Travel Guard's 'World's Unluckiest Traveler' Contest Offers $10,000 Prize
Houston – September 18, 2026 -- Travel insurance provider Travel Guard, part of Zurich Cover-More, has opened entries for its annual World's Unluckiest Traveler contest, offering a $10,000 grand prize to the traveler with the most disastrous vacation story.
Entries open September 15 and close October 5
Residents of the U.S. and Canada can submit a video or photo along with a written account of their travel mishap during the three-week entry window. Travel Guard judges will narrow submissions down to eight finalists, set to be announced on the contest website on October 26, 2026.
Public voting determines the winners
The eight finalists will then compete for votes from the public through November 9, 2026, with finalists encouraged to promote their entries on social media. The submission with the highest vote count wins the $10,000 grand prize, while the second-, third- and fourth-place finishers by vote total will also receive prizes.