Over the coming spring months universities will close, and thousands of students will descend on sun-filled beaches across the US to take a break from their studies. While the season might bring economic opportunity to local communities and a chance for students to unwind, we take a close look at the specific risks and challenges surrounding spring break and what the insurance industry is doing to mitigate them.

Spring break post-pandemic

Since the Covid-19 pandemic the travel industry has boomed, and Jeremy Murchland, President of Seven Corners Travel Insurance, said that all signs point to a full rebound post-pandemic for college spring breakers. 

“As a demographic that frequently sees themselves as invincible, their willingness to travel returned more quickly than it did for older travellers,” he said. However, in the last year there has been a shift in where college-aged spring breakers travel: “This has less to do with the pandemic and more to do with specific destinations actively trying to deter these types of visitors.”

After a season with high reports of crime and drugs, two of the most popular US destinations – Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale – campaigned to limit the number of college spring breakers flocking to Florida. While anti-spring break efforts didn’t stop travellers, Miami Beach did see some reduction in crowds, the number of weapons confiscated, and alcohol-related arrests. 

However, Murchland said that students who decided not to go to Miami Beach instead found other destinations also known to be party-friendly, including Panama City Beach and Daytona Beach in Florida, and South Padre Island in Texas.

“Outside of the US, large numbers of college spring breakers are still booking trips to Cancun, Mexico, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic,” he added.

While college spring breakers might not have altered their habits post-pandemic, the industry has observed more changes from families. 

Policy price is typically more dependent on age of travellers, length of trip and overall insured trip cost

“In the years since the pandemic, families increasingly look for spring break destinations that allow them to travel on a budget. This makes them more open to alternative sites that don’t typically draw large crowds and, therefore, have more affordable prices,” Murchland explained.

“Popular spring break destinations in the US in recent years include St George, Utah, which is a ‘gateway city’ for several national and state parks, and Orange Beach, Alabama, a favourite alternative to Florida’s beaches that might not be suitable for young families,” he added.

Jenna Hummer, Director of Public Relations at Squaremouth, listed the following top five spring break destinations of 2025:

1. The US
2. Mexico
3. The Bahamas
4. The Dominican Republic
5. Costa Rica.

Daniel Durazo, External Communications Director for Allianz Partners USA, said: “Orlando, Florida, and Cancun, Mexico, remain fan favourites for Americans’ spring break escapes while Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, made a strong comeback to the international travel roster dominated by Mexico destinations earlier this year.

“Americans don’t have to go far to get away, as Allianz Partners USA travel itineraries reviewed in 2024 showed three-quarters (76%) of them are for domestic US travel and 24% are for international trips,” he added.

In terms of spending, Allianz identified that Americans had planned to spend an average of US$4,681 on their spring break travels, marking a 7.9% increase in spending compared with the same period in 2023 ($4,339), noting that no one seems to be slowing down as spring 2025 approaches.

Destination-specific travel risks

As spring break has grown in traveller numbers over the years, so too has the destination demographic. Travel risks vary across destinations such as Cancun, Panama, Las Vegas and the Bahamas. How do insurers cater to the specific risks in these locations?

In terms of assessing risk, Hummer explained that because Mexico is a more high-risk location, travel insurance can be slightly more expensive than domestic and European policies. However, she said, “policy price is typically more dependent on age of travellers, length of trip and overall insured trip cost”.

Murchland stressed the importance of factoring in a higher risk of crime at this time of year, as seen in destinations like Miami Beach. 

“The size of the crowds, along with what local officials have called ‘drunken debauchery’, increases the risk of an emergency,” he explained.

Party-focused destinations for college spring breakers come with any number of alcohol-related risks, said Murchland. 

Durazo elaborated: “Policies state that you are not covered for any loss that results directly or indirectly from the use or abuse of alcohol or drugs, or any related physical complications, and many policies do not cover emergency medical costs if the injury or illness is due to intoxication.” 

Of course, not all spring breakers are doomed to make poor, alcohol-induced decisions, but even those who don’t engage in dangerous behaviour aren’t guaranteed a flawless vacation.

Events like the pandemic have heightened younger travellers’ understanding of risks, such as unexpected cancellations, medical emergencies, or trip disruptions

Murchland pointed out that, for instance, “someone on an alternative spring break trip in Guatemala faces different risks, such as a construction injury while building a school. Couple that with potentially being in a more remote location and in a country that might have different healthcare standards than what they’re used to, and the need for travel insurance remains particularly important for spring break trips.”

Durazo concluded that risks are inherent in any type of travel, but spring break may be the first time that some young adults are travelling solo.

How are younger generations buying travel insurance?

Insurers sometimes struggle to reach younger demographics, who might be less concerned about the risks posed by travel. Are the new generation of spring breakers buying travel insurance, and, if so, how?

According to Hummer, Squaremouth has seen an increase in younger generations purchasing travel insurance on its website and said that more 18–35-year-olds are using marketplaces to compare policies prior to purchasing insurance.

Quentin Colmant, Qover’s CEO and Co-Founder, observed: “Younger travellers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of travel insurance. Events like the pandemic have heightened their understanding of risks, such as unexpected cancellations, medical emergencies, or trip disruptions. This shift in mindset is driving more of them to include insurance in their travel plans,” he reflected.

On how they buy insurance, he said: “Gen Z prefers digital-first sales channels, such as mobile apps, travel websites, and platforms they already trust. For communication, they favour quick and easy channels like chatbots, messaging apps, or app-based notifications.”

When younger travellers do buy travel insurance, often at the behest of a parent, they prefer to do so with a self-service model online

Gen Z also expect a straightforward, integrated experience where insurance options are just a natural part of their journey, Colmant said. They don’t want the hassle of shopping for it separately.

Therefore, embedded insurance is especially appealing to younger clients, who may already use these cards for budgeting and online transactions.

“Embedded card insurance helps capture younger users who may not actively seek insurance but appreciate having it included as part of their banking or payment experience,” 
said Colmant. 

Many credit and debit cards now include basic travel insurance. However, this form of cover isn’t always suitably tailored to the needs of the customer, especially those travelling to destinations with unique risks.

Reaching Gen Z effectively

According to Murchland, the challenge for insurers is demonstrating the value of travel insurance to young generations with “the perception of invincibility”.

“When younger travellers do buy travel insurance, often at the behest of a parent, they prefer to do so with a self-service model online. Having to call an agent may be enough to deter them from making a purchase,” he explained.

Moving forward, Murchland suggested that insurers provide ample information via websites, video and social media that educates the younger traveller on the value of coverage and how travel insurance works. 

“Seamlessly connecting that educational information with an online purchase process increases the odds of carrying the new generation through the full sales cycle and building the relationships that turn them into customers for life,” he said.

However, travel insurance is unlikely to become a priority for the party-going spring breaker, he added.

As it’s more likely that a parent would purchase coverage for their child, Murchland concluded by saying that continuing to address the worries and concerns of parents rather than appealing directly to the traveller should return stronger results.

Since the pandemic, Gen Z attitudes towards travel insurance have shifted and insurers are finding new ways to engage this demographic. However, spring break will continue to challenge insurers to offer accessible and comprehensive cover for the unique set of risks associated with it.