured on trips,” Jenna Hummer, Squaremouth’s public relations director, told USA Today. “There are higher claims and more claims when it comes to cruises, and getting treated in the infirmaries on cruise ships (are notoriously expensive.) Norovirus has been rather rampant this year so that has accounted for quite a few emergency medical claims.”

Among those that weren’t one of the all-expensive medical evacuations, the single most costly medical claim of 2024 totaled a staggering $61,976 for an illness encountered in Aruba, underscoring the high price tag of procuring medical care abroad.

In addition to the rise in medical-specific claims, overall travel insurance claims increased by 18 percent compared to 2023. The average payout across all types of claims also jumped by 37 percent, climbing from $1,900 to $2,609.

Several factors have contributed to these dramatic increases. Rising travel costs and an eagerness to embark on major bucket list-type trips have driven more people to seek travel insurance, Hummer said. A recent Squaremouth survey found that the number of travelers planning major adventure trips doubled in 2024.

More people seek to insure their trip investments nowadays due to the increasing impact of natural disasters on popular destinations. Events such as the recent Southern California wildfires and the devastating Maui fires in 2023 have prompted more travelers to protect their trips in case of unforeseen disruptions.

“These things are happening more and more frequently; people are more thoughtful about protecting their trip,” Hummer said.

As travel demand remains high, and unexpected health and environmental risks continue to threaten trips, travel insurance is proving to be an essential safeguard for many travelers.

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