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.
Voters get a chance to win too
One randomly selected voter will receive a sweepstakes prize of a GoPro action camera and kit. Eligible entrants must be U.S. residents 21 or older, or Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) 19 or older, with the promotion void where prohibited by law.
Rhonda Sloan, CMO for North America at Zurich Cover-More, said the contest highlights travelers who endured serious misfortune while pursuing their love of travel, and underscores the value of having a travel insurance plan in place.
Entries can be submitted starting September 15, 2026, at 9 a.m. Central Daylight Time through the contest's official website.