Gen Z vs. Baby Boomers: How different generations approach travel insurance
When it comes to travel insurance, age matters. A new analysis from YouGov Profiles shows clear generational patterns in how Americans protect their vacations. While Gen Z is more likely to choose health insurance, Baby Boomers are far more focused on cancellation coverage. These differences reveal how each age group thinks about risk and security on the road.
Who’s buying travel insurance?
Overall, 22% of Americans say they took out some kind of travel insurance on their most recent vacation. Men were more likely than women to be covered, at 25% versus 19%. Parents of children under 18 were the most insured group, with 32% saying they bought coverage.
Across generations, Gen Z leads in travel insurance uptake, with 26% saying they were covered. Millennials aren’t far behind at 24%, followed by Baby Boomers at 21%. Gen X comes in lowest at 17%.
What kind of coverage are people choosing?
Among those who bought insurance, cancellation coverage was the top choice. Nearly half (48%) opted for this type of protection, which reimburses travelers if they need to cancel their trip for a covered reason. Health insurance (33%) and accident insurance (27%) were also common picks.
Fewer travelers selected curtailment insurance (19%) or third-party liability coverage (12%). Another 12% said they didn’t need to buy additional travel insurance because they’re already covered under long-term policies.
Generational differences in insurance preferences
While cancellation insurance is the most common choice overall, it’s especially popular among older travelers. About 72% of Baby Boomers who bought insurance said they chose cancellation coverage, rising to 77% among the Silent Generation. In contrast, just 37% of Gen Z travelers and 40% of Millennials said the same.
Younger travelers are more focused on health-related coverage. Forty-one percent of Gen Z travelers selected health insurance, compared to 27% of Boomers. Millennials also show a strong preference for accident and curtailment coverage, at 31% and 24%, respectively, more than any other generation.
Liability insurance and “other” types of coverage remain relatively uncommon, but younger travelers show slightly higher interest in these options as well.
Methodology: The data comes from YouGov Profiles, which continuously collects data from thousands of Americans to build a detailed portrait of consumer behavior and attitudes. All figures have been rounded to the nearest whole percentage for clarity.