expedition.insure Polar & Safari Specialist
Pricing Guide

How Much Does Expedition Cruise Insurance Cost?

Expedition cruise insurance typically costs 2–10% of your trip cost for trip protection, or $2–$7 per day for travel medical coverage. Your exact price depends on your age, trip cost, and coverage level.

Trip Protection

2–10% of trip cost

Travel Medical

$2–$7 per day

Based on nearly 2,000 quotes across major expedition insurance carriers.

Explore Your Estimated Cost

Adjust the options below to see an approximate price range. These are estimates — your actual quote may vary.

Coverage Type

Age Range

$15,000
$5,000$50,000

Estimated Cost

$300$900

2–6% of your trip cost

Get an exact quote

Estimates based on published rate ranges. Your actual quote depends on specific plan, destination, and traveler details.

Two Types of Coverage, Two Pricing Models

Expedition cruise insurance falls into two main categories, each priced differently.

Trip Protection Insurance

Covers trip cancellation, interruption, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation — priced as a percentage of your total trip cost.

Standard Plan 2–6% of trip cost

A $15,000 Antarctica cruise → $300–$900

Premium Plan 4–10% of trip cost

A $15,000 Antarctica cruise → $600–$1,500

Includes trip cancellation, interruption, travel delay, baggage, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation.

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage is available as an add-on to eligible plans for additional cost.

Travel Medical Insurance

Covers emergency medical expenses and evacuation while abroad — priced per day of travel. Does not include trip cancellation.

Travel Medical Insurance $2–$7 per day

A 21-day expedition → $42–$147

Includes emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation (up to $500,000), and 24/7 travel assistance.

How Age Affects Your Price

Age is the single biggest factor in expedition insurance pricing. Most expedition travelers are 50–70, so this matters.

Under 40

Baseline

Travelers under 40 pay the lowest premiums. On a $20,000 trip, standard trip protection might run 2–4% of trip cost.

Ages 40–59

~1.5×

Premiums increase roughly 50% over the baseline. That same $20,000 trip moves to about 3–6% for standard coverage.

Ages 60+

~2×

Premiums roughly double. The $20,000 trip now costs about 4–8% for standard coverage. Medical evacuation risk from remote destinations drives most of this increase.

These are general ranges based on market data. Your actual quote depends on your specific age, trip details, and chosen plan.

Example Pricing Scenarios

Real-world examples to help you estimate your cost. All figures are approximate ranges.

Antarctica — Couple, Mid-50s

$28,000 trip · 14 days · Standard plan

$840–$1,400

At roughly 3–5% of trip cost, this covers trip cancellation, interruption, medical, and evacuation for two travelers.

Arctic Svalbard — Solo Traveler, 35

$12,000 trip · 10 days · Standard plan

$240–$480

Younger travelers pay less. At 2–4% of trip cost, this is a straightforward standard plan for a shorter expedition.

Safari — Family of 4, Ages 45–68

$48,000 total trip · 18 days · Standard plan

$2,400–$3,850

The older travelers in the group pay more per person. The 68-year-old's premium is roughly double the 45-year-old's, pushing the total to about 5–8% of trip cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I budget for Antarctica travel insurance?
Budget 2–10% of your trip cost depending on coverage level and your age. For a typical $15,000–$30,000 Antarctic expedition, that's roughly $450–$2,400 per person. Travelers over 60 should budget toward the higher end.
Does age affect expedition insurance pricing?
Yes, significantly. Travelers over 60 typically pay about double compared to those under 40. This is the single biggest pricing factor — a couple in their mid-60s will pay noticeably more than younger travelers on the same trip.
Is expedition cruise insurance more expensive than regular travel insurance?
Yes. The higher cost reflects remote locations, expensive evacuation logistics, and high trip values. Medical evacuation from Antarctica can cost $150,000–$300,000, which is reflected in premiums.
What's the difference between travel medical and trip protection insurance?
Travel medical ($2–$7/day) covers emergency medical expenses and evacuation only. Trip protection (2–10% of trip cost) adds trip cancellation, interruption, travel delay, and baggage coverage on top of medical benefits.
What percentage of trip cost goes to expedition insurance?
Typically 2–10%. Standard plans run 2–6% of trip cost, while premium plans with higher limits run 4–10%. Travel medical plans without cancellation coverage cost $2–$7 per day regardless of trip value.
When should I buy expedition insurance to get the best coverage?
Buy within 14–21 days of your initial trip deposit. This window typically unlocks pre-existing condition waivers and Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) eligibility. The premium itself doesn't change based on timing, but the coverage you qualify for does.

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